----

Few days later, I recieved a message from Zach telling me to come over to his antique shop for some news about Richmond Mortel.

“This is the last confirmed survelliance footage of Richmond Mortel.”

Zach is sitting in front of his computer, showing me what he found. Ilang araw din akong hindi nakatanggap ng balita o message mula sa kan'ya. Naging busy siguro talaga siya sa work na ginawa nila ni Ian. At ngayon sa nakikita ko, mukhang sinabay niya ang pag-iimbestiga sa case ni Richmond, halata sa kan'yang eyebags.

Maya-maya ay tumayo siya at lumapit sa whiteboard para ipakita ang mga nilagay niya ro'n.

“As you can see here, Richmond went to Horizon to investigate this company,” turo niya sa nakasulat na, 'Lawidg Pharmaceutical'.

“I asked Ian to help me with the intercity jurisdiction. After getting that, I reviewed everything once more and found problems. There was an issue to the batch of medicine given to Ara. So technically, there was an inside job. No’ng sinubukan magtanong-tanong ni Richmond sa hospital, walang sinasabi ang mga nurse at doctor kaya he decided to go to Horizon and investigate Lawidg Pharmaceutical factory since ‘yung medicine came from them.”

Bahagya kong tinaas ang kamay ko para awatin muna siya, “Wait, wait. Parang nakukuha ko na ‘yung sinasabi mo. Was it like, Richmond was investigating the pharmaceutical factory and when someone discovered him, they beat him up and left him to North Subway?” paglilinaw ko.

He nods to confirm my deduction.

“So, what’s our next move?” I asked.

Umiling siya at bahagyang umupo sa table niya, “Actually with all these information, I also found out that Lawidg Pharmaceutical has been closed for two months already. Sinubukan kong daanan kahapon to have some little investigation, but it was shut down. Kung iisiping mabuti, hindi pasok sa timeframe kung kailan nagpunta si Richmond dito.”

Hindi ako sumagot at nag-isip lang ng sasabihin, pero wala akong masabi. Kumbaga, nasa dead end na ang investigation dahil nagsara na rin ang factory.

Lumapit ako sa kan'ya at marahan siyang tinapik sa balikat, nginitian ko siya.

“You’ve done all these without my help? Tignan mo, halos ang dami mong nakalap na impormasyon. I know you spent sleepless night for this.”

Ngumiti rin siya sa 'kin, “Well, I know we talked about doing this together but, I just don’t want you to get so much tired. Kung ako ayos lang, but for you syempre hindi, kasi I know you’re busy with your own work. I’m sorry, Audrey.”

“Ano ka ba, okay lang! I understand.”

Medyo naawa ako sa itsura ni Zach. Mukha talaga siyang puyat at kulang sa tulog. Sinabay niya pa kasi sa work nila ni Ian. Dahil do'n ay medyo nakonsensya naman ako.

“What if bisitahin natin si Richmond ngayon?” suhestiyon ko at para makabawi rin ako sa lahat ng trabahong ginawa niya.

“I already went there last night.”

“Tapos hindi mo ‘ko sinama?!” nanlaki ang mata ko. Nakakainis naman. Gusto ko rin naman malaman at makita ang update kay Richmond 'no!

Napakamot siya sa batok niya at nahihiya na lang na ngumiti, “I told you, I don’t want you to get so much tired. What I worked for Richmond was tiring and exhausting. ‘Wag na magalit, tinapos ko talaga lahat ‘to para hindi ka na rin mag-isip about this. Ayokong matulad ka sa eyebags ko,” marahan niya akong tinawanan.

Humalukipkip ako, “Ang daya mo. So how’s he?”

“His state are becoming better now. When I went there to visit, I didn’t expect he was going to thank me for everything I did for this investigation. Nabanggit ko kasi ‘yun because I was trying to talk to him. And then,” tinignan niya ang isang palad niya, “He wrote something on my palm.”

Nangunot ang noo ko, “What?”

“It was two letters--- I and N.”

“Ano ibig sabihin no’n?”

“I think Richmond wanted to write the complete word but didn’t finish in time. Tumigil din kasi siya agad when he felt something on his head.”

Zach paused for a second, as if he's remembering something.

