Lethal Numbers Series 1: Four, the Number of Affection

2

Binalot ng nakakamatay na katahimikan ang conference room dahil sa presensya n'ya.

He reached the head of the finest wood long table, but he didn't sit.

Silence.

Ang katahimikan sa apat na sulok ng k'warto ay bagay na bagay sa mga taong naroon. Tahimik. Madilim. Matalim. Delikado.

They are the silence that kills.

Il Numero Silenzioso.

Walang nangahas na lumikha ng ingay, kahit tunog man lang ng paghinga ng lahat ay payapa at kontrolado. Even the air didn't dare to make a sound.

Tall, sharp and commanding. His presence itself is law inside that dark-cold conference room.

The soft rustle of the finely embroidered Barong Tagalog filled out his broad shoulders. Its delicate patterns contrasted the danger in his eyes.

His gaze swept the whole conference room- piercing green eyes like the legendary twin blades of General Song Mo. Unbearable and unforgiving.

"Congressman-" Xhan swiftly pulled his gun and fired.

Bang!

Xhan fired without hesitation, Xhan knew their boss doesn't like noise, and how dare he call him "Congressman" inside the conference room.

The man fell on the floor, lifeless. Bumaon at winarak ng bala ang bibig nito. Ilang pares ng mata ang nahuli n'yang tumingin sa b*ngkay sa sahig, at ang ilan na ma'y wala ng lakas para lingunin 'yon sa takot na baka sila na ang sumunod.

They knew the rules, as clear as the fear visible in their eyes at the moment.

"I made it clear from the very start, didn't I? The person you face out there is not the same as the one standing behind this door. Who I am outside stays outside. Who I am inside... stays inside. Anyone who dares to cross that line... dies." There was no warmth in his features, there is no kindness in his silence.

Xade shook his head looking at the c*rpse on the floor. Sayang kang bata ka. Ani si Xade sa kanyang isipan. While Xane didn't even bother to give a glance.

"Xade." Xade cleared his throat when the boss called him. Xade is playful usually but not inside that f*cking conference room. Hindi n'ya itatangging kinikilabutan pa rin s'ya sa luntiang mga mata ng binatang tumawag sa pangalan n'ya.

"That's Xaven ranked fifth Lieutenant." Xane spoke saving Xade. All eyes fell on the tiled floor when those green eyes turned even darker. Deadlier.

"Xyzen will take his place. Xorell, and Xaruis track a man named Marcus Legarda. I want him alive." He faintly grinned. He just found out that "she" is looking for Marcus Legarda. He smirked... He just... really likes to play with her.

"You're all dismissed." He said.

His Lieutenants vanished from his sight like dust. No sound, no trace. Even the c*rpse on the floor wasn't there anymore.

"Sit down." He commanded, nang sila na lang ang natitira sa loob. Him, Xhan, Xade and Xane. He sat on his heavy-matte black swivel chair.

"Xane." Xane looked at him and nodded. Xane gave him a black envelope, ngunit hindi na n'ya 'yon binuksan. He already knew what's inside.

"The fish took the bait?" Xane asked. Xhan and Xade nodded.

"What do you think?" Balik tanong n'ya kay Xane. Xane sighed deeply.

"Why do I feel like they've got the upper hand? That woman is really..." Xade paused..

"Both got the upper hand. Both holds something against each other. Both have advantage, and disadvantage." Xane explained. Hindi s'ya agad nagsalita, he's thinking. Xane is right, but...