Dagger Series #8: Uncovered

Chapter 11: Safe

Kaya hindi na nakakapagtakang ang laki ng espasyo na inookupa ng Obscura. It's like all the colors that exist in the world decided to be here to party. Arts with different colors, sizes, and forms decorated the vast space. The paintings alone covered a wide range of artistic styles. There's landscape, portraits, geometric art, abstract, surrealism, and so much more.

"Choose any art you want." Nagniningning ang mga matang nilingon ako ng lalaki. "Libre ko na."

"Kahit ano?" nagdududang tanong ko.

"Siyempre mas gusto ko kung isa sa mga gawa ko ang pipiliin mo."

Napangisi ako. Of course he would prefer that. Para nga naman wala siyang babayaran na artist kapag binigay niya sa akin ng libre ang mapipili ko.

Itinuro ko ang painting na nasa malapit sa kinaroroonan namin. It's a landscape painting of a red tree illuminated by the moon. I've been admiring it before my family caught my attention.

My smile widened when Zachary feigned a wince. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "Hindi sa'yo 'yan? You used to love painting landscapes."

"Unfortunately for me, that's not one of mine. It's from that artist." Itinuro niya ang isang lalaki na pinagkukumpulan na mga tao i kalayuan sa amin. One look at the man, and I know he's an artist. His curly hair falls just right above his collarbone, and he's wearing a gorgeous white tuxedo with splashes of orange strokes with complicated patterns and lines. "That's Darius Benitez."

My eyebrows furrowed a bit. "I think I've seen him somewhere before. Is he famous?"

"Of course you're familiar with him. He's—"

Hindi niya natapos ang sasabihin niya nang lumapit sa kaniya ang babae niyang sales associate. Nakangiting tinanguhan ko si Zachary nang tapunan niya ako ng tingin na humihingi ng dispensa bago siya sumama sa empleyado niya na mukhang may importanteng kailangan sa kaniya.

"Cute bracelet."

Nilingon ko ang pinanggalingan nang nagsalita at nakita ko si Lucienne na nakalapit na pala sa akin. She's looking down at my wrist, and I looked down to see that I'm still wearing the glittery beaded bracelet I was given yesterday. Hindi ko pala natanggal.

"It's a gift from someone I visited in the hospital." I glanced in the direction of our other family members. Nakatayo pa rin sila kung saan ko silang huling nakita pero wala ro'n si Kuya Thorn. "Nasaan ang asawa mo at himalang iniwan kang mag-isa?"

"Nagpunta sa CR." She flipped her hair back. "Sa sobrang irresistible ko sa kuya mo, wiwi na lang ang pahinga namin."

My face scrunched up, and she responded with a tinkering laugh. The nightmares I have to suffer with these women. Lagi kong kailangan na ipaalala sa kanila na magkakasing wavelength man kami ay kapatid pa rin ako ng mga kuya ko at wala akong balak marinig ang mga bagay na hindi rin gugustuhin ng mga iyon na marinig sa akin.

"Okay din kayo ng ex mo 'no? Walang awkwardness," komento ng babae na nakatingin sa kinaroroonan ni Zachary.

"We were just kids back then. We're better off as friends, and we both know it."

"Buti okay lang kay Sir Magnus. Di ba nakipagkita ka rin doon sa isa mo pang ex?"

"Si Brandon?"

Umiling siya. "Di ba sabi mo may isa pa? Iyong photographer?"

I told her and the other women about the case since I know they're dying of curiosity. Kaya nabanggit ko rin ang mga taong nasa suspect list ng Dagger sa ngayon.

"Oh, that's Daniel. I was supposed to meet him and his wife pero sabi ni Amanda nagkasakit daw si Daniel at hindi niya naman maiwanan." I remembered her first question, and I decided to answer it as well. "And Magnus is okay with me meeting them."