Figli della Notte #1: Codename Havoc

Chapter 2

Maaga pa lang ay gumayak na si Cody papuntang opisina. He needs to finish his work in the office ng mas maaga dahil may dadaluhan siyang charity ball later in the evening.

Pagkarating pa lamang niya sa Herrera Towers - ang headquarter building ng Herrera Chain of Hotels - ay agad na siyang binati ng kanyang mga empleyado. They would lower their heads and he would greet them back.

Sa prinsipyo niya when it comes to work, he believes that he should treat people, no matter what their station in life is, with respect. Kapag maayos kasi ang trato mo as a boss sa iyong mga empleyado, kahit janitor pa siya, alam mo na they will work with loyalty and excellence for you.

Pagkarating na pagkarating sa top floor kung saan narooon ang kanyang opisina, agad siyang sinalubong ni Leo for his itinerary for the day.

"Lastly, Cassie Montemayor is out of the country today. Who would you want to be your date for tonight's charity ball instead?"

Si Cassie Montemayor ay isa sa mga babaeng malalapit sa kanya. Hindi niya girlfriend but most definitely they are more than friends. Fling is probably the right term for their no strings attached relationship. Just like all the girls listed in Leo's little black notebook.

"Who do you suggest?", tanong niya sa sekretarya.

Pinasadahan muna nito ang black notebook na hawak nito. Ito yung notebook kung saan inililista ni Leo ang mga ka-flings niya, together with comprehensive details about them. Ayon pa kay Leo, it serves as reference daw if ever kailangan niyang magpadala ng regalo, alalahanin ang likes and dislikes ng mga babae, and so on. Very efficient, diba?

"Belinda Santiago should be a good date today, sir.", sagot pa nito. "She lives near Shangrila Palace so it would be convenient to pick her up and send her home. Most importantly, today is not her fertile day."

"Gago!", natatawang sabi niya rito sabay bato ng paperclip na nasa ibabaw ng kanyang mesa. Nakangising umilag ito sa ibinato niya. May pagkapilyo din itong si Leo kahit na ba napaka-seryoso nito sa trabaho. At kahit na secretary niya lang ito, itinuring na niya si Leo na matalik na kaibigan.

Lumipas ang buong araw na puro mga papeles lang ang hinarap ni Cody. Nagbasa na rin siya ng updates tungkol sa project sa Zambales. So far, they found a solution sa panggigipit sa kanilang project doon.

Napabuntong-hininga na lamang si Cody ng maalala ang Zambales project. He really hates the corruption in the government and how most businessmen takes advantage of that for the sake of profit.

Naalala niya tuloy ang nakaraan niya, how he lost his once happy home, and how he ended up in an orphanage. Up until now, he still can't reconcile with his past.

At exactly 6 in the evening, tinungo na ni Cody ang bedroom suite na katabi lang ng kanyang opisina sa Herrera Hotels. Ipinagawa niya ang kwartong iyon in cases when he needs to work overtime or when he has important functions to attend at wala na siyang time umuwi ng bahay para makaligo at makabihis.

It didn't take him an hour to prepare for the charity ball and drive his way to his date's condo. At exactly 7:30, he rang the doorbell of Belinda's place.

"Hi!", nakangiting bati niya rito.

Pinasadahan niya ito ng tingin and he sure as hell likes what he sees. Naka-black dress ito na hanggang hita lang at may plunging neckline pa. The visible deep valley of her chest was inviting. Hindi pa niya nakikita ang likod ng babae but he thinks backless din ang damit nito.

"Like what you see, honey?", she said with a seductive smile on her lips.

"Oh, yes.", he agreed. Hinawakan niya ito sa baywang at hinapit papalapit. He gave her a peck on her cheek before biting her earlobes. "If we didn't have a ball to attend, I'd drag you right back in."

"Stop that.", Belinda teasingly said. Lumayo rin ito konti sa kanya, though obvious naman sa mga mata nito that lust has settled in. "We can do that later. Now, we have a party to attend."

He just smirked and led his date away.

  - ********-

The charity ball was just starting when he and Belinda arrived at the venue. Just like many high society events he had attended in the past, marami ding press members ang nandoon. Camera flashes were everywhere.

He maintained a smile on his lips kahit na ba kanina pa siya naaasar. Paano ba naman kasi, Belinda is acting like a camera whore. Pose dito, pose doon. Everywhere na may camera, she didn't neglect to strike a pose and have her pictures taken. Worse, always naka-abrisyete sa kanya ang babae that's why kailangan niya itong samahan sa 'photoshoot' nito. Enjoy na enjoy ata ang date niya na ibalandra siya sa media. Typical high society bitches.

"Belinda, let's go.", he lowered his head near her ears and said in a very low and dangerous tone.

Naramdaman siguro nito na naiirita na siya kaya nanigas ito sandali bago bumaling sa press to give a smile and a final wave.

"I'm so sorry about that, honey.", maarteng paghingi ng paumanhin nito sa kanya while they were walking inside. "I enjoyed myself back there and totally forgot to walk away."

He snorted to himself but maintained a smile habang kinakausap si Belinda.

"No need to worry, honey.", sabi na lamang niya rito. "I'm glad you are enjoying yourself."

When they entered, agad na napasabak sa business discussions si Cody. Even if this is a charity ball, hindi pa rin maikakaila that this is an event where businessmen build their own network and connections.

He was currently talking with one of his business partners when someone tapped his shoulder from the back. Nang lingunin niya ito, he inwardly grimaced. Of course, hindi niya ipinakita rito ang pagka-disgusto niya.

The man who tapped his shoulder is none other than the influential Senator Aguirre. Sa ipinapalabas ng media, they portray this man to be hospitable, malapit sa masa, and kind. However, he knows the truth that lies behind the facade.

"Glad to see you here, Mr. Herrera!", bati nito sa kanya.

"Same here, Senator Aguirre.", nakangiti niyang sagot dito.

"I heard that you were having problems with your Zambales hotel project.", ungkat nito habang naka-plaster sa mukha ang smug na ngiti. "If you need help, you know where to find me, lad."

Among the businessmen circle, kilala si Senator Aguirre bilang isa sa mga senador na kurakot. He'd take any opportunity to pocket millions any way he can.

Bahagyang nag-init ang kanyang ulo pero hindi niya ipinakita iyon. He needs to calm down and never show emotions in front of enemies, after all.

"Thank you for your kindness, Senator.", sabi niya habang mini-maintain ang kanyang ngiti. "It was just a small problem and we've found a solution na. Hayaan mo, if something happens again, I'll come find you."

It was then ng pumailanlang ang ringtone niya. He secretly released a sigh of relief knowing na makakaalis na rin siya sa kumpulang iyon but there's a mix of alertness in his countenance nang marinig ang ringtone. He immediately pulled out his phone and excused himself.

The ringtone is very special. Hearing that ringtone means may na-receive si Cody na special message - with a 'special mission' only he can do.