Saavedra Series #1: Until I Found You (Book I)

Kabanata 22

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I MUST BE really stupid to think they'd wait until tomorrow to trap me in their lair. I was only focused on chasing after Rando, thinking I could outsmart them.

But here they are, right in front of me, making themselves comfortable at lunch—not by joining, but by standing at the periphery, encircling this goddamn monster like a pack of wolves.

I scowled as I observed them. Mga walanghiya talaga. Sabi na nga ba at tinatarantado lang nila ako. Nasa isip ko na, e. Naghinala na ako pero ako naman itong si tanga na nagpapaagos pa rin sa hangin at nagkakaroon ng kaunting tiwala sa kanila.

Richard my ass.

Lesson learned, Ione. Lesson fucking learned.

At least I was right about my instincts yesterday. I just hope no one followed me here. If they did, Maluwi would literally be in serious trouble right now. And not just him.

"I'm glad you never brought your guards with you—or I must say, 'Ayrton' with you." He smiled as he emphasized that name. "You're keeping your promise."

I watched as Mr. Gonzaga gently placed his wine glass back on the table with a grace that seemed unsettlingly effortless. Each movement carried the quiet authority of someone who wielded control without needing to assert it loudly.

Ganito siya noong inaya niya kaming mag-dinner noon kasama sila Saavedra upang magkaayos kaming tatlo. He didn't look like someone who could be tangled in the web of drug dealings spreading across the country. The way he carried himself—calm and composed—was more reminiscent of Mr. Hurt Saavedra, though Mr. Gonzaga was noticeably more carefree compared to him. Pero mas mabuti naman si Mr. Hurt Saavedra kumpara sa kanya. Just the thought of what he did to me made my blood boil.

"How's school?" he suddenly asked. "Better?"

Wala sa sariling napangisi ako. Hindi makapaniwala na kaya niyang magtanong ng ganoon na akala mo'y normal lang ang lahat.

"Better than before."

He smiled. "Must be. Look at you. You're blooming."

Tangina, nambola pa talaga. Blooming sa lagay na 'to? Saksakan ko 'to sa baga, e.

Gustong-gusto ko nang makaalis. But from what happened earlier, it was clear these people weren't easily taken down. I had to admit, the Gonzagas wielded more influence than our family ever could. Only the Saavedras had the power to outrun them. Maybe that's why they held back when Ayrton interfered with their plans to kidnap me. They knew going against the Saavedras was far too dangerous.

How ironic, is it? Sa dinami-rami nila rito, matataob lang pala sila ng isang panganay na Saavedra sa mundo.

I can't understand myself right now. But surprisingly, I'm calm today—not the relaxed kind of calm, but the kind that feels like a storm quietly brewing in, waiting for the right moment to strike them all. I looked at the knife at my side but then shifted at his tons of men. Kung nasa isang kwento lang ako, baka nagawa ko na ang hindi ko pa nagagawa noon. But I can't since I'm trapped.

"If you feel threatened, don't be," he says, putting sauces on his steak. Mukhang napansin niya kaagad ang binabalak ko. "We're not harmful, see? You're even free to eat with me," he continued as he munched on his food.

"I doubt that," simangot ko. Tumawa lamang siya ng kaunti at napailing.

"I can make Rando test the meals we've prepared for you just for your own assurance."

"No, thank you." Hell, I won't ever touch anything in here. I won't die just because of the poison. Ang tanging tatanggapin ko lang na magiging kamatayan ko ay ang tumalon sa bangin o kaya sa building kapag wala nang choice. I'm not a suicidal idiot for no reason.