It was a brilliant night for illegal business to emerge from the dark. Somewhere amid the towering buildings and busy streets of Makati City, a man in a business suit came dashing towards the elevator. Matangkad itong lalaki at mukhang disente kaya't hindi mo mapaghihinalaang gumagawa ng mga kalokohan sa buhay. That, and his brother was a politician.

Habang pasakay ng elevator ang lalaki, ay nabunggo ito sa balikat ng isang babaeng may mahaba at itim na buhok.

"Sorry." The girl said and ignored his presence. The man pressed a button and dazed off. There were other people in the compartment pero nakadapo lang ang mga mata ng lalaki sa babaeng nakabunggo sa kanya. His eyes wandered down her curvaceous figure at napangisi siya.

"New here? I haven't seen you around these areas lately."

Bahagyang ngumiti ang babae. "Nope. Hindi mo lang kasi ako napapansin, Mr. Guerrero."

The businessman winked at her. "Imposible yatang hindi ko mapansin ang isang babaeng kasing-ganda mo, miss."

Kiming ngumiti ang dalaga sa lalaki. She then pointed at what he held. "What's that?" Lumapit pa sa kanya ang lalaki. Too close to be uncomfortable for the girl. He leaned down and whispered seductively in her ear.

"Money, kitten. Lots of it."

Nang tumunog na ang bell indicating they were finally at the ground floor, the man walked out and grabbed the girl by the arm.

"Want to have dinner later?"

The gorgeous woman who caught his attention snaked her arm around his and purred, "Sounds fun.. Pero bakit later pa? Why not now, big shot?"

Gumuhit ang isang makahulugang ngiti sa labi ng binata. "I have to meet up with someone, sugar. Hmm.. But if you promise to behave, you can come and keep me busy."

Instead of being offended, the girl nodded her head and kissed his cheek lovingly. "Oh, I'd keep you busy, alright."

As they entered Mr. Guerrero's limo, mabilis na naghandsign ang dalaga sa kanyang gilid ng hindi kapansin-pansin. The man was oblivious to what was happening.

From afar, five vehicles away, Dream Nepomuceno sat amusedly behind the stirring wheel. Binaba niya ang hawak niyang binoculars at inactivate ang intercom. He was linked to Nightmare in a matter of seconds.

"He took the bait. Mabuti na lang talaga at maganda ang girlfriend mo."

"That fuckin' asshole better not do anything funny to her. Kapag nalaman ko talagang may tinangka siyang gawin kay Jaz---"

Dream chuckled, "Yeah, yeah.. Hindi pa man tapos ang mission natin, makakapatay ka na ng negosyante. I know. Well, I guess we all know that, Night."

"I'm just worried for her, that's all.. Hays."

"Pre, besides Chase, Jasmine is the best at handling these kinds of situations. Magtiwala ka sa kanya."

"That's it, Dream. May tiwala naman ako sa kanya. Dun ako sa gagong kasama niya walang tiwala."

Dream rolled his eyes and started the engine after checking his wristwatch. "Maya ka na magdrama, Night. Keep post. I need to go, sayonara!" At pinatay na niya ang connection.

Minsan talaga may ups and downs ang pagiging look-out. For one, nakukulangan siya ng action sa part niya. Damn, he was highly specialized with disguises and weaponry! But the on other hand, he could just watch the upcoming fight and eat popcorn.

*

Far from the lights and cars, mag-isang naglalakad ang isang babae bitbit ang mga pinamili niya sa kalapit na department store. Her heels clicked on the pavement hanggang sa mkarating siya sa second floor ng isang malaking gusali. She disregarded the smiling faces of her neighbors. Stupid people with their shameful stupidity. Ang akala ba nila makikipagsocialize siya sa kanila? Screw those shitheads.

Money is all she needs in life. Bukod dun, wala na siyang pakialam sa iba.

Bago pa man mabuksan ni Krisa ang pinto, she immediately stopped. Pinakiramdaman niya ang paligid. Her eyes were alert and calculating. Makalipas ang ilang sandali, she decided to just go inside. In a split second matapos sumara ang pinto, a dagger was thrown at the opposite wall.

Maliksi siyang tumalon para makita kung may natamaan ba siya but when the lights were turned on, she saw nothing.

"What the heck?" Binunot niya ang patalim mula sa pagkakabaon nila sa pader. Was she hallucinating when she saw something move in the dark earlier? Imposible naman yata. Of all the criminals involved in Lee's Deadly Circle, siya ang may pinakamatalas na senses. For years, she was so used to being the one lurking in the dark.

"Baka kulang lang ako sa tulog." She cautiously placed the bags on the coffee table. Pero bago pa man siya makaupo sa sofa, ay biglang tumunog ang doorbell sa unit niya.

She didn't mind checking who it was, it was probably just her younger sister again, ready to annoy the hell out of her. Pero nang mabuksan niya ang pinto, para bang nawala ang dugo sa mukha niya.

"Katie, if you're here to---"

"Long time no see, Kri."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ng dalaga. Her hands were shaking. Memories from her dramatic past came back all at once.

"Clex.."

***