The dark, frigid night sent shivers to our spines. Walking down that road and watching some street lights flicker, we took root on our way home. Feeling the heavy air around us, I start to recollect the events this morning. Amelia needed her pre-natal check-up to ensure our baby’s safety, so we went to the hospital. But all of a sudden, right at that moment, I felt that something was wrong. Is it just me, or is someone rushing upon us? It was an intuition that it was since we left the hospital. He, or maybe a she, is following our every move.
Of course, I alarmed my wife of this. She isn’t saying it to me, but she was sensing it too. I felt my heart, beating faster than the usual. We’re trying to be as calm as we can, but we can’t hide the panic arising from us. Is it only a coincidence,? I have to think clear, maybe this is just a coincidence.
As we approach our house, the presence of our “stalker” suddenly disappeared. With a sigh of relief, we walked down our front lawn. Thinking about it, maybe we have the same way in heading home. Out path way is clear and Amelia’s potted plants are on the sides.
Amelia suddenly grabbed my arm. I know that she isn’t feeling well that certain afternoon. I clasped her hand, but I noticed the difference in the way she grasped it. It was cold, and shaking. She told me that she doesn’t want to go inside. I hesitated, so we headed towards the door.
We were taken aback by a tall man clad in black. He was standing in front of us after we opened the door. We were so afraid to utter even a single word. I realized that the man wasn’t alone. There were three of them. And the two other men were in our living room, searching for something.
I felt that I was in a trance that’s why I didn’t realize that our unexpected guests grabbed our arms. I can’t barely move, but I tried to get free from my captors. When I saw my wife being held by one of them, I kicked the man who grabbed Amelia’s arm and kicked him. She ran as fast as she can to the back of our house, but the man who was holding her followed as she disappeared in the back. I caught a glimpse of the man who followed my wife, he was pulling a gun! I tried to get free again, but he was grasping my arms so tight that the idea of moving was improbable.
I can’t think of anything else but my wife and our child that she is carrying. With the man trailing on her, I know that she isn’t safe. I prayed a silent prayer, O Lord, please keep my wife safe. It’s okay if I’ll be the one to die, but not her. Please guide her Father. Let her live. As I was ending my prayer, I heard gunshots. It came from the back of our house. My tears flowed from my eyes. Another gunshot was fired slowly, I felt hot coals burning in my stomach, but then, I sensed a cold pain and I blacked-out.
———————————————————————————————————————————–
It is 8 o’clock in the morning, still, the president of the Computer Technology Elite Society is not yet awake. The sun blazes its light through his room’s windows but still he hugged the sheets, dreaming of some things.
“Wake up, sleepy head!” Adam said. Adam Wilson is Eithreim’s old and trusted friend. “Eithreim! You must wake up now. Your secretary told me that you have a meeting today. You’re one lucky guy, I just happen to pass by and found you under these covers, dreaming. I got some Chinese dumplings, if you want. I’m going to the office now.” he explained hastily.
Scratching his messy, brown hair, Eithreim stood up.
“You really know how to wake a guy. Hey! How did you get in here?” Eithreim said with a shocked expression on his face.
“Because of your recurring amnesia, you forgot to lock the door! Good thing you’re living here in Sunny Drive. Guess no one would like to enter your filthy house!” Adam said as he observed his friend’s room. “Let me guess, you were at the bar last night, weren’t you? Man, forget about Amelia! It’s been two years since she died. You just have to move on and let go!” he said while shaking his head.
“I can’t Adam,” Eithreim said. “I can’t forget my wife that easily, especially with the child she was bearing that time. I was there but I did nothing for them.”
“That’s not your fault. The thieves should regret their mistake!” Adam replied
“After these years, no one gets blamed for the crime. No one goes to jail! I still want justice. Until now, I’m still confused. That night, they were searching for something, not stealing.”
Putting his cap down, his brown hair cascaded, the sun-catching, blond highlights, Adam tried to calm his friend.
“You better hurry. Your clients will not wait for you.” Adam muttered. “Oh. and another thing. There is a pretty lady waiting for you. I let her in because she is sitting in your porch. Thought she was getting cold there.”
“Huh? Who is she?” Eithreim asked, trying to figure out who the woman is.
“Just check her out, man.” Adam said as helloked into his watch. “Now I’m late for my meeting! See you in the office!”
They waved goodbye to each other. He’s still sleepy but he cannot leave his visitor.
Who is she? What does she want?
————————————————————————————————————————————
“Mr. Harrison, I suppose. I’m Fujiko Hanozawa, Executive Secretary in CTES Japan. I came all the way to Tokyo just to see you.” Fujiko smiled.
