“Shut your mouth, Cater.” Dad’s voice is different, like he is mad or something, bakit sila nandito? I grab my recorder and turn it on, sure ako na may mga makukuha ako sa kanila, I don’t what is it yet, byt the fact that the three of them are here, might as well get some informations.“Whatever.” He said, and pulled out a thick paper from his bag, “This are the list, their address and their parents, most of them are runaways, some of them are orphans, so we won’t be having any problem, I have them gathered on the warehouse, the auction will begin tomorrow midnight..” He said.I’m confused right now, anong pinag uusapan nila, auction of what? Is that an illegal auction? Auction of what? Stolen things? Nah, that wiuld be too cheap or might be low class, it must be something that you can’t just buy outside like the usual. What are they selling? Guns?“My son,” dad said, “You never fail to make me proud, you really know how to do your job fast and clean, “Is this all set?”Cater pulled o
Tahimik si bossing mag hapon, hindi na sya nag wawala, pero hindi rin sya nag sasalita, sobrang kabaliktaran nang itsura nya nung nakaraan, mas nakakatakot, kasi hindi mo alam kung ano gusto nya gawin, hindi mo na alam kung may plano ba sya. Taena naman oh, wala magawa kagwapuhan ko ngayon, si Kris pogi, wala magawa ngayon, sad naman erp.Tatlong araw na sya ganyan, binabantayan ko na nga, baka mamaya mag sayaw na, o kaya manuod ng kpop, mamaya sumasayaw na ng twice to o kaya black pink, lagi sya nasa condo nya, hindi sya lumalabas, sa mga napapanood ko, pag dawg anon, sign na daw yon na malapit na mabaliw, mababaliw na ba si bossing? Saan na kaya si buntis?Namputsa! Puro ako tanong, ang stress nakakapanget, hayaan ko na lang kay bossing yon, alam ko na gagawan nya ng paraan yan, basta kami stand by lang sa ipapagawa nya.“Bossing imposible naman na si kambal ang nag sabi sa kabila non.” Pilit pa rin ng pilit si Cain na kapatid nya ang mag gawa nito, sya ang prime suspect naming ngay
“Shit!” lahat kami nagkatinginan nang makita na wala si Alpha sa headquarters, pati si Kris na lagging cool biglang naging aligaga.Inutusan kami ni Alpha na tumawag ng back up para ma-plano kung ano ang gagawin namin para maayos na mailigtas si Elara mula sa mga kumuha sa kanya, pero hindi namin alam nag anito pala ang iniisip nya.“Gago talaga ang is ana yon! Matigas talaga ang bungo ng putangina!” gigil na sabi ni Kris at hindi napigilan na ibato ang laman ng mesa sa gilid nya.Kahit ako nababanas ngayon, alam namin na kaya nya, pero going there without a fvcking back up is just a plain bullshit! Nag papakamatay sya sa ginagawa nya.“What the fvck is he doing?” Larry said, lima kami na nandito, sya ang head ng class B, sila ang madalas namin back up everytime na kailangan namin, lalo na kung tagilid ang misyon namin.“We have to stay calm,”awat ko sa kanila, wala na rin naman magagawa kahit magalit kami dahil umalis na si Alpha, “We need to track him down before it gets too late.”
