"Suotin mo 'to Alora. Mas bagay 'to d'yan sa suot mo." Inismiran ko si Megan habang hawak nito ang kwintas na may malalaking diamonds. The elegant and exquisite jewelry hanging on her fingers is too much for me. My heirloom necklace is fine. I'm afraid that the necklace she's offering would cover almost all of my chest part. "Formal event ang pupuntahan natin, hindi pageant. Isa pa, takaw sa mata 'yan. We're going to keep ourselves lowkey there." Pa-irap na pag-tutol ni Jinx. Muli akong humarap sa full size mirror at pinagmasdan ang kabuohan ko. I'm wearing a red sweetheart long dress with high slit on the left leg part. Alice prepared all of our outfit for tonight. My stilettos are red too, even my lips. My hair is curled perfectly giving me more mature and seductive look. I'm not preparing to be the old man's mistress tonight. That auction party is probably filled with seniors. "You look stunningly gorgeous," Al
It was just a quick call. That's it. She ended it without even waiting for my reply. Tumakbo na ako papunta sa elevator at habang nasa loob, a banging sound bounced against the metallic walls of this lift. The sound came from the third floor, I'm sure. Ano nang nangyayari roon? A cold sweat fell down on my temple and I quickly wiped it away using the back of my hand. My grip tightened to the gun. There's no room for quitters. Pagbukas ng elevator, tumambad sa akin ang tahimik at walang katao taong palapag. The intricate design on the walls and the warm lights, they are so elegant in my eyes. This french hotel earned 5 stars and here we are, making a huge scandal on top of it's name. Tumakbo na ako papunta sa gitnang pasilyo. Sunod-sunod lang naman ang bilang ng mga kuwarto kaya madali lang matunton ang room 201. Sa pagliko ko sa isang pasilyo, may lalaking naglalakad papasalubong sa akin. He's in his mid 40's and wearing a
"C'mon Alora. Let's dance," bulong ni Megan sa akin. Nagpatianod naman ako sa hila niya hangggang sa makarating kami sa dance floor. Kumpleto kaming apat. Kahit si Alice, nakikisabay na rin sa indak ng musika. Hindi ko naman ginustong um-attend sa Holloween Party na ito. Sinabi lang nilang tatlo na may plano silang gawin ngayon. Plano nilang pumuslit sa principal's office at kunin ang records ni Calter doon. Hindi ko alam kung para saan iyon. Kung anong magagawa ng records na iyon sa pag-usad ng mission. Aalamin ba nila ang address ni Calter? Kung ganoon lang rin pala, sa akin na lang sana sila nagtanong. "Wag kang dumikit sa'kin!" Reklamo ko kay Jinx. Puti ang kulay ng costume ko. Ayaw kong mabahiran ng body paint mula sa kaniya. Kinulayan pa kasi nito ang balat ng kulay blue. Sabi niya, epektibo raw iyon para mas lalong hindi siya makilala. Si Jinx ang nagmake up sa aming lahat. She intentionally disguise us using mak
My heart started knocking against my ribs. Hindi ko alam kung ano nang susunod kong gagawin. I don't like dancing, especially sweet dances. He's offering his hand for me to hold. He's waiting for me to accept it! "I'm not good at it--" "Me too." Agap niya. "Kung ganoon pala edi huwag na lang." He chuckled. Humakbang pa siya papalapit at kusa nang inabot ang kaliwang kamay ko. He intertwined his fingers with mine and his other hand reached for my waist. Pigil hininga akong nagpatianod sa kaniyang hawak. Mababaw ang lapat ng kaniyang palad sa baywang ko at habang tumutugtog ang mabagal na musika, sinimulan niyang isabay ang katawan ko sa mabagal na pagsayaw. Kasabay ng malalim na paghinga ko, naamoy ko ang aroma ng kaniyang pabango. Masarap sa ilong. It was the same scent I smelled the day we had encountered each other at the auction party. I moved my chest slightly away from him. Bukod sa ayaw kong maramd
