Rogue Wars Online

Chapter Twenty-Five: A Match to Catch the Hider

-chapter twenty-five-

FINN

Taimtim kong tinitigan si Wes na nakaupo sa harap. The diner was quiet, walang masyadong manlalaro ang kumakain dito ngayon. Only Wes and I, along with four other people who are five table away from us.

Our table held five different dishes, all picked out by Wes. Tahimik siyang kumakain sa harap ko't paminsan-minsan ay sumusulyap sa banda ko para tingnan kung kumakain din ako. With a small, confused sigh, I picked up the small spoon and drank some soup.

Ano ba ang kailangan niya sa'kin? Lagi ko na lang siyang nakikita. Back then, we'd regard each other as strangers, pero ngayon he even treated me to meal, even though he said he wanted me to treat him.

I mentally frowned, still staring at Wes. What could he possibly want from me and what's going on in that head of his?

"If you want to say or ask something," panimula niya at marahang inilagay ang hawak-hawak na kutsara sa plato. "Do it."

"Did... Marcella order you?"

Wes scoffed, sounding a bit annoyed. "Why does everyone keeps on connecting my actions with her? Dahil siya ang leader ng alliance na sinasalihan ko, do I not have the luxury to go after my own interests anymore?"

I stared at him, dumbfounded. "Anong..."

Iniwas niya ang tingin at nagpakawala ng mabigat na buntong-hininga. "Never mind. What I mean is that my decision doesn't necessarily depend on Marcella. I have a mind of my own."

I blinked away, feeling a bit of shame. Siguro'y na-offend ko siya kanina nang itanong ko sa kaniya kung inutusan siya ni Marcella na gawin 'to. It's just... weird. How he is rumored to be Marcella's strategist and confidant, and usually does her orders.

Gusto ko siyang tanungin kung bakit. Alam kong may koneksiyon ito sa dating guild namin na Guilty Crown, but we're not that close for him to follow or talk to me here. We're past guildmates who are strangers now.

"...'M sorry."

Wes cleared his throat, taking a sip of his water while peeking at me atop the glass. "I told you to speak if you want to say something. Use your words when you're with me, Finn. Don't just tell me when you're being grateful or apologetic."

Bahagya akong napanguso. Is he doing this because I refuse to speak to him all those times in Guilty Crown?

"You let your errand boy follow you and even speak to his cousin a lot," Wes placed the glass down with a cold smirk. "You won't even let your old friend hear your voice?"

Old friend? Pero hindi naman kami magkaibigan kahit dati.

"What do you want?"

"I told you I want to eat with you."

Iyon nga lang ba? It's unusual for him to inviting me to a meal.

I bit my lip. "... Your motive? Talaga bang kinausap mo lang ako para kumain?"

Wes' smirk slightly widened and he leaned forward, making me straighten up in my seat. Sa lahat ng beses na nakita ko siya, his face was always set on a frown or is blank, kaya naman ang makitang ganito ay nakaka-surpresa.

"If I say I wanted to spend time with you, will you believe it?"

My eyes widened a bit from his straight-forward answer. I know he's only teasing kaya agad akong umiling. Bakit naman niya gugustuhing mag-aksaya ng oras kasama ko?

"You must have an ulterior motive."

Umayos ng upo si Wes at nawala rin ang ngisi sa mukha niya. Ginulo niya ang buhok kaya sandali kong nakita ang itim na piercing sa tainga niya. His face was, again, devoid of emotions as he breathed out an irritated sigh.