Chapter 35: Pursuit
#DS3Unscripted #BelayaxPierce #LKCouple #DaggerSeries
CHAPTER 35: PURSUIT
PIERCE'S POV
"I can see him."
Nagbaba ako ng tingin sa relos ko. Padating pa lang sila Belaya sa venue. The jerk is early. Everyone than can see him will only see a man that is socializing for his project. He's on the top of his game. This is his after all. He's the one who sourced and secured the financing for this.
Proyekto na sigurado akong madudurog kapag bigla na lang siyang naglaho.
He has money. He's Ukranian mother came from a rich family but his American-Filipino father is not someone to sneeze at too. Parehas na nasa negosyo ang pokus ng mga magulang niya pero siya ang bukod tangi na nasa creative industry ang interes. He has a talent for it. For years, not one of his project flopped kahit pa sabihin na hindi na ganoong katanyag ang teatro sa panahon ngayon kumpara noon.
He has another talent. Another interest. But it's something that I'm not letting him excel at. Not in this lifetime or the next.
I gritted my teeth when the feed that I'm watching focused on his face again. He's someone that you wouldn't think that would pose any threat.
"We're going inside."
Boses ni Leo ang siyang nagsalita. One of the Blade Point for Dagger. He's posing as a cameraman for the event. Kasama niya ang isa sa babae naming BP sa ahensiya.
"Let's go, Cheese."
"Call me that again and I'm going to punch you in the throat."
Napabuntong hininga ako sa narinig ko na pag-uusap nila. Eden might look non-threatening but there's a reason why she's one of the top BP in the agency.
Naagaw ang atensyon ko nang bigla na lang bumukas ang van na kinaroroonan ko. Sa labas ay nakatayo ang dalawang nakatatanda kong kapatid na basta na lang itinulak sa loob ang hawak nila na lalaki bago sumunod para pumasok.
"Who the hell are you people-" Hindi naituloy ni Jhonas Larson ang sasabihin nang makita niya ako. Recognition instantly registered in his eyes. "What the fuck?"
"Shut up and sit down," I said.
Pagak na tumawa siya habang sunod-sunod na napailing. If the jerk present himself as charming this other person has "asshole" written all over him. "Is this about that bitch?"
A growl bubbled on my chest but before I can move, my second oldest brother, Gun, slapped him at the back of his head. Halos mapayuko siya sa tuhod niya sa lakas no'n kung hindi lang nasaklot ng kapatid ko ang buhok niya para iangat ang mukha niya.
"Choose your words carefully," Gun said through his teeth.
Larson is not dumb. My brothers are not the kind of people that makes idle threats. Specially not Gunter Dawson.
"This is the last time that you will talk about her like that." Nang tila magsasalita pa ang lalaki ay binigyan ko siya ng malamig na tingin na kaagad nagpatikom sa bibig niya. "You should be thankful to her. Kung hindi dahil sa kaniya baka abo ka na ngayon."
"W-What?"
"What were you doing at Cedric Evans' residence?"
"Because of the party. What else? We were finalizing some of the budget problems yesterday. Nag offer siya na tumuloy na lang ako sa bahay niya dahil mas malapit naman 'yon dito sa venue kesa sa bahay ko."
"Bakit hindi kayo sabay na pumunta rito?"
"I lost my phone. I told him to go first."
"Did you find it?"
Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin niya sa akin at sa mga kapatid ko. He's starting to see the scenario. "What's happening?"
"Did you find your phone, Larson?"
"Hahanapin ko sana sa sasakyan ko but that was when I was kidnapped."
"You were not kidnapped. You got saved."
"W-What?"
May inilabas ang panganay ko na kapatid na si Thorn mula sa nakasabit na bag sa likod niya at basta na lang niya iyong inihagis sa direksyon ni Larson.
"T-This is..."
"A bomb," I said in a matter-of-fact way. "Your friend has been using you and now there's no reason to anymore."
"H-Hindi... hindi ko kayo maintindihan."
"You're his scapegoat. One that he's using so that he could evade us. You're one of the prime suspect of Belaya's case."
"Suspect? Dahil sa stalker niya? I have nothing to do with that!"
"We found purchases under your name. Bulks of theater masks, perfumes, a customized jacket, flowers... and so much more. Things that have been given to Belaya. Except that perfume. That one you used for yourself."
