The Empire Series 5: Vanna Lei Shrewd

Chapter 50: Jeopardy

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Lumipat si Clyde sa tabi niya at ipinahilig ang ulo niya sa balikat nito. She rested on his shoulder for few minutes silently sobbing before she realized she somehow overreacted.

Clyde's lips were pursed when she looked up at him. Nang makitang nakatingala siya rito ay ngumiti ito ng tipid. She didn't know if it was sincere because she could sense pain in it.

"I'm sorry for my outburst," sambit niya saka umayos ng upo. Clyde didn't react. It took a minute before he went back to his seat in front of her.

"How much do you know Klein Rich?" tanong nito nang matapos ang ilang segundo. He had that distant look on his face.

She inhaled deeply contemplating whether to tell the man everything or not. It took three seconds before she spoke.

"Everything," she uttered matter-of-factly. Clyde stared seriously at her.

"Do you know that he's the head of an elite clandestine force in the country?" he asked looking at her eyes. Napalunok siya. So, Clyde knew about Klein's work?

"Paano mo nalaman?"

"I already told you who I was and what I am capable of doing. I investigated him myself," he answered.

She inhaled deeply.

"I also work for IF," she admitted. Clyde stared at her. Then, he smirked.

"Sabi ko na nga ba," he murmured. Tumawa ito ng nakakainsulto.

"Your calmness during those times were remarkable. Bakit ba hindi ako nagduda?" he said sarcastically. His eyes looked hurt.

Pakiramdam niya ay na-guilty siya sa nakikitang reaction ng binata.

"Noong naging tutor ka ng mga bata parte ba iyon ng trabaho mo?" tanong nito.

She slowly nodded. Clyde looked betrayed and she felt like he's not faking it.

"Klein Rich is my boyfriend," she confessed. Then, she later shook her head.

"No, scratch it. He's my fiancé," she added. Nakita niya ang pagguhit ng sakit sa mga mata nito.

Hindi ito nagsalita. Magpapaliwanag sana siya pero dumating na ang mga waiters at nagserve.

Both of them only stared at the food. Ayaw sana niyang galawin ang pagkain dahil ang seryoso ng sitwasyon pero naglaway ang bagang niya pagkakita sa mga pagkain.

"L-let's eat," bulong niya. She almost choked.

When she can't wait for an answer, she took some on her plate, and as soon as she tasted the food, she felt like eating everything on the table.

Clyde stared at her. Nahihiya pa niyang ibaba ang kutsara na nasa bibig.

It fook few seconds before his aura changed. He looked at her amusedly.

"Gutom ka na talaga?" he chuckled softly.

"A little," nahihiya niyang pag-amin.

Tumawa ang binata ng mahina. For a brief moment, she felt like seeing the old Clyde. 'Yong maamo ang mukha, magaan ang awra at parang walang dinadalang problema.

She smiled at him. Unti-unti naman itong tumigil sa pagtawa.

"Puwede bang umorder ka ulit nang para sa 'yo?" request niya rito.

"Akin na lang lahat 'to," she added.

"Are you serious?" he asked amused. Nang tumango siya ay bumunghalit ito ng tawa. Nag-blush pa siya pero kalaunan ay nakitawa na lang. His laugh is contagious. Pakiramdam niya ay walang mabigat na usapan ang nagdaan kani-kanina lang.