Chapter 21

"Bitawan mo ang kamay niya," isang malamig, mababa, at matigas na boses ang pumutol sa tahimik na pagkamangha ng buong unibersidad, habang ang mga mabibigat na hakbang ni Kenji Vance ay dahan-dahang lumalapit mula sa gilid ng track field.

Inangat ni Alexander Montemayor ang kaniyang tingin. Hindi niya agad binitiwan ang mga daliri ni Yssa; sa halip, dahan-dahan niyang inayos ang kaniyang posture, standing tall with a composed, effortless elegance. Tinitigan niya ang binatang nakasusuot ng simpleng trainer shirt at may bitbit na gym bag at kape.

"And who might you be?" tanong ni Alexander sa kaniyang pormal at malambing na British accent, his hazel eyes assessing Kenji from head to toe with a calm, amused curiosity.

Mabilis na humakbang si Kenji pabalik sa tapat ni Yssa, pinalilibutan ang dalaga ng kaniyang sariling tindig habang marahas ngunit maingat na iniiwas ang kamay ni Yssa mula sa hawak ni Alexander. "I'm Kenji. At wala ka sa London, Mr. Montemayor. Learn to respect personal space."

Napakunot ang noo ni Yssa, her cheeks still slightly flushed from the sudden public scene. "Kenji, magdahan-dahan ka nga. Bisita siya ng Dean at ng Foundation board."

"He was crossing the line, Yssa," mahinang asik ni Kenji, his dark eyes never leaving Alexander's face.

Natawa nang marahan si Alexander—isang pino at nakakaakit na tawa na lalong nagpaatras sa mga babaeng estudyanteng nakatitig sa kanila mula sa bleachers. "Ah, so you must be Kenji Vance. I’ve read about you in the corporate liquidation reports. It’s... interesting to see you in person."

Nangatal ang panga ni Kenji. "What do you want with Yssa?"

"I am here as the Chief Executive of Montemayor Global Foundation," sagot ni Alexander, reaching into his inner suit pocket to hand a sleek, black embossed card to Yssa. "We are offering Ms. Reyes a full Senior Research Fellowship at our London facility, alongside a three-million-peso institutional grant for her final year thesis. We believe her talent is far too immense to be confined within local limits."

Namilog ang mga mata nina Mia at Mark na kararating lang sa tabi nila. Three million pesos? Full fellowship in London?

Tinitigan ni Yssa ang mamahaling kard sa kaniyang kamay. "Mr. Montemayor... this is an incredible offer, but the selection process hasn't even officially started yet."

"For someone of your caliber, Yssa," Alexander said softly, stepping a inch closer, "the selection was already made the moment I reviewed your research files. I don't waste time on technicalities."

"She hasn't accepted anything yet," malamig na singit ni Kenji, his posture unyielding as he held Yssa’s shoulder softly. "At may sariling desisyon si Yssa. Don't force your money on her."

"Money?" Alexander smiled thinly, looking straight into Kenji's eyes. "It's not about money, Kenji. It's about giving her the platform she truly deserves—something you used to destroy, and something you can no longer afford to provide."

Ang mga salitang iyon ay parang matalas na patalim na tumarak sa dibdib ni Kenji. The loss of his family’s wealth was not something he regretted for himself, but hearing it used as a weapon against his ability to support Yssa made his fists clench tightly at his sides.

Pagdating ng gabi, tahimik na nakaupo sina Yssa at Kenji sa maliit na milk tea shop sa labas ng campus gate.

Abala si Yssa sa pagbabasa ng brochure ng Montemayor Global Foundation sa kaniyang tablet. Ang mga pasilidad sa London, ang mga sikat na siyentipiko na pwedeng maging mentors niya, at ang napakalaking oportunidad para sa kaniyang pamilya ay mga bagay na hindi basta-basta maiisip na tanggihan.

Tinitigan siya ni Kenji mula sa tapat ng mesa. Ang kape na binili niya kanina ay malamig na sa ibabaw ng wooden table.

"Gusto mo bang tanggapin 'yung offer niya?" mahinang tanong ni Kenji, breaking the long silence between them.

