PUMANHIK ng sala sina Vhendice at Eddie dala ang dalawang malalaking traveling bags at iba pang gamit ni Safhire. Senenyasan ng binata ang kanyang bodyguard na itabi muna pansamantala sa isang sulok ang mga bagahe.
"Welcome back, Haydees!" Nag-echo sa buong living room ang maawtoridad na boses ni Athrun habang bumababa ng carpeted grand staircase. Along with him are Ghaile and Leih.
Bahagyang ikiniling ni Vhendice ang ulo. "It's good to see you, chairman." He advanced forward.
"Good to see you too. I'm glad you're well and safe."
"My apologies, Chairman. I wasn't able to visit you in Manila."
"I've heard you're busy. It's nothing. You know, I've never expected to see you again clearly like this after being fell under the state of coma," wika ng chairman.
Napatingin siya kina Ghaile at Leih na parehong nanonood lamang. Seryoso ang anyo ng dalawa lalong-lalo na si Leih na nanatiling nasa mga mata ang pinipigil na poot para sa kanya. Hindi pa rin pala siya nito napapatawad dahil sa pagkamatay ni Ray.
"What do you have for us?" tanong ni Athrun at kumalas. Bahagyang inilalayo ang sarili.
"I brought Magdalene's personal belongings." Itinuro ng mga mata niya ang mga bagaheng binabantayan ni Eddie.
Tumango ang chairman. "The head servant will take care of it. Let's go have something to drink." He swung around and led the way.
Lumapit si Leih sa kanya. "Don't you feel lucky about the chairman's unwavering kindness? Dahil kung ako siya, siguradong kanina ka pa bumagsak." Nanggagalaiting sabi nito at binangga siya ng malakas paalis sa daraanan para sundan si Athrun.
Sinulyapan niya si Ghaile. "I can understand if you're upset too," aniya rito.
He just smiled sarcastically and followed Leih, ignoring him behind.
"Ghaile, thank you for being my stand-in and for supporting the chairman while I'm away." Nakaagapay siya rito habang nilalandas nila ang maluwang na hallway papuntang drawing room.
"Where the hell have you been? You know, the chairman relied on you with everything. Now that we have a situation in our hand involving the resistance, your presence is highly needed but since you're not around, Athrun was forced to deal with them personally in spite of his unstable condition. I know for certain that no one can stop you from doing whatever you want but at least for once, try to settle your priorities before giving in to your foolish desires." Walang bahid ng galit sa tono ni Ghaile. Bagamat pinukol siya nito ng naghahamong tingin.
"Foolish desires, you say? And what is that supposed to mean?" Ngumiti siya ng mapakla. This is how it turned out. For keeping a secret, he was being judged without a fight.
"Don't make me say it and look stupid. You already know what I mean." The doctor murmured with obvious irritation.
He chuckled in amusement. "Don't get the wrong idea because Safhire Magdalene never became my foolish desire."
"You can save that argument later."
"Like it matters anymore." Napabuntong-hininga siya. Pakiramdam niya isa siyang criminal na kailangang usigin at hatulan. This is what I get from playing games with you, Rayden. You're such a nuisance to me...you big fool!
Sinapit nila ang drawing room kungsaan naghihintay sina Athrun at Leih. Pumasok silang dalawa ni Ghaile. Bago nagsara ang pinto ay nasulyapan niya si Eddie na sumunod sa kanila. Agad niya itong senenyasan na umalis at huwag mag-alala. Nakalimutan yata nito ang bilin niya na hanapin si Safhire habang kausap pa niya ang chairman. Balak niyang itakas ang dalaga at ilayo.
"Sit down now, Vhens." Utos ni Athrun na nakaupo sa may kabisera. Habang nasa likuran nito si Leih at nakatayo.
Ibinagsak niya ang sarili sa overstuffed sofa kaibayo ng inuupuan ni Ghaile. "Before anything else, chairman, I would like to know if Safhire is-"
"She's doing fine, don't worry." Agaw ni Athrun.
"Can I see her later? I have something to tell her."
"Come on. Do you really think you have the right to demand anything?" May nakaambang panganib sa tono ng chairman. "Rather than explaining what you've done," he added.
