Stop your Heart✔

6

Chapter 6

We swiftly went back to the Cafe as soon as I got her call. Pinagana ko rin ang mga koneksiyon ko sa paghahanap kay Mina. Nasaan ba  naman kasi 'yung baklang 'yun?

"Calm down."

I heard Baste told me as soon as we got inside the Cafe. "I can't. Masyadong mabait 'yung babaeng 'yun, who knows baka sumama siya nang kusa dahil sa awa?"

"Besh, mabait si Mina pero hindi siya tanga. Matalino 'yun, duh!"

I rolled my eyes and took the order of a costumer. "Sino ba ang huling kasama niya?"

"Yung manok ko-"

Nasamid ako nang wala sa oras. Kumunot ang noo ng costumer at ngumisi naman ako rito. "Sorry po," I said and placed their food in front of them.

Bumalik ako sa counter at sinamaan ng tingin si Ann. "Yung manok mo naman pala ang kasama. Bakit mo pa kami pinapunta rito? Baka naman nagtanan lang sila," I said and massaged my temple.

She concluded that Mina was kidnapped when she was last seen with Joseph. Ayos lang ba siya?

"Eh kasi 24 hours na siyang nawawala?"

Napasampal ako sa aking noo. "Paano kung nagbakasyon lang sila?"

"Paano kung hindi?"

Napahinga ako nang malalim. I felt Baste's hand on my shoulder and massaged them lightly. "Keep calm, remember?"

Nakahinga ako nang maluwag at paunti-unting kumalma kahit naaasar na 'ko. "Ni-check mo 'yung CCTV, 'di ba?"

Agad naman itong tumango at inilabas ang cellphone. "Eto nga oh. Pina-copy ko pa kay Kuyang guard," she said and handed me the phone.

My lips twitched when I saw that they are not the only person in the car. May nauna sa kanila at mukhang kahi-hinala. Who would wear all black with mask and cap in the broad of daylight? Ang init-init kaya.

"Kitams?"

I pouted and slowly nodded my head. "Oo nga, pwede ngang na-kidnap. Pero tinanong mo na ba 'yung manok mo? Baka naman tinatago lang niya," I said and looked at her.

Naramdaman ko ang pagdagan ng ulo ni Baste sa balikat ko. Pasimple akong kumagat sa labi ko para hindi mapangisi. There are far more important things than feeling giddy because of his head on my shoulder.

Ngumiwi siya nang mapatingin sa gilid ko. "Nakakaasiwa kayo," she commented then looked straight at me. "Nawawala rin daw 'yung manok ko."

Malawak akong napangiti. "Yes!" I exclaimed. Mananalo na 'yung manok ko.

"Oy, bad 'yan. Saka malay mo nga, nag-out of the country nga 'yung manok ko saka si Mina," she said as she smirked and wiggled her eyebrows.

Napasama ang tingin ko at umirap. "Whatever, I still like Cris than your manok," I spat and dialed Roberto's number.

Napangisi siya nang nakakaloko. "Talaga? You like Cris so much, dear?"

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Oo? I really like him-"

"The fuck?"

Naumid ang dila ko nang marinig ang mura ni Baste. He raised his head from my shoulder and I slowly looked at him.

He was looking at me with his dark aura. Nanlilisik ang mga mata nito at parang any minute ay makakapatay na siya.

"I like him-"

"Talagang uulitin mo pa?" He gritted his teeth and jaw got defined even more.

Napalunok ako at umiwas ng tingin. "What I mean is gusto ko siya-"

"Saying it with different language doesn't make it less infuriating," giit niya nang tumatagis ang bagang.

I let out an exasperated gasp. "Ang kulit mo!" Sa inis ko, tinakpan ko ang bibig niya bago magpatuloy sa sasabihin. "I like him for Mina, okay?! Ayaw mo 'kong patapusin, e."

His breathing got even. Huminga ito nang malalim at saka nawala ang panlilisik ng mga mata niya. "Sure?"

Tumango ako rito at ngumisi. "Opo," I answered and pinch his cheek lightly.

"Fine," he said, while still not smiling, but at least he's not mad either.

"Hello?"

Napamulagat ako at inilagay ang cellphone ko sa tapat ng tenga ko. "Roberto," I said while still looking at Baste.