"I never bought any of those."
"It's under your name."
Halos tila nawalan na ng kahit na isang patak na kulay ang mukha niya. "Except for the masks, I never bought anything from what you said. Bumili lang ako ng theater masks dahil iyon ang sinabi sa akin ni Cedric para sa gaganapin na ball ngayon. Ibibigay namin iyon sa mga staff."
"Matagal ng nabili ang mga mask."
"Dahil matagal na niyang pinaplano na magkaroon ng ganitong event. Hindi pa nagsisimula ang project nasa amin na ang mga iyon-" Natigilan siya ng tila may naisip. I stayed looking at him, watching as he arrive at the conclusion that we already did. "W-What's the account that you looked at?"
I looked at my tablet device and look for the file. Nang mahanap ko iyon ay sinabi ko sa kaniya ang account number pati na ang bangko.
"That's the account Cedric asked me to open. Diyan siya naglalagay ng pera para sa mga project na magkasama kami. When he decided to finance Donovan's book diyan niya rin nilalagay ang pera."
"Bakit sa pangalan mo?"
"I don't know. I never questioned it since it's for the project. Hindi ko rin naman masyadong nagagamit iyon dahil siya ang may hawak no'n. Cedric and I have been in the industry for a long time. We trusted each other. He always choose me as his assistant director and now that he became the executive producer he pulled me so that I could work for him still. Siya ang pumili sa project na ito. He funded it. He wanted... he wanted Belaya to be the actress from the very start." I could see him trying to deny the facts... the proofs, but I can also see him coming up with nothing that could defend the person he trusted. "The perfume you said was a gift from him."
"Then it's your luck that you didn't disintegrate into ash. You can still use that money for the project. But if we feel that you're going to add another fuck up into the fuck ups that your friend already did, hindi ko masisiguro ang mangyayari sa iyo."
There's a lot of people leaning on that project. Hindi lang si Belaya. Cedric Evans won't just be crushing one people once he disappeared.
But that's not going to happen.
"Belaya's fifteen minutes away from the venue."
That came from Coal. Nasa loob na rin siya ng establishment.
"Check if the out of order sign is in place for the south bathroom."
"Will do."
Tumingin ulit ako sa relos ko. The time is moving fast and we're covering our bases. Pero may isa na hindi pa namin nagagawang iayos.
"Where is she?" I whispered to myself. "Coal, try to contact-"
"She's already there."
"What? Bakit nakapatay pa rin ang ear pierce niya?"
I looked at the tablet but the one pair are still not lighting up.
Nakarinig ako ng komosyon sa feed ni Coal. I heard him talking to someone. Pagkaraan ay bumukas na ang kanina ko pa hinihintay na linya.
"Chill out. Alam mo ba kung gaano kahirap mag make-up? I don't even like using them."
Belaya didn't want to ask for favors. Specially not to her sister who's been handling a lot already. Pero hindi ko rin gusto na hayaan na siya ang gamitin na bait para kay Evans. Belaya, unlike her sister, is not trained for this.
"You need to improve your earpiece. Masyadong malaki. It's too noticeable. Babae ako kaya matatago sa buhok ko pero paano sa mga lalaki?"
"We don't need to hide them."
I'm telling her the truth. Our operation usually is out in the open. Wala namang rason para magtago kami dahil ang presensiya nga namin ang kailangan ng mga kliyente namin.
"Okay. I get the point."
"Don't put yourself at risk. You know the plan. Stay on it."
"I know."
I'm talking to the head of a huge organization but she's on my turf now. She's not going to get hurt under our watch. "Don't antagonize the target."
"Copy."
"Only tell him what Belaya would say."
Malakas na bumuntong-hininga ang babae. "You know what? Nakikita ko na kung bakit sabi ni Cross bagay kayo ni Belaya. Sa sobrang kulit ng kapatid ko kailangan niya talaga ng taong kaya rin siyang kulitin."
Hinilot ko ang sentido ko. She's so much like her sister than I thought she would be. Mas madali nga lang magpaliwanag sa kaniya kesa kay Belaya pero marami rin silang pagkakapareho.
