"THE CUP THAT STARTED A WAR"
San Roque, Batangas – (10:23 AM)
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The smell of brewed barako coffee, baked cheese rolls, and fish drying in the distance wrapped around the town of San Roque like a warm, familiar hug.
Café Ligaya, a cozy shop with mint-colored walls and capiz shell windows, sat right at the edge of the palengke and the jeepney terminal — perfect for both chismis and caffeine.
And on a faded blue crate just outside the café, sat a man who looked like he hadn’t slept in years.
Ravi delos Reyes.
To the world, he was just another tambay with messy hair, slippers, and a backpack that probably smelled like sardinas.
To the agency, he was Agent 7R, elite surveillance, highly trained in infiltration, and currently blending in by pretending to care about a cheese roll.
His target?
She came out the café door holding a tray and looking like she had better things to do than deal with weird men loitering on the sidewalk.
Asha Rivera.
The kind of woman who could ruin your life and not even break a sweat. Black apron. Witty glare. Headphones in one ear. Hair in a bun that screamed “productive, pero galit.”
She dropped a semi-hard pan de coco on a napkin next to Ravi without even looking at him.
“Kuya, that’s yesterday’s. Don’t sue.”
Ravi blinked up at her. “Are you an angel? Or just someone who feeds stray humans out of guilt?”
Asha rolled her eyes. “Neither. You’re just bad for business. People don’t like sipping caramel macchiato beside a walking disaster.”
“Then I shall position myself three steps to the left. For your reputation, of course.”
She gave him a deadpan stare. “You always this weird?”
“Only to women who offer me free bread.”
She smirked — just a little — then walked back inside.
Ravi watched her go. His fake beard itched. His real interest didn’t.
---
> “Agent 7R, what’s your status?”
The voice in his comms buzzed low. Uncle Pido. Always cranky, always listening.
> “Still on her. Café's routine. Nothing suspicious yet,” Ravi whispered, pretending to yawn.
> “Don't get too comfy. Tip says Kalbo’s people are moving soon — maybe even using the café for drop-offs.”
> “Copy. I’ll stay close.”
> “And stay detached, ha? I know that tone. Don’t fall for the girl.”
Ravi didn’t reply. He just stared into the café window, where Asha was laughing with her coworker, wiping down a table like she didn’t know the world was watching her.
He knew what he was supposed to do.
But he also knew what was coming —
someone in this town would slip soon.
And when they did, Asha might be right in the middle of it.
---
What Ravi didn’t know?
The man watching her from the shadows across the plaza wasn’t from the agency.
And he wasn’t alone.
Game on.
---TO BE CONTINUED---
(THANKS FOR READING)
P
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