Chapter Thirteen

FTMBD

Third Person POV

The men-in-black barged into the hotel room, accompanied by a man who clearly appeared to be their leader. May hinahanap ang lalaking ito at sinimulan na nilang halughugin ang buong kuwarto.

Bumukas ang pinto ng shower room at lumabas ang hinahanap nilang tao. Nakabalot lamang ito ng tuwalya, kaya kitang-kita nang mga lalaki ang kaniyang makinis na balat.

Cosette took a deep breath upon seeing the intruders. Naglakad siya palapit sa isang swivel chair at naupo.

The men inside the room swallowed hard as they caught sight of her seated in a swivel chair, crossing her legs, pinapakita ang malambot niyang hita sa mga ito.

"What is the purpose of your presence here, Mr. Travis?" Cosette asked calmly, addressing the leader of the men-in-black.

Kinuha ni Cosette ang kaniyang underwear na nakapatong sa kama tsaka ito sinuot sa harap ng mga lalaking pumasok sa kaniyang hotel room. Sinundan nang mga ito ng tingin ang underwear na sinusuot ni Cosette hanggang sa tuluyan niya itong masuot.

Casually, she counted them. Sixteen. All of them were armed with two guns, one positioned at their sides while they held another one. The guns by their sides were pistols, while the ones they held were M4 carbines.

Alam ni Cosette na mahihirapan siya sa mga ito lalo pa't alam niyang magagaling ang mga men-in-black na ito. Kailangan niyang kumilos ng mabilis para matalo ang mga ito.

While Cosette was silently, yet quickly calculating her possible moves, Mr. Travis ordered his men to search the entire room, believing that Cosette was the only one capable of stealing the money he sought.

"I am here to get what's rightfully mine! Give back my money!" mariing sabi ni Mr. Travis, habang hindi inaalis ang tingin kay Cosette.

"Ang manyak talaga ng matandang lalaki na 'to!"

Hindi mapigilan ni Cosette ang pag-ikot ng kaniyang mga mata, bago lumitaw ang isang mapanlokong ngiti sa kaniyang labi. She decided to play along, knowing she could annoy Mr. Travis.

"Oh, really? Your money? Well, I must say, you're great at finding misplaced funds," sagot niya nang may kasamang pang-uuyam, binigyang diin ang salitang "yours."

Mr. Travis became more frustrated by Cosette's casual attitude. "Don't play games with me, young lady. I know you're the one who took the money," sabi nito, his voice filled with anger.

Nagkunwaring inosente si Cosette, ang tono ng kaniyang boses ay puno ng pagkabigla.

"Oh, me? Stealing your precious money? How flattering that you think so highly of me! But I must say, accusing me without any evidence is quite amusing. Do you have any proof to support your claims?"

Mr. Travis clenched his fists, his face turning red with anger. Wala siyang maisip na sagot sa sinabi ng babae. "You... You think you're clever, don't you? Well, I won't fall for your tricks! I'll find that money, and you'll pay for what you've done!"

Napatawa ng malumanay si Cosette, natutuwa siya dahil sa pikon na mukha ng kaharap. "Oh, Mr. Travis, your threats are as empty as your accusations," umiiling pang sabi ni Cosette.

"But please, go ahead and try to find your 'missing' money. I'm sure it'll be quite an adventure for you. Just don't forget your detective hat and magnifying glass!"

Mas lalong nagalit si Mr. Travis dahil sa mapang-uyam na tono sa boses ni Cosette. He turned to his men, signaling them to continue searching the room.

As the search continued, Cosette leaned back in the chair, a satisfied grin on her face. Alam niyang successful niyang nainis ang matandang manyak kaya natutuwa siya sa kaniyang sarili.

It took Mr. Travis' men an hour and a half before they finally found the money, which turned out to be placed in the trash bin. Nang marinig nila ang sigaw ng tauhan ni Mr. Travis, tagumpay na ngiti kaagad ang gumuhit sa labi ni Mr. Travis.

