Lethal Numbers Series 1: Four, the Number of Affection

2

"Both holds something against each other? What do you mean?" Xade asked, confused.

"You're risking your identity, Ice." Xane. His eyes moved to Xane. He chuckled. Sa tatlong binatang nasa harap n'ya, si Xane pa lang ang may lakas ng loob na tawagin s'ya sa pangalan n'ya.

"She already know my name." He leaned back. Tumaas ang sulok ng labi n'ya. He didn't expect that she had digged his background that deep.

"It's fine. As long as our purposes aligns, as long as we share the same goal. I don't mind risking everything. I've waited too long- I can't wait any longer." He paused. He can't wait any longer, dahil alam n'yang... mas matagal mas maraming madadamay, mas matagal mas maraming mamatay.

Every pair of eyes inside that room darkened. Eyes that can pierced through souls.

And so what if he's risking it all? He knows that "she" is taking the same risk. Wala na silang iba pang pagpipilian kundi ang sumugal sa isa't-isa.

"Tama na ang paghihintay. We've prepared for this day long enough. It's time for Il Numero Silenzioso to break the silence. I need Il Numero Finale..." Dagdag n'ya.

"And I need her... I need her to accomplish my purpose."

----

A dark smirk crossed his face as his eyes landed on the black envelope lying on his table. Agad na naagaw ng itim na envelope sa ibabaw ng mesa ang atensyon n'ya pagpasok n'ya sa opisina. Nasa gitna iyon ng mesa n'ya na para bang matagal nang naghihintay sa kanya.

His jaw tightened. His eyes cold turned even colder.

He stared on the envelope. The black matte paper bore no name. No handwritings. No fingerprints.

Just a single number. A number that spoke in silence- screaming the sound of death. Unsettling. Relentless.

"4"

"Four." He whispered. Amusement crossed his face. How can she bear such name. A name that literally means death.

The black envelope looks like a trap, ngunit walang pasubaling pinulot n'ya ang sobre. He opened it.

Inside is a single sheet of paper.

Marriage Contract.

His name was typed clearly. Caps lock. Bold.

ICE LANDER E. VASQUEZ

He read the lines until his eyes reached the bride's section. He smirked.

"What a d*vil." He commented.

It was blank. Except for a signature. Slanted and beautiful. No printed name. Just her signature. The corners of his mouth twitched- not into a smile, but into something far colder.

"Let's see how far you're willing to go, sweetheart." He whispered. Pinulot n'ya ang kanyang sign pen at walang pakundangang pinirmahan ang pangalan n'ya. He didn't even think twice.

Then he slid back the contract inside the envelope.

"Congressman," Xade just barged in without knocking. Xhan and Xane went in too. Xade eyes' immediately landed on the envelope in his hand. Xhan remained dead serious.

"May meeting daw kayo ni Mayor sa opisina n'ya." Xade said and went to the coffee maker. Inabot n'ya kay Xane ang hawak n'yang envelope, Xane opened it.

"What a lethal flower." Xane said after reading it, and passing it to Xhan.

"What's that?" Excited na sinilip din ni Xade ang hawak ni Xhan habang sumisimsim sa tinimpla nitong kape.