Chapter 3

Chapter Three

"Waaaaaaa! Ang sakit ng ulo ko!" Nagulat si Eleanor sa biglang pagsigaw ng kaibigang si Flare. 

Agad syang tumingin sa paligid, at doon nakitang nakatingin ang karamihan sakanila.

'Nasa library pa naman kami!' Aniya sa isip. 

Gaya ng inaasahan, biglang sumulpot sa mesa nila yung librarian, at pinagsabihan silang wag mag-ingay. 

"Yan kasi, inom pa." She sarcastically said to her friend. Patuloy lang si Flare sa pagmasahe ng ulo nya.

"Bat ba kasi nagpakalasing ka ng ganon kagabi? You love going to parties, but you don't drink that much. Maliban nalang kung may problema ka." Eleanor concluded. 

Muling narinig nila ang pag 'shh' ng librarian.

"May nakita lang ako kahapon, kaya..... ganon." Biglang naging matamlay ito.

"What did you saw?" Pabulong na tanong nya. 

Syempre, baka masita ulit sila at palabasin sa library no.

"Nakita ko yung...... nakita ko si P-papa. Doon sa restaurant na pinapart-timean ko. K-kasama nya yung pamilya nya. They were complete.. and happy." A bitter smile appeared on her friend's face.

"M-magkwento ka lang." Aniya, wanting to hear more from her.

"To be honest, I'm jealous. Kasi nakakasama nila si Papa palagi. Samantalang ako, parang ayaw nyang makita." Natingin ito sa ballpen na pinaglalaruan nya habang nagkukwento. "Ang unfair lang kasi eh. Ba't sila, kapag gusto makipag-bonding sakanya pumapayag kaagad sya? Pero pag ako yung nagtatanong sakanya, kung hindi next time ay busy sya."

"Pero sino nga naman ako para magdemand diba? Yes, he's helping me financially, but it's not enough. I mean, Oo, sobrang sobra yung pera na binibigay nya. Pero hindi naman yung pera nya ang kaylangan ko eh. I also need him to be a father to me. Makasama sya, magdinner din kami gaya nila."

"But maybe, I know why. Dahil bastarda nya lang pala ako." 

Eleanor felt her friend's pain. She let her cry, because she know it can help her friend. Inabutan nya ito ng panyo, then Flare smiled at her.

She's not that kind of person who gives advises. Pero sya yung tipo na dadamayan ka, and be there 'till you feel better.

"Flare..." She called out for her friend- still whispering, dahil nasa library sila. 

"B-bakit?" Tanong ni Flare.

"Gusto mo ng ice cream?"

PAGKATAPOS ilibre ni Eleanor ang kaibigan nyang si Flare, ay nagpaalam syang babalik muna sa library para magsauli ng librong hiniram nya. 

Flare offered to accompany her, but she immediately said 'no'. Malapit narin kasing magstart ang next subject nila. Hindi na nakipagtalo si Flare sa pagsama ay hinayaan nalang sya. 

Nakuha ni Eleanor ang librong hawak nya sa second floor ng library, kaya doon sya nagtungo. The school library is big, gladly natandaan nya kung saan nya kinuha ang libro. The bookshelf where she took the book is in the upper part. And because she's used to put back the books she borrowed, at ayaw nyang ang librarian pa ang magbalik nito sa shelf. 

Her eyes found the wooden ladder. Kinuha nya ito at pinuwesto sa aakyatan nya. She climed up carefully, and put the book back to its right place. 

Dahan-dahan syang bumaba. She didn't notice the the broken stair. Kaya ng iapak nya ang paa nya rito ay bigla itong nag-crack. 

Eleanor lost her balance. She tried to reach for something na pwede nyang kapitan pero wala syang nakita. 

''Shit!'' She cursed in her mind.

She was expecting to hit the floor. Pero iba ang tinamaan nya! It's a person! 

"I'm sorry-" she stopped in mid air, when she saw the person's face. 

"It's him again! Si De Salvo!" Her mind said.

Eleanor stood up and offered a hand to the young De Salvo, who's currently lying on the floor because of the accident. 

Tinanggap ni Fourth ang kamay nito tsaka tumayo. Both of them looked at the broken ladder na natumba rin sa sahig.

"I was about to catch you. But I also lost my balance." Fourth commented.

"Sorry natamaan kita. And thank you also." She said and grabbed her bag.

They heard the librarian's footsteps, and as expected, sumulpot nga ito. Tumingin sya sa dalawa, pagkatapos ay tiningnan ang nasirang hagdan, habang inaayos ang kanyang salamin.

"I'm sorry for what I caused. Papalita-"

"No need, iha. Sira na talaga iyan, pinaayos ko lang ulit, kaso mukhang sira na talaga ang kahoy." Pagpapaliwanag ng librarian. 

When they heard the bell rang, they both bid their goodbye to the old librarian. 

Walang Fourth na nakita si Eleanor ng makalabas sya sa library. Mukhang nagpa-iwan ito sa loob. She thought about Fourth De Salvo, being there, right at the moment she fell from the ladder.

"Maybe coincidence." Pagkukumbinsi nya sa isipan.

