Campus Hunter (Hunter Series #1)

Chapter 2: Adler's Deal

Naramdaman ko ang mainit na haplos sa nakakuyom kong kamay. "No matter what happens, you can lean on me. Wala man akong magagawa at least pwede mo akong maging sumbungan."

Uminit ang puso ko sa sinabi ni Brandon. Tipid akong ngumiti sa kanya at tumango. Paano na lang kaya kung wala siya sa tabi ko? 

Xyrus, Mario and Luigi seem to be like my older brothers but Brandon is different. He always makes time for me. Pinaninindigan niya talaga na tatayo siyang kuya.

I wasn't surprised when Manang Cha immediately sent me to dad's office. Hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin niya pero kinakabahan ako. Hindi dahil sa takot ako, alam kong may binabalak na naman siya. Alam kong may kaugnayan ito kay Uncle James.

Dad was busy reading the documents when I arrived. I sat across from his desk in the vacant seat.

"Did Brandon help you pack your things in the dorm?" Unang tanong pa lang ay gusto nang sumabog! What does he mean? Pinapaalis na niya ako sa dormitory?

I took a deep breath and remained silent. Sisikapin kong gawin ang sinabi ni Brandon na kumalma muna.

Umangat ng tingin si dad nang hindi ako nagsalita. "The Intelligent Academy's academic year will begin next month, and just a week before the first day of class."

Anong pakialam ko kung mag start pa lang ang klase sa Intelligent Academy? Ano na naman itong gusto ni dad? Mabilis akong nilukuban ng kaba. Huwag naman sana tumama ang kutob ko!

"Prepare yourself because you are already enrolled in IA as a transferred student."

My chest heaved with anger. Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko dahil kanina pa ako nagpipigil ng galit. Sabi ko na nga ba kagagawan na naman ito ni Uncle James.

"What did you say?" Bakas sa boses ko ang galit. Ganun na lang 'yun? Bigla na lang niya akong aalisin sa Thompson University?

Dad immediately returned his gaze and our blue eyes met. Marami ang nagsasabi na sa mga anak ni Adler Hamilton kami ang pinagbiyak na bunga. Hindi nila alam magkaiba kami ng ugali at lagi kaming hindi magkasundo.

"Your Uncle James will look after you at the Intelligent Academy. You will no longer be a student at Thompson University, Stella."

"But why? Bakit kailangan akong bantayan.? Isa pa, bukod sa graduating na ako, I don't want to study at IA. Ayokong tumira doon," reklamo ko sa kanya. I crossed my arms to express my disapproval of what he wanted.

Although Intelligent Academy is a well-known institution, I am not interested in studying at IA because students are only allowed to come home on weekends!

Hindi agad siya sumagot at napansin ko ang malalim niyang pag buntong-hininga. "I'm doing this for you."

I could not believe what I heard. When was the last time he showed concern for me?

"Doing this for me?" I asked as I patted my chest. "You didn't let me make my own decisions in my life. I planned to study at the National Police Institute, but instead you chose Thompson University without asking me. Tapos bigla-bigla ninyo ako nilipat? Sana ikaw na lang po ang nag-aral." Wala na, sumabog na ako.

Dad closed his eyes for a moment. I knew he was holding back his anger. He has no right to be furious, given how much he manipulates my life.

"Hindi ko po makuha ang logic ninyo. I know IA is a top school but Thompson is also a good university. Anong suhol na naman po ang ginawa ni Uncle James?"

Matalim akong tinignan ni dad. "Respect Uncle James. He's just concerned about our family and our company."

I just rolled my eyes. Company again? Naririndi na ako.