Reigning Battle Beyond Greed

Chapter 42

"What's wrong?" Tanong ko nang makalipas ang ilang sandali ay tahimik pa rin ang mga kaibigan ko na nadatnang nakaupo sa silid ni Dee na nagsilbing sanctuary namin. It's a room with pillows all over. Literal na may iba't-ibang pillows na tumatakip sa pader maging sa sahig na nalalatagan ng makapal na carpet.

I saw Ladyma na- as usual tulog. Di na ako nagtaka. At mas gugustuhin kong sa tuwing kasama namin siya, she's at this state. That way I won't need to look away everytime our eyes meet and think about those secrets. Ipinagpapasalamat ko din na simula noong maospital siya, wala na siyang maramdaman at hindi na gumagana ang mind reading ability niya.

Call it selfish. But I'm doing what I think is the best hit for everybody. Anyway, the end will justify the means.

"Someone's out there. Trying to mess up with my investigation." Frustrated na reklamo ni Dionne. Being trained by his Uncle Jess, the one who leads their family owned Security Agency to the top, I'm sure she's going nuts. Lalo pa at nakapangako siya sa agreement nila ni Ladyma na kahit anong nangyari, she'll put ending to the case. Kaso wala pa ring development ang kaso. Wether it's the dead Joya because of sickness or a tragic death from a hit and run crime. Either which, hindi niya alam kung alin doon ang paniniwalaan dahil parehong maraming flaws ang dalawa.

It's a good thing that the people who are involved, possibly to become witnesses, are silenced by money. Look at how money runs the world. Who wouldn't want it?

"Kahit alin diyan, the fact remains that Joya is dead." Simpleng saad ko. Shaza and Cleofe agreed.

"Ang sakit sa ulo nitong sitwasyon ni Ladyma. Nakaya mo?" Tanong ni Ivana.

"Wala kang tiwala sa akin, bes?" Nagdaramdam na tanong ni Dionne.

"Sa assistant mo meron." She's referring to Asher.

"Ikaw nga kahit di katiwa-tiwala pagmumukha mo, I chose to trust." Ganti ni Dionne.

Ngumiti si Ivana na parang na-touch. "Sabagay, nong iniwan ka nga kinaya mo? Ito pa kaya? Sus! Peanut." Maarteng bawi ni Ivana.

"Oo, at kaya ko ding wakasan yang lovelife mo. Pwede kong ipagpray yan."

"To naman! Walang personalan gid. Getting stronger na kaya kami." Nagbiruan pa sila- kasi Hindi ako kasama- ng ilang sandali bago napadpad ang usapan tungko kay Ladyma.

"Ladyma is already accepting those facts. At least nakakarecover na siya at hindi na gaanong sinisisi ang sarili." Saad din ni Dionne.

Well, life must go on. At least she knows that part.
"I guess she will understand if the case will remain unsolved. For now. Don't stress yourself too much. You have your goal this month, right?" Nabanggit niya sa akin na this month ia-announce kung sino ang papalit bilang CEO ng security agency nila.
And she was aiming for that.

"Oo nga. Are you ready sa selection process?" Curious namang tanong ni Ivana. Since, she has siblings they were given the opportunity to exert efforts and show their leadership. Doon pipiliin ang susunod na magmamana ng kompanya. Her Uncle Jess wants to leave the company in a good leadership at hindi basta-bastang ipinamana sa unang apo.

"I was born ready." Nakataas-kilay na sagot ni Dionne. She even crosses her arms just to make a point.

Pumalakpak naman ang best friend nitong si Ivana. Napaka-supportive talaga nila sa isa't-isa kahit madalas na nagbabaraan. "Yan si Dionne. Bayan muna bago sarili. Hindi man pinili, aaw-araw pinipili si Sef. Let Freya lead!"

"Baka may palugaw ka diyan at papandesal na kulay pink?" Natatawang pakikisali ni Shaza sa pang-aasar.

Napailing ako. Talo na naman sa asaran si Dionne. "Tell me if you need a back up. I can help." I said. Gusto kong tumulong kahit papaano.