Behind the Facade

XI. Fragment of Mayhem

Driving the car while heading back to the mansion, I was in deep thought. Hindi pa rin ako nilubayan ng Lavez. I was too immersed that I didn't notice the red light which had my car almost colliding with another one. Mabuti na lang ay mabilis ko agad naapakan ang brake function!

The car stopped and so did mine. When I recovered from the shock, agad akong lumabas sa kotse para puntahan ang kotseng muntik ko nang mabangga. I gently knocked on the windshield and spoke with concern, "Okay lang po ba kayo?" the windshield has been rolled down, but the darkness did not allow me to see the person on the driver's seat.

Medyo nag-alala ako roon na baka natamaan ito.

"I'm alright." The person inside replied. He's got a raspy rough voice that seemed to have been registered in my mind already.

"I apologize for my carelessness, Sir. Have a safe ride." I muttered. The driver has finally taken a peek in which his face was casted by the streetlight. Mr. Lim. He was my client who was interested in investing to our company!

"Miss Williard!" his face lit up in recognition. "Are you alright?" nag-alalang tanong nito. I just smiled at him and assured my safety. Nagpaalam din agad ako sa kaniya.

After some time, narating ko rin agad ang mansion. I took out some spare clothes with me and brought them to my tote bag. Hindi na rin ako nagtagal pa at umalis agad. Marahil sa mabibilis kong kilos, I could feel the curious gazes from the housemaids. To avoid making them worry, ipinaliwanag ko na kay Ate Lynn ang lahat—the sole housemaid I have my trust on. It took me a few assurances din para hindi na sila mag-alala pa sa'kin. Matapos kong makuha ang loob nila ay tuluyan ko nang nilisan ang mansiyon.

I was greeted by the sleeping Reinleigh the moment I stepped foot on the room. Umalis na rin 'yong nurse na pinagkatiwalaan ko. Good thing, there's some spare bed here that the watcher could use. I gently brought myself on the bed after my night routine, careful not to awake the patient.

Ngunit hindi rin talaga agad ako nakatulog. Binabagabag pa rin ako ng magkakapatid. I considered that they could be plotting something... but if so, then when are they going to put them into actions? Still on the other side, I'm also a bit taken aback. Are they really the people who are closer to the Lavez I knew? Maaaring iba sila na Lavez sa nakilala ko...

In the end, I just heaved a sigh to surrender my thoughts. I need to look up to this, as soon as possible.

Nang ma-isip ko ng ipikit ang mga mata ko ay eksaktong may kumatok sa pinto. I got up on my feet right away, feeling alerted. Kasunod nito ay ang pagpasok ng isang taong nakabihis doctor, nakasuot pa ito ng mask, which Doc Direich didn't have earlier. Tumayo agad ako para puntahan  si Reinleigh sa gilid.

"What do you need?" I didn't address him a doctor, because my instinct shouts suspicions at this man.

"He needs to be injected for quick recovery." Ridiculous.

"Without permission, yes?" I came closer to his direction. Hindi ito gaano katangkaran, hindi rin gaano kalaki ang katawan. But the moment that injection pokes the patient's skin, only God knows what would happen. Kailangan ko 'yon ma-iwasan!

"Are you doubting my profession, Miss? Nakakasakit ka ng ego, ah."

"Bastard, you're not his doctor. Now, tell me, who are you?" bahagyang lumalim nag boses ko habang taimtim siyang tinitigan. I turned off the main light aside from the lamp earllier, kaya hinding-hindi ko talaga siya maaninag. I got myself into position swiftly should he do something absurd. My eyes ran down to the syringe, and I can't help scoffing when I saw the liquid in it.

"What do you mean, I'm not?" hirit pa nito. He cupped something on the inner pocket of his robe, and I saw that as an opportunity to grab the syringe in his hand with my quick moves I learned in the past.