He saved me from those gunmen when I was attacked while driving in Antipolo. He saved me from drowning when we jumped to a waterfall in the middle of the woods. He was the reason why I got out of that place and mended in the hospital with his personal butler looking after me.I wiped away the fresh tear fell down on my cheek. Sinikap kong huwag gumawa ng ingay kahit na nabibigatan ako sa nararamdaman habang tinititigan siya.Hindi dapat ako ganito. Starting from the very beginning, I am destined to kill him. Kill his family and get all of their possessions. Iyon na ang plano simula pa lang noong una, kaya bakit nagkakaganito ako ngayon?Ilang pag-iling pa ang ginawa ko. Hindi ko dapat nararamdaman ito. I should be happy and celebrating by now because finally, we captured him. Nadala namin siya dito sa headquarter at kalaunan ay pupunta ang mga magulang niya para sunduin siya."We will use him as bait," Uncle Greg said at the conference room when we had a meeting 4 hours ago.Pasado ala
Pinagtatapon ko na lahat ng bagay na naabot ko sa condo. My house is a mess. Probably my appliances are no longer functioning but that didn't help lessen the hurt I am feeling inside. My soul is depress but I don't know why. "I'm not in love." I keep on whispering that words to my soul. I hope she understands those words. I hope she's listening to me! Hindi ko inalis ang tingin sa mga pole dancers na nasa stage. I am holding my cocktail and forcing myself to be entertained by their performance. Tama na ang ilang oras na pagmumukmok ko sa kwarto na puro si Calter lang ang naiisip. I need this noisy, dark and smokey club to give my soul a break. Nilingon ko si Alice na lantang gulay nang nakahilig sa sofa. Nakailang balik na ang server para i-refill ang baso niya ng tequila. Umismid ako. Bakit kasi isinama ko pa siya dito! Kinuha ko na ang kanang braso niya at sinampay sa balikat ko. Pwersahan ko siyang itinayo saka inakay palabas nitong club. Nakakainis pa dahil pasuray-suray ang l
I chuckled. "Lasing ka pa ba?" "Jinx saw you dancing with Calter in front of the Class Building." Nawala ang tawa ko. My heart automatically throbs so fast that I suddenly lost my ability to talk back. Tiningnan niya ako. "At the auction party, I tracked you inside the suite which Calter and Veniva booked. You were there for more than an hour," she seriously said. Laglag ang panga ko sa mga narinig. Nandoon ako dahil hinila nila ako. Nakabuti pa nga sa akin ang ginawa nila dahil baka nakakulong na ako ngayon kung nahuli ng SWAT. I forgot that she can track my phone by GPS. Bumaling ang tingin ko sa dagat. "Kung anong iniisip mo, mali lahat ng iyon." "You're not taking Blake seriously." "Dahil parte lang siya ng plano." "At si Calter, hindi?" Marahas akong bumaling sa kaniya. Nakakairita na siya. Bigla na lang siyang tumawa kaya nawala ang pagkakakunot ng noo ko. She pinched my cheeks that made me flinch backwards. "You're so cute!" she giggled. What the heck. Did she just g
Pasado alas tres na nang makarating kami sa condo ko at dito na kaagad ako sa banyo dumiretso. Hinayaan ko na si Alice sa labas. She's probably sleeping on the couch by now.Nilaro ko ang bula na nasa tub. Ilang minuto na akong nakababad dito. Tinatamad pa akong umahon dahil sa sobrang pagod.The tranquility suddenly vanished when the door banged. Iniluwa noon si Alice na mukhang inaantok."U-Uy! Anong ginagawa mo?" Nataranta ako nang magsimula siyang maghubad."Let me use your tub too." She sounds so drained.Nanlalaki ang mga mata na sinuyod ko ang espasyo ng bathtub. Malaki ito at mukhang magkakasiya naman kami pero ayaw ko siyang kasama rito!"No, Alice! If you wanna get a shower, use the bathroom outside!" I told her.Looks like she didn't hear anything because she continue dressing off. Napa-irap na lang ako at nag-iwas ng tingin nang ibaba niya ang kaniyang panty.Naalala ko tuloy noon
It's been a week since I came here and started living with them. They've showed me around the Vantablack Headquarters and introduced me to everyone. Natawagan ko na rin sina Tita Serya at Tito Totie para ipaalam ang kalagayan ko rito. "Tinatanong nina Tita Serya kung kailan ako uuwi roon. Gusto ko sanang bukas na," pagpapaalam ko habang sabay kaming nag-uumagahan. "Uuwi roon? Isn't this your home now? Dito ka na uuwi," Dad corrected me. I got stunned for a sec. Yeah. I forgot. It is. Dito na siya tumutuloy pagkatapos ng una naming pagkikita. We spent most of our time together, as a whole family-- talking while sipping tea, talking about our lives, roaming around the bunker and teaching me this and that. It's been a week but everytime I go to bed, I wonder how fast my life turned out. Para bang pumikit lang ako saglit, nandito na ako sa puder nila. I still have questions unanswered but maybe there has time for that. I'm enjoying the moment I have right now. With them. I do hav
