PROLOGUE

BRETHANY VIKTORIA 'BREE' DE VEYRA

CAN dreams happen in the middle of a nightmare? Or is it the other way around? That nightmare is like a thief, kakatok sa gitna ng napakaganda mong panaginip upang nakawin ang kung ano mang kapayapaang nadarama mo.

In the deep recess of my mind, there's that nagging feeling. I'm robbed of my peace. I may appear all put-out, dressed like I'm about to meet my worst enemy. But on the inside, kinakabahan akong hindi ko mawari. I wiped my clammy palms against the satin material of my dress.

Bahagyang nanginig ang mga kamay ko.

Get a grip, Bree.

Pasimple kong nilingon si August ang kanang-kamay ng asawa ko– si Lev Petrov.

"Nasaan siya, August?" Tanong ko sa matangkad at seryosong lalaki na tila anino ko kanina pa.

Hindi ito umimik. He just cocked his head towards the right telling me what I already know. Lev's in the office. Hindi ko alam ang mararamdaman. Kalahati ko'y nanginginig na sa kaba habang ang natitira'y excited. I nibbled my lower lip. Images of me on a St. Andrews, naked and panting plague my brain.

Jesus. Ganoon ba ang plano sa akin ni Lev?

Once lang akong naka apak sa kuwartong iyon. Or rather, in this whole place. Lev forbids it. But for some reason, that night napahinuhod ko s'ya. Aaminin ko, it was one hell of an experience. One that left me breathless.

Huwag kang masyadong asyumera. Kastigo ko sa sarili. Kung ganoon man ang mangyayari, much better but then I learned from the past that one shouldn't dismiss her instinct. Something about this night is not right.

I inhale. The smell of alcohol, strong expensive perfumes, sweat, cigars, and sex permeated the air, filling my lungs. As my heels clack against the wooden floor, my heart was beating hard against my ears. My shadow went deeper into the hallways I could hear the faint sound from the sound system mixing with the moans that became the OST of this place.

Club Idée Fixe, a place where dreams doesn't revolve around unicorns, rainbows and never lands but it includes whips, leathers, BDSM, foursomes and orgys. Ang lugar na 'di angkop para sa mga mahihina ang sikmura at loob. Ang pinakahuling lugar kung saan ako hahanapin ng papa ko. Who would have thought na ang unica hija ni Don Gennaro de Veyra ay kasalukuyang binabagtas ang kilalang sex club ng underground world?

Yes, it is a freaking sex club that caters the kinks and fantasies of the elite criminals- Foedus Corp. Ang isang kinatatakutang secret criminal organization kung saan si Lev ang pinaka adviser.

I smile at my last thought. Wala sa loob na nahipo ko ang singsing na surpresa niya sa akin noong isang gabi.

'Marry me again, Bree.' Iyon lang ang sinabi niya. No asking, no kneeling. It's a fucking command. And I'm far too in love with him to say no. When Lev wants it, he demands it. End of the story.

Kaya hindi na ako nagpatumpik-tumpik pa noong araw ding iyon, I said yes to him with happy tears streaming on my face.

Fuck dad and his hypocrisy. Double fuck for my brothers. They can go to hell for all I care. I am not proud of my life choices lalo na sa mga lalaki. My life has been a series of misadventure, wrong decisions and ten folds of mistakes. Pinagsisihan ko man ang mga iyon, may part ko pa rin ang labis na nagpapasalamat dahil kung wala ang mga mali kong iyon, hindi ko makikilala ang tanging lalakeng magmamahal sa akin ng buo.

Binilisan ko ang mga hakbang pagka-isip kay Lev. Hindi alintana ang mga nakapinid na pinto sa magkabilang gilid ng hallway. I know what's waiting for me behind those doors.

Sin. Depravity and an ocean of filthy things will corrupt every soul who's brave enough to wander around. Kahit matapang ako, I'm not stupid enough to barge in there. I have my own hell to deal with. Tama na iyon.

