Lunch time has ended, and I still have a 3-hour class this afternoon, but it will start at 2 pm, so I will leisure myself here in the cafeteria. It’s actually pretty comfortable here, and the food is great. I was at the corner, near the exit of the cafeteria. I chose to sit here because no one can disturb you with their noises and such. The number of people here has subsided and a maximum of 20 are here. The distance between the occupied tables is far, and I couldn't hear what they were talking about. This is nice in this way so that I can focus on thinking about what to do later. I am meeting the most feared boss of the gang, Leon. I remember what Lethius told me. Leon picks the nastiest ways of punishing people and has a short temper when it comes to people he's conversing with. I sipped on my juice while I was still drowning in my thoughts. If Leon was the nastiest, Raphael is the one who should be feared. He uses his mind to think about the possible scenario and not his fist when d
I don’t know what the plan of the third boss is. I couldn’t think of what to expect next after this. Did I make a good decision? I don’t know if Lethius is already aware that I somewhat disobey his plan. I mean, he didn’t mention not touching the second boss as well as Dos. I felt a pang of pain in my back when I was dragging Leon to the punishment room. I don’t have an idea if it’s just a normal bruise or a big cut. I didn’t care, in this moment. I need to know what the real plan of the third boss is. I don’t even know his name. I’m going to ask if he’s all settled here. He ordered me to tie Leon to a chair. I’m familiar with basic tying, so it’s fairly simple for me. I’m not asking any questions, because maybe there’s something in me that is afraid of what may happen if I act in disobedience. The third boss entered and said that we were going below. The hell? What was the purpose of tying Leon to a chair if I was going to carry him again down to what they called “The Dungeon.” Even
“Yes, and we’re here to finish the job. Now, it’s your turn to choose John. Cooperate or die?” John's laughter echoed through the whole room. Because it was built underground, even a whisper could be audible to all of the people here. Lethius and Raphael didn’t flinch with that and just continued, starting with John as an interesting subject.“What I don’t? What are you going to do?” asked by John, who’s currently recovering from an earlier attack.“You know what exactly would happen? Now, I’ll just give you 10 seconds to think. You better choose or we’ll choose for you. And I assure you that our choice is fixed on one thing, the painful one,” Raphael started to walk elegantly towards John while swaying his right hand.“10...”The countdown begins after Raphael puts his hands up and closes it.“9…” “8… the time is clicking, John.”John seemed to be unafraid and just showed Raphael his big smile while oscillating the knife. He’s completely unbothered by the two guys' threat.“7…” Joh
I couldn’t find myself moving after finding out that the painting and I looked the same. What the heck? I’m not sure whether I should be grateful that someone adores me or tense because I was painted by someone I don’t know if they exist or not. I picked it up and realized that it was huge and something was keeping it on the ground. I squatted and began to set unnecessary things aside. I thought that this painting would be the last surprise, but no… there’s more. When I was in the middle of clearing things out, I noticed something that was in the middle of the paintings and waiting for me to see it. Is it an envelope with a seal made of flowers and blood? I don’t know if it’s real blood, but it seems to be less that it’s dried. With curiosity invading my system, I opened it and saw a note. I got the note out and read it. It’s for Taddeio.My dearest Taddeio,I’m just hoping that this letter will find you. I was scared to death if it was in someone’s hand while I was writing this. I kn
My freedom has ended and I’m back now at the studio. Even though it’s already two days prior to what happened in Chess’ house, my memory is still vivid and playing in a replay. I thought the only new thing that happened in my last two days was that I met Chess, and he told me that he was part of the gang, The Kings. Yet it didn’t stop there because when the night had come, I’d met someone who was really close to my heart. The delightful feeling that I experienced when I saw her face again after a long time It was my sister, Celine. Let me tell you how it took place.I was in my room after the talk with Chess, meditating and thinking about what would happen next when the issue in the Liospire gang was done. I mean, it was my job that had been given by Lethius, and I think he saved the one he needed to save when the Kings entered the scene. I was in the middle of my meditation when my mouth suddenly craved water. I stopped it for hours, but I couldn’t take it anymore. This led me to ope
“Merchaiass!”“Where are you?”“Merchaiass! Please tell me you’re alive.” These were the shouts that I heard when I opened my eyes. I roughly rubbed them when I saw that I was not in my room but in the middle of the forest. With no one here and just by myself. Don’t tell me that I was dreaming again. Or is it not? I mean, the last memory that I remember was when I was walking down the alley when I saw John. I followed him because I thought that he was already dead. Given that he created a ruckus, according to Chess, he must be punished now. But, why was he walking freely and acting like nothing happened? Is it just me that I find this whole situation odd? After that, I went home and took a bath. I also remember lying on my bed. So, I am dreaming. It’s okay, I’m going to wake up real soon and won’t remember anything about this room. Calm yourself and let’s find a way out. Everything that happened felt like it was replaying itself. I don’t know if my life was stuck in a replay and the
