Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Pagkatapos makaalis ni Roland Scarletti, na siyang inihatid na ni Sky, ay mabilis na sumulpot naman si Cloud sa kaniyang opisina.

“Detected any bugs yet?” Angat tingin ni Eleanor sa binata habang inaayos ang pagkahelera ng mga natapos niyang dokumento.

He’s been roaming her office with his spyware detector for almost five minutes now. Nakailang libot na ito at wala paring mahanap na pruweba sa kaniyang pagdududa.

“We need to make sure that he left your office clean, Empress.” Depensa ng binata.

“Nakailang libot ka na, Cloud.” Balik niya, “Ni hindi nga siya nakapunta sa parteng yan.” Dagdag pa niya, turo-turo ang kinatatayuan ng binata. “He only walked through the door and sat on the chair.”

His eyes rolled as he stood straight, releasing a heavy sigh.

“I’m still gonna check again later.” He persisted, not giving up his suspicions.

Eleanor just shrugged, “Ikaw ang bahala.” Wala naman siyang magagawa sa katigasan ng ulo nito pagdating sa seguredad ng Scarletti, “Pero kailangan na nating pumunta sa control room.” Wika niya nang matapos isilid ang ilang mga papeles sa kaniyang table drawer.

“Nga pala, Empress.” Pagkuha ni Cloud sa atensyon niya, “The Generals are waiting in the control room. Magrereport na daw sila.” Imporma nito saka binuksan ang pinto para sa kaniya.

She gave him a knowing look, “At ngayon mo lang sinabi? Kanina pa ba sila doon?”

Tumango si Cloud, “For about thirty minutes ago, I think? Nasa kalagitnaan ka kanina ng pakikipag-usap kay Roland Scarletti ng dumating sila.” He answered.

Napabilis ng lakad si Eleanor, “You should’ve informed me earlier.” Sermon niya sa binata.

Imbis na sabihan siya non ay dumirets ito sa paghahanap ng spyware.

“I’ll keep that in mind for next time, Empress.” Seryoso nitong wika, not feeling guilty of what he did.

Eleanor shake her head in disbelief. She didn’t bother and head straight to the control room.

Pagkapasok niya ay nagsitayuan ang mga heneral ng Scarletti. A satisfied smile formed on her lips after they gave her a respectful bow.

“Kamusta ang una niyong misyon?” she gestured them back to their seats and sat on her chair at the center of the meeting table.

It feels good to talk to more people wearing nothing but her real self. She felt like she’s getting closer to freedom.

“Bago kami bumalik dito ay sinegurado muna namin na umatras na ang lahat ng kalaban na umaatake sa mga kampo namin.” Panguna ni Henry, “But we also made sure to instruct our bases to stay on alert incase somethings happen during our absence.”

Bumaling si Eleanor kay Syleria ng may inilahad itong folder sa kaniya, “This contains the names and information of the mafias that attacked us, Empress. Pero hindi parin namin matukoy kung sino ang pasimuno ng pag-atake nila.”

“What if they acted on their own?” suspetsa ni Ealyn

Eleanor’s lips curved as she listened to them. Mukhang mabilis na nasasanay ang mga ito sa Scarletti. They’re adapting very well.

“I don’t think so.” Kaagad na sagot naman ni Alizah, “Their attacks were so structured, like it was well planned.”

“May nahuli kaming tatlong tauhan ng mga umatake sa base.” Imporma ni Henri, “We can interrogate them.”

“Please do that.” Sang-ayon ni El, “You’ve made our roles easier, generals. Salamat sa inyo at nabawasan ang trabaho namin. And you successfully lead Scarletti’s defense during the attacks. Thank you.” Isa-isa niya silang tiningnan.

“We’re more thankful, Empress.” Ngiting ani Ealyn, “Scarletti gave us a new purpose.”

All of them agreed.

Mas lumapad ang ngiti niya.

“Empress.” Lahat sila ay napatingin kay Sky na kakapasok lang.

He looked like he has something important to tell. Bumalik ang tingin ni Eleanor sa mga heneral saka siya nagsalita.

