CROSSING THE CRIME [MAJOR EDITING]

C.T.C 10

     "Success is not final, failure is not fatal; It is the courage to continue that counts."

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KINABUKASAN

Alice's Point Of View

INGAY ng pinto at ilang mga yapak sa kuwarto ko ang nagpagising sa ’kin. Nagulat na lang ako dahil pagmulat ko ay naroon si Leon, nasa bedside ng aking higaan nakaupo. He's just staring at me. Type that stare that he would kill me. Napansin kong nag-iba agad ang reaksyon n'ya nang makita n'ya akong gising. Binigyan n'ya ako ng isang sinsiridad na ngiti. Hindi ko lang alam kung totoo ba iyon, at isa pa, ngayon lang nangyare ang pagpasok n'ya sa kuwarto ko. Napaupo ako kaagad kahit na uunga-unga ako dahil sa biglang gising ko.

"B-boss, Leon?! Good morning, ano pong atin?" agad na bungad na tanong ko sa kan'ya na hindi ko alam bakit ikinatawa n'ya.

"Don't be so nervous, I won't eat you," napatawa naman kaming dalawa sa sinabi n’ya. "I am just here para sabihin sa ’yo na, you were really amazing on your mission last night, my dear," he added before he start caressing my hair, carefully, before she continue to talk. "Nobody can replace your throne as Cora; a strong, chic, sophisticated woman. I just can take my eyes of you last night." He said to me and then he stop caressing my hair. I do not know if that was true or was it a lie? Sinakyan ko na lang at ino-obserbahan kung hanggang saan mapupunta ang usapan.

"Thank you, Boss. I guess I'll take that as a compliment," He just chuckled. "But Rein, she really stand out last night. Siya ang gumawa ng paraan para mapadali ang trabaho namin at walang masaktan nang malala isa man sa amin." I smile while stating it, "She really deserved to be the leader of our group."

Hindi ko alam kung may mali ba sa sinabi ko dahil nag umpisa na naman naging seryoso ang mukha ni Leon. Nagsindi rin ito ng sigarilyo. He then slowly come closer to me pagtapos n’yang mag bugha ng sigarilyong sininidihan n’ya sa ibang direksyon saglit. When he finally face me, we made an eye contact for a second. What is really happening right now? I’m confused.

That stubborn girl last night, she gave me a hard time ha! How dare her!  Tingnan na lang natin kung hanggang saan ang pagmamatigas mo at yabang mo ’pag sinira ko ang pagkakaibigan n’yo. Rein Narssisa, you will bow down to your knees and beg me for this.

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"Oh, yeah? But I think she just got lucky last night kaya s’ya ang bida, but for me . . ." He then touch my ear down to my neck. "You're more deserving to be in the spotlight than her. You're more beautiful, smart, and seductive woman." Binigyan niya ako ng saglit na ngiti na parang may kasinungalingan but it didn't matter to me at all. I have no idea that why I feel like at ease when someone's giving me a compliment, lalo na sa taong medyo gusto ko.

L E O N

Look at this woman, she already give in. Masyado kang mahina para sa 'kin, Alice. And I'm not sorry for using you na isa sa dahilan ko para gawing ayos ang plano ko. I am doing this sh-t so that Rein will be mine.This plan is very easy to me for such a weak and naive girl like you.