I might know the ins and outs of the world we're both living but there are monsters that are better to be keep in the dark. Ayokong bigla akong himatayin sa gulat dahil sa mabubungaran ko. Mahigpit na ipinagbabawal sa akin ni Lev na buksan ang mga pintong iyon o sumilip man lang. Am I curious?

Yes. Pero hanggang doon lang iyon.

I'm contented with the unlimited supply of booze I'm receiving mula sa mga bars ng mga kaibigan nitong sila Trace at Logan kung 'di ko trip ang alak ng Desolution– ang gentleman's club na nasa itaas mismo nitong Club Idée Fixe. Parati ko ngang binibiro ang asawa. Masyadong original ang pagkaka-design ng buong lugar maging ang concept. Legal at wholesome sa itaas, sa ibaba. It's hell.

Like heaven and hell. Good and evil.

Like me and him?

I beg to differ.

Bigla akong napahinto. On my peripheral, I saw a door ajar. Tila nahihipnotismong pumihit ako paharap doon. Curiosity burnt in my chest. Namalayan ko na lang hawak ko na ang seradura, poking my head.

"Oh, God!" My hand flew to my mouth when I got a glimpse of what was inside.

Hile-hilerang mga lalaki ang nakatayo sa tapat ng mga maliit na tila cubicles and all of their pants are down on their knees. I'm gifted with their butts. Lots of it. They're all humping and moaning. Tila may sabayang pag ungol na nagaganap sa loob ng madilim na kwartong iyon.

Napa atras ako't napatili nang bumangga ang katawan ko sa isang matigas na dibdib.

"Miss Bree, nasa dulo si Master Lev. Please."

I blinked at August. My lips tremble when I pointed at the door,

"Tama ba ako ng hinala ko, August? I-is that a–"

"Yes," madiin nitong putol sa 'kin. He grabbed my right arm, closed the door. Inalalayan ako palayo sa pinto. "That's the Fellatio Room. Please. Don't ask. Hanggang doon lang ang pwede kong sabihin sa 'yo. Pupugutan ako ng ulo ni Master Lev.Tara na. He's waiting for you."

Nanghihina ang mga tuhod na nagpatianod ako sa binata. Ngunit nakatatak na sa utak ko ang mga nakita, And boy, it really woke up the curious cat in me.

"He's inside, Miss Bree," August pointed out at the large door frame.

Tumango ako't niyakap ang sarili. Bigla akong pinanindigan ng balahibo. Is it the AC? Or the cold way August is staring at me magmula pa kanina.

"T-thank you."

Tumango ito saka tumalikod. Pero mukhang last minute nagbago ang isip, he turn around and chew on his lower lip. A strange feeling of dread came through me when I saw the concern on August's face. Namalikmata rin ba ako sa nakita kong pagdaan ng panghihinayang doon?

Naging mabuti ko ng kaibigan ang lalake sa loob ng walong buwan kong pananatili sa isla kaya malaya itong nakikipag usap sa akin kapag feeling niya ay kailangan ko ng kausap o ng warning. I'm about to get the second now.

"Miss Bree...just be careful. Paano ko ba sasabihin 'to?"

"He's not in a good mood?" Alanganin ang ngiting namutawi sa bibig nito.

"You can say that. Or worst," napabuga ito ng hangin. "I'll be here. Pasok ka na."

Huminga ako nang malalim saka marahang pinihit ang seradura. The air that welcomes me is thick and dark, laced with the smell of cigar.

Kumunot ang noo. Is he stress? Inilalabas lang ni Lev ang tabako kapag malalim ang iniisip nito. I stepped forward, my right hand was sweaty against the door handle. Naagaw ng bultong tahimik na nakaupo sa gitna ang buo kong atensiyon.

"Lev. Babe," mahinang boses ko ang pumuno sa may kadilimang silid.

