Chapter 60: Chapter Sixty: To Be Worthy

I was already full. The paper bags were already in the trash can. Karlo stayed in my office, strolling around like it was a tourist spot. I was in front of my laptop, answering emails and inquiries and reviewing the files Timothy just sent me via WhatsApp. While doing so, I accidentally saw him looking at the family portrait. It was the one I noticed the first day I came to the company.

I thought he would just pass by it, but I started furrowing my eyebrows when he started at the portrait for a long time. I mean, he is seeing me very beautiful there with my parents. Of course he would be amused by me. I flipped my hair unconsciously.

“You look happy,” he suddenly said out of nowhere, breaking the silence between us.

“What?” I muttered and grinned. “I mean, it’s my special day there. Of course I would look pretty.”

“Happy,” he echoed and inhaled sharply. “As a family.”

“Yeah. When my parents were still alive, they never skipped any special day for me. They gave me everything,” I explained and shrugged, continued typing on my laptop.

“You’re very lucky that you managed to be with them for a long time, even though they are not here anymore. Unfair, though,” he whispered.

“Yeah. Life is unfair,” I commented. “Anyway, how is your resort going?”

It took a long time for him to answer me. When he did, he turned around with a smile on his face that didn’t reach his eyes. His smile was contagious, but I pouted so he wouldn’t see.

“It’s going to be built sooner or later. Do you want to see it with me? It’s still pending, but I hope you get to see it when you have time,” he offered.

“Yeah, sure,” I pretended not to care, but deep inside, I am so excited. “Don’t you have anything to do this afternoon?”

“I punched out early at the company so I could have lunch with you and spend my day with you here in your office,” he said and walked towards the sofa, spreading his arms on the backrest.

“And what will you do? Stare at the ceiling?”

“Watch you work. Is it forbidden to see my wife acting as a Chief Executive Officer?”

Will he stop making my butterflies crazy in my stomach?

“Nooo…” I prolonged my answer dramatically.

“But the only thing I saw here was Ian hugging you and claiming that he would take you back,” he said.

I lifted my eyes to see him staring at the floor. I wanted to read his eyes, but his sideways glance was facing my direction. I don’t know if he was bitter or sad about it. I swallowed.

“Were you jealous of Ian?” I asked softly.

“If I say yes, will you avoid him?” he fired back and finally looked at me. “If I approve your attempted divorce offer, as you did months ago because you wanted to run away with him, will you be happy?”

He said those words so coldly that I have no idea if he is just pretending like me or not. I couldn’t distinguish it because he is so hard to read. I don’t see the raw in him. Or maybe this is the real him.

“I don’t… know,” I merely answered.

“Right,” he said and nodded, as if it was the only thing that could prove whatever he was thinking right now.

“But what happened last night between us, I liked it, Karlo, so I hope you’re not thinking that it was such a bad idea,” I added. “You already know that I like you. It might have taken me a long time to realize that, but I really do have feelings for you.”

“I like you, too. No. I love you, Minerva. Without hesitation, I would give my life and die for you.”

We stared at each other, trying to see the truth and lies, but all I could see was him in my head. Whatever he says, I would shamelessly believe it. And whatever he does, I would desperately melt for it. Is this love? Infatuation? Lust?

Those thoughts lingered in my mind as I trained later that night with Glaidel and all the assassins in Red Cartel. Karlo had to attend a business meeting outside. Only Timothy was the one who went with me to the headquarters.

“You have already mastered combat, Jennie. I am quite impressed by how you were trained outside the country for a few months,” Glaidel complimented me as we were lined up in front of her.

“Thanks,” I simply said and looked sideways before continuing to address her, “Miss Glaidel.”

She nodded and smirked. “Welcome to Red Cartel. But still, I want to see how you shoot. You might be good in combat. However, you might lack in your shooting skills,” she said and looked beside me. “Samantha is a good shooter. Always ten out of ten. Just like Taylor. The two of them are skilled assassins and were sent out on missions by the former king and queen themselves.”

Samantha smiled at Glaidel and even proudly looked at me. I reciprocated her smile. When I glanced at Taylor, she was just boredly cleaning her nails like she was just a high schooler waiting for her classes to finish so she could go home.

“Miss Glaidel, can I raise a question?” Taylor suddenly raised her hand.

“Go on,” Glaidel permitted her.

“I just want to know when the Red Cartel Queen will visit the headquarters so we can start going on missions and stop all of the criminals in our city,” she said. “The number of crimes kept rising nonstop. Poor people have been suffering from hunger and injustice also. I heard last morning some news about murders that were executed and commanded by the mayor himself.”

I blinked repeatedly as I stared at Taylor. If I just did not have any idea that she is a Red Cartel assassin, I would just mistake her as a mean girl who makes people miserable and bullies weak individuals. But as I see determination across her face, I think she is also not in favor of the bad things happening in the country.

“I think we shouldn’t waste time recruiting people to train to be an effective assassin when all we need is to strike now with the queen,” she added firmly.

I played with my tongue inside my mouth as she glared at me the next thing. Glaidel cleared her throat. Her eyes bore into me. I stood straight as Glaidel, and we stared at each other meaningfully.

“The queen…” she muttered, “is coming…”

Everyone murmured behind me. I intertwined my fingers.

“And when will that be, Miss Glaidel?” Samantha asked in curiosity. “Everyone is slowly backing out of the organization. When will she come to ignite the sole purpose of the Red Cartel – to defend justice?”

The assassins started clamoring because of what Samantha had just said. I bit my lower lip and closed my eyes. I sighed.

“I am sure Jennie has something to say,” Taylor suddenly mentioned my name. “After all, the queen hired her to train in the Red Cartel, right? There must be a significant reason that all of us are curious to know.”

I opened my eyes and saw everyone staring at me right now. Taylor was already crossing her arms, acting sassy. I kept my stoic, stern face. Timothy was just beside Glaidel. Neither of them could defend me, so they would avoid displaying bias and suspicion. It is on me now. It’s pressuring, I admit, but I have seen this coming.

“Yes,” I answered. “She might not be in front of us right now. And I know that without the queen or the king, this organization will crumble. If I were the queen, I would want everyone to stay strong and wait for her. Because she is still weak and worthy of fighting for you. She just wants to deserve your loyalty and commitment to the Red Cartel. In that way, we can destroy our enemies and seek vengeance against injustice in this city and country, especially for what happened to the former queen and king.”

The words that came out of my mouth came from introspection that I did over these last few days. It might not be enough for them, but I want them to be assured that I am doing my best to be their queen.

For the next few weeks, I have been working hard as the CEO of my company, handling projects, and strengthening the business relationships with the investors. I never skipped a night of training at the headquarters. Slowly but surely, I learned to mingle with the assassins, especially Samantha, who I got close with, except Taylor, who would say mean things to me. I just let her be.

“Thank you so much, Miss Minerva! I am now enrolled in De La Salle!” Melanie exclaimed in excitement and instantly embraced me when she went inside the mansion.

“Whoa, whoa!” I mumbled while chuckling, embracing her back. “I am very happy to know that, Melanie.”

When she released me, several tears came running down her face. I was surprised, so I brought down the magazine so I could wipe her tears. Innocence was plastered across her expression. I felt so guilty because she was crying.

“Why are you crying?” I asked worriedly.

She shook her head and smiled widely. “I am just very happy to meet a kind and sweet person in my life, Miss Minerva, like you. I am so grateful!” she said before hugging me back.