In The Professor's Shadow

Chapter 37

Jasmine

Kung kailan naman andito na ako sa labas ng mansyon nila Riza saka pa ako nagdadalawang-isip.

I am having a call with Kiglen right now. Pagkatapos ng nangyari sa cafe ay hindi ko na alam kung paano haharapin si Mr. Laurier. Masyado na niyang pinapalabas si anger sa akin."I am nervous." Sabi ko kay Kiglen. Maganda ang samahan namin ni Riza pero sa kaniyang ama ay ewan ko na, halos isumpa ko na siya.

"Calm down my little Verlice, everything is fine. I am just here." He gently said and I can hear noises on his background.

"I feel uneasy, parang may hindi magandang mangyayari." Sagot ko habang tumitingin sa mga taong pumapasok sa malaking gate.

"Everything will be fine, focus on the event and on me instead." Sabi niya at tumawa ng marahan.Bumuntonghininga ako at nagpaalam sa kaniya saka bumaba sa aking kotse. I was insisting to attend Heidi's birthday but it is a special day so I ended up here.

"Jasmine." Salubong sa akin nila Bim at niyakap. The theme of the party is Barbie, that's the reason why the envelope is pink.

"Hey!" Masayang bati ko. Hindi ko mapigilang tumingin sa paligid at obserbahan ang mga tao. Sinalubong ni Kiglen ang aking mga tingin at binigyan ako ng "ayos lang lahat" na tingin.

"Hey ladies." Salubong sa amin ni Riza kasama si Heidi na nakasuot ng kulay pink dress. She looks adorable like Aicee.

"You look so gorgeous,Heidi." I gently said and softly tap her head.

"You want to see a magic?" I asked and smile. Nagliwanag naman ang kaniyang mga mata. Nilabas ko ang isang mini box at inilabas ang necklace.

"Talikod ka." Sabi ko at sinunod niya. Sinuot ko sa kaniya ang necklace at saka siya pinaharap.

"Kapag nasa madilim ka, makikita mo ang magic niyan." Sabi ko sa kaniya. It's a glow in the dark necklace, how I wish to have one when I was a kid.

"Paano po?" She asked.

"Makikita mo rin, be patient lang ha?" I said and smile.

"Yes po." She said and smile. Binigay ko na rin kay Riza ang isa ko pang regalo para ilagay sa table kung saan nakalagay ang ibang gifts. Nakasalamuha ko na rin ang dating doctor ni dad ang ina nila Riza. She is gentle and pure, unlike her husband.

Nagsimula na ang program at nanonood nalang ako sa mga batang naglalaro. Gusto ko na tuloy magkakilala sila Aicee at Heidi, I am sure that they will become good friends.

Suddenly the ambiance change."Welcome to our masion, Ms. Verlice." Sabi ni Mr. Laurier na ngayon ay nasa kanan kong nakaupo. Nasa laro kasi ang tatlo at tumutulong, si Professor Kiglen naman ay may ibang kasama.

"Nice house." I just said.

"Tell me, what's the big catch?" He asked and sip a wine. I know what he is referring but he will not get a good answer from me.

"There's no fish to catch." I simply reply but he chuckle.

"See that three ladies? They look so genuine but deep inside someone is ready to devour. Just like the woman I met,two years ago. She is intelligent and strong but in just a snap she died. It's easy to hit down someone." He stated while looking at the direction of Bim and the others. Why do I feel anger and fear at the same time?

His statements are deep and something that I want to dig more. Is this the one that the organization is referring already? Nagsisimula na bang matuklasan ko ang lahat?

"How can you say so?" I asked without looking at him. My eyes is fiery right now and I might regret the next thing to happen.

"Hindi ako b*bo Ms. Verlice para hindi makiramdam at walang malaman." Sagot niya sa akin at ramdam ko ang gigil niya. Ang lalim ng pinanghuhugutan niya.