Alluring Mask

CHAPTER 45

CHAPTER 45

VALENTINA IMARA MEADOWS

I quickly moved as I reached the underground parking lot in Atlas' basement. I didn't know how many times I tapped my foot impatiently on the elevator floor until I reached the first floor of Atlas' basement.

Alam ko naman din agad na nasa sala na silang dalawa at pinaguusapan na ang digital invitation ni Cronus na nakapost sa website ng organization namin.

"Hexia!" I heard Oceanus call out as soon as I stepped out of the elevator.

Tama nga ang hinala ko. They were sitting on the long, soft sofa, focused on Oceanus' laptop resting on the center table. They were looking at the digital invitation Cronus had posted for our organization's upcoming anniversary.

"Did Cronus really agree so easily to let people back into Sanctuario Seguro, Atlas?" kunot noo kong tanong sa kan'ya.

'Yon agad ang una kong tinanong nang makalapit sa kanilang dalawa.

I saw Oceanus stand up to come closer to me.

"Nasa baba yung mga groceries?" Oceanus asked.

I nodded and glanced at him. "Yes. Puwede bang pakuha? I also need to talk to Atlas. I'll tell him now, Oceanus," I whispered softly.

Namilog ang mga mata niya. "Sigurado ka ba?"

Naramdaman ko ang kamay niya sa aking braso at hinila ako palayo kay Atlas. We noticed Atlas glancing in our direction, but we ignored him for now.

Tumango ako. "Oo. It might make things easier for Atlas if he knows the truth. Kung hindi baka mapatay niya si Helios, he might kill his own son," I said firmly. "That would be more help than doing nothing for him, don't you think?"

Napabuntong hininga na lang si Oceanus at napatango na lang.

He patted my shoulder and spoke before heading toward the open elevator.

"I have a feeling Atlas already knows that it wasn't just Perses who abducted you in the safe zone," he murmured softly to me.

"Why are you two whispering over there? May tinatago ba kayo?"

I pushed Oceanus away from me forcefully and pointed at the elevator, signaling him to get in and take the groceries to the second floor of the basement.

"Atlas," I called his name as I approached him.

I sat beside him and glanced at Cronus' post. Marami na rin na taong nag react sa post niya, at meron naman na mga nag comments. Members of our organization freely commented on the post.

"I asked Pallas to help me find out who else was involved with Perses in your abduction," salita ni Atlas nang makaupo ako sa tabi niya. "Cronus found out too, which is why he pushed through with the anniversary event at the safe zone—to expose the culprit. It turns out one of the underbosses or bosses handling arms and weapons trafficking was working with Perses. They share the same trade, so it was probably easy for them to align their plans against us."

Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko dahil doon. He already knew my suspicion about Faction Tres was correct. Was Perses so desperate to kill Atlas that he colluded with another faction?

Atlas leaned back in his seat, picked up Oceanus' laptop, and exited the website. He started drafting an email, na sa tingin ko ay para 'yon kay Ismael. He let out a faint chuckle, but his expression gradually darkened.

"The nerve of that old man to be mad at me when he did something worse. I'll make sure he dies," he muttered darkly.

"I know who Perses is to you, Atlas," I said.