The Lost Billionaire (MBBC#9) ✅

48.

Reeve's POV

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I kept walking back and forth, trying to digest what Morris just said.

"Look at him. So, fucking serious," Diezel snorted. "You supposed to jump for joy, Reeve. This is a good news. Why the hell you look worried?"

Nahinto ako at tinitigan ko pabalik si Morris. "Can you reach Diego?"

"Uhm, why?"

"I want him to keep an eye on Melissa."

Napailing si Diezel. "That would be hard. Diego is back at Texas. Cariena wants him there. Mukhang naglilihi sa pangalawang anak nila."

"Is that so?" Namulsa na ako. Hindi maganda ang pakiramdam ko at nag-aalala ako kay Melissa.

After hearing the truth about who Madison is in Melissa's life, it gives me a chill to worry more. Frank holds them by the neck because of that secret.

Anak ng ama ni Melissa si Madison sa isang babaeng ka-edad lang ni Melissa. According to Morris's investigation, Melissa's father had a one-night stand with this woman, who is known to bribe for money. She got pregnant and wanted money. Melissa's father provided for her financially.

Malaking pera na ang naibigay ng ama ni Melissa sa babae para manahimik ito. Pero hindi huminto ang ina ni Madison hanggang sa tinakot niya ang ama ni Melissa ng kasong rape.

That was the story behind why Melissa's father had to sell the land on the Island. Aside from that, he also sold some of his shares to Frank's family, as Melissa and Frank are bound to get married anyway to save the business.

When Melissa's father returned to the States for business, that's when the ugly accident happened.

It was a horrible fight that led to fatality. Madison's mother died, and the suspect. . . Melissa's father.

Both of them ended up in an accident that night, and the witness was Frank. He had all the nasty evidence in hand as he collaborated with the mother of the child.

Isang kondisyon lang ang hiningi ni Frank sa kabila ng lahat para masalba ang ama ni Melissa, at iyon ay ang pakasalan siya ni Melissa.

Madison was born while his mother was in a critical stage. Madison was saved.

"Dammit." Napakuyom-kamao ako sa sarili habang iniisip ito. Mababaliw na naman ako sa sarili dahil wala ako sa tabi ni Melissa ngayon. 

"Why not hire Carmella? She's a good friend of yours, right?" Tapik ni Diezel sa balikat ko. "She's easy. We are comrades. I will call her if you like."

Natawa agad si Morris sa gilid, at sabay kaming napatingin ni Diezel sa kanya.

"May utang ka pa kay Carmella, Dez. Hindi ka papansinin n'on."

"Sheesh, I know. But for Reeve, I'm sure she will listen. She loves the Mondragons, you know that, right?" Pilyong ngiti ni Diezel kay Morris.

"Tsk, she only loves the golden ones. And we are not!" Morris hissed. His face turns red.

"Awws, have you forgotten something, Mors?" pagmamabayang na ngiti ni Diezel. "I'm a golden egg, you know," kindat niya sa gago.

"Golden damn empty egg," mahinang tugon ni Morris at bahagyang tumalikod na siya sa amin.

Ngumiti ako. Gusto ko sanang matawa, pero ang hirap tawanan ng problemang ito.

"Do me a favor, Dez, please," I looked at Diezel, begging for something.

"Okay. I will do my best. Leave it to me."

"Salamat."

Tumalikod na ako at nagpaalam na sa kanilang dalawa. Umalis na din ako sa lunga nila, at gamit ang Harley Davidson na motorsiklo ay binaybay ko ang madilim at maputik na daan pababa ng bundok na ito.

Napamura ako sa sarili dahil as lubak na daan at maraming damo. Hindi ko tuloy maintindihan kung bakit ang lugar na ito ang pinili ni Diezel sa unang misyon niya. Hindi na ako nagtanong, dahil alam ko rin naman na hindi nila sasabihin sa akin ang tungkol dito.

Nakabalik ako sa insaktong oras sa bahay ng mga magulang ko, at ang galit na mukha ng ina ko agad ang sumalubong sa akin.

"Ranger! How many times I told you not to use your motorbike. Ma-aaksidente ka na naman, at baka mabugok iyang ulo mo at makalimutan mo na naman kami. Ang tigas talaga ng ulo mo ano!"

"Mama. . ." Agad na yakap ko sa kanya. Ni hindi ko pa nga natangal ang helmit ko, at siguro amoy gasolina pa ako.

"Ikaw talagang bata ka!" Sapak niya sa likod ko, pero isang mahigpit din naman na yakap ang binigay niya pabalik sa akin. Hinaplos na niya ang likod ko.

"You smell like gasoline, burnt tire with all the pollution. Ugh!" Higpit na yakap ni Mama sa akin. "I'm worried about you, Ranger. Anong oras na ba? Kanina pa ako hindi mapakali. Nagluto pa naman ako ng lahat ng paborito mo."

I let go of her, and the sad face of my mother melted my heart.

"I'm sorry, Ma. I visited Diezel and Morris at their new hideout. It was far, but it was worth it."

Napabuntong-hininga agad siya at inalis ko na ang helmet ko. Mabilis na pinunasan ng ina ko ang mukha ko gamit ang panyo na palaging bitbit niya.

"Don't disturb Diezel at the moment, anak. He is on a mission, and it won't be easy. At isa pa! Ang layo ni Diezel sa syudad. How did you manage to drive six hours? That was stupid," she crossed her arms.

"I know, Ma. Don't worry. I will not travel that far again using my bike. I will use the chopper," I winked, and he gave me a deadly stare.

"I'm hungry, Ma." I wrapped my arms around her, acting like a baby. 

"You owe me today, okay? You have to see Jade tomorrow. That poor girl." Mahinang sapak ni Mama sa ulo ko, at hinili niya agad ako papasok sa loob. Natawa na ako at napailing sa sarili. 

One of the reasons why I didn't join for dinner tonight is Jade. I know she was here earlier, waiting for me. I don't know how to reject her. I don't want to hurt her feelings. That's why I choose to hide away. 

-

The food my mother cooked was good, and I was full. The night is quiet and lonely, and here I am again, staring at the stars as if I couldn't bring myself to sleep. 

Kanina pa ako nakatitig sa cellphone at hinihintay ang tawag ni Diezel o Morris. Pero mukhang hindi na yata tatawag ang dalawa. Kaya ako na mismo ang nag-dial ng numero ni Diezel at agad niyang sinagot ito. 

"Reeve, okay na. Pumayag na si Carmella. Mabuti nalang at nasa Texas pa siya," tugon ni Diezel sa kabilang linya. 

"I'm glad. Thank you, Dez."

"Pero may kondisyon and prinsesa. Hindi niya sinabi, pero tatawagan ka niya. But all is good and she's starting the job now. Morris explained everything to her. She's okay with it."

I gritted my teeth, feeling much better now, and sighed deeply. At last, someone will keep an eye on Melissa and Madison for now. 

"You have to wait, Reeve, that's the best thing you have to do. I don't want you to interfer at the moment. Mahirap na kung malalaman ni Frank ang tungkol sa' yo at Melissa. Kaya magtiis ka muna."

"I know, Dez. . . I know." I nodded in frustration. . . After all, I'm still at a loss at this game, and there's nothing I can do. My presence won't help the process, and all I have to do is to trust the people I trust. 

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c.m. louden