"I knew it!" sabi pa nito bago nilapitan ang malaking kama kung saan nakapatong ngayon ang black plastic bag na naglalaman ng milyong dolyar na pera.

Mr. Travis grinned. "Did you really think you could outsmart me?!"

Cosette took a deep breath. She truly believed they wouldn't have checked the trash bin. Well, she knew there were many possibilities that they would include the trash bin in their search, she just took a chance.

But she guessed luck wasn't on her side tonight.

"Old man, it seems you've mistaken me for someone who would willingly hand over what you seek," Cosette said with a sly smile.

The men-in-black exchanged glances, unsure of how to react. They had expected Cosette to be intimidated, pero mas lalo lamang nitong ginagalit ang kanilang amo that caught them off guard.

"You underestimate me, young lady. I know what you're capable of," he sneered.

Mas lalo lamang lumawak ang ngisi ni Cosette dahil sa narinig na sinabi nito. "Let's see, old man!"

With swift movements, Cosette ran towards a moderately sized vase placed on a wooden table beside her and threw it into the middle of the room. The men-in-black immediately scattered from their positions to avoid the vase.

Using the commotion to her advantage, walang kahirap-hirap na tumalon si Cosette sa likod ng malapit na sofa upang magtago bago pa man siya napaulanan ng bala ng mga ito.

Kailangan niyang mabawasan ang mga men-in-black dahil sila'y may hawak na baril. Kapag nagtagal pa siya sa pagtatago, malamang ay mabubutas na talaga ang sofa.

Habang malalim na nag-iisip, biglang umangat ang kaniyang tingin sa fire extinguisher na nakakabit sa pader.

She counted in her mind before swiftly changing direction towards the fire extinguisher, with enemy bullets trailing behind her.

When she reached it, she started pulling it off its bracket. Muli siyang nagtago sa likod ng sofa habang patuloy parin ang mga kalaban sa pagpapaulan ng bala na wari ba'y hindi sila nauubusan ng mga ito.

With a tight grip on the extinguisher, Cosette prepared to strike. Lumabas siya mula sa pinagtataguan dala ang fire extinguisher bilang kaniyang sandata.

She swung the fire extinguisher with precision, targeting the armed men and successfully disarming them with each well-executed strike.

She also used the contents of the fire extinguisher, which she discovered to be CO2, and spread it throughout the entire room, creating a fog-like effect that made it difficult for everyone to see each other clearly.

Patuloy sa pagpapaputok ng baril ang mga kalaban ni Cosette kahit hindi na nila alam kung sino ang kanilang mga natatamaan. Sinigurado naman ni Cosette na hindi matatamaan ng bala si Mr. Travis.

She knew she wasn't the one who should kill the man.

Patuloy na gumalaw ng tahimik si Cosette sa gitna ng kaguluhan sa paligid. As the final blow landed, the room fell into a momentary silence. Cosette stood in the middle, breathing heavily, surrounded by the defeated men-in-black.

Mr. Travis quickly scanned his surroundings as the fog disappeared. However, he was taken aback when a gun was pointed at his manhood. He swallowed nervously before raising his gaze.

The woman he had arrogantly believed he could defeat was standing with her back to him. Kaya nga siya nagdala nang maraming men-in-black upang tulungan siyang patayin ang babaeng ito dahil matagal na itong tinik sa kaniyang lalamunan.

But what happened? All the men he had brought with him were now lying on the floor, bathing in their own blood. Meanwhile, the woman he had belittled earlier was now aiming a gun at his manhood.

"Hook my bra, Mr. Travis," Cosette whispered softly. Her hair was to the side to allow Mr. Travis to properly do what she asked him to. She knew that the man wouldn't refuse because there was a gun aimed at his manhood.

Nanginginig ang mga kamay na hinawakan ni Mr. Travis ang magkabilang parte ng bra ni Cosette tsaka ito kinabit sa isa't isa.

Iniiwas din niya ang sarili sa baril ngunit alam niyang malakas ang senses ng babae kaya mas makabubuti sakaniyang sumunod nalang ng tahimik dito.

