Dangerous Love

CHAPTER 11

(FLASHBACK…)

IN A HIGH-RISE building, no one could tell that it was a headquarters—THE BLACK LOTUS HEADQUARTERS.

Nang pumalit si Evron bilang Chief ng Black Lotus, pinagawa niya ang sariling headquarters ng Black Lotus sa Pilipinas para hindi na sa mansyon ginaganap ang mga meeting at training ng mga miyembro ng Black Lotus.

Evron stood in front of the central screen inside the Black Lotus command room.

Nakalagay ang isa niyang kamay sa bulsa habang nakahawak ang isa sa gilid ng lamesa.

Nakatingin lamang siya sa monitor na nasa kaniyang harapan—lines of data showed across the screens…names, finances, and identities of those people who were against the Black Lotus.

Across from him was Dianne Tan­—one of Black Lotus’s most skilled intelligence operatives. She was known for her precise, efficient, and for uncovering identities no one else could.

Pero ngayon, parang iba ang ihip ng hangin.

“Chief, Jairus Najera was part of an organization named Arnoux.” Umiling si Dianne. “Pero hindi ko mabatid kung ano ang organisasyon na ‘to.”

Bahagyang kumunot ang nuo ni Evron. “Dianne,” he began as he let out a small sigh, “you are one of my top-skilled men in the Black Lotus. You are keen on finding people and their background.” Tiningnan niya ito. “Even you can’t trace what this Arnoux organization is?”

Iniyuko ni Blythe ang ulo. “Chief, I apologize… but I really can’t trace them.”

Just a few days ago, when Evron found out that someone was pursuing his woman, he immediately told Dianne to investigate this person.

Ibinalik ni Evron ang tingin sa screen kung saan kasalukuyang ipinapakita ang background ni Jairus Najera—ang boss ni Blythe sa isang accounting firm kung saan ito nagtatrabaho.

Normal na background ng isang tao ang nagpapakita, ngunit wala itong digital footprint na nagle-leak na kabilang ito sa isang organisasyon.

“Then, they must be a syndicate,” he said, “or a private organization just like us.”

They can conceal their real identity and tamper with a normal background. Walang ibang puwedeng makagawa ng ganoon kundi isang pribadong organisasyon lamang kagaya ng Black Lotus.

Or maybe even worse.

“Chief, ipagpapatuloy ko ba ang paghahanap tungkol sa Arnoux organization?” tanong ni Dianne.

Hindi agad sumagot si Evron. His gaze remained fixed on the screen, but his thoughts had already shifted to Blythe.

Bahagyang ngumiti si Evron, pero nawala ang ngiti niya nang maalala niyang may nagbibigay rito ng bulaklak.

His jaw tightened slightly as his eyes darkened with the thought that someone was trying to steal his girl.

“No need,” he said. “Just focus on protecting Blythe.”

Bahagyang yumukod si Blythe. “Yes, Chief.”

Dianne turned to leave, but before she could step out—

“Dianne.”

Tumigil siya. “Yes, Chief?”

Hindi tumingin si Evron, pero nang magsalita ito, malamig na ang kaniyang tono. “If that man crosses the line…” he paused a little, “kill him.”

Hindi na bago kay Dianne na marinig ang ganoong utos mula sa Chief ng Black Lotus, kaya naman tumango siya at muling yumukod. “Noted, Chief,” she casually replied as if the Chief didn’t order her to kill someone if he crossed the line.

For Black Lotus members, killing is normal. And what is not normal is when the Chief ordered them to become merciful.

But everyone in the Black Lotus, the Chief is ruthless and spared no one when an enemy crosses the line.

Umalis si Dianne sa command room at naiwan naman si Evron na nanatiling nakatayo sa kinatatayuan.

“Arnoux…” he muttered.

A name with no history.

No trace and no background.

That alone made it dangerous.

Pero ano ang kinalaman ng boss ni Blythe sa organisasyon na ‘yon?

Is Jairus Najera really pursuing Blythe out of affection?

Or he was looking or trying to get something from her?”

Evron’s gaze darkened slightly as he stared at the blank section of the screen where information should have been.

Umayos nang tayo si Evron saka naglakad palabas ng command room.

He called Kaiden into his office.

“Chief.”

Sumandal si Evron sa kinauupuan. “May ipapa-imbestiga ako sa ‘yo.”

Kaiden immediately showed interest. “Chief, when you asked me for an investigation, this might be personal or someone deep hiding in the dark.”

Tumaas ang sulok ng labi ni Evron, saka napailing. “There was this Arnoux Organization. Find out anything about them.”

“How about Dianne? She was skilled in gathering intelligence—”

“She couldn’t trace anything about them. So, you need to do this secretly.” Sabi ni Evron saka napabuntong-hininga.

Kumunot ang noo ni Kaiden. “This might be a big organization. I’ll investigate, Chief.”

Tumango si Evron. “Tell me immediately if you found out anything about them.”

Bahagyang yumukod si Kaiden saka umalis na.

Tumayo naman si Evron saka umalis sa headquarters.

Tiningnan niya ang oras at nakita niyang may isang oras pa bago matapos ang trabaho ni Blythe, kaya naman dumaan siya sa supermarket upang bumili ng lulutuin niyang dinner nila ng kasintahan at dumaan din siya sa isang flower shop.

He wouldn’t let anyone beat him in giving flowers to his girlfriend, and he would let any male species pursue Blythe under his nose.

Blythe is his…

…and only his.

Lumaki siyang nakukuha niya ang lahat ng gusto niya.

At hindi niya hahayaan na may ibang tao na angkinin ang pag-aari niya.