Twelve years ago..“Papa. Kelan tayo lilipat?” tanong ko kay papa habang pinapanuod sya na inaayos ang mga gamit na dadalin nya para mamaya, yung asawa daw kasi ng workmate nya nung nasa abroad sya kikitain nya, dahil may pinapaabot daw sa kanya, uso ata yon para makatipid ka, kaysa sa mag padala ka sa barko, mas mabilis daw ang pauwi. May mga laruan, sabon, lotion, may ilan din na makakapal na blanket, kurtina at ilang pabango, at mga chocolates, binigyan din kami, nasa ref na yon, sabi ni mama tuwing tanghali after daw kumain tsaka pwede kami humingi non, mahina ako sa matamis pero gusto ko pa rin, kasi masarap. Ganon din kami dati, may pinadala si papa na regalo para sakin at kay Jepjep para daw sa pasko, maganda nga nakuha namin dati, binigyan ako ni papa ng teady bear na white tapos may nag sasalita sa loob, promise nga sakin ni papa ibibili nya ko ng malaking teady bear, yung mas matangkad pa sakin, kaso wala pa hanggang ngayon.Ayos lang rin, love ko pa rin naman si papa, sa
“Paano mo nagawa kay Papa yon?” halos hindi ko makilala ang sariling boses ko, punong puno ng sakit ang puso ko, habang inaalala ang huling beses na nakasama ko si Papa. “Putangina mo, paano mo sya nagawang patayin?” tinignan ko sya, kahit hilam na ko sa sariling luha ko, “Pinag katiwalaan ka nya, tinuring ka nya na kapatid.”“Elara.” Tawag nya sakin, narinig ko ang malalim na buntong hininga nya, “Ginawa ko ang lahat para hindi kami umabot sa ganoong punto ni Ben, nalaman nya parte ako ng pinaka malaking nag e-export ng droga sa macau nung panahon na yon, pinilit ko na hindi nya malaman, dahil ayoko na masira ang pag kakaibigan namin, o mapahamak sya,” hindi ko alam kung pinepeke nya ang mukha nya.“Pero pinatay mo sya, ikaw ang gumawa sa kanya non, ang kapal ng mukha mo para sabihin na mahalaga sya sayo at itinuturing mo sya na kaibigan.”“Bata ka pa, Elara.” Sabi nya, “Maraming bagay ka pa na hindi naiintindihan, hindi ako pwedeng makulong, may asawa na ako, at may anak, a stable i
“Bakit ba kasi kasama pa ko? Nakakahiya naman Jaxon!” ayoko talaga, nahihiya ako sa mga kasama nya, at hindi ko naman gusto ang mga ganon, nahihiya ako. “Love naman, ano ba nakakahiya kasi don? Kinahihiya mo ba ko?” dun ko sya tinignan, ano nanaman trip ng baliw na to, nag drama nanaman. “Sinasabi mo dyan?” sinimulan ko nang ayusin ang research ko, nag proof read lang ako, para kasi to sa finals namin, kaya dapat maayos, after kasi nito, ipapa bind ko na. “Tara na love, sige na. gusto lang kita ipakilala sa mga kaibigan ko,” naramdaman ko ang yakap nya mula sa likod, “I’m that proud to have you, I want to tell people how lucky I am that I got you here, I can hug you, I can kiss you, I can plan my future with you.” Hindi ako nakasagot dahil sa sinabi nya, he sounded very dreamy, kaya napailing na lang ako, he was always like that, so futuristic. “Okay.” Sagot ko out of nowehere, nanlaki ang mata ko nang bigla nya akong hilahin paharap sa kanya, “What the fvck?” “Okay? As in s
E L A R A“Hoy, Kim! Tigilan mo ko ha, mainit ang ulo ko ngayon.” Bagsak ako sa quiz namin kanina sa anatomy, nakakabanasa kaya, ang hirap hirap naman kasi non, mahina pa naman ako sap ag kakabisado, nakakainis, major subject ko pa naman yon. “Wag ka na kasi maarte, tsaka despidida ko na to, alam mo naman na di na ko dito mag gagraduate diba? Kailangan ako ni Dad.” Napahinto ako sa pag mamaktol dahil sa narinig ko. “Ano?! Bakit ngayon mo lang sinabi?” ngayon ko lang nalaman, nag tataka ako bakit bigla akong inaaya yun pala iiwan ako ng sira ulo na to. “Kaya nga tara na! sumama ka na! wala na tayo class oh!” nilabas ko ang phone ko at tiignan kung anong date na ngayon. “Hindi nga pwede, anniversary namin ni Jaxon ngayon, diba sabi mo tutulungan mo ko mag surprise sa kanya, lukret ka ba?!” babae na to, hilig mag promise na tutulungan ako, tapos makakalimutan naman. “Ay oo nga pala!” sabi na eh, nakalimutan nanaman nya. “Tara na bilin na natin kailangan, saan natin set up?” “May c
Z A N D E R J A X O N “Zander, you have a mission.” I nod in response and Alpha handed me a brown envelope, “It will take place in Calderon.” It’s a far place, it will take at least a year for me to finish this one. “This guy has a direct contact to the guy we have been looking of.” I took a glance on the paper I was holding containing the informations, from basic up to the smallest details that we could have to help us executing the mission. “You have to leave the country, three months before you go with the plan.” I halt on what Alpha said, “He has a direct contact with that person, meaning he has wealth and connections, anyone who’s involve with you if ever they managed to track you down will be in deep danger,” he looked at me knowingly, “You know what I’m saying, Zander. I just want everyone around you to be safe.” “To cut them from my life, without really telling them why.” I can’t imagine, cutting them off to my life, especially her. “I just want the best for you, El
