No Time to Die

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Lying

"Where are you going? Dito ang daan," Colton said when he noticed I was straying.

Apparently, there's a secret passage from Empire's basement. It's pretty crazy. Ilang beses na akong napadpad sa basement pero hindi ko man lang alam na mayroong daan doon papalabas.

"I'll go to my room first."

Colton raised his brow.

"Are you gonna lock yourself in so you won't be able to meet Greg? Come on, Nyssa. I can still open your triple manual locks."

I glared at him. Useless pa rin ba ang installed locks ko? Damn it.

"Hindi ako magkukulong. Kukuha ako ng isa pang baril."

"Isn't that one enough?" tanong niya at itinuro pa ang Beretta na nasa baywang ko.

Nagkibit-balikat ako.

"Just being careful."

We're going to step outside Origen. Hindi ako makakasiguro na ligtas kami sa labas. Lalo pa't may ibang tao kaming kikitain. I'm just being extra cautious because I'm with a Cortell. If anything happens to Colton, I'm sure Aiden will not hesitate to kill me. Now, I'm not afraid to die. Baka kapag naliwanagan na ako sa lahat ng nangyari, pwede na... I'll be at peace, then. But now, I need to stay alive.

The secret passage was built to be underground. Mula sa basement ng building, may hagdan pababa. It wasn't exactly dark inside. It's well lit and proper ventilation is installed. May cameras din akong namataan. I'm guessing Colton set those up. Sinubukan ko kasing iwasan ang isang camera pero siya ay dire-diretso lang ang lakad na parang wala lang iyon sa kanya.

"How are you in a fight? Can you handle yourself?" I asked.

"Fight? We're not going to war, Nyssa. You'll just talk to Greg. That's all."

I rolled my eyes.

"Are you good with guns? How's your aim? Kaya naman bang tumama sa tao? O kahit sa anumang gumagalaw na bagay?"

We are not safe once we set foot outside. I don't fancy our chances if ever we get in trouble. Dalawa lang kami. I can fight but I don't think Colton can.

"I don't touch guns. Hindi rin ako marunong bumaril."

Napatigil ako sa paglalakad. Tumigil din siya at hinarap ako. I pursed my lips and sighed.

"How about hand to hand combat? Can you throw a big punch? Kick someone's ass?"

He shook his head innocently.

"I don't like violence."

"Combat isn't just about administering brute force. It's a discipline, okay? Set for various purposes. Defense, offense and survival. You have to-"

"I don't like violence, Nyssa," he reiterated.

Oh, fuck it. Wala akong pasensiya para rito.

"You know what? Magpaiwan ka na lang dito. Better yet, go back to your room and don't come out. Hintayin mo akong makabalik."

"No. I'll go with you."

"Stay here," mariin kong sabi.

"No."

Muntik ko nang makalimutan kung gaano katigas ang ulo ng Cortell na ito. Manang-mana sa kapatid niyang ganoon din ang ugali.

"Look, I'm not manifesting any trouble. But as a field agent, I have learned to always anticipate one. You're a liability out there if we get in trouble. You can't fight. It will be all left to me."