Veronica
The hardest person to find is the one who doesn't want to be found, especially when they've mastered the art of becoming a ghost in their own story.
"Please, Miss Russell. Just this once—"
"God, you’re so persistent! Ang kulit mo naman, eh! Bakit ba ang tahimik na buhay ko naman ang ginugulo mo ngayon?! Bored ka na ba?! Wala na bang iba diyan? Is this your new hobby?!" Russell groaned, aggressively ruffling her hair in frustration.
I stood my ground inside her office. Yes, I was back. For the past few days, I had been haunting this room like a ghost, coming back over and over again just to pester her. My encounter with Manang Sonya last week led me here. She told me that if there was anyone who knew Eunice’s whereabouts, or at least had a lead, it was Russell Segovia.
I’ve spent hours begging, bargaining, and practically making a fool of myself, but she hasn't given me even a sliver of information. Not a single clue about where Eunice might be.
I was starting to lose hope. Gusto ko nang sumuko. Nakakapanghina n ang bawat segundong dumadaan na wala akong balita sa kaniya. It’s been months. Months of silence. Months of staring at my phone, waiting for a message that would never come. I’ve forgotten what it feels like to hear her voice or see that stoic expression of hers. I was desperate, and desperation makes you do crazy things.
"Please, please... I’ll pay you. Just tell me where she is. Name your price, Miss Russell. Anything. I’ll sign the check right now," I pleaded, my voice cracking.
"Hoy, Miss Veronica! Anong akala mo naman sa akin, mukhang pera? Well... medyo lang naman, but—you clearly don't know my boss," she smirked, leaning back in her leather chair and giving me a judgmental look. "Madam Lincoln could easily double or triple whatever price you’re offering just to keep me quiet. My loyalty is expensive, but her wrath is even costlier."
"I’ll double whatever she pays you then! Triple it! Just give me a location!"
"Edi dodoublehin niya lang din ulit ang ibabayad mo sa akin! Then you’ll double it again, then she’ll top that—aba! My god! Yayaman na yata ako sa inyong dalawa niyan! It’s like a bidding war for my soul!" she clapped her hands in mock amazement, laughing at the absurdity of it.
My shoulders slumped in defeat. She was my only hope, but she refused to cooperate. What else am I supposed to do? Every waking hour is consumed by thoughts of her. Kahit mukhang kinalimutan na niya ako, ang puso ko... hindi marunong bumitaw.
"Wag ako ang guluhin mo because my loyalty belongs solely to Madam Lincoln. She’s the one who signs my paychecks and ensures I stay alive," she said, finally turning her attention back to her laptop, effectively dismissing me.
"Please, Miss Russell. I’m dying here..."
"Ang kulit-kulit mo talaga 'no?! Ilang beses ka bang inere ng nanay mo?! Ha?! Is it that hard to understand that no means no? I am bound by a non-disclosure agreement and a very healthy fear for my life."
She rubbed her temples as if I were the biggest headache she’d ever encountered. Inis siyang nag-angat ng tingin sa akin, ready to snap again, but she suddenly stopped. Her eyes softened for a fraction of a second when she saw the tears finally spilling down my cheeks.
I was exhausted. Even the private detectives I hired couldn't find a single trace of her. It’s like she vanished into thin air, leaving nothing but a painful void in my chest.
"I-I'm begging you... just a hint. Anything," I sobbed.
"Kahit iyakan mo pa ako magdamag, kahit bumaha pa ng luha dito ngayon... Kapag sinabi kong hindi pwede, hindi talaga pwede. I can't betray her trust, Miss Veron. Not even for you," she said firmly, though her tone was less harsh this time.
