The Secrets We Keep (Completed)

Chapter Twelve

"I've never seen two people look at each other with such longing and sadness the way you and West do. I shouldn't encourage it, but you kids are breaking me." Napapailing na inabutan siya ni Holt ng champagne flute at inilapag sa mesa ang plato ng canapés, cheese and fruit cubes. "Eat up. We might have a long night, ahead."

Kahit hindi gaanong gutom ay sinubukan niyang kumain, at ubusin ang inihain sa kanya. Tama si Holt, depende sa higpit ng bantay at pinagsamang diskarte nila ay maaaring matagalan sila sa lumang mansyon ng mga Melloni.

Sabado ng gabi at si Holt ang kasama niya sa pagdiriwang para sa tagumpay at tuluyang paggaling ni Franco Melloni matapos ang triple bypass surgery nito. Ngayon lang niya makikita ng personal ang pinakabata sa mga Melloni, at humahalo ang kaba sa excitement niya.

Ayon kay Holt ay dalawang beses nang nakita ni Srefan si Franco, pero hindi personal na naipakilala.

"It was within West's first month at McNelson's when he saw Franco, and the bastard has already scheduled his surgery then. He saw him again when he was hired to be part of Melloni's security detail while he is being transported to a private terminal in Nashville. Fron there, a private jet brought him to some hospital in Germany. Almost six fucking months, I thought he died already." Napabuntung-hininga si Holt matapos iyong kuwento.

"It would have been easier if he's dead... For our mission, for you and,West most of all." malungkot na minasdan siya ng nakatatandang lalaki.

"Aw, Holt. Not everyone can survive this shit like you and Liv.", tukoy niya sa asawa nitong parte naman ng British M16. She's met the wonan once, and she wonders how people like them survive being apart for months or years, always afraid that they might not see each other again. "Besides, ours is a different story. Stefan doesn't know who and what I am."

"He's here." untag ni Holt sa kanya.

Napadirecho siya ng upo at muling sumimsim sa champagne flute. Kumabog agad ang dibdib niya pagkakita pa lang kay Srefan na nukhang dignitary sa coal grey suit nito. He was alone, and he immediately went to the group from McNelson. There were over three hundred guests in the vast garden lit with fairy lights, but Stefan West easily stood out.

"And you two even match!" Holt smirked as he wiggled his fingers towards her dress that peeked from her long black coat. Kskulay kasi niyon ang necktie ni Stefan.

Napailing lang siya, bago niyuko ang plato ng pagkain. May nagbaba ng isang baso ng tubig sa harap niya. Takang tiningnan niya si Holt.

"You can't get drunk. I might have to tell you to go somewhere dark later. That mansion is a fucking maze. You need to stay sober." mahinang paliwanag ng lalaki.

"So, you're leaving me here? nangunot ang noo niya.

Holt nodded. "It's time. I'll call and message Liv when it's clear, then she'll call you for directions, okay?" tinapik siya nito sa likod bago siya iniwan sa mesa niyang katabi ng isa sa mga fountain at medyo natatakpan ng rose shrubs. Katabi niya ang mesa ng ibang mga taga-Pan Pharma na tutok sa eight piece band na nasa mababang stage. The party is in full swing, and she hasn't seen Franco Melloni yet.

"Your date abandoned you?'

Muntik na siyang masamid sa iniinom na tubig nang may magsalita sa tabi niya, kasunod ang pamilyar na dark chocolate and mint scent at ang mainit na kamay sa braso niya. "Paul. Hi." simpleng bati niya.

Bahagyang salubong ang mga kilay ni Srefan. "Akala ko, ayaw mo sa mga ganitong party?"

"My boss and colleagues at Pan Pharma ganged up on me." handa na ang sagot niya. Plano naman talaga niyang dumalo, pero wala siyang planong si Srefan ang kasama. Knowing him, he'd never let her out if his sight the whole night. Sagabal iyon kung sakali sa plano nila ni Holt.

Isa pa, iniiwasan na rin niya talagang makasama ng matagal si Stefan na silang dalawa lang. Kailangan na nitong masanay na wala siya sa buhay nito.

"I saw you earlier when I came in. You're with Holt, not with the Pan Pharma people." sumulyap ito sa katabing mesa.

"He picked me up fron my flat. May inihatid din siyang package galing kay Liv." the package being her dress and shoes. Holt's wife loved parties, and shopping. Holt took pictures of her earlier for Liv, who's stationed at the moment in Monaco

Stefan blinked. "Oh..." napahawak ito sa kurbata. "Liv sent me this suit, too."

Marahang tumango lang siya. "Kumain ka na ba? May canapes pa dito." itinuro niya ang pinggan."Try mo. Masarap s--"

"Hey, babe. I've been looking all over for you."

Umarko ang kilay niya nang makitang hunalik sa pisngi at umabrisyete si Giovanna kay Stefan, na kunot-noong bumaling dito.

"Is anyone calling for me?" Stefan suddenly looked bored.

'Oh yeah, my Uncle Franco. Hsve you met him?"

Nakamasid lang siya kay Stefan, na nagtiim ang bagang. Hihilahin na sana ito ni Giovanna pero lumapit din ang isang taga-McNelson. Giovanna seemed annoyed as she followed the two men, hindi man lang siya pinansin.

Napapabuntung-hiningang inubos na lang niya ang pagkain at inumin. Patingin-tingin siya kay Stefan at sa grupo nito, dahil nararamdaman din niya ang mga mata nitong parang ayaw siyang hiwalayan.

After fifteen minutes, she finally got the signal and instructions fron Liv. Agad siyang tumayo, at parang kabisado na ang mansyon na tinungo ang pool house, na may connecting door sa main kitchen. A few hallways and five turns later, she pushed open a heavy oak door that led to an old library.

Middle shelf behind the desk, second row fron the top. Thick green envelope behind the books.

Nanginginig ang mga kamay niya habang sinusunod ang nasa text ni Liv. She knew exactly what it was. Holt already told him about the file.

Malamig na ang pakiramdam ng kamay niya nang sa wakas ay mailabas ang file. Huminga siya nang malalin para kalmahin ang sarili, upang magulat lang nang bumukas ang pinto.

A familiar figure stepped in, his scent and presence filled the old, imposing roon.

It was Stefan.