Double Trouble: Carnal Games

Chapter 1

Caden's

I was busy reading reports and signing papers when Cody entered my office. Balisa siya at halatang kinakabahan.

"What are you doing?" Kunot noo ko sakanya. Kagat-labi naman siyang lumapit saakin at umupo sa kaharap kong upuan.

"It's about that damn island." Sabi niya sa kinakabahang tono. My eyebrows twitched at what he said.

"The island you bought without telling me?" Walang kainte-interes kong ani. Napabuntong hininga naman siya at tumango.

"Here's the thing, Caden, I just found out that I accidentally bought that island illegally." Natigil ako sa pagpirma sa papel na hawak ko nang sabihin niya iyon. Hindi ako makapaniwalang lumingon sakanya.

"What?! Are you nuts?!" Tumaas agad ang boses ko dahil sa sinabi niya. He frustratedly sighed and looked at me with his begging eyes.

"Don't tell Dada, he'll fucking kill me." Banggit niya kay Dad. Naibaba ko ang hawak kong ballpen at papel at hindi makapaniwalang tumingin sakanya. Napasandal pa ako sa swivel chair na kinauupuan ko at napahawak sa ibaba kong labi. He's crazy.

"He will kill the both of us, Cody. What are you thinking? You're not this stupid!" Pagalit kong ani. Sumusuko naman siyang napatango-tango.

"I know- I know, I checked all of the papers and it was clean, I promise! But earlier, an email was sent to me and it stated there that I actually bought that shit illegally! Those japanese punks fooled me! That place is fucking illegal." Nagpapa-panic niyang ani at nakagat niya pa muli ang ibabang labi niya. He's like this when he's really nervous. Alam kong pareho kami ng iniisip ngayon. Kapag nalaman 'to ni Dad ay lintek na galit ang kahaharapin namin. Not to mention mom, he'll be hurt if he finds out about this. Ayaw na ayaw nilang dalawa na madamay kami sa kung ano mang illegal na meron sa mundo.

"You realize that right now this is not just your mess, right? Pati ako ay damay rito, ano bang iniisip mo nang bilhin mo ang islang 'yun?!" Inis kong ani.

"For business! I told you, I want to build a huge tall building there, I meant no harm, Caden, you know me, hinding-hindi ko susuwayin si Dada, I also don't like this illegal shit!" Parang hindi niya na alam ang gagawin niya.

"So now how are we going to get rid of that island? You know you can't just sell it to others, that'll be illegal too, mamarkang saiyo galing ang islang iyon, and you're my twin, you will drag me down with you whether you want it or not." Problemado kong sabi sakanya. Natahimik naman siya at ilang ulit napabuntong hininga habang hindi mapakali sa pagkaka-upo.

"I don't know, Caden, fuck! I feel so stupid right now." Tanging nasabi niya. Hindi ko napigilang mapairap.

"You are, you're fucking stupid, I fucking hate this, ano na lang ang mararamdaman ni mama? You know mami Stav, he will blame himself for this-" Pinutol niya ang sasabihin ko.

"Fuck! Can you please stop adding fuel to the fucking fire? I'm losing my shit here, si Dada pa lang ang iniisip ko at ang media ay parang mababaliw na ako, Caden. Fucking help?" Inis niyang singhal. Napailing ako.

"We won't let the media know about this, I'll think of a plan to get rid of this mess of yours." Sabi ko bago tumayo at kinuha ang jacket ng suot kong suit. Sinuot ko iyon habang pinagmamasdan si Cody na manlumo.

"I'm sorry, Caden." Nasabi niya. Napailing lang ako at lumabas ng opisinang iyon. Bumaba ako sa ground floor gamit ang elevator at lumabas ako ng building na iyon at sumakay sa kotse ko. I drove to a bar I know.

Ilang minuto pa akong nasa loob lang ng kotse habang naka park na iyon sa labas ng bar. Iniisip ko ang pwede kong gawin sa gulong ginawa ni Cody pero wala akong maisip. I've never felt this stupid before. Cody was careless, he has always been careless at ito na nga ang kinakatakot kong mangyari. He finally screwed up.