Chapter 3

TORONTO

The depth of your love for someone and the impact they have on you personally have nothing to do with how long you have known them.

Lucian was already asleep by the time Georgina came home. Saglit siyang nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na pagmasdan ang lalaking mahal niya at hindi na siya makahintay na matapos ang serbisyo niya. The amount of money she saved overseas is enough to last for ten generations. Georgina doesn't need to work if she doesn't want to. Pwede niyang ituon ang oras at panahon sa pagpapamilya.

Nang kumirot ang balakang niya ay hindi niya napigilan ang mapangiwi. Trouble found her during her trip to Ukraine where the Hope Diamond is currently being kept. Every six months, the gems gets moved to a different country, at naroon ito ngayon. Alam niyang parating ang mga ito at sadyang hinihintay niya. They were able to get past the security at the back because she purposely left it open. She wants to send a message to whoever sent these men.

"Vy znayete parol'?" The men are talking in their own language but she can understand. He's asking the other man if he knows the passcode. Hindi kalayuan sa kaniya ang mga ito. There's about four of them and they are heavily armed. Georgina doesn't remember them so she thinks this is the first time she encountered them.

"Their fucking IT changes the code every ten seconds."

Oh yeah, the fucking IT is listening to you right now, morons. Lihim na natawa si Georgina. She's dressed in all black and only her eyes are visible. She is trained to see clearly in the dark. She spent 90 days in a marine-style bootcamp, where she learned basic drills and discipline. She had to meet both mental and physical requirements. Physical fitness, swimming skills, rifle marksmanship, close-order drill, and teamwork are all stressed heavily during the training. As a child, Georgina enjoyed running, and this passion served her well when she was asked to do a 1.5 mile run as part of her initial training.

Every gambit must be able to shoot using an M-16 rifle. She was taught how to use the gun from different distances and firing positions. Prone, kneeling, sitting, standing to name a few.

After her time in bootcamp was through, she was brought back to the Vanguard Triad's training grounds to continue her learning about martial arts. She studied the arsenal of high-quality firearms, knives, and other weapons at her team's disposal. Being a gambit is both prestigious and thrilling— not to mention the pay is mindblowing. She love the adventure and learning new things.

For example, combat range is focused heavily in Kali Eskrima, with a particular emphasis on triangle-based geometric footwork. They were instructed to take angled steps away from the middle line. Since actual cold steel fighting is a tempest of uncertainty, the attacks would be at an angle rather than slashes.

And that's why these men are no match for her. Numbers don't mean anything— she's not a gambit for nothing.

The gem is currently kept in Khortyn Fortress located on the right bank of the Dnierster River in the western part of Ukraine. There were a few towers, and the stronghold had been rebuilt numerous times to make sure it was impenetrable to outsiders.

The hope diamond is resting in the middle of the fortress twenty feet below with full security including moving laser beams that would slice anyone if they ever attempt to steal it. No one has breached the security she placed since she started her service and it will remain that way until she retires.

"So how are we going to get it in?"

Before the leader could answer, Georgina moved like a phantom and shoot one man with a tranquilizer on the neck. He was able to reach for it before dropping on the cold floor. Her first thought was to keep that one alive so she can send him back. She might change her mind later, though.

"Shcho za—" (What the—)

Georgina smirked. The men were surprised to see their comrade sleeping on the floor.

"Hambit tut." Yes, the gambit is here. Georgina moved so fast the men doesn't know what's going to come to them.

The Triad doesn't like it when it's messy. Guns are only used if the enemy draw theirs first. Otherwise, a gambit like her would fight strategically or by hand to hand combat.

Georgina received excellent commendation in Jiu Jitsu and Taekwondo. Gauging her opponents, they are much taller than her and Taekwondo would be best. She has to disarm them first.

She leaped into the midst of the men from the ceiling then whirled around rapidly to throw them off guard. Georgina snapped the man's neck and hurled a blade at the other. He took a blow right in the eye. The last one standing managed to grab his weapon and take a shot, but Georgina dodged the bullet and accidentally landed on her hip.

Motherfucker. She winced in pain but there's no time for that right now.

She has no choice but to reach for her Glock 19 and shoot the man between the eyes. He dropped dead. There is now a small amount of blood on the ground and it's time to finish the mission or she will miss her flight. She got up and walked towards the man currently napping on the floor. Without blinking, she took a shot.

Once more between the eyes. She armed the stronghold, then mounted her motorbike and rode off to the airport.

Umupo si Georgina sa kama at hinaplos ang pisngi ni Lucian. He stirred in his sleep and smiled a little with his eyes still closed.

"Hey, baby." Pagas ang boses nito at halatang antok pa.

She leaned over to kiss his cheek at saka yumakap kay Lucian. Georgina is so happy to be home and to be in his arms.

"What time is it?" tanong ni Lucian na pilit nagmumulat ng mata. The lighting is dim at the bedroom at ang tanging nagsisilbing ilaw sa silid ay ang galing sa banyo. Iniiiwan nilang sadyang nakaawang ang pinto nito kapag matutulog na sila. Hindi lang niya masabi kay Lucian na sanay ang mga mata niya sa dilim.

"Late. Go back to sleep. Magpapalit lang ako ng damit."

Pero hindi siya hinayaan ni Lucian. He missed her. Lucian reached for the hem of her shirt. She helped him take it off at hindi niya namalayan na natanggal na rin nito ang kawit ng bra niya. He was her first and she doesn't know whether to be proud that she didn't sleep with him on their first date or the next ones after that.

Pero hindi siya tinigilan ni Lucian sa kasusuyo so she gave in eventually. He was charming in his own funny way at kahit anong pambubuska niya sa lalaki ay hindi siya pinapatulan nito. Lucian would always find a way to make her laugh. And for once in her life, she's happy. Very happy. She was too overcome with joy to put into words how she felt. She jumped in headfirst, despite her uncertainty about her ability to balance job and her relationship with him. It was hard and it's no joke but she still has both. Soon, it's just going to be him and Georgina won't be burdened by her duty anymore. They will enjoy their time together without any trouble.

Both of them were naked exchanging kisses. Nakadapa siya sa ibabaw ni Lucian at humagikhik siya nang mapadako ang mga labi nito sa gilid ng kaniyang tainga. That's her sensitive spot. He kissed the corner of her lips a few times.

"Did you miss me?"

"Sobra," sagot niya kay Lucian. Kaya nga siya nagmamadaling tapusin ang misyon niya ay para makauwi na sa piling nito.

"Show me."