WALKER #1 [COMPLETED]
For Zild Apollo Walker-Grimaldi, nothing could alter his perspective on matters of love, given the responsibilities in his life and family affairs. Growing up in a world he longed to escape, he found a fleeting sanctuary in th...
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"Pinatawag niyo po ako, Ma'am?"
Iminuwestra ko ang aking kamay habang nakangiti.
"Have a seat, Virgo."
Kahit sa ganitong sitwasyon talagang hindi niya iwinawala ang kanyang pagkapropesyonal. Para bang palaging alerto sa paligid kahit nasa bahay lang naman.
Virgo is stiff, polite, and responsible. Sa ilang buwan na magkasama kami ay medyo nagagamay ko ang kanyang panlabas. Tahimik siya, kapag tinatanong saka lang sumasagot, maliban na lang kung kuryoso siya sa isang bagay at gustong sabihin ang opinyon. She's always neat. Always in her uniform—black suit in a clean bun. Ilang beses ko palang siyang nakitang nakausot ng ibang damit maliban sa suit niya, noong nasa isla sila pero nakapantalon naman at t-shirt lang. She's young and I admire her dedication.
"I want to ask you something. Okay lang ba?"
"Anything, Ma'am."
"Zild ask you to protect me," I trailed off. "Ang ibig sabihin din ba no'n ay kaya mo akong protektahan sa kanya?" She looked confused. "Don't worry! Hindi niya naman ako sinasaktan! Hindi ganoon! Like... I need your loyalty, as well."
Hindi siya sumagot.
Paano ko ba sasabihin ito. Siyempre, nagtatrabaho siya kay Zild at mukhang malalim na rin ang pinagsamahan nila! Ibig sabihin ang loyalty niya ay nasa asawa ko! Ngayon, kapag nagsimula akong magkalap ng marami pang impormasyon laban kay Giovanni Walker, I need someone to trust too. Hindi ito puwedeng malaman ni Zild dahil baka magalit siya sa akin.
"What I mean, uh, is it fine if you don't report to him anything that I'd do? Some...times..." I bit my lower lip, hopeful.
"I cannot do that, Ma'am. That's my job. Reporting everything that you do."
Bumagsak ang balikat ko. "Bakit naman kailangan niya pa malaman ang lahat? Hindi ko maintindihan! Kahit ba pagpupunta ako ng bathroom sasabihin mo sa kanya?"
Tumikhim siya. "Any action you take will be reported directly to Mr. Grimaldi, except for the bathroom."
"But why?" hindi ko talaga maintindihan.
Balak ko pa naman siya isama sa mga plano ko pero mukhang malabo na.
"For your safety, Ma'am."
"But I'm safe, right? 'Tsaka bakit parang palagi kang alerto? We're fine here," natatawa kong sambit.
Pinapungay ko ang mata ko para magpaawa sa kanya. Umiwas niya ng tingin bago huminga ng malalim sabay balik ulit ng atensyon sa akin.
"Not because the environment seems calm doesn't mean there's no predator around," she explained. "I hope my presence doesn't make you uncomfortable, Ma'am Chelsea. This is my job. And my job is to protect you. I can't disobey the boss. It's an order," she said, offering a half-smile. "I'll do my best to be like a shadow so you don't feel uncomfortable."
