Hurtful Truths Behind Lies

Chapter 22

Belle's POV

I don't know what to say. Napanganga at napatitig na lamang ako sa kausap ko dahil hindi ko alam kung ano ang isasagot ko.

It's about your work! About your mission. Your real objectives. His words stocked in my head.

Do I need now to run? Baka kaya niya ako dinala dito para makorner ako at para hindi ko na maituloy ang misyon ko sa pamilya niya — kung alam niya nga ang pakay ko. 

"You look surprised!" binasag niya ang katahimikan sa pagitan naming dalawa.

Who wouldn't be surprised? I'm a bit upset and nervous at the same time.

"Anong sinasabi mo?" Susubukan kong iliko ang usapan namin. "What mission? Objectives? Are you kidding me? I know nothing!" I'm trying to deny at my very best.

"Please be true. Instead of denying, the best thing you can do right now is to bear with me!" From a deep stare to a clean water of beach, he averted his gaze to me.

"How? How did you know?" I asked, then crossed my arms.

"From the very start, I knew it already. Remember when I told you that I had done a background check about you, that was true!" Walang ligoy ang pagpapaliwanag niya. He seems so confident that he knew everything!

"So, all this time, I am fooling myself?" If he said that he knew already that I'm up to something, bakit hinahayaan niya pa akong kasama siya? Hinahayaan niya pa ako kausapin siya? He can easily eliminate me and remove me from his path. But honestly speaking, I can sense that he is spilling the truth. "Kung alam mo palang isa akong agent, bakit mo sinasabi sa akin 'yan?"

"You look surprised, didn't you? Pero bakit parang wala kang masyadong reaction sa sinabi ko? You're kinda expected it, aren't you?" he asked in a serious tone.

He is answering my question of another question, huh?

Ano ba dapat ang maging reaksiyon ko sa sinabi niya? Should I react like I had received the best and most unexpected gift in the world. Did he expect me to look like a tarsier? 'Yung tipong halos luluwa na mata ko sa pagkagulat. 'Yung tipong mapapa- whoah ako ng napakalakas? Medyo marami ang tao dito sa beach, hindi ko naman gustong mapahiya, 'no?

"Kind of." maikling tugon ko.

No, the truth is I actually didn't expect to hear that revelation from him. The biggest question I had in my mind right now is 'how did he know?' I got really surprised.

I don't know why he is pulling out the truth in his secret box. I felt like he has a plan? Kinakabahan ako!

"Bakit mo nga sinasabi sa akin 'yan ngayon? Shouldn't you declutter me in your path?" I asked in a most serious tone possible I can.

"Dahil gusto kitang tulungan!" mabilis na tugon niya at saka muling tumitig sa akin ng diretso. Kung kanina ay naiilang akong tumingin sa kaniya ng diretso, ngayon ay hindi na. We are like in staring contest as if the winner will win a million peso.

Help me, huh? Really? Should I trust his words? Or could I trust Axl himself? Hindi ako sigurado. Malay ko ba kung he is just cornering me and trying to catch and put me in his guard! 

"Gustong tulungan saan? Tulungang pabagsakin ang ama mo? You will help me to drag the person who raised you? Bakit?" I just wanna clarify something. Ama niya iyon at alam kong mahal niya pero bakit siya mismo ang may gustong pabagsakin ito?

"Pwede bang hinay-hinay ka sa pagtatanong? Hindi ko masasagot ang lahat ng maaari mo pang itanong! Hindi ka ba masaya na mas mapapadali kayo ng organisasyon niyo na matapos ang misyon? You should be happy!" saad niya ng nakangisi. Kumalas siya mula sa titigan namin. Kung may premyo nga ang titigang iyon, paniguradong ako na ang panalo.

"Masyado ka bang maraming koneksiyon?" tanong ko. Halata ang pagtataka sa hulma ng mukha niya dahil sa binitawan kong tanong.

"Why? Connection? I can't say yes. I only have some connections to different high profile and higher-paid persons in the country. Hindi masyadong madami!" he uttered seriously while having his right hand in his chin.

"So, that explains why!" may patango-tangong litanya ko. Gaya niya, hinawakan ko din ng kanang kamay ang aking baba.

"Explains what?"

"'Yung mga impormasyon mo tungkol sa akin! Alam mo din ang tungkol sa organisasyon namin. Hindi na ako magtataka!" I didn't bother to put my eyes on him again.

"Oh, yes!"

Sana hindi tama ang iniisip ko. Sana walang katotohanan ang sinasabi ng gut feeling ko. Sana walang traydor sa organisasyon namin. Bakit? Kasi sa pagkakaalam ko, ang lahat ng personal na impormasyon ko at ng bawat miyembro ng grupo ay nakatago at walang kopya para sa publiko gayundin din ang impormasyon tungkol sa grupong kinabibilangan namin.

Ain't sure if he is sincere. But if he really is, I would be glad to accept his offer! Our organization are determined to finish this mission. Mas magiging madali nga siguro kung manggagaling sa kaniya ang impormasyon. Come to think of it. He has definitely an access to the laboratory where in different drugs and formulas were created! Magiging malaking asset siya para sa amin. Iyon ay kung totoo siya sa sinasabi niya. Pero kung hindi, malaki ang posibilidad na malagay sa peligro ang bawat buhay namin at maaaring hindi namin magapi ang kalaban.

Axl, are you a villain or a protagonist?

"I thought, we are here to have fun? But look on our conversation, it is so serious! Forget for now that mission thing. It will only bring you in stressful situation!" I turned my attention to him. I also thought the same way. But more stressful thing is that I am no longer enjoying the beach vibes. I really wanted to go back to Manila right now. I'm pretty sure, my Dad is seeking for me. God, I think going with him in this place is not a good idea. Really not!

"Can I go back to the city now? I still have something to do! Hindi pa ako tapos sa trabaho ko." This time, um-oo man siya o hindi, babalik na ako sa Manila. I don't wanna stay longer here. The ambiance sucks me out.

"I'll bring you back there!" walang emosyong aniya. "Ako ang nagdala sa'yo dito kaya ako din dapat ang magbalik sa'yo!" he went on. Ano bang akala niya sa akin? Laruan o gamit na hiniram para ibalik? Tsk!

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