Chapter-385

The Explorer

Bag pack . . . Bag pack . . . Bag pack . . . Bag pack . . . I really
eel like I'm Dora even though I'm in a taxi and not walking. I'm following the jeep that Drew rode. This is really
the stupid thing that came to my mind. I'm just staring at the meter of the price I'm going to pay. The price
keeps increasing the longer it takes, also because of the slow traffic. I hope the money I bring is enough,
otherwise I'll be forced to call Aries to ask for payment. He doesn't know I'm in trouble . But I texted him, I told
him to go first because I have something to go to. I didn't even look at his reply. I hope he doesn't report me to
Kuya Angelo. Of course I'll be caught there, he doesn't want to tell me about their plan. I looked in front of the
taxi when the jeep stopped and saw Drew get out. I followed him for a moment before ordering the driver to
drop me off not far away. Luckily, the fare I had to pay didn't increase any further. I immediately got out and
looked for my destination. He walked along a road, I followed him slowly so as not to be noticed, hiding in
places where he could hide when he turned around. I just kept doing what I was doing until he entered a large
old gate. It was the entrance to a subdivision. The houses were old, the fences were big and high. It seemed
like they didn't even want to peek through the door. Maybe, the people here are so rich, and then there was
also a hiding place. I guess Sir Alvin and Ma'am Cindy must live here too. There was no guard guarding the
gate. I tried to enter but no one peeked. When I followed Drew's path, I couldn't see him anymore. He suddenly
disappeared. I didn't even notice if he entered a gate or alley. Come on, how is this? I can't ask anyone. It
seems like I need to go through the houses one by one and find a clue as to where Drew might live. I'm
thinking about calling Blaster, because Ci said Blas has been to their house. But if I ask him, he might report
me to Keifer or his other fellow Ulopongs, then I'm already in shock. Don't do it, my plan might be ruined. I tried
to remember where I last saw him. I stood in the same place and looked around. I peeked to the right and left.
I started to approach the smallest house in my sight, even though it was impossible because they were all big.
I peeked at the houses through the small gap in the gate. I also jumped up and down, risking jumping high.
But what I did just shook my little brain . Is that a ball? I could only think of one house to peek at, their small
gate was open but I couldn't go in and the owner of the house might get angry. I looked at the big house
inside, but the door was closed and the windows were blocked. I wanted to go closer to peek but changed my
mind when I saw a woman walking inside, she had a chess board in her arms. I was forced to go back to
where I was standing earlier. I couldn't find any clues or possible Drew's house. I could have just gone home. I
sat down on the sidewalk, my gutter, feeling depressed. Luckily there was no one else around so no one would
notice where I was sitting. I was about to take out my phone to see if there was a message when I felt
someone next to me. "Jay, adjust your seat. You're being seen," the person next to me said and I immediately
looked at him. His red hair was the first thing I noticed. "I'm wearing cycling shorts," I answered him before
standing up and shaking out my skirt. "How did you know I was here?" I couldn't help but suspect him. I didn't
have a tracking app on my phone like before, so how did he know where I was? He didn't tell me anything. I
also knew that I wasn't being followed earlier. "Drew texted me, he knew that you're following him," he
answered and showed me his phone. "Keifer didn't seem to be answering, so I was the next one he texted." Oh,
he texted me. Drew caught me, so maybe that's why he suddenly disappeared. I pouted. I felt bad because I
immediately suspected him. "Let's go home before your brother finds out that you went to see Drew," he said
and was about to grab my hand but I immediately moved away from him. "I just want to make sure Drew is
okay." He tried to take my hand again but I moved away completely. He was obviously suddenly consumed by
what I did. You're stressed, right? He sighed before rubbing the side of his forehead. His head immediately
hurt from my mischief. I've been like this before so what's new. He stared at me for a few seconds before
speaking. "Okay, but promise me that we'll leave as soon as you see him," he said and I nodded sparingly. He
looked around before starting to walk. I immediately followed him. He turned to a corner that I also went to
earlier. He came to the gate I stopped where a woman was walking earlier. He slowly entered the open small
gate, he looked right and left before motioning for me to enter. I did so and I saw up close the big house I saw
earlier. That meant Drew lived here. He was really rich before. Their house was like a mansion, the same as
the ones I see in telenovelas where there was a staircase leading up to the big door of the house. The
windows had flywood bars from the inside. Yuri closed the gate. He walked to the side of the house and I
immediately followed. We passed through what looked like a garden wrapped in vines and many dead and
dried plants. There was even a large tree with vines hanging around it that looked like it was about to die. The
grass was also tall but it had been cleared just to make way. After passing the garden, there was a pool but no
water. There was a net blocking it and lots of dry reeds and moss. The area around it was also blocked by
wood and iron that looked like a fence. I looked at a house on the corner. There were lots of clothes hanging in
ront of it and I saw the HVIS uniform. "Does Drew live there?" I asked Yuri and he nodded. We were stunned
when we heard a series of screams from inside the house. I was nervous and Yuri was also nervous. We ran
towards the house together. The door was open so we could see what was happening right away. "Mom! Eat
first!" Drew said angrily while trying to block the blows and scratches of a woman. She looked like Drew's
mother. He also called her Ma. But it could also be Ma-nang, or Ma-buhay, or Ma-kakain, or Ma-der pader. It
would still be more correct to say his Mama. Then it turned out that he wasn't his Mama, I just made it up. His
Mama kept screaming while repeatedly hurting him. Drew hugged the chess board and wouldn't let go.
