F3 - The Official F Buddy | Rafael and Ruri

Chapter 12 - Exhibit

(POV Ruri)

​It seems that my most anticipated day of the week is when I'm with this sexy assassin. Rafael asked me to moved in with him at siyempre, pumayag naman ako. Si Vina naman ay pumayag dahil may ka officemate din kami na kailangan ng bed space.

"Rafael, do you think it is a nice idea na sabay tayo pumasok at umuwi? Madami magtataka sa office," tanong ko habang nasa sasakyan niya pauwi ng bahay niya.

"You should be glad, Ruri. Dahil kapag magkasama tayo palagi, you can be assured na hindi kita papatayin. I will be the main suspect pag nagkataon," nakangiti niya na sagot na para bang isang biro ang pagpatay sa akin.

"Hanggang ngayon ba naman ay may plano ka pa rin na patayin ako?"

"Ruri, sabi ko nga, you're useful to me. However, if I need to dispose you, I won't hesitate to do it."

"In other words, if you find me useless, you will kill me. Ganun ba?"

"Uh huh! You got it, love," nakangiti niyang sagot.

Sabagay, nasa minimum level nga pala ang emosyon ng lalaking ito. Katawan ko lang ang kailangan niya. We only have physical attachment, hanggang dun lang yun.

The next day, Rafael asked me for a date sa isang art exhibit. Hindi ako mahilig sa arts pero sumama pa rin ako sa kanya dahil weekend naman.

Sa isang building sa gitna ng commercial business district ginanap ang exhibit. Napansin ko na mga mayayaman ang mga tao na andito. Di rin nakaligtas sa mata ko ang ilang mga kilalang celebrities.

"Rafael, is this really a date or part of your work?"

"Let's say both," sabi niya habang nakaharap sa isang malaking painting na di ko maintindihan.

It is like an abstract drawing made of red, black and white colors na parang drawing ng isang bata. It looks like a random splashes of paint sa isang malaking canvas.

Art ba ito? Kaya ko din gumawa nito ah?

"Rafael, what exactly do you want me to do?"

"Just hold my hand and look at me as if you're in love with me," mahinang sabi ni Rafael sabay halik sa mga kamay ko.

"Haaa?"

Magtatanong pa sana ako nang may pinindot si Rafael sa tenga niya. He's wearing a camouflaged Bluetooth headset.

"I'm in position. I can see the subject from here. Connect me to him," sabi ni Rafael habang hinahaplos ang buhok ko.

Sa tingin ng ibang tao, he's talking to me pero iba ang kausap niya sa phone. After a few seconds, he winked at me as if saying go with the flow.

"Rigor Samonte, just so you know, you're being surrounded. We know about the drugs hidden at the back of the portraits that you are selling," sabi ni Rafael while touching my face.

I frowned at him. Rafael is not a ordinary paid killer. He is doing this for something good. Siguro nga mali ang ginagawa niya sa mata ng karamihan, pero he is not doing this for himself, but for the safety of other people.

"Who are you! What are you talking about!"

Napansin ko na may isang lalaki sa di kalayuan na may kausap sa phone. He is panicking at biglang nag mura sa phone. I have a feeling na ito ang lalaking kausap ngayon ni Rafael.

"I can see you from here, Rigor. Don't make unnecessary move or I will shoot you," Rafael whispered while touching my chin.

"I don't believe you! You're bluffing! Fuck you!"

"Listen to me carefully, you fucking piece of shit. You have two options. Surrender to the police now and they will keep the details of your arrest from public."

"What's my other option!"

Sumisigaw pa rin ang lalaki sa di kalayuan. Dahil nasa medyo isolated na lugar kami, kaunti lang ang mga bisita na nakakapansin sa pagiging hysterical ni Rigor.

"Run as fast as you can. Magdasal ka na hindi kita aabutan, because when I do, you are good as dead. Oh by the way, the champagne that you are drinking right now is spiked with poison. If you need an antidote, feel free to choose option number one," sabi ni Rafael sabay disconnect ng call.

Tumakbo palabas ng exhibit area ang lalaki, but Rafael remained poised and cool. Hindi niya sinundan si Rigor.

"Are you going after him?" bulong ko sa kanya.

"Nope, he will soon feel numb because of the poison that he ingested. Hindi na siya makakalayo pa after a few minutes. He will surely choose option number one. Sigurado din ako na hihingi siya ng deal sa lawyer niya para maging starwitness at ilalaglag niya ang mga kilalang tao na buyers ng painting niya. A friend of mine will take care of him now."

"What do you mean? Papatayin niyo din siya?"

"Tulad ng nangyari kay Mr. Perez, may time limit ang poison. Nasa kamay na ng mga friends ko ang buhay niya. If he will cooperate, he may live for a few months," Rafael said while touching my chin and kissing my nose.

"I want to meet your so called friends someday, Rafael."

"That is a life threatening request, Ruri. Do you really love danger that much?"

"Rafael, I am already dead simula ng malaman ko ang sikreto mo. My life is in your hands now."