Chapter 2

NORMANDY, February 2016

Secrecy and deceit. They eat at one's spirit like a malignant tumour. They devour the good and leave nothing but ruin in their wake.

"Does he know where you are right now?" tanong ni Nikita kay Georgina.

"I told him I have a conference in France and will be back after a couple of days. So, yes. He knows where I am." She does have an advertising agency. It's legit. But her business in France is different.

Maaga silang nagising ni Nikita habang si Camille at Krista ay mahimbing pa ang tulog sa kwarto ng mga ito. They are at the Vanguard Triad Main office in Normandy. Kapag sa Pilipinas sila ipinatawag ay sa Calvados sila pumupunta.

When she visits here, it's as if time has stopped in Normandy. The structure they are in is a brick one with a steep roof, large arched windows on the upper floors, and sturdy balustrades on the porches. It's well-proportioned and symmetrical.

Don't be misled by the structure's age. It is tightly guarded by armed men and women who have received extensive training, and an even large contingent of armed guards stationed in every floor once you get inside. For the duration of its existence, digital data is shielded from manipulation, loss, and tampering by means of the data security. When Georgina joined the Triad, she contributed to the continued development of their cutting-edge technology, which is frequently improved.

"You're in love with him. I hope you're not pregnant... yet." Biglang napahawak si Georgina sa impis niyang tiyan. "You know the rules."

The Vanguard Triad recruits every year at nang nag-aaral siya sa Insead Business School ay isa siya sa napili ng mga ito. Georgina can speak different languages aside from English and Tagalog— German, French, Spanish, Russian and Italian. Her mission is to protect the Vanguard Jewel— Hope Diamond which costs two hundred fifty million dollars.

The Peacock Brooch, worth an estimated $100,000,000, is Camille's baby. Nikita has her eye on the Pink Star, worth seventy-two million dollars, while Krista protects the Wittelsbach Diamond, worth eighty million.

The rules. You cannot get pregnant while in service. You cannot be in a relationship with anyone from the organization unless the party is retired. And most of all, you can only retired at the age of twenty-five, or thirty. You lose that window and there's no way out except death itself.

"I'm not pregnant." She's on a pill and she has never missed her period. Sumimsim siya ng tsa at tumanaw sa malayo.

"Good. Your twenty-fifth birthday is coming up soon. I think it's partly why your name is on the agenda, Georgina."

Iyon rin ang palagay niya kaya siya ipinatawag. Either that, or they know what she's hiding. She will be tried once they find out— may God have mercy on her then.

"I'm hanging it up for good." Georgina meant her service to the Vanguard Triad. To express her amusement, Nikita clucked her tongue.

"So he's really the one, huh? Wasn't he the wimpy kid you're talking about?" Nikita is trying to irritate her.

"He is not a wimp. When we were kids, I was just... too much trouble, and he was too prim and proper." Only Georgina has the right to call him a wimp, and she does so just to annoy him. Lucian is not the least bit wimpy... especially in bed.

When Georgina is apart from Lucian, she misses him tremendously. Seeing his face first thing in the morning and last thing at night as she drifts off to sleep. She makes terrible food, but he eats it without complaining. She's not a very good cook, and the moment she is no longer needed by the triad, she plans to enrol in culinary classes as soon as possible. Georgina misses the comfort of their home.

When they met in Berlin, Lucian didn't leave with his friends. Nagpaiwan ito at nangakong hindi aalis na hindi siya kasama. She was there for a mission at palihim niyang ginawa ang trabaho. She was lucky there's no bloodbath. Hindi niya alam kung paano ipaliliwanag sa nobyo kung umuwi siyang duguan o bali. Worse, if she was shot, or stabbed.

After the mission, sumama siya kay Lucian sa California and from there, they moved to Toronto. They bring a lot to the table in terms of resources and expertise, making them essential to Canada. They moved into a little house they rented on Danforth and have been there ever since. They're both putting money away for a down payment on a property in the suburbs. Maybe in a tiny city like Cambridge. They could see this as a nice spot to settle down and start a family one day.

For now, what can she do though? It is her job to keep an eye out for anyone trying to take the gem and prevent its theft at all costs. She's the best IT on the team and fighting in combat is as natural as breathing for her. It comes to her naturally and that's why she's able to lead her team effectively. Her ability is innate. The Triad benefits greatly from having her at the helm.

"Oh. My. Dear. Lord. You are really in love with him. You care for him so deeply." Hindi mabura ang ngiti ni Nikita. She has always been a real romantic. Her parents separated when she was still a baby but it didn't stop her from daring to dream one day she'd get her happy ending. "I never expected to see this day so early, you know? You were more interested in cars and technology than men. Who knew the Italian would end up being your one and only true love?"

"Tsk. Wait for your turn, Nikita?" Napahagikhik si Nikita. "You're going to be so whipped you won't know whether to close your eyes to make sure he's not an illusion or to sleep with him to make sure he's real."

"Was that how you felt with Lucian?"

Georgina nodded. "And more. He's just... Lucian is someone I didn't think I'd fall for, you know? He has a normal life." At least for now.

Walang nababanggit si Lucian sa kaniya na sasapi ito sa samahan ng ama. Yet, this sort of thing is to be expected. Lucian will be counted on to replace his father as soon as that time comes. This is how things have always been done around their family. Their kind of family. Alam niya ang tungkol sa pamilya ni Lucian. Their fathers have been friends since they were teenagers. Naglayas noon si Don Lucio at napadpad sa Spain. Her father's family took him in. Her silence is not indicative of ignorance. Just because she doesn't ask, doesn't mean she doesn't know.

"And you're not normal?" Nikita smirked while she rolled her eyes on her. "Now, now. We are not doing any sort of crime here. We are keeping an eye on the priceless gems. It will benefit society as a whole. It's for the greater good."

"I just feel bad that I can't tell him anything. Alam ko, hindi lang siya nagsasalita pero may mga tanong na siya. We've been together almost three years."

"You swore to secrecy, Georgina. It's just something that we have to make peace with. Besides, you're going to leave the service soon. Just hang in there. It will be over before you know it." Nikita patted her on the back. "No more secrets soon."