Frozen Time

Detour

Kinabukasan ay agad kong pinuntahan ang address ng tumawag kay Leo. It is located in a subdivision sa Greenhills. Pinark ko na ang sasakyan ko sa isang bahay na mukhang bagong gawa lang. Bumaba na ako ng kotse at pinindot ang doorbell nila. Handa na ba akong malaman kung sino ito?

Laking gulat ko nalang ng nalaman kung sino ang nagbukas ng gate.

"Lance? What are you doing here?"

Napakuyom ang kamao ko dahil mukhang nagkukunwari pa itong walang alam.

"What the f*ck do you want from me, Greg?"

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LANCE POV

I clenched my fist. My jaw tightened. Wala na ba talagang gagawing tama ang lalaking to? I thought he has changed? We gave him a chance at ito pa ang ibabalik niya sa amin? Kelan ba siya tatahimik? He can't do anything anymore para sirain pa kami ni Pat. 

"Wait Lance. I don't know what you are talking about. Can you please relax?" nakikita kong parang natatakot ito ngayon. 

"How can I relax Greg? Give me one good reason not to punch you and destroy your face right now!" I am so ready to attack him. One wrong move and you're done.

"Because I really don't know what you are talking about! Can you please come in at mag-usap tayo ng maayos? Ipaintindi mo sa akin ang sinasabi mo." binuksan pa niya lalo ang pinto para papasukin ako. I stared and observed him. He looks frightened at halata ang pagkakagulat nito. Mukha naman din nagsasabi ito ng totoo dahil kita ko ang pagtataka sa mga mata niya. Pumasok ako sa bahay niya at nagusap kami sa garden niya.

"You want anything to drink?" tanong niya sa akin.

"Nope. It's too early in the morning." Nagbuhos ito ng Black label sa isang baso at ininom ito.

"Look wala itong lason. Mukhang mahaba habang usapan ito at kailangan natin ito." he gave me a glass of Black Label at ininom ko rin ito. Umupo na ito sa harap ko.

"What brings you here Lance? What's happening?" tanong nito sakin.

"You called Leo." I'm not asking him because I know he did.

"Yes."

"Bakit? Why do you keep on following us Greg? Ano bang gusto mo? Kaharap mo ako ngayon, tell me what the freaking hell are you trying to do?" Remembering all the photos gives me this creepy feeling that someone is watching us. I don't know why but my instincts are telling me na hindi si Greg ang may kagagawan nito.

"Lance, hindi ako yun." 

"How the hell can I believe you? I was even able to track you down here!" 

"Yes, ako yung tumawag. Pero that's it." pumasok ito ng bahay at may kinuha. The burner phone. Nilapag niya ito sa lamesa.

"I'm giving this to you. You can see there na ang pagtawag ko kay Leo ang tanging laman ng phone na yan. That is the sole purpose." inabot niya sa akin ito at tinignan ko lang ito.

"Why did you call Leo? Why would you use a burner phone?"

"I wanted to warn him and I don't want anyone to know na ako ang nagsabi. Look Lance, you know our family's business. I got information that someone is trying to hire the best people in our team para sayo. The moment na nalaman ko yun tinawagan ko si Leo. I know he's the only one you trust to protect you. I need to warn you and kung sakin manggagaling yun ay alam kong hindi ka maniniwala at pag dududahan mo ako. I can't let them know that I warned you that something is coming your way dahil ako ang malalagot sa pamilya ko. You know I can't cross that line, because I'm gonna be dead for what I just did. Alam kong mahirap paniwalaan pero I just want her to be safe. This is the only way I know how." nakita ko naman ang lungkot sa mga mata nito.