AT THE COSTELLO MANSION I walk fast attempting to head straight towards my room but Apollo stop me. I look at him sharply but he didn't let go of my hand. "Let me go" I hissed, flaunting the anger in my eyes. "We need to clean that wound. Adhicer is in the clinic mending Jaxer's wound, wait there" he said. He look and sound calmer compared to me. I shake my head and pulled my hand away from him. I don't like the way he treated me right now, he should scold me, he should scream because I didn't killed Sain Czar but look at him right now? He looks calm as if I didn't do anything to him. "I pointed a gun on you" I remind him. "Aren't you mad at me?" I gritted my teeth, almost crying. I hate myself. I am mad at myself right now because since I become Sain Czar's wife, I always failed. Since I went to Ildefonso's Residence, everything I did was a failure. My decisions are failure. "I know that it was not intentional. Even if you point that gun on me, I am sure that you will never pu
"Then who is Zacharias Eron? Why is he claiming that he's a Cortezi? He said Celeste is his sister!" I fire back, still not convince. Apollo tighten the grip on my wrist as if telling me to stop but I am too emotional right now. I will not stop until everything was answered. "Is he your brother?" He ask me in return. I gulp and shut my eyes close. I don't have a brother. I am the only child of Cortezi couple, there's no way I have a brother without knowing it. "I don't have..." I whisper and open my eyes. "See? They are fooling you, Herravie! You let them fooled you that's why you failed this mission!" Dad growl and I flinch a little because of it. "They are trying to save Celeste that's why they are finding her even after all these years without any hint about her whereabouts" I bit my lower lip. "They act as if they are all concern to her and to the Cortezi family. They said-" I didn't finish my sentence when Dad grab my arm and held me tightly. Apollo tried to stop our fat
"Come here, give Daddy a hug mi hija" Nothing change to his embrace. I thought he was mad at me because of what I did but then he show me the opposite. He was like giving me empathy when supposedly he should have scolded me. I was an disobedient child, I was hardheaded, I didn't listen to him, I defy him. "Dad I'm sorry..." I whisper, holding back my tears. He doesn't want to see me crying, that is for sure. I must hold back my tears because for him, tears is a sign of weakness. I shouldn't cry no matter how I wanted to cry right now. Even with my state, I should stay rational. Crying in front of him will never make him pleased. Don't cry Herravie... "I'm glad you came back home alive, mi hija. But I am not apologizing for scolding you a while ago because you need to snap back to your senses" he tap my head and pulled away. "Let's talk about this tomorrow. For now, go to your room and rest. It's been a long and tiring day for you" he utter calmly but still sound authoritative.
"I wanted to know my worth as a Costello, once again..." Tears stream down to my face. I felt a pang of pain inside my chest and I couldn't hide how vulnerable I am right now. I always wanted to act strong in front of the man who molded me as Herravie. I always wanted to show strength to the father who teach me how to be fearless, but right now I am crying desperate to hear his command. UuuWould that be too much to ask? I just wanted to reclaim the same worth I feel before. I was not able to kill Czar Ildefonso, Jaxer ends up getting shot, my identity as Herravie was discover. Everything is a mess now. I am having a dilemma inside my head because I am questioning myself. At this moment, I don't know anymore what am I chasing? Was it the revenge I wanted or because I just wanted to prove my worth as a Costello because I am just an adopted daughter? "We will talk about this tomorrow" he firmly utter and turn his back on me. "Dad!" I call him and try to follow him but Apollo held my
"That is not something that you can decide, Herravie" I press my lips together as I heard what Pollux said. I know what does it mean and he is right. I gaze down and fisted my hand. "The council will decide if they give Czar Ildefonso's life in your hands once again" Apollo paused and took a deep breath. "If they won't, then just agree with them" My forehead creased and turn my head to look at him. Our eyes meet and I know that it is evident in my face that I disagree to what he said. I've come this far, I defy my father, there will be no different if I defy the council. If that's what it takes to prove something to myself again, I don't care. I must prove to myself who really I am. I must remind myself what made my life like this, how I end up like this. It's not a big deal anymore if I try to become hardheaded. If I don't listen to the council and they will get mad at me, well, what's new? They never like me to begin with. They always do something to make me look like a failur
"Then I will kill him for you" His tone is firm and it weigh so much emotion despite how he's trying to control his anger. He is not like this, I am always feel as if he's not taking things serious but right now, I guess he's trying to be a big brother to me because I am questioning myself. "Would it still be a revenge if I let you do it?" I whisper, doubting. I shouldn't doubt. I know to myself that should not doubt my own brother but then here I am, hesitant to Pollux's concern. "Does it even matter?" He fire back and let go of me. "Do you really have to question who will kill that bastard? I think what's important is the assurance of his death. I can assure you that I can kill him for you" he added. He's right. I shouldn't question about it because what's important is he will die. Cesar Ildefonso is still there, he is the one who killed my parents while Sain is just my way to make him realize how painful to lost someone you love. But will it be okay to me? My lips move wan