For the second time around, his heart was strucked by Cupid’s arrow. He can’t explain why he was mesmerized by Fujiko’s beauty. Eithreim felt that the whole world stopped. He had never seen a lady so radiant and beautiful yet has a strong personality. She has red cheeks and full lips. I can’t help but stare at her. She looks so modest with her black, shoulder-length hair. Those shining eyes has a hidden person waiting to be known. To be loved.
She looks like Amelia.
“Mr. Eithreim, I’m not here to be stared at. I’m here because we have a serious problem.” She said with an impatient tone in her voice.
“I’m sorry. What seems to be the problem?”
“It’s been a month since someone from our branch is illegally making transactions to some countries. That means the money will not manifest in any financial statement of our company that will soon lead to our bankruptcy. I’m terrified that the news will spread to other branches and terminate CTES Japan,”
Fujiko replied. “I’m afraid that the military secrets of our allied countries will be known to enemy countries. I have these reports that the culprit of this illegal transactions is located in Japan. You’re the only person I can think of that has the capability to help us. You must come with me to Japan, our company needs you.”
“Right. This company needs me. I owe these all to Sir William, in this way, I can show my gratitude to him.” Eithreim said.
“Good. We’ll leave tomorrow,” Amelia said while turning to leave “I’ll pick you up by five in the morning. Goodbye, sir.”
Ms. Hanozawa left Eithreim with a serious yet confused expression.
————————————————————————————————————————————-
For weeks, they investigated in Japan, searching for clues. But all they found was crumpled pieces of paper in the computer laboratory. These pieces of paper has encrypted codes that looks like it came from the Greek alphabet. εκδικούμαι
Although this may be a turning point on their investigation, their attention was turned to each other. Fujiko softened. And her cold heart learned to love Eithreim, as well as Eithreim fell in love with Fujiko. Charmed for the second time, Eithreim’s heart once again found a new rhythm.
Who could betray my company? Why this time?
“Eithreim, let’s continue our search tomorrow. You look so tired and you badly need a rest.” Fujiko said.
“I must not stop now. I can’t rest knowing that my company is in danger of facing bankruptcy,” he replied. “And another thing is that someone is following us on our investigation.”
“How did you know that?” Fujiko appeared shocked.
“I can sense it. Someone wants something from us. But we will know who they are, right Fujiko?”
“Yeah. Yes, of course!” She said while avoiding his gaze.
She seems so nervous. Like she is hiding something.
Fujiko, on the other hand was thinking too.
How will I tell him? I’m so sorry Eithreim.
“”Eithreim, I’ll just get something in my room. Just wait for me, okay?” Fujiko said sweetly.
“Sure. but come back fast or the restaurant will be closing before we can eat.” Eithreim replied then smiled.
Eithreim waited impatiently for Fujiko. Ten minutes passed by.
“What took you so long?”
“I’m sorry!” Fujiko replied, with a sense of guilt in her voice. “It was an emergency. Don’t ask anymore.”
“Right. Let’s go.” Eithreim said, confused.
————————————————————————————————————————————
“Beep.. beep… beep…”
The sound came from Eithreim’s cellphone. He quickly woke up from his deep slumber and answered the phone.
“Eithreim!” He heard a familiar voice.
“Who is this?” Eithreim was quick to reply.
“It’s Fujiko! You got to come here, quick! I’m in Mr. Ashford’s mansion. He’s the one making all those transactions. There’s no time to explain now, they’re after me.” Fujiko said nervously.
“I’ll be there. Be careful.” he said.
Fujiko didn’t reply. There was silence on the other end of the line. He dashed for his keys and drove off to the mansion.
It was dark inside the mansion. He traced his steps, careful not to make a sound. Then all the lights turned on.
“Finally! You’re here Mr. Harrison. I was expecting you.” Mr. Ashford said.
“I didn’t know you so well. I know Fujiko is in here, where is she?” Eithreim demanded.
“You will see her later. But I don’t know if you’ll get out of here… alive.” Mr. Ashford chuckled.
“Don’t you dare hurt her!”
“I won’t,” He said. “But someone will. I think you know each other.”
Who could it be?
———————————————————————————————————————————-
“Don’t you remember me? Thought we were friends.” Eithreim turned around to see a person from his past. Daniel Graves.
My wife’s ex-boyfriend!
Amelia loves Daniel so much even with his street-like attitude. With his unruly hair and tattoos all over, you are sure that he won’t be doing any good.
He just want Amelia for her money.
“Why are you here? What do you want?” An angry Eithreim spoke.
“I need my revenge. ” Daniel said.
“So do I!” Mr. Ashford interrupted.
“I can’t understand this. Why are you doing this?”
“Before your wedding with my princess,” Daniel said. “A group of men came to my house. They were beating my wits of! Then an old man, who happens to be Amelia’s father went inside my house and told me never to show my dirty face to the both of you. I agree on his terms. And not only that! He made me executive of CTES Japan. I was waiting for a person with so much hatred with your family. And here we are! Ready to get our revenge. You’ll see what we mean later.”
