LOVE BETWEEN THE LIES (SELF-PUB) Reprints of Physical book still available

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Mason's POV

Hindi ko pinansin ang nagtatanong na tingin ng mga agents ko habang tulak – tulak ko si Sebi sa wheelchair niya papasok sa opisina namin. Sa kabilang kamay ko ay nakakapit sa akin si Timmy at parang nahihiya na nakatingin sa paligid. First time kasi talagang nangyari ito na may batang nakapasok sa agency namin. Restricted ito sa mga civilians tulad nila Sebi but who cares? My brother wanted to see what kind of work I have so I am gladly to show him.

Nakita kong nagmamadaling lumabas sa opisina niya si JD at nagtatanong ang tingin sa akin. Ngumiti lang ako sa kanya habang patuloy sa pagtutulak ng wheelchair ng kapatid ko. Madaling mapagod si Sebi at hingalin kaya may nakalagay na nasal canula sa ilong niya na naka – konekta sa portable oxygen niya doon.

"Is this your office Uncle Mason?" tanong ni Timmy sa akin.

"Yeah. Let's get inside," sabi ko. Pinagbuksan ko sila ng pinto at tiningnan ko si JD na umalalay din sa amin. Siya ang humawak sa pinto para manatili itong bukas at ng maitulak ko naman ang wheelchair papasok.

"This is Agent JD Carbonel. He is my top and badass agent here." Pakilala ko kay JD. "This is my brother Sebi and this is his son, Timmy."

Napatingin sa akin si JD at nagpabalik – balik ang tingin kay Timmy at sa akin. Alam kong gusto niyang makasiguro kung si Timmy nga ang anak ko kaya tumango ako sa kanya.

"Hi Sebi, how are you? Welcome to our humble office. You are really lucky. You are the first civilian who entered our office." Sabi ni JD.

Ngumiti si Sebi at tumingin sa akin. "I just wanted to see how Mason works. I really wanted to be a soldier but I can't because I am sick and he did it for me."

Ayokong tingnan si Sebi. Nagagalit ako kasi sa nakikita kong kalagayan niya. Every day, he is deteriorating. Pahina ng pahina ang itsura niya and I don't want to see my brother like this.

Tumunog ang telepono ko at nakita kong pangalan ni Melissa ang nag – register doon.

"I need to attend this call. Importante lang ito. JD, can you tour Sebi and Timmy around? I'll be with you in a second." Sabi ko.

"Sure. Let's go. I'll show you guys our artillery room then I'll introduce you to some of our agents. But you need to keep this to yourselves okay? All you can see here are classified," nakangiting sabi ni JD at itinulak palabas ang wheelchair ni Sebi. Tumango lang ako sa kanila at ng makita kong malayo na sila ay sinagot ko ang tawag ni Melissa.

"Director, I heard that you brought some civilians here. You know our rules." Iyon agad ang bungad ni Melissa sa akin.

"I know. I can trust my brother okay? And regarding with my kid, trust me, he will forget about this tomorrow." Iritable kong sagot sa kanya.

"Your kid? You have a kid? I thought that is your brother's son?" taka ni Melissa.

Fuck. "Regarding with his kid. His kid." Ipinagdiinan ko pa ang sinabi ko. 'Tang ina talaga 'tong si Melissa. Kahit kailan sobrang pakielamera. Pero wala naman siyang magagawa. Ako ang head dito kaya bakit matatakot ako sa kanya?

Napahinga siya ng malalim. "Fine. Just a couple of hours, Director. Hindi ito makakarating sa HQ. And Dr. Uy called me. He needs to talk to you."

"Okay. What about the case of Salazar? He hasn't caught yet?"

"The last time we heard, he is hiding somewhere in Mindoro. Some of our agents are really looking for him just like what you instructed us."

"Okay. Thank you."