Chapter 3

When I reached home, I changed into house clothes already then face my laptop. I intend to research strategies that I can suggest to help our team.

Maven knows a lot about this but I swore to myself that I won’t ask for his help because aside from the fact that I want to do it on my own, I know that asking for his help is also inadvertently asking for Coach Vicente’s help too.

Since for sure, what Maven’s going to teach me is also what he has learned already from him.

It’s been hours that already passed that I didn’t notice until I heard patterned knocks on my door. Two loud knocks and three soft, slow knocks. I can’t help but smile.

“Come in, Kuya GD!” I yelled then the door opened up. My brother entered who obviously just came from a gang war because I saw he still has his brass knuckles on and his white shirt has blood stains on it. I rolled my eyes at the sight of it.

“Didn’t I tell you before to at least wear something black if you are to have any fights, so the blood won’t be obvious? You look horrible,” I told him that he just laughed off.

There are four of us and Kuya GD is the eldest. He’s twenty years old already and just got out of college. He helps with the family business yet he is also active in the gang where him and my other brother are members. They are called Secret Monarch and if my memory serves me right, dad used to be a member there too along with some of his business partners, but now the members are their children and Kuya GD is the leader.

“Do I really look horrible? Your Ate Savanna said that I still look good with this,” he’s beyond proud saying it.

I rolled my eyes. “Of course, she is your fiancée!” I growled then got up from my seat to retrieve the first aid kit though all he has are minor scratches on his shoulder.

“Rennan told me that you’re still on that team that St. Agatha won’t even support” he started.

I just shrugged. “It’s fine with me. One more thing, I really love volleyball so I don’t really mind,”

“But which one do you love more? Maven or volleyball?”

I pouted at that “That’s unfair, kuya,” he just laughed then ruffled my hair.

“You know what, all of us are the ones afraid for you. Can you please be careful? Rennan told us that you don’t walk away from fights,” he suddenly turned serious.

“Well, why would I back off if I can handle myself? You guys taught me martial arts, didn’t you?”

“Yep. And that’s our biggest mistake”

I can’t help but smile at that. Among my brothers, Kuya GD has always been the most protective when it comes to me. Kuya CL and Rennan are like that too but Kuya GD is different. I remember how he gave Maven a hard time during the time he was courting me. Maven even admitted that he almost gave up if he just didn’t love me.

“Do not worry about me too much, big bro. You know that I can protect myself. I can even defeat Rennan, you know. But anyway, let’s talk about you. What happened?”

I remember not understanding why my brothers engage themselves with gang wars until time came when I finally did. Secret Monarch is a bigtime gang being handled by our company. Dad told me that Secret Monarch is like the protectors of our company. That they are the ones in charge to fight off people who dares to tarnish the image of our company.

“As usual, we managed to bring them down and they pledged not to bother us again,” he said in not so interested way.

“How about me? When I will I become a member of the gang?” I asked because I have always been curious.

“Don’t even dream of it, princess. I won’t allow you to enter the fucked-up world that me and your brother entered. Never.”

My lips tugged downward at that. “How can you say that when you do it for our company? I can protect myself you know that.”

He shook his head and from here I know that nothing would really make him agree. Kuya GD is generous when it comes to what I like but not like this that can jeopardize my safety

“It’s still a no, princess. Nothing you say will ever change my mind” he said with finality.

***

Trina called and she said that Kisha met up with her and told her that she, and along with her minions will be leaving the team already.

So here I am, rushing to get to school already and every once in a while, growling at my twin brother to drive faster.

“Piss off, Arya! If you’re forgetting I’m still five minutes older than you!” he yelled at me but then he’s driving faster, thankfully.

“So what? I am still the princess! And you know that I am in a rush!” I yelled back. “Why don’t you just give Kisha a chance even just one date, anyway? You’re a womanizer so it won’t be hard.”

I am silently wishing that I can still convince Kisha and the others to stay because if not, there is no way that the interschool league committee will allow us to play if the team will just have six members. I am desperate already.

“Yes, I am a womanizer but I am a womanizer with taste, Arya. Just take a look at that girl. It seems that she only gets to take a bath once a week and someone told me that she reuses her socks. That’s just fucking gross!”

I narrowed my eyes at that because I do not know how true it is. Kisha is flamboyant herself so it’s really hard to believe.

“Who told you that?”

“Monique”

I rolled my eyes at that. “You’re stupider than I expected. Of course, Monique would bad mouth her because she likes you! Kisha isn’t like that, for fuck’s sake she won’t even touch the ground.”

My twin brother just smirked. I did not say anything more because just then, we already entered the school grounds and once the car stopped in front of the high school department, I quickly got out of the car.

I saw my friends at the top of the stairs, obviously waiting for me. They both twitched upon seeing me.

“You just got here on time! Try talking to Kisha now!” they urged. Well, that is what I will really do even though they do not tell me.

“Kisha Mariano!” I yelled upon seeing the she-devil-herself, talking to her friends. She looked at me then rolled her eyes.

“What is it?” she asked disinterestedly and even crossed her arms. Her minions are looking cockily at me but I have decided not to mind it anymore.

“You perfectly know that two weeks from now that the interschool league will start yet you just decided to leave just now?!” I snapped.

She put her arms on her waist. “Aren’t you informed yet? Duh, our team is a trash!” she said bitchily. If I just forgot that I am asking for her favor, I could’ve punched her already.

“Don’t be like that. We can’t just give up right now. We’ve been training for years.”

“You perfectly know why I just joined the team right? But until now nothing happens. Your brother is still not approaching me. If you want me and my girls to stay then arrange a date for me and your brother.”

I stopped to think about it. What she’s asking for isn’t really hard and I don’t really care who Rennan dates but I am not quite sure if I can convince Rennan.

“If I can do that, can you promise to stay in the team?” I asked in a tone meaning business.

“Yes, and I will even do my best,” she replied. Crazy girl. Does she really need a guy to do her best?! Why can’t she be an independent woman who doesn’t need a man?!

“It’s a deal then. You’ll know my answer, tomorrow,” I answered then turned on my back to leave. This is frustrating!

My friends are still waiting for me and by the looks on their faces it seems like they have braced themselves for the worst already.

“Fuck this. Rennan is the only solution for Kisha and her bitches to stay in the team. I need to convince Rennan to date her!”

Trina snorted at that. “Damn her. What a cunning fox. She’s using your weakness for her benefit.”

I just shook my head. “I do not really care. All I want is our team. Final filling up of the line-up would be next week and by this time we’re supposed to be sure already who will be playing.”