Hide And Seek With Mr. Devil

Chapter 004

Artiona Novaliege.

It's midnight and ngayon palang magsisimula ang party. It's says Gold Anniversary but looking at everyone, it's more than that. After investigating for a moment, I realized na this is a birthday party or a welcoming one since may dalang gifts ang ibang pumupunta. Kataka-takang hindi sila mahigpit sa bisita but I guess it as much since in their invitation card, there is a code kung saan ilalagay sa little device nung guards and magaappear na ang name mo if you are truly invited.

Of course, I am invited. I am part of business and may kaibigan ako dito. It makes my mission easier since 'di ko na kailangan magdisguise. Kilala ako sa corporate and business world since I am a CEO of some large companies pero mas pinipili kong lowkey lang o kaya ay sumasabay pero hindi napupunta sa taas kaya naman hindi masyadong mainit ang mata ng mga buwayang 'to sa'kin. It's just enough for me to gather some information and not risking too much.

Pagpasok ko ay madami na ang mga tao, I greeted some and ganoon din sila. It's been ages since I attended something like this dahil for the past month, nasa dilim lang ako at sinisira ang gabi ng mafiang tinatarget ko. It just so happened na today, he is not my prey but the mayor na nandito.

"How lovely to see you here, Ms. Artiona.", bati ng isang babae mula sa likod ko. As far as I can remember, this woman owns a fashion brand na kilala world wide and she's also a politician.

Ngumiti naman ako sa kanya. "Good evening, Madam.", I said politely. Hindi ko na sinabi ang pangalan n'ya dahil paniguradong alam naman n'ya na kilalang kilala s'ya.

"It's been months since the last time I saw you.", kaswal na sabi n'ya. Tumawa naman ako ng mahina at hindi naman nakaramdam ng kahit na anong masama sa sinabi n'ya. "Maybe you think na gatherings are so boring..", pangunguna n'ya at mahinang tumawa.

"How so?", kaswal kong tanong at kunwari pa s'yang nag-isip. "As long as I can remember, I am always presentable."

"Well.. I never see you dance or party with people before.", pangunguna n'ya at medyo lumapit. "Other's thought you're already married...", bulong n'ya at tumingin sa daliri ko.

My diamond ring shines so bright that I even forgot we are in spotlight. "I am married to myself.", biro ko na mahina n'yang ikinatawa.

"Why not marry some real fellow?"

"Marriage is not for everyone."

"Oh! That's true but.. loneliness can kill anyone.", peke naman akong ngumiti sa sinabi n'ya.

"I have my works to be with me.", biro ko. "And.. no husband would want me to be his wife."

We talked for a while and after some time, napatingin naman kami sa unahan kung saan may balcony na tumatayong stage sa mga lalaking naroon. They are in suit and well maintained ang appearances. They are businessmen. I know who they are and sumama naman ang timpla ko nang maalalang nasa ilalim sila ng payong ng isang mafia.

"Is he there?", rinig kong bulong ng iilan sa likod ko. Hindi ko naman na kailangan magtanong para malaman kung sino ang tinutukoy nila.

I looked around and well, he is not there. While talking to this lady kanina, I realized na this Gold Anniversary is for Ezyele and their welcoming party. The full set and security are his men at kung titignan, everything looks perfectly planned.

"Everyone, did you receive the boxes earlier?", tanong ng isang matanda na makatayo sa balcony. He is holding a box na katulad sa ibinigay sa'min bago makapasok. They said na 'wag 'yon bubuksan kahit anong mangyari and we listened. I also tried to scan it using my lipstick and wala namang kahina-hinalang that's why I let it keep. Inilabas din ng iba ang hawak at saka nakinig sa lalaking nasa unahan. "Open it and wear. That's is the rule for tonight as requested by our beloved guest.", he said while smiling.

Sinunod namin s'ya.

I opened it and saw a domino mask. It is a mask that covers around the eyes at parang salamin. It fits perfectly sa mga mata at ulo ko and I guess it complement my attire kaya satisfied naman ako. I don't know what they are planning to pero if gagawin nila itong masquerade ball, isn't it too late?

