Act I: Operation Arcanemesis (Completed)

Chapter 15: The Grim Butcher (Cloak and Dagger)

CLEOPHEE

Napabalikwas naman ako ng bangon nang marinig ko ang malakas na katok mula sa labas. Sumilip ako sa pintuan at nakita ko silang nag-uusap tungkol kay Tempest.

Bumalik na ako sa paghiga nang umalis na sila. I don't really care about what happened. It's not my business anyway and I don't want to be attach to another case that might cost one's life.

"Cleo? Are you awake?", napalingon naman ako kay Morrigan na nakatayo sa pintuan ko. "Hi, they're out to fetch Tempest, her boss just died and was butchered"

"Bakit hindi ka sumama sa kanila?", tanong ko.

"Wala namang maiiwan dito para samahan ka"

"I'm fine being alone"

"Memphis would kill us", he chuckled. "You know her, she's OA—Hey, do you wanna do something? I can keep you company. Gusto mo kumain? Let's watch a movie or something, hindi rin kasi ako makakatulog ng maayos habang wala pa yung tatlo. They make me worry"

"How did you became a part of Alaric's team?", I asked out of nowhere. Ngumiti ito at naupo sa katabing upuan sa kama ko.

"I had a crush on Iliana before, nung nabalitaan kong sumali sya sa grupo ni Alaric, I joined too. Nahirapan nga ako dun sa test nila. I don't really have a detective talent like them but I'm a good source of information. There I found out na hindi nalang pala para kay Iliana yung pagsali ko sa grupo"

"This Iliana... kamukha ko ba talaga sya?", saglit naman syang natahimik.

Oo, sobra...

"Yea...nung una ka naming nakita sa gymnasium, I really thought I saw Iliana", he chuckled.

"How did she die?"

He paused, as if doubting. Parang nagdadalawang isip itong sabihin sa akin ang totoong nangyari. Awkward silence befell so I decided to drop the question.

"She must be a good teammate", I smiled.

"She is. She's a stand alone detective when she joined the group. Matagal na syang nag-iimbestiga sa mga kaso dito sa city. She plays as the lead detective and a bait"

"A bait?"

"She's a con-artist haha"

"Magkakasundo pala kami kung nabubuhay pa sya"

"I can tell haha", his laugh is so pure, ganun nga siguro kaespesyal si Iliana sa kanila. "You wanna grab something to eat?"

"May sushi kanina sa ref, yun nalang kainin natin"

"Sige", he smiled. Good to know the atmosphere between us lighten up a bit. No more awkward conversation. Ininit nya sa microwave ang sushi habang nasa dining table naman ako at pinapanood sya. He's as tall as Lothaire kaya parang nakikita ko si Kuya sa harap ko ngayon. I let out a sigh "What's with the deep sigh?"

"Nothing, I just miss Lothaire"

"Your brother?", tumango naman ako. Hindi na ito nagtanong pa at nilapag na sa mesa ang plato ng sushi. Inabutan naman nya ako ng chopsticks. Kumain kami habang nanonood ng cartoons, tanaw lang din kasi namin yung tv mula sa kusina. "Ang tagal naman nila"

"Who?"

"Sila Alaric, do you think Tempest is safe?"

"I don't know...antayin nalang natin sila", I said. Ngumiti lang ito at pinagpatuloy ang pagkain. "You look like Lothaire..."

"Really? Kasing gwapo ko ba sya?"

"Well, not really, naaalala ko lang sya sayo, maybe because of the way you talk. He's a sweet-talker just like you and also a calm person", I chuckled.