Russian Requiem (Book 2 of RR Trilogy)

Requiem #9

Chapter 9

(Family)

Dumiretso agad ako sa office ni Grazie pagkapasok sa trabaho. I didn't wanna waste some time. I just want to clear the confusion Ela gave me.

"Oh, good morning, Ari!" Magiliw na bati niya nang makapasok ako sa opisina.

Pinaupo niya ako sa sofa ng maliit na sala ng kanyang opisina.

"You want some coffee?" Tanong niya.

"No. I've had one at home."

"Oh, okay." Inayos niya muna ang mga files sa kanyang mesa bago umupo sa harapan ko. "Do you need anything?" Mahinhin niyang tanong.

How could Ela possibly accuse this woman of nonsense things?

"Uhm... I actually have a question. And I'm a bit embarrassed to ask you about it," nahihiya kong tanong.

"What is it?" Alertong tanong niya.

Huminga ako ng malalim. Wala naman sigurong masama kung itatanong ko. Nagtatanong lang naman ako. And I think I have the right to do so.

"I heard that you were asking Direk Reyes about Clade. I was just curious why you didn't ask me directly." Dahan dahan kong saad.

I watched her reaction carefully. But she seems normal. Not even nervous or scared.

"Oh, that..." masayang tugon niya. "Yes, I actually asked Director Reyes about Clade because I was interested in finding out about his leadership here. I asked him on how Clade established IMC and how he manages it..." bahagya siyang ngumiti ng nahihiya sa akin. "I actually wanted to ask you, but you know, I thought you would be uncomfortable because you don't like showing off these things. Besides, you didn't tell me that he owns a hospital in the first place, that's why I thought you didn't like talking about his business and such."

"I see." Sambit ko. I knew it was because of those reasons. I believe her. "Why would you ask about those, by the way?"

"Ah," tumayo siya at may kinuhang folder sa kanyang mesa. "Because of this."

Inabot ko ang folder at binasa ang laman niyon. Bahagyang nanlaki ang mata ko nang makitang business plan iyon.

"You plan on founding a hospital?" Gulat kong tanong sa kanya.

Natawa siya sa reaksyon ko. "Yeah. It has been my dream and just recently, I decided to do it. I want to name it after my parents. I already saved enough from the money they left me and I already found some investors, so I think I might use them properly. I love medicine that's why I want to build a hospital. But the problem is, I don't know anything about business and management."

Natuwa ako sa narinig. "This is actually great! You should've told me about this and I could've asked Clade to give you some tips!"

Napangiti siya ng malapad. "Am I not disturbing him if I ask for his advice about this?"

"Oh no!" Agad kong tanggi sa iniisip niya. "He will gladly help you out. Don't worry, I will tell him about this."

"Really? Thank you so much, Ari!" She exclaimed.

Natutuwa pa rin ako nang makalabas sa opisina niya. Dumiretso ako sa station upang bisitahin muna ang mga tao roon. Naabutan ko si Ela na mag-isa sa counter. May sinusulat siya.

Nagseryoso ako nang makita siya. I still remember how she made me almost believe that Grazie is a bad person. Now, I have all the reasons to make Ela stop her speculations.