Inangat ni Yssa ang kaniyang tingin. Nakita niya ang lalim ng pag-aalala at ang manipis na takot sa mga mata ng binata.

"Kenji, research grant 'to para sa Senior thesis ko," marahang paliwanag ni Yssa. "I’ve been working for three years to get a international fellowship. Iyon ang pangarap ko bago pa man mangyari ang lahat ng 'to."

"Alam ko," pabulong na sagot ni Kenji, looking down at his own calloused hands. " I know how much this means to you, Yssa. And God knows I want you to achieve every single dream you have."

"Pero...?" tanong ni Yssa.

Inangat ni Kenji ang kaniyang tingin, his eyes filled with absolute honesty and vulnerability. "Pero natatakot ako, Yssa. I have nothing left to give you except my time, my hard work, and my heart. Si Alexander Montemayor... he can give you the world in a silver platter. He has the power, the name, and the influence that I lost."

Naramdaman ni Yssa ang matinding kirot sa kaniyang puso. Inabot niya ang dalawang kamay ni Kenji sa ibabaw ng mesa at mahigpit itong hinawakan.

"Kenji, look at me," malambing ngunit matatag na utos ni Yssa. " kailanman ay hindi ko minahal ang pera mo noong mayaman ka pa. At mas lalong hindi ko hahanapin 'yun ngayon. You proved your worth when you bled for me, when you worked double shifts for me, and when you stayed by my side. Si Alexander Montemayor ay isang sponsor. Ikaw... ikaw ang taong mahal ko."

Isang napakainit na hininga ng relief ang pinakawalan ni Kenji. Isinarado niya ang kaniyang mga daliri sa mga kamay ni Yssa at hinalkan ang likod ng kaniyang palad.

"I just don't want to lose you, Yssa," bulong ni Kenji. "Not after everything we went through to get here."

" Hindi mo ako mawawala, Kenji Vance," ngumiti si Yssa. "Pangako."

Kinabukasan ng umaga, ginanap ang opisyal na Welcome Banquet para sa Montemayor Global Foundation sa University Grand Hall.

Ang lahat ng Senior Students ng Science at Engineering Department ay nakasuot ng kani-kanilang semi-formal attire. Si Yssa ay nakasusuot ng isang simpleng navy blue dress na bumabagay sa kaniyang maliwanag na balat. Si Kenji naman, na inimbitahan ng Dean bilang representative ng Student Athletics and Library Staff, ay nakasuot ng kaniyang pormal na black polo shirt at slacks.

Sa gitna ng stage, nakatayo si Alexander Montemayor. Ang kaniyang speech ay puno ng katalinuhan, kapangyarihan, at karisma na nagpadakila sa kaniya sa mata ng buong faculty at student body.

"And to celebrate this partnership," pahayag ni Alexander sa mikropono, "the Foundation will be holding a competitive Senior Gala Dinner this Friday at the Manila Hotel. The top three research candidates will present their preliminary proposals directly to our European Board."

Nagsimulang magpalakpakan ang lahat ng tao sa hall.

Nang matapos ang speech, dahan-dahang bumaba si Alexander sa stage at dumeretso sa pwesto nina Yssa, Mia, at Mark.

"Good morning, Yssa," bati ni Alexander with a warm, captivating smile. "I hope you are preparing your proposal for Friday."

"Nakahanda na po ang outline ko, Mr. Montemayor," pormal na sagot ni Yssa.

"Excellent," tumango si Alexander. Then his eyes shifted smoothly toward Kenji, who was standing right beside her. "And Mr. Vance. I heard you are currently working two jobs while maintaining your studies. Quite impressive resilience."

" I do what I have to do," malamig na sagot ni Kenji.

"Actually, Kenji," patuloy ni Alexander, leaning slightly forward, "my foundation is currently looking for a personal security and logistics coordinator for our Philippine operations during this six-month summit. It pays fifty thousand pesos a month."

Napatitig si Mark at Mia sa kaniya. That was an extraordinarily high salary for a student position.