When Trace suggested her, I was doubtful. They might be sisters but it doesn't mean that they look exactly the same. Pero nang makita ko ang larawan niya ay nakumbinsi ako na posible nga na maging matagumpay ang plano. She even suggested a device that they have in their organization that can copy Belaya's face but it's not needed. They're almost identical. Well at least that's what the others have been telling me. I can still recognize Belaya even with my eyes close.
"They're here," Coal said.
Lumabas ako ng sasakyan at ganoon din si Kuya Thorn. Magkaibang sasakyan ang pinuntahan namin pero alam ko na iisa ang direksyon na tatahakin namin.
I can hear through the earpiece how the plan began to unravel. Halos mabali ko ang manibela ng kotseng kinaroroonan ko nang marinig kong kausap ni Belaya si Evans. I don't want him near her. I don't want him talking to her. I don't want them sharing the same air.
He should take this all in. He should savor the moment. Kasi ito na ang huling beses na magagawa niyang makita ng malapitan si Belaya.
"Sumunod ka na lang sa akin. Jhonas is being impatient."
"No. I'm going with you-"
"I'll be fine."
Sebastian has a mic on. Belaya has none but we're connected at the same line that Cedric is using right now. He bugged the mask that Belaya is using for the masquerade party.
I heard muffled sounds at the line. Sandaling nakahinga ako ng maluwag dahil alam ko kung anong eksaktong nangyayari. Pero sandali lang nagtagal iyon nang marinig ko ang mga sumunod na kaganapan.
I gritted my teeth in frustration when I heard her shrill scream. I know it's for the act but every part of me is telling me to go them. I haven't seen Belaya's sister face to face but it's a natural instinct to feel that she should be protected too.
Pinaandar ko ang sasakyan nang makita ko ang humahagibis na puting kotse na lumabas sa back exit ng lugar. I stepped on the gas so that I could closely follow them. Not enough for him to notice but enough to keep a safe distance.
Halos mamuti ang mga kamay ko sa higpit ng pagkakahawak ng mga iyon sa manibela habang pinapakinggan ko ang pag-uusap ni Vodka Lawrence at ni Evans. Naririnig ko rin si Belaya. I can hear the fear in her voice.
"Sick fucker," Thorn growled.
He is. Cedric Evans is the definition of those words.
He met Belaya when she was young. Young and in love with a man that was her world. Hindi ko pa sila kilala noon but I have no doubt that that was what Evans saw.
He was fascinated. It was a real thing. More than the plays that carried the story of love, he saw what it's really like in front of him. He got obsessed with it. He didn't like that he's only watching so he decided to play the part.
He wanted to be an actor but he's still directing the course of his play. But hell if I'll let him decide the end of this game.
"Wow. You're a complete fuck up. If there's an organization for stalkers they will crown you king. Hindi ka lang stalker. Gusto mo pang maging murderer."
I watched as the car in front of me swerved in response to the shock that Evans must be in when he heard what she said.
"Fuck!" I exclaimed. "Seat belt!"
Muli kong tinapakan ang gas pero sa pagkakataon na ito ay nilagpasan ko ang sasakyan. Mula sa rear view mirror ko ay kita kong nagpaiwan ang sasakyan na kinaroroonan ng kapatid ko.
"Initiating phase two of a vehicle pursuit," I informed them. "Vodka, put on your seat belt."
Narinig ko sa kabilang linya ang boses ni Kuya Thorn. "I'm approaching."
Kita ko kung paanong umabante pa ang sasakyan na kinaroroonan ng nakatatanda kong kapatid hanggang sa makalapit siya sa sasakyan ni Evans. He's applying pressure so that Evans would have no choice but to move straight.
Lalo ko pang binilisan ang pagpapatakbo ng sasakyan hanggang halos hindi ko na sila makita. Lumika ng malakas na ingay ang kotse nang kabigin ko pakaliwa iyon kasabay nang pagtapak ko sa preno. I pushed a button on the screen near the radio and I heard the familiar sound of the spike strip attached on the bottom of the car discharging from it.
I parked the car horizontally before I moved over the passenger side and went out from it. Walang pagmamadali na naglakad ako patungo sa tabi ng daan at pinagkrus ko ang mga braso ko habang naghihintay.
I was just seconds away.
Pinanood ko kung paanong banggin ng kapatid ko ang buntot ng sasakyan ni Evans dahilan para gumewang iyon. Evans tried to evade the spike strip barricading the road but he has nowhere to go. A loud boom echoed around when his car crashed on mine, immediately stopping the vehicle.