“I got really curious on that. So I came to a point where I visited the Lawidg Institution. Unfortunately, it was also shut down few days ago. But that doesn’t stop me to investigate what’s inside,” naningkit ang mata niya, “There, I discovered pools of dark red blood on the ground in the corner and a tattered jacket.”

“Lawidg Institution? Hindi ba sila parehas ng Lawidg Pharmaceutical? At ano? You found blood?” naguguluhan at nagugulat kong tanong.

Sorry na, wala akong ideya at kung meron man ay hindi ako gano'n ka-sigurado.

Umiling naman ito, “Institution is owned by a number of shareholders. While the pharmaceutical factory is the process of drug manufacturing. And yes, what I found there was pools of blood. Medyo tuyo na nga lang but when you check it, it’s really a blood.”

Marahan na lamang akong tumango at nakinig sa kan'ya. Gusto kong batukan ang sarili ko kasi baka nagmukha akong ignorante sa harap niya. Audrey was smart and intelligent based on her records, she should know the difference of the two. Pero tignan mo, tinanong ko pa talaga.

Haynako, Gwen.

“Everything fall into places when I checked that it was a human blood that matches to Richmond--- and the jacket was the one Richmond had in the survelliance footage. Hindi lang ‘yun, dahil nakakita rin ako ng sunog na papel. Maliit na lang ‘yung natira, parang hindi nagsucceed ‘yung pag burn. And the handwriting also matched Richmond. I think I did a good decision going in to that place afterall.”

I smiled at him. Well, ang masasabi ko lang ay napaka galing niya. He did all of these in just few days while multitasking some work. Ang hirap no'n pantayan.

“Well, the piece of paper I found was already handed to Ian. I need him to study the formulation kahit maliit na lang ‘yun.”

“What’s in it?” tanong ko.

“Everything I discovered and handed to them is still on going as of the moment. But I hope Ian would drop some good news right away.”

Tumango na lang ako sa sinabi niya. I kind of hope that all his hardwork will be worth it. Ano man ang kalabasan ng imbestigasyon dahil sa mga nahanap ni Zach, sana ay maging maayos at matapos na rin para kay Richmond. Hindi biro ang pinagdadaanan niya, he deserves peace.

“Nandito ka na rin lang, how about we watch horror movie upstairs? Tapos na ang investigation case ni Richmond Mortel at waiting for the result na lang. Let’s unwind for a bit?” ngumiti siya.

“Horror movie? Game!”

Niyaya ako ni Zach pumunta sa 3rd floor ng shop niya at ngayon lang ako nakatapak dito. So basically, this is his room. Kumpara sa 2nd floor na tambak ang gamit at medyo magulo, dito ay malinis at maayos ang lahat. White and brown ang nakikita kong kulay ng kwarto niya.

Hindi rin nakalagpas sa mata ko ang mga litratong nakasabit sa wall niya. It’s a photo collage wall-- most of it are pictures of him and Audrey together. 'Yung iba nama'y picture ng lugar.

Parehas sila ni Audrey na may mga kan'ya-kan'yang picture sa mga kwarto nila. Their friendship is so expensive.

Time passes by and we are currently watching the third horror movie so far. I mean, hindi naman nakakaumay. Nakakaumay siguro kung panget 'yung plot or something. Saka mukhang nag-e-enjoy naman 'tong kasama ko dahil kumakain pa nga siya ng inorder naming pizza. Ngayon atleast alam kong mahilig pala sa horror movies si Zach.

It's like another information was unlocked from him.

Nawala ang atensyon namin sa malaking screen nang tumunog ang cellphone ni Zach. Pinakita niya sa 'kin 'yun saglit saka tumayo para sagutin 'yun. Hininaan ko lang din 'yung volume para magkarinigan sila ng maayos.

“R-Really?! Uh-huh. Okay.”

Medyo matagal siyang naro'n sa sulok, tumatango-tango habang may kausap. Base sa itsura niya mukha namang walang problema.

Nang bumalik siya ay sinalampak niya ang sarili sa kama at maluwag na bumuntong hininga. It's as if he came from a very tiring work.

“Bakit?” curious na tanong ko.

“Well guess what? Ian called me for a very great news,” ngiti niya.

Mukhang alam ko na kung ano 'yun...

