Cloud woke up in a hospital bed. He expected it. He was aware that he passed out looking at Vanna and Clyde hugging.
Unang hinanap ng mga mata niya si Vanna Lei pero sina Fire at Sky lang ang nakita niyang nakaupo sa couch area.
Lumapit ang dalawa nang makitang gising na siya.
"Where's Star?" he asked.
"Lumabas lang boss. Bumili ng pagkain," tugon ni Sky.
"Sino'ng kasama niya?" tanong niya sa mga ito. He assumed she was with Cristina but he just wanted to make sure.
Nagkatinginan ang dalawa at hindi agad nakasagot. That made his forehead creased.
"Si agent Mars," Fire answered when he saw his reaction.
He felt relieved knowing she wasn't with Clyde. He scolded himself for that thought. Huminga siya nang malalim at tiningnan na lamang ang sarili. His arm had bandage. May gauze din sa pisngi niya.
He stopped scrutinizing himself when he heard Vanna's soft chuckles. Hindi kita ang pinto mula sa kama niya dahil may nakatabing na pader ng CR. The CR door is facing his side.
Vanna stopped chuckling when she saw him. Parang nagulat pa ito pero agad ding lumapit at ngumiti ng matamis. He would have loved the scene if Clyde did not appear next. Magkasama pala ang dalawa. He almost scolded Fire for lying, but he controlled his rising irritation.
"Akala ko si agent Mars ang kasama mo?" mahinahon niyang tanong. He cleared his throat and glanced at Fire who looked away.
"Kasama ko siya pero sumaglit muna sa restaurant, gusto ko kasi sanang kumain ng fresh lumpia," nakangiting tugon ng nobya. Cloud nodded as he glanced at Clyde at the edge of his bed holding a paper bag. He assumed it was the takeout food.
Napatikhim si Vanna kay ibinalik niya ang tingin dito.
"Nakasabay ko si Clyde sa elevator, papunta rin pala dito." Umupo ang dalaga sa gilid ng kama.
"Why do you sound so defensive?" Hindi niya napigilan ang sariling magkomento. He didn't like the idea of Vanna laughing with Clyde while he's lying on a hospital bed.
"Why does he need to be here?" he added in low voice. Pero alam niyang rinig ng apat ang sinabi niya. Napatikhim pa si Fire at tiningnan si Sky.
"Boss, lalabas lang kami saglit," paalam ni Fire matapos lang ang isang segundo. Sky nodded and waited for his response
"Who's going to guard me?" kunot-noo niyang tanong sa mga ito. Nadagdag ang inis niya.
"You're not leaving," he told them. Napatango naman ang dalawa bago unti-unting tinungo ang sofa. Natahimik ang buong kuwarto.
"You're not yet feeling well, are you?" basag ni Vanna sa katahimikan.
"Wala ka no'ng nagising ako," saad niya sa halip na sagutin ang tanong ng dalaga.
Vanna smiled nervously. Hindi niya nagustuhan nang sumulyap ito kay Clyde na nakatayo lang doon.
"Bumili nga kami ng pagkain ni Cristina," depensa ng dalaga. Napailing siya. Hindi pa rin niya matanggap ang rason nito.
"Kung ikaw ang naospital kahit hindi ako kumain, hinding-hindi ako aalis sa tabi mo," he resented.
Vanna stared at him for a moment.
"I need to eat. Have you forgotten, I am pregnant?" taas-kilay nitong tanong. Mukhang nairita ito sa sinabi niya pero hindi naman siya nagpatinag.
BINABASA MO ANG
The Empire Series 5: Vanna Lei Shrewd
ActionVanna Lei is shrewd and strong. Nobody can tear her down. Not even love? ***** Vanna Lei is one of the best agents in the International Forces. She was trained to combat even the toughest of underground syndicates. Kaya noong binigyan siya ng misyo...
