The Empire Series 5: Vanna Lei Shrewd

Chapter 45: Klein Rich

"Let's get married, sweetheart," Cloud whispered as he caressed her hair. Pareho silang nakahigang patagilid at nakaharap sa isa't-isa. They are both naked under the sheet.

She really loves staring at his blue eyes. As she grew older, she thought she would never see a man more handsome than her dad and her twin brother, but the man in front of her proved otherwise.

"Klein Rich de Fiesta," she muttered and lifted her hand to hold his face. His facial hair tickled her palm.

Cloud's eyes became distant at how she addressed him. She inhaled deeply when he avoided her gaze. The entire room became silent.

"Tell me exactly what you want to say," he murmured after a minute. Sinalubong nito ang mga titig niya. Napalunok siya. She doesn't know where to start.

Hinintay nito ang sasabihin niya. Ngumiti siya ng tipid bago isinatinig ang nasa isip.

"I think it is about time you face your dad and fix your name," she muttered softly.

"Para naman alam ko kung magiging Mrs. De Fiesta ba ako o Mrs. Walgreen talaga," she added with a teasing tone. Cloud pursed his lips. She's sure he realized it was half meant.

He had always disliked his dad for whatever reason. Ayaw nitong pag-usapan ang bagay na 'yon simula pa noon.

"Which do you prefer? Walgreen or de Fiesta?" balik-tanong nito.

"Whatever pleases you? For as long as it is you I am going marry." Nginitian niya ito ng tipid.

"But the most important is that you fix everything with your dad. I know you can do it. Harapin mo na siya, hubbyness." She looked into his eyes lovingly. The last thing she wants is to upset him.

Cloud stared at her. Matagal na parang tinatantiya ang sasabihin.

"Even if it would break the IF rules?" Huminga ito ng malalim. She became wary at his question.

"What do you mean?" she asked. Ang alam lang niya sa ama nito ay kalaban ng IF. She's not sure if he's a terrorist or a part of another agency.

"He married my mom to get inside IF and kill everyone. It included me because my mom was pregnant then. If mom wasn't good enough he would have killed her, too," pahayag nito. She was dumbfounded. Ngayon lang nito sinabi sa kanya ang lahat.

"He killed my grandfather and everyone who were at the agency in Edinburgh that time," he narrated. Napalunok siya. Hindi niya alam ang bagay na iyon. Ang alam lang niya ama ni Mother Uni ang dating global head at ito ang humalili nang mawala ito sa sirkulasyon.

"But your dad has been trying to communicate with you, right?" tanong niya rito. Minsan niya kasi itong naabutan noon na naglalasing dahil nagpadala ng mensahe ang ama nito. Then, it happened again years after that. Akala niya galit lang ito sa ama kaya ayaw itong harapin. Hindi niya alam na ganoon pala ang naging sitwasyon ng mga ito.

"Mom doesn't have any idea about that. If she finds out where he is, she might kill him by herself," he answered.

She was silent for a moment before she spoke again.

"Is there a part of you that yearns to meet him?" tanong niya rito. Cloud was silent for a moment, then, he inhaled deeply.

"I always yearned for a father's love since childhood," he whispered. She saw frailty in his eyes. She felt like he's on the verge of crying so she remained quiet.

"Kay Vaughn Filan ko lang naman naramdaman kung paano magkaroon ng ama." Tumawa ito ng pagak. She was surprised to hear that from him.

"Kapag kinakausap niya ako tungkol sa 'yo at pinagsasabihan, doon ko lang nararamdaman kung paano magkaroon ng ama," saad nito. That made her smile.