“Remember that half formula on a piece of paper I got? Ian has assigned someone to study it. He promised me that the results of their research, if any, will go a long way in alleviating my symptoms. He’ve also reported the matter with Lawidg Pharmaceutical to the bureau and said they will assign someone else to investigate since it was shut down when I visited there. As for Richmond Mortel, he will continue to recieve treatment in Horizon. Arrangements will be made to transfer him to a local hospital back home. We can now rest assured that everything will go fine.”

Napangiti ako sa balita niya. Atleast, lahat ng pinagpuyatan at pinaghirapan niya ay hindi nasayang.

Pero, alleviating my symptoms...?

Seriously, hindi ko pa nahahanap ang sagot tungkol diyan. Hindi ko alam kung may sakit ba si Zach noon or ano bang medicine drug ang binigay sa kan'ya at bakit? Hindi ko naman pwedeng itanong sa kan'ya 'yun. Baka magtaka siya sa 'kin.

“That’s great,” naisagot ko na lang.

A faint smile appears on his face, “Sa totoo lang, medyo nag-aalala ako noong naghihintay ako ng balita galing kay Ian. Because I was terrified that the leads we found were going to be for naught.”

“Wala naman akong masyado naitulong,” natawa ako dahil totoo naman.

Umiling siya, “Audrey, if you ever known. I prayed in my heart that the piece of paper I found would be useful, that it would give me more time to---”

He paused and gently scratch the tip of his nose. My forehead creased.

Just as I'm about to say something, Zach stood up and stretched his arms. Kinuha rin niya ang remote at pinindot ang pause.

“Let’s not talk about it. How about let's watch another movie but this time, comedy-romance naman? Maiba lang,” inabala niya ang sarili sa paghahanap ng bagong movie sa screen.

Samantala, pinanunuod ko lang siya. Something's off, I can feel. Bakit parang ayaw niyang sabihin ang tungkol do'n? I know Audrey's aware about this and Zach was obviously avoiding that topic. Kapag tinanong ko si Zach, hindi rin niya sasagutin-- 'yung ngayon nga ay hindi niya tinuloy, e.

Kung may nasulat lang sana si Audrey sa diary na mas malalim na detalye tungkol kay Zach, hindi sana ako mag-o-overthink ng ganito. I'm so clueless.

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Ngayong araw sana ako pupunta ng ospital para magpa-check up dahil sabi ko nga, gusto kong malaman kung may iniinom bang gamot si Audrey o wala. Gusto ko lang makasiguro na healthy din ang katawan niya-- hindi gaya ng katawan ko as Gwen na maraming sumasakit sa katawan. Hays.

Pero hindi na naman 'yun natuloy dahil nagrequest sa 'kin si Taylor na samahan muna si Sebastian bilang field partner niya. Ang dami niya raw kasing ginagawa.

Gusto ko sana tumanggi, e. Kaso nakakahiya naman.

“What’s wrong? You’ve been spacing out from the start,” tanong ni Sebastian, hindi ko man lang namalayan na huminto na pala siya sa paglalakad.

Umiling ako at pilit na ngumiti, “W-Wala.”

“Taylor sent you, right?”

“Uhm, sabi niya kasi busy---”

“She’s always doing...” he quickly stops as if he wanted to complain but didn’t proceed to do so.

Hindi ko na rin siya tinanong pa dahil tinalikuran na niya ako at nauna nang pumasok sa isang toys store. Hindi ko man alam kung bakit kami nandito ay sinundan ko na lang. Hindi rin kasi masyadong inexplain ni Taylor kung bakit ko sinasamahan si Sebastian ngayon.

Binati kami kaagad ng isang sales lady.

“Good afternoon. Looking for children’s gift, Sir?” nakangiting bati niya.

“Yes. Do you have recommendation?”

“How old is your child po?”

“Eight.”

Medyo natigil 'yung babae sa sagot ni Sebastian saka lumapag ang tingin sa akin.

What? Makatingin naman 'to.

Gano'n pa man ay ngumiti ito sa 'kin, “Sorry, hindi po halatang may anak na kayo,” saka siya tumingin kay Sebastian, “Your wife looks young po, Sir.”

Nagitla ako sa sinabi niya, “Excu---”

But Sebastian cuts me short, “Can you show me your recommendations?” he doesn't directly deny anything.

Lumakad na sila sa isang banda para ipakita kay Sebastian ang mga laruan. Samantalang naiwan ako sa kinatatayuan ko. Ano ba 'to, noong una ay okay naman akong kasama si Sebastian. Ngayon parang ang awkward ng lahat!

