The Empire Series 5: Vanna Lei Shrewd

Chapter 7: Stubborn Vanna

Vanna didn't know what to say when Cloud pulled her. Nahihiya siyang napatingin kay Clyde. Nakita niya ang natatawa nitong pag-iling. When their eyes met, he pursed his lips and winked. She just knew he didn't buy Cloud's statement.

Naiiling na lang siyang sumunod kay Cloud.

"What was that all about?" she asked when they reached the car park.

"I'm pulling you out of the mission," he said curtly without looking at her. Binitawan nito ang kamay niya. Napatigil siya at napakunot-noo pero itinuloy din ang paglalakad nang makitang walang balak tumigil ang kasama.

"Hop in." Binuksan nito ang passenger's side ng sasakyan. Hindi siya sumakay at humalukipkip lang sa harapan nito. Cloud's reaction became stern. Hindi siya sanay sa ganoong akto ng binata pero hindi siya nagpatinag, tiningnan niya lang ito ng diretso.

She wants an explanation.

"The report of our South Korean Intel already came," he stated. Tumingin pa ito sa paligid. Wala naman siyang napansin ni isang tao, may mga naglalakad sa ibang parte ng car park pero masyadong malayo ang mga ito para marinig ang usapan nila.

"The guy has entries and exits at an airport in South Korea but there is no trace that he'd been wandering along the streets of the country," mahina nitong sambit.

"He may be way too dangerous for you, Star," saad nito sa mababang tono. Napailing siya. That sounded like an insult to her.

"Dangerous for me?" She asked with an ironic smile. Napakunot-noo naman ang binata sa reaksyon niya.

She moved closer to him.

"I've been to a lot more dangerous missions in the past, you exactly know that," madiin niyang saad dito.

"Do you think I can't handle a half-assed Korean?" Natawa siya ng pagak. She averted her gaze. Her jaw clenched as she tried to control her emotion.

Cloud's reaction softened.

"Hindi ko minamaliit ang kakayahan mo. Alam kong kahit ibala ka sa kanyon, kaya mong lusutan," saad nito.

Magsasalita pa sana si Cloud pero inunahan na niya.

"I am not going out of this mission unless I found the culprits and be satisfied of the result," pinal niyang saad sa binata. Nakita niya ang pag-iba ng reaksyon nito. His jaw clenched.

"I am your superior Vanna, do as I say," he said sternly. She could see his muscles tensing. However, instead of feeling nervous about his reaction, she gave him a smirk.

"No, I will finish what I have started," mariin niyang tugon. She didn't want to appear disrespectful but she knew the rule in their agency, once a mission is given to them, they must finish it by hook or by crook.

She has a hunch why Cloud is pulling her out of the mission and she doesn't think it's fair.

Magsasalita pa sana ito pero biglang napatigil at napatingin nang kunot ang noo sa likuran niya. When she turned to see what he's looking at, she saw Clyde walking towards them.

"Lacy, I'm going to Camp Crame. May nagtangka raw na dukutin ang mga bata sa loob mismo ng bahay. I have to see them. Gusto mo bang sumama?" sunod-sunod nitong pahayag. Pinigilan niya ang sariling mapatingin kay Cloud.

"Sama ako," agad niyang sambit. She took that opportunity to escape another confrontation with Cloud.

Cloud's aura turned dark when she glanced at him.