The Unexpected One

Chapter Six

Bree

It's been two days since Scott's death. Lahat ng mga Luzuriaga at Montpellier ay nagluluksa lalo na ang asawa ni Scott na si Mariana. I used to remember that I believed I was head over heels with Scott and then I left the philippines with a heavy heart because of Zachary.

He pushed me away... All because of that one kiss.

Napahawak ako sa labi ko. Why did I remember him all of a sudden? Napailing na lang ako. It's been eight years, Bree. You were just infatuated with him at that time and besides, you have a fiancé now.

Napalingon ako kay Cloud na nasa tabi ko, nakatutok sa kanyang laptop. He looks dashing with his beige suit matched with a white polo beneath. His brows are furrowed and his blonde hair was brushed up at malinis na malinis ang mukha niya. I think he shaved again. Everything about him screams power and wealth and being an heir of a billion dollar empire, his repuation has a value like diamond.

Nginitian ko siya at siguradong naramdaman niya na tumitingin ako sakanya kaya lumingon siya. His blue eyes softened immediately and he smiled back.

"Hello love, did I interrupt you from your sleep?" Sabi niya at hinarap ako ng tuluyan.

Nasa private plane kami ni Cloud. We're on our way to South Korea for refuelling. Umiling ako at sinuklay ang kamay ko sa kanyang buhok. "No, I didn't sleep."

Tumaas ang dalawang kilay niya at tumango. "Oh well, since you're awake, I'll just discuss my plan to you."

Napakunot ang noo ko. "What is it?"

He pouted his lips. His usual habit when he's deep in thought. "I've been called by the chief who handled Scott's case. He said that I'm in for an interrogation. While am at it, I want you to keep an eye on the private investigator that handled my cousin's case. I think he's bad news." Sabi niya sa malalim na boses.

"Who's this private investigator then?"
He smirked. "The chief said he was an outstanding P.I," he scoffed. "My ass. I knew better. His name is Zachary James Gatchalian."

Bigla akong nabingi. "Pardon?"

"Zachary. Well, people call him Zach or whatever. I also did a background check, the boy was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. His father Ricardo Gatchalian was also a billionaire. But well, comparing to ours, they're just a pile of rubble."

Bigla akong nainis sa sinabi niya. How dare he could say such things? Napatuwid ako ng upo at napatiim ng labi.

"You want me to keep an eye on Zach Gatchalian? Why-"

Bago pa ako ay nilagay niya ang index finger sa bibig ko. "Hush, no questions love. Just simply do it for me. Zachary will arrive in NAIA airport after we travel from Seoul because we will depart immediately after refuelling."

I scoffed in disbelief. "You wouldn't even let me rest after this long flight from Russia?!"

Umigting ang panga niya. "I want to finish Scott's case as soon as possible and resting is not in my options right now! My cousin died just like that! I can't let the killer get away with what he did to him."

Na taken aback ako nang nakita ko na sumilay ang sakit at poot sa mga mata niya. Agad kong hinaplos ang mukha niya.

"I'm sorry, Cloud... I was inconsiderate."

Kumawala siya ng isang malalim na hininga at naramdaman ko ang init ng hininga niya sa kamay ko. "I just want justice to be served for my cousin's death. Scott was like a brother to me..."

Niyakap ko siya agad at naramdaman ko ang mga kamay niya na pumulupot sa bisig ko. Biglang nawala ang inis ko at napalitan ito ng matinding sakit dulot ng kamatayan ni Scott. Nagbadya na naman ang mga luha sa pisngi ko habang yakap ko si Cloud. Ramdam ko rin ang lungkot niya.

If keeping an eye on Zachary will serve justice to Scott's death then I will.

Zach

I've checked my watch. It's already eight thirty in the morning and I think dadating na ang taong hinihintay ko.

Sabi ni Chief Bacalso, darating daw ang pinsan ni Scott na nagngangalang Cloud Montpellier. I've seen this man before sa mga collection namin ng Forbes Magazine sa bahay. He's a very rich man just like my parents. Chief assigned me to fetch Cloud from the airport for immediate interrogation.

Maraming tanong ang tumatakbo sa utak ko habang pabalik-balik ang lakad ko. Para akong inahing manok na mangingitlog dahil sa sobrang aligaga ko. I've never been this nervous and I don't know why I'm nervous in the first place.

"Hey, you Zach Gatchalian?"

Nakuha ang atensyon ko nang may tumawag sa'kin. A man dressed in a tailored suit was walking towards me with two bodyguards on his back and he has a woman companion walking with him wearing sunglasses. Hindi ko masyadong maklaro pero naramdaman ko ang pagbaliktad ng sikmura ko at sumiklab ang matinding kaba sa dibdib ko.

And when they got nearer, para akong nasuntok sa dibdib nang nakilala ko ang babaeng kasama niya.
No... it can't be.

Para akong nabingi sa paligid nang tinanggal niya ang sunglasses at tiningnan niya ako na nanlalaki ang mga mata.

"Zach?"

Her voice... it turned a little bit mature but it has given me the same effect. Bree's effect on me was still the same.
"Bree..."

She looked horrified when she saw me but she didn't said a thing. She was looking at me from head to toe at napatingin ako sa suot ko. I was wearing a leather jacket with a v-white shirt beneath. Pinaresan ko na lang ng faded jeans at high cut boots. Bigla akong nakaramdam ng hiya sa hitsura ko because she was wearing a pink sleeveless dress that matched her creamy complexion well. She's more beautiful now. It was like seeing a goddess in front of me.

And it took my breath away... like she always did before.

"Zachary Gatchalian."

Bigla akong nagising sa kahibangan nang tinawag ako ulit ng lalaking katabi ni Bree. I assume this is Cloud.
"Ah-I'm sorry. I think you know me now Mr. Montpellier, I'll be driving you to the NBI headquarters. I'll show you the way."

Tumaas ang kilay nung Cloud sa'kin. "No need, I have my driver. Just let us follow you. My fianceé needs a long rest from a very exhausting flight. So shall we drive first to a five star hotel, if you don't mind?"

"Fianceé?" Napatingin ako kay Bree at walang imik siyang nakatingin sa'kin.

"Yes, is there a problem, boy?"

Parang napantig ang tenga ko sa paraan ng pagtawag niya sa'kin. Boy? Tinikom ko na lang ang bibig ko dahil gustong lumipad ng mga kamao ko sa mukha niya.

Fianceé huh... Bree had loved someone else.

Nilunok ko na lang ang mapait na pakiramdam at pilit na ngumiti. "I'm sorry, Mr. Montpellier. I meant no harm. It'll be fine with me to drop your fianceé first to a luxurious hotel here in Manila."

Ngumiti ang Cloud at gusto ko siyang suntukin at bangasan sa sahig. Yabang ng gago.

Nanginginig ang mga kamao ko kaya pinasok ko na lang sila sa bulsa ko at umuna.

Fuck this! Fuck this day!