"Game! Give it back to me!" his Mama said and started crying. Drew faced him and yelled right in his face.
"Eat! I won't give it back to you!" His Mama's crying got louder. I could see Drew's pity and suffering but it
seemed like there was nothing he could do. He was stunned when he saw Yuri and me at the door of their
house. He seemed embarrassed and quickly looked away. This was his life. And this was his Mama's
situation. He stood up and went inside the open bedroom door. His Mama immediately followed him. It only
took a few seconds and she came out again, closing the door. He no longer held the chess board. He looked
at us before straightening himself. He shook out his clothes and combed his hair with his fingers. "W-Do you
need anything?" I couldn't answer. I was still stunned by the scene I had just witnessed. I had an idea about
the situation of the woman in front of him earlier, I just didn't want to ask or bring it up with her. Yuri patted me
to get my attention but I didn't have an answer for him. "W-What. . . " Yuri looked back and forth between me
and Drew. " Jay-Jay wants to know how you are," he said. It was true. I also wanted to know how Drew was, so
I followed him and hopefully I could talk to him properly. I know, I'm being nosy again, but he's my friend and
I'm part of what he's been through, so I have the right to talk to him. I should also hold him accountable for
what he did . . . and for his debt. "Is that why you followed me?" Drew asked and I nodded. He looked at Yuri. "I
texted you to pick him up, not to bring him here." He shook his head. "You know him. He's tough as a rock,"
Yuri replied and I glared at him. "You've seen it, I'm okay. You can go home now." I was about to appeal what
he said when the door that Drew had closed earlier suddenly opened. A woman who looked younger than me
came out and looked at us. She looked like she had just woken up and was still pale. I bet she was sick. About
five cents. "Brother, have you fed Mama yet?" the woman asked him. I bet again, this is her sister. About five
cents. She turned to me when she noticed us and froze before smiling and pointing at us. "You're Jay-Jay, and
you're Yuri." I nodded and smiled sparingly at her. She seemed embarrassed but with a mix of excitement. "I
heard about you from Kuya and then I saw you on Facebook," she explained. Drew immediately approached
her and pushed her back into the room. "Get some rest! You're not feeling well yet!" "Marianne? Right?" Yuri
asked and Drew's sister tried to fight back to get out again. She seemed to have no pain from pushing her
Kuya. Partida, she was younger and smaller than Drew, but her body was strong. She gave a strong push so
that her push against him was released. Drew almost fell but he got up immediately. He was so strong, it
looked like he could throw her. She approached smiling while fixing her hair. "It's me, do you know me?" "We
heard your name from Drew but we haven't even seen you in a picture," Yuri replied. Marianne slowly got up
and glared at her Kuya. "You haven't even introduced me to them once? Not even in a picture !" "Why should I
introduce you? You're so ugly!" Drew replied angrily. A strong kick knocked him down. I was right enough to
throw him. Yuri and I were both surprised and fell back. I didn't know if I should go over to help him, because I
might be the next one to get kicked. I think Drew can handle that. He has trials he has to face alone. "Ouch!
