UNRIVALED!

• CHAPTER 41 "Paintings"

Sa isang high building, sa loob ng 13th floor, sa opisinang may tinted window glass.

"Confirm?" tanong ng binatang naka-upo sa swivel chair. Naka'patong ang dalawang paa nito sa ibabaw ng kaniyang lamesa. Nasa tainga niya ang earpiece kung saan kina-kausap ang isa pang binata sa kabilang linya.

Tiningnan niya ang isang file na naka-patong sa kaniyang lamesa. Nandoon ang dokumento at impormasyon tungkol sa isang babae na hinahanap nila. Binuklat niya ang folder, nilipat ang pahina ngunit wala nang impormasyon na kadugtong.

"Hm.. Results are getting smoothly.. Days are counted and everything will finally lead to ruin.. You did a good job plotting the investigations.."

"I always knew I was better at directing investigations.." tumawa ang binata at tumingin sa glass window. Makikita ang magandang view ng City lights mula sa matataas na gusali. Ang liwanag na nagmumula sa buwan ang nag-bi'bigay ng ilaw sa kaniyang opisina. Mas gusto niya ang ganitong senaryo dahil mas nakaka-relax ang mood.

"Yeah, but don't be so sure.. That old hag had a canny way of navigating our plans.."

"Eh? Haven't you killed him already?"

"Be patient, my friend.. I was thinking the same idea.. But then, our scheme would slip so easily.. We might need him for future advantages.."

"Okay.. Your choice.."

"Hey, any update for the final investigation?"

"Hm.. Well.." nilaro-laro ng binata ang fountain pen sa kaniyang daliri. "There were no specimens in the area.. But.."

"But what?"

"I've manage to capture every single shots from the CCTV footage.. They deleted the original source file.. But those fool never knew I was a cunning cat.." sagot ng binata, ngumisi ito at tumingin sa kaniyang desktop. "I let my men conduct the investigation.. They came across this name.."

"Hm?"

"Ceref Havenburst.."

"Mm.. Havenburst.." saglit na nag isip ang lalaki sa kabilang linya. "The name rings a bell.."

"..."

"Ahh.. Must be Zaphrael's grandson.. Havenburst.."

"You know this guy?"

"Yeah, yeah.. The young lion.. Ceref.."

"And what is your relationship with this vampire?"

"That's a long story for now.. Might want to talk about this some time.. Oh, by the way, how is your sister?"

"She's going to study abroad.. Dad decided to sent her far away from that man's reach.. You know.. She fell inlove with this low profile guy who used to drive her back home.. Dirty blood is a taboo rule.. Such a pity for both of them.."

"Disgusting.. Tell her to pay a visit here in the castle.. I'll introduce her to high-ranked Guardians.."

Muling natawa ang binata. "She'll decline without blinking an eye.. She's a stubborn little brat just like my dad.. Don't worry, I've done my part as his brother.."

"Just as I expected.." sandaling hindi nag-salita ang kaniyang kausap. "Do you know why some people desire to be stronger and some are not?"

"Tell me.."

"The more you desire something, the more you are willing to get it.. Because anything worth having is definitely worth fighting.. And anything worth fighting is definiyely worth dying.. So in the end.. We don't need a brave man, just a stronger one.."