CHAPTER 13
1548 Words
NANG MAGISING si Reese kinabukasan, napabalikwas siya nang makita niyang hindi pamilyar sa kaniya ang kwartong kinaroroonan niya.
The bed beneath her was larger than anything she owned. The sheets were crisp, cool against her skin. The air carried the faint scent of cedar and polished stone.
This wasn’t her room in her mansion, nor her apartment.
Mabilis siyang napahawak sa kaniyang mukha at nakahinga siya nang maluwang nang maramdaman niyang nakasuot pa rin sa kaniya ang kaniyang maskara.
She sat up. Tiningnan niya ang sarili. Hindi na siya nakasuot ng wedding gown. She’s already wearing a pair of satin pajamas.
“Did he change my…?” Reese facepalmed.
Tiningnan niya ang paligid. Her heart steadied only slightly as she took in the unfamiliar room—minimalist, and masculine. A quiet kind of luxury.
Very Alaric.
Hindi siya sanay sa madilim. So, she swung her legs over the side of the bed to open the floor-length curtain, but the door opened.
Alaric entered.
“Mabuti naman at gising ka na.” Sabi ni Alaric at namulsa.
“Nasaan ako?” tanong ni Reese.
“At the mansion. Don’t worry, you’re safe here.”
Tumango si Reese saka bahagyang pinagmasdan si Alaric. He was already dressed—dark slacks, black shirt, and no jacket.
“What happened last night?” tanong niya. “Pasensiya ka na. Hindi ako madaling magising kapag pagod ako.”
“It’s okay. There was an attempted ambush last night,” kalmadong sabi ni Alaric. “You slept through it."
“Who sent it?” tanong ni Reese.
Umiling si Alaric. “Julian couldn’t find it out. They were hiding deeply. But I assume they were just near us.”
Tumango si Reese. “I’m their target?”
“It could also be me, but I think they were coming after you.”
Mahinang napabuntong-hininga si Reese. “Inaasahan ko na ‘to.” Aniya. “My brother had warned me before that once I became the heir, many would covet what I have and would try everything to get it.”
Isang tango ang naging tugon ni Alaric. “As long as you are Mrs. Volkov, I would protect you.”
“Thanks.”
“Do you like this room?” Alaric asked.
Reese looked around. “This room has your taste.”
Alaric let out a small chuckle. “Kung gusto mo ang kwarto na ‘to, then you can live here. This is the Master’s bedroom—”
“Your room?”
Tumango si Alaric. “But it’s now your room. Don’t worry, I will ask the maid to transfer my things to the other room.”
“No need,” sabi ni Reese. Itinuro niya ang kabuuan ng kwarto. “This room was very you type. I don’t have the heart to alter it.”
Tumango si Alaric. “It’s up to you.” Tiningnan niya ang oras sa suot na wristwatch. “Wash up and come down later. Let’s have breakfast. Or you can see your room later, before you come down. Dinala na ng assistant mo ang mga gamit mo kagabi.”
Tumango si Reese.
Alaric stepped out of the room. Actually, he wanted Reese to remove her mask, but it was her privacy. Wala siyang karapatang makialam kung saan ito komportable.
Meanwhile, inside the room, Reese entered the bathroom. Tinanggal niya ang suot na maskara saka naghilamos.
She looked at herself in the mirror. Gusto niyang matawa sa kaniyang sarili. “I wonder what Alaric’s reaction would be once he found out that I have an alter ego and already met her?”
Napailing siya. “Reese, Reese, you made the trouble yourself.”
Humugot ng malalim na hininga si Reese saka pinunasan ang mukha. Sinuklay niya ang mahabang buhok at tinali ito. Then she put back her silver mask.
Lumabas siya ng pinto ng banyo at nagulat nang makitang may maid na naghihintay sa kaniya.
“Madam, dadalhin ko po kayo sa dining area.”
“Thank you,” wika ni Reese. Sa laki ng mansyon ng mga Volkov, baka maligaw siya, lalo na't hindi pa niya kabisado ang lugar.
Dinala siya ng katulong sa dining room. Pero bago siya dumiretso sa dining room, dumaan muna siya sa kaniyang kwarto at kinuha ang dalawang bagay na ibibigay niya kay Alaric.
The dining room overlooked the garden. It was also sunlit, making it beautiful and relaxing to eat breakfast.
