BELLA’S POV
* Kring, kring *
I woke up because of the sound of my phone. I was still half asleep when I started to search for my phone. When I had already touched where it was, I grabbed it and put it directly on my face. I immediately stood up, frustrated, when my phone fell right on my nose. Argh, it really hurts. It felt like it shook my whole body.
“ Hello, “ I answered with irritation while massaging my nose.
“ Amabella Soriano, do you know what time is it already? “ Riri asked angrily.
Well, even if I did not check who the caller was, I am too familiar with her voice to mistake her for someone else. Because of her question, I looked at the clock on my side table, which shocked me because it was already nine in the morning.
“ Wah, Riri! Why you just called right now? “ I teary-eyed asked her.
“ Wow, Bella! Could you not see how many missed calls I made already, “ she said. I am sure that if the two of us were talking face to face, she would be making cute facial reactions right now.
“ Is Senior Detective already there? Wah, I did not pass the report yet, “ I said, still with teary eyes.
“ Do not worry too much. Ced already passed your report, “ Riri said, which made me frown.
“ What? What do you mean? How could he pass it if it is still on my care? “ I asked in wonder.
“ Well, fortunately for you, you grabbed the wrong folder and left the right one on your table. “ Riri explained that, making me frown even more. How could that possibly happen?
I immediately reached for my backpack to check if I had really brought the wrong folder last night. I felt like heaven and earth fell in my back when I confirmed that I had really got the wrong folder. How careless you are, Bella?
“ Could you say my gratitude to Ced? I also think that I should end up this call and start fixing myself for work. Let us just see each other in the department later, “ I explained to Riri. I am already late, but I need to fix myself up before going to the office.
“ Sure, sure. See you later. “ Riri said and ended the call afterwards.
I immediately arranged my things and went straight to the bathroom to take a bath. Almost fifteen minutes had passed when I finished taking a bath and fixing myself. I just grabbed my backpack, which was on my bed and immediately went downstairs. As I expected, Ryle had already left the house, I did not catch up with him last night, and I also did not see him off today. I was on my way out of the house when I noticed that there was a paper bag hanging on the shoe storage.
‘ For my beautiful sister, do not be get too tired doing your job. Be careful always. I love you. ‘ – Ryle.
I automatically smiled after reading the note written by Ryle that was attached to the paper bag. I checked out what was inside the paper bag out of curiosity, and I smiled more when I saw that it was food packed. Ryle is so sweet and thoughtful. After I had made sure that I locked my house, I hopped in my car and drove my way towards the headquarters.
CHRISTOPHER’S POV
I am currently blankly staring behind the headquarters’ jail bar. Bryle mentioned that I was still lucky because I was locked up here and not in the city jail. Aish, I still could believe that this was happening to me. I admit that I am indeed a troublemaker, but I could never do an inhuman act like killing someone.
I stopped overthinking when the jail’s automatic door opened, and two police officers, together with Bryle, entered. My mind became more confused when one of the police officers opened my cell and immediately removed my handcuffs. Afterwards, the two police officers left without any words.
“ How are you? “ Bryle asked while giving me a cap.
“ What is going on? “ I asked in confusion after receiving the cap he gave me.
“ Well, the detectives currently looking into a new angle of this case. It means that you can bail temporarily. However, you are still the primary suspect of this case, so be careful not to make another trouble while you are outside or else you would not sleeping here and immediately transfer to the city jail, “ Bryle advised while smirking. He really has time to mess up with me. I just get rid of the fact that he is teasing me.
“ Thanks, Bryle. I am sorry about this one. Instead that your focus is on your wedding, here you are focusing on this case, “ I sincerely thanked him. He is really a true friend.
“ What are you talking about? It is a unwritten rules of friendship. Bros comes first before bride, “ He jokingly answered, so I punched his shoulder weakly.
“ You are crazy. She might break up with you if she heard you say that. “ I commented, which made him laugh even more.
“ She fully understands what my job is, “ He answered. I immediately shifted to being serious after hearing those words.
“ Oh, what happened to you? “ He asked in wonder.
“ I just really want to thank you for doing everything you can to free me from here. I really appreciate it, Bryle, “ I sincerely told him and patted his shoulder.
“ Stop thanking me for the things I did not do. I have heard that the head detective of the team solving this case personally searched truly this case. She is amazing, “ Bryle amazingly remarked. Wait, did he say she?