Leaning on the railing of the tree house inside the Costello mansion, I couldn't help to think about Sain Czar. The wind is cold, thanks to my thick cotton jacket that protect me from shivering I was able to went outside despite the freezing night. I lifted my gaze to the clear night sky filled with shimmering dots of lights. It's been a long day, the first day that I was not with Sain since I pretend to be Selena Castania. For the months I was with him, I slowly get used of being called Selena, wife, darling, and little. And right now that I couldn't heard any of those words the rest of the day, I feel like missing it. I took a deep breath. Missing it is a big mistake. It is wrong for a Costello like me but I couldn't help it. Even just for some time, I don't want to be hypocrite. Maybe the change of my feelings toward Sain Czar is the reason why I am questioning myself, my worth, and my identity as a Costello. I gave down on the ring I am wearing. I haven't take it off yet, if A
"Cesar Ildefonso killed my family..." I remind myself while looking at my reflection on the mirror. I could no longer see the sweet smile of Selena Castania that I used to wear when greeting the people around me. The woman in the mirror is Herravie Costello, the woman who seeks vengeance. I am holding the gun that Luscio Costello gave me while reminding myself that I must hand this gun back at him stained with Sain Czar's blood. That's the only way I can prove to myself and to the Costello that I am one of them and I deserve to be a Costello woman. I am confused right now but this is no time for me to question everything. Despite relying on the memories I remember, still, I am hesitant if what I am doing right now is the best thing for me, for my family, and for the Costello. All I know is I must do something. I am force to do something because that's my responsibility since I become a Costello woman. I shut my eyes close and Sain Czar's handsome face flash on my mind. I could n
"Where is Sain? Please let me see him" I pleaded as I look at the stern expression of Sixto who's standing at the door not wanting me go inside the room."Celeste enough, you haven't fully recover yet. Let's go back to your room" Zachary said who's standing beside me while holding my arm, giving me support.It's been almost three weeks since what happen. Everything are still fresh in my memory, how I escape the Ildefonso's Residence, how Antonio help me, how I killed Teofilo, how Jaxer try to kill me and how Sain was getting shot by Apollo. It's been almost three weeks and yet I haven't saw Sain even just once. They won't let me, Sixto is always stopping me as well as Zachary who disappointingly siding at Sixto. They doesn't want me to see Sain, they are even updating me about his condition. I am dying with so much anxiousness, I am worried sick how he is doing. "Just a glance. I just have to know how he is" I insist not wanting to go back.I know it was my fault but I never wanted
The car halted in a familiar place. I took a deep breath and rolled down the car window scanning my eyes around the place. It's been a while since the last time I visit here and nothing change despite how my heart change. "Are you sure that you're doing this?" Antonio break the silence that made me look at him."What do you mean by that?" I ask in return."If Enzo is the one sitting here, for sure he will ask the same Hera. This is your enemy's place, you cannot do the first move. You just have to defend" he explain.I mentally shake my head, he almost sound like Enzo. I didn't know that he's coming to me. His loyalty is only for Enzo and I didn't know he will give it to me since he was under Sintti's training. "Have I mention to you that I have a brother? A real one and I just recently find out about him" I said."And what does it has to do with this?""He will save me together with my husband. You know how powerful my husband right? So nothing will happen to me," I confidently sai
"Hera..."I stilled on my spot when I heard the familiar voice of Apollo on the other line. Unconsciously, I turn my head to look at the direction of Sain and his brothers who's occupying the living room while discussing something that I didn't know.The trio doesn't seem to notice that I am no longer on my spot because their attentions are all on the table while Sixto is talking things that I cannot understand and follow. Perhaps it was about his organization and not Ilde Famiglia. "Please Hera, spare me a minute to talk with you" I blink my eyes and took a deep breath before living the trio. I went out and head straight to the gazebo doesn't want anyone to hear me talking to someone from Costello. "What do you want Apollo?" I ask, controlling the tone of my voice.Knowing that Teofilo Romani is the person who killed my parents, there is a sudden anger rooted inside me towards my brother. They all knew and yet they didn't say anything. They all make me look like a fool. They are a