"Oh? Napatawag ka?"

"I'm sending you a plate number. I want you to trace it for me," I said then looked at Ann. She mouthed, "Ayos na?" and I just nodded as a response.

"Ginawa mo naman yata akong alalay niyan?"

"Why? Didn't you did that to me before? I just want to remind you that I did the efforts in helping you with the prostitution case."

I heard his cussed over the phone. "Fine!"

Napangisi ako atsaka ibinaba ang tawag. I send the plate number to him then I rose from my seat.

"Magtatrabaho na muna 'ko since ginagawan pa ng paraan ni Roberto 'yung kaso ni Mina. Kung may gagawin ka pa, pwede mo na 'kong iwan dito," I told him.

He blinked before getting up from his seat. "I don't have much to do. Let me help in the Cafe," he said then he went  to Rusting.

Napanganga na lamang ako sa inasal niya. Hindi niya ba talaga 'ko lalayuan? Parang sira lang. Siya 'yung agent sa 'min pero mas busy pa kami sa kaniya.

"Tara na. Why are you still standing there?"

Napailing na lang ako nang makabalik na siya, with matching uniform pa. He looks good.

"Lakas ng tama mo 'no?" My voice went sarcasm.

Pinaningkitan niya ako ng mata at humakbang papalapit sa akin. Otomatiko naman akong umatras mula sa kaniya. "Tama sa 'yo?"

I felt my cheeks heated. "H-hindi-"

"Tama na po 'yang kaharutan! May mga costumer po!"

Napatagis bagang ito at nakita ko ang pagkuyom ng kaniyang kamao. I heard his cuss before moving away from me.

Natawa naman ako sa reaksiyon niya. He looked at me intently as he heard my laughter. "You're enjoying to be interrupted?"

Nagkibit balikat na lang ako sa sinabi niya. "It's not an interruption. It's working hours, sweetie," I said in my thick accent before moving away from me.

Lumapit na ako sa isang costumer habang dala-dala ang pagkain nila. I placed it on their table with a smile plastered on my face.

"Enjoy your order, ma'am," I said and moved away. Calm down, heart. Si Baste lang 'yun.

"Miss?"

Napakurap ako nang hindi namalayang nawala na pala ako sa pag-iisip. "Ano po 'yun?"

She chuckled lightly. "Sabi ko po, ayos na. Natulala kasi kayo," she said and rubbed the back of her neck.

Natawa naman ako at yumuko. "Sorry po. Sige po, una na 'ko," I said and went away from her.

Nakakita ko ng isa pang tray kaya kukunin ko sana, pero pinatigil ako ni Rusting. Umiling ito sa akin at itinuro ang counter.

Tumingin ako sa tinuro niya at agad namang bumagsak ang panga ko. Didn't he just went to the counter like 15 minutes ago?

"Anyare?" I asked.

"Simple lang. Dumoble 'yung nakapila sa 'tin. Kahit isa lang dapat ang pipila, halos dala nila buong kasama nila sa counter," he said lazily.

"Wow. Maybe you should take off your mask," sabi ko at niyugyog pa ang balikat niya. "Baka maging quadruple 'yung costumer natin!"

"No way," he said, still in lazy tone.

Nalukot ang mukha ko at pinaharap siya sa akin. I tried to reach for his mask to take it off, but he was fast enough to hold my hand and twist it.

Napadaing ako sa sakit kaya inapakan ko ang paa niya para mapaaray din siya. Ano, ako lang nasasaktan? Hindi naman pwede 'yun.

"Alisin mo 'yang paa mo, Rosetta," he hissed while still holding my arm.

"Let my arm go first!" I shouted.

Sisigawan niya sana ako kaso bigla na lang siyang namilipit sa sakit. Siniko siya ni Baste sa tiyan at napadaing ito. They fought with each other at napatitig na lang ako sa kanilang dalawa.

"Tigilan niyo na nga 'yan! Para kayong sira!"

I rolled my eyes and turned around to them. I almost jump out of surprise because of the ladies looking at my back.

"Oorder ba kayo o manunuod lang?"

Napatingin naman sila sa akin at nagsitawanan. Bumalik sila sa kani-kani-kanilang pila habang ang ulo ay nakaharap pa rin sa dalawa.

