Kabanata vii: Eavesdrop

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Solstice Ivy Thorn

“GOOD Morning, Miss Ivy!” masiglang bati sa akin ng nanny nila Katha at Liham. She always looks so happy whenever she sees me.

All of them do.

Probably because of continuous chaos those little mongrels cause in their daily lives. That only I and their father could make them calm down. 

Well unfortunately, the sperm donor couldn't care less about those two. Which is why they act like that in the first place. 

If their salary isn't high, I doubt they will stay here. 

“Good Morning to you too, Pookie,” I greeted and gave her a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. 

And I don't know why she is named like that. 

I did the same to others who greeted me. 

Taas noo lamang akong naglakad papasok sa malawak na bakuran ng mansyon. I heard that this mansion belonged to his grandfather which they had to sell due to bankruptcy in the 1970’s. He bought it back because of a lot of memories of him and his late mother in the said mansion when is just a child. And then renovated it. 

He bought all the land that his grandfather owned before and built this subdivision using his own money which I do not know where it came from.

Since the time that this subdivision was made, when he is still in his mid 20’s and does not have a great relationship with his now dead father. To the point that his father had to cut off his allowance and inheritance back then.

I dug up more information I could find about him. And I found out that he didn't have a job at that time. And all the money he earned through his works are not enough to build this place and even established his own company, which became very successful in a short span.

Where did he get the money then?

What is he hiding? 

Who knows he could be a boss of some big syndicate out there. 

I need to find more leads.

I walked inside and just stared at the paintings. Some of the paintings here are very famous in Europe. 

I bet agent Coeus would love to see these pieces. I heard he is trying to find these. As much as I hated being around Heinrich because of his deduction shows, acting like he knows it all, I do admire his taste. 

I'm not good at art but these pieces indeed look great. 

I still hate being around that agent. He can see through my mask, I can feel it. Good thing we weren't in the same branch, I would've tried killing him a long time ago, if so. 

I can endure that annoying, hot headed, Agent Hestia than that man, Agent Coeus.

Well I guess I will have to meet other high ranking agents of each branch of MDC soon, maybe after this mission. The annual anniversary of MDC will be held soon so I had no choice but attend.

"Ivy!!" I heard Liham's voice as he started running towards me. Behind him is Katha and some maids running after them.

"Miss Ivy! Buti na lang po at dumating kayo," hingal na hingal na sambit ng mga maids. 

"Yes, it's about time for their class," I smiled at them sweetly. 

Kung makatingin naman ang mga ito sa akin ay akala mo ay nakakita ng anghel. 

"Why are you two so dirty?" ngiwi ko. 

"No, we're not that dirty!" Liham frowned while Katha pouted. 

I looked at my wrist watch and then looked at them. 

"Go take a bath first," I said while looking at them. 

"I don't want to," nakahalukipkip nitong saad habang magkasalubong ang kanyang kilay. 

"Hmm. . . Okay," I shrugged. 

I saw how his eyes lit up. 

"Really? You'll let me?" he smiled. 

"Yes, It's fin—" but then I gasped. 

"What?" kunot noong tanong nito. 

"Nothing, I just remembered my cousin. He is the same age as you when he got ill," I sighed. 

"What happened?" he asked curiously. 

"Hindi kasi naliligo iyon. So germs gradually grew until their teeths were strong enough to feed on him," I said. 

I saw how their eyes widened with what I said. 

Napaatras sila doon. "Y—You're lying," he looked away. 

Napapikit ako saka bumuntong hininga. "What's the point of lying to you? Wala namang kaso sa akin kung hindi ka naliligo," napa kibit balikat kong saad. 

"But my cousin. . . He became skinless overnight because of germs. His eyes also fell out along with his teeth and also his hair. He became so ugly and bald, no one could recognize him, no one wanted to play and touch him anymore," my breathy voice became breathier and cold. My tone is gentle yet intense, while I was telling them the made up story, just to add some effect. 