"Actually, chairman...it's not a demand. It is a request. I really need to see her."
"So you could justify yourself. I know that. But even so, I won't let you."
"Athrun, I-"
"And if you still acknowledged my authority as the chairman, your superior, you will obey my order whatever it is. But if not, anymore, then you are very much welcome to challenge me. I know how invincible you are. You've already proven that to us several times now. Nevertheless, don't expect that someone like you can make me back down."
Huminga siya ng malalim at banayad na umiling. Kahit siguro isilang pa siya na walang kamatayan, hindi niya gugustuhing makalaban si Athrun Andromida. Geez...this is becoming difficult for him. Saan ba siya magsisimula para maintindihan ng chairman lahat ng ginagawa niya?
"Haydees..."
"Yes, chairman. I'm listening," sagot niya.
"Good. Let me remind you of something. You, members of Nephilims swore your loyalty to me. along with it is the transparency of your plan and action be it personal matter or not. You said that way our family could remain strong and solid. Have you forgotten that?"
"No, chairman. Of course not."
"Then, why? I don't understand why you have to hide anything from me. Even if it involves a woman you should have told me."
"Yeah, I know. But I just can't run here to you and tell you everything. Look, this one is complicated. I'm referring to Safhire's identity. That woman is Rayden's fiancée." In the end, he had no choice but to unfold the secret sooner than he would.
"And what are you trying to pull now, Vhendice Andromida?" Hindi nakatiis si Leih at sumingit na sa usapan.
"You're just kidding, right?" Pati si Ghaile ay sumali na rin.
"No, why would I?" Tumitig siya sa asul na mga mata ni Athrun. Wala siyang nakitang anumang emosyon doon kundi kahungkagan lamang at pagkamahinahon.
Namayani sa buong silid ang nakabibinging katahimikan. Sina Ghaile at Leih ay parehong nahulog sa malalim na pag-iisip habang nasa anyo ang pagpipilit sa sarili na huwag paniwalaan ang kanyang sinabi.
"I don't care who she is, I'd like her to stay here." Deklarasyon ng chairman makaraan ang ilang saglit na pag-iisip.
"Anong balak monggawin sa kanya?" tanong niya.
"I don't know, but maybe in the meantime, I can make her my lover. How about that?"
"No, chairman. I can't allow you to hurt her that way."
"I have told you a while ago, you're very much welcome to challenge me anytime you want."
"I have to protect her!" Pahayag niya na hindi malaman kung papaano ipapaintindi kay Athrun ang sitwasyon niya na hindi kailangang sabihin ang tungkol sa lihim na kasunduan nila ni Ray.
"She is not yours to protect, Haydees. Protecting that woman isn't your responsibility."
"Then whose responsibility is it?"
"It's up to me to decide." Athrun stood up and took his leave.
"No, Athrun wait...!" Tinangkang humabol ni Vhendice ngunit mabilis siyang naharang nina Leih at Ghaile.
"Leave him alone. You've done enough." Matigas na angil ni Leih.
Wala siyang nagawa kundi habulin ng tingin ang chairman na lumalabas ng pinto. Then the door shut behind him. Binalingan niya ang dalawa.
"Where's Safhire?"
"Huwag ka nang magpagod. Ayaw ka niyang makita."
"I don't care. Just tell me where she is."
"Force me." Hamon ni Leih at ngumisi ng nakakaloko.
"Stop trying my patience, Phantom." Tiim-bagang niyang babala.
"That's enough!" Namagitan si Ghaile at inawat sila. "Safhire is not yet ready to see you. Kung pipilitin mo baka lalong makasasama sa kanya."
"She just needs an explanation, a lucid one." He insisted.
"Alam ko. But not now. Maybe later, when she's ready."
"Dammit!" Mura niyang ibinagsak muli ang sarili sa sofa. Chrysanthemum mansion has more than a hundred bedrooms, kailangan ba niyang iisa-isahin lahat ng kwarto para mahanap si Safhire? This is nuts. But he just can't give up. He has to see her and iron things out. Para din sa kapakanan ng dalaga. Hindi niya ito mapo-protektahan ng maayos kung galit ito sa kanya. Whether she likes it or not, her safety depends on him now.