Aside from what happened between Marrize and me, there’s nothing significant that happened here in school. Earlier, when the class was done, she went out without looking at me. I don’t know if I should be bothered by it or not because we’ve only met again. I don’t even know if she was really my childhood best friend because I’m starting to doubt my diary if it’s saying the truth or if it was there because I'd only imagined things. Because of the turns of events in my life, I totally forgot about my sideline job in the shop of Ms. Polish. I don't know if what I was thinking was a good thing. I mean, she didn't contact me these past few days, so I'm thinking that she let me off the hook. And another thing was, she may have considered me fired after I didn't go to work after she reminded me about my absences. Nothing's good about the things that are happening in my life. It was all a series of bad incidents in which I was kidnapped, experienced nightmares, and, worst of all, was held in
We’ve arrived now at the restaurant that my older sister personally picked. She said that this is one of her favorites. According to her, they serve the best steak in town. Well, let’s see. Celine changed a lot. I didn’t know that she knew how to drive a car. Maybe she was covering her true self before. And it’s actually okay, because I don’t think I could accept this side of her in an instant. It was totally the exact opposite of my sister. The Celine that I knew was nice, caring, and couldn’t hurt a bug. Well, I can’t say that I don’t like this side of her because it’s not my life, it’s her own decision why she became like that. We got out of the car and proceeded to the entrance of the restaurant. I was in complete shock when I found out that she had already booked and reserved a table for us. Cool. But I managed not to look like I did because I might be uncomfortable that I’m acting this way. This is my sister and my friend. The older Celine didn’t totally vanish, as she's still sh
Knowing all of this was holding my consciousness from waking up. Even though I already knew the issue about my father's buying Mama from the group, I still wasn't expecting that Papa would say that. He's not the type that will admit everything that he's done in the past. He's more than that.Right now, we're here sitting around the table while Mama is preparing everything. She hasn't changed that much; she's still the woman that I left months ago. I smiled at the thought that Papa wouldn't hurt Mama again because he promised me earlier."Is there something wrong, baby?" A hand was placed above mine when my gaze focused on my mother, who was taking care of Papa's food."Nothing... I'm happy, Tads. That everything is in its proper place. I know that... Nevermind, my heart is full of joy now, and I don't want that to change." I smiled after saying it. I don't want to start a conversation about what happened before we went here. My conscience won't be happy if I ruin the mood right now.
After a lot of debating between me and Taddeio, we came to the decision to go to my hometown and talk to my parents. I need to do it for me to live without doubt, fear, and misery."Are you okay?" I looked at the man in front of the steering wheel. He's one of those who stayed in my darkest times. I held his hand above mine and smiled before answering, "I'm okay because you're here with me. Thank you.""What's with you today? Where's my baby? Is this really you, Cai?" I rolled my eyes at him and threw his hand back to him. I know I'm starting to become softer, but I don't think it's a bad idea, right? I mean, we're boyfriends now, and we should do what boyfriends do."Forget about it. Jerk," I said, lowering my voice when saying he's a jerk. There's something in me that doesn't want to call him like that. I mean, I'm quite shy by just thinking that he's my boyfriend and I'm new to this thing."I'm also happy, baby," was blurted out by Taddeio.I didn't mind him and watched the trees
"I clothed you when your father threw you out! You can't do this to me!" I was still in my seat, tied. While Taddeio was threatening Mr. Manore, he's not holding anything now. Maybe he threw it somewhere. "You didn't. I worked hard, Pops. You only helped, and you're not an exemption to the rule. You made it with me, and yet you, yourself, did it. Now, deal with the consequences." The old man was shocked to death when Taddeio aimed to hit him with a hammer. I didn't know where he'd got that, but it stopped in mid air as if Taddeio was controlling his hand not to hit Mr. Manore."I know that you couldn't do it, young man. Our lives have been interconnected ever since you got close to me. I tried to stop them, but they wouldn't listen to me. Believe me, Taddeio, it wasn't my intention to go against your back," Mr. Manore pleaded, his hands clasped and attempting to kneel on one leg. I saw how Taddeio started to bring down the hammer while the landlord was assisting him. "Right, you d
