Moth to a Flame

Quarantasei| Stranger

THIRD PERSON

Napahilot na lang ng sentido si Leticia bago iikot ang swivel chair niya upang tanawin ang nag-ilawang city lights sa baba. Her legs were crossed with casual elegance, a contrast to the exhausted expression on her face.

She was already busy as the underboss. Now that Kage is missing in action, some of his responsibilities were passed down to her. The Five Rings were also making a move, making her even more thorough in arranging Sachal's Ascendancy Rite.

Napabuga na lang siya nang malalim na hininga nang maalala ang kumosyong ginawa ng tatay ni Sachal kaninang umaga. He blasted the gates with a bazooka, mabuti na lang ay napuntahan niya ito at napigilan bago pa nito mapagdiskitahan ang mansyon nilang under-construction pa.

"My lady," TK greeted her with a bow before handing her a file. "These are the suitable candidates as the new consigliere." Mariin niya lang pinikit ang mga mata niya dahil dadagdag na naman ito sa iisipin niya.

Right! Kage was no longer the Consigliere but the Don, but he was too mentally ill to act on his responsibilities. Roan could have been helpful if he hadn't messed up. Now that she has become the only pillar struggling to hold the family, Keegan would have also been handy if he wasn't tied helplessly in a chair.

"Why is this happening to me?" she muttered under her breath, momentarily resting her hands on her hips as she glared at Keegan. His bored expression contrasted sharply with her own anxious demeanor, looking like he'd just been asked to do algebra instead of saving the world. "I need your advice, and you're all tied up like some sort of poorly executed joke."

"Fitting," Keegan replied dryly, surveying the room with mild amusement despite his situation. "Perhaps this is karmic retribution for my attempted intervention earlier today."

Pagtutukoy nito sa pagtakas niya sa hospital at pagpuslit niya upang mapuntahan si Lovi at Sachal sa Torqoise Island.

Leticia rolled her eyes, but a fleeting smile curled at her lips. "Hilarious, Keegan. I honestly could use your help right now." She hissed and stood up before picking up the file TK gave her. "The Ascendancy Rite is fast approaching, and the Five Rings are giving me a headache. Can you at least help me choose a competent new consigliere?"

"I see you're struggling under the pressure," he replied, raising an eyebrow. "Perhaps that's why you chose to bind me and have your fun? Distract yourself from the weighty decisions at hand?" sarkastiko pa nitong patutsada.

Keegan definitely have dealt enough shit from her today. Pagod na siyang makipagtalo o makipagdiskusyon dito. Samantalang si TK naman ay tahimik lang na papalit-palit ng tingin sa kanilang dalawa na parang aso't pusa.

"Stop being an ass!" she snapped.

"Oh yeah?" Pinanlisikan lang siya ng mata ng dalaga dahil sa naging sagit niya kaya nginiwian niya lang ito.

"I am serious!" aniya bago mapahilamos ng mukha.

Keegan watched her closely. Although she still looked well taken care of, her usual glow had vanished. Dark circles had settled under her eyes, giving her a weary look, and her hair had grown longer, hinting at a neglect of her usual grooming routine. The strain etched on her face spoke volumes of the stress she was under.

Keegan sighed softly. "Decisions are difficult when emotions are involved," Keegan stated, his tone softening. "You need to separate your feelings from this. Who are the candidates?"

Dahil sa sinabi niya ay nagliwanag ang mukha ni Leticia. She didn't even bother to untie him on the chair and just opened the file before flipping the pages. "We have only three canditates carefully chosen by the elders." Tango lang ang naging sagot niya rito.