The Secrets

Ten: Unexpected Guest

   I was balancing my sharp knife in my fore finger when someone knocked on my door.

"Zemi? Lady Vi wants to speak with you" tawag ni Luka mula sa labas.

   I sighed and thrust my knife upward and catching it on the handle. Hinawakan ko ito ng mahigpit bago ko ito itinapon sa litrato naming apat.
   Lumabas na ako ng kwarto at bumaba ng hagdan hanggang dalhin ako ng mga paa ko sa study room ng bahay. The door was slightly opened, waiting for me to enter.

   I saw Luka and Danielle standing so rigid beside Lady Vi who is casually sitting on the table.

"Well, well, well, look at you my darling! Handang handa ng pumatay." my mother grinned.
"What do you want?" I asked coldly, unbothered by her computerized image coming from a small device that Alisa has made.

"I worry about your greetings dear." she said sounding disappointed when the truth is she isn't. Because she never really care.
"Yun ba ang ipinunta mo?" tanong ko at umupo sa couch.
"No." she answered, smiling mischievously. "Luka why don't you enlighten Zelaina."
Luka replied. "As you wish milady." and faced me with a stone cold face but her eyes betrayed her.

"Ken from Northern College is not just a normal student. He is Keniel Lockhart, one of the devil's brood." paninimula niya. I snap my fingers and immediately Danielle gave me the file with the details.

   Exactly what I needed.

"Tell me something I don't know."
"You knew?" Danielle asked but then I dismissed her. Tinignan ko si Luka na siya namang nagpatuloy.
"He's looking for the one who stole the antidote before they could and they're currently inducting an investigation."

   I nod. "It will not be long till they find out that it was us."
"Yes."
"Then we must kill him." mungkahi ni Danielle na dahilan ng pagtawa ko. Nagtataka itong nakatingin sa akin. Nginitian ko ito at sumandal sa couch.

"Actually, I want him alive."
"WHAT?!" sabay na pagtutol ni Danielle at Luka. Halata sa mga mukha nito ang gulat at pangamba.
"You heard me." nakangiti kong sabi.

   Lady Vi laughed making Luka and Danielle return to their rigid postures. "Oh, my darling! Did you figure something out?" My mother asked raising her eyebrows as her eyes glints with cruelty.

   Tumayo ako at tinitigan sila isa isa.
"Now, tell me. Who fabricated my accident?" I asked and Luka blurted, too fast for my taste.
"No one." lumapit ako sakanya hanggang sa magkaharap na kami.
"Sigurado ka?" tanong ko at tinitigan siya sa mata ng madiin. Bago pa ito makasagot ay nagsalita si Lady Vi.

"Oh look at the time! I have some business to attend. So, I'll leave you my dear baby with your... What is it that you call them?" Hindi ko ito nilingon pero halatang kunwari'y nag iisip ito.
"Oh right! I'll leave you to your... FRIENDS." Lady Vi chuckled then vanishes into thin air.

"Are you?" I asked Luka then glance at Danielle who's looking the other way. Just in time Cielo came in, bouncing. She then felt the tension when she sees us with serious faces.
"What's up?" tanong niya na nagtataka.

"Bakit ngayon ka lang?" tanong ko habang nakataas ang isang kilay.
"Eh? sorry. Hindi ko alam na may meeting pala dito. Nasa CR kasi ako-" Hindi niya natapos ang sasabihin niya ng pinutol siya ni Danielle.
"It's important Cielo."
"Who's the target then?" Cielo asked while crossing her arms.

"Keniel." I muttered and observed her expression. Her eyes bulged then she cough.
"Sorry, my throat itches."

"Now tell me Cielo, Did you fabricated my accident?" tanong ko at tinitigan siya ng mabuti.
"What?! Paano mo naman nasabi Zemi? Your car crashed while you're chasing a target remember?"
"Talaga? Then who is this Keniel?"
"He's..." sumulyap ito kina Luka bago sumagot "The next target."