"M—Miss Ivy baka matakot po sila," sambit ng isa sa mga maid. 

"Oh right. . . My bad," I smiled. 

"I'm sorry Katha, Liham, I'm spouting nonsense again," I said while patting their heads with a sad yet soft expression. "Naalala ko lang kasi siya. . . I remembered how the doctor sprinkled salt and lemons to his torn skin while treating him. It was so painful. All because ayaw niyang maligo. I just don't want the same thing happening to you," I said gently. 

"S—So? You're lying anyway!" Liham frowned while Katha nodded her head. 

He then faced the maids. 

"I'll just go pee! In the bathroom," he looked away then marched with his sister. 

Napangiti lamang ako roong pinanood sila. Ang mga katulong naman ay binigyan ako ng daan. Naglakad lamang ako patungo sa couch para hintayin ang mga tuturuan ko. 

I don't like stinky and sweaty kids.

"Why are you just watching like a creep in there?" I said out of the blue while sipping the tea that I asked from the maids earlier while waiting for Katha and Liham. 

He's been watching me since earlier. I can feel his gaze burning behind me. I almost couldn't feel him if my guards weren't up. 

I saw how he was taken aback, stunned for a moment but managed to hide it immediately. 

"You're late," he said with a casual tone and usual intense gaze. 

It's suffocating for some reason.

Why does he keep staring at me like that? Don't tell me he's fallen for me already? I'm not even doing anything. 

"Traffic," I joked. 

He just looked at me blankly and made me let out a laugh but my eyes remained empty. 

"Calm down, the way you're looking at me is as if you wanted to devour me," nakapangalumbabang saad ko habang pinapantayan ang intensidad ng mga titig niya. 

I can't read him at all. His body language, his movements, his eyes, are all unreadable. He is being extra careful. 

He always seems to have his guards up. 

It's hard to figure him out. 

"Are you mad at me?" he asked randomly while staring at me intently, seeming to be observing me. 

As if he is trying to guess what is going on in my mind.

"Do I have a reason to?" I asked with an empty smile and sinister gaze.

Oh that's one thing you shouldn't do darling, make me mad enough to openly show it.

No one can handle my rage. 

"I apologize, I just assumed you were," he uttered. 

"I'll let you know if you made me mad," I laughed at him softly. 

Saglit pa itong napatitig sa akin. Para bang ako lamang ang nakikita niya. 

Nagkasalubong ang kilay niya roon. "You sound like you're planning to poison me," sambit niyang nagpatigil sa akin. 

Unti unti ay natawa ako roon. But not my usual fake laugh. 

Ilang sandali din akong malakas na natawa na halos magpasakit sa aking tyan, bago napatingin sa gawi niyang tulala lamang sa akin. 

Oh my. . . How did he figure it out? It seems like I just saw a smart toy worth my time. 

I wanted to own it. . .

"You humor me," I giggled. 

Ngumiti ako sa kaniya ng matamis. "Don't worry. . . I won't." 

Not yet. 

Ngumiti siya saakin. I stopped as I met his mysterious gaze. 

"I don't mind if you would," napangalumbabang saad nito habang may ngiting naglalaro sa kanyang labi. 

"Ivy!" It's Katha and Liham.

They look much presentable now. 

Nakita kong natigilan sila nang makita si Xerxes. 

"Mama!" Katha shouted as she ran towards my direction and hugged me. 

I saw how Xerxes were stunned by what he just heard. 

"I told you, I'm not your Mama," I said gently while running my fingers into her hair. Napahigpit ang yakap niya sa akin.

"It seems like it is the only word she can say," I told Xerxes. 

"She still couldn't talk?" kunot noong tanong nito. 

What a sh*t father. Does he only care about his dick? He had time fooling around but did not have the time for his children's well being?

Ano yon hanggang sarap lang siya? 

These children are pitiful. 

"Some children develop slower.  Especially when they are neglected or worse abused," I affirmed, looking straight at him.