"Thank you, Mr. Travis!" Cosette expressed her gratitude with a sweet smile as she faced him. "You should have known better than to underestimate me, old man. I could have killed you, but since you just did me a favor, I'll let you go."

Mr. Travis smiled upon hearing her words. He had known the woman for a long time. Whatever she said, she meant it. She never broke her word. So when she said she would let him leave, it was true.

"Until we meet again, Young Miss Cromwell," Mr. Travis said with a smile as he walked towards the door of Cosette's hotel room.

Cosette smirked. "I don't think we can meet again too soon, Mr. Travis," she whispered before the sound of a gunshot echoed in her ears.

Cosette walked towards the door, carrying a black plastic bag filled with millions of dollars. She stepped on Mr. Travis, who blocked her path.

"I--I thought..."

Cosette lowered her gaze, her eyes cold. "I just told you I will let you leave, but I didn't say my guard would let you either," she said, her smile slowly forming on her lips as she turned her gaze to the serious face of Ian.

"I hope he is happy right now. He can do anything about Mr. Travis, the man who sexually assaulted his sister."

Mr. Travis, the old pervert, wasn't going to die just yet. He was shot in the arm and leg, but it didn't mean he would die. Masamang damo ba naman.

Inangat ni Ian ang dala nitong coat kaya naman mabilis na lumapit si Cosette dito upang isuot ito. She felt a sudden chill and the coat provided some warmth. Ian also gave Cosette a bag where she could put the money she carried.

She expressed her gratitude, and he informed her that the car was ready. Cosette said she would wait for Ian in the lobby while he cleaned up the mess in the hotel room.

***

Cosette POV

Naglakad ako patungo sa elevator at pinindot ang first floor. Si Ian na ang bahala kung paano niya lilinisin ang kalat na iyon. He can do it.

Pagkababa ko'y dumiretso kaagad ako sa lobby area kung saan may mga pabilog na sofa na puwedeng tambayan ng mga guests. Nilibot ko ang tingin sa paligid. The lobby was almost full today.

Napunta ang tingin ko sa direksiyon kung saan iisang lalaki lamang ang nakaupo. Hindi ko gaanong maaninag ang mukha nito dahil natatakpan ito ng binabasa niyang newspaper.

Nakakapagtaka naman ang mga tao dito sa lobby area. Ang laki-laki ng space sa mga kalapit na sofa ni kuya tapos nagsisiksikan sila sa kabila.

Could it be that the man reading the newspaper held a high position in society? Hmm.

I shrugged off the thought and walked closer to the man's seat. Yah! Hindi naman puwedeng solohin niya ang isang buong sofa, ano! Bakit pagmamay-ari ba niya ang hotel na 'to? Binayaran niya ba ang sofa para masolo niya?

I passed by him and sat on the sofa next to his. There was a three-meter gap between us. As soon as I sat down, I quickly looked for something to read because I felt uncomfortable under the gaze of the people around me.

I wasn't bothered even though I was only wearing undergarments beneath the coat Ian gave me since it was oversized. The coat wrapped around my body well, reaching halfway down my leg.

I crossed my legs and leaned back into the sofa. I lifted the newspaper and flicked it slightly. I intended to pretend to read, but then I came across something interesting.

Isn't this the killer trio?! Young Master Hezekiah, Young Master Conrad, and Young Master Ysabeaue?!

Ayon sa nakatala dito sa dyaryo, they recently killed a Mayor sa isa sa mga municipality na sakop ng Koda. Whoah! Aren't they becoming public monsters? I mean, is this article really meant to be out in the open?

"Ohh, I'm so happy to find out that a beautiful woman is reading an article about me."

"Ayy killer!" naisigaw ko, caught off guard by the unexpected comment.

Sa sobrang gulat ko, hindi ko na napigilan ang kamay ko't naihampas ko sa pagmumukha niya ang hawak na dyaryo.

"Ouch!" reklamo nito.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang marinig ang boses nito. Kasabay ng paglunok ko nang laway ay ang paglingon ko sa lalaking nagbabasa lang naman ng dyaryo kanina.