Lumipat si Ann sa counter at kinuha ang mga order nila. Binalikan ko naman ang dalawa at pinaghiwalay sila. Hinawakan ko ang braso ng dalawa at pinilipit parehas.

Rusting tried to hurt Baste but I raised my feet to hit his stomach. Napaurong naman ito sa sakit kaya binitawan ko na sila.

"Stay there and don't even think on fighting again! Naiintindihan niyo ba?!"

Masama silang nagtinginan sa isa't isa at sabay na tumingin sa magkabila. Napahinga na lang ako nang malalim at kinuha ang mga tray sa counter.

Una kong pinuntahan si Rusting at ibinigay ang tray. He was still looking mad as he accepted the tray.

"You have a very possessive man out there," he said and turn his back on me.

Kumunot naman ang noo ko at umiling na lamang. Sunod ko namang pinuntahan si Baste at nakita ko ang masama niyang tingin sa nakatalikod na si Rusting.

"Baste! 'Wag ka na mag-cashier. Tumatagal sa counter eh. Bring these to those table. May number naman kaya madali mo lang malalaman 'yan. Just don't drop those foods, alright?"

He looked at me and accepted the tray. "Why do you have so many men on your sleeve?" he spat and turn his back on me as well.

Napamaang na lang ako sa dalawang lalaki na nagbibigay ng orders. Ano bang problema nila?

I went back to the counter and smiled to the costumer. "What's your order ma'am?"

"Ate, sino pong jowa niyo ro'n sa dalawa?"

Napanganga ako rito at binigyan ng nagtatanong na tingin. "Ano po 'yun?"

She tsk-ed and placed a money bill. "I'll buy lots of food here, basta makipaghiwalay ka po sa kanila."

Napaurong ang ulo ko, making my double chin visible. Demanding ka, ghorl?

"Sige po," I said, playing along with the lady.

Tinuro niya ang menu from left to right at tumango habang nakangisi. "Gusto ko po nun," she said and clasped her hand together. "Salamat po, ate."

Natawa naman ako rito at kinuha ang card niya. Pagka-swipe ko nito ay agad ko ring binalik ang card. "Thank you po, ma'am," I politely said and gave her the number sign.

Pangisi-ngisi naman ito pagkatanggap niya ng number. "Sila po 'yung magdadala ng order ko?"

Tumango naman ako rito bilang tugon. "Yes po, ma'am," I answered while looking at the two men giving orders to the costumers. Ang cute nila tingnan.

"Sino po pala jowa niyo sa kanila?"

Napabalik ako ng tingin sa costumer at ngumisi. "Secret," I said and winked. "Just be happy that I'm breaking with him."

Naguluhan man siya sa akin, tumango na lamang siya at saka umalis sa harap. A man is the next costumer.

Ngumiti ako rito. "What's your order po, Sir?"

Ngumisi ito at tumingin mula ulo hanggang bewang ko. "You."

Kumunot ang noo ko rito. "Po?"

He looked straight in my eyes and smiled. "What I mean to say is that I want-"

"Rose!"

Napatingin ako kay Ann at agad naman niya akong dinaluhan. "Bakit? Manlilibre ka?"

Umiling ito at hinila ako palayo sa counter. "Make the orders first, ako na rito," she said.

"Pero marami tayong-"

"Please? Medyo manhid ka ngayon ah. Onti na lang, sasabog na sa selos 'yung bebe mo," she hissed.

Kumunot ang noo ko rito at saka tumawa. "Gaga! Wala naman akong bebe," natatawa kong sabi sa kaniya.

"Eh ano 'yun?" She pointed somewhere and I looked at it as well.

"Tao?"

"Rosetta!"

Tumawa na lamang ako rito at pinisil nang mahina ang pisngi niya. "Oo na po. Hindi po siya nagseselos, protective lang," I said and went inside the kitchen.

"Manhid!"

Napailing na lang ako nang umabot pa sa tenga ko ang boses ni Ann. Paano naman ako naging manhid? Mas manhid si Baste no! May krass siya kay Yla pero hinaharot niya 'ko. Hindi man lang niya naiisip na napo-fall ako--teka, ano raw?

Ah basta!

