Blood for Blood (Blood Series 1) (COMPLETED)

25: Direct Orders

"Nasa main mansion ka ulit nung isang araw ah?" pansin ni Gio.

"Ikaw na ba talaga ang babaeng magpapatino kay Ali?" tanong ni Gio. Tumawa si Cassandra.

"In a parallel universe, kung hindi ako takot at si Ali sa commitment." sagot ni C.

"You're really Ali's woman?" tanong ni Aria sa kanyang sekretarya.

"Calling me her woman is an insult."

"What about girlfriend?" tanong ni Gio. Napatigil si Cassandra.

"Wait, takot nga pala kayo pareho sa commitment... so not gonna happen." biglang wika ni Gio na kinagulat ni Aria. That's my line!

"Gio, she's my secretary. Meet Cassandra Cornelia, we call her C.C." pakilala ni Aria, although it felt unnecessary.

"Nice to formally meet you, eldest Navarro." bati ni C.C. "Ali never bothered to introduce me." dugtong niya.

"That's why he just calls you C," wika ni Gio. C.C. just nodded.

"You have a nice name, Cassandra." puri ni Gio. C.C. smiled.

"Thanks, I always get that but I prefer being called C.C."

"C.C. it is."

"I heard a lot about you." wika ni CC.

"I hope they are good things."

"Wait, so hindi kayo nag-uusap kapag nasa mansion si C.C.?" tanong ni Aria. Both C.C. and Gio looked at her.

"No. Not really." sagot ni C.

"Believe me or not, your younger brother is your biggest fan boy." dagdag ni C.C. Aria turned her head towards C.C.'s direction. Tumawa naman ang magandang dalagang may namumulang labi.

"Ali?" tanong ni Aria.

"Yeah," tipid na wika ni C.C. tsaka lumabas ng opisina ni Aria.

"Your Secretary, I could trust her naman 'di ba? Especially around Ali," tanong ni Gio pagkalabas ni C.

Hindi alam ni Aria kung ano ang dapat na isagot. Cass sidelines as a... "Wait, sex work?" pagtataka ni Gio.

"Yes, on her own terms and will. Feeling ko naging client na niya si Ali nang ilang beses."

"Oh."

"Bakit?"

"Just wanna make sure Ali is safe with her. Bihira magdala si Ali ng babae sa main mansion. So I guess, someone is already falling in love." wika ni Gio.

"Oh," iyon nalang ang nasagot ni Aria.

"Ali brought C.C. again on the main mansion?"

May utang na kuwento si C.C. sa kanya.

"I think someone's falling in love." wika ni Gio sa kawalan na natatawa.

"You mean Ali is falling in love?"

Tumungo si Gio. So the Navarros are really capable of love. Aria suddenly felt protective of C.C. She can't be the only one being chased.

"May maasar na rin ako kay loko!" wika ni Gio sa sarili.

"Gio, ano nga palang ginagawa mo sa opisina ko?" tanong ni Aria.

Hindi alam ni Gio kung anong isasagot. He usually has an alibi. But this time, he doesn't.

"Just wanted to check on you." wika niya.

"I could protect myself." sagot ni Aria.

"I know. It's just... I don't want to leave you here alone."

Aria kept typing on the laptop in front of her. She's composing an important e-mail but Gio just popped out of nowhere again.

"I'm not alone. I have C around here, and she's the best Red Lady."

Hindi naman iyon pinansin si Gio.

"Overprotective ka nga, tama si Charms." pansin ni Aria. Gio just ignored that again.

"I'll go on ahead. If anyone tries to hurt you, tawagan mo ako agad ha." wika ni Gio bago lumabas ng opisina niya. He's just actually lost for words in front of her.

Bigla itong bumalik sa pintuan ni Aria at sumilip. "Also, I'm sending someone to protect you."

+++

"A gift came," inabot ni C.C. ang isang malaking paper bag kay Aria.

"Ano naman kaya ito?"

"From Gio Navarro."

When Aria opened the paper bag, she was surprised to see huge bottles of fabric conditioner and huge packs of detergent. Its label says it's locally made and produced, it's from the backyard business Gio was talking about.

"Ano 'yan?" pagtataka ni C.C.

"Fab cons and detergent from the Navarros," sagot ni Aria.

"Ganyan ba manligaw si Gio?" tanong ni C.C. Natawa si Aria. She's actually happy with it. Now she could have that smell with her. She could have Gio's smell with her.

Napansin naman ni C.C. ang isang kahon sa loob. Isa ito sa mga mamahaling may disenyong craft box.

"I figured you need these back." binasa ni CC ang nakasulat sa isang card. Napansin ni C.C. ang salitang "Gio" sa dulo. Nagulat si CC sa mga laman nito. Nang silipin ito ni Aria, she saw her gun and her swiss knife.

"Huh, so ganito manligaw si Gio." wika ni CC.

"C, close that box. Our employees can't see that."

"Yes, Ma'am."

C.C. knew where to hide the box on Aria's office.

"Also, C. Back to work." utos ni Aria. Napatungo nalang si C.C. Kahit si C.C. siguro, nagulat sa bigay ni Gio. Aria was just pleased C.C. did not ask anymore questions.

+++

Aria knew what was coming. She has to be alert from now on. Kaya ba napatumba niya agad ang lalaking aatake sana mula sa likod niya nang papunta siya sa parking ng kanyang sasakyan.

"Woah! Okay, hindi na nga yata ako kailangang sa trabahong ito."

Nakita ni Zach ang bumagsak na lalaki sa sahig. Aria was able to grapple him and shoot before him. Nilagyan ni Gio ng isang silenced pistol ang compartment ng sasakyan niya for this specific reason. Plus she had one on the craft box, the one Gio returned.

"Ginagawa mo dito?" tanong ni Aria kay Zach na kabababa lang ng motor. He came when she was high in adrenaline and attacking this man. For tonight, Aria decided to go to one of the less crowded strip malls in town that's open even at around 11 PM. Halos walang naka-park kaya madali siyang maatake at mukhang inaantok na ang bantay ng mall.

"I'm tasked to protect you,"

"I don't need protection."

"Direct orders from Sir Gio, Ma'am."

Aria rolled her eyes.

"Tell him I don't need a body guard."

Tumawa si Zach.

"Alam mo, you must be really special. He's paying me the big bucks to keep you safe kahit alam niyang kaya mo naman protektahan ang sarili mo."

Hindi nalang siya pinansin ni Aria. Naglakad ito papunta ng driver's seat.

"I'm safe now." sagot niya kay Zach na nakatayo sa harapan niya.

"I have to follow you," wika nito. Napairap si Aria.

"If you want to follow me, can you shut up?" tanong ni Aria. Tumawa si Zach.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Navarro. My talkativeness is part of the package."

Aria just rolled her eyes at him. Zach caught that, and how similar the two roll their eyes when they're annoyed.

"So you'll really tail me using that motorcycle?" tanong ni Aria bago pumasok ng sasakyan.

"Why not?"