Lumipas ang ilang minuto namin sa store, bumili si Sebastian ng ilang laruan at ngayon ay hawak ko na rin ang ibang paperbag, tinulungan ko na kasi 'yun naman ang silbi ko rito.

Hanggang sa makarating kami sa parking lot ay hindi kami nag-iimikan. Siguro na-awkwardan din siya sa inakala sa amin ng sale's lady. Lalo lang tuloy ako naiilang. Kaya naman pagpasok namin sa sasakyan niya, nagsalita na ako. Tutal, hindi ko rin naman alam kung para saan ba 'tong binili niya.

“S-Sir Sebastian, bakit ang dami nating biniling laruan?” tanong ko.

He looked at me, “Taylor didn’t tell you?”

“Hindi po, Sir.”

He quietly sigh as he put his hands on the steering wheel, “We’re going to an orphanage. This case was actually from my previous mentor.”

Previous mentor? Who's that?

Magtatanong pa sana ako kaya lang napansin kong umiwas siya ng tingin at nawalan ng emosyon ang mata. Nagfocus na lang siya sa pagda-drive at nagfocus na lang din ako sa sarili ko. I feel like it'll be a big foul if I ask him further. Medyo nakakaintimidate si Sebastian. Not gonna lie.

Saka if ever, baka may alam na si Audrey dito. Hays, ang hirap naman.

Nang makarating kami sa orphanage, tinulungan ko ulit si Sebastian ibaba ang mga biniling laruan. Pinagmasdan ko pa ang tanawin, napaka aliwalas at lawak ng lugar. Isama mo pa ang mga kumakantang ibon.

“You can wait for me here for a bit, I’ll just talk to the director,” sabi ni Sebastian habang bitbit ang mga laruan.

“Okay, Sir.”

Nang makaalis siya sa paningin ko ay naglakad-lakad muna ako sa parke. Sa isang banda ay may mga naglalarong bata. Habang pinagmamasdan ko sila ay napapaisip ako. Nasaan na kaya ang mga magulang nila? Sinadya kaya ang iba na iwan dito? Kung menor de edad ba ako noong nawala sina Mama at Papa ay sa ganito rin ang bagsak namin ni Gia? Or should I say, ako lang? Kasi malamang ay kukunin ni Tita Helen ng maaga si Gia sa akin.

Napailing ako sa sarili ko. Nami-miss ko na si Gia pero wala akong magawa. Hindi na ako makakabalik sa dating katawan ko dahil siguradong lasog-lasog na 'yun.

Maglalakad na sana ulit ako nang may bumunggo sa aking batang babae. Napaupo siya sa lakas ng impact.

“O-Oh! Sorry!” tutulungan ko na sana siya pero mabilis siya tumayo at muling tumakbo papunta sa isang office building.

Napansin ko na umiiyak siya. Teka, baka pumunta 'yun sa office kung saan nag-uusap sila Sebastian? Makakaistorbo siya. I should follow her bago pa siya mapagalitan!

Sinundan ko agad 'yung bata hanggang sa makarating ako sa pinto ng office. Huminga ako ng malalim bago marahang kumatok at sumilip sa pinto. Hahanapin at ilalabas ko lang sana 'yung bata dahil baka nakakaistorbo siya pero iba ang naabutan ko.

Sebastian is kneeling before the crying little girl and comforting her.

Nakangiti siya ro'n habang pinapakita ang pink teddy bear sa bata. His eyes shine with a heartwarming gentleness. Ilang beses ko palang siya nakikita and with this side of him, nakakapanibago.

He plays with her for a while on the dirty floor, ignoring the dust on his expensive suit.

Mukhang nakuha na niya agad ang loob ng bata dahil tumigil 'yun sa kaiiyak at napapangiti na rin sa pakikipaglaro ni Sebastian sa kan'ya. Little did I know, I was staring at him for a long time, wondering if he has his heart set on any woman. Surely he would be a gentle boyfriend.

Nagtama ang paningin namin bigla ni Sebastian kaya naman awkward akong ngumiti at dahan-dahan sinarado ang pinto. Napabuga ako sa hangin. Nakakahiya, nakita niya akong nakatitig sa kan'ya. Tsk!

