Kaleidoscope

“Vander!” a growl roared all throughout the corners of Vander’s pub. Fortunately, there were no customers anymore as it was closing time. Hence, a surprised and somewhat alarmed Vander had come outside of his kitchen to meet the woman who shouted for his name.

“Ah, alas.” Grayson– the woman in her enforcer uniform sits on the stool by the counter. Her gloved hands thumped on the wooden counter, her eyes boring holes on Vander as he walks in front of her.

“Perhaps you could inform me about your intentions.” Vander’s voice lowered down still as gentle as ever. His voice held no malice towards Grayson but it was laced with concern.

“Where are your daughters?” She asked as she eyed her favorite drink. Vander notices her stares and goes to turn his back on her. He then grabs a glass along with her favorite tequila . As he pours down the enforcer’s beloved drink in the glass, he hears her grunting.

“Wait for your drink and we'll talk.” He spoke nonchalantly as he slowly placed a lemon on the rim of her glass. Vander turns around once again and walks towards the counter. Plopping down the drink, Vander’s eyebrow shot right up.

“What do you need from my girls?” His gravelly voice echoed on the space around him and Grayson. He was not doubting her and only asked the enforcer out of caution. They are from a place where trouble lives– that includes the daughters in question. Had they done something so terrible an enforcer from the city had to take over?

“Don't think negatively. Your daughters are fortunately out of trouble.” Vander doesn't know what she meant by that. Nonetheless, he sighed out of relief. Grayson notices his demeanor changing and chuckles. “Don't get so worked up, big guy. They've been out of trouble for a couple of months now.”

She takes a sip from her drink. The burning sensation from the tequila had traveled from her tongue, burning her throat. She thinks carefully. Her words may hit Vander’s nerves if she speaks about her sole purpose. So she chose to stay silent.

At least for now.

She enjoys the excruciating yet desirable taste of the tequila. Drowning herself in the ecstasy of flavors. Vander watches her. Sees her letting loose. A habit Grayson does whenever she's going to announce a topic that may surely bring chaos. Grayson gulps down the remains of her drink before putting her glass down.

She sighs, a big one, before looking straight to Vander. “You do know they have to go to an academy very soon don't you, Vander?”

“You shouldn't question my thoughts about that, Gray.” The nickname rolls out of his mouth in a warning tone. She nods and looks away.

“Yet you defy your own thoughts.”

“Where is this coming from?” He growled at her. Jaw tightening at the idea of her meddling in their business.

“The Kirammans are offering a scholarship. You may wanna persuade them into enrolling themselves there.”

“You mean a scholarship for the city folks?” Vander says flatly. Grabbing the glass on the counter, he spoke once again, “If that is what it is then no. Pow and Vi can handle themselves here.”

“You can't hold them here forever and you know that, Vander. Felicia would want this for them. Don't forget about that.” Grayson backfires. Sure, she understands her dear friend's situation but something must be said. Vander can only sigh. He doesn't want to force the girls to do something out of pure persuasion.

But he knows deep down that what this is–whether it's out of reach– is a necessity they must have.

“This scholarship is for everyone. Vi, she's the oldest isn't she?” She asks and Vander nods slowly. “She can work for them too.” Grayson smiles a little bit. She wants the best for people with potential so why shouldn't she give this opportunity to the siblings?

“I'll talk to them.” Vander says dismissively and Grayson understands his signal. Slowly, she stands up and gives him her final salute before she leaves. Soon, her back is now facing Vander and then the doors are opened and before he knew it, the enforcer is out and about.

He ponders as he washes Grayson’s glass. She wishes Vi wouldn't hear that. Wouldn't hear a single word about this. He knows her by heart. No amount of persuasion may bring her out of her shell. That's what's hard. Except, his prayers weren't heard.

Because Vi heard them. She heard it all.