Tease Out the Truth

Kabanata XXXII: The Enemy is Here

Kabanata XXXII: The Enemy is here

DAVE

I was awakened to the sound of people talking. They seemed so engrossed with what they're saying that they haven't noticed me. I roamed my eyes around the white room. Judging by the smell of alcohol that lingered around the room, I am positive that I am currently inside one of the rooms in the hospital.

What exactly am I doing here?

"Dave! I am glad you're finally awake," Monica was the first to noticed that I have already opened my eyes.

"What happened?" I groggily asked.

"You were poisoned."

I looked at Monica to see if she was joking, but she seemed sincere though.

I also noticed that Chris and Reign were not in the room. I was wondering where they were. Reign was supposed to be my fiancé, yet she's not even here by my side. I guessed she was furious of the sudden announcement of our engagement. I, myself, was also against it, but I couldn't do anything knowing our reputation and wealth were at stake and I couldn't just take the risk. Once JDC found some loopholes in my family, he would use that to strike me.

Since Monica mentioned about me, being poisoned, I couldn't think of anyone except JDC who would do it. And I also have this gut feeling that the threat that Reign's parents received was also from the same person.

"Ikaw naman kasi Dave, bakit hindi mo manlang tinignan na poisoned pala 'yung cake na pinapak mo," sermon ni Arya.

I tried to remember what Arya said, but I could only form vague images in my head. I pondered deeper, then remembered that waiter who handed me the cake. I took a bite. Yes. And that might be the reason why I am here.

"Iniimbestigahan na ng mga pulis ang pangyayari. Kasama rin nila sina Zanaya at Chris," sabi pa ni Arya.

I sat on the bed to hear what these two girls were about say.

"How about the waiters and waitresses? Did they investigate them?"

Arya nodded her head. "Nahuli nila 'yung waiter na nagbigay sayo ng cake. Nasa interrogation room siya ngayon. Mabuti na lamang at clear ang CCTV footage ng mga Lopez."

So, Reign and Chris were probably investigating the case. I need to be there.

Pinilit kong bumangon at akmang aalis na ako sa kama nang pigilan ako ng dalawang babaeng nagbabantay sa akin.

"Hep, hep, hep! Saan ka naman pupunta aber?" tanong ni Arya.

They were like guards watching me with their calculating eyes. I let out a sigh of frustration.

"I need to be there for the investigation," sagot ko.

"Dave, you need to take a rest," sabi naman ni Monica.

Mukhang hindi ako makatatakas sa dalawang ito. Mas mahigpit pa sila sa security guard sa school.

"And besides, papunta na dito ang parents ni Reign at ang dad at kuya mo," dagdag pa niya.

"Fine," sabi ko nang maramdaman ang pagkahilo.

Saktong bumukas ang pinto nang makabalik na ako sa dating pwesto ko. Iniluwa nito si kuya at sinundan ng parents ni Reign. Nahuli si dad na bakas ang pag-aalala sa mukha niya, ngunit kaagad ding nawala na iisipin mo nalang na guni-guni lamang iyon.

"You have a lot to explain brother," seryosong saad ni kuya. Wala akong makitang playfulness sa mukha niya maging ang boses niya. Senyales lamang ito na talagang seryoso ang lahat.