“Don’t mention my wife for your stupid decisions. I know you just want her for fame, for fortune!”
“I think your wife and her family owes me more than that. Because of me, there will be no CTES. They owe me everything!” Mr. Ashford interrupted.
“What?”
———————————————————————————————————————————–
“Before CTES opened, my company was the leading information center. All was well before William’s company stole my show. He got my ideas on fast-linnk technology! And when they established CTES, it lead to our bankruptcy and my downfall. I pleaded William to give me a position. He told me to kneel down before him and I followed! I have no choice but to follow his orders, or else, I won’tt have anything to feed my family.” Mr. Ashford said. “That old bastard will pay!”
“Don’t call him that!”
“But he is!” Mr. Ashford said while lighting his tobacco. “Did you know why Amelia died?”
“What do you mean? There were thieves that night.” Eithreim said, trying to recall that painful day.
“It was not a robbery, you fool. That was murder! Thanks to my very good friend who also happens to be your best friend!” Mr. Ashford laughed.
Adam?
Adam suddenly stood in front of them, holding Fujiko as captive.
“Sorry, Eithreim. I needed the money. They offered it to me years ago. And because of you, i didn’t have the chance to show Amelia that i love her!” Adam said bitterly.
“Eithreim, help me!” Fujiko said.
“If you want her safe, agree on going with us. But if you won’t, we’ll take her.”
“I agree,” Eithreim said. “Take me instead.”
Daniel went behind Fujiko and Adam went to Eithreim’s back. Adam pointed a gun on Eithreim and Daniel put his hands on Fujiko’s shoulder and kissed her on the cheeks.
“Well done, dear.” Daniel said with an evil glint in his eyes.
Fujiko smiled.
“So this is all a trap!” He said. “You all planned this!”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Mr. Ashford said. “We needed to get our revenge. And because of all the money that the countries gave us for their payment, we are as rich as you.”
“Even way over you!” Adam laughed.
“What? You’re the one who stole informations? How could you!” Fujiko said.
Mr. Ashford said. “We needed to get our revenge. And because of all the money that the countries gave us for their payment, we are as rich as you.”
“Even way over you!” Adam laughed.
“Of course! Who could it be? Either money, or no money at all.” Mr. Ashford said.
“I can’t believe it! I didn’t know that you stole all of those information! And a murderer too? No…” Fujiko started.
“Shut up!” Daniel said, as he slapped her face. “If it wasn’t because of me, you won’t be in your position. You should be as ow as a rat!”
“Daniel…”
“He doesn’t love you Fujiko. It’s all in our plan. We just used you.” Adam said.
“No!…” she cried, runnning towards the door.
Their evil revenge was short-lived. The police mobiles rushed in the mansion. Before Eithreim went there, he informed the police about the kidnapping and alleged stealing. Adam tried to escape, but he was shot in the back. The mansion was now empty, except for Eithreim, crying his heart out.
————————————————————————————————————————————
“Fujiko, I can’t file you a case. I don’t know, it just doesn’t feel right. I’ll withdraw the charges on you.” Eithreim said.
“No. I must pay for everything. This is too much. It isn’t fair.” Fujiko sobbed
“Forget your past. You still have your future… You still have me.” Eithreim said.
“I don’t know Eithreim, I’m still in love with Daniel. I just don’t know, Eithreim, I don’t.”
“If that’s what you feel, it’s alright with me. Maybe this is the end for the two of us.” Eithreim replied with a sad look on his face.
“No. It won’t be. If we’re meant for each other, fate will find a way to bring us together.” Fujiko exclaimed.
“I guess, this is goodbye…” Eithreim said.
“Hey Eithreim! Don’t be like that. Just say see you.” Fujiko tried to smile. She kissed Eithreim on his lips.
I’ll always be there for you Eithreim.
Fujiko started to walk away when Eithreim shouted, “Hey! I love you, Fujiko!”
Fujiko laughed and said, “Yeah right!”
Letting go is hard enough. But it doesn’t mean it’s over. Maybe this is our fate. Our destiny. love will find the way to bring the two of us together.
———————————————————————————————————————————–
In a small, dark room, a man was sitting in a couch, watching television. His body was slumped, showing his tattoos on the left arm. Only the light from the screen illuminated in his face.
“We interrupt you with this short news. Daniel Graves escaped from Burlington prison. The police is now having a search for the dangerous man…”
From the darkness, his face appeared. He was wearing a devilish smile.
“I will come back for you Eithreim. I shall get my revenge. I will!”
His eyes widened as he laughed while tearing Eithreim’s pictures. His evil laughter echoes in the room, like the police sirens sounding throughout the day…
I’ll be his worst nightmare.
— story made and edited by ELIZ CUENCO and NIKKI MERLE
