I
A day after Cresilda’s visit at the Police Station, Police Senior Inspector Dante Albas called Cresilda through her mobile phone. The plan has been discussed and agreed upon.
When Rodelio arrived in the evening, Cresilda talked to him seriously. “Rodelio, you need to give me some space, I am too hurt right now with your infidelity. For several times, I forgave you, but this time, it seems too much already. I cannot take it as of this moment.”
“What do you want Cresilda?” there is no remorse in Rodelio’s tone.
“Rodelio, please leave this house in the meantime. Let us give ourselves some space to think clearly. I am giving you in the meantime your freedom. You can do whatever you want. I wanted to be at peace for a certain time, without you.” Cresilda looked at Rodelio with tears almost falling in her eyes but she controlled herself from crying.
Rodelio stood up, entered their room and packed his things.
“Rodelio, as a father, you still have responsibilities with Manuel, I hope you will not forget that.” Cresilda reminded her husband when he was about to open their house’s main door.
Rodelio suddenly looked at her and then nodded emotionless. “You will receive the same amount every month.” He said before finally getting out of their house.
Cresilda carefully locked all their doors and went upstairs. She just felt so exhausted. She did not know where she went wrong with her relationship with her husband. Most probably because, all throughout their relationships even when they were not yet married, she let him felt that she can just forgive and forget whatever pains he will cause her.
She made a deep breath. All throughout her life, he only gave her love, life and her body to Rodelio; there was no one else. Her life revolved with him. She almost forgot herself. She became a doormat.
She has to regain herself, so that after her assignment is finished and Rodelio returned, it will be a different story for them. She let herself cries this time. It is her way of easing her pains and frustrations.
Cresilda finished her criminology course but Rodelio did not allow her to practice her profession. When she volunteered with her Uncle Ted to become a secret agent, Rodelio did not know that move that she made. It was her way of lifting back her self confidence. It has been a year already when she started as one of the NBI’s secret agents.
II
Cresilda met the man that would be her partner in this special mission.
“William here will pose as your lover Ms. Santanina.” Police Senior Inspector Dante Albas with a smile now introduced the man to Cresilda.
Police Secret Agent William Reynoso is of the same age with her. They are both twenty-six years old. He is actually a third year law student now, whose part-time job is being a Police Secret Agent. Looking at him Cresilda smiled. The man is quite handsome, tall and with not too muscular body. His tanned skin made his appearance more appealing and manly.
“Did I pass to be your lover Ma’am?” William teasingly asked Cresilda.
Cresilda laughed and just shook her shoulders as a response.
“You have to get along well. If people will see you, you should really look like lovers, especially when you are checking in at that secluded, old and cheap hotel.” The Senior Inspector said then dismissed them.
The next step that Cresilda did was to visit the Hotel where her husband works. She made sure that it was Rodelio’s day-off.
She handed a letter to the Hotel HR Manager and upon reading it, the Hotel HR Manager nodded. “We will do Ma’am. Don’t worry everything will be confidential.”
Cresilda smiled at the Hotel Manager. “Thank you so much Sir for your cooperation.”
Thereafter, she went directly to her parents’ home to check on her son. Temporarily, her son stayed with her parents. She does not want her son’s life to be at risked too. She decided to stay with her son’s side until morning. She left her parents’ home and went to their house the next morning to change her clothes.
Today is the first day of her mission. She will be going to the Police Station to meet William there and have some briefings with Senior Police Inspector Dante Albas.
“So you two, are you ready?” Senior Police Inspector Dante Albas asked Cresilda and William while smiling.
Both of them nodded and simultaneously said. “Yes Sir.”
III
They took a taxi. Their destination is the secluded, old and cheap hotel, where Rodelio and Julia previously checked-in to do their dirty deeds.
Holding hands, Cresilda and William entered the old creepy hotel. The male receptionist recognized Cresilda, who sarcastically greeted them. “Good evening lovers in the moon!” he said.
Cresilda felt William tightened his hold in her hand. He looked at the receptionist and smiled. “Short time, please book us,” he said then put his arm around her shoulders.
The male receptionist sharply looked at Cresilda. “Taking a revenge Ma’am?”
Cresilda pretended not to hear the receptionist’s question, put her arms around William’s waist then sweetly said. “Let’s go honey”.
They were booked by the receptionist in a room at the second floor.
Cresilda could feel her hairs all over her body rose by merely walking at the hallway of the second floor. The place is almost dark as only few lights have been turned-on. One of the lights further is like a Christmas light as it turns on and off.
“This place is too creepy,” she whispered to William who nodded back in reply.
As they were nearby their assigned room, a bellboy walks fast, passing them. He entered the last room at the end of the second floor, which is beside the room that they will be occupying.
As Cresilda and William entered their booked room, they looked at each other and somehow felt awkward with the situation.
William gazed at Cresilda. He could not deny the attraction he is feeling with this brave woman at the onset. Cresilda is tall compared to an ordinary Filipina. She is around five feet and five inches in height, with fair complexion and a face adorned with pretty eyes and red lips to die for. In his mind, William is cursing her husband for cheating on her. She seemed to be a good woman. Cheating her would be far from his mind, if it happened that she is his wife.
Outside their room's door, the bell boy suddenly stopped and with fierce eyes looked at it for a couple of seconds before walking away with a hurried pace.