Luckily, late ang teacher nila, kaya nakapasok ng payapa si El sa room. She told Flare about the accident, but she didn't mention the De Salvo. Nag-hysterical pa ang kaibigan nya at pumunta daw sila sa clinic. But she's fully ok. Naisip nya pang, mas kaylangan ni Fourth ang clinic dahil sya ang nabagsakan nya. 

But then, she wiped out her thoughts when the teacher entered the room.

THE school hours ended in a blink. Eleanor found herself answering her assignments. Patapos na nya itong sagutan ng tumunog ang telepono nya, kaya sya tumigil sa pagsusulat. 

It's an unexpected call from Cloud. She answered it immediately.

"Cloud?"

"Empress, we have a very good news for you!"

"At ano naman yun?" She asked.

"Sa wakas, ay natrace na namin ang isa sa dalawang natitirang mafia na may pakana ng ambush sa inyo noon!" 

El's mood lighten up, and a smile formed on her lips, as she heard the good news.

'Justice will be served soon.'

"Nandyaan na si Sky para sunduin ka, Empress. Ang taxing nakaparada sa harap ng condominium." 

"Segi, pupunta na ko dyan. Thank you, Cloud."

"You are always welcome, Healia."

Napangiti sya bago pinatay ang tawag. 

Just like what Cloud said, naroroon nga si Sky at naghihintay na sakanya. Pagkatapos ng mahabang byahe, sa wakas ay nakarating rin sila sa Scarletti.

At gaya ng dati, walang katao-tao ang dinaanan nya. She, somehow, felt sad. They arrived at the meeting room, and saw Tanda, and Cloud sitting on their usual chairs.

"Bremant Fortéz, he's half Spanish and Filipino. 53 years old. The boss of Fortéz mafia. Kilala ang mafia na ito dahil sa kanilang mga dikalidad na armas. They have advance kinds of guns. Isa din sila sa mga producer ng man power ng ibang mafias, kaya napalaki ang koneksyon nila." Pagsasalaysay ni Tanda.

"So, we are against a mafia with an advanced firearms. Exciting." Ani Sky. 

Tanda gaved his son a glare. Pero hindi ito pinansin ni Sky. When it comes to guns, everything is exciting for him.

"Hindi lang mga armas. Fortéz Mafia is also into illegal drugs, and some of their gun transactions are illegal." Dagdag ni Tanda.

"How did you trace them?" Tanong ni Eleanor, at bumaling kay Cloud.

"Mula noong araw ng ambush, at nagsimula na tayong patumbahin ang mga may pakana ng pangyayaring yun, hindi na lumalabas sa lungga nya si Mr. Fortéz. He barely goes to big events, palaging nagtatago...."

"And in all of his transactions, auctions, etc.. Kahit kaylan ay hindi nya inimbitahan ang Scarletti. Even though we are a big catch in those kinds of deals."

"And with my further investigation. Napakanta ko rin ang isa sa mga mafia'ng nahuli natin noon. All we need to do, is to catch Bremant. And the other evidences are all on me." Nilatag ni Tanda ang ibang mga dokumento.

"This Saturday, may gaganaping gun transaction ang Fortéz sa isang hideout nya. They will have a transaction with their big client. An Italian Mafia. Kaya magpapakita si Fortéz." Ani Cloud.

'Saturday?' Eleanor thought. May klase pa kasi sya sa Sabado. But then, when it comes to giving justice to her parent's death- nothing else matters.

"Contact that Italian Mafia, we'll have a deal with their boss." Utos nito kay Sky, na sya namang tumango.

"We're not going to deal with this alone?" Tanong ni Cloud.

"Sabi nga sa impormasyong binigay nyo. We'll face a big catch mafia. Kapag umatake tayo sa transaction na yun, ay baka maging ang Italian mafia ay makikisali sa laban. That means, too much risk for our men." Paliwanag nya.

She's always like that, thinking about her men's safety in every mission. Ayaw nyang nagsusugal ng maraming buhay.

"Ako na ang bahala sa pakikipag-usap sa Italian mafia na yun, Empress." Eleanor nodded to Sky.

"Inform me if they'll agree for a meeting, sasama ako." Aniya. The others got confused.

"You'll pretend to be somebody else right?" Tanong ni Tanda.

"Of course, Tanda. Hindi pa oras na makilala si Healia. So don't worry." She assured.

DAYS passed smoothly. Gaya ng utos ni El kay Sky ay nakapagpa schedule na ito ng meeting sa nasabing Italian Mafia Boss. Gaganapin ang meeting nila sa hideout ng Cartaleja Mafia- the Italian Mafia. 

As they expected... Maraming tauhang nakabantay sa labas at maging sa loob ng hideout nila. But then, they entered safely because they have the boss' permission. 

Ng makapasok ay sinalubong sila ng iilang butler ni Cartalejo. They lead them to their basement. Nakaupo ang mafia boss sa isang malaking upuan sa harap ng malawak na mesa nito. 

Erñianto Cartalejo. A 45 year old mafia boss. He's an Italian and half Filipino. Pero nakabase ang mafia nito sa Italy. 

