We’re programmed to [Part 2]

The doctor said that she should refrain from making extraneous movements because it would help her heal faster.

But not putting a strain on her body enough was unexpectedly harder than she thought. Unfortunately, she dislocated her shoulder from that fall, not to mention that it was also the side where she had gotten shot.

Due to the abundant blood loss, one of the nurses mentioned that they needed to put her to sleep, or else, she might suddenly induce a reaction that would hinder their procedures.

The new year was nearly approaching.

Daphne Garza happened to overhear the conversation of the two nurses who were taking turns in checking up on her.

Her forehead knotted in wonder. “Does that mean…?

How long had she been in deep slumber?

Now that she opened her eyes, searching for clues around the surroundings, she could somehow tell this time—that the room was indeed a hospital room. The hospital gown that she wore was different in terms of color, size, and thickness.

It felt more comfortable, and the cold, crisp air seemed to be having a hard time in penetrating the clothing. The hospital bed was of the normal size.

And to top it all, there were hospital devices present as well.

“Ah.” Daphne bit her lower lip to try and suppress the sudden throb that she felt in her head.

The bitter taste of the medicine—it still lingered on her tongue like an aftereffect.

She held her stomach when she felt it churning all of a sudden, making her want to puke. Her eyes got teary in just a matter of a few seconds in her attempt to rein the feeling in.

Her eyes grew wider when a memory of the previous day flashed before her vision like a flashback told in detail.

Talon Contreras.

The man who previously worked for her father.

The man who talked to her into cooperating with the laid plan.

The man whom she thought was familiar because of the relaxed vibe around him.

He was behind this. He did this to her. Daphne felt her throat constrict from sheer terror, the ray of sunshine which carried her hope that it would not happen again slowly dissipating.

It was stupid of her to think that she could persuade him into quitting this kind of lifestyle.

Tal looked like he would not take her words lightly either.

“Why would you betray my father, Mister?” She asked, her voice cracking from all the emotions surfacing all at once—regret being one of them. “Was he not a good leader? Did he fail to treat you better?

His reaction was rather unexpected.

He laughed maniacally. “Now, you do sound a Garza.

“W-what do you mean by that?

“I cannot blame you, though. Strangely enough, you possess a slightly different character from them. Please do not this take this personally, Ms. Daphne,” Tal uttered her name with such familiarity. There was no doubt that he once worked for their household. “The orders from the higher-ups are absolute. I have nothing against you. You have done nothing to aggravate me during my stay with the Garza family. If I had a choice, I would have assigned this work to someone else.

The intense look in his eyes was a demonstration of truth.

And Daphne shivered at the sound of finality in his tone.

What was he planning to do exactly?

Several questions swarmed her mind, yet she could not work up the courage to ask them away. Based on what Tal just said, he sounded like he did have an unpleasant experience under the command of her father.

She wanted to know what he meant by ‘slightly different character’. She was certain that he was trying to convey a message, but she could not just have it without sweating.

If only she could talk the whole thing out with him, perhaps, he would not have to resort to violence and aggression.

There should be a way.

“You do not have to do this if it is against your will, Mister…” she stated after a while. Gauging his reaction, she figured that she should finish her sentence since she was here now. “I-I think I can help you change your ways. It is not yet too late to start over. I am not going to tell my father either—”

“Hey, you are sounding arrogant now,” Tal cut her off, shaking his head in dismay. “Do you even know how politics works, Ms. Daphne?

She blinked twice. She was getting scolded like a credulous child.

“Do not get me wrong. I am not insulting you for I am in no place to do such a thing. As I have mentioned earlier, you—playing the main character of the plan, is all but an unfortunate incident. I am aware that you are an academic achiever, but allow me to say one thing, Ms. Daphne.” He then stared at her intently. “You are book-smart, not life-smart. If I were to interpret the differences, it means that you may have the knowledge, but you lack the experience.

She held her head down in shame.

He was undeniably correct.

But…

“I-I have a question, Mister. Please grant me the answer to cast away this confusion. I would really appreciate if you give this one to me.” Daphne might sound demanding and arrogant to him, but she did not have the time to think about the answers to the questions that were practically riddles to her.

She did have that kind of leisure right now.

She knew it might sound selfish—he might even think that she was not willing to exert any effort to look for the truths.

However, his impression of her was not important right now.

Tal arched a brow. “Sure.” He glanced at his wristwatch ruefully. “Although, we do not have much time to chitchat. What is this question you are wishing to ask me about?

She closed her eyes, and calmed her breathing.

Yes.

He was willing to cooperate.

She should not let this chance slip past her hand now.

When she opened her eyes, Tal’s curious gaze met hers. “If you do not want to do this, why are you still proceeding with such actions? If you have no choice, why not make one?

His eyes widened in surprise.

He was not able to speak immediately, so she thought she still had one chance in her hands.

She could do this.

It was not too late to make him realize that…

In pursuit of glory, there was no need of terrorism and rebellion.

However, that hope was short-lived as he gave her his answer with strong resolve.

“In the world of politics, we are all chess pieces. I am the piece who accepts orders from the higher-ups, and you are the piece that will make my desires come true. It is a matter of give and take, and no one can escape that cycle. I may not have wanted to do this, but the result has already been decided. This is just another mission for me, and in order to get in the good books of the Commander—even if something is extremely against my will, I will have to do it.

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