Codebreakers: The Detective and the Hacker (Cipher Chronicles 1)

1

He is known because of his contrast to a normal-eyed people. Psh. My ass. Parehas lang naman nakakakita ang tao. Akala pa nga ng iba contact lense. People thinks he's weird. Dahil bukod pa roon, ilag din ito sa mga tao. Kaya nakakapagtakang narito siyang ngayon sa event na ito? Ramdam kong nanlaki ang mga mata ko noong lumingon ito sa gawi ko. Naramdaman niya atang may nakatingin sa kaniya.

“Iyan yung weird eyed guy no?”

Hindi ko siya pinansin at iniiwas nalang ang tingin sa lalaking iyon. Weird eyed guy, parang mas madaling sabihin ang kaniyang pangalan.

The event started. Ang MC ay naroon sa maliit na entablado at nakangiting ineentertain ang mga bisita. I boredly look around. So, the oh-so-called nobles are still not here, huh? What it is? For spotlights? It should be a grand entrance?

I scoffed. Hindi ko naman ugaling magsungit pero pag ganito'y hindi ko talaga mapigilan.

“Papa...” napalingon akong bigla sa tinititigan ni mikhail.

Sa entrance. Naroon nakatigil ang ama kong may malaking ngiti sa labi, nakapang american formal suit ito na may red necktie, malinis ang pagkakaayos ng buhok. At kahit kapansin-pansin ang wrinkles nito ay makikita parin ang kakisigan. Mula sa kaniya'y nalipat ang tingin ko sa kaniyang katabi. Standing right beside him is his mistress. On the back of them is their children. A daughter aged as khail and a son aged almost as mine, i'm just one year older than him. On the picture, they're really look like a perfect family. And we are here, the extra.

The MC introduced them and everyone—except us, clapped. I felt observing and judging eyes everywhere. My mother didn't bowed down her head, instead she lift her chin up, confidently. I look at her. If mother didn't get out of the country, every year. Father wouldn't get another set of family.

“Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, and dear friends, we gather here today to extend a warm welcome to our esteemed local officials, a warm welcome to our steemed Vice Mayor, Dmitri Lavigne, and his wonderful family. It is an honor to have them grace us with their presence on this special occasion. Please join me in giving them a rousing applause as they enter the venue!”

The crowd erupts into applause as the Vice Mayor and his family make their way into the event. The Vice Mayor, accompanied by his wife and children, walks in with a gracious smile, acknowledging the enthusiastic audience. Mapait akong ngumisi.

“Vice Mayor, Dmitri Lavigne, thank you for gracing us with your presence today. We are privileged to have your family here as well, as they are an integral part of your journey and the support system behind your success.” i unconsciously looked at my mother. Everyone here probably knows the past. My mom is the real wife of Lavigne. Mr. Dmitri Lavigne is hitting into two birds at the same time. Talagang isinakto pa noong palaging nasa abroad si mama at isinakto pa sa edad naming magkapatid huh.

The Vice Mayor's family smiles and waves at the crowd, acknowledging their warm reception. Oh i hate their smiles, it made me sick. Malakas na pumalakpak ang mga pamilya ni papa na nasa kabilang lamesa lang. Masayang-masaya ang mga ito sa katarantaduhan ng kanilang bunsong kapatid. I scoffed.

“It is a testament to the strong bonds of family that they stand by you, offering unwavering support and encouragement in your public service. We are grateful for their presence today, as they represent the unity and togetherness that form the foundation of your leadership.” napahigpit ang kapit ko sa basong hawak ko. Nananadya ba ang emcee na'to?

“Once again, let us give a resounding round of applause to Vice Mayor Dmitri Lavigne, Mrs. Anastasia Lavigne, and their children, Sven Lavigne and Ana Lavigne. Thank you for gracing us with your presence and for being an inspiration to us all.” The gay emcee smiled, then glanced on our table. Nakuyom ko ang mga kamao ko. Even these people, doesn't like my family. I thought it was just them and my-oh-so-called-relatives.