Catch Me If You Can (Completed)

CHAPTER 34: SNAKE

Chapter 34: Snake

~RYU~

I stood quietly, trying to accept my realization. I am used to shocking news and others but I cannot help being surprised to this one. My lips pursed into thin line as my gaze shifted from V to Verona who was also as surprised as I am.

Victoria walked away from us closing her eyes and making herself calm. She brushed her long curly hair with her fingers. “Sa lahat ng katanungan ko tungkol sa pagkatao ko, sa tingin ko ito na ang mga kasagutan. Ako si N, si Victoria, ako ang anak ni Jack.”

“V,” Verona said calmly as he took a step towards her but she took a step backward also.

“Sa-el ito na. Ang batang na nakikita ko sa panaginip ko, ako pala iyon,” she smiled sadly. Her eyes shone like she got a brilliant idea. “Kailangan kong makita si Ace, siya na lamang ang natitirang pamilya ko.”

I cleared my throat. “That is something hard to do as of the moment. Walang may alam kung sino si Ace. Isa pa ay marami ang naghahanap sa’yo Victoria. They needed you to find the stolen items of the Black Diamond at kasali na roon ang lolo ko.”

“Walang mahirap gawin kung nais mo talaga,” she said firmly. I saw how her fist clenched. Victoria Vera is a big mystery. She’s not someone you can easily read. She looks beautiful physically and knowing her skills, she’s even more beautiful. She’s strong and independent, damn how could a pretty woman be like that? “Kailangan kong makilala ang Nakatataas. Siguro alam niya kung paano mahahanap si Ace.”

“V,” ng-aalalang tawag sa kanya ni Verona. “Be careful. Remember our last project is finding the linchpin at nangako ang nakatataas na magpapakilala na siya. He wanted us to find the linchpin, paano kung may masama din siyang balak sa’yo gaya ng Lupin III o ni Homer Vander?” He even gave me a hateful look that I just chose to ignore. My concern for now is Victoria and not his glare anyway.

Pinulot ni Victoria ang kanyang backpack na nasa gilid lamang ng sofa. She also grabbed her house keys and open the door wide. “Lumabas kayo. Pupunta ako sa apartment.”

Verona sighed worriedly samantalang hindi ko naman alam kung ano ang tamang maramdaman. I was excited, worried, amazed of her bravery, and other emotions that somersaulted in me that i cannot identify what it is.

Tahimik na lumabas kami ng bahay niya at tinungo ang apartment. Nagconvoy lamang kami dahil pareho kaming may mga sasakyan. Walang tao sa partment pagdating namin kaya sinubukan ulit namin na kausapin si V tungkol sa desisyon niya.

“It’s really dangerous,” panimula ko. Nakaupo lamang siya at diretsong nakatingin sa harap niya. Verona probably felt how different Victoria right tinatapunan niya ito ng nag-aalalang tingin. It’s the only thing we can do right now. Ang balaan siya sa posibleng mangyari. Victoria doesn’t need anyone’s opinion because she trust her own decisions more than anyone. And that is something very admirable.

The door flung open at pumasok doon si Mimo na mukhang naguguluhan sa tagpong naabutan. Verona and I sat silently, looking at her whose fists were clenched and maintaining a serious blank face that she always does.

“Anong meron?” he asked, looking at each of us. May hawak siyang malaking paperbag. Oh, did he go shopping?

V faced him with her head high. “Nakita na namin ang pinapahanap ng Nakatataas. Ang linchpin na hinanap natin.”

Mimo looks excited. He looked around the area but found no one. “Saan na? Nasa taas ba? Sa CR? Oh my! I can’t wait!”

Nakita ko ang bahagyang pagngiwi ni Verona nang makita ang excited na reaksyon ni Mimo. Verona used to call him “Tanda” dahil siya ang pinakamatanda sa amin. V didn’t reply but she walked towards the drawer na sa harap ng malaking salamin. Mimo followed her asking where the linchpin is.