Well, atleast ngayon alam ko nang hindi naman pala pinagalitan ang bata.

Lalakad na sana ako para bumalik sa sasakyan nang bumukas ang pinto at iniluwal no'n si Sebastian. He gave me a nod and walk casually towards me.

“Let’s go, Audrey.”

“Uhm, so bakit umiiyak ‘yung bata? Sinundan ko siya kasi akala ko mapapagalitan niyo pa dahil sa istorbo,” tanong ko habang sumusunod sa kan'ya.

“Are you telling me that I look like someone who will scold or get irritated just because a crying kid came in?”

Sakto no'n ay huminto kami sa pinto ng passenger's seat. Walang emosyon niya akong nilingon.

Bumuka naman ang bibig ko pero sa huli ay walang lumabas na salita.

He heaved a sigh and opened the car door for me, “I am not that type of person, Audrey. Now get in.”

Tahimik akong sumunod at pumasok ng kotse. Hindi ako maka-rebutt ng maayos kasi nakakaintimidate talaga ang aura niya. Kahit tuloy gusto kong bumwelta ay hindi ko magawa.

Nang makapasok siya sa sasakyan ay nagsalita muli siya.

“The orphanage previously came under attack by a smear campaign. That the childen were money making tools and were abused by the staff. My mentor won the case for the orphanage and brought punishment to the perpetrators. He provided legal counsel to the orphanage ever since. But, obviously it didn’t continue because he went missing.”

Pinaliwanag ni Sebastian ang tungkol sa orphanage. But what caught my attention was his missing mentor.

“He is... missing?” maingat na tanong ko.

“Yes. Medyo matagal na rin nang mabalita na nawawala siya.”

“Are you trying to look into his disappearance?”

Sebastian paused for a moment, then shows a bitter smile, “The chances are slim, but I won’t give up.”

Bago pa ako muli magtanong ay nagsalita ulit siya.

“He was a close family friend and was the one who brought me into the legal field. Professor Dy doesn’t have family so he took me as his own, I owe him that much, I can’t give up.”

A forlorn expression flashes across his face. Feeling ko nagflashback sa alaala niya ang mga nagawang mabuti ng mentor niya kaya naging ganito ang ekspresyon niya. Medyo sinisi ko ang sarili ko ro'n pero atleast, may nabubuksan akong impormasyon sa kan'ya.

“S-Sorry, Sir Sebastian.”

“No need, let’s return to the office now.”

'Yun lang ang sinabi niya at naging tahimik ulit ang pagitan namin habang nagmamaneho siya.

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Naghahanda na ako para umuwi dahil oras na ng uwian pero pinatawag ako ni Sebastian sa office niya. May inabot siya sa 'king case folder.

Nang binasa ko 'yun ay tungkol ito sa orphanage kanina-- specifically doon sa batang umiiyak. Her name’s Princess Vicente.

“Emma Pascual and Princess have a special connection. She wanted to adopt the child and consulted Professor Dy about it. I already handled the procedure, all that is left is for her approved,” explain ni Sebastian.

As I go through the pages, I saw the name of that Emma Pascual. She was a teacher at the orphanage before the incident.

“Unfunately, her photo was obtained by the slanderers from the orphanage and was posted online. They were trying to implicate her. In short, she was doxxed. And that caused her to developed severe mental illness.”

“So, she wasn’t able to adopt Princess because of her illness?” I asked.

“And her financial status. From a legal perspective, her mental health situation reduces her chances for approval.”

Tinitigan ko lamang ang hawak na papel. Medyo nakakaramdam ako ng inis sa kwento ni Sebastian. Hindi ko maiwasang makaramdam ng matinding awa kay Emma.

“The director left this in my care, and you’re my partner for this case, Audrey,” bulalas ni Sebastian kaya umangat ang tingin ko rito.

“Ito ba ‘yung sinasabi mo noong nakaraan sa ‘kin? About NXN---”

Bago ko pa matapos ang linya ay umiling na siya, “We’ll talk about that some other time. As for the last case, I handled it on my own so don’t occupy your mind.”

Okay... so 'yung sinasabi niya last time na dapat siya ang partner ko ay nagawa na pala niya. Grabe hindi man lang ako nakatulong! Nakakahiya! I need to make this up to him as return.

Tumango ako at binigyan siya ng ngiti, “Yes, Sir. You can count on me.”