EVERYONE was expecting a violent reaction from Devin. Instead of getting up, grabbing Tala's collar to beat him up, Devin smirked and wiped off the blood from his mouth. It was like he expected this to happen. It's true. Devin already knew this gonna happen. Tala drew a deep breath and looked up.
"Thanks, it's nice meeting you again," Devin said. He wore an intense but inscrutable expression.
For a moment, there was a brief silence that surely felt abnormal to everyone, except for the two that seems to get along for quite a while now.
"Kulang pa 'yan sa lahat ng taong nawala ka, Cross," Tala replied before offering his hand to Devin. Mahigpit niya iyong tinanggap.
"Marami rin akong bagay na gustong mangyari," sagot nito. "At magsisimula lang ako kapag hindi na tayo nakaharap sa maraming tao," Devin reasoned out that sounded like a request.
Kaagad naman itong naintindihan ni Tala. He's right. They need a private place to sort some things out. And it's not a good idea to discuss it in front of the majorities. Devin just wanted a peaceful environment. He's not used to being subjected in distractions lalo na't napaka-pribado ng bagay na gusto niyang sabihin.
"Follow me," Tala simply ordered. Agad sumunod si Devin kasama ang iba pang tauhan ni Tala.
Dinala siya nito sa ikatlong palapag ng building kung saan matatagpuan ang isa sa mga lumang opisina ng lugar. It's dark. Hindi tulad ng mga nakikita niya sa mga pangkaraniwang office area, liwanag mula sa kandila ang nagsisilbing ilaw rito. The corridor of this floor was gloomy and somewhat creepy despite of the candles. May dalawang magkaharap na punit-punit na couch ang nakalagay sa gitna samantalang may ilang parte ng sasakyan ang nakadikit sa bawat sulok ng lumang pader bilang disenyo. Napansin niya rin ang isang water dispenser katabi ng office table kung saan may nakalagay ritong mga bunton ng papeles. It's dusty. His eyes cut away.
"Sa labas niyo na lang kami hintayin," Tala ordered his men. Tumango ang mga ito pagkatapos ay ilang segundo ring lumabas. Nang masigurong sila na lamang dalawa ang naiwan sa opisina ay muling nagtanong si Tala.
"What brought you here, Cross?" he asked before crossing his arms. Mas humigpit tuloy ang suot nitong damit dahil sa kaniyang biceps at pectorals.
"I Just want to remind you that I will not give you extra treatments just because you're back. Marami ka pang atraso sa akin. Siguro nakalimutan mo na ang mga 'yon ngayon, pero hindi ako madaling makalimot. Kilala mo ako."
Tumango si Devin. "I understand."
"Alam na ba ito ng iba?"
"Sa ngayon, hindi pa. Ikaw pa lang ang inuna ko," Devin replied.
Tumikhim si Tala. "What do you want?"
Devin started to speak. "Kailangan ko ang samahan," he halted a bit before he continue. "I know you're aware that I was a full-time hit man dahil kasama ito sa mga nabanggit ko noong araw na nagsisimula pa lang lumaki ang ang samahan. The only difference is that I'm no longer accepting orders from people."
Tala sharply gasped after he heard it. "What?" Nakakunot ang kaniyang noo habang sinasabi ito. "You mean you're not working with Mr. Hawkins anymore?" Mulat pa rin ang mga matang tanong niya, hindi makapaniwala sa mga kasalukuyang naririnig mula kay Devin. He couldn't help but to be more surprised when Devin replied a simple yeah.
"Papa granted my resignation letter. Tuluyan na niya akong pakakawalan kapag tinapos ko ang huling misyong ibinigay niya sa akin. But Satan has its own way to tame an angel. Papa set me up to failed this mission. Gusto niyang pumalpak ako sa dalawang dahilan. First, he wanted the authorities to catch me. Second, he wanted me to come to him and beg for forgiveness. On that way, I will be indebted to him at tuluyan nang hindi makakalaya."
BINABASA MO ANG
Death Glare
Action"He tried to look for a good reason, but no such good reason is there to deter something that death can easily touch." For Devin Cross, life's always been so fucked out. Devin spent his life lurking in a restless city where street crimes, prostituti...
