Reigning Battle Beyond Greed

Chapter 9

"Yes, Sir. I am waiting for her."

Dinig ko ang boses ni Rico, Altair's personal bodyguard. I saw the guy outside the lobby near the car. Mukhang hinihintay ang paglabas ko. I already had a hunch kung sino ang kausap niya.

"She's spotted together with her friends."

"Mostly girls, Sir." Patuloy niya sa pantsi-tsismis sa akin.

Kung siya ang magiging driver at bodyguard ko, lahat ng kilos at pupuntahan ko ay malamang na irereport niya kay Altair. And that would be less freedom for me. I can't do what I intended to do. Tiyak na maghihinala siya sa mga kilos at pupuntahan ko. Sumakit nang bahagya ang sentido ko sa sitwasyon.

I have to think of ways to either terminate him or buy his loyalty. The first option sounds easier than the latter. But I need to test the water first so I would know how should I swim.

Hindi niya namalayan ang paglapit ko. Tila mukha siyang napahiya nang makita ako sa likuran niya nang bahagya akong masulyapan. He avoided my eyes as if ignoring his gut feeling that I've heard everything. Inilapag ko ang palad sa harapan niya. In a split second, he got what I mean and handed over the phone to me.

I look into his eyes as I start to talk to Altair over the phone. "I'm with Cleofe Daimona, the governor's daughter, with her girlfriends the whole day. We are wrapping up the plans for the club."

I heard him clear his throat. "If you want to know what's going on with my life, you can call me directly. I'm sure you knew my number. Right?" Tinaasan ko ng kilay si Rico nang hindi inaalis ang tingin sa kanya. He remained poker face before glancing at the other side.

I need to gather trusted people for my future plans. Hindi ko pa alam kung paano gagawin but I guess psychology has something to do with it. Mind control and such. But I don't want to resort to blackmails. Hangga't may iba pang paraan.

"Hand the phone over to Rico." Utos niya nang hindi man lang nagkomento sa mga sinabi ko.

"Guys, may malapit na bagong bukas na cafe sa labas. Let's grab something to eat!" I heard Shaza suggested. Dinig ko ang papalapit nilang mga yabag. Nauna ako sa kanila para bilinan ang driver na maghintay muna ng isang oras. It's only 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Mag-iisang buwan na din kaming magkakakilala ng mga bago kong kaibigan.

"Kakakain mo lang kaya. And that was like 30 minutes ago." Dinig kong kontra ni Dionne.

"Ikaw Ivana?"

"Cleofe?"

Wala na sana akong balak lumabas pa with them. I missed JJ pero mapilit si Shaza. Parang bata kung maglambing at magtampo. Kaya sinamantala ko na para magpaalam sa asawa ko.

Asawa ko. I cringed at that thought. My friends found out about it at di pa sila nakaka-move on hanggang ngayon. I just don't like to talk about family affairs when I'm with them. Madaldal lang talaga si Shaza at Dionne na kung ano-anong itinatanong.