The wind is blowing softly and it gives me a shivering sensation every time it touches my bare skin. I lifted my gaze and breath calmly. I am here in the gazebo hugging myself because of the morning breeze. I did stay but I couldn't find myself to sleep after what I find out. And now that the morning came, I still don't know what to do. I don't know where to start because I couldn't believe that I was been fooled for fifteen years and I am oblivious about it.I took a deep breath and gaze down shutting my eyes close. I am not sure if making a deal with Sain Czar is the smartest thing to do, but then I already did it. I already gave him my word in exchange of a very important information. I am not interested how did he finds out, my whole focus is on Sintti Organization and Mafia Romano. Both of them made fun of me, they made me believe a made up stories and I was such an idiot. I couldn't believe that I work for the man who killed my parents. I already meet him but I didn't recogni
"That's enough!" Sixto's voice filled the whole room, breaking the dark inclement mood that is about to explode. "Celeste is no longer the child we've been searching. She become the woman we never expected, she will not be pleased once she hears this" Zacharias agree. Well, he's right. Everything that is happening right now is not pleasing and here they are fighting as if I can't make decision on my own. Maybe my driven force to live is the vengeance inside my heart, but I stop living as Celeste. I already forgotten how does it feels like to live in the shoes of that innocent girl. "I will discuss this with Father. This is very complicated and I hope we are all expect the consequences..." Sixto added, sounding like a mature brother. "I don't want to see you two fighting about it."That make sense because he is the oldest among them. He has the authority to make the two follow him even the hardheaded Sain Czar. I immediately close my eyes and pretend that I'm still sleeping when Za
My eyes widen."What the hell are you doing?!" I blurt out and pulled my wrist from his grasp.Sain look at me with those serious and tantalizing eyes that never failed to drown me but I keep my distance with him, flaunting the anger that plastered on my face right now. "I am telling them the truth. You're Celeste Astraea Cortezi, and they should know that fact" My lips parted as I look at him disbelief. "What the hell are you saying Czar?" Zacharias suddenly intervene that made me fisted my hand.I stare at Sain Czar sharply hoping that he will stop this nonsense. There is no point even if he informed everyone about my real identity. I was molded and live as a Costello for fifteen years. I killed people, numerous lives die in my hands. That won't change and the fact that I am Celeste Astraea Cortezi will not cover the bloody life I'm living. But Sain ignore my warning gaze instead he turn to look at Zacharias."You heard me. She's Celeste Astraea Cortezi, the woman we've been fin
"What do you really want from me?" I ask before he take his step inside.We're already here, I was not able to stop him because his persistent to bring me back to Ildefonso's Residence is hard to break. But I need to know what does he really want from me. I want to know why he's doing this. If this is part of his revenge then he should stop it because I don't like playing this kind of game. Sain Czar didn't speak nor turn around to face me but he didn't walk away either. I am patiently waiting for his response because I need it. I don't know what he's up to because as I said, Sain Czar is difficult to read. He's hard to predict. I don't know what's on his mind, I cannot conclude any idea. He is that mysterious and I don't want to fall with his mystery."You're not my husband no matter how much you insist. You don't have the right to my life" I added.I step back when he suddenly face me. Standing six feet tall looking so handsome yet dangerous, Sain took a step closer to me causing m
"I am still here,Little. I am still here where you left me and I am just waiting for you to come back"An unknown warmth covers my heart, I didn't know this kind of assurance is what I needed right now. But then, I know that I am not supposed to ask for it. That would be unfair for him and everything will be mess up even more. I fisted hand giving him a void expression despite his pleading eyes. For the first time, I saw a weak side of him. Another part of him that he will never let anyone figure out. I don't want to be his weakness, he should not be swayed just because of me."You don't know what you're saying""I do" he firmly replied. "I am your husband and it will stay that way until my last breath. I warned you didn't I? When you insist to marry me, I told you there will be no turning back. You cannot turn your back at me, I won't let you" he hissed in a controlled tone. He looks determine, more serious than before. I look straight into his eyes, and just like for the first tim
A loud explosion made me cover my ears as I hide myself in the corner, hoping that a piece of wood I am leaning right now could save me from those sharp bullets that trying to kill me. "I should have killed them all" I hissed to myself, frowning while holding my gun tightly.I am now on the run. Sintti Crime Organization is chasing me just like what Luscio Costello told me. They were aware about the tragic death of my parents, they are aware that Luscio is part of the assassination happens fifteen years ago and now that I am aware about it they are hunting me. Things that I don't understand before is now make sense. The council anger is not about me being a woman, it was because I am a Cortezi the little girl who supposed to be dead years ago. They are trying to kill me now after I obey all their rules and commands for fifteen years. My hands are stained with blood because I stand before them, kill those people who tried to ruined the organization because I thought it was my family