"There are a lot of maids taking care of them, how are they neglected?" he asked clueless.

"Do you ever take care of them?" I asked. 

"Why should I? I pay the maids to do their job since I'm too busy to do that," he uttered. 

Oh how I want to punch him in the face and break that idiotic thick skull of his. 

"If you say so," walang ganang saad ko habang diretso ang tingin sa kanya. 

I saw how he stopped as he looked at me, probably trying to read me. But I kept my face blank. 

I don't want to waste my time scolding someone who probably won't listen. 

And it is their family, I don't have the right to meddle with their affairs. I just have to focus on my mission. 

"I know a good therapist, I recommend them to undergo that. It might help Katha and Liham," I said in a serious manner. 

Katha remained hugging me while Liham was just silently sitting beside me. It seems like they are not comfortable with their father around when usually he isn't. 

"That's fine with me," he said. 

I nodded my head and stood up holding Katha and Liham's hand.

"I have to start the class now, Mr Reagan. Nice chatting with you," I declared in a serious manner. 

Wala ako sa mood para makipagplastikan pa sa kanya. 

The two just guided me in their study area. 

"You seem upset," I told Liham, the moment we entered the room. 

"It's the first time I saw daddy in a week," he uttered. 

"We are living in the same house yet it is so hard to see him," Liham added. 

"He's a jerk isn't he?" I tsked. 

"He is. Maids always tells us he loves us but I don't feel it," he scoffed. 

Of course he would feel this way. They have been neglected. And the way Xerxes looks at them is full of contempt. 

Does he hate his late wife so much that he is treating the children this way? 

He isn't abusing them and just tosses them money since he isn't capable of taking care of them. 

"Maybe he does but he just can't express it. Maybe he just didn't learn how to love," I said in a serious tone, making him stop. 

"You think so?" he asked. 

"Maybe when he was a child, this is also how he was raised. So this is the only way he knew how to show his love to you," I said. 

"R—Really? Do you think he really loves us?" he asked hoping I would say yes. 

"Yes," I lied. 

My parents didn't love me either, how would I know if Xerxes love these children or not? I am not capable of showing or feeling that emotion either so I don't really know the answer. 

It's not like I could tell them he does not care about them because he is a psychotic asshole who isn't capable of raising children. That they should probably run because as you can see all he could give them is trauma.  

So I could only tell them the same reason as I have so they wouldn't hate him for now. 

Hatred is a dangerous seed to plant. The more it grows, the more it consumes you until you are rotten, drained and withered. 

"Adults are a lot more complicated," I smiled at him. 

Ngumuso sila. "Okay. . ." 

"Let's start our class then," I declared. 

For our first day, I just observed what they know so far. Their strengths and weaknesses. I also tried a lot of methods for them to learn so I could plan what works the best for them.

For Liham, he is learning faster with physical activities while Katha is best with visual presentations. 

Katha is better in art, English and writing. It seems like she is artistic like her father, while Liham is better in Mathematics. He is more active and athletic. It is hard for him to focus too and tend to mess around in class but he listens to me well. Katha is shy but she is a fast learner. But unlike Liham, she has low motor skills development so we should work more on that.

I wrote all that down into my notes so I know what we are going to do in our next class.

After I taught them for two hours or so, they had a nap time in the afternoon. I called their nanny to prepare a snack for them as soon as they woke up, which she happily agreed to. 

Then I decided to walk around while waiting for them to wake up. I wanted to memorize every corner of the house so it will be easier to infiltrate once I find a chance. 

But then I stopped when I heard a familiar voice in the garden. 

"What do you need?" I heard Xerxes talking in another line. 

"You already retired, why should I follow you?" he scoffed at whoever he was talking to in another line. 

"What about the target?" he asked. 

Target?

Nagsalubong ang kilay ko roon. 

Pinindot ko ang recorder na nasa aking ballpen habang patuloy lamang sa pakikinig. 