“ You mean the head detective is a woman? “ I confusedly asked him to confirm if what I heard was correct.
“ Yes, her name is Detective Amabella Soriano. I have heard that all the cases their team had was all resolve because of her, “ Bryle explained, still in amusement.
“ Ohh, “ I simply said after hearing his revelation.
“ What did that expression mean, bro. Were you not grateful to her for helping you out of this jail? “ Bryle asked, unbelievably shaking his head after hearing my reaction.
“ Why would I? That was her job. Of course, she must do it, “ I replied, which made him shake his head even more.
“ Too arrogant, Toph, “ He said while chuckling.
“ Aish, let us go already. I want to sleep in my condo, “ I said and started walking away from that place.
Now that I am free, I will make sure to search whosoever frames me on this case, and I will make sure that he will experience ten times hell after he messed up with Christopher Ramirez.
BELLA’S POV
It was beyond ten in the morning when I arrived at the headquarters entrance. I could not help but massage my temple when I saw that I could not correctly park my car. Since many reporters were obstructing the headquarters entrance. I became more stressed when some of the reporters noticed me and aggressively went towards me.
“ Detective Soriano, according to our source, Christopher Ramirez is expected to be free from jail today. However, we remember you saying that the investigation of this case could not be affected by money or power. “ The reporter maliciously asked, which made my face turn serious. I did not like how she asked me that question. It seemed like she was accusing me of something.
“ I have nothing to say about the information you want since my team’s meeting with the national police is today. But, if I were you, you should be careful with those words, “ I answered to the reporter who maliciously asked me and then passed her through.
Some reporters are whispering to each other because of what I answered. I did not bother to worry about what they probably thinking about me. As for me, I know that I am doing my job right and just. The reporters tried again to come after me. Still, the junior officers stopped them so that I could peacefully enter the headquarters.
Before my day would totally ruin, I just went straight to the office. When I entered, I noticed that they were already almost complete.
“ Salute, “ I hear one of my co-detectives greet me, so everyone in the room follows afterwards.
“ Salute, “ I greeted them with a smile and then put down my hand.
“ Detective Bella, we are instructed to ask you to come over Senior Detective’s office when you arrive. “ One of my co-detective informed me after I sat down at my work table.
“ All right, thank you! By the way, do you know where Detective Riri and Ced are? “ I asked in curiosity when I noticed that they were not there.
“ Senior detective ordered them to pick up the national police officers and escort Mr. Ramirez exit here in the headquarters so there would be no commotion later.“ My co-detective explained in detail, which made me nod in response.
“ Thank you. You may go back to work, “ I said while smiling. She just bowed at me and went back to her place.
I just fixed myself and made sure that I looked presentable before going to Senior Detective’s office. I knocked on the door three times before entering the office.
“ Detective Soriano, you are here. Take your seat, “ Senior Detective said, smiling after noticing me.
“ Thank you, Sir. Also, I am sorry for arriving this late, “ I humbly said after I sat down in his receiving chair.
“ Do not think about that too much. I completely understand why you arrived late. I know you worked really hard last night, and you once again proved that you are the best detective in our department. I made the right decision choosing you to be our team leader. “ Senior detective complimented me. I simply put a smile in response. I am not really used to receiving compliments because I am just doing my job.
“ Thank you for giving me your full trust, Senior Detective, “ I said in gratitude.
“ Let us be serious, now. I know that you have a clue why I called you here today, “ Senior Detective’s aura changed into serious mode.
“ Yes, Sir. We need to proceed to phase 2 of the investigation to check the other angle of this case, “ I answered straightforwardly.
“ Great! I want you to focus on this case, but without personal interest, “ Senior Detective remarked meaningfully.
“ I always keep that on my mind, Sir. “ I replied firmly to assure him that I would not do what he was thinking. I would set aside my personal interest and avoid a conflict of interest in this case.
“ Good, only the both of us knew about that tattoo. If I saw you putting another agenda in this case, I would pull you out immediately. “ Senior Detective warned me sternly, which meant he was dead serious about it.
“ Yes, Sir. “ I actively answered.
“ All right, you may now talk to your team, “ Senior Detective instructed.
I immediately stood up and saluted him before I went out of his office. I will make sure that I solve this mystery together with that tattoo.
TO BE CONTINUED!