Hindi ito umimik. He made a long drag from the cigar that was pressed between his lips as if he has the leisure to do it. White smoke is swirling on top of his head, giving me an ominous vibe. Lalong dinaga ang dibdib ko. I'm not liking his mood.

"K-kailangan mo raw ako."

"Come here," madiing utos niya. Extending his right hand, iyong kamay kung saan naroon ang tattoo nito.

An angry looking wolf with blue eyes. Nang matamaan ng ilaw mula sa mood light ang balat niya, tila mas lalong nanlisik ang mga mata ng lobo.

Napakurap ako sabay lunok. My gaze flitted to his inked hand then to his shadow covered face. 'Di ko kailangan ng liwanag para malaman na seryoso ito. At iyon ang ikinakatakot ko.

You don't deal with Lev when he's mad. He's a man of few words but Lev is the most feared head of Foedus. At ngayon, ilang hakbang mula sa kanya ramdam ko ang galit na ibinubuga ng katawan nito.

"Bree."

My feet moved with their own accord. I know that tone para sumuway pa. The last time he used that to me, hindi ako naka upo nang maayos. Logan teased me for that, ayoko nang maulit. Nakakahiya.

Is this because I went outside the mansion without my bodyguards?

"I can explain. G-gusto ko lang namang kitain si Paige–"

"Fucking shut up!" Tila bakal ang kamay nito nang pumulupot sa braso ko. He pulled me closer, with so much force I landed on his lap.

"Lev! Ano ba?" Takot na saad ko. Nakatukod ang mga braso sa pagitan namin.

Ngumisi ito. Doon ko lang naamoy ang alak sa hininga niya. He's been drinking. But why?

"L-lev..."

"So fucking beautiful. Vulnerable," anas niya habang pinaparaanan ng palad ang mukha ko. His nose is on my hair, neck and cheeks. Inhaling me like a wild animal possess.

I closed my eyes. Lean on his body like iron to a magnet. My toes curl with the way Lev's hands wander on my skin. It's burning hot against the material of my dress, talo ko pa ang walang saplot na suot.

I groan when he licked my cheeks, as if he's a lion branding his prey. Me. Napa igik ako nang maramdamang nasa leeg ko ang kamay nito, mahigpit akong sakal. His fingernails were digging on my flesh and I'm starting to panic.

"L-lev, may problema ba?" I tried the oldest tactic I know. Pilit kong sinapo ang mukha nito ngunit natigilan ako nang makitang nanlilisik ang mata nito. Di ko alam kung anong mas masakit. Ang paghigpit ng kamay nito sa leeg ko o ang lantarang pag-iwas niya sa 'kin.

"Tell me, Bree. Who owns your fucking body?" Umuusok ang ilong na tanong niya. Pinakawalan nito ang lalamunan ko para lang mahigpit na hilahin ako sa buhok.

I bite my lips. I tried to pry Lev's hand on my hair and discreetly make a move para umalis sa kandungan nito. But he's quick. In seconds, his right arm was wrapped around my waist. His left was weaved on my hair, making me wince.

"Lev, please."

Hindi ito umimik. He forced me to face the table in front of us, my back was pressed on his front. Umungol ito saka mariing kinagat ang leeg ko.

"Pity. Answer me, Bree. Who owns your fucking pussy?!"

"Y-you." Nagawa kong bigkasin nang walamg abog-abog na dinakot nito ang pagkabâbae ko.

"Hmmm..." He sounds pleased. His right hand was now in my center, probing.

Napakapit ako sa dulo nang lamesa nang maramdaman ang mainit na palad ni Lev sa loob ng undies ko.

"Always wet for me, baby. And who owns your fucking ass?" He hissed pulling down my hair.

"Lev.. please. Nasasaktan ako." I tried to beg him. Ramdam ko ang pagsigid ng kirot sa anit ko. Kung anuman ang ikinakagalit nito ngayon, I know it revolves around me.

