STS #1: Dauntless [COMPLETED]

SIMULA

[Christian]

Deep thoughts were inside my head while staring blankly at the city lights outside my glass walled office. My fingers kept tapping the back of my hand while I was waiting for the new members of my team to come in.

I stopped when I heard the door open. Tatlo katao ang pumasok mula sa salamin kong opisina. And no one of them dared to speak.

I cleared my throat as I started to walk slowly in front of them.

"Tomorrow at 5pm, I want a confirmation of the exact location of the target." I faced them seriously with my hands clasped behind my back. "Do you all understand?"

"Yes, sir!" they responded simultaneously with a salute.

Their faces reminded me of the faces of my former professors whom my classmates say were scared of me. I just nodded at them and motioned them to leave already. Paglabas nila, pinagmasdan ko ang repleksyon ko sa salamin.

Do I somewhat look scary? I stopped staring at myself when I heard the door opening again.

"Christian?" a man with the same built of my father called.

"Tito Jiro?" Napangiti agad ako pagkakita sa kanya. It's been a while since we last saw each other.

"Mukha na namang maiihi sa takot 'yong mga bagong ka-team mo sa 'yo. Hinay hinay ka lang. You're already doing a good job, Christian," he reminded just like my dad. He went in and sat on the long sofa.

"Am I really doing a good job?" I laughed a little and seemed unsure if I was really doing enough.

"Of course! Your parents must be very proud of all your accomplishments. We all know how much you've worked hard for this." He looked around my new office. "Who would've thought that you'd build your own investigation firm just because CIA didn't agree with your principles? Manang-mana ka talaga sa ama mo."

"My father didn't teach me to follow others' beliefs. If they don't agree with mine, better leave them," I said and I couldn't stop grinning at him.

"Anak ka nga ng ama mo," he uttered, shaking his head. "But just a reminder, parang anak na rin kita and I want you to find real happiness in life," he added and I just kept nodding at everything he says. 

I turned to where he was and sat down on the opposite couch.

"Thanks for reminding me that, Tito Jiro. But this is already my happiness." I spread my arms wide. "For my every successful case, I feel happy. I feel satisfied. So, if that's your only concern for coming here, you have nothing to worry about."

"How about Adara?" he asked with a smug look on his face.

I arched my brow. "What about her?"

"C'mon, Christian. You won't help her for nothing." He once again flashed an annoying playful smile.

"You're too nosy, you know? I'm helping her because she deserves it."

He shrugged his shoulders and seemed unconvinced by my answer.

"I think you should also seek help from your dad on how to get a girl within a day. It's been 3 years already and you're still that someone who's just helping her? Oh God. 'Wag mo namang ipahiya ang lahi ng ama mo."

"You're crazy." I couldn't help but laugh a little. Not that what he said was wrong or that I don't feel anything for Adara. I just don't wanna be a hindrance to her plans.

"Gusto lang kitang maging masaya. Because once you experienced love, you'll surely get addicted to it." 

The corners of my mouth lifted. Can I possibly get more addicted to her than this? Damn.

"Stop it. I'm not interested," I lied, trying to drive away the conversation.

"Whatever you say, but you know what? Except from you and your siblings, my happiness has always been your mom." His face looked so serious and I think, everything he'll say will really just amuse me.

Now I wonder why my mom didn't fall in love with this guy. Tito Jiro is literally funnier than my dad who has no sense of humor at all. But of course, it's not my story to tell.

"Everybody knows that. Kaya ka nga tumandang binata." 

He stood up and jokingly punched me in the head. "Ouch!"

"Lokong bata 'to. Basta sundin mo lang ang payo ko at 'wag kang tutulad sa mga tito mong babaero! Tularan mo ang ama mo na akala mong santo sa sobrang faithful sa mommy mo. Goal yata n'ong masungkit ang most trusted guy award in the universe, eh."

I think I already had enough laugh for today. Dinamay niya pa pati ang mga nagbabagong buhay ko nang mga tito.

"My parents are now happily roaming the world. You can still change your life decisions, Tito Jiro. Pwede ka pang humabol sa huling biyahe," I grinned.

"You think so? Tawagan mo nga ang mommy mo at pakisabing hanapan niya ako ng isang katulad niya."

"I'll call Dad for a 101% positive result."

We both laughed at our conversation. Maybe if the day comes that I would fall in love with someone, I'd want her to be just like my mom. Kind, but brave, and self-reliant. Although I think I've already found her.

Pagkaalis ni Tito Jiro, umalis na rin ako. I hovered my hand over my hair as I walked into the parking and rode a black sports car.

I was just five kilometers away when I noticed a black car following behind me. I slowed down and turned my direction to see what it would do, but it just kept on tailing me. I pulled over a little and so did the one following me.

I pretended not to know that he's after me. I continued driving as if I was clueless until we reached a place where only abandoned buildings were seen. Yari ka sa 'kin ngayon.

I quickly loaded my gun and went out of the car.

The surroundings echoed with each pull of my gun's trigger. I rained its wheels a series of shots. Following the explosion of the car's tires, I aimed my gun at the window.

Both doors opened quickly. A man raised his hands and got off, but another man came out the other door and fired. I moved down fast before he could pull again the trigger and I took another gun from my waist as I shot them both in the leg.

They fell and twisted in pain of their bullet wounds. I went back inside my car and picked up my phone to call my friend, Racer.

"Clean my mess here."

[What?! Ano na namang ginawa mo?!]

"Don't have time to explain. Just come here and find out where these shits came from." I pulled over my car and quickly disappeared from the scene after I ended the call. I left them as if they were just some trash that needs to be disposed of.

Playing dirty? Then I'll make sure to solve all the cases I've got, whatever it takes and whoever comes my fucking way. Those responsible should always be held accountable.

***