I feel like it would be so awkward if I start calling them Mom and Dad. I'm still not used to them, though. Kagabi lang kami nagkalapit ng sariling ina. Paniwala naman ako na biological parents ko nga sila dahil sa mga rasong inihain na sa akin. I'm already 20. Still young but already old to spot the truth of this drama that has been running for almost 3 years. I watch my mom who's busy talking to me but I can't hear her clearly because I'm not paying attention. We're now here in their office, the higher ups office. Simpleng kwarto lang ito na may malaking curved table. Sa lamesa, may limang computers at swivel chairs. Sa harap naman ng mga ito ay may malaking nakapatay na screen. I'm sitting on one of the chairs. Calter is occupying the other seat, one block away from me while Mom is standing in front of us, talking. Saka lang nahinto ang ina nang may kumatok sa pinto. Napunta roon ang atensyon namin. Bumukas ito at pumasok ang isang lalaki. He stopped at the frame and bowed his h
All this time, akala ko hindi niya alam. I thought he wasn't aware that I was really the person he was talking with at the Halloween Party. Hindi na ako pinatulog kakaisip noon kagabi. I was asking myself, like how did he found it out? Tulog siya nang pumasok ako sa van nang mahuli siya ng organisasyon. He's asleep for the whole time until he was locked in the empty room. Nahalata niya ba ako sa naging costume ko? Covered ng make up ang mukha ko noon! Heavy make up! Hindi kaya'y nakilala niya ako sa boses? So he intentionally made a confession because he knows that he's literally talking to me? Nagkunwari lang siyang hindi niya ako kilala. Bakit pa? Para hindi masyadong nakakahiya sa part niya? Sa pag-amin pa lang, bawas na ang angas niya. Pero bakit naman siya magsasabi ng sekreto niya sa hindi niya kilala? Bakit ngayon ko lang na-realize ito? Alam ng buong Herism kung gaano siya kailap. He sticks with his circle of friends and never did talked to anyone else. Hindi ko pa siya nakit
Parang kailan lang nang una akong tumapak sa Herism Academy. I remember how full of wrath I was. I was eaten by my vengeful demon that all I felt was resentment towards my biological parents. I've even created a fantasizing scene in my head that I am washing my hands with their fresh blood like a total psychopath. It's been 2 years and those memories are still vivid as if it's just a day passed by. Wala akong nakitang butas sa relasyon ko sa mga Steppingstone noon na makakapagsabi sa akin na ampon lang ako. Kahit si Uncle na lang ang nandyan para sa akin noon, I never felt neglected. He may seem like a prison guard on how strict he is but there are still times when he is calm and loose. The last time we got apart was during the battle we had against the assassins in Manila Port. He got shot by Calter that time and I don't know if he's still alive. Robert Spencer got shot as well and I had never picked up rumor about them again since I ran away. "Can I kiss you good night?" pansin ko a
When I was a kid, I never had any bad memories with Mom and Dad. They never hurt me when they had to discipline me. They were supportive. They always make sure I'm okay, happy. I never felt out of their blood, that I am adopted because they never treat me differently. They showered me with all their love that's why it's hard for me to distinguish the truth behind all of these. Tanggap ko na sa sarili ko na ampon nga ako... pero ang hirap! Tinanim ni Uncle Greg sa isipan ko na ang mga Spencer ang masama. Sila ang pumatay sa kinalakihan kong magulang. Oo't sila nga... but is it worth it to hate them? Sabi nga ni Mrs. Veniva, kinuha nila ako noong sanggol pa. Hindi sarado ang utak ko para hindi maintindihan ang pakiramdam ng isang ina na mawalan ng anak. I just can't believe that the real monsters in this story are the Steppingstones, the family I grew up with. "Get the brown envelope in the drawer, Calter," she ordered him. Sumunod naman si Calter at pumunta doon sa desk hindi kalayua