He's not a simple man. Lev's a sociopath amongst his pyschotic friend. Hindi siya basta-basta naaapektuhan ng kung anuman, that's why seeing him like this makes me want to run for the hills.

"Putang ina. Answer me!"

"You!"

"Liar. Liar!" Dumadagundong ang boses na sigaw nito.

Napahiyaw ako. He grabbed my jaw, pilit akong pinaharap sa laptop na ngayon ko lang napansin.

"Ako pala, ha? Anong tawag mo diyan? Hindi ba't ikaw 'yan, baby? Giving what you claimed was mine to the good for nothing fuckers na 'sing laki ng bayag ang utak."

"O-oh my G-god. Lev...please...no. S-stop it," nangangatal ang katawan na paki usap ko habang nakapako ang mga mata ko sa aparato. Talo ko pa ang nakakita ng multo.

Hindi ko magawang maikurap ang mga mata ko habang pinanonood ang batang version ng sarili ko, doing some things that should be left in the past. My greatest nightmare was playing in front of me. Sinasampal ako ng kaliwa't kanan.

Things that Lev should never see in the first place. They made a promise, we made a deal. Why? How could they. Nahilam ng luha ang mga mata ko nang makita sa screen si Andrew na ibinababa ang suot kong pants while his friend, Colton, was fondling my breast habang ang isang kamay ay abala sa kakapiranggot nitong pagkalalâke.

I know what's coming next and I don't want Lev to see it. Kahit pa sabihing hindi ko ginusto ang mga nangyari, still, 'di ko masikmurang mapanood ang kahayupan ng dalawa. Nanginginig ang katawan na pilit akong kumawala mula sa pagkakahawak niya. The cries I heard from my own throat was foreign to me. I'm wailing like a wounded animal.

"P-please. Stop it. Let me explain. Stop it. Please..."

"What's there to explain, Bree? Malinaw pa sa sikat ng araw kung anong ginagawa mo diyan. Know how many times I fucking played it since I received it this after noon? One hundered fifty eight times. Pero sa utak ko, ilang milyong beses ko ng pinatay ang dalawang 'yan. Now, let's relax shall we?" He dragged his palm on my exposed shoulder,so tender it makes me shiver. Kabaliktaran iyon ng poot na ibinubuga ng katawan nito.

"L-lev, please." I shook my head, I'm choking with my own tears.

Walang 'sing lamig ang boses nito nang muling magsalita habang mahigpit na hawak ang baba ko.

"Let's watch together how the sweet Bree de Veyra gives her best performance. Giving blowjob to a man while the other one fuck her ass!"

"N-no..please."

"Then after, I'll let you watch me here as I skin those two alive. Uumpisahan ko sa siraulong 'yan na panay ang hawak sa dibdib mo.What an excsue of a dick he has, yes?" Mala demonyo ang tawang pinakawalan nito.

My back went ramrod, I'm a mess. Sobbing and trembling.

"Then I'll take my time with the bastard who thought it's fine to rob something from me. I'll gut him. Piece by piece, I'll cut him and offer it to you. Unti-unti ko silang pahihirapan hanggang hilingin nilang sana si Kamatayan na lang ang kumatok sa pinto nila at 'di ang isang Lev Petrov."

I shook my head. Just when I thought nakita at narinig ko na ang lahat, saka kinuha ni Lev ang isang remote. He pressed it. Ang salaming nakapalibot sa amin biglang lumiwanag. Nakakabinging tili ko ang pumuno sa apat na sulok ng kwarto nang makita ko ang dalawang duguang katawang nakabitin ng patiwarik. They're naked, beaten to a pulp, and they're unconcious.

"My gift for you, baby. Hope you like it."

A normal and average man gives chocolates and flowers to his woman. Hindi ang lalakeng yakap at sakal ako. Lev Petrov is not an ordinary man. He's a mafia who'll kill and punish someone for me.

Right now, I'm staring at it.

Them.

Andrew and Colton, the men who drugged and raped me.