The Empire Series 5: Vanna Lei Shrewd

Chapter 2: Brown Eyes

"The kids are at school from 9AM to 3PM, so you must be here at 4PM to start the tutorial," the old man was giving instructions and Vanna Lei pretended to be listening but her attention is lurking around the house.

Tinitingnan niyang maigi kung saan-saan nakalagay ang mga surveillance cameras sa loob ng kabahayan. She immediately recognized where they are situated. Mayroon sa apat na sulok ng kisame, mayroon pa sa loob ng glass cabinet, sa isang figurine sa gilid. Lahat ng anggulo ng living room ay kuhang-kuha.

May nakita pa siya sa bandang ibaba sa pinakagilid ng salamin sa pader. Hindi ito mapapansin ng ordinaryong tao lang pero kung eksperto sa mga ganoong bagay shade pa lang ng glass mahahalata nang may hidden camera sa likod nito.

She nods and smiles from time to time to show that she was listening.

She felt a little uneasy. Nakatingin pa rin kasi ang lalaking sumundo sa kanya sa gate kanina. Hindi niya sigurado kung inoobserbahan din nito ang galaw niya.

"This is my grandson Dexter Clyde Lee," pakilala ng matanda sa lalaki. The man extended his hand.

Napalunok siya bago inabot ang kamay nito. Pareho pa yata ng second name niya ang surname nito, redundant na yata kapag kinabit sa pangalan niya, Vanna Lei Lee.

"Lacy Elejorde," she muttered shyly before her mind would travel somewhere else.

Napatitig siya rito nang bahagyang humigpit ang pagkakahawak nito sa kamay niya. His hand is as rough as hers. If it was another guy in a different time, she would have grabbed him and gave him a blow, but she had to act like a tamed teacher.

Nginitian niya ito ng tipid bago marahang binawi ang kamay, parang ayaw pa nitong bitawan noong una. His lips pursed and curved a little. She thought for a while the guy was smirking. Kung ibang lalaki talaga baka nayabangan na talaga siya pero baka nga gano'n lang ito ngumiti.

Ther attention was drawn to the kids moving down the stairs with two men beside them. Kahit sa loob ng bahay ay guwardyado pa ang mga ito. She saw few guards around while they were walking towards the house. Ilan sa mga iyon ay ipinadala ni Cloud pero walang kaide-ideya ang lahat na pati siya ay kasama sa security at investigation team.

She smiled at the twins walking down the stairs. Naalala niya ang kabataan nila ng kakambal niyang si Von Liam. Babae at lalaki rin kasi ang mga bata.

She averted her gaze when her heart felt sad looking at their lonely eyes. Naalala niyang ulila na pala ang kambal. Their mother was killed two years ago and lately it was their father. Huminga siya ng malalim. She's not supposed to feel anything when she's on a mission, but she can't help it. She has a heart for kids especially those without parents.

She momentarily closed her eyes before looking at the kids again.

"Hello," she greeted with a smile. The kids didn't respond. Huminga siya ng malalim bago ibinalik ang tingin sa matanda.

"They will get used to your presence, don't worry," ngumiti ng tipid ang matanda. The old man acts nice but his strict aura is evident. Nginitian na lang din niya ito bilang sagot.

Pagkatapos siyang binigyan ng ilan pang paalala, iginiya na siya sa study room sa ikalawang palapag. Nasa unahan ang dalawang bata kasama ng mga body guards ng mga ito. Her eyes are wandering around the wide hallway as they walk. Pansin niyang may kalumaan na ang surveillance camera sa second floor. She could hit it with a pin and the video would get static. Matagal na niyang na-aaral kung paano iyon patigilin. The newest version would need the server and database to manipulate, the old ones may be intercepted with just a wire click.