The Midnight Man Novels & Stories

Nakangiting nag-angat siya ng tingin at nanigas sa kinauupuan nang makitang pumasok doon si Achi. Her heart instantly beat faster than the normal. Oh, God! Please. Dapat hindi niya iyon nararamdaman! At ano ba ang ginagawa ng lalaking 'to rito? Pinakalma ni Leah ang sarili, saka tumayo. "Good afternoon," pormal niyang sabi. "May kailangan ka?" Tumango si Achilles. "Nagugutom na ako. Heto lang iyong alam kong bukas ng 7 AM. Ipadedeliver ko na lang." Lumapit ito sa counter kung saan niya kukunin ang menu.

Paano niya nasabi 'yon? “Anong sinasabi mo?” “I know you want to ask about how did I know.” Isa lang ang naisip kong paraan kung paano niya nalaman 'yon. Pero, bakit? Paano? “Do you want to know who is it among the four?” Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko sa kaba. Ito ba ang dahilan kung bakit madaming alam si Rye? “Come out later at midnight and meet me. You'll know.”

POV: Mr. Ramirez Mabagal na sumandal si Mr. Ramirez sa malambot na headboard ng kama habang tahimik na pinapanood ang usok ng sigarilyong unti-unting kumakalat sa madilim na loft. Tanging ilaw mula sa bedside lamp ang nagbibigay-liwanag sa silid, sapat lamang upang makita ang hubad na katawan ng babaeng nakahiga sa tabi niya.

- Talliah Jae's POV. Nagising ako ng walang katabi, pag tingin ko sa orasan ay mag 10pm na. Ibinalot ko ang sarili sa comforter at tumayo upang hanapin si Ice ngunit nalibot ko na ang buong kuwarto ay wala sya, napalingon ako sa counter ng maliit na kitchen, May pasta and juice na nakatakip at may nakadikit na notes. Ilang oras na kaya siyang nagpapahangin sa labas?

Pero hindi ko inexpect na higit pa sa inaakala ko ang isang lalaking Montgomery. He's a tall man with powerful and broad shoulders, kahit nakaupo ay kitang-kita ang tangkad at kakisigan nito. He has a fierce dark face, like the moon, pale and somehow wavering. His hair is dark as the shadows of twilight, and his eyes seem to flash with savage. Everything about him just looks so dark, scary yet inviting. And he looks familiar.

"Bye. Chat you later." Nang makababa ito ay dumiretso na rin siya sa pagmamaneho. Nag-chat naman siya kay Midnight kanina na pupunta siya sa ospital at mag-uumpisa na ng duty niya. Nasa bahay daw iyon at nagta-trabaho. Midnight was writing books for sports, especially football. He was selling it online. Iyon ang sabi nito sa kanya noong nakaraan na kumakain sila.

Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon ay tinawanan siya nito na para bang hindi takot sa mga banta niya na minsan na niyang naisipang gawin. Maliyah has never met this man since then. Bigla na lang itong tumawag sa kanya at sinabi ang sadya nito at sakto rin kung kailan may nalaman siya at planong umpisahan ang naisip. He would call her twice a month, give her information, and in exchange, she would pay him for that. The last time he paid him a big sum of money was when he gave her the name of the person she’s been looking for for a long time.

The transition from the pitch-black sanctuary of the private lounge to the harsh, bright morning light of the executive penthouse office was jarring. Elena stood by the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, wrapping a silk robe tightly around her body as she looked down at the sprawling, chaotic skyline of Manila. The marks on her skin from Zachary’s savage possession the night before were still burning, a silent, indelible testament to the absolute control he held over her. Yet, looking out at the city, the heavy fog of submission in her mind began to lift, replaced by a cold, sharp clarity.

It had an air of mystery, the kind that made people stop and wonder if they were even supposed to be here. I stepped onto the polished sidewalk, the glow of the streetlights casting long shadows against the pavement. A single heavy oak door stood before me, its polished brass handle gleaming under the dim lighting. Above it, the name Midnight Society was engraved in elegant gold lettering, almost blending into the darkness unless you knew where to look. To the side, a small crescent moon-shaped neon light flickered in a deep shade of blue—subtle, but just enough to hint at the exclusivity hidden within.

sabi ko, na naglakad subalit muli lang siyang humarang. "Hey, I'm talking to you, can you just give me your name?" naging seryoso ang mukha niya. "I don't talk to strangers, sorry," sagot ko, nakita ko ang pagtaas ng isang kilay niya. "Don't you know me? Really? I'm not a stranger to anyone here. I'm Martin, the next heir of Suarez group," sabi niya, "Baka hindi mo alam kaya kong bayaran ang isang gabi mo."