Ray of Light in Paradise (Tonjuarez Series III)

Prologue

"Miss Lyra, how will the hospital deal with the rumors going on social media?"

I bent down a little, to reach the microphone table placed on the podium in front of me.

Bago pa man ako magsalita ay napapikit akong muli, nang mag flash ang camera ng isang photographer at tumama sa aking mata. Huminga ako ng malalim.

"The communication management is already working on taking the articles down. And to clarify the purpose of this conference... We are all gathered here, so that the fake accusations with the hospital will be cleared."

Bumalik na ako sa tamang pustura matapos sumagot, ilang segundong nanahimik ang mga journalist sa sinabi ko. Ang mga ingay ng flash at shutter lamang ng camera ang narinig sa buong hall.

Iginala ko na mata, nag aantay sa susunod na magtataas ng kamay para magtanong. Ngunit hindi ko sinadya na umabot hanggang likod ang tingin ko. Nahinto ako nang magtama ang mata namin noong lalaking nakatayo sa bandang dulo malapit sa pinto.

Nandito na naman siya? I mentally rolled my eyes.

Like his usual attire, he is wearing a white polo sleeves, black slacks, and black leather shoes. His hair was cleanly brushed up, making him look formal and sophisticated.

But he doesn't look intimidating to me at all, I am actually getting annoyed by his presence. Malapit ko na siyang komprontahin at tanungin ano ba talaga ang sadya niya rito sa ospital.

He looks like a creepy stalker or whatever.

Mabilis ko rin pinutol ang titig sakanya nang may magtaas ng kamay sa harap ko.

"Miss Lyra, are you planning to inherit the whole company? Will you manage the hospital?" tanong noong journalist na kanina pa ako ginigisa. Simula mag simula ang conference, siya na ata ang may pinaka maraming natanong.

I sighed heavily before answering.

"I am here to answer questions about the blood testing issue. I am not gonna be answering personal questions."

I am the first daughter of the owner of the company, alright. It's natural for them to think that I will inherit it, that I am the heir. But I don't have any desire to do that, I studied medical technology because I love the job. Not to be locked up in an office, trying to figure out how to run this hospital.

I already talked to Dad, it's already decided. The board members will vote who will seat as the chairman, once Dad decides to retire.

Besides this is corporate, we don't own all the shares. We just have the biggest.

"No more further questions? I'll pass the mic to Doctor Samaniego for further medical clarifications." saad ko.

Tumayo na si Doc Samaniego sa kinauupan at umakyat na rin ng stage, I smiled to her as I walked out of the stage.

Hawak ang notes ko, buntong hininga akong umupo sa tabi ni Manzi. Pinaypayan ako nito gamit ang hawak na folder, I irritatedly glanced at him dahil nakaka agaw kami ng atensyon.

"I'm fine, air condition dito o." pigil ko at ibinaba ang kamay niya.

Inayos nito ang puting uniform na katulad ng sa akin, we have the same department and the same line of work.

"Ako iyong nasstress sa mga tanong sayo e, kanina kakaumpisa pa lang ang tanong agad kailan ka mag aasawa?" natatawang komento niya.

I licked my lips and nodded. Agreeing with him. "Kaya ayokong nagiging spokesperson e, sa susunod ikaw na ha."

"Ayoko Lyra, shy type ako."

Nginiwian ko siya, ngunit napalingon ako sa likod nang marinig ang malaking pinto na bumukas. Nahuli ko pa ang lalaking papalabas ng hall.

Ano? Tapos na akong mag salita? Kaya uuwi na siya?

At first, I am not really bothered by him, pumupunta lang naman siya ng ospital at walang ibang iskandalong ginagawa. Kaya hinayaan ko lang, malay ko ba kung ano ang sadya niya.

Pero sa mga nakalipas na ilang buwan, I already find it creepy and disturbing that he always visits the hospital kahit wala naman siyang appointment man lang.

What if he's a stalker? Kidnapper? Sindikato?

Hindi malabo, but based on his outfits and clothes. He actually looks rich, naisip ko pa nga dati na baka investor ito. O, board of members.

Pero sa department ko laging pumupunta? Makalipas ang ilang oras aalis na rin, tapos kinabukasan babalik ulit.

I can't let this happen again and again, this needs to stop.

"Aalis na 'ko, hindi naman na ako kailangan dito." paalam ko kay Manzi at bahagyang tumayo.

Sinundan ako nito ng tingin. "Huh? Saan ka pupunta?"

"May gagawin lang ako sa labas, dito ka na lang."

Hindi ko na siya hinintay mag salita pa at lumakad na ako ng tahimik palayo, binilisan ko pa ang bawat lakad dahil baka hindi ko siya maabutan.

Hindi ko alam anong meron sa akin ngayong araw, pero para mapag-isa na rin lang ang kaba ko.

I'm gonna confront him.

Kung normal na araw siguro ito para sa akin, I would just let this slide just like how it usually happens.

Binuksan ko ang malaking pinto at mabilis na lumabas, sumilay ang ngisi sa labi ko nang maabutang hindi pa siya nakakalayo.

"Excuse me? Sir?" I called him out.

He quickly froze when he heard my voice, like he was so familiar with it. Like, his body automatically reacts with it.

He was caught off guard, he didn't expect me to call him or run after him.

I slowly walked towards him, but not that close. I still don't know him, hindi ko alam baka may gawin siya, mabuti ng safe. Ilang dipa pa ang layo ko sa kanya.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang makalipas ang ilang segundo, hindi ito lumingon. He was just standing there, not moving at all.

"Can I ask you some questions?" pagbabaka sakali ko kung sasagot siya.

Still, wala pa rin.

I frustratedly sighed, I didn't expect he would this hard to talk to.

"Are you a patient here? Family of a patient?"

Seconds passed.

"No." he finally answered, in a cold and dark tone.

Ako ngayon ang natigilan, this is the first time I heard his voice. His appearance was way different from his voice.

His physical appearance was light and clean to me, but his voice was deep and rough.

"Investor? Board of members?" I tried to ask again, I peaked a little on his side because he won't really move a budge.

"No." ulit niya.

Kumunot ang noo ko, then I am right. He doesn't have any business with the hospital, so why does he always visits here?

Wala na akong maisip na itatanong, kung hahayaan ko naman siyang makaalis ngayon, wala rin akong nakuhang matinong sagot. Baka ngayon ko lang ito makakausap, kailangan ko nang lubusin.

"May I ask for your name?"

Kung hindi ko malalaman ang sadya na sa ospital, at least may ideya ako kung sino siya.

I saw him clenched his jaw because of my question. He sighed deeply.

Hindi ako umalis sa pwesto kong nakasilip sa gilid niya sa di kalayuan, I am willing and determine to get an answer today. Kahit isang sagot lang, isang clue lang. For the sake of my peace of mind.

Seconds passed, and it turned to minutes.

Walang gumagalaw sa aming dalawa, I frustratedly stared at his back and sighed. Mukhang wala na siyang balak sumagot.

"It's Cian..... Cian Evander Tonjuarez."