CHAPTER 3

After their stint in Bohol where they rescued Alexander’s girlfriend from her sexually crazed uncle, Samuel convinced Marcus to try working as a detective for the agency owned by one of his friends, Ortega. Although Marcus was a good-for-nothing bastard in his younger years, he was a licensed criminologist who topped the board exam back then.

    When he came to live with Samuel in Cebu, Marcus decided to keep himself in shape, to look formidable enough, and to learn self-defense. He was hungry for revenge, and Samuel helped him to train. It wasn’t known by everyone but Samuel has worked with covert operations before.

    “So, what do you think? Will you join Ortega’s team?” Samuel wanted to confirm if Marcus was interested in the job.

    “But how about the farm?” He asked. For years that he has been in Hacienda Velasquez, the farm has become a part of him.

    “Don’t worry about it. Just do it as a sideline,” Samuel added. Being a true detective didn’t mean that Marcus had to report to the agency every day. Ortega would just furnish him with the information he needed for an assignment, and he would be provided with all the necessary tools. That’s it.

    “Be honest with me, Sam. Are you on Ortega’s payroll, too?” The way Samuel convinced him, he suspected that he was also a detective.  

     “As always, you are smart. But don’t tell Jessica about it,” he whispered but he didn’t understand why Marcus tightened his lips and he looked worried. The next thing that Samuel felt was Jessica’s fingers on his earlobe and she dragged him away.

    Marcus laughed at the scene. Samuel acted like he was tough, well, he was tough and brave too. But with Jessica, he was nothing but a punching bag and a drum. He would never become like his friend! “Are you alright?” He asked Samuel when he returned and Marcus couldn’t help himself but stare at his ears that were still red from Jessica’s pinch.

    “I’m fine. So, have you decided to join Ortega’s team of private detectives?” Samuel drew the phone from his pocket and when Marcus nodded, he immediately called Ortega. “He’s in,” he said.

     “That’s it?” Marcus was confused.

     “Yes. Ortega trusted me when it comes to recommending people for the job,” he congratulated Marcus and ordered him to check his email.

     He was more confused than ever but he did what Samuel told him to do and checked his email. There’s a new email from Ortega and it says confidential. “So soon?” He couldn’t believe that Ortega has assigned a case to him and he must move asap. He read the email and chuckled when he found the assignment to be easy. Ortega asked him to tail a person and his VIP was a beautiful woman but he knew that looks could be deceiving. Even salt looked a lot like sugar! Ortega also warned him not to mix business with pleasure.

    “The agency’s shorthanded, and she’s a regular. So, good luck on your first assignment, Marcus." Samuel patted him on his back and bid goodbye. “You can leave anytime, and don’t worry about the farm.” He added.

    As soon as Samuel was gone, Marcus started to pack his things needed for the job. The money was already transferred to his bank and he would just liquidate it after the job was completed. Samuel allowed him to use one of his cars and immediately, Marcus went on his way to Oslob to start doing his job.

    It took him three hours to reach the town. With his skills, he found it easy to locate the woman’s location. The locals were very helpful while thinking that he was a friend. It was stated in the contract that he must not make himself visible to the woman and must observe from a distance. Well, he could do that just fine.

     The house where the woman lived was along the highway and close to the church, so no one would suspect if he would park his car on the street. He didn’t expect his first assignment to be too easy. With a vernacular in hand, he observed from a distance and waited if Daniella would come out.

     It was already dark when he noticed some movement on their front lawn. Judging from her confident strides, Marcus concluded that the woman was not a dimwit, and he wondered who asked Ortega to tail her. For a week, he watched over her, but there was nothing unusual, and the woman rarely came out.

     It was around four o’clock in the morning when he saw her with a piece of luggage in tow. Then he heard her car’s engine and sooner, a red seltos came out. Then someone closed the gate afterward. He waited for a minute before he decided to follow the red seltos. He noticed that she was driving fast like she was in a hurry! Where are you going, Dani?

    Dani? Marcus scolded himself for giving her a nickname. He reasoned out that her name was too long to pronounce and Dani fitted her. Marcus just followed the red seltos carefully. He was positive that it would be hard for Dani to notice him because he paid extra attention to their distance. He didn’t want to alarm the woman and blew up his first assignment because honestly, he was thrilled at doing it.

    Mactan Cebu International Airport? Why would she go to the airport at this hour? Marcus parked his car beside the red seltos and only came out when she was about a hundred feet away. With his backpack, he also looked like a passenger who was in a hurry to catch a flight.

    Dani went to the international departure area and he followed. Was she going to leave the country? When Samuel insisted that he should bring his passport, extra cash, and credit cards, did he know that something like this could happen? He tailed her discreetly and waited to know her airline ticket. When the woman lined up at the counter for Cathay Pacific, he sent Ortega a message to check Daniella’s destination and to book him a ticket. In less than five minutes, Marcus learned that Daniella was headed to HK and she booked a one-way ticket. Then, he started to move as soon as he received his e-ticket for Hong Kong.