Bound by Bullets and Vows

CHAPTER 6

AT THE PARTY held at the Rourke’s estate, many well-known people came—business colleagues and some people working in the Underground Organization. The party was designed to impress politicians and people hiding behind legitimate titles.

Men were in their suits and women in their nice dresses.

Nasa kani-kanilang mundo ang lahat at nag-uusap habang may hawak silang mga wine glass.

As the Rourke estate glowed against the night sky, a woman in a white suit, a silver mask covering the upper half of her face—so different from other women—entered the hall. May kasama itong babae na nakasuot naman ng itim na suit.

Agaw-pansin ang kanilang atensiyon pero mas agaw sa atensiyon ang babaeng nakasuot ng puting suit. Her posture was composed. No one could see her eyes, but everyone felt them.

Whispers from the guest followed as she walked.

“Is that her?”

“The Head of Sinclair Family.”

“Does she ever take that mask off?”

Pero hindi sila pinansin ni Reese. Nagpatuloy lamang siya sa paglalakad. She’d learned long ago that mystery was safer than familiarity. Tonight was supposed to be simple—attend, observe, leave. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang tunay na intensiyon ni Magnus Rourke. But declining his invitation would have drawn unnecessary suspicion.

Sa gabing ‘yon, dalawang tao ang nakatuon ang atensiyon kay Reese—The Volkov and The Rourke.

But Reese was unaware of it.

‘So, that’s her. The President of Sinclair Industries. She looked more composed than her brother.’ Magnus thought.

Tumaas ang sulok ng labi ni Alaric nang makita niya si Reese Sinclair mula sa kaniyang kinaroroonan. He was outside, and smoking. But then he dropped the cigarette, stepped on it, and walked to enter the hall when he stopped.

Napahawak siya sa tapat ng kaniyang dibdib. His heart suddenly beats fast for some unknown reason.

“Boss, okay ka lang?” tanong ni Julian na medyo nag-alala.

Umiling si Alaric. “By the way, how’s the thing I asked you to do?”

Bahagyang yumukod si Julian saka lumapit kay Alaric. Then he spoke in a low voice. “Magnus Rourke will do something tonight, Boss.” And he told his Boss what he found out about Magnus Rourke’s plan.

Kumuyom ang kamay ni Alaric matapos malaman ang plano ni Magnus. “He will really do anything to gain profit. Pero ano ang gusto niyang makuha sa Sinclair Industries?”

That piques Alaric’s interest. Volkov and Rourke had been business rivals for generations. They strive for progress, development, and profit. But the Volkov will never hurt innocent people, unlike the Rourke, who just seeks profit.

Nang magsawa si Reese sa loob ng hall—tired of all the flattery of the people around her—lumabas siya at nagtungo sa balkonahe pero hindi pa man siya nakakalabas… a sharp sound cut through the music.

The moment came without warning.

Glass shattered, followed by screams.

Nakita na lamang ni Reese na nagkakagulo na. May bumangga pa sa kaniya dahilan para tumama ang likod niya sa pader. Then she was thrown sideways as the wall exploded beside her. She hit the floor hard.

Hindi agad nakatayo si Reese dahil sa impact ng pagkakabagsak niya.

Then a shadow loomed over her.

Before she could react, a gunshot rang out.

May bumagsak na isang lalaki sa isang sulok ng hall. Nasundan pa ito ng isa.

Rinig ni Reese ang sigawan ng mga tao at nagtatakbuhan na ang mga ito. Pero wala doon ang kaniyang atensiyon kundi sa lalaking nakaluhod sa gilid niya na para bang pinoprotektahan siya nito.

Then the man’s gloved hand reached for Reese.

“Sumama ka sa akin.”

Reese looked into the man’s eyes; her eyes slightly widened when he recognized him—Alaric Theo Volkov. His expression was unreadable. Tinulungan rin siya nitong makatayo.

“What the hell was going on?” Magnus’s voice cut through the chaos.

Alaric pulled Reese closer, positioning himself between her and the threat.

“Let’s get out of this place,” Alaric said and pulled Reese.

“Artemis—”

“My men will protect her.” Sabi ni Alaric.

Hindi na nagtanong si Reese at sumunod kay Alaric. Though she met him by chance as Rica Agnes, this is the first time Reese Sinclair will meet Alaric Theo Volkov.

Reese and Alaric’s group leave the Rourkes’s estate.

From the shadows of the balcony, Magnus Rourke watched them escape. His expression darkened. “So, the Sinclair heir already belongs to someone else. Volkov, you steal what is mine again.”

Ngumisi si Magnus. Pero kahit hindi siya nagtagumpay ngayong gabi, nagsisimula pa lamang ang laro at sisiguraduhin niyang siya ang mananalo sa huli.

HABANG nasa sasakyan sila at palayo na sa Rourke’s estate, inilabas ni Reese ang cellphone at tinawagan si Artemis. Nakahinga siya ng maluwang nang marinig niya ang boses nito.

“Tell your assistant to go back first,” sabi ni Alaric na katabi ni Reese sa backseat. “Come with me to the mansion. May kailangan tayong pag-usapan.”

“You’re a stranger. Hindi kita kilala. Why would I follow you?” Reese asked.

Alaric let out a small sigh. “I’m your fiancé. Is that enough for you to trust me?”

Hindi nagulat si Reese sa sinabi ni Alaric, so he assumed that Reese Sinclair already knew about their engagement. “Judging by your expression, you already knew about our engagement.”

Hindi sumagot si Reese. Hindi rin siya tumango. Tahimik lamang siya.

Alaric removed his gloves. “Do you believe me if I tell you that Magnus planned your assassination?”

“Assassination? I’m the target?” Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Reese. She just came back to the country recently, and yet now she was being assassinated.

“Yes,” Alaric answered. “He played a role in which you will be assassinated, and his role will be your hero.”

Natawa naman si Reese. “Is he thinking this is a drama?” Napailing siya. “Thanks for saving me.”

Alaric’s expression remained cold. “He wants something from you.”

“All the people who came to flatter me want something from me.” Sabi ni Reese habang nakapaskil ang pekeng ngiti sa kaniyang labi.

“Oh?”

“Alam ko may kailangan ka rin sa akin.” Tumingin si Reese kay Alaric. “Am I right?” she asked. Though Alaric was handsome, she won’t trade money for it.

Tumaas ang sulok ng labi ni Alaric. “That’s why we need to talk.”

Reese shrugged. “Alright. Let’s talk.”