Danger, Danger, Mr. Stranger

#DDMS4

#DDMS4

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FEUILLE

One Week Ago

"I CAN LIVE by myself!" Naramdaman ko ang gasgas sa 'king lalamunan habang nakikipagtalo sa propesor. "I don't need anyone to protect me. I can manage on my own, Professor!"

Isinakay niya ako sa kaniyang itim na Cadillac Stretch Limo. He joined me at the back seat. Of course, I knew that Xildius isn't the type to drive his car. He's the type to spend money so he can exert the least possible effort. He likes to conserve his precious energy.

"Saan po tayo, Sir?" magalang na tanong ng kaniyang driver. The privacy window was open. Kitang nakasuot ang driver ng unipormeng itim at puting gloves habang nagmamaneho.

Naka-uniporme talaga ang driver? I scoffed a short laugh. The professor's so fucking classic, like old-school classic. Sometimes I wonder how his wife is able to keep up with his vintage lifestyle despite living in a modern world.

"Asawa ko ang may gustong magsuot ng uniform ang driver namin," paliwanag ng propesor nang marinig ang aking palihim na pagtawa. Of course he could read my mind. "Masaya siyang nakakalabas na 'ko sa wakas at nakakarating kami sa iba't ibang lugar. And I'd do whatever makes my wife happy, including getting her favorite taxi driver as our personal driver."

"You're getting soft, Xildius. Porke't may asawa ka na, tila nababawasan na yata ang pagkamasungit mo," nanunudyong hirit ko sa kaniya.

"Ikaw? Hanggang kailan ka magiging pasaway?" puna niya pabalik. "This is the exact reason why I need someone to watch over you."

Inikot ko ang aking paningin sabay buntonghininga. I crossed both my legs and my arms as I let my back fall on the soft leather seat. "Hindi ko kailangan ng magbabantay sa 'kin—"

Nang makita ang kaniyang mapangutyang ngisi ay doon ko lamang napagtanto ang ibig niyang sabihin.

Magbabantay . . . hindi para alagaan ako.

Ang ibig sabihin niya ay magbabantay sa 'kin para hindi ako makatakas.

"Kabisado na kita, Feuille. Hindi mo kayang manatili sa isang lugar. You're always running away, that's why Xantiel is the perfect person to look after you," paliwanag niya habang nakasalumbaba sa kaliwang palad.

It's because I have missions to do. Hindi niya alam ang tungkol sa secret website na ginawa ko, kung saan tumutulong kami sa mga naging biktima at humuhuli ng masasamang kriminal.

Professor Xildius, who's also known as XV, is no longer my uncle under the eyes of the law. After missing for over sixteen years and successfully changing his identity, he is no longer part of the Guivellnova household.

He has created his own. The Vouganvilles—a family of geniuses with their own secrets and mysteries. At the young age of 15, he has adopted total strangers into his home and took care of them like his actual siblings.

And now, I'm gonna be living with one of them.

Mabagal na umaandar ang kotse't pinagmamasdan ng aking katabi ang mga ilaw na naglalaro sa labas ng bintana. "No matter where you go, Xantiel will always find you."

Napailing na lamang ako at sarkastikong suminghal. "Ano siya, aso?"

"Close . . . but no," mabilis na sagot ng propesor. "Xantiel is rather different. He could tell if you changed his table with a similar one just by touching its surface, if the chef of his favorite restaurant has been replaced, or if a guitar is brand new or has been used. His memory isn't just visual, it also stores sensorial memories down to the miniscule details."