S... SHIT!

My honest reaction: (⁠╥⁠﹏⁠╥⁠)

Everyone: (O_⁠_O)

Him: (⁠•⁠‿⁠•⁠)

Late ko ng na-realized kung sino ang lalaking napalo ko ng dyaryo. Actually, nalaman ko lamang nang mapasinghap ang lahat ng nakasaksi sa pangyayari at marinig ang mahinang pagtawa ng lalaki. At tsaka lamang nag-sink in sa akin ang lahat nang makita ko na talaga ang mukha nito.

I even double checked his face. Tiningnan ko ang dyaryo na hawak bago itong lalaking katabi ko.

F--fuck.

I JUST SLAP YSABEAUE RIGHT IN HIS FREAKING FACE USING A NEWSPAPER!

Shit. Katapusan ko na ba?

Tinitigan ko ang mukha nito. Yah! Mukhang hindi naman siya nasaktan. Nakangiti pa nga ang abnormal, eh.

Kaya pala napansin kong mas dumami ang securities dito sa loob. At kaya pala walang may gustong makiupo sa sofa na malapit sa kaniya dahil isa pala ito sa mga animal ng mundong ito!

Anong ginagawa nito dito? Alam ko namang sakanila ang buong city na ito, pero hindi ko naman akalain na nandito ang animal na 'to ngayon.

Don't tell me totoong pagmamay-ari talaga niya ang hotel na ito?!

Wala akong maalala na may na-mention sa nobela na pagmamay-ari na hotel ang animal na 'to. Ang tanging alam ko lamang ay artist ito sa sariling entertainment agency na isa sa maraming agencies na sakop nang Clarence Entertainment Company at may pangalang MegArtist-- wait a damn minute!

UltraHotel and MegArtist...

'P--pfft hahahahaha! Shit! Mukhang pagmamay-ari nga talaga ng lalaking ito ang hotel. Yah! Siya lang naman ang matinong taong mahilig magpangalan ng ganiyan! Hahahahahaha putek!'

Tinakpan ko ang bibig ko't pinigilan ang sariling matawa. Tama na iyong nasampal ko siya ng dyaryo, hindi na dapat pa iyong madagdagan dahil baka hindi na ako maabutan pa ng sinag nang araw.

Nagpanggap akong nagulat, pinakita ko din sakaniya ang apologetic smile ko na ilang araw ko din prinaktis. Heh!

"I--I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to do that," kunyaring kinakabahan kong sabi.

"No, it's alright. You hit just fine, just like how fine you are tonight, sweetheart," tugon naman nito with a flirty smile on his lips at may pagkindat pa talaga!

I felt shiver run down my spine because of the way he said 'sweetheart'.

There was no doubt or need for further investigation. This man was indeed Ysabeaue, the charming and flirtatious character I knew from the novel's description!

"O--kay?" halos nakangiwi ko ng sagot.

To be fair, guwapo naman ang lalaki kahit na malandi talaga ito. Oo, backhanded compliment iyon.

He was wearing a round hat, similar to the ones Bruno Mars used to wear. He also had shades, a white shirt, and black pants.

Kahit simple lamang ang suot nito ngayon ay makikitaan parin na may dating talaga ang lalaking ito.

Grabe ang charisma, bai.

Kaya siguro maraming nagkakagusto sa lalaking ito kahit na may sira sa ulo dahil guwapo ito't talentado pa.

Pasimple akong lumayo sakaniya, putting some distance between us again. Halos magkadikit na kasi kami dahil sa paglapit nito.

Kahit guwapo ang animal na 'to at masarap sanang magpakalunod sa nakakaakit nitong mga mata, pilit namang sumisiksik sa utak ko kung ano ang totoong pagkatao nito na nabasa ko sa nobela.

I cannot stay with this man for long-- it's dangerous!

"I'm sorry again, sir. I have to go," nakangiti kong sabi bago tumayo at handa na sanang umalis nang maramdaman ko ang marahan nitong paghawak sa braso ko.

