Comrades in Action: River Nuniez Book 8

Chapter Eighteen

Dumating ang araw ng operation. Makulimlim ang kalangitan tanda ng nagbabadyang ulan. Masama ang panahon ngunit sana'y hindi maapektuhan nito ang operasyon na mangyayari. She prays to God it wouldn't be a bad omen.

Ipinagpatuloy niya ang paglalakad papuntang drug store two blocks away from the apartment. She's wearing a black cap under a gray hoodie. Naka jogging pants lang siya. Kung titignan ang porma niya ay para lang siyang lumabas ng bahay upang may bibilhin sandali. Although may nakasukbit na baril sa bewang at patalim sa medyas na suot ay hindi pa rin mapaghahalataang handa siya sa anumang engkwentro na maaaring mangyari.

Well that is the aura that she's aiming for— let Felix think that she walked out of the apartment alone and defenseless. May chance na hindi ito kumagat sa pain niya kaya naman pinili niyang bumili sa pinakamalapit na drug store. She wanted him to think that she's here for an urgent errand. Something so urgent that she wouldn't be needing an escort to accompany her.

She remembered her conversation with Magnus and River the other night.

"Paano mo siya makukumbinsi na talagang may kailangan ka kaya ka lumabas pupunta sa drugstore?"

"Yeah, I'm with Magnus with this one. Felix is not stupid. He'll definitely know this is a ruse."

"He'll believe it once he knew why I was there. I'm sure hinding hindi siya magdududa sa bigla kong pag-alis kapag nakita niya kung ano ang pakay ko sa drugstore. I'll make this foolproof. Trust me."

Pagpasok sa loob ng drugstore ay binilisan niya ang galaw. Mabilis niyang tinungo ang shelf kung nasaan ang pakay pagkatapos ay saka kumuha ng bottled water mula sa refrigerator. Dumiretso siya sa cashier at agad na binayaran ang binili.

Paglabas ay agad niyang ininom ang gamot at saka tinungga ang bote ng tubig.

"Morning-after pill huh? I guess I have to thank Nuniez for running out of protection last night."

Came the malicious voice behind her. At kahit na hindi siya lumingon, she would never forget that sinister voice, not in a thousand years. Nanigas siya ng maramdaman ang mariing padikit ng bakal sa likuran niya.

"Seeing you come out here alone, I guess you don't want anyone to know that you are fucking each other huh?

"Felix..."

"I'm glad you still remember me, my dear Thalya. I can't wait to reminisce the past with you. But first, don't make any unnecessary movement and come with me in peace shall we?" He whispered in her ear.

She shivered in disgust when he reached inside her hoodie. Kinapa nito ang baril na nakasukbit sa bewang niya at saka kinuha iyon. His fingers intentionally lingered over her stomach longer than necessary. Pumiksi siya ngunit marahas lang siya nitong hinapit.

"What did I say about making unnecessary movements huh?" He hissed under his breath.

Nakagat niya ang ibabang labi ng dumiin ang mga daliri nito sa tiyan niya. At that moment, she felt like there were hundreds of insects crawling under her skin. That was how disgusted she felt.

"Get your hands off me." She growled.

"Still feisty. I'm glad you haven't changed. I'm excited to know how feisty you've become over the years, especially in bed."

Her blood ran cold at his words.

Pasimple itong tumitingin sa paligid habang iginigiya siya sa sasakyan. She knew the team was watching. She knew they can easily shoot Felix at this distance. But just then, a group of teens chose that very moment to walk in their direction, covering the sniper's angle.