“I want you to go back to your bases and make sure to fix any damages we gained from the attacks. And tomorrow, I want you back here.” She pulled herself up and stood, sabay namang tumayo ang mga ito, “We will plan our attack against those courageous mafia groups who underestimated our Empire.” Muli siyang ngumiti sa mga ito.

Isa-isang nakipagkamay sa kaniya ang mga heneral bago lumabas ang mga ito sa control room.

“They’re a big help.” Wika ni Sky, “You made the right choice, Empress.”

Muli siyang bumalik sa pagkaka-upo, sunod namang umupo sa magkabilang-tabi niya ang kambal.

“Kamusta si Tanda?” she’s been worried sick.

“The doctors are still monitoring him. Wala paring signs na magigising siya any time soon.” Malungkot na sagot nito.

“He’ll woke up soon.” May kumpiyansang wika ni Cloud, “I’m sure he’s thinking about you two messing up while he’s asleep. Kaya pipilitan niyang gumising na.” he teased.

“Hey!” sabay na saway nila dito.

“Anyway,” pag-iiba ni El sa usapan, “What’s your report, Sky? Nakauwi ba nang ligtas si Roland Scarletti?”

“Yes, Empress.” sagot nito, “But first I want to ask kung anong pinag-usapan nyo.”

She heaved a breath before answering, “I asked him about his story and how’s he related to Scarletti. “

“And? Is he?” Tanong naman ni Cloud.

“He said that he’s my dad’s adoptive brother.” she answered in an unsure tone.

She told them everything Roland said and they listened carefully as she narrates.

“But there’s no record of him in Scarletti.” Cloud leaned back..

“That’s your next task Cloud. You have to dig deeper on Scarletti’s data base, especially from the years before the ambush.” utos niya rito

“If he' telling the truth. Anong rason kung bakit siya bumalik?” suspicions about the man never left Sky's mind.

“He said that, he wants to fulfill his promise to my father. Na suportahan ako, lalo na sa mga elders.” dagdag pa ni El “Have you heard from them, Sky? Segurado akong nakarating na sa kanila ang tungkol sa kondisyon ni Tanda.”

The rush of worry suddenly creped to her. She never encountered them before, and knowing their role to Scarletti makes her anxious about what they can do. Tanda kept her safely from them. At maging siya ay hindi pa kilala ang mga ito dahil Hindi pa opisyal na pinpasa sa kaniya ang lahat.

“They surely have heard of it.” Sky responded, “At mas lalo pang lumalaki ang pagdududa nila sa amin.” sumama ang mukha nito.

Her brows met, "Pinagduduhan nila kayo? The Collins? Why?”

“They’ve been doubting us for a long time, Empress. Lalo na’t malaki ang dedikasyon naming itago ang pagkatao mo, kahit sa kanila.” muling sagot ni Sky.

“They think that you’re not real and we’re just using your identity to control Scarletti.” deretsong paliwanag ni Cloud.

Napabuntong-hininga naman si Sky, “Malaki ang naitulong ng broadcast mo para mapakalma ang pagdududa nila. But soon, they’ll find ways to doubt it too.”

“They want you to reveal yourself to them. Or they will force us to give them the full authority to govern Scarletti.” sunod na ani naman ni Cloud.

"And how long has this been going on?!" She exclaimed in shock.

They're being accused of such a big crime! Bakit ngayon lang nila ito sinabi sa kaniya?

"For uhm, q-quite some time." Nag-aalangang sagot ni Sky.

She felt furious. Ngayo'y nagdududa siya kung ano pa ba ang tinatago ng mga ito sa kanila. Lalo na si Tanda. They pampered and protected her too much that now she doubts about how little knows.

Mariin siyang napahwak sa kaniyang sintido.

"E-el." Tawag sa kaniya ni Sky.

Mabilis siyang umiling para putulin ang kung ano mang sasabihnin nito.

She can't afford to argue with them right now. Hindi iyon ang kailangan ng Scarletti ngayon. She needs to stay composed and strong.

"Sky," baling niya sa binata, "my birthday is just a month away. Inform the elders that they don't have to wait long to see my face." Utos niya, nagpipigil ng inis.