💛

As soon as I heard Robert's report about Mina, agad akong pumunta sa headquarters nila. I saw bunch of agents but I just shrugged my shoulders. As if seeing them could back me down, duh! Never!

"Ash!"

Napalingon ako rito at tumango na lamang nang makita ko si Lucas. I swiftly went to the elevator and pressed the highest level. I'm sure nasa information deck siya kaya imbes na sa office niya pumunta, dun ako sa highest floor.

On the last floor before the highest level, the elevator opened and Lucas was there. He was panting as he looked at me.

"Thank goodness, naabutan kita," he said then went inside the elevator.

"Bakit? May gusto ka bang sabihin?" I asked while looking at the floor level.

"Mangangamusta lang sana ak-"

"I'm okay," I said and went outside the elevator.

Hindi ko na siya tinapunan ng tingin kahit pa tumunog ang alarm sa elevator. It looks like they have sensor that don't allow unwanted visitors on this floor, but nevertheless, I'm too fast to even reached by the lasers. Bahala sila sa buhay nila.

"Roberto," I said as soon as I opened the door.

He almost jumped from surprise, but instead, his eyes got widen. "You're quicker than I thought," he said as he looked at his watch.

I smirked and sat on the swivel chair. "Of course. Now, where's Mina?"

He pursed his lips together and pressed something on the table. A hologram was shown where Joseph's car is.

"Unfortunately, we didn't get any information about where your friend is. We just found the car, that's it. "

Napahinga ako nang malalim at marahang tumingin sa kaniya. "Ano?!"

Pinapunta niya 'ko rito nang ganito kaaga tapos wala naman pala siyang impormasiyon kung nasaan si Mina?

"But we found something about her kidnapper," maagap niyang sabi.

I raised my eyebrow. "And?"

"We found out that it was one of the syndicates who are connected with illegal taking of stones and treasure of the Philippines. Masyado ka namang high blood, Ash," he said and chuckled lightly.

"Who wouldn't? Do you know where that syndicate is?"

Napayuko ito at pinaglaruan ang ballpen na hawak. "That's the thing. The agency are still searching for that information."

Pahina nang pahina ang boses niya pero matalas ang aking pandinig kaya umabot pa rin sa tainga ko. I licked my lower lip and my hand balled into fist.

"Oh gosh," I let out with a sigh. "Hand me one of your helicopter then," I said and rose from my seat.

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya. "No!"

"I'll give you the credits if I found that syndicate," I hastily said and he rose from his seat.

"I'll get the chopper ready," he said and called someone on his phone.

Agad akong pumwesto sa isang platform at inapakan ang itim na pindutan. The ceiling transformed to make an opening and I rose up.

I fished out my phone and called her.

"Remember what Dad's new business is? I want you to find if there is any person named, Minea Therese. She's my friend and she's missing," I said as I get inside the helicopter.

"Baka naman nagtanan lang 'yang friend mo, 'tih? OA ka lang yata, e."

"Sana nga. Pero confirm 'to, bakla. Kaya hanapin mo siya at i-send mo sa 'kin location niyo," I said and opened my tracker.

"Okay fine, noted!"

I hung up the phone. Napapikit ako nang mariin at sumandal. Asan na ba 'yung magmamaneho nito? Kapag naasar ako, baka ako magpaandar nito.

I heard someone got inside and more persons. Narinig ko ang pagtunog ng helicopter at nangunot ang noo ko sa ingay nito. I won't really get used to the sound of it.

Nakaramdam ako na may humawak sa ulo ko. Napadilat ako at akmang sasaktan ang humawak sa 'kin, ngunit nahawakan niya na ako at isinandal ako sa balikat niya.

"Sleep for now, sweetie. Don't worry, I'll handle everything while you're sleeping," he said with his deep voice.

Napangisi ako nang maalala ang mga movies na napanuod ko sa TV. He sounded just the same. May sariling Massimo na ba 'ko?

"Pero si Mina-"

Tinakpan nito ang bibig ko at bigla akong sinuotan ng blind fold. BDSM again?

"Sleep, sweetie."

With his words, I felt at peace and went slumber.

○DiSe_Artemis○
I think I'm having my menstruation and I kinda don't feel like writing. Thank goodness, I still managed to write this part.
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