Battlefront

10- Possibilities

Ibinaba ni Tiana ang kanyang cellphone pagkatapos ng kanilang usapan ng kanyang kakambal. Siniguarado nitong okay s'ya at tinanong kung nasaan na s'ya and she said she was on her way to Apary City.

"Lying to your brother, I see," nakangiting komento ni Xandros Black habang titig na titig sa kanya. He was wearing a black shirt and pants na pinaibabawan ng puting double-breasted long overcoat. His runner shoes were a combination of black and white. He looked so casual yet sophisticated. So handsome yet dangerous.

Lihim na napailing si Tiana. Why would she think that he was handsome?

"Mind your own business," asik niya rito. "Ano ba ang kailangan mo sa akin? Bakit mo ako ipinatawag dito?" 

Nasa bahay sila ni Xandros dahil ipinasundo siya nito kay Kara, one of Xandros' blood source. His place was just a couple of miles away from her house. It was a simple two-story house and didn't look like a multi-billionaire's home. 

"I have a video conference with my board of directors. They want to make sure that I really sponsor you. I need you to be with me during the conference."

Kaya pala ibinilin nitong dalhin n'ya ang kanyang mask.

"Okay," aniya. Wala naman kasi siyang choice. He needed Shadow. He owned the Shadow now. 

The meeting was quick. All Tiana had to do was stand in silence making sure that the directors of his company saw her. Ang kakaiba nga lang, Xandros sat in the shadows. Masyadong madilim sa may mukha nito kaya hindi kita ng mga ka-meeting nito ang mukha ng lalaki.

"Why hide your face from them? They're your trusted board of directors," komento ng dalaga pagkatapos ng video meeting.

"Like I said, hindi alam ng marami ang itsura ko. Pili lang kung kanino ako nagpapakita at nagpapakilala," kaswal na sagot ni Xandros.

"You introduced yourself to us in Graviville."

"Oh, I remember. You and your group of Sentry friends. I got excited. That's all. Alam mo namang fan ako ng mga Sentry."

"Trying hard ka sa pagpapakamisteryoso mo. Wala namang point."

Ngumiti si Xandros. And to Tiana's surprise it was not his usual irritating cocky knowing smile. There was sadness in it this time. She could even see it in his eyes.

"What's up with you?" she hissed. Hindi kasi siya sanay na ganito ang emotion na ipinapakita ni Xandros.

He blinked several times na para bang bigla itong natauhan.

Ano'ng nangyayari sa lalaking ito? Naisip niya.

He stood up and faced the glass wall of his home office na nasa second floor. Kita mula doon ang malaking swimming pool sa likuran.

"Where were we?" tanong ni Xandros na nakatanaw pa rin sa labas. But Tiana could see his face through the reflection of the glass wall. Despite his steady and normal voice mukha pa ring malungkot ang lalaki at ilang beses itong huminga ng malalim.

"It wasn't important. Do you still need me here?" aniya. Naisip ni Tiana na baka kailangan nito ng privacy. Kahit na maldita siya ay alam naman niya kung paano umunawa.

He faced her suddenly. He was back to his usual self again which was good, Tiana thought. Ayaw niya sa emosyonal na Xandros. Nakakaasar kasi.

"Why don't we eat our dinner here?" he said casually.

Tumaas ang kilay ng dalaga kaya agad na nag-alangan si Xandros kung tama bang imbitahan siya nito.

"Only if you like," he added.