Nanatili naman akong nakatayo nang magtilian ang karamihan nang balutin kami ng kadiliaman. Ilang minuto rin 'yon nawala at nang bumukas ay kulay pula na ang mga ito at papatay patay. May tumugtog rin na mabagal na melodiya at mukang nakuha naman agad ng lahat ang nais iparating ng mga nangyayare.

"I didn't know Mr. Ezyele wants this kind of romance.", rinig kong sabi ng isang babae na tumatawa ng mahina. May nag-aya agad sa kanya sa pagsasayaw at ganoon rin ang ibang nakapalibot sa'kin.

Napairap naman ako. This is the least thing that I want in a party. I hate dancing specially this one since napakabagal at for sure, masakit sa paa.

"No, son. That's Novaliege, that woman never dance.", masungit na sabi ng matandang lalaki sa tabi ko. Sa gitna ng crowd na nagsasayawan, I know that I could stand out pero in my reputation, they know the rule at marami nang nakasubok no'n.

Nang marinig ko 'yon ay dahan dahan akong naglakad paalis sa mga nagsasayawan at naghanap ng pwesto, while doing so ay hinahanap ko ang Mayor na halatang pakay ko ngayong gabi. May mga humaharang sa tingin ko at sumusubok na lumpait pero dahil wala akong intensyong tumigil sa paglalakad ay may ibang hindi na ako nilalapitan. I am walking confidently and while the dancing is slow, people are still giving me way.

"You should dance, Ms. Artiona.", nakangiting sabi sa'kin ng babaeng nakausap ko kanina. The one who owns a fashion brand. She's dancing delicately and ngumiti naman ako. "Feel the warmth, dance with grace, and imagine that you're in fantasy. Don't waste your youth.", nagpapayong sabi n'ya at umikot na para magsayaw ulit. I didn't take it by heart since I really don't care. I just continue walking and walking and I know I am not that stupid pero, I bumped into someone.

Galing s'ya sa gilid ko at mukang nagkasalubong kami. It's like he's looking for someone and nang magkatagpo ang mata namin, I could see how his eyes brightened and how his cold straight lips turns into a grin.

"Gotcha.", bulong n'ya na ikinairap ko. He step forward at tumayo sa harapan ko. He purposely blocked my view from anything else and stand like a wall. Looking at him close, he is far from what I imagined about that mafia man. This man.. I don't know. "The night is long. How about a dance, Ms. Art?", he asked and said my name casually. I hated that name.

Tinignan ko naman ang mga kamay n'ya na nahihintay na tanggapin ko. Napansin kong nakagloves s'ya at ikinangisi ko naman 'yon. He's being careful and cautious, that means, he's thinking highly of me. "I prefer the Novaliege.", I said and tinanggap ang kamay n'ya. I could feel the coldness of it but mas napuna ko ang malalaki n'yang kamay.

He held my hand with care and he guided the other. Nilagay n'ya ang kanang kamay ko sa balikat n'ya at dahan dahang nilagay ang kaliwa n'ya sa baywang ko. Kataka takang ng mga kamay n'ya at sa tangkad ng lalaking 'to, ang hawak n'ya ay parang kumakapit lang ng bulak. Ramdam ko rin ang pag-iingat.

'Tss. I know this tactics.'

"Then, Novaliege.", satisfied n'yang pagsang-ayon at saka sumabay na sa ritmo. I danced with him and I could tell that we're both feeling each other. We didn't lower our walls and still wary pero we're both dancing.

"I heard you never dance.", he said with his low and husky voice. It sounds so manly and satisfying. Made me want to compliment his parents.

I shrugged. "Out of duty.", I told him and mahina naman s'ya tumawa. "What about you? I thought you hated dancing.", I said and mukang hindi naman s'ya nagulat. Sa tagal ng pagiimbestiga ko at pag-oobserba sa mga ganap n'ya, walang nasabi ang agent in charge na katulong ko na sumasayaw ang isang 'to.

"Well, I cannot help it. I need to dance with a lady like you or unless, hindi ko malalaman kung sino ang hinahanap mo.", mayabang n'yang sabi. Natawa naman ako sa dahilan n'yang 'yon dahil kung kalandian lang ang sasabihin n'ya, mas hindi ako maniniwala.

"Don't worry, I didn't come here for you.", I said with conviction. Tumaas naman ang kilay n'ya at tinitigan lang ako.

He gulped and licked his lips before whispering. "But I came here for you.."