BOOK 2 | Resume the War

Arc 8 | Ch. 115: The Mystery of Her Abdication

Resume the War

Chapter 115

Nakatayo ngayon si Stein sa harapan ng labi ni Brittany. He is with David, Hani, and Xeyna na isa rin sa mga nakakilala sa kaniya. They might not have formed a friendship with her, they knew very well what she is in Stein's life.

Brittany came into Stein's life at the most unusual time. Bigla na lang itong sumulpot sa kaniyang buhay. She got his heart, his interest. However, it did not last long.

Brittany had to leave because of the contract she formed with Selroz.

One thing is for sure, Brittany made Stein feel something that he hasn't felt for such a long time. For the first time again since he and Cheska got separated, he got interested in a woman.

Brittany was a very bright person. Her smiles are almost as dashing as the sun. The way her eyes turn into slits every time she smiles widely...

That is why when he realized she is plotting against Cheska's family ay hindi siya makapaniwala. That wasn't Brittany who once shone like a star.

He once fell in love with her. He loved her. He liked her.

Iyon ang pangalawa niyang bisita roon. The first time was when she was buried. Ngayon lang ulit ang sumunod since his schedule was full.

Asteri things.

"Hindi ka pa uuwi?"

Papasok pa lang si Xeyna ng driver's seat nang magpaalam si Stein sa kaniya. Hani and David are already inside, inaantay din ang sagot niya.

"I'm visiting them," he said. "We have a lot of things to discuss. I might get busy again."

"Makakapasok ka? I thought..."

"She's only disallowing the Lees to come back. I am not a Lee."

Xeyna nodded repeatedly, convinced. "Alright then. Balitaan mo na lang ako."

Inantay na muna ni Stein makapagdrive si Xeyna papalayo bago siya lumisan sa kaniyang pwesto at pumasok sa kaniyang kotse. He again wore his sunglasses before driving away.

And just as he expected, hinayaan siyang makapasok ng mga nagbabantay sa gate.

Nang makalabas sa kotse, ramdam na niya kaagad ang lungkot dahil sa katahimikan noon. Marami pa rin naman ang mga tao. However, the ambiance is not the same as before.

Was it because of the weather? The weather has been this gloomy for almost a month.

"You're finally here."

Nawala ang kaniyang tingin sa paligid nang may magsalita sa kaniyang harapan. Lorenzo is walking to his direction. Katulad niya ay nakasuot din siya ng coat. Both hands are on the pockets.

Lorenzo took off his sunglasses to give his formal greeting. Stein faced him properly at tumungo rin ng marahan.

"I'll escort you inside."

Sa hindi malaman na rason and he doesn't know when it started too, the two of them are finally at peace. Perhaps it happened after the war? Who knows?

"Nasaan si Simon?" even with the peace between them, hindi niya pa rin maiwasang hindi magtaka at kung bakit siya mismo ang sumundo sa kaniya.

"I asked him to call the mistress and told her you will be coming."

He wanted to ask how she is doing ngunit pinanatili na lang niyang tikom ang bibig at tahimik siyang sinundan. He received silent and respectful greeting from the Lees at binati niya rin ang lahat ng ito pabalik.