Chapter 7

Mr. Perez's Point of View

I am currently massaging my temple right now. The first set of students that I called for questioning gave me a major headache. I haven't got anything juicy from them yet. This is frustrating on my part. I feel like I'm just wasting my time here. I should be out there, solving heavy cases like serial murders. I don't like these kind of cases involving youths.

We're in a generation now where youths are mischievous and impulsive. For all we know, this Aira girl just run with her boyfriend because of her family problems.

Her family is so fucked up. Who wouldn't run from that? If I am her, maybe I have done the same thing. Who can tolerate hearing your mother fucking her own brother right? And seeing them everyday publicly displaying their affection towards each other? That is just so damn. Yeah. Her stepfather is her mother's brother. Damn!

Anyway, the next one that I summoned here at the couselor's office was Michael Constales.

As he entered, his nervousness was quite visible. He was sweating vigorously. His hands and lips were shaking.

"Please sit down, Mr. Constales."

He looked at me like an old man due to his thick eyeglasses. Rebecca is right about describing him as a nerd. His outfit says it all. A loose pants and shirt with a thick eyeglasses. He does not stand straight too. A typical nerd.

"Y-yes, sir," he answered.

I let him settle down first before I fire him with my questions.

"Relax, Mr. Constales. I will just ask a few questions that you need to answer honestly, then you may go. As easy as that."

I flashed a smile but it doesn't do him any good. I think, it made him more anxious. My bad.

My eyebrows furrowed when he kept on removing his eyeglasses to clean it and put it back again. It's distracting me a little bit.

"I've heard that you're dragging Aira to somewhere that night, Michael. Is that true?" I asked him in a gentle tone.

He gulped and roam his eyes. I'm curious about what he has to say about this question. He's avoiding my gaze.

"I-I-I was just asked t-to bring Aira in a room th-that night. I didn't hurt her nor anything," Michael answered. He swallowed again and played with his finger while his eyes continued to roam around.

"Who asked you to bring her?"

"A-a-andrew," he answered without any hesitation. I observed him for a minute then I let him go.

"Okay, you may leave now, Michael. Thank you for your cooperation."

Michael stood up immediately and ran towards the door. He even have trouble opening the door because his hands were trembling.

I just ignored him and called Mr. Dela Cruz to notify Andrew Morales to come to the counselor's office.

When Andrew arrived, he looked puzzled and confused.

He walked straight towards me and put his hands on the desk.

"Look, detective. I'm of no help here. I don't know anything about this," he stated confidently. He doesn't even bother to sit.

I just smiled at him.

"Please sit down, Mr. Morales. Let's have a quick talk comfortably."

"No need, sir. I don't plan on staying for long. I'm out of this one. I didn't do anything."

I raised an eyebrow.

"How come that you know nothing about this Mr. Morales when you're the one who ordered Michael, your classmate, to bring Aira in a particular room that night?"

His forehead furrowed. "WHAT? I ordered what and who? Wait, wait, wait!"

He removed his hands on the desk and let out a laugh while looking at me.

"We're having a misunderstanding here, sir. I never ordered Michael anything. I can't even remember what happened that night. All I know is that I attended it and I got home safely. That's all."

"How can you be so sure when you can't remember anything, Mr. Morales?"

Color left Andrew's face that made me smirked. I think I hit a bullseye. He is not looking at me anymore.

"Your alibi is not that strong and you can't prove that you didn't do anything naughty that night. Not remembering anything will not help you, kid. You may go for now."

He left the counselor's room while thinking deeply that made him look like he's just floating and doesn't know where to go. He even bumped to the door while leaving. Poor kid.

There were only three more students left and I'll be done here.

The door cracked open and the third student from the last entered. Ashley Montez.

There's a smirk plastered on her face. She sat down confidently on the chair opposite to mine and crossed her hands.

"So, what do we have here, detective?" She initiated.

I remained calm while studying her. Her confidence is oozing that made her look like she has something juicy to say.

"Nothing interesting yet, kid. Unless you have something juicy to share with me," I winked at her and she just smiled sweetly. She's not even bothered with my green joke.

"Well, I don't have anything with me that will pique your interest, sir. But I know someone who has something with her. I'm not sure what she had done but I think it was related to this case you're working on and you might want to invite her immediately. I know you don't wanna waste time with me here who has nothing to do with this."

She stood up and walked towards the door. "I'll call her for you, sir. Just wait here."

A few minutes after Ashley Montez left the room, a new girl made her way in. Suzy Rivera, Ashley's friend according to the student's profile that was given to me.

A friend betraying her own friend to clean her name eh? Kids nowadays are really scary in a way.

Suzy Rivera's eyes were puffy. She also looked unstable to me. Her hair and clothes were a bit messy.

She's having hiccups too. She sat down on the chair and became interested to the floor. "Ms. Rivera," I called.

She lifted her head and looked at me.

"Did you do something naughty that night?"

Upon hearing my question, her tears flowed down continuously. She remained looking at me while ignoring the tears flowing down her face.

I just looked at her while patiently waiting for an answer. She's going through something. No doubt with that.

"I-I-I think, I. . .had done. . .something horrible that night, sir."

And with that, her shoulders went up and down. She covered her face using both of her hands.

"Please calm down, Ms. Rivera. Can you tell me that horrible thing that you had done?"

"S-s-sir, I'm afraid. Please. . .help me."

"Don't be afraid, Ms. Rivera. Nothing is certain yet. Share it to me so that I will be able to know on how I can help you."

"I-I-I played a prank on the people that attended the party, sir," she started while still looking at the floor.

"I mixed. . a medicine. . on the drinks that the waiters distributed that night."

"What medicine, Ms. Rivera?"

"Adderall, sir. I'm sorry. . .I'm sorry. Please help me, sir. I don't want to be locked in a prison. Please. . ."

She's crying hysterically now.

"Did someone order you to do that prank? Or do you have any accomplice?"

"NONE! None, sir. It is just me. My own decision. Me alone. No other person involve, sir. Please. . .believe me, sir. I did it alone. I'm telling the truth."

I nodded. "You may go now, Ms. Rivera. Thank you for your cooperation."

I called Mr. Dela Cruz and informed him about Ms. Rivera's situation right now so that they can take her to the clinic.

"Sir."

I looked at Ms. Rivera who's currently standing at the front of the door right now.

"W-will you call Xander for questioning too?" She asked reluctantly.

"Yes. Why?"

"None, sir." She opened the door and strode out of the room.

I reviewed my summarized notes while waiting for the last student to arrive. It's already 4:30 in the afternoon, most students are on their way home already.

My cellphone suddenly vibrated. I put it out from my pocket and read the new message.

"Mr. Xander Villa have a sudden emergency. He will not be able to attend the questioning now. He will just visit your office as soon as possible. Thank you."