My back!" he said as he slowly got up. "Are you really sick? You're just making excuses not to come in." "If I
wasn't sick, I'd probably break your rib!" In that state, weren't Drew's ribs broken? He was like a doll that had
been thrown around earlier. It was a good thing he hit the wall first before falling to the floor. If it was on their
wooden sofa, he would probably break. Marianne turned to us while smiling. "Sorry for the mess in our house,
come in." Yuri and I looked at each other. We were unsure whether to come in or go home. Drew was okay, she
said. That's all I wanted to know and since I confirmed that he was okay, we should probably go home. Just a
moment. Yuri went in first and I followed. Their house was small but neat and clean. Their kitchen, living room,
and bathroom were not far apart. There were two bedrooms but I saw them only using one bedroom. Yuri and
I sat down on their wooden sofa. Some of the furniture looked old but was still usable. "Have you eaten yet?"
Marianne asked us, grabbing my attention. I wanted to answer that I hadn't, because I followed her sister first.
But it was embarrassing. I just wanted to ask her how she was and talk to her. I didn't plan on eating yet. We
hadn't had time to answer when she turned to her sister. "Brother, cook them." Drew got angry and we
immediately stopped them. "You don't have to. We're not hungry," Yuri said. "It's the same with me. We're just
here to talk to your sister," I added. She didn't want to agree, but I showed her that I was serious about what I
said. Marianne nodded and faced her sister. "I'll just feed Mama, you take care of them first." She didn't wait
or Drew to say anything. She approached their table and looked at what was inside the lid. She took the plate
with the food and also got some water before entering the room and closing the door. We all looked at each
other before turning away. It felt awkward because no one else was talking to us. Yuri tapped me once to get
me to talk but I didn't say anything so we ended up in silence again. Our time would run out just staring at
each other. I knew I should be the first to speak because it was really my idea to come here. But after
witnessing so many things, I suddenly felt embarrassed. Her mother was sick, Marianne's life was in jeopardy
because of the shark loan. Now that she wanted to get back at us, she went back to that same shark loan and
agreed to the plan of Keifer, Kuya Angelo and the others. I wanted to talk about it, but Yuri was here and he
didn't know that I knew about their plan. I think I should send him away first. "Are we just going to stare here?"
Drew asked me. Before I could answer, the door to the room opened again. A woman walked out with a chess
board hugging her. She stumbled, she looked at me curiously before smiling sweetly . "Let's play, let's play,"
she said while pointing at the chess board hugging me. "Mom! You're not done eating yet!" Marianne called to
her. Drew tried to pull her away but she quickly pulled away and ran to my side. I stood up in a moment
because of the shock. I won't deny that I was a little scared because I wasn't sure about her condition . "I just
want to play," she whispered and hid behind me. I looked at Drew and Yuri as if asking for help but even they
didn't know what to do. Marianne was about to come closer to us but their Mama clung to my arm so she
stopped. My nervousness grew even more but I didn't want to push her away like she had a contagious
disease. Am I the worst because I'm afraid of her? "Mom, that's Drew's friend," Marianne said threateningly. I
turned to their Mama and grabbed her hand from my arm. I was about to pull it away but when I felt her cold
hand and looked at her face. Her eyes were sad , as if she was pleading and asking for help, I couldn't help but
see myself in her when she was alone and needed help. She shouldn't be afraid, she needs help too. . . just
like me. "Do you want to play?" I asked and her face lit up. "But you should eat first, because I haven't eaten
yet." "Shall we play?" she asked me while smiling. I smiled too. "Yes, but eat first." I still held his hand on my
arm as I walked him towards Marianne. He tried to lead him away from me but he wouldn't let go. "Let's play,
let's play, let's play," he whispered repeatedly. I guess I was wrong to let him play. He didn't want to let go of
me. I just pointed to the table for Marianne. I took their mom there and she went back to the room to get the
ood she had brought earlier. I sat down and their mom followed me while still holding my arm. "Mom, let go
of Jay-Jay," Drew ordered but his mom wasn't listening to him. One hand was hugging the chess board and
the other was still holding onto my arm. Marianne sat next to him and slowly tried to seduce him. He didn't
want to at first but I reminded him that he should eat first before playing. What I was doing was effective.He
looked like a child who needed to be taught or even disciplined to obey. I think he was the same age or older
than Tita Gema. He was well dressed and looked like he was well taken care of by his children. I just couldn't
understand how a chess champion like himâ€"based on Ci's storyâ€"could end up in this situation? He finished
his food and drank some water. He stood up and led me. Drew and Marianne were worried because they both
didn't know what to do but he just dragged me out of the house. He let go of me and it was like he was looking
or something. Yuri and Drew were following me, also wondering what he was doing. We had just finished
thinking when he pulled two wooden benches. I immediately helped him. Drew took the same bench and a
small table. His mother arranged a chess board on top of the
He sat down after placing it just in front of their door.
