Special Chapter II

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Two weeks Before Hillwood Day

       Andrew's POV

       The Council is a bunch of old fools– that is what most people say. Although I am one of them, I can't say I don't agree.

       You see, hiding from the spotlight has its perks.. and one of it is being able to be one with the crowd, to connect with the people. Once you become a part of them, you will also start to feel and think like them. And so, I'd like to think that's the reason why I agree with them.

      I mean... Ako nga mismo nahuhumaling sa isang babae. Isn't it something to be considered being a fool?

       Especially if that woman is no other than the famous Zephie Austria.

       "Why are you suddenly suggesting that we change the place again? Hindi ba't nakaka-abala naman iyan masyado kay Consul Nick?"

       "There are things that matters most, Consul Elisa. You shouldn't even have a say at this, you're not a citizen of Hillwood."

       "If that's the case, Consul Leandro, then you also don't have a say on this. You don't live in Hillwood, as well."

       Napapikit na lang ako ng mata at napabuntong hininga. I may be a fool when it comes to Zephie, but at least I'm not like these Council Members.

       They are being loud and prideful, it is annoying and immature.

       Ang gulo nga naman kasi. It has been decided that Hillwood Day will take place in Montecillo Academy. We even sent Hillwood's current leader, Stephen Austria, to the Academy to finalize the decision. But after a week, the majority has decided to change the venue back to the same one we always use for the past few years. At ngayon, kung kailan malapit na ang isang importanteng araw, gusto nanaman nilang ibalik sa Montecillo Academy ang venue. Imagine the stress and amount of work they will give the students, and the teachers including me.

       Idinilat ko na lang ang mga mata ko at tiningnan ang isang Council Member na tahimik lang. He's just sitting quietly, not even minding the noise around him, as if his mind is wandering to some place much more important.

       Consul Nick Montecillo. The youngest member of this Council.

       And might I add, the smartest?

       Kung tutuusin, pwede naman siyang tumutol na ngayon. Pero ewan ko kung bakit nananahimik lang 'to.

       The conference room is already in chaos. Mas maganda nga naman kasi talaga kung sa Montecillo Academy gaganapin ang Hillwood Day– it's spacious and will surely accommodate all the citizens of Hillwood. Ang problema lang talaga, pabago bago ng desisyon, at ayos na sana ang lahat. Ngayon, kailangan nanamang baguhin lahat.

       My vote as a member of the Council is yes, but my vote as a teacher is no. Maaantala lang nito ang buhay ng mga students. But then, what's a little sacrifice for the greater good?

       "Let's do it, then. Hillwood Day will take place in Montecillo Academy. I will talk to Stephen Austria regarding the changes." Nagulat ako nang biglang magsalita si Nick. His voice boomed in the whole room, silencing everyone.

       "Are you sure about this, Consul Nick?" Consul Leandro Kincaid, Girdwood's most influential man and leader, broke the silence.

       Walang pag-aalinlangan namang tumago si Nick. His relaxed aura and stance screams confidence. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang magtaka.

       I've known this man for how many years now. He doesn't just decide things– he calculates every possibility and consequences– he predicts the domino effect of life. Kaya napapaisip ako kung bakit bigla siyang pumayag.

       "That is settled, then." Nang sabihin iyon ni Leandro ay kanya-kanya ng nagtayuan ang mga miyembro ng Council at isa-isa ng lumabas. Tumayo na rin ako at palabas na sana nang tawagin ako ni Nick, kaya nilingon ko siya.

       "Consul Andrew, may I have a word with you?" Tinanguan ko na lang siya bago ako bumalik sa pagkaka-upo.

       "Dana Pierce." My forehead creased at the name he mentioned.

       Pierce...? Everyone knows the Montecillo Family's feud with the Pierce's. Mabuti na lang nga at mukhang mabubuting bata naman iyong anak nila Mallory. I see them everyday in the Academy– both are always bickering and having fun. Mayhaps, that's the reason why Nick approved their application to Montecillo Academy.

       "Dana... Alfred Pierce's younger sister? What about her?" Why is he suddenly mentioning her? Don't tell me nagka-ayos na sila?

       "I found a lead that points at Dana as the person behind my daughter and my sister's death. She's also the one responsible for the killing spree years ago." Halos malaglag naman ako sa kinauupuan ko nang marinig ko ang sinabi niya.

       "You... What?" I asked, mouth agape.

       After all these years, he didn't stop looking for clues? At talagang nahanap niya!

       "Consul Nick, are you sure it's not just speculations this time? Sigurado ka bang hindi mo lang pinag-iinitan ang mga Pierce?" I need to clarify this one. Kahit sino naman ito ang iisipin, given their history with each other.

       Tumango naman siya ng walang pag-aalinlangan. "I'm certain. I can even give you the evidences right now."

       Wow.

       "Then what do you need me for? You're obviously ready to take them down." Nginitian niya naman ako.

       "I need help in convincing the Council that this is an important matter, one that must be investigated as soon as possible. Jace and I can initiate the talk, but I want them to see that this isn't just a personal case for the both of us." I see.

       I cleared my throat before nodding and smiling. Kung iyon lang naman ang kailangan niya, handang-handa akong tulungan siya.

       Nick and I are friends outside work, too. I know how much it broke him to lose his daughter and sister in one same year. Idagdag mo pa si Jace Montreal, masyado ring masakit ang pagkamatay ni Xierra para sa kanya.

       Tumayo naman si Nick at inabot ang kamay niya, na kinuha ko rin. We shook hands before he patted my back.

       "This means so much to me, Andrew. Thank you." Inilingan ko nalang siya at naglakad na kami palabas.

       "If you want to pay, you can help by boosting my reputation to Stephen."

       "Stephen? Why?"

       "I'm seeing his sister, Zee." What I said made him gasp and was then followed by a loud laugh.

       Gagong 'to, hindi ata makapaniwala. Mahirap bang paniwalaang pinu-pursue ko si Zephie?

       "I'm sorry, I was surprised. Are you serious with her?" Isang tango naman ang sinagot ko sa kanya, kaya napalitan ng isang ngiti ang kaninang tawa niya.

       "Okay, okay. I will."

       And with that, we parted ways. Nakita ko siyang pumunta pa sa opisina ni Jace Montreal bago ako makapasok ng elevator. Nakakabilib din ang dalawang iyon, magkaibigan pa rin hanggang ngayon.

       Jace Montreal isn't a Council Member, but he holds a great power here. His family is one of the founders of the Council, after all.

       The Montreals are the Council themselves.

       Power couple sana siguro ang batang Montreal at iyong babaeng anak ni Nick kung hindi siya namatay...

       Lumabas na lang ako ng Council Office at agad na kinuha ang cellphone ko, para tawagan si Zee. She answered it after a few ring.

       "I'm on my way and I come bearing good news." Turan ko bago ko in-end ang tawag, at sumakay ng sasakyan.

       With Nick's plan in mind, I drove away. Sigurado akong matutuwa si Zephie na malaman ang sinabi sa akin ni Nick.

       Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit simula nang mag-date kami ni Zee ay lagi na siyang nagtatanong sa akin ng mga bagay bagay. I don't mind sharing her the informations the Council know. Walang masama sa pagiging aware, hindi ba?

       Isa pa, she is Nick's extended family somehow. Ano namang posibleng masamang mangyari, hindi ba?