Him and His Alien Hand

02

WHO TO TRUST

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PIO'S

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"Sir Pio!"

Bumalik ang hangin at pakiramdam sa akin nang kusang bumitaw si Victor sa pagkakasakal sa akin.

The next thing I heard was the sound of an opening door. Then, my security group entered my office and the sounds of their shoes tapping on the hardwood floor confirmed that I am still alive and breathing.

Ang buhay ay hindi basta isinusuko nang gano'n, Pio. When will you realize that?

I looked at my right hand because of Victor's statement. Akala ko ba gusto niya akong patayin? Why am I seeing hope along with the disappointment in his eyes?

Three years have passed, but I wasn't still sure if Victor is my ally or an enemy. Paiba-iba siya. Madalas kaming hindi nagkakasundo at pinapangunahan niya ako sa mga desisyon ko pero mas madalas iyong mga pagkakataon na parang sinusubok niya lang ako.

He was testing me and every time I didn't give him the expected result, he would tell me how a big disappointment I am.

"Bakit? Hinayaan na kitang patayin ako. Natakot ka ba?" I asked as I catch my breath.

Victor chuckled before he poked me on my shoulder.

Sa ating dalawa, ikaw lang ang takot at duwag. Kaya nga ako nabuhay kasi mahina ka.

I was heaving fast and deep breaths as Jerry, my bodyguard, helped me. He immediately wrapped his arms around my shoulder to shield me as he guided me to leave the room.

"Secure the area. The Hawk is in danger," Jerry said before handing me a gun.

I looked at him in disbelief as my left hand shook because of the cold metal I am holding.

"Why are you lending me this gun, Jerry? Alam mong—"

"Sobrang delikado ng lahat, Sir Pio. Kaligtasan mo lang ang iniisip ko."

Naging mas mabilis ang naging mga kilos namin nang may marinig ulit na putok ng baril. This time, the gunshot was heard from another room as we made our way to the elevator.

"Hawk is now in the emergency elevator. Guard the security room and CCTV room for surveillance. Hunt down the gunman. Location is east of the building, near the rooftop of Sun's Company."

Kaming dalawa lang ni Jerry ang nasa loob ng elevator at dama ko ang tensyon sa boses at kilos niya. The manner he tightly held his gun and how anxious his voice confirmed to me that this situation was really alarming.

"Who is it, this time?" walang emosyon kong tanong kay Jerry kasabay ng galit na nararamdaman ko.

Living a life with abundant money means dangerous kind of life. Wala kang mapagkakatiwalaan sa mga taong nasa paligid mo. Wala kang kakampi kun'di ang sarili mo. Maraming maiinggit at maghahangad sa buhay na mayro'n ka.

And being the Velasco's eldest means shouldering these burdens for the family. I had to the endure pressure and responsibilities. There's no end for being a Velasco. One option that I have was to endure— 'til the chaos became settled and be ready for another wave to come.

Napatingin ako sa hawak kong baril at hindi ko maiwasang kabahan dahil sa sitwasyon. Ilang pagtatangka na ba ng pagpatay ang nagawa kong malusutan sa nakalipas na tatlong taon. Pero ito na ang pinakamalala.