His chess board was cheap and folded in two and
looked like a suitcase. Inside were the chess pieces that
he had arranged one by one. I only noticed something about his chess board,
it seemed to be thicker than the ones you could buy at the market but had the same
look and texture.
Maybe his chess board was special. Maybe that's why he always hugged me.
"Game, game," he said as he pulled me closer to him.
It was as if he wanted us to play chess. I winced.
I didn't know anything about that game. He said it was only for smart people, I'm stupid
, right? I was forced to sit on the opposite bench because of
his fidgeting and changing the tone of his voice while repeatedly saying the word
game.
"Do you know how to play that?" Yuri asked and I immediately
shook my head.
"It's only for smart people, help me," Drew said so
I looked at him evilly.
Yuri tried to guide me until
Drew's Mom started to move. I was already distracted by the one called Pawn.
Okay, what's next? Is it checkmate now?
"Do the same, move a pawn," Yuri instructed and I did.
My opponent moved again. I noticed that he was smiling but
his eyes were focused on the game. He seemed to have no disability.
We continued playing, Yuri was the one telling me what to do
but I had only made a few moves, and my chess pieces were already being taken.
I was confused, I didn't know if my opponent was going to finish or if
I should enter the opponent's area and defeat the king. I wasn't informed
that this game was medieval in origin.
I didn't realize that with each move he made, my chess pieces were only a few pieces
. He smiled again and moved the bishop.
"Checkmate," Drew's Mom said and clapped.
I was shocked. How fast! Before my ass was even warmed up on the chair,
checkmate was already in the air.
Accept it, you're hopeless in the sport of the smart ones.
"He was nice to you, you should have been checkmate a while ago
but he's waiting for you to catch up," Yuri said and shook his head.
He helped me stand up. I was surprised when he
took my seat. He helped Drew's mom rearrange the
chess pieces and put them back in their places.
"Are you going to play?"
He nodded. "I want to try,"
I looked at Drew and he just shrugged. He looked at the people
hanging out in front of their house before picking up the basket and approaching it.
I followed to help him.
"Marianne?" I asked even though I knew she was inside and
resting.
I saw her enter their room earlier. I also noticed
her wiping her face but I couldn't tell if
she was crying.
"She's in the room, she doesn't feel good."
I nodded. I took one of the clothes and folded it before
putting it in the basket. We were silent for a moment but I kept looking at
him which he noticed.
He made it hard for me so I slapped the clothes I got on him.
He was surprised and briefly looked at Yuri who was busy playing.
"Oh Jay, I know you're looking at me
," he said and continued what he was doing. "I'm not your type, and I don't want to
get beaten up by Keifer either."
What was that? His thickness was also different. He really is a snake, handsome
in his own right.
"Your thickness too! I just wanted to ask about
your family," I sighed. "But I don't want to interfere.
So I was just going to talk to you about what you did."
He stopped for a moment, a strong wind blew so the
clothes on the clothesline flew along. He looked at the big house.
"I don't want to do that, believe me," he said and slowly
turned to me. "I have 15 million in debt to
pay. Who should I go to?"
I blinked. 15 million? Isn't it just 15 thousand or 15 pesos,
a million really?
I almost yelled at him, but I stopped myself.
I briefly looked at Yuri and Drew's Mom who were busy playing.
They looked serious because his Mom's smile had disappeared. I approached
Drew and calmly asked him.
"Why is it so big? What happened? Where did it all end up?
Did you gamble away that 15 million?" I
asked one after another.
He violently pulled a dress off the clothesline and the
clothespins flew out. He seemed to be holding back his anger. He took a
deep breath before facing me and calmly answered.
"My dad is the one who does that, he's putting us in debt."