Graded Hearts

Chapter 21 : Time

Third Person's PoV

"Tito." Alekhine hurriedly acknowledge his Tito Leandro's presence as he entered the office.

"You look stress." he commented.

"Just a minor problem. Not really a big deal."

"You better get some rest." Drake interrupted as he supported his dad in sitting the chair.

"I'm fine, Drake. I took some naps earlier."

"You're still the hard-headed bastard. Hindi magugustuhan ni Leighlagh ang kalagayan mo." natahimik silang tatlo. Alekhine tried to paint a quick smile and shook his head.

"Anyways, I better go. Emmanuelle is not patient, she'll surely kill me if I come late."

"Emmanuelle is getting more brat." Alekhine can't help but shrugged off at that thought. When he found out that Drake and his sister is having a relationship, he actually hope for the best. But instead, it has gotten worst. Emmanuelle is not getting mature. Mukha si Drake pa nga ang nahawa sa pagiging isip bata niya.

"She's not Emmanuelle if she's not brat."

"Looks like you've fallen deeply inlove with her huh."

"Stop the nonsense tease bastard, gotta go." tuluyan ng lumabas si Drake sa opisina. That ice king is madly inlove. Damn!

Nagtimpla ng kape si Alekhine sa mini table ng opisina niya. Iyon kasi ang gusto niya, he wants to personally make his coffee, para masiguro niya ang timpla. Dalawa ang ginawa niya, at nang matapos ito ay nilagay niya ang isa sa table na nasa harap ng Tito Leandro niya,  ang ama ni Leighlagh. Bumalik siya sa pagkakaupo sa swivel chair habang pinagpatuloy ang pagbabasa ng iba't ibang files.

"So, are things going well?" tanong ng kanyang bisita habang nakatingin ito sa kanya.

"Fortunately. Just had to read some files. I need to finalize the research team for your case."

"I told you, I'm doing well. This disease is getting healed."

"Not sure about that. The doctor says you might need an operation. Brain tumor isn't a joke tito."

"They're doing everything they can. Let's just hope for the best and trust them."

"You know I don't trust them. I'm going to find some surgeons whose expertise are hundred percent."

"You better take some rest iho. Let Joaquin take care of that."

"I'll handle it myself, don't worry." Leandro stopped the conversation. Alam niya kasing hindi magpapatalo itong si Alekhine. Tama rin naman ang punto nito, walang pang surgeon na kayang humawak ng kaso niya. Masyado kasi itong delikado lalo pa't may edad na siya. Anyhow, wherever life may take him, walang siyang ibang choice kundi ang tanggapin ito.

"Have you found some traces of her?" bigla niya itong tinanong sa kanya. Napatingin naman saglit si Alekhine rito. Alam niya ang ibig sabihin ng tanong, at hanggang ngayon iisang sagot lang ang dumadaloy sa utak niya.

"None. Still nowhere tito. But, I'm hiring more investigators to find her." he explained.

"It's been twelve years... don't you think it's time for you to move on?" Then there's silence. Napahinto si Alekhine sa kanyang ginagawa."Leighlagh might be somewhere else unreachable iho. I don't want you to wait for someone that might not return."

"I won't stop unless I find her. I don't care if it would take years or decades or century, I will find her as long as I'm breathing."

"You love her that much, do you?" Hindi siya sumagot sa tanong nito. He recalled the last time he and Leighlagh talked. It was undeniably awful, and that was exactly 12 years ago.