Beneath The Clandestine Paradise (Chaotic Series #3)

Kabanata 22

Beneath The Clandestine Paradise

Kabanata 22

There are men outside and they are not allowing me to go back. I've been pressing my phone to make phone calls. Both Ringvo and Maura are not answering! Their phones just kept ringing but they were not picking it up!

They brought me inside a tower. I'm here at I-don't-know's condo. Ligtas na ako pero ikakamatay ko naman ang pag-aalala. Mag-iisang oras na at hindi pa rin nakakabalik si Grim.

Paupo kong binagsak ang sarili sa kama at halos mapasigaw ako nang sa wakas, sagutin na ni Ringvo ang tawag ko.

"Al, where are you? This is Maura."

"Maur!" Napatayo ako. "How are you and Ringvo? How are the people inside the convention center? Did something happen? Where are you now?"

"Calm down, Al. Ringvo's driving, and we're going home right now. The event is over. Maraming nagtaka dahil tinapos agad ng CEO. Everyone is safe. You're with Grim now, right? Are you at your house or penthouse?"

I breathed a sigh of relief. All I worry about now is Grim! He's still not here!

"Our car was attacked earlier. Gri-"

"What?! Nino?!"

"What is it, baby? Ano raw?" I heard Ringvo in the background.

"Are you okay, Al?! I'm worried! Where are you? We'll come to you!"

Umiling ako habang hindi mapakali ang mga paa kalalakad sa malaking kuwarto.

"No. Please, just go straight home. I want you to be safe. I'm fine here. Let's meet tomorrow. Please call me when you two are home. I'll call once Grim is here."

I am not completely reassured. Grim is still outside. But at least, everyone in the convention center was safe. I don't know how I would feel if the event venue was actually targeted. Everyone there is innocent, especially the children. I'm gonna kill myself if one of them died.

I went outside the room and headed to the door. Nang buksan ko ang pintuan, agad naging alisto ang tatlong lalaking nagbabantay sa tapat ng pintuan ng condo unit.

They act like I'm going to elope. The way they behave, it's as if I'm the villain. I'm not trying to run away. It's impossible, especially since I haven't even changed clothes yet. I'm also barefoot.

"Did Grim text you?" I asked any of them while holding the doorknob.

They're wearing an earpiece, and the bulge of guns at the back of their pants is noticeable. I've gotten used to seeing guns. Grim is adept at shooting, so seeing guns became normal for me.

"Not yet, Ma'am. But he's on his way back." Said the tall handsome man.

I'm also wondering, who are these people?

I memorized my security men in my two houses. At ang tatlong lalaking 'to, taliwas ang mga tikas ng katawan sa kanila. There are more robust, tall, and alert. At may mga hitsura!

"Are you my security men? I think not," sabi ko. "Who is your boss?"

Walang sumagot.

"Excuse me? Who's your boss?"

Nagkatinginang silang tatlo. Ang lalaking matangkad na unang sumagot sa akin kanina ay ngumiti.

"Hintayin na lang po natin ang pagdating ng kasama niyo, Ma'am. Siya ang sasagot."

Napataas ang kilay ko. "Bakit kayo? Hindi pwede?"

"Bilin po niya sa amin na siya ang magpapaliwanag sainyo." He pressed a smile again.