Note: some scenes depict violence, read at your own risk. You've been warned.
Maagang nagising si Deo o mas tamang sabihin na hindi na naman siya nakatulog ng maayos. The person inside the room adjacent to his was the main reason. Ang impit na palahaw ni Lisha ang pumigil sa kaniyang mga talukap na pumikit. Hanggang kelan niya ba hahayaang manatiling ganoon ang sitwasyon ng dalaga?
Huminga ng malalim si Deo bago isalin ang mainit na tubig sa kaniyang tasa.
Hindi niya rin alam.
Hindi rin mawala sa isip niya ang mga salitang ibinigay sa kaniya ni Calix. Should he do something about it? Kung meron mang dapat gawin, ano naman iyon?
"Yo, Boss." napalingon siya lalaking kakapasok lang ng kitchen. The guy sit on the stool with his box of banana milk.
Deo nods at him as an acknowledge. Isang misteryo pa rin sa kaniya ang katauhan ng lalaking kaharap.
Alec's one of his father's trusted attendants na kalaunan ay napunta na sa pamamahala niya when the former mafioso died. He's two years younger than Deo but his built is bigger than the latter. Alec's a mystery to Deo because the guy treats his every mission like a game. Para lang itong isang batang naglalaro sa gitna ng madugong digmaan. Deo once saw Alec's combat training and he can say that the guy has incredible potential inside a battle field. His skills may even surpass his Saint's. At dahil sa potential na nakita niya rito, ginawa niya itong personal attendant ni Lisha.
"Have you seen Aesop?" Deo asks. Alec playfully bite the straw of his banana milk and shrugs.
Deo stirs his coffee and heaves out a sigh. Sa lahat ng underling niya, sina Aesop at Alec ang pinakamahirap itali sa mga utos. Alec's like a kid. He sure follows his orders, but there are times that the guy makes it extra than what he was asked. Sa kabilang banda, Aesop's the opposite. He moves on his own way, or more like he moves if he wants to. His whereabouts is the biggest mystery of all. He always hides his face with his mask that even Deo doesn't know how he looks like.
"Tell him that I have a work for him." Deo stated. The other guy pouts, scrunching his nose.
"Waaah! Boss naman! Saan ko hahanapin ang isang iyon? Susulpot lang siya kung kelan niya gusto." Tila batang reklamo ni Alec habang ginugulo ang sarili niyang buhok.
Deo sips his morning coffee, ignoring Alec's tantrums. He's used to it. He has seen worse. Mas malala ang tantrums ni Calix dito at ang mood swings ni Jace sa tuwing nagpe-fail ang mga experiments niya.
"It's your responsibility, Alec. He's your partner after all." Deo said calmly. Ayaw na niyang mag-isip. If he does, his migraine might strike again.
Sumaludo na lang si Alec sa kaniyang naging utos. Mabigat ang paa nitong tumayo sa kaniyang puwesto at umalis ng kusina. Muntik pa nitong mabunggo ang kasalubong na si Lisha.
"Is Alec okay?" Salubong ng dalaga kay Deo at binuksan ang fridge. She take out a bottled water.
Mariing sinuri ni Deo ang dalaga. Hindi nakaligtas sa mapanuring mata ni Deo ang namumulang mata ng dalaga, tanda ng pag-iyak nito buong gabi. Lisha looks paler and thinner too.
She's not fucking okay.
"He is." But you're not.
Iyon ang gusto niyang sabihin ngunit hindi ito ang lumabas sa kaniya.
Tumango na lang si Lisha sa kaniya at umalis ng kusina. Deo just watch her go and sighs when she's out of his sight. He gritted his teeth and close his eyes.
