The Empire Series 5: Vanna Lei Shrewd

Chapter 14: Start of War?

"The second reason is that I want you to see yourself," he stated. The direct statement made her static.

Pakiramdam niya ay pinanginigan siya. He's explicitly telling her that she's star. In her long years in the field, never had anyone found out that her codename is star.

"A-anong ibig mong sabihin?" tanong niya rito. Gusto niyang pumiksi nang abutin nito ang kamay niya pero huli na. She already felt his warm hand on hers. Napalunok siya nang hindi niya magawang bawiin ang kamay.

Clyde stared at her. His face is serious but there is gentleness in his stare.

"The first time I saw your brown eyes, I felt like my entire world lit up. Like the stars on a dark night," wika nito.

She averted her gaze as she gritted her teeth. She shook her head and tried to calm down.

"No metaphors, no similes and no jargons. Just tell me what you exactly want to say, Clyde," matapang niyang saad. Sinalubong niya ang mga titig nito.

Clyde stared at her for a moment before slowly releasing her hand. Her eyes settled on her palm. It felt empty.

Gusto niyang kastiguhin ang sarili sa mga nararamdamang wala sa lugar pero hindi niya magawa. There is something more that she needs to face.

"That night in the restaurant when you suddenly walked out, sinundan kita," saad nito.

Her heart raced some more at what he said. May parte ng utak niya ang umaasa na hindi ang binata ang tumulong sa kanya ng gabing iyon.

It must not be Clyde otherwise he's a clone version of Cloud especially in his skills in martial arts. Si Cloud lang ang kilala niyang ganoon kabilis kumilos sa laban. He was able to detonate the bomb that fast as he fights the men around. Only Cloud could do that, but then again, she doesn't know what Clyde is capable of doing.

Napalunok siya sa naisip. Tiningnan niya ito ng diretso.

"I followed you but I saw her," ngumiti ito ng mapait.

"Sino?" Kunot-noo niyang tanong. She thought he'd tell her about the fight scene that night but he's telling a different thing.

"Emma," he muttered.

"Sinong Emma?" mas lalong kumunot ang noo niya.

"Remember when I told you, you had the same eyes as my first love?" balik-tanong nito.

Ilang segundong nag-hang sa utak niya ang sinabi nito bago siya napatango.

"Akala ko nakikita ko lang siya sa 'yo. That's why I found you interesting," naiiling nitong saad. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso niya pero hindi dahil sa kaba kundi sa antisipasyon sa susunod nitong sasabihin.

Clyde stared at her and she has no other choice but to stare back. She could see honesty in his eyes.

"Noong nakita ko siya nang gabing iyon sa restaurant at nakausap, napatunayan ko na hindi pala dahil sa kanya kaya ako naging interesado sa 'yo," pahayag nito.

She inhaled deeply as she tried to digest what he said.

"I like you not because you had the same eyes as hers but because of who you are, Lacy," saad nito.

Clyde reached for her hand again. Her breathing hitched when he slowly lifted it. Hindi niya alam na mas nakakakaba pala ito kaysa sa una niyang naisip na sasabihin nito kanina.

He was about to kiss her hand when they heard some men running. May ilang kalalakihang naghabulan sa harapan nila. May narinig din silang babaeng sumigaw ng "Snatcher!"