Slowly Taking A Step
She once failed to approach him after a long time they didn't see each other. However, wala sa bokabularyo niya ang sumuko na lang dahil kinakailangan niyang gawin ang kundisyon ng kanyang lolo. But how can she seduce him that easily? He hates her, that's for sure. She has to do something that can melt his heart in her arms.
How about...be his secretary? That's the only way she can do to get closer and closer to him just like she's planning to. But damn how? He's not even finding someone to hire as his secretary. Should she ask him directly?
"Penny for your thoughts?" She got startled when Hugo spoke as he sat beside her.
"Tsk. It's none of your business." She took a deep breath.
"None of my business? Hindi ka naman hihinga nang malalim kung wala lang iyon? Come on, I've known you since we were kids. And I know if you're thinking of something that keeps on bothering you."
"How can I get closer to him, Hugo? You know who's I'm talking about, right? I have to do something. I couldn't just sit here and wait for someone to do it for me." He sneered as he stared at her like he was mesmerizing her face.
"You want to get closer with Stefan even though you knew he had a wife. Why are you doing this? What for?" He curiously asked her. Lumingon sa kanya si Eirlys tsaka umiwas rin nang tingin pagkatapos. She sighed deeply as she answered.
"My granddad's condition in exchange for something I wanted." Halata sa reaksyon ni Hugo ang pagtataka.
"Let me guess. It was about the CMC, right?"
"How did you---"
"I know your granddad and I know what he can do. Tell me then? What was it all about? Vengeance or what?"
"I have to take down that company in exchange for my vengeance to Stefan."
"I'll help you. Makikipag-deal ako sa kanya para sa isang meeting at kakausapin ko siya na gawin ka niyang sekretarya. I was right? You wish to be his secretary, is that right? Let me help you." He insisted. She grinned as she quickly hugged him. It lasted for a second before she even realized what she did.
"Oh sorry. I owe you again, Hugo."
Meanwhile...
"Master Sensei. You called us." The middle-aged old man turns around to face them.
"How was it? Are they ready for the battle?" he asked them as they nod at him.
"They're almost ready, Master. We just need more time to fully train and master their skills." He only nods satisfactorily.
"Good. Well then, don't fail me. A deal is a deal and I already told you what the consequences are if you and the rest fail in the battle," he added.
"Y-Yes, Master Sensei. We will do the best we can," kinakabahang paninigurado nito sa kanya. They were about to leave when he stopped them.
"Hold on for a minute." Napatigil sila sa paglalakad na palabas na sana nang opisina nito. They faced him as he stood up.
"Let's start ambush Nathaniel's mansion. And we have to make sure you're gonna bring his cold body to me. Got it?" They nod as a response and went out of his office.
Tahimik na nakamasid si Nathaniel sa balcony nito hanggang sa may narinig siyang pagkatok sa labas ng kanyang kwarto.
"Come in." Bumukas ang pinto at niluwa nito ang pinagkakatiwalaan niyang tauhan. Gavin.
"Sir. I have to report something---"he suddenly cut off his own words when they heard a loud bang from outside.
"Sh*t" Nathaniel cursed as he felt a unbearable pain from his legs. He got shot by the gun. He knew Cleo Amazon was into something. Mabilis siyang nilapitan ni Lux at inalalayan.
"Are you okay, sir?" He asked worriedly. Pilit itong tumayo nang tuwid at ipinagpag ang damit matapos niyang biglaang napaupo sa sahig dahil sa gulat.
"I-I'm fine. Lux, you know exactly what to do." Lux nod quickly and went out of Nathaniel's bedroom. He was expecting this to happen, anyway. At inihanda na niya maging ang kanyang mga tauhan kung ano ba ang mga gagawin.
