No Time to Die

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Justice

Aiden really works efficiently, huh? I don't know how he did it but Lucas is right in front of me. He looks... unbothered. Parang inaasahan niya pa na ganito ang mangyayari.

"Hey, Nyssa," bati ni Lucas. Walang bakas ng takot sa mukha niya. It's like he doesn't care that I might just slit his throat right here, right now. Hindi ko naman iyon gagawin pero hindi niya ba iyon naiisip man lang?

Nasa ika-anim na palapag kami ng Empire. I was actually waiting for him because Aiden told me Lucas would arrive today. Hindi naman siya nagkamali. Dumating nga ito at pumayag na makipagkita sa akin.

"What the hell, Lucas? Do you want me dead or what?" diretsahan kong tanong. I just think it'd be pointless to do otherwise. Katotohanan lang naman ang habol ko. I won't get it if I ask subtle questions or if I go easy on potential enemies.

"Where is Greg Vasquez?" tanong niya rin.

"I don't know," I answered quickly.

It's true that I don't know. Greg left. Kung saan siya pumunta, hindi ko alam. When I got out of the hospital, he wasn't here anymore. He just left me a note saying that he'll be by my side when the war comes. Ayokong paniwalaan pero may kaunting tiwala ako sa kanya na tototohanin niya iyon.

"Let me ask you again. Do you want me dead?"

Without any hesitation in his expression, Lucas shook his head.

"I want the opposite, actually," he said. "I want you to live."

Mariin ko siyang tiningnan. He got uncomfortable because of it. Umiwas ng tingin at bahagyang yumuko.

"I'm sorry for the attempts in your life. I just did what I had to do."

"'Cause of your father's orders, right?"

Nakita ko ang dumaang gulat sa mukha niya. He tried to mask it with indifference but I already saw it.

"Danté is your father. Alam ko kaya 'wag mo nang subukang magsinungaling."

He raised both his hands as a sign of defeat. "Okay... How the fuck did you know that..." bulong bulong niya pa.

"Whose side are you on? Don't lie because I have every reason to kill you right now. Don't fucking test my patience," banta ko.

Huminga siya ng malalim bago ako tiningnan ng diretso sa mata.

"Justice."

Kumunot ang noo ko. How is attempting to end my life countless times be considered as justice?

"My father is a horrible man. He's killed a lot of people. Innocent and criminals alike. It has to end."

My dead family flashed on my mind. Mas lalong nagbaga ang galit sa kaloob looban ko. Hindi na ako makapaghintay na sugurin si Danté at pagbayarin siya sa pagpatay niya sa pamilya ko.

One day... He'll have a taste of it.

"Then why were you trying to kill me? Dahil ba inutusan ka niya? And if he did, why would you follow him if you're seeking justice?"

"I want to know his plans so I had to act along. Stupid but it worked. I know what he's about to do," seryosong sagot ni Lucas.

"What?"

Nilingon niya ang paligid at humakbang palapit sa akin.

"Who can we trust?" he whispered.

I chuckled. "I don't even trust you. Why are you asking me that?"