“Sit down.” Aya ni Alaric.
The table was long, far too large for just two of them, but Alaric sat across from her anyway—not at the head.
They ate quietly at first, but Reese barely touched her food.
“You should eat,” sabi ni Alaric nang mapansin niya na halos hindi magalaw ni Reese ang pagkain nito.
Umiling si Reese. “Busog na ako.” Aniya. She lifted her glass of milk and took a sip.
“Are you really comfortable wearing that?” Alaric was referring to the silver mask.
Tumango si Reese. “I am.”
Muling namayani ang katahimikan sa kanilang dalawa.
Then Reese reached into the slim tablet resting beside her plate. She slid it across the table, kasama ang isang folder. She made sure that Artemis had prepared it.
“What’s this?” tanong ni Alaric at hindi agad hinawakan ang mga ito.
Reese folded her hands together. “This is the dowry my family promised when they made the engagement.”
Her eyes caught the ring on Alaric’s thumb finger. The engraved letter V gleamed against the light. That ring must be an heirloom ring.
Bahagyag nagsalubong ang kilay ni Alaric.
“From now on, you can access the Sinclair System at your will.”
Julian, standing discreetly near the wall, stiffened.
Alaric picked up the table slowly. And the screen lit up. Nagpakita rito ang mga encrypted portals, weapons logistics, satellite-linked defense grids, and supply chain networks spanning three continents—the Sinclair System. The one he had been wanting to access.
A digital empire, responsible for advanced networks and modern weapons worth more than most nations.
The company that is worth billions, and many people were coveting.
Tumingin si Alaric kay Reese. “That’s not a dowry,” he said. “That’s surrender.”
Reese tilted her head. “No,” she corrected. “That’s partnership.” Sinalubong niya ang tingin si Alaric sa suot niyang silver mask.
“Alam nating pareho na walang namamagitan sa atin. This marriage was just for stability, influence, and access.” Her fingers tapped lightly against the table. “And I’m honoring that.”
Sumandal si Alaric sa kinauupuan. “And what do you get in return?”
Reese didn’t hesitate. “Protection. Of course, for myself and for the assets my family left for me.”
Alaric studied her for a long moment, then he placed the tablet back on the table. “I won’t take it like this.”
Bahagyang kumunot ang nuo ni Reese. “Wala kang tiwala sa akin?”
“I trust you enough.”
“Then why not take it?” tanong ni Reese.
Uminom ng tubig si Alaric bago nagsalita. “I’ll integrate the system gradually,” he said. “Joint authorization. Your protocols stay intact. I won’t take advantage of you.”
Tinignan ni Reese si Alaric. “Even though the contract gives you full control?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Bahagyang ngumiti si Alaric—a kind of genuine smile. “Because it’s not my nature to take advantage and conquer my allies.”
Tumaas ang isang kilay ni Reese. “And yet, others say you’re ruthless.”
“Ruthless…” Alaric muttered. “I heard that a lot.” He looked at Reese. “But I hope that even though there was love between us, this is still a marriage.”
“I understand,” sabi ni Reese. “Don’t worry, I won’t put any green hat on your head.”
Alaric chuckled. “Those words came from Chinese culture.”
Nagkibit ng balikat si Reese. “And I hope you would do the same.”
Tumango si Alaric. “Don’t worry, I’m a one-man-woman. I won’t cheat on you.”
“But you told me you like someone. Won’t you get tempted?” tanong ni Reese na nanunubok na tono.
“I want her to be safe. So, I won’t drag her to my world.”
Uminom si Reese ng gatas. “She’s lucky. I wonder who she was?” she asked. “Malay mo, darating ang araw na maghiwalay tayo. I will help you to be with her.”
Alaric stared at Reese for a moment. Normally, no one would dare to tell her husband she would help him to be with the person her husband likes. But Reese was different, she just said it casually. Napailing siya. “You know her. You once invited her to speak at Sinclair Industries.”
Kumunot ang nuo ni Reese. “Who?”;
“Rica Agnes?”
Biglang napaubo si Reese. Lumaki ang mata niya habang nakatitig kay Alaric. She didn’t expect to hear that name.
Ano daw?
Alaric likes her?
No, her alter ego.
Reese stared at Alaric. And she realized, she was indeed in deep trouble.
- Writer
