Chapter 17: Escape

I do not know if I am running like I am flying because my life depended on it or if it is because I don't want Neuron to find out who I am. But I ran until I couldn't feel my feet anymore.

I stumbled many times, hit many people along the way, but I ran without leaving a single apology. I couldn't waste even a millisecond.

"Back to the manhole, Paul. Faster! Lose them!" Gan instructed from my in-ear.

My feet are already numb from exhaustion, and my chest is beating insanely. I could feel that boiling adrenaline all over my body.

Gan and I both managed to get lost from Neuron and Michael's sight. We hurriedly went back to the manhole at the back of the ticket booth. This is the safer way for now.

I do not care anymore if I fall hard on the tunnel. I need to get down as fast as possible. Gan and I are both loudly catching our breaths down the tunnel. We decided to stay there to make sure Neuron and Michael are no longer around.

"What happened? Why did you say we were tricked?" Gan asked breathlessly. He has no idea why I ran but even without the knowledge, he ran away with me.

"We're in trouble. It's the prince. He knows we exist."

And that's not all. He knows that the former president's daughter is part of Soma. Does he also know I am 'that' daughter?

"We're almost captured!" I exclaimed in dread.

"But there's only two of them. If he wanted to extinguish Soma why didn't he bring more men? And why would he come after the former president's daughter? He would've come after the Chief."

Gan has a point. What would he get in meeting me? If I wasn't the daughter of the former president, I would've met with him to know what he is up to, what he has to say. But because it's me, I can't let him see my face.

But why is he pretending to be the courier?! He tricked us!

We slowly started walking on the tunnel back to the manhole where we first entered. I don't know how long we stayed underneath the tunnel, but it wasn't long enough to make me feel assured. I am so scared that I'd run into Neuron if we get out of there too early. But Gan couldn't stay underneath any longer so we decided to come up.

I took off the shawl from my neck and left it in the tunnel. If we ever run into Neuron, at least I don't have the shawl to identify me as the one he is supposed to meet up with.

We closed the metal opening and then also put back the blocks to cover it. We slowly walked to get out of the station from the sideway. My eyes automatically scanned the whole area for bits and shadows of Neuron, and I breathed in relief when I found none.

Without speaking a word, Gan and I walked with rushed paces. We called for a taxi and immediately stepped inside like being outside is excruciating for us.

I came to stare down at my hands and saw the ring Neuron gave me.

Neuron.. just what on earth are you up to?

I was surprised when someone's hand suddenly covered mine so I could no longer see the ring I was wearing. I tried to get my hands away but he did not let me. Instead, he tightened his grip on my hand and brought our hands, and rested them on his lap.

I stared at Isagani.

"A hunter should not fall into his own trap. You'll become the prey instead of being the predator."

"What happens when both the prey and the predator fall into the trap?"

He stared into my eyes. So deeply that I can't even look away. "They'll suffocate each other. And then die."

What?

"Or.."

Or?

I looked up at him in anticipation. Or? Is there still hope for Neuron and me? Even if we do fall into each other's trap, do we have a chance of survival?

"Or they'd kill each other."

--

Isagani went back to the camp right away to report what happened on our mission. It'll be chaotic, for sure. If the Chief finds out about this, he will not let this slide. I'm apathetically worried for the Commander since he's the one who vouched for this so-called reliable informant.

Neuron later asked me to meet up the next day but I refused to meet him and said I'll be working on the shop. He did not insist anymore so I was relieved. I don't know if I'll be able to face him. What if he would suddenly ask who I am?

At midnight, Geraldine called me to fill me in with what's happening in the camp.

"Brat.." I called as soon as I answered the call.

"It's chaotic here, baby. The Chief is so angry at the Commander."

"Who tipped off the Commander about the informant?" I asked.

It's unlikely for the Commander to be tricked unless the one who tipped off is someone he really trusts.

"A flipper."

"What?" I gasped. "We have a flipper? Now that we're almost at the end?"

"Filthy flippers! I wish I could wring their necks with my own hands."

Flippers are those members of Soma but decided to betray us. They are called flippers because they literally flip from us towards Gruna's side. We've had only a few flippers in the past and all of them are now buried six feet under. We killed them before they could even speak about our existence.

Why now? We're almost there! We can't afford to have flippers now.

Is that flipper the reason why Neuron tricked us? Did that flipper somehow leak some information about the camp? But if that's the case, Mirando would've raided the camp already.

"Wait! Does that mean Neuron already knows about our plan? My mission? My real identity?" I panicked.

"Let's hope not. Besides, only a few people know your mission. And very few know that you're the former president's daughter."

I hope she's right. We're really in a very crucial period. We can't afford to have any hitch.

"How are you there, brat?" I initiated a casual conversation.

"I'm still upset that you are leaving me behind, you traitor."

I laughed. I never had the time to realize I've missed this brat. We've literally been together almost every single day and now we only hear each other from the phone.

"I just hope this will all end soon. We promised each other we will leave this country together, Rath."

I smiled a sorrowful smile although she couldn't see me. I wish we could really do that.

