Comrades in Action: Thomas James De Vere Book 7

Chapter fifteen

"Sophia, I'm fine, trust me."

"Jin told me that you are slowly killing yourself with work!"

"He said that?"

"No. Pero parang ganoon na din iyon."

"I'm fine. Huwag kang masyadong nagpapaniwala sa mga sinasabi ni Jin sa iyo."

"How can I not believe him? After what happened three weeks ago..."

Nakagat niya ang ibabang labi. Agad na namang bumalik sa alaala niya ang lahat ng nangyari. Ang lahat ng sakit at pagtatakasil.

She gulped the lump in her throat when she felt the tears that started welling in her eyes.

"Maam?"

Napapitlag siya ng may tumapik sa kanya. Doon niya napagtanto kung nasaan siya. Namula siya ng makitang naaantala na pala niya ang pila dito sa coffee shop.

"Sorry..." Hingi niya ng paumanhin sa nakapila sa kanyang likod.

"What's your order maam?"

"One cappuccino to go please."

Kinuha niya ang kanyang card at saka ibinigay sa cashier. Pagbalik ng kanyang card, dumiretso na siya sa kabilang bahagi ng counter upang maghintay ng kanyang order.

"You were distracted again. Sabi ni Jin lagi ka daw tulala."

She sighed. She forgot Sophia is still on the line.

"I'll remind Jin again who his boss is and that I don't need him reporting everything to you."

"Common... Jin is just worried about you..."

She rolled her eyes at what she said.

"I'm fine, Sophia. Nandito na ang order ko. Sige na."

"I'll call you again later this evening."

"Fine."

Saktong pagkababa niya ng tawag ang siyang pagdating naman ng order niya. After she muttered her thanks, nagtuloy tuloy na siya palabas ng cafè. Pero hindi pa siya tuluyang nakakalabas ng may tumawag na naman.

"Hello?"

"My lady, this is Han."

Her lips formed into a frown.

"Yes?"

"I have sent you an invitation to a party that will be held tomorrow evening."

"Party? What party?"

Nawala ang atensiyon niya sa kausap ng makita ang isang batang babae na pilit inaabot ang cookies na nasa third shelf ng cabinet dito sa cafè.

She waited for someone to help her. Ng walang lumalapit dito ay nagpasya siyang tulungan na lang ang kawawang bata.

"Here, you want this?"

"Pardon, my lady?"

"Oh sorry. Hold on for a minute Mr. Han."

Muli niyang tinitigan ang bata na inosenteng nakatingala sa kanya. Ipinakita niya dito ang cookies na nakabalot sa isang pulang wrapper.

"Is this what you want?"

Pero imbes na sumagot ay tumakbo lang ito palapit sa kung sino mang nasa kanyang likuran.

"Tay, what did I tell you about wandering around alone?"

The first thing she noticed when she turned around was a tatooed arm. She was about to look up when Mr. Han's voice echoed in her ear.

"Yes, I will check the package as soon as I get to my office which... I'm late now by the way. Damn it... I still have a meeting at ten."