"Are you okay?" I asked Polius when he hadn't moved from his place for quite some time now. Maybe what Celine had said had made a big impact on him. I thought they were okay and saw happiness in his eyes when my half-sister, Celine, confirmed their relationship. "I don't know," he answered and shook his head. "Are you okay with this? All of what's happening now. Are you really a part of the group? Or are you just doing this because of her?" My hand formed a fist and tried to have the rope loosen."Don't ask me like that, Merchaiass. I am doing this because I want to." He's swayed. I'm certain that he is. He doesn't want to do this and was forced to due to my sister's request."Okay, if you say so. But remember this, Polius, regrets come after what you thought would be the best. If your mind tells you that it's wrong, then it is. Our mind serves as the protector and the doer, while the heart is only for pumping, producing, and delivering blood. Nothing more." I remained silent after
My shoulders, which had been deprived by force, went numb when I took all the words that came from my sister's mouth right through my soul. I didn't even realize that I was already tearing up when Celine hadn't wiped my tears. I looked at her and she was doing it too. It's hurting me... It's like a spear that went straight to my heart. The sensation wasn't new, but it was heightened and I couldn't contain it. I need to let it out, scream, and divert my attention for me to be okay. Right now, I am not thinking straight and I could hurt someone that'll block my way. My momma was my life. I remembered everything about my accident, and she's the one I contacted and told everything about it. We were talking like prisoners, as my father wouldn't stay put if he discovered that mom and I still had communication. When I called him that night to ask about my accident, I assumed we were already fine, but we weren't.never be. My mother told me that she was physically abused by my father every ti
The wind is hustling, yet the sun can burn your skin. The mild sound of the waves hitting each other relaxes my brain. The ocean is clear, as is the sky. The clouds were smiling and making sure that the weather would be fine. The sand touching my legs gives me comfort that I never knew would be there. It's been what? Six years? Yes, it's been six years since what happened to me, to Dos, and Taddeio. He helped to move on from things that happened in the past. It's not easy, but Taddeio didn't give up. He made sure that I was alright all the time. He put me first before himself. When we first came here, I was distant—to everyone. I don't know, maybe I needed to take a break from them. Or from myself. Celine and Polius were here for the first two months, and they went back when Polius had to report to his station. And to answer the question, yes, Polius came back as a police officer after taking a year's break because of my sister. For the past years, I hadn't had a normal conversation w
"Stop what you are doing now, Triplets." The coldness in the voice of Taddeio can make a person gasp for air. "And why would we, Taddeio? Please give us a reason." Josef said, while his hands that were keeping my fingers up seemed to be restless. He was afraid and tried to cover it up with his normal voice. He's not stuttering, but his body reacted otherwise. He's afraid of Taddeio."Because I said so." Taddeio answered shortly. He looked at me with his sympathetic eyes and asked if I was okay. I gently nodded and smiled at him. He averted his gaze and stopped at Josef. The whole room was silent and no one dared to speak. It was broken when Hector stepped in and said something to Taddeio."You're afraid... that we'll do something to your lover.""I wasn't, Hector. Because I know he's not a softy just like you've known him. My baby has been a fighter since he was born." I don't know why my eyes are starting to be teary, but I stopped them from falling."Oh, is he? Are you?" Hector sa
We were here for how much longer we'd known. There's no sort of time indicator located in this room, and we don't have any phones to check, nor can we check it. We were tied and we looked like sinners that were awaiting their punishments. We spent minutes, maybe hours, trying to get the rope out of our bodies, but it was tied impermeable. We lose hope after doing our all just to break free. My eyes had incidentally gone to Dos, the real Dos or Paula, who was sitting next to me. She seemed to be having deep thoughts. Our eyes met when she turned to me. The difference was that her face had lit up. "Dos..." I called her. "Hmm?" She hummed and smiled at me. How can she smile at a time like this?"Is... is Violet your real mother? And Sarah is your real grandmother?" I don't know if I asked something right, but I want a clarification even though I've already heard it when they had their confrontation."Sadly, yes, Merch. I thought she was a hostage of Raphael, and I confirmed it to him.
I thought everything would be fine when Dos and I successfully went out of the room, but what was awaiting us was worse than I expected. Life is truly a series of unexpected events; everything has a reason, and you can't stop it from happening. What is meant to happen will happen, and everything that you'll do to not let it occur will be merely a tiny waste when destiny is involved. Playing our lives is what makes her happy. Seeing our pain intrigues her desire to continue doing what she's currently doing. She loves to torture us with her different schemes. She lets us be happy for a moment, then it will all vanish and be replaced by sadness. I don't want it to happen anymore. I am tired and wrongly used by destiny's power to overrule our lives. We are the creators of our destiny and are not controlled by it. Unless you change and nurture your beliefs, change won't come and your life will forever be ruined. We are stuck on the first floor, and even though we are on our fifth attempt