DETECTIVE FILES. File 3 (COMPLETED)

DFxPL CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: THE CASE OF THE SECRET SANTA (Part 2)

DFxPL Christmas Special: The Case of the Secret Santa (Part 2: Detour)

"Are you okay Miss?"

I glanced at the guy and his companions. The girl with a long hair which dangles on her shoulder gave me an apologetic smile. Nilagpasan ko siya ng tingin at tiningnan ang dalawa pa nilang kasama. There was this guy who looks like he doesn't care at all. Nakababa ang buhok nito, covering most of his forehead. I cannot see any reaction on his face, maybe I was right. He really doesn't care at all. Nakakapit sa braso niya ang isang magandang babae- one which most girls would envy. Her skin is so white and lively to the point na kahit maputi din ako ay nais kong manliit sa balat ko. She had a pretty face with pinkish lips at bumagay dito ang kanyang brownish na buhok na nakabraid. Sa paraan ng pagkakapit nito sa lalaki, I wonder if these two are couple. I guess hindi nagkakalayo ang mga edad namin.

Uh, what am I doing?! Their ages and those two being a couple is none of my concerns. I just made a scene and assessing this people who I bumped with is the last thing that I should do.

I quickly excused myself and went straight to the main door where those four just entered. Eksaktong paglabas ko ay naabutan na ako ni Gray. He was determined to talk to me at mahigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa braso ko at hinila ako papunta sa east wing ng hotel.

He led me towards the corner kung saan walang tao at deretsong tiningnan ako. "Alam mo ba kung ano ang ginawa mo?!"

"Wag mo akong pagalitan Gray. Hindi kita tatay." Well yeah, he sounded like a concern father right now.

"That was an important man Amber", paalala niya sa akin. Yes Gray, I still did not forget that it was an ambassador and I just made a scene. Thanks for reminding something that is still fresh on my mind.

"His fault. He wore the same color of suit like the one that bastard wore!"

"Watch your tongue Amber", he warned me but I just let it pass my other ear. He stared at me with his hands on his temple, gently massaging it as if he's saying na pinapasakit ko ang ulo niya. "Amber, I need you to pay attention to our client's request today."

"Correction Gray, YOUR client. Let me remind you that I did not agree to accept the invitation of this so called client. You just forced me to attend today."

"That's because I want you to be with me", he said and I felt my knees wobble. But then Gray is all sweet talk and that's enough for me to gain strength and stand properly. He put both his arms on my shoulders and gently pushed me back towards the hall. "The press conference is about to start. Hali ka na sa loob."

Hindi na ako promotesta pa at nagpatangay na lamang sa loob. The scene that I just made is enough at ayaw ko ng dagdagan pa iyon. Bumalik na kami sa loob at hinintay na lamang na magsimula ang press conference. I noticed the four people that I just bumped earlier. Ang lalaking nakababa ang buhok ay nakatitig sa kung saan for quite some time. Nang bahagya itong tinapik ng babae sa balikat ay bahagya itong nagulat at biglang napatayo. Weird.

Hindi naman gaanong nagtagal bago dumating si Secret Santa. Naupo siya sa harapan and people began asking questions. They were all asking nonsense questions gaya na lamang ng kung may hinihintay ba na kapalit si Secret Santa sa ginagawa niyang pagtulong sa kapwa. O kung sobrang yaman ba nito kung kaya't naging libangan na lamang nito ang pagwawaldas ng pera sa pamamagitan ng pagtulong sa kapwa. Geez. Really? Kailangan pa ba talaga nilang itanong iyon?

Itinaas ng lalaking nakababa ang buhok ang kanyang kamay to ask a question and he was recognized. A staff handed him a microphone.

"Yes, mister?"

"Why did you reveal yourself before the media?" he asked while without even standing from his seat. "You call yourself a Secret Santa but now, your secret identity is no longer a secret."