I lived my life as a teenage girl running in the track like a horse trained to race. I ran away when the table turned and found out, in the end, I was the one who got fooled by those people around me. Now, I am coming back. Faces I'd wish I will never get to see again are all plastered in front of me. I guess, running away from the reality of my life is a race I will never win. Alice's face flashed on my mind. Her eyes. The way she gaze at me feels like she saw a long lost bestfriend. I don't know. The emotions of her eyes are sometimes misleading. However, I wonder why she was stunned at that moment. She should've called for backup to catch me but she chose to remain standing while staring at me. Is she with Jinx that time? "Hija!" Napatingin ako kay Veniva Herism. She rushed towards us with open arms. Emotional siyang nakatingin sa akin at kinulong ako ng yakap pagkalapit. Kumunot ang noo ko at hindi nakagalaw sa kinatatayuan. Ang mga braso ko kasi, nakapaloob sa yakap niya. Hindi
Bumagabag sa akin ang huling sinabi niya sa gabing iyon. Criella Herism Spencer. Tinawag niya ako sa ganoong pangalan. Anong ibig sabihin noon? 'Yon ba talaga ang tunay kong pangalan... bago pa ako mapunta sa kamay ng Steppingstone at pinangalanang Alora? My mind was filled with questions I hardly seek for an answer. I was just holding to my what ifs, insticts and theories. There's no definite answers. Maybe Calter was right. I really need to talk to Veniva Herism. Ako na ang umalis sa sarili kong kwarto para lumipat sa kuwarto ni Calter. Sakanya na iyong basang kama. Kaya naman na siguro niyang asikasuhin ang sarili dahil hindi naman siya mukhang nasaktan noong biglaan siyang umupo para makalapit sa akin. Naalala ko ang hitsura niya noong ipinirmi niya ako sa kinatatayuan. Madilim, maingay ang lagaslas ng ulan at maya't maya ang pangingidlat pero sa gabing iyon, mas nangibabaw ang ingay ng tibok ng puso ko. It may sound romantic and a bit corny but that's what I really felt during
Calter kept refusing to stand up and go to his room. He didn't want me to call for help neither. Nangingiti pa siya habang ako halos malagutan na ng hininga. His blood literally flows down onto the floor and he's still acting cool! Naihilamos ko na lang ang palad habang tinitingnan siya. Gising siya pero nakapikit lang. Nakangiti kasi ang gago. "Please.... put a pressure on my wounds before... I completely lost my blood," he said in a hoarse voice. Napairap ako. Sinarado ko ang pinto. Pumwesto ako sa kaniyang uluhan. Pinailalim ang mga kamay sa likod ng balikat niya at buong lakas na hinila siya papunta sa gilid ng kama. Nasa sahig pa rin siya dahil nga basa. I don't want him to wet my bed. Napalunok ako saka lumuhod sa gilid niya. Hinawi ko ang kaniyang itim na t-shirt pataas. He slowly lifted his hand so I saw a large cut on his left kidney part. Mukhang daplis lang pero mahaba at medyo malalim. Rinig ko ang mabigat na hininga niya. Halatang nasasaktan pero sinusubukang itago. A
Calter really had the nerves to rent a room here. Hindi naman talaga nagpapaupa sina Tita pero nang sabihin ni Calter na mag-a-advance payment na siya ng tatlong buwan, sumang-ayon na kaagad ang matanda. Alam ko kung anong dahilan ng pagpayag niya. Delay na kasi ang sweldo ng mga trabahador kaya ang ibabayad ni Calter ang siyang ipapasweldo niya. Gusto ko pang hilain si Calter noon paalis sa hapagkainan para sana kausapin. 3 months, really? Parang naglalaro lang siya ng bahay-bahayan! "Ayan! Look! Ang pretty mo talaga! Wagi na tayo!" tili ni Jade matapos niya akong ma-make up-an. Nakadikit ang pisngi niya sa pisngi ko habang nakaharap kami sa salamin. Ilang beses ko nang naisip na umatras na lang sa pagsali. Hindi ko naman kasi talaga gusto 'to. However, the situation really pushes me to continue it. Deven is still out of reach. Tito's maintenance are running out and he needs a wheelchair so he can go out of the house. Suot ang dress para sa unang round ng contest, lumabas na kami