*****
I went to the adoption facility, and looked at the location twice before entering it, kung sa labas parang haunted house ganun din sa loob. The facility was a mess, buckets full of rain water filled almost half of the place, Nakaramdam ako ng awa sa mga bata, how can they live like this?
" Waaah ang ganda nya. "
" Sino sya? "
" Waah, mag a-adopt ata sya. "
Iilan lang yan sa mga narinig ko na sambut ng mga batang madadaanan ko.
" What brings you here? " Saad ng lalakeng malaki ang katawan. Scary.
" I'm here to adopt a kid, a smart one. "
" Well we don't have that one but we have this chinese 5 year old kid named Caira Yue. " He said pointing at the girl with brown hair and a few strands of her hair was white.
The kid turned to me, she reminded me of me when I was a kid.
" Hi, my name is Caira Yue. " She greeted me with a smile. She's adorable.
" I'll take her. " The guy agreed ni hindi nga ako ng sign ng mga papels binigay nya lang sakin yung info ng bata tsaka pina-alis na nya kami. When we entered the car I asked her once again.
" Caira Yue lang pangalan mo? Or mahaba pa dyan? " She nodded.
" Mahaba pa po, my full name is Caira Soleil Yue and yours po? " She smiled.
" Brielle Eloise Martinez. " I simply said at kumunot naman ng noo nya.
Yakuzi.
" Yakuzi? " She blurted. " H-ha? " I looked at her in confusion. " Brielle Eloise Martinez Yakuzi, full name mo po yan diba? Mama Brielle? " She said.
How did she— " Sweetie, wag mo na isabay yung Yakuzi ah Martinez kasi ang dinadalang surname ni Mommy. " She looked shocked.
" Martinez? So my Daddy is a Martinez too right? " E-eh? What? Masyado naman atang advance ang batang ito, ni wala nga akong boyfriend jusko naman.
" Wahehehe. " I heard Caira giggle.
We arrived at my condo, she was fascinated by the interior design, and I forgot to set up her room.
" Mama, doggie. " She pointed at Zash. I nodded and signaled her to pet Zash. Ihh, adorbs.
" Stay here Caira, Mama's going to work. " She turned to me in teary eyes. " I wanna go with Mama, please. " She pleaded.
I gave her a smile. " Let's go shopping for clothes and I can bring you to work okay? " She immediately agreed and headed inside the car.
" Mama, Caira likes cookies and penguins and cotton candy. " I sighed, she's a little girl but yet she likes a lot of stuff, she's so adorable.
Bumili kami ni Caira ng mga damit nya, her hygiene kit everything. I even bought her the stuff she wanted. I gave her a quick bath back home before going to the office with her.
As soon as I entered the office I locked eyes with Dash, was he expecting me?
" Mama the tall guy had been waiting for you. " He locked eyes with Caira.
" Waaahhh Mama. " Saad nya at nag tago sa likod ko.
" Ms. Martinez I didn't know you had a kid. " He blurted. Hehe I just adopted her Boss.
" Mama just adopted me. " Caira said peeking from my back. Ako lang ba nakakapansin?
Caira ran towards the couch located on the side and sat there. " Mama, don't worry, Caira is mabait, I won't be malikot. " She smiled cheekily. I chuckled.
" You know, Ms. Martinez, kids aren't allowed here. "
*****
" You know, Ms. Martinez, kids aren't allowed here. " I looked at the guy. Wah, Mafia Boss, Cool!
' I need to figure out who goddamn, shot me ' I was shocked, Mama's Boss had been shot, but he seems fine to me. He must've noticed me staring at him.
' creepy and cute ' I read his mind. I ain't creepy, Caira ain't creepy.
Napag isip-isip ko na pakainin yung isda pero ng a-alinlangan ako dahil baka mawalan si Mama ng trabaho. Her Boss looks like a meanie to me.
" Mama. " I said, she then turned to me and caresses my hair. " Yes sweetie? " I pointed my lips on the fish tank. " Pwede Mama? " She chuckled. " You wanna feed the fish? Go ask Mr. Dashi— "
" Hindi pa yan napakain, call me Dash, little Ms. Martinez. " He said and I ran to his desk.
" Caira— " before Mom could even finish her sentence I already hugged Mr. Dash. He stood still as a rock. The office door entered and it showed a tall woman, I got scared and held his hand tight. " It's okay Kid. "
' Ashiantelle Maldives Yakuzi, an undercover, from her clan, also his Brother's right hand woman, a skilled gunner who mastered every combat there is in the world, the second eldest Mr and Mrs. Yakuzi has, and Mom? She's the third child, Mama must be a Mafia too. This is so exciting and scary. '
" Hi Love. " She said but her mind says other wise. ' You make me sick, Ricci '
" Are you welcome here? " I looked at Dash.
' Does he know? That I'm a Mafia? '
" Just what the fvck are you doing here Ate? " Mama spoke.
