THE HILARIOUS HUSBAND (LEE BROTHERS #2)

Chapter 12

CHAPTER TWELVE

HOPE VS. MILES

★HOPE RYKER LEE★

A month ago.

THE moment I stepped into GDV Club, the bass hit me like a second heartbeat, vibrating through my ribs. The lighting was low, casting shadows that made everything look glamorous and a little dangerous. Gold accents gleamed from every polished surface, catching the glow of the moving lights, while plush velvet lounges softened the edges of the otherwise sharp, opulent interior.

Iginala ko ang tingin sa paligid para hanapin si Thunder Vilasis. Anak siya ng isa sa mga kaibigan ni daddy – si Uncle Gino. Sila ang nagmamay-ari sa kilalang club na 'to, with branches that have sprung up in the most exclusive locations around the world.

Kahit mas bata sa akin si Thunder nang kaunti, naging magkaibigan din kami. Noon kasi, kapag nagkasundo si Dad at ang mga kaibigan niya na magkita-kita, kasama rin ang kanilang asawa at mga anak. 'Yon ang dahilan kaya nagkakila-kilala rin kaming mga anak nila.

Ilang sandali pa, natanaw ko na si tukmol. Hindi naman siya mahirap hanapin because he always had a way of standing out, even in a place like this.

Lumapit ako sa bar counter kung saan ko siya natanaw. At ang loko, nakangisi agad sa akin, like he knew I'd be here tonight.

"Thunder," I greeted him. Nasa loob siya ng counter, pinanonood ang mga bartender nila at kung minsan, siya mismo ang nagse-serve ng alak sa mga customer. "Tumakas ka na naman siguro sa inyo, 'no?" natatawa kong sabi. Sa pagkakaalam ko kasi, hindi siya pinapayagan ni Uncle Gino na tumambay rito dahil baka raw maging lasinggero. Pero matigas bungo nitong si Thunder dahil madalas na tumatakas sa kanila para pumunta rito.

"'Wag ka nang magpaliguy-ligoy, Kuya Hopia. Dalawang bagay lang ang naiisip kong dahilan kaya narito ka. Either may tsismis kang dala or may hihingin kang pabor."

I groaned, rubbing a hand over my face. Even he knew me too well. "Tama ka sa isa. I need a favor. And I need it now."

He raised an eyebrow, amused. "Mukhang malaking pabor 'yan kung sinadya mo pa talaga 'ko rito." Bahagya pa siyang natawa.

"It's about my fiancée. Elisse Garcia."

He chuckled, taking a slow sip of his drink. "Figured as much. No'ng lumabas ang balita na engaged na kayo, alam ko na agad na tatanda kang maaga dahil d'yan sa fiancée mo. What's the problem now?"

I leaned forward, lowering my voice. "I want to hire one of your best – someone who's discreet, skilled, and knows how to be invisible kung kinakailangan. I want them to keep a round-the-clock watch on Elisse for me." Umigting ang panga ko. "I need to be absolutely sure she's not sneaking off to see her ex-boyfriend behind my back."

Pagdating sa bagay na 'to, siya lang ang puwede kong hingan ng tulong. His family ran the most elite private security firm in the country –military-grade, high-profile, and untouchable. If I wanted eyes on Elisse, his people were the only ones good enough.

Napangisi siya. "Ah... a classic tale of jealousy. Can't say I blame you, though." Napahalakhak pa si gago. "Hindi pa kayo kasal pero mukhang iniiputan ka na sa ulo. Gano'n ba nangyayari?"

"I don't know," I hissed, irritation flaring hot in my chest. "But I'm not taking any chances. I need to know if she's double-crossing me. Fast."

He leaned back, considering. "Alright, I get it. But you know this kind of surveillance doesn't come cheap, even for someone like you. Kahit na isa ang pamilya mo sa VVIP namin, wala kang makukuhang discount sa 'kin."