Loving Nemesis

Chapter 16: Deal

Ines' POV

Wala na. Dumating na ang araw na tatapos sa lahat ng mga plano ko.

Matagal ko nang tinaggap namangyayari 'to kaya hindi na ako dapat magulat. Ang nakapagtataka nga lang ay bakit sinabi ni Nemesis na kumagat ako sa pain niya? Ibig niya bang sabihin ay pinlano niya ang lahat ng ito magmula pa noong umpisa? Pero paano? Paano niya nalaman ang ginagawa ko?

Mukhang wala na rin akong ibang choice kundi ang ipasara ang Vanders dahil wala na rin naman 'yon kapag nawala ako.

Katapusan na ng mga pangarap at plano ko.

Kalmado na ang buong sistema ko ngayon lalo na't narehistro na sa utak ko ang lahat ng mga nangyayari. Wala rin naman akong choice kundi tanggapin na nangyayari na 'to. Magmula pa lang naman noong una ay alam kong rehas ang patutunguhan ko.

I should have also known that Nemesis is my enemy, and I shouldn't have trusted him even just a bit.

"Bakit hindi ka makaimik, Lev Vanders?"

Natigilan ako at muling naghuramentado ang puso ko nang dahil sa kaniyang sinabi.

Paano?

Naguguluhan at gulat ko siyang tiningnan. Nakaloloko pa rin siyang nakangisi habang pinaglalaruan ang maliit na kutsilyo sa kaniyang kamay.

"How did you know?" I mumbled.

Nagkakagulo na ang lahat ng braincells sa utak ko sa pag-iisip kung sa paanong paraan nalaman ni Nemesis ang sikreto kong katauhan.

Matatanggap ko pa na nalaman niya ang ginagawa kong pagnanakaw sa Juwels, pero hindi ko yata kayang tanggapin na maging ang tungkol sa Vanders ay alam niya.

Don't tell me tinraidor ako ni Olive?

"I'm not labeled as the best detective in the country and the real-life Sherlock Holmes just for nothing." He chuckled as he stopped playing with the little knife. "Now tell me, Victoria." He walked towards me and placed the tip of the knife under my chin. "What should I do to you?"

I bravely stared into his eyes.

Kahit na nalilito na ako at puno na ng mga katanungan ang utak ko ay pilit ko pa ring pinantayan ang makapigil hininga niyang mga mata.

I need to act tough. Hindi dapat ako magmukhang mahinang tupa sa mga mata niya.

Nanatili lamang na nakaangat ang aking ulo at pilit kong iniiwasang gumalaw ito. Matalim ang kutsilyong nasa ilalim ng baba ko at alam kong isang maling galaw ko lang ay masusugatan ako.

Pinagdikit ko ang aking mga palapulsuhan at sabay na itinaas ang mga ito. "Go ahead and cuff me, Mr. Detective." I couldn't help but sound sarcastic as I addressed him. "Take me to the cops. Isn't that what you do for a living?"

His lips formed into another smirk. "Really? You're going to surrender?"

Bahagyang umangat ang aking ulo nang gamitin niya ang dulo ng kutsilyo upang itaas ito.

"Parang hindi naman yata 'yan ang Victoria na kilala ko?" His voice was full of sarcasm.

I was the one to chuckle this time. "Why? Are you telling me to keep on stealing? You're making it sound like you're a supportive husband who supports his wife with her misdeeds." I smirked as I raised an eyebrow. "I didn't expect you to be like this. Parang hindi na ikaw ang Nemesis na nakilala ko."

He smiled a little. "Are you really going to up? How about Vanders? Turning yourself in means you're giving up on Vanders." He pushed the knife below my chin a little bit harder.

Is he going to kill me? I should have known that he's been planning this since the beginning.

Halata naman ngayon na planado niya ang lahat ng ito magmula pa lang noong una.

I suddenly remembered the flipper knife inside my pocket. I immediately brought it out of my pocket, flicked it, and pointed it at his neck.

My sudden action took him aback.

We're now both pointing a knife at each other.

"If I go down, then we go down together, Nemesis." I gritted my teeth as I fixed the position of my knife on his neck. I'm ready to slit his neck anytime. "If I go to hell, then I'll bring you with me. We're a married couple after all, aren't we?"

The tension between us remained as we kept our deadly gaze on each other.

Pansin kong hindi niya inaasahan ang mga sinabi ko kanina. Akala niya siguro ay matatakot at mamamanipula na niya kaagad ako.

I feel so freaking betrayed right now that I can really slit his throat right here right now.

I wouldn't even mind adding another crime and being sentenced to more years in prison. Makukulong din naman ako kaya susulitin ko na lang.

Habang patuloy ang pagtititigan namin sa isa't isa ay unti-unti ring nanunuot sa aking isipan ang mga sinabi niya kanina. Unti-unti ko ring napapagtanto kung gaano ako katanga para isipin na may pake talaga siya sa akin kaya niya ako inaalagaan.

"Seems like the fish bit my bait."

It now makes sense. Everything he did was according to his plan.

He smiled as he retracted the knife. "You're smart, Victoria." He threw the knife away.

Hindi na sinundan ng aking mga mata ang kutsilyong hinagis niya sa kung saan. I've learned my lesson at ayokong lumingon papalayo dahil baka mamaya ay ginawa niya lang naman 'yon para ma-distract ako at gawin ang kung anong gusto niyang gawin sa akin.

I won't fall for his stupid acts and tricks.

"Still won't retract that knife?" He raised an eyebrow. His hazel eyes remained on mine as if he were reading what was inside my mind.

I raised an eyebrow, too, as I pointed a knife at his neck deeper. "Why would I?" I sarcastically smiled. "I've learned my lesson, Nemesis."

"Let's have a deal, Victoria." He quickly changed the topic with those words. He seems serious, and it looks like he'll say something that will keep my interest.

But I'm not interested in having a deal with him.

"I'm not-"

"Work for us," he cuts me off.

Kaagad na nangunot ang aking noo nang dahil sa kaniyang sinabi. "What?"

Sa gulat ay hindi ko namalayan na mas napadiin pala ang pagkakatutok ko ng kutsilyo sa kaniyang leeg kaya naman nasugatan siya at nagsimula nang tumulo ang dugo mula sa maliit na sugat niya.

"Work for us," he repeated. His voice and expression remained calm despite the cut on his neck.

Manhid ba siya?

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.

Work for who? Them?

"Your skills were mesmerizing. Malinis ang mga trabaho mo kaya nahirapan akong mahuli ka."

Bahagya akong napangiti sa kaniyang sinabi.

"But that is not a compliment, Victoria."

My smile faded. Panira ng moment.

"You used your skills to do misdeeds." He slowly shook his head. "I'm willing to let you go if you accept my offer."

"And if I don't?" I slowly lowered the knife. "What would you do kung ayaw kong pumayag?"

"Then you go to jail." He remained serious and unbothered with the cut on his neck.

Napatingin ako sa kaniyang leeg nang tumulo ang dugo sa colar ng kaniyang puting polo.

Does he not feel any pain or something?

"Stop stealing, Ines, and let's solve crimes together."

=END OF CHAPTER 16=