" Whada fwuck. " I repeated it because it is cool. Mr. Dashiel picked me up. " Let's go get Ice cream Kid, and both of you, settle down while we get some don't make a scene I'm warning you both. " He then gave the two girls deadly glares. ' He's awesome waaaaahhh. '
We did went to a near ice cream shop. " Mr. Dash, baka po inaway na nung babae si Mama. " He remained calm as he give me the ice cream. I took a lick and it was so yummy!
" Yummy! " And then he picked me up. Bagay sila ni Mama. " Who's your Dad kid? " I shrugged. " Mama doesn't have a boyfriend. " We entered his office only to find the other woman pointing a gun towards Mama.
Natakot naman ako sa nakita ko, I held onto him tight. " Please protect me. " I whimpered and closed my eyes.
I can feel his gaze on me as he slowly turned his head frontwards, glaring at the woman. I felt him grabbing something from his coat, it was a gun. He walked towards the girl as he gave me to Mama signaling us to exit the room.
*****
" Just what the fvck were you thinking showing your goddamn face infront of me? " Panimula ko, as she gingerly turned to me and pointed her gun at my forehead. She remained silent and calm and so was I. Her gaze landed on mine, full of anger.
" Are you scared? Buti nga buhay kapa. " She landed her gaze on my wound. Now I know who shot me. " I'm warning you April, if you step foot on this place, my house and made a move on Ms. Martinez and her kid. I'll make sure you're dead. " She lend out a soft chuckle. " It's ridiculously funny my sister works for you. "
" Ms. Martinez huh? " The door slammed open revealing Lazquin and Raswick pointing there guns. " Take this trash out, she's forbidden here. " Tumango naman silang dalawa.
Her Sister? A few minutes passed by Ms. Martinez and her kid headed inside. I dragged her with me to a corner near my office. " Who the are you? You've got some explaining to do Martinez. " I pointed my gun on her chest. " Speak or you'll end up in a morgue. " She flinched.
' Wait. Is she.... Scared? '
" P-please don't k-kill me I'll tell you everything. "
" My full name is Brielle Eloise Martinez Yakuzi, but I don't use my father's surname I just hate him a lot. " She was almost in tears. I can't let my guard down, she's still a Yakuzi and she needs to be killed, but d*mn it. There's something about her urging me not to shoot her.
" Are you telling the truth? " Kahit puno ako ng pag-a-alinlangan I still need to hear her side.
" Yes I am don't do this Caira can't lose me please Boss, kung ang surname ko ang dahilan Boss okay lang pahirapan nyo ako pero wag nyong idadamay si Caira. " She kneel down infront of me.
" Stand up Miss. Martinez I won't hurt you. " Saad ko. If she's telling the truth I'd better make sure of it.
Umalis na ako sa harapan nya at pumasok sa opisina, there I saw Caira's shocked face. Did she heard everything?
Lunch time came and I was finishing some papers when someone slip a note on my table. I leaned forward to see the sender and it was Caira. I checked the note. "Sory ser Mr. Dash " .
I chuckled, she misspelled sorry and sir. She's adorable. " What brings you here little one? It's already lunch. " She looked scared. Did I scare the living hell out of her? Pfft aside from that she's still adorable. I looked at Ms. Martinez na busy sa paperwork na pinagawa ko sakanya.
" Ms. Martinez umuwi muna kayo ni Caira ngayon, pag isipan mo yung presentation mo I need it by tomorrow 9am sharp. " Tumingin naman sya sa akin. Those eyes.
" S-sige po Boss salamat po. " Bumalik na ako sa desk ko she was about to leave ng makalimutan kung wala pala yung phone number nya sa phone ko. " Uhm, Ms. Martinez. "
" Yes Boss may kilangan ba po kayo? " Brielle.
" I need your phone number so that I can call you whenever I need you. " Tumango naman sya.
" Sure Boss. " I handed her my phone as she tapped on the screen. Ngumiti naman sya bago umalis ng opisina.
I texted Lazquin to escort Ms. Martinez to her house. Agad ko namang binalikan ang pangyayari kanina. So definitely Ms. Martinez is related to my ex and Drex, pero bakit hindi nya alam na hindi lang basta surname yun, It's also hard to believe that she's related to them, I mean she looks innocent hindi halatang nabahidan ng dugo ang kanyang mga palad. The fact that she's raising a child.
Baka naman may nangyari sakanya, something happened to her in the past, maybe a car accident? Or someone hit her head hard causing her to have amnesia. Pero if she has amnesia, how can she remember April is her sister? Confusion flashed through him, It could only mean one thing, maybe she really doesn't know, baka tinatago ng family nya sakanya?
It was 6:55 in the evening and Dashiel decided to pay Lazquin a visit. He opened the door half naked. " Oh Boss anong ginagawa nyo dito? " Panimula nya and lead me inside.
" Isn't it obvious? I have a job for you. "
*****
I paced back n' forth, It's almost 8pm and he's not home yet. Fvck it.