"I'll tell them exactly that, Empress." Sunod nito.

"And Cloud," baling naman niya kambal nito, "Gusto Kong pumunta sa mansyon ng Scarletti."

"I'll arrange it immediately, Empress." Mabilis nitong sagot.

"I will go there today," imporma niya na siya namang tinanguan ng binata, "If Roland Scarletti is indeed a part of my family, seguradong sa mansyon ko makikita ang mga proweba non." She explained.

She stood up and they followed, "Heed my orders." Aniya sa dalawa, "I will leave in thirty minutes, Cloud."

"Yes, Empress." Mabilis na sagot nito.

She nodded and head back straight to her room. Bago siya makalabas ay narinig pa niya ang mga buntong-hininga at sisihan ng kambal.

Everytime they're keeping things from her and overprotecting her, she's reminded of the day that the twins almost died. And the memory always scares. Since that day, she promised to her self that she won't let it happen again. Sa kambal o kahit sino man.

But now, Tanda is in coma. She failed again.

Karapat-dapat ba talaga siyang maging pinuno ng Scarletti?

"Stop it, Healia Eleanor." She said to herself while looking at the mirror. "Kukutusan ka ni Tanda kapag narinig ka niyang ganito. Scarletti needs you. You're not done giving your parents' justice yet. You can't be weak now." Pangkukumbinsi niya sa sarili.

Naghilamos siya at tinampal-tampal ang mukha para gisingin ang sarili.

She can't afford to give in to her fear and anxiety. Hindi ito ang tamang oras na makaramdam at magpakita siya ng kahinaan.

She breathed heavily. The expense of being a leader is no joke. And she can't let herself consider the choice of giving up the role. Dahil ang bawat galaw at desisyon niya ay katumbas ng maraming buhay na naghahandang sumakripisyo para sa kaligtasan niya.

'I need to keep going. You can do this, Healia Eleanor. You need to.' huli niyang ani sa sarili bago lumabas ng banyo.

Pagkatapos mag-ayos ay madali niyang tinawagan si Cloud para sabihan na handa na siyang umalis.

"Twin will drive you to the big house, Empress." Sagot nito.

"Bababa na 'ko." Imporma niya saka binaba ang tawag.

ELEANOR remained silent the whole ride to the Scarletti's mansion. Hindi rin nag-abala si Sky na kausapin siya. He knows her, and she needs space. At dahil hindi ito sanay sa katahimikan sa pagitan nilang dalawa ay nagpatugtug lamang ito ng musika buong byahe. She let him be

Nakatulong din ang malakas na musika para patahimikin ang maingay niyang isip.

Nang makarating sa sekretong garahe ng mansyon ay muling nabuhay ang kaba na kaninang nararamdaman ni Eleanor.

After the kidnapping accident with the twins when they were little, Tanda transfered her to Scarletti's headquarters. Hindi na siya nakapunta pa dito mula non. Kaya ba siya kinakabahan?

May mga kasagutan kaya siyang mahahanap dito?

Sinalubong sila ng Isang matandang babae pagkababa nila sa kotse. Nag-iisa lamang ito at may hawak na tungkod para umalalay sa mahina nitong tuhod.

Who is she? Hindi niya maalala.

"Sino ka sa dalawang Kristos?" Anito ng makalapit kay Sky para matitigan ng mabuti ang mukha nito.

"Ang pinkapogi po, madame Anne." Malukong anang binata na siyang kinatawa ng matandang babae.

Mariing napahawak si Eleanor sa sling ng kaniyang bag nang siya ang sunod nitong tingnan.

"Anong nilagay mo sa iyong mata?" Anito sa kaniya.

"P-po?" Takhang naisagot ni El saka napatingin kay Sky.

"Itago mo man ang totoong kulay ng iyong mga mata at buhok, hinding hindi ko makakalimutan ang hulma ng isang Scarletti." Ngiting dagdag pa niya at mas lumapit kay Eleanor.

Eleanor gave Sky a questioning look. Kilala ba siya ng matandang babae? Paano?