Lahat ng Kabanata ng Enemies in Disguise : Kabanata 31 - Kabanata 40

“Just one bed,” I said as I scanned the room.The room was far from grand, almost as if the man just decided to offer this forgotten attic space for us to use. A single, narrow bed occupied the center, its thin mattress sagging in the middle, covered by a faded sheet that might’ve once been white. I stared at it for a good three seconds, wondering if the stains were part of the design.A lamp sits on the side of the bed, its bulb struggling to emit light but enough to reveal the peeling paint and stains on the walls that whispered stories of loneliness and despair. In the corner, an old air conditioner hummed weakly, seemingly losing its breath anytime. Good thing that tonight was cold because of the storm.“Well, Captain Obvious, we’re lucky it even has a roof.” Isabella replied, tossing my jacket onto the table. She went to the bathroom to check it herself. I kicked off my shoes and socks, hanging them on a clothes rack. My clothes were damp and heavy, sticking uncomfortably to my

Isabella and I felt off when we reached the handler’s place. The house felt strangely quiet when we stepped in, but in a way that made us think we needed our weapons. After everything that had happened, the faint sound of the handler’s tiny voice and Daisy’s cheerful squealing were the most peaceful thing I’d heard in days. Even though we only actually spent a night away from the city.“Finally! Can’t wait to squish her radish legs.” Isabella muttered. We exchanged a look before stepping fully inside. My body loosened in an instant from the familiar scent of what you’d expect from a home: fresh-brewed coffee, television, and the sound of the flame coming from the fireplace. I heard Daisy’s laugh echo from the living room, and I’m not even exaggerating that laugh made my whole body melt. She was lying on her play mat, her chubby legs kicking, a grin plastered on her small face as the handler wiggled a stuffed rabbit in front of her.“Oh, you’re bac—” His eyes landed to Isabella, and

“Come in.”I pushed the door open and stepped into the room that smelled whiskey and cigarette. The man sat behind a span desk with an extension, relaxed as he turned his chair towards my direction. He smiled when he saw me. “Mr. Russo. Right on time.”I gave a short nod, closing the door behind me. “You called for me, Sir?”“Have a seat.” He gestured to the chair across his desk. I looked around and realized that he doesn’t have any secretary here. That earned him my respect for living an ordinary and humble life.I sat down and that gesture made me feel the rhythmic pounding in my chest which hadn’t slowed since Julian’s teasing earlier. My hands trembled for the first time. I’d seen countless corpses, some of them my own doing, yet none of them ever made me shake. Not even the filthy, dirty, bloodied ones. But apparently, a co-worker’s stupid assumption about someone I shouldn’t even be thinking about did.“Your probationary period is almost up,” Mr. Jafersons started, leaning back

“I call for a truce. I’ll be heading out early today.”Her voice sliced through the quiet office. Everyone had already clocked out, leaving us all alone on the floor. The sound of her heels echoed faintly against the tiles as she packed her things.I carried my bag and pushed the chair. “A truce? That’s odd. What are you up to?”She glanced at me briefly, her lips curving into that playful smirk. “A date.”It was two words, but it was enough to hit me harder than it should’ve. I kept telling my brain that it didn’t matter. That it was none of my business. But the thought of her laughing on a fine dining table with a man, obviously weaker than us, clawed somewhere deep in my chest.“A date?” I repeated. “But what about Daisy?” “Relax, Russo. I’ll only be out for dinner.” She didn’t even look up as she fixed the strap of her bag. “She has you for the meantime.”Of course, she trusts me. Under any other circumstance, I would feel flattered. But right now, her words cut through me sharpe

Julian blinked at me, then leaned sideways to peek into the stroller. “You have a baby?” His voice cracked somewhere between disbelief and suppressed laughter. “Since when? Is this why you always leave early and smile like an idiot on your phone sometimes?”I wish I had all the reasons to shut this guy up in the most brutal and fastest way. Julian was dressed in joggers and a sweat-darkened shirt, a pair of airbuds tucked in his ears. His hair was damp with sweat, slicked back just enough to look intentional. Looks like he was out jogging and accidentally jogged straight into my humiliation.I clenched my jaw. “It’s not what you think.”“Man, I can’t believe this.” He took out his phone grinning ear-to-ear. F*ck this. If looks could kill, Julian would’ve been in a body bag already.“Julian, if you still want to see the sun, I’d recommend you put that phone away,” I warned, already sensing what he’s up to.“Oh yeah? What are you gonna do?” He challenged me, still holding his