STS #1: Dauntless [COMPLETED]

KABANATA 31

[Third Person]

Deep thoughts were inside his head while staring blankly at the city lights outside his glass walled office. His fingers were continuously tapping the back of his hand while waiting for his team to come in. Napahinto siya nang marinig ang pagbukas ng kanyang electronic door. Pumasok ang tatlo sa kanyang mga kasamahan sa investigation team. Hindi nagsalita ang mga ito at hinintay lamang siyang magbigay ng utos.

"Tomorrow at 5pm, I want a confirmation of the exact location of the target."

Wala ni isa ang sumagot. Kabado silang nagtitinginan at nagtuturuan kung ano at sino ang sasagot. Humarap si Christian at lalong nangatog sa takot ang mga bagong kasamahan.

"Do you all understand?" His stern voice echoed inside the room.

"Yes, sir!" sabay-sabay nilang tugon. Tumango lang si Christian at sinenyasan niya ang mga ito na lumabas.

Iyon lamang ang sinabi niya at awtomatikong tumalikod ang tatlo at saka magkakasabay na umalis ng kanyang opisina. Ngunit kasabay ng pagsara ng pintuan ang muling pagbukas nito.

"Christian," wika ng lalaking halos walang pinagkaiba ang istruktura ng katawan sa kanya.

"Tito Jiro?"

Pumasok ito at umupo sa kanyang mahabang sofa. ""Mukha na namang maiihi sa takot 'yong mga bagong ka-team mo sa 'yo. Hinay hinay ka lang. You're already doing a good job, Christian," paalala nito bilang isa ito sa tumatayong gabay niya sa industriya.

"Am I really doing a good job?" natatawa niyang tanong, tila hindi sigurado kung sapat na ba talaga ang ginagawa niya.

"Of course! Your parents must be very proud of all your accomplishments. We all know how much you've worked hard for this." Nilibot nito ng tingin ang kanyang opisina. "Who would've thought that you'd build your own investigation firm just because CIA didn't agree with your principles?" naiiling na natatawang saad nito. "Manang-mana ka sa ama mo."

He smirked. "My father didn't teach me to follow others' beliefs. If they don't agree with mine, better leave them."

"But just a reminder, parang anak na rin kita and I want you to find real happiness in life."

Tumungo si Christian sa harapan ni Jiro at umupo ng naka-dekwatro sa couch. "Thanks for reminding me that. But this is already my happiness. For my every successful cases, sumasaya ako. So, if that's your only concern for coming here, you have nothing to worry," paglilinaw na paliwanag niya rito.

"How about Adara?" makahulugang tanong nito ulit sa kanya.

He arched his. "What about her?"

"C'mon, Christian. You won't help her for nothing," makahulugang wika nito.

"You're too nosy, you know? I'm helping her because she deserves it."

Nagkibit balikat si Jiro na tila hindi kumbinsido sa kanyang sagot. "I think you should also seek help from your dad on how to get a girl within a day. It's been 3 years already and you're still that someone who's just helping her? Oh God. 'Wag mo namang ipahiya ang lahi ng ama mo."

"You're really crazy." Hindi na napigilan pa ni Christian ang matawa sa pinagsasabi nito. Hindi sa wala siyang nararamdaman para kay Adara. Ayaw lamang niyang maging hadlang siya sa mga plano nito.

"Gusto lang kitang maging masaya. Because once you experienced love, you'll surely get addicted to it."

Patago siyang natawa rito.

'Can I possibly get more addicted to her than this? Damn.'

"Stop it. I'm not interested yet."