The Empire Series 5: Vanna Lei Shrewd

Chapter 49: Confusion

Nakatanggap si Vanna ng direktiba mula sa global head nila na huwag nang pupunta sa agency dahil ginagawa na ang demolition. They had to relocate their office for safety. Wala ni isang dapat makaalam kung saan sila ililipat hangga't hindi pa ready ang lahat.

Mahigit isang linggo na rin niyang tinatawagan si Cloud pero hindi niya ma-contact ang binata. All her gadgets were reset that it didn't have any connection to any of the agents. Si agent Mars lang tuloy ang natawagan niya dahil ito lang ang katangi-tanging may personal number sa kanya.

Cristina said she received the same instruction. Pati rin daw si Fire at ang iba pa nilang kakilalang agents ay naka-receive ng ganoon. However, Cristina suspects that the boys are working on something. Madalas daw kasing lumabas si Fire at hindi sinasabi kung saan nagpupunta, basta ang paalam ay may inaasikaso ito para sa ahensya. Mars understood that it may be confidential. That's why she didn't pry.

Napatingin siya sa lalaking palapit sa gazebo na may dalang tray ng snacks. It was Clyde. Araw-araw itong nagpupunta sa bahay nila kahit ilang beses niyang sabihin na hindi na nito kailangang magbantay. Lagi lang naman nitong idinadahilan na wala naman itong gagawin.

"You seriously don't have to do this Clyde," she stated as soon as he put the tray down on the round table. She felt the urge to tell him that she's in a relationship with Cloud but she controlled herself. It's not that she doubts his intention. Gusto lang niyang maging maingat.

"I know." Clyde inhaled deeply as he sat in front of her.

"But I want to," he added.

She stared at him trying to gauge his sincerity. She later resigned to her seat when she found no trace of dishonesty.

Kung hindi lang niya iniisip na wala na itong natitirang pamilya, sinungitan na niya. But seeing his sad eyes everytime she stares at him melts her heart. Hindi kasi ganoon ang mga mata nito. Napakagaang noon ang mukha nito. Now, he looks like he's carrying the world on his shoulder.

She didn't eat the carrot cake. She only drank the orange juice. Tahimik lang sila pareho sa mga sumunod na minuto. Kahit ayaw niyang binabantayan siya ng binata, naappreciate naman niya na hindi ito nangungulit. He'd only sit quietly. Kaya hindi rin niya ito magawang pagdudahan ng tuluyan.

"I'm going inside." Agad siyang tumayo nang maramdamang nag-vibrate ang cellphone sa bulsa niya.

Hindi pa nakakasagot ang binata nakailang hakbang na siya paalis ng gazebo. She went inside their house as she received Klein's call.

"Sweetheart, I missed you. Tell me exactly what's happening, please," she immediately said when the line went on. She heard him inhaling deeply.

"Ano'ng ginagawa ng lalaking 'yan sa bahay ninyo?" tanong nito sa halip na sagutin siya.

Her forehead creased before it registered that he was referring to Clyde.

"Ayaw niya kasing umalis," she said nonchalantly.

"And you even let him sleep inside your house? Saan siya natulog? Sa kuwarto mo?" Cloud's voice sounds irritated.

"Wait! Are you accus---Did you really ask that question?" salubong ang kilay niyang tanong. Hindi siya makapaniwala sa itinakbo ng utak nito.

"You didn't call for a week. Nag-alala ako sa 'yo. Hindi mo man lang sinabi sa akin kung saan ka nagpunta. Then, you'd call accusing me of nonsense," she said sarcastically. Umakyat ang inis sa dibdib niya.

Cloud was silent for a moment.

"I am sorry. Alam mo namang nagsiselos ako sa lalaking 'yan. Get rid of him, sweetheart, please," he uttered. His voice softened.