Against All Odds, Still You

Odd 30: The Chaos Is Here

A S H

Galing akong Erminoa kanina. Bago pa man magsimula ang first period ay nag-announce na agad si Mom, ang principal, na meron kaming one week break. Ewan ko kung anong meron. Siguro maraming missions ang kailangang gampanan kaya gano'n. Ako kasi maraming gagawin sa office. I will study every mechanics. Kailangan kilala at kabisado ko lahat ng matataas ang ranking sa bawat section. I also have to build a strong leadership aura to be able to rule Valdine Empire perfectly. Kailangan ding professional. No personal issues, personal grudges, or personal feelings involved. When I'm the leader of Valdine Empire and not the usual Ash they know, there's a line I put between me and everyone. Well, maliban syempre sa family ko, kay Ziah, at kay Yngrid.

So dahil nga nagsimula kanina ang break, nandito ako ngayon sa office para tapusin ang mga dapat tapusin at ayusin ang mga dapat ayusin. Medyo masakit na ang pang-upo ko dahil kanina pa ako nakaupo. May mga snacks din sa gilid ng table ko, kaya ako'y tamang dukot na lang, hahaha! Dinala ni Ate kanina. Sinasanay niya naman ngayon 'yung mga bagong tanggap na trainees kaya busy siya. Since rank 2 ang girlfriend niyang si Ate Miyu, magkasama sila ngayon. They're professionals. Trabaho muna bago landian. Haha, I'm so rude.

Nagulat naman ako nang biglang tumunog ang cellphone ko na para lamang sa pag-contact sa 'kin ng mga VE members at ng mga kaalyado namin. Shocks!

Agent Dhane, Rank 1 is calling...

Huh? Bakit naman tumatawag si Ate?

"Hello?"

[Baby sis, I forgot to tell you. May nagpahabol magpa-grant ng approval sa 'yo. Sinabi ko na lang na magpunta siya riyan sa office mo. Don't worry, magaling siya. Subok na subok na. O siya, I'll hang up now. We're busy at the moment. Just called to tell you. I love you! Bye!]

"Hey-" and she hung up. Gosh.

And the moment I put the phone down on the table, my office's door opened and a familiar face popped up. I squinted my eyes just to be sure who it was.

"Y-Yanna?" I asked unbelievably.

She smiled. "Don't worry, I'm not here to beg." and chuckled.

"So what are you doing here?"

"I wanted to be part of Valdine Empire, Miss Ash." she answered with formality.

"And why? Alam ba 'to ni Yngrid?" kunot noo kong tanong. Kumamot siya sa kaniyang batok at alanganing ngumiti. She's trying so hard not to meet my gaze.

"Queen doesn't know about this. Kanang kamay naman niya ako, so I can do this without her consent. Siya rin ang nag-orient sa 'kin ng rule na 'yon. So I can assure you, there will be no problem." she explained. Nilapag niya ang hawak niyang papeles sa ibabaw ng lamesa ko kasama na ang isang panulat. With my body's automatic response, I took the paper and read it.

No doubt. She's an asset of Black Thorn Empire. I didn't know about her performances and recognitions, hindi nagku-kwento si Yngrid sa 'kin about her. Syempre, selos siya e. Triggered masyado. Pero grabe, ang galing niya. She can actually surpass the current Rank 1 in the Scientists' Section.

"Will you accept me, Miss Ash?" muli akong napatingin sa kaniya.

Ano, Ash? Tatanggapin mo ba siya? Wala namang kaso kung may past kayo 'di ba? It's just a matter of professionalism, right? Makakadagdag siya sa success ng VE 'pag nagkataon. Gano'n naman ang hangarin ko. Maging matagumpay pa lalo ang VE, mas lalo itong mapaganda, at maging lead security kami ng buong mundo. Magagawa ko 'yan sa magiging tulong ng kakayahan ni Yanna. Her intelligence in making and developing technologies, accessories, and weapons is a big help, a big factor for my empire. So, Ash. Are you going to accept her?

Kinuha ko ang panulat na inilapag niya at nagsimulang punan ng mga salita ang mga blangkong patlang sa papeles niya. I signed her requirement at isinulat ang Scientists' Section sa bandang kaliwang taas ng papel. I handed it back to her.

"Welcome to the Valdine Empire, Scientist Yanna. Please look for Dr. Celestina Evans, Rank 1, for further information and orientation. Good luck." I said as I smiled at her. She nodded at me before leaving my office, happily.