The Empire Series 5: Vanna Lei Shrewd

Chapter 27: Upside Down

Vanna Lei knew there is something more about her abduction. Kaya kahit ano pa ang nararamdaman niya, pinuntahan niya si Cloud sa opisina kinabukasan. Natanggap niya kasi ang full report na nakuha ng mga ito sa crime scene pag-alis niya.

Tinanggal muna niya sa isip ang personal nilang isyu bago humugot ng lakas para pumasok sa opisina nito.

Cloud was busy on his computer monitor or was perhaps making himself busy when she went in. Who knows?

She cleared her throat as she sat in front of his table.

"I want to go after the group of those Koreans who abducted me last night," she stated inhaling deeply.

Cloud did not answer. He kept tapping the keypad of his computer.

Tahimik niya itong pinagmasdan at naghintay ng sagot. Kilala niya kasi ito. If he keeps quiet, that means he's gathering his thoughts.

"I have already submitted the report including yours about the alleged Korean group to the higher ups." Sumulyap ito sa kanya bago ibinalik ang tingin sa monitor.

"Korean agents are already working on it," he added.

Huminga siya ng malalim. She expected that answer from him.

"I know that," saad niya rito.

"But aside from them, I want to personally investigate about this. Gusto ko lang ipaalam sa 'yo being my superior," dugtong niya. Agad na nag-angat ng tingin ang binata at tumitig sa kanya. His forehead creased. Bahagya pang nagtagis ang bagang nito.

"Are you seriously saying that to me?" saad nito. He sounded pissed. Napalunok pa siya sa bahagyang pagtaas ng boses nito.

"Look Cloud, this may solve the puzzle about the death of U.S. troop decades ago in Syrian war. I just have to know if the FBI already knew about this."

Maraming katanungan ang bumabagabag sa kanya. Hindi siya naniniwalang maliit na syndicated group lang ito na pakalat-kalat sa Maynila. There must be something about it. Ang malaking tanong kung alam na ba ito ng US? Alam niyang hindi lang miminsan naatake ang US troops kapag nangingialam ang mga ito sa bangayan ng ibang mga bansa.

"It isn't that easy to get details from the FBI, Vanna," Cloud said. Bumaba na ang tono ng boses nito.

"I know but I will find a way," she said with high hopes.

Tumitig ito sa kanya ng mataman.

"You are not seriously thinking about dealing with Strongman, are you?" he asked.

Strongman is the head of the Archive Department of the FBI. Nakasama nila itong nag-training noon sa IFA pero mas pinili nitong pumasok sa FBI. The academy even had assumptions that he was only sent to spy at the IFA. She didn't know what happened after that.

"If I need to," she answered inhaling deeply. Cloud smirked in disapproval. He stared at her for a moment.

"You are not going to investigate about any of these. Let our international correspondents do it," madiin at pinal nitong saad.

She wasn't able to answer right away but when she gathered her thoughts she also spoke with finality.

"Cloud, the men last night knew my real name and whether I like it or not, I am already part of this mess. I wouldn't want my family to be at stake because of me," she told him relentlessly.

"Sana naisip mo 'yan bago ka natanggal ng disguise sa huling misyon mo," nang-uuyam nitong sambit. She felt insulted. Why does he need to bring that up?