CHAPTER 20
1127 Words
THE LOWER HALL of Shadow Headquarters, which lay beneath the mansion, with dim lights illuminated the Shadow Insignia on the far wall.
Umupo si Alaric sa isang upuan na naroon.
The commanders stood in a straight line.
Julian stood behind Alaric.
They were in an empty room with only walls, no furniture, just the chain and the barrel at the center of the room.
The room smelled like blood.
Ito ang silid kung saan napaparusahan ang mga lumalabag sa batas ng Shadow Organization. And this was the place where they interrogated their enemies.
At alam ni Julian kung saan papatungo ang gabing ‘to.
Alaric crossed his legs, placing his arms on each armrest of the chair. Sandali niyang tiningnan ang mga ito isa-isa bago siya nagsalita. “Explain.”
One word from Alaric made the Commanders straightened and sweat.
“Boss, we were just—”
Itinaas ni Alaric ang kamay na nagpatigil kay Hale sa pagsasalita.
Alaric’s gaze was cold. “You threw a blade at my wife,” he said and stood.
Napalunok si Hale dahil sa kaba.
Biglang hinawakan ni Alaric ang collar ni Hale. Then he slammed him against the wall so hard.
No warning.
Napaubo si Hale at ramdam niyang lakas ng impact ng pagkakabagsak niya sa pader.
Lumapit si Alaric kay Hale. Every step of his was threatening. He crouched down in front of Hale and grabbed his collar. “Listen, Reese Sinclair is my wife. Her status was higher than yours. You don’t have the right to test her,” he said in a calm, deadly voice. Pinakawalan niya si Hale na kung saan ay napaupo ito sa semento habang umuubo.
Alaric turned to others. “Respect,” he said. “And hierarchy. She outranks all of you.”
Every commander lowered their head.
Alaric gestured to Hale. “Five weeks' suspension from active mission.”
Napatigil si Julian na nakarinig sa sinabi ng boss. Sinulyapan pa niya ang kadena na nasa gitna ng silid. He was expecting Alaric to torture Hale by whipping, but it looks like the Boss of the Shadow Mercenary Organization will show mercy.
Hale nodded to the punishment.
“Double weapons inspection duty. And you will personally guard Mrs. Volkov while she is here. Understood?”
“Yes, Boss.” Tugon ni Hale.
“Your punishment will only be lifted once Mrs. Volkov signs off. Or lift your punishment yourself.”
And that hurt more than bullets.
“Yes… Boss.”
Hinarap ni Alaric ang iba pang commander. “Any of you challenge her again—” he drew his finger slowly across his throat. “I won’t bother with procedure. You know how ruthless I am. So, don’t challenge me.”
No one speaks.
No one questioned him.
Alaric turned and left. Sumunod naman agad si Julian.
“Boss, you won’t torture him?” tanong ni Julian.
“Do you want Reese to feel guilty?” balik ni Alaric habang mabilis na naglalakad.
Umiling si Julian at napatigil. Sinundan niya ng tingin ang kaniyang boss. “He’s no longer the cold and ruthless Boss of the Shadow Organization. He’s now concerned about what other people feel around him,” he muttered.
Julian smiled and followed his Boss.
THE FOLLOWING DAY, Alaric had some business outside. Kasama nito si Julian at maaga silang umalis. Walang magawa si Reese dahil pagkatapos ng meeting niya with Artemis, nakaupo na lamang siya sa sofa sa living room.
Kinuha niya ang tablet niya na nakalagay sa may coffee table at nagsimulang gumuhit ng kung anu-ano, until her hands ended drawing Alaric.
“Madam,” the butler approached her.
“Yes?” tanong ni Reese nang hindi nag-aangat ng tingin. She was focused on curving the lines.
“The Commanders wanted to see you. Should I let them in?”
Reese’s pen paused mid-air. She finally looked away from the tablet and looked at the butler. “Five of them?"
"Yes, Madam.”
“Let them in.”
Tumango ang butler saka umalis upang puntahan ang limang commander na nakatayo sa labas ng mansiyon.
Reese was confused about what the commanders would tell her. Nagkibit siya ng balikat at nagpatuloy sa pagguhit.
When the butler came back, kasama na nito ang limang commanders at may dala pa itong tray ng pagkain para sa kaniya.
Hindi nagsalita si Reese. Hinintay niya kung ano ang gagawin ng mga ito.
Hale stepped forward first. He stopped two paces from Reese. Then bent at the waist. A full bow. The kind given only to someone acknowledged as superior.
Nagulat si Reese at bahagyang napaatras dahil sa ginawa ni Hael.
“Madam, I acted recklessly. I endangered you and disrespected your position,” Hale said, voice firm but humbled. “That will not happen again.” And he bowed deeper.
Napakamot ng batok si Reese dahil hindi niya inaasahan ang gagawin ni Hale, lalo na nang sumunod na yumuko ang apat pa na kasama ni Hale.
Their voices echoed one by one in the quiet hall.
“We failed to uphold Shadow discipline.”
“We underestimated you.”
“We apologize for challenging your authority.”
Mabilis na kinuha ni Reese ang isang baso na juice saka uminom. Then she cleared her throat. “Get up.”
Agad namang umayos tayo, ang lima.
Reese looked at them one by one. Though the two women commanders hadn’t done anything, they still came and apologized to her.
She smiled and nodded her head.
“Madam, I won’t question your place again,” Hale said.
Tumango si Reese. Naalala niya ang sinabi ni Alaric kagabi tungkol sa parusa ni Hale. Wala namang problema 'yon para sa kaniya. She can lift Hale’s punishment anytime, but Alaric advised her not to, for them to learn their lesson.
“I understand why you did that,” sabi ni Reese. “But I hope you won’t do it again.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Humugot ng malalim na hininga si Reese. “You protect this organization. I,” she pointed herself, “I protect systems that can dismantle companies and their networks.”
Nagkatinginan ang mga commander.
“We serve different role but we serve the same purpose.” Reese paused and let out a small sigh. Then she added, “Apology accepted.”
Nakahinga nang maluwang ang mga commander. Then they bowed once more. This time, deeper and more sincere.
“You’re dismissed.” Wika ni Reese.
The commanders straightened and left the living room.
A small smile appears on her lips.
Hindi niya inaasahan ang gagawin ng limang Commander. They bowed and apologized to her. And she came to realize, she hadn’t needed weapons, nor needed to intimidate.
She had simply stood her ground.
And Shadow had bowed.
- Writer
