The Empire Series 5: Vanna Lei Shrewd

Chapter 47: Probe

Kahit sinong pinakamagaling kung mag-isa lang na lalaban, natatalo rin. How ironic? The man is literally alone now. Without a family.

She momentarily closed her eyes and swallowed hard. She must not feel it. There is no room for empathy in her line of work. She has to keep her rationale intact. The man might not be telling the truth or he must be better that any Korean drama prince to appear impeccably honest.

Vanna kept her eyes on the road. She's on her way to the agency. Hinintay lang niyang makaalis si Clyde kanina pagkahatid sa kanya bago lumabas ulit. She had to tell Cloud everything she learned.

She was about to turn to the car park when she noticed suspicious men around the vicinity. She slowed down and continued driving ten meters more. Itinigil niya ang sasakyan sa gilid ng daan.

Hindi siya agad lumabas ng sasakyan at tiningnan ang mga lalaking naka-stand by sa iba't-ibang karatig na building. There are two men just across their building talking to each other. May isang nakasandal sa poste sa gilid na nakahawak ng cellphone at nagti-text. May mga naglalakad sa kalye. Hindi halatang gumagala ang paningin ng mga ito pero may ilang bahagyang tumitigil sa tapat ng kanilang agency. It was a usual scenario in a street in front of business establishments but she felt something strange. It was uncanny.

When she can't contain herself, she went out of the car. Kasabay no'n ay ang pagtunog ng headset niya.

"Star, there are people around."

She swallowed upon hearing Cloud's voice on the line. Her heart skipped a beat.

"We are checking on the CCTV's now. Umalis ka na muna diyan," sambit nito. She held the car door as soon as she heard his command. Ngunit bigla na lang may humablot sa kanyang kamay. Aambahan sana niya ng suntok ang humawak sa kanya pero agad na itong bumagsak sa matigas na semento na duguan ang ulo.

"Vanna, dapa!" rinig niyang sigaw ni Cloud sa headset niya. Almost immediately after she bent down, a bullet hit her car coming from nowhere. She heard more gunshots around. Nawalan na ng signal si Cloud sa linya. Hindi na rin niya matanto kung saan-saan nanggagaling ang mga putok.

She was about to take out her gun when she saw Clyde fighting two other men at the same time across her car. Ang mga lalaking iyon ang nakita niyang naglalakad kanina sa tapat ng agency. Clyde expertly kicked and shoved the man to the sidewalk. Nakita niyang bumunot ng baril ang isa pang lalaki pero bago pa man nito mahugot ang baril ay bumagsak na ito sa semento. Blood oozed from his head. Clyde was fast enough to shoot the man first.

Clyde ran to her side holding his gun. Hinila nito ang kamay niya at agad na pinasakay sa kotse nito na nakaparada rin sa gilid. As soon as he closed the door behind her, he ducked towards the driver's side.

Nakita niyang binabaril ng mga lalaki ang sasakyan ni Clyde pero tumatalsik lang ang bala. His car is bullet proof. Nakita niyang nakabulagta na rin sa paligid at duguan ang mga kahina-hinalang lalaki kanina.

"Fasten your seatbelt," utos ni Clyde nang makasakay. He stepped on the gas. Mabilis naman niyang isinuot ang seatbelt. Then she felt like the wheels aren't touching the ground when he sped up.

Sumuot na naman ito kung saan-saang eskinita nang hindi nagbabago ang bilis ng takbo. She felt like the car has a sensor and would automatically turn to the other lane if it's going to hit something. Kung hindi lang siya sanay sa ganoon, malamang ay bumaliktad na ang sikmura niya. Nagpatuloy ito sa pagmamaneho hanggang sa makalayo sila sa lugar.

"What were you doing there? Inihatid lang kita sa bahay n'yo kanina," kunot-noo nitong tanong nang bumagal na ang takbo ng sasakyan.

Clyde glanced at her with a creased forehead.