Game Over, Engineer

T

BEA CAN HIDE in different aliases, but she can never hide her IP address. All IP addresses of the deactivated accounts were just the same as Bea's, at do'n pa lang, alam na kaagad nila na ito ang culprit. 

Other than the aforementioned evidence, Bea's word and emoji usage matches with the other deactivated accounts, but not with Clarence's account. Sinisigurado talaga nitong ibahin ang typings ni Clarence, but she can never change the way she types on the deactivated accounts.

But why would Bea scam her own self? To manipulate them?

A flick on her forehead woke her up from her reverie, and when she looked up, she saw Jack offering her a tupperware full of sliced apples. May kagat-kagat na rin itong apple habang inilahad sa kanya ang tupperware.

Nangingiting kinuha niya iyon at napailing. "Parati mo na lang ako binibigyan ng pagkain."

"It's because you seldom eat." Umupo ito sa tabi niya at muling kumuha ng mansanas. The sliced apples were sprinkled with salt, exactly the way how she wanted apples to be prepared.

Napakurap siya nang inilapit nito ang mansanas sa kanyang bibig at wala sa sariling pinagparte niya ang kanyang mga labi habang gulat na nakatingin sa lalaki. Pagkatapos no'n ay pinaandar nito ang TV na para bang walang nangyari.

What the heck?

And the moment the apple's salty flavor scattered all over her tongue, doon lang niya nahanap ang kanyang boses.

"Why are you feeding me?" kunot-noo niya itong binalingan ng tingin.

Mula sa pagpipili ng Netflix shows, Jack looked at her, confusion evident in his eyes.

"Kasi 'di ka kumakain? Tinitigan mo lang ang apples." He put the remote down while his eyes were still on her, and he faced her. "You seem so lost in your thoughts. Is something bothering you, Jill? 'Yong case ba kahapon? 'Yong kay Bea?"

And she just found herself nodding. The concern in his voice seemed to ensnare her senses. She blew air and adjusted her glasses.

"I just find it weird why Bea had to make it appear as if she was also a victim. If she wanted to manipulate the case, matagal niya na sana iyong ginawa." Mas lumalim ang gitla sa kanyang noo.

Jack grinned at her and winked. "I hacked Bea's Facebook account, and there," he spread his palms, "I found the answer!" he stated enthusiastically and wiggled his brows.

And goodness, she found that gesture too cute.

Mabilis niya iyong inalis sa kanyang isip. She shouldn't think about how cute Jaxavion is.

Umayos siya ng upo at kumuha ng mansanas. "What is it?" Pero ang likot talaga ng kamay nito. Tinder lang ang usapan nila na iha-hack nila, pero ang gago, sinali ang Facebook ni Bea!

Jack pouted. "Kiss muna."

Tumagilid ang kanyang ulo, and she leaned closer to him, pretending as if she didn't hear what he said.

"Ano? 'Di ko masyadong narinig. Anong sinabi mo? Gusto mong makurot sa itlog?" Kinunotan niya ito ng noo at mas pinagsalubong ang kanyang mga kilay. Mas lalong humaba ang nguso ng katabi.

"Joke lang! Ito na." Jack cleared his throat. "Nag-message kasi iyong kapatid niya, naghihinala kung bakit ang dami niyang sim card at printed na driver's license kahit halatang fake. Tapos nagtataka rin 'yong kapatid niya kung saan galing ang pera ni Bea. Well, apparently, nagtatrabaho si Bea sa LTO, and she used her position to print some fake IDs in order to verify her fake GCash accounts."

Umawang ang kanyang mga labi sa narinig at napasinghap. She couldn't help but cover her parted lips with her right palm. Ang lala! Damn, the influence of power on someone. . .