"Yes I successfully killed the target, while his accomplice is now detained in the hideout while being interrogated. Don't bother me anymore, I'm busy," he hissed then blew a smoke from his cigar.

That made me stop. I was extra careful so he wouldn't notice my presence at all. 

He killed what? 

"There is someone nearby, I have to end the call," he said then ended the call, making me stop. 

Did he sense me? But I made sure he wouldn't. 

But then I felt someone approaching. Based on its footsteps, it is coming from the corridors in the west, opposite of where I am hiding. 

"Xerxes," she said irritated when she saw Xerxes. 

It is Charlotte. . . 

"What are you doing here?" malamig na sambit ni Xerxes sa kaniya. 

"I'm here to visit the children," she said. 

"No need to concern yourself, they are well taken care of," he hissed. 

Nangiwi ako doon.

"I just want to see my niece and nephew! Bakit ba pinagkakait mo sila sa akin! I have the right to see them Xerxes, my sister is their mother!" mariing sigaw ni Charlotte dito. 

"Their mother who abuses them. And I am their father, it's up to me who I let my children meet.I don't want you poisoning their minds, you can leave now," malamig na sambit ni Xerxes dito. 

Naikuyom ni Charlotte ang kaniyang mga kamao. 

"Don't act like you care! Kung tutuusin ay saakin dapat mapupunta ang mga bata dahil wala ka namang pakialam sa kanila! And I only told them the truth! Hindi ba ay ikaw naman talaga ang pumatay kay Noelle?! Demonyo ka!" galit na galit niyang sigaw. 

"Don't test me Charlotte, leave while I'm still being kind," he stated with an authoritative voice. 

Napaatras doon si Charlotte. 

"I swear I will find evidences against you, tignan na lang natin! Patutunayan ko ang ginawa mo sa kapatid ko!" mariing sambit nito saka nagmartsa paalis. 

Ako naman ay pinatay na ang recorder at dahan sahang umatras hanggang sa makalayo ako roon upang hindi mahalata si Xerxes na kanina pa ako nakikinig. 

Then I walked again in the garden's direction so it would seem like I just got here. 

"You look distressed," I smiled at him while entering the garden. 

"Why are you here?" kunot noong tanong niya. 

"It's Katha and Liham's nap time. I got bored so I'm walking around, I shrugged. 

"Did you see what happened?" he asked. 

"That woman is too loud not to hear from the distance I was in, earlier," I shrugged. 

"Since when are you listening?" madilim ang ekspresyong tanong niya.

"Just when she told you she'll find evidence. It seems extreme, did you kill someone?" I grinned. 

"It's none of your business," he hissed. 

I took some of my cigarette out then handed it to him. Nakuha niya naman ang ibig kong sabihin at sinindihan iyon. 

"Right," I chuckled. 

I again felt his gaze on me. 

"I know I'm beautiful but you don't need to stare at me too much," I grinned then met his gaze. 

"You do the same to me," he hissed. 

Napangisi ako roon. 

"Because you're handsome, I like handsome guys," I shrugged. 

"What?" kunot noong tanong niya. 

"I said you're my type, your money is. At least I'm honest rather than staring at someone all the time like a creep," I rolled my eyes at him. 

I saw how his expression darkened. 

"Why am I wrong? You like me do you?" I asked then blew the smoke in his face which irritated him. 

"You're wrong," he scoffed then looked away making me smile. 

"Want to be my boyfriend? I kinda want a handsome and rich man," I smiled. 

"No," mariing sambit niya saka tinalikuran na ako at umalis. 

Napanganga ako roon. 

Wow I really couldn't figure him out. I thought that would work. Maybe I got overconfident this time. 

Well there is a first time to everything. 

When I eavesdropped earlier he mentioned about killing a target. It looks like have to dig deeper than I already have.

 I guess I had to think of another way. And once I get his trust I will suck him dry. I will get the information I could to find out what happened behind Noelle Reagan's death.