Echoes of the Past // MIKHAIAH

Chapter 4: Closer

   Matthias' POV

I woke up to the sound of my phone, someone was calling. I covered my head with a pillow and groaned. It's a Saturday, who would bother me. The phone stopped ringing but a few seconds it started ringing again.

I stood up, realizing this must be urgent.

"Hello--" I was cut off by the shouting on the other line.

"Matt! Why are you not picking up? Anong oras na were you still sleeping? Kamusta na ba yong pinapagawa ng Lolo mo?" it was Dad.

"Ano bang gusto mo? You don't have any business of asking me what I am doing, Dad. Stop calling me." I was about to end the call when he spoke.

"Ayaw mo bang kamustahin Mama mo? You know what will happen if you don't get the company, right?" he teased.

"Don't drag Mom into this, asshole. I'll get your company, huwag mo lang saktan si Mommy. I'll fucking kill you if you hurt her again."

"Make it work. Bilisan mo, Matthias. I won't hesitate. Alam mo yan."

"Fuck you, stop hurti--" I was cut off when he turned down the call.

What a bad way to start the day.

I scrolled down and saw a message from Aya.

Alaiah Arceta

Hey! Vacant ka ba tomorrow afternoon? We can start working on the project tomorrow. Text me if you can come. Good morning.

Reply: Good morning, Alaiah! Sige, punta ako. Wala naman akong gagawin.

After texting, I contacted someone who is helping me to find Lolo's treasure. Before going to Alaiah's, I'm going to meet her muna.

I got ready and headed out to our meeting place.

"Hey! Are you Matthias?" a girl approached my table.

"Are you Sophia? Yes, I'm Matthias Lim." I extended my hand.

"Sophia Catacutan, the private investigator you contacted earlier." she shook my hand. "So, what's the agenda here, Matt."

"Well, I need you to find someone here in Cebu. The only name I got is Maraiah. No last name din, eh. I also got this little piece of picture that my grandfather gave me as a clue." I showed him the picture that Lolo gave me.

"That's gonna be hard din since it's just the first name but I guess i can do that. Can I just borrow this picture, I'll try to analyze this and maybe it can help up better. Yon lang din ba?" she was confident and I was impressed.

"Andami kong nakausap but you look confident, ah. I'll be expecting a lot. I also need to have updates on someone. She is my competition with this treasure hunt, I guess. Her name is Gian Lim Apuli, my cousin. I don't know her location but I know you can easily find her diba?"

"I got her full name. It will be easy. I think this wraps it up? I'll give you updates when I get more info. Thank you for this." she stood up.

"That would be great. I need is as soon as possible. Money is not an issue so, expect a big sum if you manage to find her." I shook her hand and went in separate ways.

After a few more minutes talking, we part ways.

I headed to the location that Aya sent me earlier. I saw her standing on the side of the road talking to someone on the phone

"...Jer, i miss you. Pwede bang tomorrow? Make time lang po? We usually go to Sunday dates after mass diba?" i heard her begging.

Having to beg for attention, ah? That's not good for her.