Chasing an Angel

C10-5

ALDEN'S POV.2

It's now three months without Meng. Had it not been for work, work and work to take refuge to my life may had turned into a total disarray. The Lord had been my refuge and source of strength to keep on going. My faith on Him had reinforced my hope that things will unfold in the right perspective at the right time.

I already talked to Dad about the project that I am now working on and he was very understanding. He told me not to worry for he is more than satisfied with the attention that I am now giving to our own business. He granted me a leeway to concentrate on my priorities at the moment until such time that he will need to turn over everything to me.

Since it seems that they have no idea on what is happening I tried to evade any topic that may lead to my personal activities when I'm home. And, although I feel guilty I spend most of my time by being busy with other activities so as to avoid prolonged conversations with them.

I arrived at my Cebu condo almost nine in the evening and was on the way to the bathroom when I became aware of my phone which keep on ringing inside my duffel bag. I opened my bag to get my phone and answered it without checking who the caller is. Dave's voice came booming from the other end.

"Where were you Alden? I have been contacting you these past few days but you are always out of coverage."

"Nasa bundok ng timbukto nagtetraining maging ermitanyo," I ribbed at him.

Then I told him about my present assignment which was the reason why communication is difficult and asked him why while cautioning myself not to expect too much to avoid further disappointments.

"Any news, Doods? Just be sure it's a good one to lift up my spirit," I warned him.

"I already have the details of what you wanted to know."

Hearing this I felt like taking an overdose of energy booster with all my senses instantly ready and active.

"Stop beating around the bush, spill it out now!" I shouted on the other line.

"Easy buddy. She is in Manila right now. She is employed in a resort hotel located outside of Manila but its Credit and Collection Office where she is assigned is based in Manila. Currently, she is staying with her college friend named Lolly who also recommended her to her present job. But brod, I don't know if you could consider this still part of good news, she and Lolly are always in the company of a guy named Brian. I learned that the three are bosom buddies since college who had reunited in Manila. I have her complete home and office addresses and corresponding sketches to easily find these. Just give me your email address and I will send these to you right now."

I immediately dictated to him the two email addresses I use for personal purposes, got my laptop from my travelling bag and eagerly opened it. Seconds later my inbox flashed two messages sent by Dave. I thanked Dave cheerfully and when the line went off, I dashed to the bathroom for a quick shower and after changing for a new set of clothes reached out for my phone again to call Chris, my assistant this time. I discussed with him several phases related to the projects I am taking charge now and after we had agreed on these I requested him to book for me an early morning flight to Manila on the second Saturday of the month and made sure too that he booked me a week's stay on the hotel I specifically told him and not somewhere else.

I worked more than double time for the next two weeks to accomplish what is needed. I already talked to my boss that I need to be off for one week to personally attend to an urgent matter and he did not object when I outlined to him my plans and how I would be able to finish ahead of my scheduled time.

I hired a boat that will bring me to Cebu after work on Friday afternoon of the second week to be able to catch my early morning flight the following day for Manila.

Arriving at the hotel in Manila, I requested to be billeted in the fourth floor upon check in. The lady at the front desk informed me that this floor houses company and affiliates offices only and no guest rooms hence, I settled for the fifth floor which is good enough.

I just rested for a couple of hours in my hotel room and then spent the rest of the day exploring the places surrounding the huge building. Upon returning to my hotel room, I reviewed my action plan on what needs to be done for the next day, ensuring that no single detail is to be missed out.

I woke up very early on Sunday morning and ate my breakfast at the coffee shop located just beside the hotel lobby. I am swamped with a mixture of excitement on the prospect of seeing her again and fear of what might possibly happen. Once out from the hotel I decided to walk the short distance to the road where jeepney transport is available instead of hailing a taxi. I have a photographic memory of every detail of the map Dave sent me and know that she is living near the vicinity maybe just a few minutes ride away.

I waited for a jeepney with no passenger in front to be able to sit beside the driver so that I could easily ask for further instructions if necessary. The driver was also accommodating. When I told him where my destination is and requested to be dropped on the right place, he stopped his vehicle on the corner just adjacent to the street where Meng is supposed to live.

Finding her apartment was just a piece of cake. The place is modest and the surrounding neighborhood appears to be peaceful. There is a twenty four hours convenient store just across the street from their apartment. I went inside the convenience store and since they also serve snacks, I bought some and occupied a table where I could clearly see their house and watch all activities happening around it. It is now almost seven in the morning and I had barely touched my food when a taxi stopped in front of their apartment and a guy with a box bearing a fast food logo stepped out of the car. He pressed for the doorbell and it was opened by a young lady who ushered him in. I patiently waited for a few more minutes and about half an hour later the door opened again and out came the guy followed by a young lady and Meng. It took all my self-restraint to prevent myself from running into her and hug her tightly. Oh how I missed her and seeing her this very moment, I have resolve to do everything within my means even if I need to beg on my knees just to have her back again.

When the guy which I now presumed is Brian and the young lady to be Lolly, stopped a vacant taxi, I almost panicked. I don't want them to be out of my sight so I dashed for the door just after they had boarded the car and also called the next vacant taxi in sight. I instructed the taxi driver to follow their car at any cost. After travelling for some time, their car stopped near a chapel and fearing that I may lost them, I immediately paid the taxi driver without waiting for the change and followed them surreptitiously. I felt like a dumb, playing detective the whole day and one time, I was almost got caught when Meng turned around suddenly. It was just lucky that there was a small kiosk selling donuts nearby where I quickly docked while ignoring the puzzled look of the guy manning it.

I could tell that the guy is a decent one but I can't help feeling annoyed every time he touches Meng or Meng touching him. Seeing Meng laughing enthusiastically with him irritated me too much and wringing his neck would be my greatest pleasure at the moment. Inside the cinema however I was not able to control myself anymore when I saw his right arm conveniently settled at the back of Meng's seat. For me it is already tantamount to his arm being around Meng's shoulder so what right have he to do that? I felt an unexpected surge of anger that I stood up and intentionally bumped it hard to displace it from Meng's backseat.

I continued secretly following them until they decided to go home and when Brian still entered the house with them I stayed inside the convenience store until I saw him leave.

It pained me too much to see how easy and quickly Meng appears to have moved on. Here I am, having sleepless nights and raking my mind on what happened between us and how to bring our happy days back but I witnessed just today that she's now enjoying life without me and, with another man?

Time is of the essence. I realize that I have to act swiftly. Meng seems to be happy without me and it is hard to accept for I want to be the source and part of her happiness. What hurts me more is, it is another man like Brian who is now partly responsible for her being happy. She is mine and I won't allow anyone to snatch her away from me and Brian is no exception.

My specific plan on how to unravel this puzzle is now geared up for immediate implementation and I can't avoid feeling an iota of guilt for I know I will be constrained to manipulate people or use my charm on women if needed to warrant its success.