“Wanna join me tonight?”

Tom is standing right by the door of Leila’s classroom as the two are having a small talk while the students are doing some class activities.

“Sure! Where are we goi’n?”

“Hmmm… Let’s check out the newest dining place in town. I’ve heard that they’ve got some good food there. Then we’ll go somewhere else after.”

Leila and Tom have been going out on dates ever since that day in the cafeteria. To say the least they’re having what is called nowadays as a clandestine affair since it is prohibited for teachers belonging to the same school to have such a relationship. For Tom this is serious while for Leila this is just part of a big web of plans regarding her investigation.

“This is such a nice place, Tom.”

“I agree. I never expected it to look this great. Come let’s order some food, I’m famished. I haven’t eaten for hours.”

Tom gestured the waiter to come over so he can get their orders.

“I want some steak, medium rare and two glasses of champagne, how about you dear?”

“Just add some vegetable salad Tom and we’re good to go.”

The waiter slowly walked away from the two so they can have a quiet conversation between the two of them.

“We have been dating for so long now and yet I haven’t known you that much, Tom.”

“Well, I am a very secretive person. I don’t usually tell about myself, especially in public places such as this, but I will make an exception.”

“I was born to a poor family here in this town. My father is a migrant from Europe and my mom is an American. They both met when my dad landed a job as one of their farm laborers. To cut the story short they fell in love with each other and here am I.”

“I have told you about myself, how about you Leila?”

“My dad is a novelist. He lives a very quiet life. My mom on the other hand is a singer. They both met when my dad happened to unwind in one of the bars where my mom was singing that night. They fell in love and decided to live together.”

“Then why did you decide to become a coach, Tom?”

“Ooohhh that? It’s not a matter of choice but a necessity Leila. Our school needed one and I happened to be the only one in the faculty who has an experience in playing game. I was a varsity baller when I was in the elementary.”

“Beep… beep… beep.”

Tom’s phone suddenly rang in the middle of their conversation.

“Excuse me Leila, I need to take this. It’s important.”

Leila smiled. Tom stood up and casually walks towards the door so he can take the call outside.

This made Leila suspicious. They have been dating for so long now and she noticed that Tom has been taking some calls secretly. Who are these people that he needs to hide their conversation from her?

Tom returned from taking the call. Soon their orders arrived and they started eating them.

“This food is delicious!”

“Yes, I agree.”

He tried to veer away from Leila asking something about the phone call he just took by focusing her attention on the food they’re partaking at the moment.

Leila remained quiet about the incident, but her eyes and ears were observing his every move.

“I’m afraid we have to go Leila. I have some business to attend to. I hate to cut our date short but I really need to go to this meeting.”

“Oh sure, no problem, Tom, I understand.”

After their date, Tom dropped off Leila by her dormitory, then drove to his so called meeting. Unknown to him Leila followed him secretly while riding in her car.

Tom parked his car in front of a mansion with a large gate. By the looks of things the owner could be the person Leila has been searching for in her investigation.

Two armed men emerged from the gate and signalled him to drive in. Leila parked her car from a distance among the shadows of some huge trees. When she has determined that Tom is already inside the mansion, she alighted from her car and sprinted to the west side of the wall barricading the structure. Climbing the tree near it, she is able to enter the place unnoticed.

Inside the wide garden, Leila scrambled to find where Tom was. After minutes of scanning the area, she is able to locate him. He is in the office of his so called associate having a conversation among the shadows.

Leila climbed up the room using the sturdy vines that are enveloping the veranda. Using a listening device she is able to hear clearly what the two are talking about.

“A shipment is coming over this Saturday. I need you to supervise its delivery to your school.”

“Sure Mr. Alvarez. You can count on me.” Tom assured his associate.

“Well then. All is set for our business.”

He poured some wine with two glasses and handed Tom one of them. They had a toast to the success of their transaction.

Leila carefully exited the veranda and glided down to the garden. She thought she was out of harm’s way when…

“Hey! Who are you?”

The gunman fired his submachine gun at her. Leila fired back at him as she sprinted towards the wall where she entered.

“Mr. Alvarez, there’s an intruder inside the mansion.”

“What are you waiting for? Go after her!”

Lights inside the mansion started to pop open. But it is too late; Leila has escaped her predicament and is now in her car driving away from the place. She is safe for now.

“Boss, she has escaped.”

“Go to the CCTV monitors. Find out who she is!” shouted the boss.

The gunmen gazed at the monitors. After several clicks on the panning button they are able to locate the footage they’re searching for. They saw Leila’s car and were able to jot down her plate number.

“There boss. That is the lady who tried to listen to your conversation.”

“Tom, come here and take a look at this,” the boss waved at him

He came near to see if it’s indeed Leila they are looking at. He is right. It is Leila. That is her car and he can’t be mistaken.

“So do you know this lady Tom?”

Tom stood still for a while.

“Yes, I know her. She is a teacher in our school.”

“So what are you gonna do about her?”

“Let me handle that boss,” he assured Mr. Alvarez

“Weew… weew… weew!”

An ambulance rushes into the scene of the accident. According to reports, a delivery truck hit the car of a teacher from Twin Valley Middle School named Leila Rivera. There is total wreckage all over the scene. The victim was transported to the nearest hospital. Leila is in a comma.

Tom thought Leila is dead. The agents from her agency hid her from plain sight while she is in a comma.

“Doctor… doctor, the patient has gained consciousness.”

She gradually opened her eyes squinting in the process. Her retina needs to adjust.

“Where is she?” her mind lingered as she slowly soaked in her current situation.

“Miss Rivera, can you count how many fingers am I showing you?”

“Three, doctor.”

The doctor examined her thoroughly. Then he gave the go signal for the nurse to allow Leila’s fellow agents to enter the room.

“How are you Leila?” one of her buddies inquired

“I… I am alright. Just a bit weak, how long have I been asleep?” she asked while adjusting her position on the hospital bed.

“It’s been three months Leila. A lot of things had occurred since you went into a coma,” added another of his co-agents.

It took several days for Leila to recuperate.

“Guys, hurry up! My daughter will be home soon,” shouted her mom

Everyone in the Rivera household is busy preparing for her welcome home party. All her relatives are there. They all desire to see her after a very long time that she’s been gone. They are all glad that after that fateful night when she met the accident, she is still alive.