DARK GANG

Chapter 159: Moving On

[MOVING ON]

Two weeks passed, lahat ay nagsisimula ng magmove-on. Isang linggo nalang, periodical exam na ng dark students. As graduating students, they had to pass every exam, submit all the requirements they had missed during their time as Dark Students, and complete their clearance. Yet instead of catching up on their lessons, they were all gathered at Panotchi's mansion, searching for a photo studio where they could have their graduation photos taken. Hinayaan na ng mga lalaki ang mga babae na maghanap dahil wala naman silang pakialam kung saan basta magkaroon lang ng litrato, hindi gaya ng mga babae.

"Panotchi!" Luna called cheerfully as she spotted Panotchi walking down the staircase.

"Still looking?"

"Yeah," sagot ni Deth. "Naghahanap pa rin."

"I actually have someone in mind," Panotchi said. "She just opened her renovated photo studio main branch. I didn't mention her earlier because I wasn't sure if she'd already returned to the Philippines dahil gusto ko sana personal na makilala niyo siya, but she confirmed it today. I asked if she could accommodate all of you tomorrow, and she said yes."

"Wow!" Napapalakpak si Eunice. "Can we see? Does she have a Facebook page?"

Panotchi nodded, searched for the studio on Facebook, and handed his phone to her. "Here."

Eunice couldn't stop scrolling through the studio's page. Every post showcased breathtaking portraits and celebrity shoots.

"This is literally one of the biggest photo studios in the Philippines," she said in disbelief. "Their main branch only accepts celebrities and high-profile clients. If you're chronically online and follow famous models, you've definitely seen Kaila on your feed. She's practically everywhere."

Sander stared at Panotchi. "Paano, Panotchi?"

Deth chuckled. "His connections are everywhere. Seriously. You'd be surprised by the people he knows."

Stella raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me... even Taylor Swift?"

"Imposible," sabi naman ni Luna.

Panotchi pursed his lips, thinking for a moment. "My friend is close with her family if that counts?"

Nalaglag ang panga ng mga babae, gano'n din ang ibang lalaki.

"Anyways, you guys agree na lahat kayo, after you complete all the requirements for recognition, will undergo counseling," sabi ni Panotchi. For him, since tapos na ang mga problema ng mga bata, nararapat na mabigyan sila ng sapat na atensyon, lalo na ang kanilang mental health. Lalo sa palagay niya, may iba sa mga estudyante niya ang dumadanas ng mga seryosong sakit mentally.

Tumango ang lahat dahil napag-usapan na nila ito isang araw matapos ang war.

Nang makalabas sina Deth mula sa kanilang mansion, may natanaw sila mula sa di kalayuan; isang pulang Aston Martin DBX 707, kasunod ang isang GT Silver Metallic Porsche 911 Turbo S. Ilang segundo lang ang lumipas nang sumingit ang isang pulang Ducati Superleggera V4.

Isa-isang huminto ang mga sasakyan sa harap ng mansion. Unang bumukas ang pinto ng Aston Martin. Lumabas si Zeke na inaayos ang cuffs ng kaniyang itim na long sleeves.

Sunod namang bumaba si Axel mula sa Porsche. Isinara niya ang pinto saka ipinasok ang isang kamay sa bulsa habang diretso lang ang lakad.

Nang mapatay ni Kaiser ang motor niya, agad nitong hinubad ang helmet. Sinuklay niya paatras ang magulo niyang buhok saka isinabit ang helmet sa manibela bago umalis sa kaniyang motor.

"Gusto ko pagtanda ko, ganiyan din kaangas ang dating ko," sabi ni Zairus na sinisiko-siko si Wolf.

"Tatanda ka lang," pambabara sa kaniya ni Wolf. Hindi niya nalang pinatulan dahil sa papalapit na mga kapatid ni Luna.