The Empire Series 5: Vanna Lei Shrewd

CHAPTER 43.1: NO

Cloud immediately answered no when she told him about investigating Clyde.

"Lalapit ka na naman sa kanya? Hindi puwede," saad nito. They are inside his office. Cloud is seated on his swivel while she is seated on the chair infront of his table.

"Cloud, this is about my family. Pumasok siya sa bahay namin breaching my father's security," she reiterated. Huminga naman ng malalim ang binata.

"I also breached your father's security just to hum you to sleep," he argued. Naiiling niyang itinikom ang bibig.

"For all you know, gusto ka lang din niyang makausap kaya siya pumasok sa bahay n'yo," he added sounding impatient.

"Your jealousy has rotten your rationale, Cloud," saad niya rito. Umupo ito ng tuwid at matalim na tumitig sa kanya.

"You are not investigating about Clyde, okay? I am ordering this as your superior and as your fiancé," madiin nitong saad.

She felt irritated. Ipinaliwanag na nga niya rito ang naging usapan nila ng ama. Hindi lang din naman niya ito kagustuhan.

"I am going after this case. My father asked me to do it," giit niya rito.

"Don't make me jealous Vanna. I already told you, baka hindi na talaga ako makakapagpigil," he said seriously.

Was he referring to that making love thingy when he gets jealous again?

"Is that a threat?" she smirked.

"Para mo na rin akong in-underestimate bilang International Force kung magpapatakot ako sa banta mo," she said mimicking his tone last night. Cloud inhaled deeply as he pursed his lips. He looked straight into her eyes.

Sa totoo lang, kinabahan siya sa titig nito. His jaw clenched indicating how serious he was.

"Try me," he muttered with raised brows.

Hindi niya pinansin ang sinabi nito. She stood up and walked towards the door. Mas mahalaga ang kaligtasan ng buong pamilya niya kaysa sa pagseselos nito.

Her dad already set a date for her and Clyde at a restaurant. Napag-usapan na nila iyong mag-ama. Her dad told Clyde that he liked him more because he's better in firing guns that Klein Rich, but those are all part of their plan.

She called up Sky and told him to stand by on a building nearby. Sky is the agency's best sniper. Pumayag naman ito kahit walang go signal ni Cloud.

Clyde was silent when she sat on the chair opposite him on the table. Tiningnan lang siya nito. Nauna itong dumating sa restaurant. She didn't know what to tell him first. Good thing the waiter came in a minute later. They both ordered their food. When the waiter went off, they became silent again.

"Thank you sa pagtulong sa akin noong nakaraan," basag niya sa katahimikan. Clyde looked at her. His expression was unreadable. Napalunok siya.

"You impressed dad with that gunshooting exercise," she said. Ngumiti siya ng tipid. Clyde nodded.

"Did you just come here because your dad was impressed?" tanong nito. Lumungkot ang boses nito.

Pakiramdam niya ay napakasinsero ng pagkakatanong nito. Hindi talaga niya maramdamang gagawa ito ng masama. Taliwas sa sapantaha ng ama niya at ni Cloud na mapanganib ito.

"Bakit ang tagal mong hindi nagpakita?" tanong niya rito sa halip na sagutin ang tanong nito.

"Kaya ka ba nakipagbalikan sa ex mo?" balik-tanong ng binata. Huminga siya ng malalim. Akala ba talaga nito ex-boyfriend niya si Cloud? O baka naman nagpapanggap lang ito na walang alam at pinananindigan lang lahat ng mga kuwento niya noon.