Madame Selene

CHAPTER 4

A man suddenly appeared from nowhere and bowed. "I'm looking forward to working under your comman-"

"Oh, I think I saw you before."

Hinding hindi ko makakalimutan ang boses at mukha ng lalaking sinira ang business ko. Tapos ngayon siya pa pala ang magiging bodyguard ko, how unfortunate.

"Ikaw 'yung ligaw na kaluluwa na kasama ng lalaking namatay sa office," that grim reaper, named Soren, said.

"Magkakilala kayo? Nagkita na kayo?" Naguguluhang tanong ni Saja na nagpangisi sa'kin.

"Naalala n'yo po 'yung lalaking biglang naglaho bago tuluyang makasakay sa barko? Siya ang kaluluwang huling kasama ng lalaking 'yun, sir!"

"I do remember, it still remain mystery but are you really sure na si Selene ang tinutukoy mong kasama niya?"

"Hinding-hindi ako maaring magkamali." Soren eyes carefully examine me.

Hindi ko alam ngayon kung paano ko hahayaang maging bodyguard ang nilalang na malapit nang magpahamak sa'kin?

"Is this true, Selene?" Saja also look at me with confusion.

"Yeah, it is." It safer to say yes than no. "But as I said, nakita kong gagala 'yung multong 'yun kaya I decided na pigilan siya. I also wanted to give him an offer to avail to our district but your grimrepear staff suddenly appeared."

I gave them a playful smile especially the grimrepear.

"I see." Saja nodded. "I think it is a good thing na nagkita na kayo noon. Dahil magkakatrabaho kayo ng matagal."

"Yes, I am also looking forward working with him," I agreed because I have no choice now. Kailangan ko lang naman tiisin ang inis ko sa kaniya kapalit ng mga impormasyon na kailangan ko. That's all that matters now. "Sumabay ka na sa pag-alis ko. Babalik na ako ngayon sa En Attente."

"I'm just going to mail the information after mong makabalik sa district mo," sabi ni Saja bago ako tuluyang umalis kasama ni Soren.

We teleported back to the tower's lobby kung saan naabutan namin walang sino man ang nasa paligid. The staff for sure are sleeping now since it's still noon.

"Ito pala ang itsyura ng entertainment district?" Soren's eyes roamed around and smiled nang naaninag niya ang street sa bukas na bintana. "I never expected na makakapunta ako dito. Grimrepear never allowed to go with the souls here."

"Then think to yourself as special." I caught his attention. "Just to remind you, nandito ka para magtrabaho sa'kin at hindi magliwaliw."

"Don't worry, I won't forget that. I will protect you whatever it costs." He bowed again and smiled a little. "Tatanawin kong malaking utang na loob ang pagtulong mo sa'kin. Pero kung sakaling may kinalaman ka sa misteryosong pagkawala ng kaluluwa ng lalaking 'yun at kung isa ka sa dahilan bakit wala siya sa listahan ng mga buhay o patay, hindi ko ipipikit ang mga matab ko."

"I already told you na wala akong kinalaman. It just happened that I was passing by. Think about whatever you want but you must do your job right." I crossed my arms. Pinapasakit niya talaga ang ulo ko. Hindi ko na alam kung tama bang desisyon na kinuha ko siya. "May mga patakaran kang dapat sundin dito. My assistant will tell you and guide you to the room you are going to stay in."

"Yes, ma'am!"

I called Marga through mind connection dahil hindi ko alam kung nasaan siya. I told her to come here since kailangan niyang i-guide ang new petpeeve ko.

I spent my nights and days waiting for Saja mail about the information I needed. I was so distracted that I almost forgot about Soren na hinayaan kong libutin muna ang buong district dahil hindi pa naman ako aalis para sa mundo ng mga tao.

I am also sure that he already met my staff lalo na ang gurang na diwata na 'yun.

 "How's our department?" I asked Dorian, the one in charge of saving people from committing suicide. He was once also my business partner before. I grant his wish to become a King of Joseon in other universe kapalit ng buhay niya.

"Mas mataas ang suicide rate ngayon compare before. Nahihirapan kaming iligtas sila dahil we are lacking man's power." He sighs before pointing to the screen where you can the faces of people who are about to commit suicide now.

"What's the common reason?" I asked.

"Stress, depression, and anxiety? Mostly work pressure and family pressure. Hindi ko alam kung bakit mas mataas ngayon pero baka dahil this is the generation where mental health is always being ignored by other people." He is right, we couldn't blame others for choosing this path dahil kahit pamilya rin nila mismo ang hindi nagbibigay ng pag-asa.

"We will use some of the district staff to work with you. Just focus on your job." I tapped his shoulder.

"Ikaw? Kamusta ka? Balita ko may message na binigay sa'yo ang mga demons," he changed the topic.

"Well, I am still in the process of decoding it," I replied. I already found a way but may hinihintay pa rin ako.

"Sorry, hindi ako makakatulong ngayon pero kung sakaling maulit ang nanyari sa'yo sana tawagin mo 'ko agad. I will be one call away." He gave me a comforting smile. Kung hindi lang siguro busy si Dorian, baka siya ang bodyguard ko at hindi 'yung Soren na 'yun.

"Just focus on your job, Dorian. Your duty needs you more." Binawi ko ang kamay ko sa balikat niya.

Hindi ako dapat ma-distract ng department na 'to ngayon kaya I have to make sure lang na naka-focus sila habang hindi ito ang priorities ko. But having Dorian handling this duty, it gave me comfort more than anything else.

I now already received a mail from Saja about the exact location of where demon activities usually occur. I am sure it took him longer to find dahil nakalagay sa letter na provinces lang ang binigay sa kanila ni Soleil kung saan may demon activities.

I'm sitting on my swivel chair while Soren is standing in front of my table and Marga and Milda are sitting on the chairs beside him. It's noon so there are no staffs that can hear us nor any guests.

"I already get a mail about the location of demon activities. I don't know how long I'm gonna be gone," I started. Leaving without plan is a dumb thing to do now. "You must prepare an excuse just incase Soleil start to look for me. She knows how my mind works kaya hindi imposibleng hanapin niya ako rito kahit kailan mula ngayon."

"It will be hard na pagtakpan ka kay Madame Soleil," sabi ni Marga. She makes sense.

"Kung kaya kong makabalik agad, babalik ako pagkailangan. Pero kailangan n'yo rin akong pagtakpan,"

"Mas mabuti pa sigurong 'wag mo na lang ituloy, Selene. Hindi maganda ang pakiramdam ko sa plinaplano mo. Tama si Soleil, mas ligtas ka kung hindi ka mangingialam sa misyon na 'yan," nag-aalalang sabi ni Milda habang umiiling. Her feelings are valid but hindi ko siya kayang sundin lalo ngayon.

"That will be hard not to put my nose in it. I believe that chasing demons is the key to solve the message they gave to me."