"Damn. I should have rigged that air bag. He's even wearing a seat belt. How unfortunate."
Malakas na napabuntong-hininga ako. Malalaki ang mga hakbang na lumapit ako sa kinaroroonan nila at binuksan ko ang backseat. Prenteng nakaupo siya ro'n na para bang walang nangyaring kahit na ano. Hindi niya na rin suot ang mask at ear piece.
"Mind helping me out? This dress is worst than a car crash. Baka dito ako mabalian ng leeg."
Imbis na abutin lang ang kamay niya para tulungan siyang makalabas ay yumuko ako para buhatin siya palabas no'n. Rinig ko ang pagsinghap niya na para bang hindi niya inaasahan iyon pero bago pa siya makapagreklamo ay naibaba ko na siya.
"I feel like a lady."
"Don't move," I said with a clipped tone.
She didn't pout like Belaya would if I said that to her but her eyebrow raised as if she couldn't believe that I just commanded her to do something. Tinalikuran ko siya at binuksan ko ang driver's side ng sasakyan. I pulled out a dagger from its holster and I quickly tear Evans' seat belt. He almost fell sideways pero nahila ko na siya palabas ng sasakyan.
"Let me go-"
Hindi ko na binigyan ng tiyansa na matapos pa ng lalaki ang sasabihin niya. Kumonekta ang kamao ko sa panga niya. The back of his head almost smacked on the car with the impact but I just pinned him to it to punch him again.
Every punch is for the fear in Belaya's eyes. Every tears... every scar. It's for every tremble of her body and the nightmares that she had because of him.
Ramdam ko ang pagbigat ng katawan niya pero hindi ko siya hinayaang mapadausdos sa sahig. I ignored the stabbing pain on my hand to give him blow after blow of my fist. Hindi pa sana ako titigil kung hindi ko lang naramdaman ang mga kamay na pumipigil sa akin.
My brother's hands are on my shoulders pulling me backwards but it was Vodka's hand that is on my arm that stopped me.
There was something in her eyes that is telling me that I somehow got her approval. "Kalmahan mo. Hindi papayag ang kapatid ko na magpakasal sa loob ng kulungan. Baka gown niya pa lang hindi na kasya ro'n." She patted my arm gently. "It's okay. She'll be okay now. Let him go."
Igting ang panga na binitawan ko si Evans na halos panawan ng ulirat na napadausdos sa sahig. Vodka gave me a smile before she turned to the man and crouched law so that her face would be in front of him.
Nakangiting tinignan niya ang lalaki. A smile that anyone would be thankful that is not pointed at them. "It's over Evans."
"No..."
"Don't fight it. Pasalamat ka sila ang may hawak ng kaso mo. They're great but they're also merciful." Marahang hinaplos niya ang buhok ng lalaki bago bumulong. "Kasi hindi mo gugustuhin kung ako na ang makakabangga mo."
Evans' blood shot eyes turned frightened at the sweet poison lacing her voice. The threat in her words is unmistakable.
"When you're in prison or wherever part of the earth they're going to detain you... pray and be thankful because you're inside. Dahil kapag nakita kita na lumapit pa sa kapatid ko hindi ko maipapangako kung anong mangyayari sa'yo." She looked at me as she speak again. "I might not stop him from killing you."
Tumayo siya at pinunas niya ang mga kamay niya sa gown na suot niya bago siya tumingin sa akin ulit. "I'm going to meet my sister first. I can't stay long."
"I'll take you home."
Umiling siya at inginuso ang kinaroronan ni Cedric. "Take care of him first." Lumapit siya sa akin at tinapik niya ang balikat ko. "I'll see you again but since I'm busy it's probably going to be at the wedding."
"I haven't-"
Kuminang ang mga mata niya. "Do something about that too. For god's sake don't give my sister a civil wedding or we won't hear the end of it."
Sa kabila ng sitwasyon ay umangat ang sulok ng labi ko sa sinabi niya. "I never said it would be a civil wedding."
"But she said-"
Ako naman ang pumutol sa sasabihin niya. "My kitten can have everything she wish to have."
Belaya deserve everything and because she's mine I will make sure of it. After all... stars always needed to shine bright and she's the brightest of them all.
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