The evening sky was painted with hues of orange and pink as Lily walked away from Lee, her heart heavy with emotion. She could hear his footsteps behind her, his voice calling out, begging her not to leave. But she knew that she had to do this, for herself.Lily sat at the edge of her bed, tears streaming down her face. She couldn’t believe what she had just learned. For months, she had been living in a blissful illusion, thinking that her promotion, her raise, her new apartment were all a result of her hard work and determination. But now, the truth had been revealed, and it hit her like a ton of bricks.Lee stood in the doorway, his expression pained. He had been the one behind it all, pulling strings, making calls, ensuring that Lily got everything she wanted. And now, seeing her broken and betrayed, he didn’t know what to do.“Lily, I’m sorry,” Lee said, his voice filled with regret. “I just wanted to help you, to make your life better. I didn’t mean to deceive you.”Lily looked u
In the bustling city of Havenridge, there was a building that stood out among the rest. The Havenridge Tower was a marvel of modern architecture, stretching high into the sky with its gleaming glass facade. It was the tallest building in the city, a symbol of prosperity and success.But for Lily, the Havenridge Tower was more than just a building. It was her workplace, her home, and her prison.Lily worked as a receptionist on the 50th floor of the tower, where the prestigious law firm of Anderson & Associates was located. She had been working there for years, ever since she had graduated from college, and she had always prided herself on her work ethic and dedication.But lately, things had started to change. The long hours, the demanding clients, the constant pressure to perform – it was all starting to take its toll on Lily. She felt trapped, suffocated by the walls of the tower that seemed to close in on her more and more each day.One day, as Lily sat at her desk, staring out at
Catherine stumbled into the condo, her vision blurred from the tears that streamed down her face. Sin stood in front of her, his expression unreadable. Outside, the rain poured down in a relentless torrent, the sound of it drumming against the windows like a thousand tiny fingers. The sky was a dark, brooding mass of clouds, obscuring the moon and stars from view. The air was thick with moisture, the humidity making it feel like a sauna. The condo was a small, cozy space, with soft, dim lighting that cast a warm glow over the room. The walls were painted a soothing shade of blue, adorned with framed photographs of happier times. A plush couch sat in the center of the living room, facing a small television set. The floor was covered with a plush rug, soft underfoot.“Please, Catherine, you need to leave,” Sin pleaded, his voice tinged with frustration.Catherine shook her head, her voice trembling. “No, not until you tell me why. Why were you avoiding me all these years?” Catherine sto
Sin sighed as he pulled on his jacket, preparing to slip out of the house unnoticed. It was a typical Saturday afternoon, and he had plans to meet up with his friends at the park. But just as he reached for the doorknob, his mother’s voice echoed through the hallway.“Sin! Can you come here for a moment?”He froze, knowing that tone all too well. With a resigned sigh, he turned around and headed towards the living room where his mother and brothers were gathered. As he entered the room, he saw Catherine, his ten-year-old sister, sitting on the floor surrounded by coloring books and crayons.“What’s up?” Sin asked, trying to sound casual.“We’re having a bonding moment with Cath,” his mother said, gesturing towards the coloring materials. “We thought it would be nice for you to join us.”Sin glanced at Catherine, who looked up at him with big, hopeful eyes. He felt a pang of guilt for wanting to leave her behind. “I’m sorry, I can’t. I’ve made plans with my friends,” he replied, alread
