The Ace of Hearts

Chapter 81: Hidden Identity

"Mr. Dash, are you sure it's safe here?"

"I think so. You go first. I'll call Estevan once I'm done," binuksan ko ang pintuan ng sasakyan and had a step outside. I put one button of my coat at tinanaw ang paligid. Seriously, I don't know what's the reason why I was called here but I think it's urgent.

There is a building in front of me, more like an abandoned factory. I took my phone and as always, I never got a text message or even a call from someone I've been longing. One message from a familiar person got my attention.

From: +63 897 126 2364

"Once you're on the pinned location, go directly at the back and enter."

Ibinalik ko ang phone sa bulsa and had my way towards the back of the place. Sa gilid ako dumaan dahil walang pintuan dito sa harap. Madilim at malamig ang hangin, puro damo at putik sa paligid ng dinaraanan ko. Surely, my shoes will be dirty after I leave here, that is, if makakalabas pa ako ng buhay rito.

I entered through the back door and a long hallway approached me. It's quite dark, gloomy and silent yet, what was there to be afraid of? May ilaw naman sa dulo kaya iyon na lang ang sinundan ko. Tuluy-tuloy ako sa paglalakad. It was just me and my phone against the world. Once I reached the other end of the dark hallway, a metal door greeted me. Two men in their suits are both on each side of the door, as if guarding it with their whole lives.

When I stopped in front of them, hindi sila nakatingin sa akin. Diretso lang ang direksyon ng kanilang mata, until one of them moved and opened the door. I looked at them from head to toe and smiled. Humakbang ako papasok sa loob, they once again, closed the door.

Now, I was greeted by a dark room, including the four red lights on each corner. Tahimik but I know, there are people inside this room aside from me. They could actually be watching me now, "I was called here and I assume, I was right about the one who contacted me," I said.

"Good thing you're here," one man spoke in front of me. Nakaupo siya pero hindi ko mamukhaan. I could see the way he sits through a silhouette. May pulang ilaw kasi sa likuran niya kung saan siya nakaupo which shows his shadow.

"I'm glad you came on time," tumayo ito at lumapit sa akin. Dim lights started to light up themselves in a slow manner. Unti-unting nagliwanag ang mukha ng nasa harapan ko.

I smiled, "Right. It was you who called me, Duimond Fortescue."

"Good thing you remember me, we just met seven months ago before you took Magnus away," he even emphasized the name.

"I am glad too that you still remember me, Mr. Fortescue."

"Don't even call me, we're not close," seryoso niyang saad na ikinatawa ko na lang.

"It was you who called me here. Why? Do you need my help?"