THE BROKEN MAN'S AFFLICTION

CHAPTER 57

CHAPTER 57

"I DIDN'T MEAN for this to happen, princess," sabi ng ama ni Happy habang nasa daan sila patungo sa address na ibinigay ni Helena. Si Uncle Klaus ang driver ng kotse na kinalululanan nila habang nasa backseat naman sila ng kanyang ama. "If only I can save Lucky without putting you in dangers. I won't put you in this position—"

"Daddy." She held her father's hand and squeezed it. "Ang dami mo nang ginawa para sa akin. You don't have to say sorry for this. Wala kang kasalanan dito. And we have to save Lucky. She needs us more than ever now and we will not fail her, Dad."

Pinakatitigan siya ng ama, saka ikinulong ang kamay niya sa mga kamay nito. "I'm proud of you, princess."

She smiled. "You always say that."

"Because I am." He squeezed her hand. "Nang magising ka sa coma, puro kaligtasan mo lang ang nasa isip ko. Because I don't want to fail you for the second time. I protected you from everyone who means you harm. And to see you protect your sister from someone who wants to harm her as well, I felt really proud of what you have become."

Inayos muna niya ang suot na bull cap ng ama, saka humilig sa balikat nito. "We can do this. We can save Lucky."

"I know we can," sabi nito na puno ng pagtitiwala sa kanya ang boses. "This is your plan."

Humigpit ang hawak niya sa kamay nito. "I'm scared, Dad."

"It's okay to be scared but control it. For your sister's safety."

Tumango si Happy, saka humugot ng malalim na hininga. She had to save Lucky and protect her baby. Madaling sabihin, pero mahirap 'yong gawin, nasisiguro niya.

"Master, we're closing in," anunsiyo ni Uncle Klaus. "Someone tailed us the moment we left my house. Looks like the Triad is serious about this."

"Of course, they are," sabi ng ama niya. "They always fight dirty." Her dad kissed her temple. "Take care, okay?"

Tumango siya. "I will."

Panay ang hinga nang malalim ni Happy habang papalapit sila nang papalapit sa address na ibinigay ni Helena. Panay ang tagis ng mga bagang niya habang pilit na kinokontrol ang takot na nararamdaman.

She couldn't let herself be scared. Lucky was counting on her.

My little sister. I have to save her.

Agad na tumingin sa labas si Happy nang tumigil ang sasakyan.

"We're here," anunsiyo ni Uncle Klaus.

Nakiramdam muna siya. Tahimik ang buong paligid at madilim.

"Master Dominick, this is a trap," sabi ni Uncle Klaus.

"Of course, it is," sabay nilang sabing mag-ama.

"It's the Triad," dagdag ng ama niya. "It's always a trap."

Hindi lumabas ng sasakyan si Happy hanggang wala siyang nakikitang paggalaw sa paligid. Lumipas ang isang minuto bago may umilaw sa unahan nila.

It was a truck's headlights against their car headlights.

Then Helena came into view.

Doon lang siya lumabas.

"Happy, my baby," bati nito sa kanya.

"Helena," sabi niya sa malamig na boses.

Ngumiti ito habang naglalakad palapit sa kanya. "I'm happy that you're here. Finally. No guards." Hinaplos nito ang pisngi niya nang makalapit sa kanya, saka bumulong. "I have snipers in every corner of this place. One wrong move, you and Lucky will die, okay?"