Chasing The Universe [Cosmos Series#1]

Kabanata 9

"Astrid's in the hospital. She was shot." I shifted on my swivel chair because of what Archer said over the phone.

I frowned. "What? What happened?"

"Hindi ko rin alam, kanina ay magkausap pa kami. Dash called saying Astrid was shot. We're heading to the hospital. I'll message you the address." He sounds so serious. What the hell happened? Is it because of Hoax? Oh damn him! Hindi niya binalik ang kaibigan ko at ganoon ang mangyayari?

"May tatapusin lang ako." I said as I ended the call. Ibinalik ko ang aking atensyon sa kaharap.

"You see, Mr. Chaves, nagmamadali ako. Its just a yes or no."

"You're blackmailing me, Ms. Lozano." Hinampas niya ang table ko dahil sa sobrang galit habang ako ay nananatiling kalmado at walang pakealam sa galit niya.

"Of course not, it's a proposal and you have a choice. But, you know what Cosmos can do."

I can the veins on his neck. "See?! You're blackmailing me!"

"It's just a warning, not a blackmail and don't you dare raised your voice on me again." I said slowly, making sure that he'd understand every single word I'm saying.

"Mahirap ang ipinapagawa mo sakin." No way! Ang dali lang ng pinapagawa ko. Kaya lang buhay niya ang magiging kapalit sa isang maling galaw. He's one of the most trusted client of Stonesteel. He would betray them. Then after that lilipat ay siya sa Cosmos. Iyon lang naman ang ipinapagawa ko.

"Papatayin nila ako!" Hindi ba siya nakikinig? This old man! I told him already that Cosmos have security services. Kaya nga after niya magawa yung pinapagawa ko ay lilipat siya sa Cosmos at poprotektahan siya.

"You choose then who do you want to kill you? Stonesteel or Cosmos?" Kung tatanggihan niya ang pinapagawa ko ay masisiguro ko ang nalalapit niyang kamatayan.

"Sino ka sa Cosmos? Bakit parang ang dami mong alam? Are an underboss? The Universe perhaps?"

"Beware of your guessing games, Mr. Chaves. Who knows, malay mo ay tama ka at iyan pa ang maging dahilan ng pagkamatay mo." Tumungo siya at iniyukom ang mga kamao na para bang nagiisip. Ilang sandali ay naganggat siya ng tingin.

"Ano ang kapalit?"

"Name it."

"Invest in my company, you're a Lozano." Of course, it is a pleasure kung nakakabit sa kompanya mo ang apelyidong 'yan.

"So its a yes, deal then. Now sign this contract and we're done." I pushed the contract towards him. Inisa isa niyang tinignan ang nilalaman ng kontrata. He read the contract carefully and signed every single page of it.

He hand me back the contract and shook my hand. "How about your investment, Ms. Lozano?"

"As soon as magawa mo ang pinapagawa ko. Make sure na hindi ka papalpak."

Nang makaalis siya ay nagmamadali na rin akong lumabas ng opisina.

"Ma'am you have a meeting with-" Hindi ko na siya hinayaang makatapos at nagsalita.

"That was the my last schedule for today, right?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Alright, cancel that." I said at dali-daling sumakay sa elevator para makababa.

I drove my car towards the hospital where Astrid's in.

Dumiretso ako sa emergency room two at naabutan ko sa labas ng room si Archer at Creed na nakaupo sa kaliwa at walang emosyon. Sa kanan naman ay si Hoax, nakatungo ito habang ang mga braso ay nakadikit sa hita at nakatakip sa mukha ang mga kamay. Sa harap naman ay ang emergency room.