Dulling Glisters of the Diamond (Casa Fuego Series #5)

Chapter 8

Concern

I have no idea how I can be of help here. Kung iisipin, dapat nga ay wala ako rito dahil baka mas lalo lamang magkagulo kapag namataan ako ng kapatid ng head ng sindikato. Pero ang isipin na maghihintay ako ng balita sa mansion habang labis-labis ang kaba ay hindi ko maatim.

Tensyunado ako habang nakatanaw sa kalakhan ng Cebu sa ibaba. The uniformed and armed man of the Manriquez Security beside me informed me that Julius went on operation in a hotel where the brother was staying.

May kasama raw na mga tauhan si Julius pero hindi iyon ang mga tauhan niya mula sa kanyang grupo noon. While their men may be experienced, skilled, and well-trained, it is indeniable that he can work better with his original team. Nagkataon lang na nasa Maynila.

"Wala po masyadong tauhan na kasama ang kapatid ng lider. They believe there are also only more or less twenty men in the proximity. They called for help from another organization but they haven't arrived yet, Ma'am."

Tumango ako at bumuntong hininga.

"Bakit ba kasi sinugod agad ni Julius 'yon sa hotel? He should've waited until his team is with him," I ranted.

"Ma'am, kung iisipin, sang-ayon po ako sa ginawang maagap na pagsugod ni Sir Julio. According to him, the men from the other organization will arrive at dawn tomorrow. Ang mga tauhan ni Sir Julio ay baka ganoong oras din makabalik. Kung hindi pa siya kikilos ngayon, marami nang tauhan na kakalabanin bukas. Mas mabuting ngayon na kakaunti pa lamang at hindi pa gaanong bihasa ang mga kinuhang tauhan ni Romulo Velasquez."

Umawang ang aking labi. Julius has a point. He always has a point. I get that he's smart and strategic but sometimes, he still surprises me.

"Kayang-kaya ho 'yon ni Sir Julio. Lamang man sa tao si Romulo Velasquez pero hindi sa diskarte at utak. Minsan na po naming nakatrabaho si Sir Julio kaya..." the man nodded.

I nodded. I sighed to calm myself down. Sa kalooban ko, nahihiya ako dahil wala naman talaga akong maiaambag dito. I called for the helicopter, I called Tito Bonivict for back up, but that should have been enough. Hindi na dapat ako sumama pero hindi ko talaga masikmura na maghihintay ako sa mansion.

I have never been this tensed my whole life. Maybe because I know that this mess is because of me. And my conscience cannot handle sitting pretty in the mansion. Besides, that's not my personality. Kung kinakailangang makipagsuntukan ako habang naka-heels, gagawin ko.

"We're landing, Ma'am," the pilot announced.

Napaayos ako ng upo. Tanaw ko na ang building at naalarma ako nang nagkatinginan ang dalawang unipormadong lalaki. Tinanaw ko ang tinitignan nila at nagulantang nang makita si Julius at isang tauhan niya na magkatalikuran habang napapalibutan ng limang armadong lalaki!

"Oh my goodness!"

"The police has arrived, Ma'am. They will be taking the stairs till the 25th floor-"

"Nakatutok na ang baril! Nasa hagdan pa lang ang mga pulis?! Kanina pa ako tumawag, halos kasabayan lang natin dumating?" tumaas ang boses ko.

The man pursed his lips. Hindi na ako magkandaugaga habang nakadungaw sa ibaba. I was horrified when I saw Julius and another man being surrounded by more than five men in the rooftop of the building! Magkatalikuran na sila Julius at ang lalaki at alam kong hindi na rin nila alam kung paano kakawala roon.

But then when they heard the noise of the helicopter, and when the wind changed in their proximity, all of them looked up. Kitang-kita ko kung paano sila natigilan. But my eyes were focused on Julius who was bleeding in the forehead. Mabigat ang kanyang paghinga at nakatingala na rin sa amin.