Napakunot ang noo ni Kenji. "Why are you offering this to me?"

"Because despite your past scandals, you know the security terrain of this university and city better than anyone," Alexander explained calmly. "Consider it a professional offer, Kenji. Unless... your pride won't allow you to work for the foundation funding Yssa's future?"

Tinitigan siya ni Kenji. Alam niyang isang matinding pagsubok at panggigipit sa kaniyang pride ang alok na ito. Pero alam din niya na ang perang iyon ay makatutulong nang malaki para sa kaniyang sariling tuition at para hindi na siya maging pabigat sa sinuman.

Tumingin si Kenji kay Yssa, who was looking at him with concern, before turning back to Alexander.

"I accept the job," matigas at seryosong sagot ni Kenji. "Pero magtatrabaho ako bilang propesyonal. Nothing more."

Isang misteryosong ngiti ang lumabas sa mga labi ni Alexander. "Fair enough. Welcome to the team, Kenji."

Gabi ng Biyernes. The Grand Ballroom of the Manila Hotel was filled with crystal chandeliers, classical violin music, and the most influential figures in academia and biotechnology.

Nakatayo si Yssa sa tapat ng buffet area kasama si Mia. Ang kaniyang presentation kanina sa harap ng European Board ay naging isang napakalaking tagumpay, at halos lahat ng banyagang imbestor ay humanga sa kaniyang talino at galing.

Sa kabilang bahagi ng ballroom, nakatayo si Kenji kasama ang security team ng Montemayor Foundation, nakasuot ng kaniyang earpiece at black suit. Kahit abala siya sa pagbabantay sa mga pintuan at VIP entrances, ang kaniyang mga mata ay laging nakasubaybay sa bawat galaw ni Yssa.

Habang naglalakad si Yssa patungo sa balcony para huminga ng sariwang hangin, dahan-dahang sumunod si Alexander sa kaniya.

"You were brilliant tonight, Yssa," pambungad ni Alexander habang nakatayo sa tabi niya sa balcony, looking out at the Manila Bay skyline.

"Thank you, Mr. Montemayor. The board was very receptive to my Bio-Chem formulation," nakangiting sagot ni Yssa.

"I told you," Alexander said, turning his body toward her. "You are destined for greatness, Yssa. Don't let anything—or anyone—hold you back."

Napakunot ang noo ni Yssa. "What do you mean?"

Tinitigan siya ni Alexander nang may matinding pait at lambing sa kaniyang mga hazel eyes. "I know about Kenji Vance. I know about the bet, his family's corruption, and the tragic accident that took your parents."

Natigilan si Yssa, feeling a sudden chill. "How do you know about that?"

"Because my family's legal team audited Vance Corporation's confidential files three years ago when they were looking for investment partners," marahang pag-amin ni Alexander. "Yssa... the Vance family didn't just cover up your parents' accident."

Nangatal ang labi ni Yssa. "What are you talking about?"

Dahan-dahang inilabas ni Alexander ang isang lumang leather-bound diary at isang encrypted flash drive mula sa kaniyang suit pocket at inabot ito kay Yssa.

" Five years ago, your father was the Head Research Chemist of a small laboratory that was forcibly bought out by Vance Corporation," Alexander whispered softly, his eyes filled with a terrifying truth. "The hit-and-run accident that killed your parents... it wasn't an accident caused by a drunk driver, Yssa. It was an ordered assassination executed by Don Fernando Vance... using the exact same private security team that Kenji Vance just inherited."

Namilog ang mga mata ni Yssa sa matinding hilakbot, her entire body freezing as the flash drive slipped from her trembling fingers onto the balcony floor!

Sa mismong sandaling iyon, bumukas ang glass door ng balcony at pumasok si Kenji Vance, carrying a coat to wrap around Yssa's shoulders.

"Yssa? Lamig na rito sa labas, baka magkasakit ka—"

Tumigil si Kenji sa kaniyang pagsasalita nang makita ang mukha ni Yssa na namumutla at pinalilibutan ng matinding takot, habang nakatitig sa kaniya na parang nakakita ng isang nakatatakot na demonyo.