"Collins! You've finally arrived!" Bati nito kay Sky. Kalaunan ay dumapo ang mata ng lalaki kay Eleanor.

He won't recognize her though. May takip ang mukha nito at tanging ang mga mata lang kita.

"Mr. Cartalejo, thank you for approving this meeting request of mine." Ani Sky. Nakipagkamayan ang dalawa. 

"Come on, have a sit." Cartalejo offered. 

They accepted it at parehong umupo. Bumalik naman si Erñianto sa upuan nito. He crossed his legs at pinagsiklop ang dalawang kamay na nasa harapan ng kanyang bibig. He then looked at them with a smile plastered on his face. 

"So? Para saan ang meeting na 'to?" Cartalejo asked. Halatang hindi pa ito sanay sa pagsasalita ng tagalog.

"About your transaction with Fortéz, Mr. Cartalejo." 

Napataas ang isang kilay ng lalaki sa sinaad ni Sky. He then, put down his hand to grab the cup of coffee on his table. Uminom muna ito bago nagsalitang muli.

Sky and Eleanor looked at each other, before turning their gazes back to Cartalejo.

"Why? Are you also interested with the guns?" He curiously asked. "As far as I heared. You have your own gun supplies." Binalik nito sa mesa ang tasa ng kape. 

Ngumiti lang si Sky sakanya at marahang umiling.

"Nah, the guns are all yours. What we need is..." Inilahad ni Sky ang envelope na hawak nito. "Their Boss." Aniya tsaka ibinigay kay Cartalejo ang envelope.

Kunot noong binasa ni Cartalejo ang laman niyon. Sky crossed his legs before starting to talk again.

"I know you that you know what happened years ago." Aniya. "The ambush that caused our Emperor and his wife's death." 

Eleanor clinched her fist as she heared those. Tila bumabalik ang ala-ala at sakit na dinulot ng pangyayaring yun sakanya. She's just a mere child back then. Isang batang walang ibang nagawa kundi ang umiyak habang pinapanood ang pagkamatay ng mga magulang nya. Now, she's not that mere child anymore. She'll make sure that those bastards will root in jail 'till they meet death and welcome the fire of hell.

"We want your cooperation with this. Fortéz mafia is one of the masterminds of that ambush. At sa transaction nyo lang sya lalabas. We wanted to grab the opportunity." Ani Sky.

Ibinaba ni Cartaleja ang binabasa tsaka tumingin sa binata. He held his chin while thingking about what the young man said. 

"But of course. We wanted a low key arrestment for Fortéz. Hindi namin gustong mandamay. Especially your mafia! We can have a good alliance." Sky offered. 

Tila umaliwalas ang mukha ng kausap nito. Sino ba naman ang tatanggi sa pakikipag-alyansa sa Scarletti? They're one of the biggest fish who can't be easily catch in the wide ocean. Tatanggi pa ba sya?

"Well, well..." Ani Cartalejo. "Who won't accept your alliance, right? Guess it's my luck to have the alliance of a high ranked mafia." Tudo ngiti nitong saad.

Nagkatinginan sina El at Sky. Tumango ang dalawa sa isa't isa. 

"The plan is all on us. You'll take the guns.... For free. Plus our alliance with you." 

"Just make sure, na hindi madadamay ang panig ko." He gave out a serious smile.

"Of course, Mr. Cartalejo. You can take your exit once we have our entrance." Usal ni Sky.

Pagkatapos ng mahabang pag-uusap ay tumayo ang mga ito at naglakad paalis sa basement. They stopped at the front door of Cartalejo's mansion to bid their goodbyes.

"I really thought that I'll meet your Empress today. Too bad I'm wrong." Dismayadong wika ni Cartalejo.

"She's not yet available for meetings like this, Mr. Cartalejo." 

"Really? She's always hiding. No one knows who she is. What is she? A scared cat?" Natatawang saad nito.

Napailing naman si Sky at bahagyang natawa sa tinuran nito. Maging si El ay napatawa habang nakakuyom ang kamao. Napabaling sakanya ang tingin ng lalaki.

"Well... Who's this girl?" Tanong nito habang nakatitig kay El. 

"Scarletti's assassin, Mr. Cartalejo." Marahang pagpapakilala ni Eleanor. 

Pumorma ang ngit sa labi ng lalaki. 

"And our Empress is not a scared cat, Mr. Cartalejo." Madiin nitong saad. "But the world is not yet ready for her." 

Napataas ang kilay ni Cartalejo sa pagsagot ng dalaga. He found her brave to answer him that way. Nanatili silang nakatitigan hanggang sa binasag ito nito Sky ng isang tikhim.

"Guess we'll leave now, Mr. Catalejo. Our Empress will look out for your cooperation." Ani Sky.

"Makakaasa ka." Anito. "And tell your Empress..." Bumaling ang tingin ni Cartalejo kay Eleanor, kaya napakunot ang noo nya. "That I'm also looking out on meeting her." 

Tumango lamang ang dalawa sakanya.

"Soon, Mr. Cartalejo." Saad ni Sky. 

"Soon..."