A Mother's Cry (CURRENTLY IN BIG REVISION)

Kabanata 23

JAKE'S POV

"Dada, where is mama?" Heather asked as she got out of her room. It's been two days since Reymundo got Lori.

I know it was a stupid choice but Heather's life is at stake. I'm still tracing Lori's watch but got no sign from it.

"Come here baby, Dada is doing his very best to find Mama, so don't worry okay?" I assured Heather and hugged her tight. "Did you eat your dinner?"

"Yess Dada, but only a little. I want Mama." I saw how she really missed Lori. I miss her too but I need to be strong and end all of this.

"Be strong baby, okay, we will save mama from that bad guy. Go get a sleep, I still have work to do." I kissed her forehead and watched her walk away from me to her room.

After I rescued Heather and yaya, Lori chose to surrender. What a stupid choice, really. But I will do anything to find her.

**Incoming Call**

"Hello Reid, have you found anything?" I asked him on the line.

"Yes sir, one of our men saw Reymundo come out from a convenience store, now he's chasing him and I think Reymundo is going to where Lori is."

And with that, I thanked him and ended the call. I need to move. I need to save Lori.

I called yaya and told her to keep an eye on Heather. I know she's in trauma right now too, but if she's here in my penthouse, she will be more safer.

I didn't wasted any time and quickly drove my car. Reid sent me the location on where Lori is and somehow it's familiar. It's where Lori's father stayed when he was once my butler.

***Incoming Call***

"Hello Dad"

"Son, be careful. Save my friend's daughter" Dad said on the line and I know It's gonna be that.

" I will dad. I will end all of this." And with that I ended the call.

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LORI'S POV

Nagising ako sa malamig na tubig na hinagis sa mukha ko. Dalawang araw na ang lumipas nang dalhin ako rito ni Reymundo.

Bumangon ako at naramdaman ang sakit sa paa ko dulot ng kadena. Nakaupo lamang si Reymundo sa harap ko habang may hawak na photo album.

"You know what, this place is a memorable place. Me and my two friends used to hang out here back then.
But your pathetic father is such a pain in the ass." Pagsimula nya ng kwento habang inisa-isang pinupunit ang bawat litrato nila ng papa ko. Inggitero talaga ang lalaking ito. Di marunong makuntento.
"I should've been the one whose appointed but that asshole gets in my way."

"Mamamatay tao ka !!!!! Pinatay mo mga magulang ko. Ikaw ang dahilan nun kaya dapat mabulok ka sa kulungan. Walang kwenta." Sigaw ko habang pinipilit na makalapit sa kanya pero dahil nakakadena ay di ko siya maabot.

"So you already knew. How pathetic." Tumayo siya at lumapit sakin. Hinawakan niya ang buhok ko ng napakahigpit na parang matatanggal na ito sa anit saka tinulak ng napakalakas at nauntog ang ulo ko sa pader na nagdulot ng pagdugo at pagkahilo ko.

"Pare-pareho lang kayo ng ama mo, mga pabida, pasikat. Kung di ka sana nakisali, wala na sana ang bata at wala nang makakapigil sa mga plano ko. Pero dahil nga pabida ka, you took care of that fucking child." Sigaw nito at pinaputok ang baril. Mas lalo akong nanghina nang sa paa ko ito tumama. Pero kailangan kong magpakatatag.

"Walang k-kasalanan ang b-bata dito. Ikaw ang dapat managot. Ikaw ang pumatay kay Clarisse. Nananahimik kami t-tapos di ka parin n-nakuntento."

"Cause I want to see you all breathless. And in that way, no more hindrances. So stop being a tough mother cause you're not."

"REYMUNDO STOP!!!" Napatingin kami sa pinto at nandun ang asawa ni Reymundo na may dalang baril na nakatutok sa kanya.
"You're the one who killed my daughter?? How could you?

"Get out of here Laila, or else...."

"Or else what?? You will kill me too? Go on, kill me. The moment you killed my daughter, my life has ended too. So spare that girl, or i'll kill myself again." Panghahamon pa ng asawa ni Reymundo at tinutok ang baril sa sarili nitong ulo. Naglakad ito palapit sakin na wari ay tinatakpan ako.

"Reymundo Santiago throw that gun and put you hands in the air." Utos ng isang pulis. Di ko namalayan ang pagdating ng mga pulis. Nakita ko si Jake na lumalapit sakin.

"Hey Lori, are you okay?" Tanong pa nito pero nanghihina na talaga ako.

"J-jake" tanging sagot ko lang at binaling ang tingin sa mag-asawa. Dahan-dahang binababa ni Reymundo ang baril at lumapit ang isa sa mga pulis.
Ngunit parang nagslow motion ang lahat ng nanlaban si Reymundo at binawi ang baril at pinaputukan ang lumapit na pulis.

Dahil tinulungan akong makatayo ni Jake ay nagawa ko siyang itulak at isangga ang sarili ko sa asawa ni Reymundo. Parang tumigil ang mundo at tinapat ko ang kamay ko kung saan masakit. Pagtingin ko ay may maraming dugo ang kamay ko.

Ako ang nabaril at hindi si Laila. Bumagsak ang katawan ko at unti-unting nawawalan ng malay.

"LORIII !!!!!!" Narinig ko pa ang sigaw ni Jake habang papalapit sakin. Pero di ko na nagawang tingnan pa siya dahil nilalamon na ako ng kadiliman.