"We will, brat. I promise you that. We will live in a place where we don't have to wear the same uniform every single day. A place where we don't have to go on a dangerous mission. In a place where we can eat as much as we want. A place with nice bathrooms and showers. I'd let you sleep in a room with a window and pretty and fragrant sheets and curtains. I promise you that after this, we don't have to steal or kill anyone. We will live happily."

The other line became silent for a moment. Then came Geraldine's soft voice, "That sounds so nice, I'm tearing up. But can I ask for a favor?"

"What favor?" I curiously responded.

"Can I bring the captain with us?"

"Huh? What?!"

And I heard her childish laugh echo in my ears.

The captain, huh…

The next morning, I received a call from Molly, the real owner of the calligraphy shop I just own in documents.

"Ma'am, someone's here for you."

"What? And who would that be?"

"He said he's your lover."

Lover? Wait--

Neuron?! He is at the shop?! You've got to be kidding! Just when will he stop giving me heart attacks?

He is so nosy. And if he keeps that up, I'm afraid he'll eventually find out the truth. Or does he know already? Is that why he went looking for me at the shop even if I said I'd be working?

"I told him you're out to meet a client. I asked him to leave but he said he'll wait for you. What will I tell him, ma'am?"

Oh, sh-t! He is so stubborn!

"F--k! Tell him to wait there. I'm on my way."

"Alright, ma'am."

Neuron! Give me a break, please!

I put on the first clothes I saw and immediately left the apartment. I was so nervous on the way to the shop.

What if he tells me he recognized me at the station? How will I avoid his questions? How will I answer him?

This is making me insane!

I've never been so nervous like this. If he finds out everything now-- no! No! That can't happen!

I don't know how long I was standing outside the shop. I keep on breathing in and out to calm my nerves but no matter what I do, I'm still nervous as f--k.

I cautiously opened the door of the shop and entered with a very nervous pace.

When he saw me he immediately stood up and gave me a very wide smile. He's holding a bouquet of flowers and he strode gracefully towards me.

I was dumbfounded.

He looks so…

So gorgeous.

He handed me the bouquet and said the words that weren't on the list of the ones I expect him to say if we see each other again after that relentless chasing on the train station.

Instead of doubtful eyes, he looked at me with adoration.

"I missed you. So I came."

I was flabbergasted but relieved at the same time. I smelled the flowers and their floral fragrance made me smile.

He held my hand and made me sit down on the couch where he was sitting earlier. I eyed Molly and the other staff in the shop. We just exchanged looks. They are all part of Soma and they know that they have to pretend I am the owner of the shop even though I'm not.

"I saw some of your works. I loved it."

I glanced at the framed calligraphy on the wall.

They weren't even my real works. They were just hanging on the wall to make it really seem like this is my shop. But they are actually Molly's but my name signature is what's written at the very bottom to show that it's mine.

"Really? Thanks. That validates my work. If you think it's great then I wouldn't care if others say it's not."

He chuckled and then he started massaging my shoulders. I groaned because of how good it felt. "By the kind of work you have, I'm sure your shoulders and back would ache."

My shoulders are aching because of all the ruckus that happened yesterday. It's ironic that he was chasing me yesterday but now he's doing a massage for the pain it gave me, subconsciously.

"Sir, is it okay for us to be doing this in front of all my staff?" I croaked when I felt those awkward glances from the staff.

Neuron stopped what he's doing and looked at the few staff in the shop. "I guess not."

I tiredly laughed. He sat next to me and circled his arms around my shoulder. "I wanna steal you away from work."

I pinch his waist slightly. "I will allow you to steal me, Sir."

"Ah, I forgot to tell you this."

"Hmm?"

"Yesterday.."

Yesterday? What about yesterday? What? What?

The worry I forgot for a bit came back to me again.

"I received an email."

Mail? Mail about what?

"It's an email teaching me how to read maps backward."

"What?" I asked in confusion. I'm so lost. What is he talking about?

"Turns out it was just spam."

"What--" I stopped and glared at him when I understood what he said. I punched his chest out of annoyance but I have a smile plastered on my face. Neuron's jokes are lame but ironically, I enjoy them. I heard the staff laugh.

I stared at them. "That wasn't funny at all!" I exclaimed but they still laughed.

"I really hate your jokes," I whined at him.

When you read maps backward, it's spam. I wanna laugh actually every time he throws jokes like that, but I figured I should not. Because if I do, he might think I'm enjoying it, even though I am really enjoying it.

"Seems like your staff like it though."

I rolled my eyes at him.

"I have some trivia for you guys," he suddenly started conversing with the staff. The girls are wearing big smiles waiting for what he is about to say. Neuron is actually very charming and very attractive to girls. I wonder why he hasn't dated anyone before. Maybe because he wasn't allowed to?

"Did you know that if you work for a moisturizer factory, you'll have to apply daily?"

The girls burst out laughing. While as for me, I had to rack my brain in order to understand that. Neuron was playing with them and laughing. And as I'm watching him, I smile. He's adorable.

He's really playful, but not to the point where he would come off as flirtatious. And that playful disposition makes him easier to be with.

And these Somaras are smiling and laughing like this because they don't have any idea that he is Mirando's son.

"Does your boss have any other work for the day?" he playfully asked them.

They all immediately shook their heads as an answer.

"Then.." he circled his arms on me and looked down at me. "You're mine for the day."