12: Forever Have

"What are you doing here, kid?"

I looked at Mister Deguzman, Zed's uncle. Yes, I did go to his place to talk to him personally. The topic that I will discuss with him should be tackled privately.

"I am here to talk to you," I said and darted my gaze. He sighed and put his papers aside. Then, he leaned against his seat and motioned me to the chair in front of his table before him afterward.

"Kindly sit."

I stopped myself to smile. I should not celebrate this early because I know that he would not let me join to investigate. He does not want any allies just like what Zed told me. He is fond of working alone because he trusts himself more than anyone.

"Good evening. I am sorry if I went here late." Yes, it is already 10 in the evening. I just excused myself at Mister Ramirez. Since he is annoyed at me with our semi-debate, he lets me get off his face. What a good thing, is not it?

"What do you want again?"

I pursed my lips. "I want to join the investigation about my parents' death."

"And you think how can you help?"

I blinked. "Of course, I know some information that can lead us to know who the culprit is. I want justice for myself and for my parents who died. We deserve justice."

He gets something inside the drawer of his table, an envelope. "Here are some questions that I prepared. If you can answer all of this, then I will let you work with me. Deal?"

"Sure."

He nodded his head and opened the envelope. He then read that first question. "Who killed your parents?"

I creased my brows. "You kidding me, sir?"

"I am serious. You think, who is or are the killer?"

"You start an investigation that way?"

"You don't know and you don't have a clue. You had no chance to go with the case."

"Ask me other question that I surely know! If I had a clue about who killed my parents then I should have attacked them already. I am not that stupid to not open my eyes to reality."

"Alright, then."

I waited for him to ask me another question. But when he glanced at my eye, he sighed.

"You are too desperate. Okay, I will let you mess with the case."

I almost jumped in surprise. Really? He will let me?! That's very good news, then! I smiled at Mister Deguzman. We both stood up, he then extended his right arm towards me.

"Welcome to the case, Miss Hernandez." I accepted his hand and shook them together. I can't help but feel thankful because he has the heart to let me help myself and my parents. I promise I will do my very best and help him with the case as far as I could.

"Thank you, Sir. Expect high from me."

After our short talk, I went off the place and before I get home, I stopped the car near a cafe for I am to buy coffee and bring this home. It will be nice to have some coffee with my friend and tell him that his uncle let me join in investigating my parents' case.

"Oh, you seemed..." Zed scanned me as I opened the door. I smiled at him from ear to ear and closed the door back. "Happy?"

"Who wouldn't, right?"

He stood up from his seat to welcome me. He then gets the paper bag of coffee from my hand and put it on the top of the table in the living room. I sat on the opposite seat from him and take off my bag.

"What's the news?" he asked. I get the coffee and give one cup to him. I opened my cup and sipped on it lightly.

"You know what?"

"What?"

I looked at my hand holding the coffee and smiled bitterly. "It is nice to know that you can already help your parents," I stated without looking at him. "I have been waiting to know who killed the both of them. And once I know who the culprit is," I trailed off with a grin on my face. "I will give them back the pain they have caused me."

Zed shut for a moment. "Talia.."

I looked at him. "What?"

"Uncle lets you in, right?"

I nodded my head. "Mmm."

"Did you tell him your plans?"

I pursed my lips to stop myself from smiling more. "Of course, I did not. He will not let me in if I will tell him about it."

"Talia, you know that what's on your mind is a sin, right?" His eyes were warning me. But he can't stop me. I am decided. I want to find the person/people who killed my parents and make them suffer back.

They killed them like their life is not valued, that no one loves them and so it is easy for them to kill my parents because no one will worry about them. They killed my parents... they killed them heartlessly. And I am willing to turn into an evil one for the fucking killer. I will kill them.

"I am willing to turn devil," I told him with a sharp gaze to nowhere. "Don't you ever tend to stop me with my plans, Zed. Don't stop me from getting the justice I deserved."

"You are chasing justice, Tali. Yes. But in your case, you are doing it in a wrong way."

"Everything isn't wrong when getting justice, Zed."

"Talia, what is happening to you?"

I heaved a deep sigh and sipped on my coffee. "They deserve to rot in hell, Zed. Don't ask me why I am doing this and why I end up with this. You never experience the pain of not having your parents with you because they were killed, good thing you still have yours."

He put his coffee down on the table. "How foolish, Talia."

"Oh, why? I just wish I were you."

"Be careful with your wishes," he said. "If you were me, you should have just wished to be dead."

I was stunned when he said that. "What do you mean?"

"When you don't know anything, please shut your mouth. You don't know the pain I was carrying since day one. Come on, it's time to rest."

He was about to walk towards his room when I held his hand to stop him from leaving. "What do you mean, Zed?"

He bit his lower lip. "Ain't a big deal, Talia."

"It is, Zed."

He looked at me with his creased brows. "My biological parents died because of me."

I blinked in horror when he said that. W-What? His biological parents? We're friends for already years but this thing, this matter... he did not even tell to me.

"I am sorry..." I looked down and bit my lower lip. "I am sorry, Zed."

"Why apologize? You are not at fault."

"I am sorry because I am not able to know your pain. I was not able to console you. I am sorry."

"It's fine. The important thing is I have you."

Yeah, and the person you will forever have.