AS 01: Agent Uno | Cathleen Valecerina

11

"SIR, HINDI po kayo pwedeng pumasok. May on going meeting pa po si Mr. Minreal." I heard my secretary from outside, making me lose focus on what I was discussing with Vin.

"Let me go in! This is more urgent than your boss' meeting right now!" malakas na sigaw ng isang lalaki. By his voice, I knew it was Kuya Bairon.

"Is that a commotion?" tanong sa akin ni Vin habang tinatanggal ang specs niya at tumango lang ako sa kaniya bago ako tumayo. I walked towards the door and Vin came along with me. Sa mukha niya, para lang siyang makikiusyoso. Chismoso din ang isang toh eh.

"Woiz, isn't this the great Bairon Organo, one of the deadly triplets of the Organo Empire?" Vin whispered at the sight of Kuya Bairon, but his whisper was already loud enough to get to Kuya Bairon's sharp ears.

Tumingin ito sa akin ng matalim ngunit basang-basa ko ang pag-aalala sa kaniyang mukha. It seems like something wrong happened which I should know. Bahagya itong tumango sa akin bago tinapunan ng tingin si Vin na nakikiusyoso sa likuran ko. By then, I knew, this is really an urgent matter, but why?

"In your office now Minreal. Confidential." Ani ni Kuya Bairon bago pwersahang kinalas ang kamay ng sekretarya ko sa braso niya at nagmamadaling pumasok sa opisina ko.

"Wait a minute Zealous, ako ang kameeting mo ha. Ipinapaalala ko lang sayo. I'm a very busy man." He said while worriedly looking at Kuya Bairon's direction.

"My apologies, Mr. Inero, but this is more important. Let's reschedule this meeting for next time." I said while staring at how restless Kuya Bairon was.

"But Zealous-" he was about to complain when what he was about to say was cut by Kuya B.

"Look, if you're losing millions, billions or even trillions with this meeting, I will double, ah no, triple the damage caused by my sudden interruption. Can you leave us two now?" malamig na ani ni Kuya Bairon at mukhang kinilabutan si Vin dahil doon. Pati rin naman ako eh, narinig ko na toh nung minsang mapadpad ako sa headquarters nila pero nakakanginig parin sa takot.

"Oh, what about an investment contract with your empire, Mr. Bairon Organo?" barumbadong ani ni Vin kay Kuya Bairon na ikinagulat ko. The Organo Empire doesn't accept this kind of offer easily, but to my shock, Kuya Bairon offered his hand and considered the deal done.

Tuwang-tuwa si Vin na niligpit nang mabilis ang gamit niya at tinapik ako nito sa balikat bago umalis nang walang reklamo. Ako naman ay gulat na napatingin sa kaniya bago naguguluhang tumingin kay Kuya Bairon. "W-what the hell is happening Kuya Bairon?" I formally said but my hands are shaking with nervousness and shock with what just happened.

"My sister needs you. Please don't leave her side and take care of her. Doc Mirina was abducted yesterday night, and we failed to rescue her alive. This would shock m-my sister." He looked at me with tears in his eyes as his voice cracked.

"H-how? Doc Mi-rina is also skilled, skilled enough to protect herself." I asked in shock pero nag-aalala at naluluhang umiling lang si Kuya Bairon sa akin.

"There are still many things you don't know about us. Please go to my sister now before A officially announces her death. I don't want my sister to go berserk or stay mute for years again. Ikaw lang ang maaasahan ko rito. Please be with her until we solve this shit." He was close to begging me; I would still do it for her even if he didn't use this kind of tone. Not now, not again.

"Then let's go Kuya." I said as I quickly grabbed my coat, phone, and car keys.

NAKATAYO AKO sa harap ng malawak na floor to ceiling glass ng opisina ko at malayo ang tingin habang pinaglalaruan ng mga kamay ko ang singsing ni Zea. Hindi parin mawala sa isipan ko kung anong nangyari sa espesyal kong araw. It all feels like a dream, a dream full of happiness.