The Empire Series 5: Vanna Lei Shrewd

Chapter 10: Flowers

"Bumalik din kayo sa dating bahay?" nagtatakhang tanong niya kay Clyde nang makita ang daang tinatahak nila.

"The ol--," Clyde didn't continue his statement but pursed his lips instead. She saw his jaw clenching for a second before he inhaled deeply.

She tried to be casual. She remembered how he said "that old man!" this morning. Parang may lalim talaga itong galit sa matanda.

"Ayaw ni grandpa na magtagal ang mga bata sa bahay sa San Juan baka raw lalong malungkot ang mga ito," mahinahon nitong tugon matapos ang mahigit isang minuto.

"Bahay kasi 'yon ng kakambal ko," dagdag nito.

She only nodded but didn't speak. Kaninang umaga pa niya iniisip ang lahat. Mahirap talagang paniwalaan na gagawa ang lalaki ng hindi maganda. Hindi niya ito kilala masyado pero sa mga naging karanasan niya sa trabaho nakikini-kinita niya ang taong may masamang gawain.

Despite Cloud's statement that this guy may be too dangerous, the armed men and the gun powder stocks, there is a part of her that wants to believe that he's still a good person.

She took out her phone and sent agent Mars a message. She wants to know the details about Clyde's parents and brother including their transactions before they died. She wants to know everything about the family. Pakiramdam niya ay kulang ang ibinigay na impormasyon ni Cloud. She doesn't feel like this were just simple murder or car accident cases.

"Nag-aalala ka ba na baka maulit ang nangyari sa mga bata kahapon?"

Napasulyap siya nang magsalita ulit ang binata. She pursed her lips when he glanced at her.

Ngumiti ito ng tipid sa kanya.

"Don't worry, babantayan ko kayo. I promise walang mangyayaring masama sa inyo," sambit nito.

Hindi siya sumagot.

Part of her wanted to believe his words despite what she witnessed this morning. Sabagay kung ito nga ang nagtangkang ipadukot ang mga bata wala siyang dapat ipag-alala at kahit naman hindi ito ang may pakana, kaya naman niyang protektahan ang sarili at ang mga bata kung sakali.

"You saw the kids reaction yesterday, they like you very much," sambit nito.

Napangiti siya nang maalala iyon. Para ngang close na close ang mga bata sa kanya kung makayakap kahapon.

"I hope you won't resign because of what had happened," saad nito bago sumulyap sa kanya. Tinanguan na lamang niya ito.

"The kids have been through a lot. They need someone as kind as you." dagdag nito.

Huminga siya ng malalim at bahagyang nangiti.

Why did she find his words so sincere?

Ipinilig niya ang ulo.

It can't be happening to her. Why would she believe him? Kailan pa siya nabola ng kahit na sino?

The house suddenly looked creepy the moment they entered. Wala namang nagbago sa itsura nito pero nag-iba ang pakiramdam niya. She felt like she's seeing a new light into the case. Her instincts are working. Pakiramdam niya ay sa loob lang talaga niya makikita ang lahat ng kasagutan sa mga katanungan sa isip niya.

Her mind's working fast as Clyde guides her to the kids' study room. She's thinking of ways on how to sneak in again at the third floor.

Clyde said he would only be at the living room until they finished with the tutorial. Nakasilip siya ng pagkakataong makalabas panandalian mamaya.