Paglingon ko sa kaniya ay nakatayo narin pala siya. One of his hands was inside his pants pocket, while the other was gripping my arm. Nang mapansin niyang doon ako nakatingin ay kaagad niya akong binitawan, still wearing that flirtatious smile.

"I also have to go, but I can't let you go just like that. So..." Mula sa bulsa ng kaniyang pants, nilabas niya doon ang isang card tsaka ito inabot sa akin. Wala sa sarili ko naman itong kinuha mula sa kaniya.

"That's my calling card, my number is there, and you can contact me anytime you like. I'll wait for your call, okay, sweetheart? Bye!" sabi pa nito bago naglakad paalis, leaving me stunned with the card in my hand.

What am I supposed to do with this?!

"Young Miss! Let's go, your father called and said that we should get home since there's a visitor waiting for you. MISS!"

Nagulat ako nang bigla akong hawakan ni Ian sa balikat kasabay ng pagtawag nito sa akin.

Damn it! Sino ba namang hindi matutulala kung ang alam ko'y nagbibigay lamang ng calling card ang animal na iyon sa taong nakakuha ng interest niya? This card is his personal calling card! At hindi ako natutuwa doon.

Y--Yikes! Sana hindi nalang ako tumambay dito sa lobby, puta!

Iniling ko ang ulo ko't naisipan nang maglakad paalis. Pero nang may madaanan akong kumpol ng kababaihan na nakatambay din dito sa lobby, bumaba ang tingin ko sa hawak na card bago sila nilapitan.

"Hey, good evening," bati ko sa mga ito na nanlaki pa ang mga mata sa gulat. Lalo kong nahalata ang kaba sa mga mukha nila nang makita nila si Ian sa likuran ko.

"We'll delete the picture, Young Miss! We promise we won't spread it!" kinakabahan at mabilis na sabi ng isa sa apat na babae. Tumango naman ang mga kasamahan niya.

Nangunot ang noo ko. Y--Yah! Mukhang kumakalat na naman ang mukha ni Cosette sa social media ah!

"It's not about that. Here," sabi ko sabay abot ng calling card na alam kong alam nila na galing kay Ysabeaue basi pa lamang sa excited nilang mga mukha ngayon. Napangisi ako tsaka may naisip.

As one of the women was about to take the calling card, I pulled it away from her before giving them a sweet smile.

"This is worth twenty dollars, young ladies."

Nanlaki ang kanilang mga mata kasabay ng paglaglag ng kanilang mga panga dahil sa presyo. Aba'y wala ng libre ngayon!

Tsaka nararapat lamang na mahal ito, personal calling card ba naman ng idol nila tapos hinawakan pa talaga ito ng mabango nitong kamay, saan pa sila makakahanap ng ganito, 'di ba?

'Mukha ka lang talagang pera, Alora! Heh! At least naman hindi ko sila pinipilit, 'no! Ang bait ko pa nga, eh'

"You don't want to? It's okay, I'll just sell this to other ladies who would want it--"

"Fine!"

"Kyla!" sabay na tutol ng tatlong kasama ng babae. Lumawak na lamang ang ngiti ko. Kaunting manipulation lang pala at bibigay na ang isa sakanila.

"Here. Take all my cash. I'm not sure if it's enough to cover the price, but it's all the cash I have with me. If you can wait, I'll withdraw the exact amount and give it to you," sabi nito.

Kinuha ko ang inaabot nitong pera tsaka pinabilang kay Ian. Nang sabihin nito kung magkano, walang pagdadalawang-isip kong binigay sa babae ang calling card ni Ysabeaue. Sixteen dollars is not a bad deal, and I can accept it.

"This is fine. Here, take it. Enjoy talking with your idol!"

Ysa-boy will never know anyway. Hehe, money, come to mommy!

∞∞∞∞∞

📖📌 Hello, folks! If ever na may mabasa kayong typos or grammatical errors, you can kindly comment it down and I'll try na ayusin kaagad. Thank you, mwaps! (⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