Subalit alam niyang hindi magiging sapat ang dami nito sa mangyayari pa lamang na labanan nilang dalawa ni Cleo Amazon. He needs more helping hands to succed. Sunud-sunod niyang narinig ang malakas na putok ng baril. He breathed heavily. Sumilip siya sa balcony at natanaw niya ang pag-alis ng sasakyan ng kalaban. Lux quickly followed them and hopped on his car. Nagsimula na itong maghabulan sa kalsada. At tuluyan na itong nakaalis sa paningin niya.
Nanghihina man, lumabas siya ng kanyang kwarto at dahan-dahang bumaba ng hagdan. Bumungad sa kanya ang mga nabaril na mga guards na nakabantay sa may pintuan mismo ng mansyon. Marami rin ang nabasag na gamit.
"F*ck you, Cleo Amazon! Damn you!!" He yelled out of mind. Umupo siya nang dahan-dahan sa sofa habang sapo niya pa rin ang hita na natamaan ng bala. Patuloy iyon sa pagdurugo. Maaari siyang maubusan ng dugo kapag hindi iyon nagamot kaagad. Mabuti na lang ay nakaligtas ang isa sa mga kasambahay niya at kaagad siyang nilapitan.
"S-Sir. M-May tama ho kayo ng bala. Teka lang. H-Hintayin niyo po ako dito. Kukuha lang ako ng panggamot sa sugat niyo." Nagmamadaling saad nito at halata pa ang panginginig dahil sa takot.
Maya-maya pa'y may dala na itong emergency kit. Kita niya ang matinding takot nito at patuloy ang luha sa pag-agos. Nakaramdam siya nang pangamba. Maaaring mas marami pang mga inosente ang madadamay dahil sa gulo.
"K-Kumalma ka. They're gone. Gavin is after them. I'm sorry for what caused it to you." Napaangat ang ulo nito sa kanya habang patuloy sa pagluha. Ipinagpatuloy nito ang paggagamot sa sugat na natamo niya.
"S-Sir, n-nabaril ho ang asawa ko. N-Nabaril ho siya habang nagbabantay. Kapag ho ba nanghingi kayo ng tawad sa akin, mababalik pa ba ang buhay niya? N-Ni hindi ko man lang nagawang dalhin siya sa ospital para maagapan dahil sa matinding takot na nararamdaman ko. Alam ko ho na kayo ang puntirya nila pero sana huwag niyo na po kaming idamay. M-May mga pamilya din ho kami na naghihintay. Yung asawa ko...y-yung asawa ko ho. N-Namatay na po siya. Hindi ko man lang siya nakausap bago mangyari iyon, sir." Tuluyan na itong umiyak. He felt a strong guilt and anger. Masakit sa kanya iyon dahil wala naman talagang dapat madamay sa kaguluhan na silang dalawa ni Cleo Amazon ang nagsimula. Ngunit ngayon, mas dumadami pa ang nadadamay.
"I-I'm so sorry for what happened to him." Iyon na lamang ang nasambit niya. Hindi na ito nagsalita pagkatapos. After she put a bandage on his legs, iniligpit nito ang mga ginamit niya at tahimik na umalis. Narinig pa niya ang paghikbi nito papuntang kusina.
Ngayon, buo na ang desisyon niya. Kakailanganin nga niya ang tulong ng kanyang apo maging mga grupo nito. Mas bihasa na kasi ang mga ito sa pakikipaglaban kaya wala na siyang dapat alalahanin subalit kailangan niya rin na mas maging bihasa pa ang mga ito na mahihigitan pa siya noong kabataan niya dahil alam niyang matinding labanan ang mangyayari. Matanda na siya at ano mang oras, tanggap na niyang mamamatay siya sa pakikipaglaban o may papatay sa kanya. Kaya hangga't maaga pa, gumagawa na siya nang pagkilos.
"Just wait, Cleo Amazon. You may fail to kill me but I have stronger personnel than you had. I won't let you kill more innocent lives just because you want to see my cold body. This has only just begun. And I'm always ready for what your next move will be."