Napag isip-isip ko na mag bar since I need a cool off. I was walking out of the house when my phone rang it was a call from Doctor Quin. Ugh what now? I slid the car door open and headed inside. Agad kung ini-start ang sasakyan at agad na tinungo ang ospital. While driving nag ring ang phone ko it was a call from Sebastian Quin.
" Yes? You texted me and you're calling? Papunta na ako dyan sa ospital Quin. " Iritado kung bungad. I heard his playful chuckle.
[ Just come here we're operating a patient na ]
" So you're telling me na pupunta ako dyan para what? Panoorin kang mag opera ng tao? "
[ Yes kaya bilis-bilisan mo ang pag drive, I might need you. ]
Pfft, like he would. All he brags about is his st*pid girlfriend who works for a Yakuzi, sa sobrang bulag nya sa pag mamahal sa Beatrix nayun hindi nya namamalayang—
[ Andyan kapa ba Mishzka? ] Napukaw nya ang atensyon ko. I replied Yes before ending the call.
Mga lalake nga naman.
Nagmamadali kung tinahak ang room kung saan makikita ko kung ano ang ginagawa nila sa operating room, a few minutes passed by when Sebastian entered the scene all dressed up and ready to perform a surgery.
I watched every move he made, every tools he used, his orders. I was there watching, the operation was a bit tricky because it was a heart surgery. Aside from him working for my brother, he was an excellent doctor, tinitingala sya ng mga tao, and yet he's acting like a puppy following the wrong girl. Tsk, open your eyes dumbass.
Natapos ang operasyon na maayos he was clapping and congratulating his co-workers, As I exit the room I felt his gaze following me.
*****
I know she was watching me and by the minute I was done operating the patient she was exiting the room above. Nag mamadali akong lumabas ng operating room to catch up to her pero by the minute I was out, she was gone. Agad ko syang hinanap but I failed to see her.
" Looking for me? " Saad ng babae, I turned to see Mishzka's poker face looking directly at me. " Ang swerte mo sa part na you did the operation well but forgot to change, a-antayin kita sa park ng ospital sa likod. " Saad nya at winagayway ng bahagya ang dala nyang beer. I smiled and gave her a head pat before going to a changing room. Bigla akong natawa sa naalala ko.
~ BACK WHEN BOTH OF THEM ARE STILL IN HIGHSCHOOL ~
" Akin nayan Sebastian. " She said trying to reach her diary. Agad ko namang ininat ang aking kamay para hindi nya ma-abot.
" Sino crush mo ha? " Palabirong tanong ko, I was caught off-guard when she leaned in close, our face just inches away from each other, heart's beating, lips almost touching. I was stunned when she snatched the diary away.
" Oh my goodness, bastos ka. " Agad ko namang tinakpan ang nipples ko. " Wag po bata pa ako. " I pretended to be shock and almosy half to fainting when I heard her laugh.
" Crackhead, kala mo sakin?! Nang mo-molestya? Taas naman ng tingin mo sa sarili mo. " Mishzka.
" Oo talaga kasi hindi mo abot yung diary mo, kunin ko kaya uli yan sayo. " She rolled her eyes before playfully slapping my face.
" Susumbong kita kay Mama nang-aaway ka Miszh. " She chuckled again.
" Apaka childish, bawas angas yan Sebo. " I was shocked.
" Sebo? Mukha bakong dumidikit sa plato? Ikaw, ikaw. " I flicked her forehead. " Nakaka-ilan kama ah dagukan kita dyan. "
~ FLASHBACK ENDED ~
*****
Habang nagmumuni-muni ako sa paligid, I felt a presence, in the corner of my eyes I can see a guy probably same age sila ni Sebastian.
" Mind if I sit here? Dra. Ricci? " I turned to see Patient 306's guardian.
" Ay ikaw pala? " I asked him.
" Ah, Heath, Heath Wilder. Yung ano yung Kuya ni Zeish Wilder. " I nodded. He made himself comfortable sitting beside me.
" Didn't you remember me at all? " He asked again.
" I was so busy that I forgot who you are please enlighten me. " He gave me a playful chuckle nefore replying.
" I was the guy who helped you back in college. " Then it hit me, he was my biology classmate.
" Oh my gosh Heath ikaw na ba talaga yan? " I squealed in excitement and gave him a tight hug.
" Sino sya? " Agad akong humiwalay sa pag yakap kay Heath and turned to see Sebastian infront of us. " Yung dating classmate ko sa college. " I exclaimed.
" Uh I'm heading inside now baka gising na yung kapatid ko, It was nice reuniting with you again Dra. Ricci. " He nodded before exiting the scene and headed inside.
Sebastian made himself comfortable and grabbed his ice cream. " Putcha tunaw nayung Ice cream. "
" Deserve. " We had a few conversation before I decided to head back home. I sighed laying flat on my bed thinking, when will he notice me? I suddenly remembered the times I was the third-party on Seb and Beatrix's love story. I hated it when I crosses my mind.