Code 365 Project Memory

Datum 36.1 : Triggered (II)

"Who even told you that I am calm, Admiral?" he coldly replied.

Napangisi ako at napapikit. I could smell the fragrant Jasmine on my hot cup of tea.

"I cannot really blame you for feeling like that. Who on Earth would even be happy being greeted by the news of his own sister being kidnapped?"

He remained silent and maintained his crossed arm stance. His serious black eyes pressed onto me.

"But for now, I wanna greet you for your return. Welcome back, Lieutenant Tristan Aldebert." I smiled and placed the ceramic cup on the saucer.

Nasinagan ng liwanang mula sa blinders ang kanyang mukha. I could tell that he's damn serious about being back.

"Thank you, Admiral." He replied but didn't even bother to smile back at me.

Bibihira lang ang ganito. The EAF recalled him and asked him for his military service when he was already living a laid-back life with Stella.

Until now I don't still get the reason, but I am pretty sure whatever the reason is, talagang mabigat iyon, something more important that even having a simple peaceful life.

I crossed my fingers and lean onto them while still gazing at the young Lieutenant in front of me.

"It is still a big surprise that you came back, Tristan. Is Stella the reason?"

"The EAF sent me here to join them on their mission on finding the lost heir. With all due respects, Admiral, but my personal life had nothing to do with your business and curiosity." He coldly replied.

Napangiti ako at napa upo ng tuwid saaking office chair.

"Typical Tristan." I smiled and then reach out for the folder on the side of my desk and slid it in front of him.

"Aside from the fact that Captain Devi had been very careless about Stella's safety, there are matters I wanna discuss with you."

"Captain Devi?" he curiously asked. "I never heard of him. Parte ba siya ng Xavierheld Military?"

I giggled shorty.

"Why don't you see for yourself, Lieutenant?"

My eyes gazed onto him and aimed on the folder he's holding. He clearly got my message and then carefully opened the folder.

Hindi maipinta ang reaksyon sa mukha ni Tristan nang makita ang isang pamilyar na image sa loob ng isang biodata.

"This is—"

"The head of the 3 gang syndicate, Expiatio. The man who has the face of the most famous Hero of Valfrejyan War, the reason why your sister came back to Xavierheld."

"Captain Vaughn Meinhardt." He seriously stated.

"But the thing is that he doesn't wanna accept that name, nor even the solid fact that indeed he is the one who we've been looking for this whole 2 years, post war."

Confusion starts to lurk all over the Lieutenant's face. Pinagmasdan ko lang ang pagtagos ng liwanag ng katotohanan sakanyang mukha.

Everything that his sister and Xavierheld hid behind their shadows, slowly being revealed in front of this man.

Tristan's Point of View

I felt my throat dry as I realize the truth Xavierheld had used to lure my sister back to their custody.

A sense of fury and disheartment was felt all over my chest. How could they be so selfish—

"Alam ko ang tumatakbo sa isipan mo ngayon Tristan."