Chasing the Mafia Boss (Smith Series #1: Harrison Smith)

Prologue

Stephen Javuerge

"You want me to protect you?" Harrison asked, with a grin.

Napalunok si Stephen sa naging sagot nito.

"Yes..." Kinakabahan nitong sambit, umaasa na papayag ito sa pakiusap niya.

"And what will I gain by protecting you? You're just a mere employee kaya't anong mapapala ko sa isang katulad mo?"

Umigting ang panga ni Stephen sa narinig. Ang baba ng tingin nito sa kaniya, at ngayon lang niya naranasang may magmaliit sa kaniya. All his life, people praise him, looked up to him. Siya ang tinitingala noon, siya ang nagbibigay lagi ng mababang tingin. Ngayon siya naman ang nakatingala sa nag-iisang tao na may kakayahang iligtas ang buhay niya.

He was once the lion, now he became the mouse.

"I'll work for you... kahit anong iutos mo sa akin gagawin ko. I will work for you and your company---"

"I don't need a greedy person in my company."

Wala ng ibang nagawa si Stephen kundi ang mapuno at mabagabag ng desperasyon. He wants to live! And only Harrison can save him from his possible gruesome death. He get rid of all of his pride and slowly kneeled, kaya mas lalong naging mababa ang tingin sa kaniya ni Harrison.

Stephen bit his lower lip before he uttered his plead.

"I'm begging you... you are the only person who can save me..."

"You call that begging?"

"W-what do you want me to do?"

Saglit na natahimik si Harrison bago tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo. Tila ba nag-isip muna ito ng isasagot sa kaniya.

"I'll do whatever you wan---"

Hindi na niya natapos ang sinasabi nang biglang magsalita si Harrison.

"I want you to keep on begging for your life. Your life depends on how you'll beg for it to be spared."

Dahan-dahang lumapit si Harrison sa nakatulalang si Stephen. Hinawakan niya ang baba nito at bahagyang pinatingala sa kaniya.

"Beg like a mad man, I want to see you cry as you beg for your life."