THE DAY BEFORE MALOI'S DISAPPEARANCE.
It all started that day in the parking lot. Maloi had received a message about a "quick meeting," from a friend Gwen and though she wasn’t sure who it was, curiosity got the best of her.
She was used to dealing with all sorts of people—especially when she couldn't say no to the people who ask for her. But when she arrived, she didn't see anyone she recognized. Instead, there was a woman standing near an unmarked car, her back turned as if she were waiting for someone.
Maloi walked toward her, instinctively trying to read the woman’s body language. She wasn’t sure why, but something about the situation felt... wrong.
The woman turned around, revealing a calm, almost unreadable expression on her face. She introduced herself simply, with no unnecessary details.
It was Chie.
“Hi" the woman said, her voice cool but with a hint of something mysterious. “I’ve come to speak with you about something important. Just a few minutes, I promise.”
"Di ako nakiki pag biruan, Chie."
the latter laughed at her and smile devilishly.
"Neither do I, Miss De Vera" Maloi widened her eyes on her. It was supposed to be a secret but how can she know???
Without warning, two strong hands grabbed her from behind, and another figure, a man named Gelo, emerged from the shadows. They moved swiftly, overpowering her before she could even react.
"Ano'ng ginagawa niyo?!" Ang sigaw ni Maloi, ngunit hindi siya nakatakas.
Her phone, which she had been holding in her hand, slipped from her grasp and hit the pavement with a loud clatter.
As it tumbled away, Maloi had one fleeting thought—this could be her only chance to send a message, even if it was just a hint. Her phone was one of the few things that could lead her friends to her, so she let it fall.
In that split second, Maloi made a decision—she wouldn’t fight them. Her phone had already sent the signal. Someone would find it, someone would know. She just had to hold on long enough for them to catch up.
But there was no time to think further. The cloth was pressed to her face, and darkness took over as she was pulled into a van.
=================
Nang magising si Maloi, ang katawan niya’y naninigas, ang ulo ay sumasakit, at ang paligid ay madilim at malamig. May amoy ng amag at maruming lupa na umaabot hanggang sa ilong niya.Ang mga kamay niya ay nakakadena sa malamig na sahig ng isang abandoned basement. Wala siyang ideya kung anong oras na, ngunit alam niyang hindi siya naiinis sa pagkakataong ito—siya’y na-kidnap.
Hindi niya na maalala kung paano siya napunta doon, ngunit naaalala niyang huling nakipag-usap siya kay Chie sa parking lot
. "Si Chie…" bulong ni Maloi, ang pangalan ng babae na nagsimula ng lahat ng ito. Parang may mga alon ng takot at kalituhan na dumaan sa kanya.
"Hello?" Maloi's voice cracked as she called out, but there was no reply. Her body trembled from the fear and confusion, but she knew she had to stay calm. She needed to think, to find a way out.
She looked down at her phone. It wasn’t in her pocket anymore. In the chaos, it must have slipped from her hand. But then she remembered—the last thing she did before everything went black was let her phone fall to the ground in the parking lot. A desperate move to leave a clue for her friends.
“Please,” Maloi whispered to herself, her mind racing. Please let them find it. Please let them know something’s wrong.
The sound of footsteps echoed through the building, and Maloi’s breath caught in her throat. She looked toward the door as it slowly creaked open, revealing a figure in the doorway—Gelo, the man who had grabbed her earlier.
He stepped inside without saying a word, his cold eyes locking onto hers. Maloi wanted to scream, to demand answers, but she forced herself to stay still, not wanting to provoke him.
“Wakey, wakey,” Gelo’s voice was low, devoid of any warmth. He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming.
“Where am I?” Maloi’s voice trembled, but she couldn’t help it. “What do you want with me?”
“You’re here because we need leverage,” Gelo said, his tone flat. “You’re important because of who your father is. We’re going to make him listen.”
Maloi’s heart sank. She knew it. This wasn’t just some random kidnapping. This had to be about her father. They want something from him, and I’m the bait.
"Let me go,” Maloi spat, trying to pull at the chains that kept her pinned to the ground. “You won’t get away with this.”
Gelo chuckled darkly. “You’ll see. Your father will do anything to get you back. That’s what we’re counting on.”
Maloi stared at him, her heart pounding in her chest. She had to get out of here. She had to warn her friends—warn her father—before it was too late.
==========
Back in the school, Maloi’s friends were beginning to worry. Colet, Jhoanna, Aiah, Sheena, Stacey, Mikha, and Gwen had been trying to find clues all day, but there was none. Maloi never went quiet like this, especially not after a meeting with someone.
"Sure ka ba Gwen na di mo alam?" Colet asked starting to get mad because Maloi's not back yet.
"Yes, some student relay the message and I just did the same"
“Colet, what’s wrong?” Aiah asked, noticing the concern on her face.
Colet’s voice was tight with fear. “I think something happened to Maloi.”
Gwen stepped forward, her face pale. “What do we do?”
Colet held up the phone. “We find her. Now.”
=========
While Maloi was trapped in the basement, her friends began their search, fueled by fear and determination.
They didn’t know where she was, but they knew one thing: they couldn’t waste any more time. They had to move quickly, because whatever was happening to Maloi, it was happening fast.
And Maloi, deep down, knew that the phone she’d left behind was the only thing that might save her. She just had to pray her friends found it in time.
OTORS NOTE: I TRIED TALAGA E MIX ANG TAGLISH POV PERO I CAN'T :)) ENJOY READING THOUGH:)))
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Romance[COMPLETED] In where Miss Vergara meet the person who is so kind to the point people are taking advantage of it and she herself don't know that she's catching feelings to Miss Ricalde.