As Letisha sat in her car, tears streaming down her face, she felt utterly alone. The weight of being scammed pressed down on her, and she didn’t know where to turn. She had always been independent, used to solving her problems on her own, but this time, it felt like too much.She stared blankly ahead, trying to gather her thoughts, when a sudden knock on her car door made her jump. Startled, she turned to see Alex standing there, looking concerned.“Letisha, are you okay?” Alex asked, his voice filled with genuine worry.Letisha wiped her tears and tried to compose herself. “I… I’m fine,” she replied, her voice shaky.Alex didn’t seem convinced. “You don’t look fine. Can I come in?”Letisha hesitated for a moment before nodding. Alex opened the car door and sat down beside her, his presence comforting.“What happened?” Alex asked gently.Letisha took a deep breath and explained how she had been scammed, losing a significant amount of money. She felt embarrassed and foolish for fallin
Letisha arrived at the party venue, the soft glow of the lights casting a warm ambiance over the room. She scanned the room, spotting her colleagues mingling and chatting animatedly. She made her way over to the group, her red dress catching the light and drawing admiring glances.“Letisha, you look stunning!” exclaimed Sarah, one of her coworkers, as she approached.“Thank you, Sarah. You look lovely yourself,” Letisha replied with a smile.As the evening progressed, Letisha found herself engaged in lively conversations with her colleagues. She shared anecdotes from work and laughed at the funny stories that were being exchanged.“So, Letisha, any plans for the weekend?” asked Mark, another colleague.“I’m thinking of taking a day trip to the countryside. It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to relax and unwind,” Letisha replied.“That sounds wonderful. You deserve a break,” Mark replied, raising his glass in a toast.As the night wore on, Letisha felt a sense of camaraderie and
As Avianna stood before Sebastian, tears streamed down her cheeks, reflecting the shimmering moonlight. The gentle breeze carried the scent of the sea, mingling with the faint aroma of tropical flowers. They were on the beach, the soft sand beneath their feet, the sound of waves lapping against the shore providing a soothing backdrop to their conversation.Sebastian’s usually vibrant green eyes were clouded with confusion and pain, his tall, lean frame tense with emotion. His raven-black hair tousled slightly in the breeze, adding to his disheveled appearance. He looked at Avianna, his expression a mix of defiance and vulnerability, as if he were fighting an internal battle.Avianna, on the other hand, was the picture of anguish and determination. Her caramel skin glistened in the moonlight, her long, flowing hair cascading down her back. Her eyes, usually bright and full of life, were now red and swollen from crying. She looked at Sebastian with a mixture of love and desperation, her
“Welcome aboard! Enjoy your stay, our dear visitor!” This was the greeting that welcomed me as I stepped off the plane. I thought it would be like any other trip, where we would disembark at the airport. I was surprised when we landed directly on the island, confirming Charline’s statement that the island was indeed exclusive.There were only ten of us on the plane, and it felt like we had rented the entire island.We were greeted by our tour guide, Korina, who would be with us for the first two days of our stay on the island while we familiarized ourselves with the area. I felt like I was the only first-timer, as some of my companions seemed to be quite familiar with the place.“Miss Aviana, this will be your room, feel at home. Just call me if you need anything,”Korina said as she showed me to my room. I nodded and smiled, watching as she left. The room had two single sofas, a center table, a cabinet, a mini-kitchen, and a bathroom, the latter visible from my vantage point due to t
The night was cast in shadows, the sky a blanket of thick, stormy clouds that unleashed a torrential downpour upon the city. The rain fell in relentless sheets, drenching everything in its path and shrouding the world in a veil of darkness. Detective Taliya stood in the alley, her gun held firmly in her hands, her eyes darting warily from shadow to shadow. Beside her, Zachary lay on the ground, his body battered and bruised, a dark pool of blood spreading beneath him from a wound in his side. “Taliya, please,” Zachary gasped, his voice strained with pain. “You need to go. They’re coming for us, and I won’t let you get hurt because of me.” Taliya’s heart clenched at his words, but she remained steadfast. She had a duty to uphold, to protect and serve, no matter the cost. But as she looked into Zachary’s eyes, filled with fear and desperation, she felt a tug at her heartstrings, a pang of something she couldn’t quite name. The sound of approaching footsteps echoed in the alley, the h