13 Tricks and Bluffs (1/2)

I let the call go on again and we talk.

”Thank you for holding,” I say kindly. ”I had to talk to someone. What were you saying, miss?”

”I say this to you right now, end your investigation,” she says. ”I promise, you will be rewarded greatly. Miss Aguinaldo, what is it that you truly want?”

”Excuse me?” I say incredulously.

Whoever this woman is, I need to know. I have to know. She managed to orchestrate the murder of an innocent man. Who knows? Anyone can be a victim. Those she bribed and threatened them into submission never spoke a word against her again. Not only she bribed the journalists, but she also bribed the elite, the police, and others of some sort. Maybe she did not bribe them. Maybe she is truly that influential amongst the people. Whoever this woman is, she is certainly a force to be reckoned with.

I look at Mateo and I see him a few meters away from me as he calls someone who can trace the ongoing call. An ongoing call is much easier to trace than an ended call. I need to keep this conversation going. I already know that I shan't be convinced to search for the truth. In these times that the truth is the lie and a lie is a truth, we need to make reality show when nobody else would. The truth is the most powerful weapon we have.

”What is it that you want?” she says crossly. ”Tell me. You can ask everything from me. All you have to do is say end your investigations and let everything go scot-free.”

”I cannot be bought by a bribe,” I say flatly.

”Oh, please,” she says carelessly. ”Everyone can be bought. It worked for everyone else. Why not you? Do you need money? Influence? Power? You know, I can make you into a successful journalist to the point that you will become a news anchor.”

Her words seem gibberish to me. It was as if I no longer care about getting on top of the world. That was my goal since the days that I had to work my butt off to raise my standard of living. At the back of my mind then, I wanted to be like the elite like Eloisa and Emma. That is why I somewhat bear prejudice against them and I speak bitterly about their easy lives. Things have changed as it seems. I became a journalist. Yes, I have my degree, but the truth and the lie mattered not to me. I want to do something that I enjoy (that is investigating) while rising up in the world. Now, from ambition, I do my job out of passion and I shall not be convinced with her words. No matter what she says, I am deaf to her words.

”A true journalist would search for the truth,” I say levelly. ”I cannot be bought, Madame. I have my values straight. I am not someone you can bribe like the people you bribed and intimidated with your mafia.”

Mateo is taking a long time. Our call cannot keep going with continuous ”no's” for an answer. Soon, this call will end with a threat to our lives and I expect that. She is running out of patience. Come on! What is taking so long?

”Miss Aguinaldo, I know what you want,” she says cunningly. ”Your dear friend, Emma, is dying in a hospital. Perhaps you would like to give her an easy death and find the man in a snap.”

I am aghast. Suddenly, several thoughts flooded my mind. I am lost for words.

”How. . . how do you know?” I stammer.

Four things I love in the world: my job, my family, my God, and my friends. Yes, I am ambitious and greedy for money since I grew up in poverty. Yes, I left my family for I want to live a fine life while I support them. Yes, my God condemns me for being avaricious in my ambition. Still, my friends are here and we supported each other. I was there when Eloisa just lost her priestly nature and became a drug addict. I was there when Emma went through all several marriage arrangements that we sought to break since she claims, ”she deserves much better”. They were there when I had nothing and they gave me what I needed every time. They gave much more than what I need. I deserve to pay the kind-heart back. A chance to see her beloved would be the final gift and final favor I can show her.

Still, I do not lay my time on finding him, but my sleep is troubled with the thought of a man that Emma loved despite being ordinary like me. I want her to die in peace that is why I want to find the man for her. Still, I cannot do anything. I am tempted by her suggestion. I try to feel in my mouth if saying 'yes' would be the best option. I shake my head at the thought. I know that it is nothing more but a means to let go of my newly found principles.

”It does not matter,” she says. ”You know, I can give you more than that since that information is too easy to give. You are a self-made woman, I get that, so here's my advice to you. Stay away and burn the evidence you have.”

It was as if a winter breeze blew and I feel the strength to make a fire. I make my stand against her and I am suddenly strong to say no.

”No,” I say flatly. ”Bribe whoever you want. Threaten those who would not, but I say this to you. I will not be threatened or bribed. I am a true journalist in heart and in soul. The truth is my life.”

”Poor shame,” she says crossly. ”You play the saint-like your friend. Does holiness run in the family? You are strong. It seems you inherited your father's attitude on standing by his morals.”

My father? How does she know my father? My father has been long dead. He died five years ago. I had to carry the burden of supporting my family when my sisters had to depend on me and my mother to support them.

”Speak not about it,” I say coldly. ”My father is long dead.”