I'm Yours to Keep

Chapter 38

The next morning, Dad acted like he didn't find out anything. Maybe it was easier to act like this because he was a former KMA agent. I drove Hannah and Xander to school dahil may business meetings sila Mom and Dad. Hannah kissed me on my cheeks while Xander hugged me bago sila naglakad patungo sa gate ng school nila.

I finished my duty at Merveille and drove over to Gerard's place. Naabutan ko siya sa study table habang humihigop ng kape. Kakatapos lang ng assignment niya pero siguradong may kasunod na naman kaya nakipagkita na ako agad.

Ibinaba niya ang hawak niyang baso at papel bago ako sinalubong ng yakap. He kissed me hungrily as he led me to his bed. After a steamy morning routine, I prepared his breakfast habang naliligo siya.

Nakatapis lang siya ng tuwalya paglabas habang pinatutuyo ang buhok. "Here's your next assignment."

Nilingon ko siyang nasa study table na at inilapat ang hintuturo sa isang brown envelope. Nilagay ko ang bacon at itlog sa plato bago ito inilapag sa lamesa. "Have your breakfast."

He kissed me one more time nang magsalubong kami habang papalapit ako sa study table. I opened the envelope and took my time reading it. Unti-unting kumunot ang noo ko habang binabasa ang report.

My assignment is about a former KMA agent. His name is Lonzo. He had an affair with Mrs. Valeen, the daughter of one of the founders of KMA. My assignment is to kill him; an order issued by the Council themselves. I flipped on the next page and froze in an instant when I saw Lonzo's picture.

How...

Bingo?

He's alive... and he is Lonzo? With shaking hands, I ran my fingers on his picture. Nailapag ko ang mga papel sa lamesa at nagtungo sa lababo para maghilamos. Tila umakyat sa mukha ko ang lahat ng dugo ko. My face feels hot as my heart raced. I was trained to face my trauma, but it's easier said than done.

Naramdaman ko ang marahang paghaplos ni Gerard sa likod ko kaya nag-angat ako ng tingin sa salamin.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

Marahan akong tumango at ngumiti. "I am... uh, I have to go to HQ. Finish your meal. I'll see you tonight?"

Ngumiti rin siya at hinalikan ako. "I'll see you tonight."

Kinuha ko ang envelope at lumabas na. Pagdating ko sa HQ, nagtungo ako agad sa lamesa ko at ipinagpatuloy ang pagbabasa.

Bingo is hiding in a province now. I stared at his picture, he's in an all-black outfit, probably taken when he's still at KMA. Another picture of him showed his complete teeth as he smiled at the lady in a meat store.

Alonzo Vera.

Makalipas ng ilang taon, nalaman ko rin ang totoo niyang pangalan. After reading everything, I went to Saira's office. She smiled at me and removed her glasses. "Have you read your next assignment?"

"I need to ask you some questions."

Sumandal siya sa upuan niya habang nanatili akong nakatayo malapit sa pinto. "Why me? Did you know that Lonzo and I knew each other?"

She slowly nodded. "I'm giving you this opportunity to avenge yourself. KMA doesn't tolerate illicit love affairs. Belinda Valeen is a married woman and Lonzo knew that but they're pretty persistent. She sent him to a province to hide but we found him eventually."

"Do I really have to kill him?"

She smirked at me. "That's an order from the Council." Saka niya muling isinuot ang salamin niya at bumalik sa pagbabasa. Bumuntonghininga ako at lumabas ng HQ.