A few weeks later... Lucian slammed his palm on the table. Nasa harap niya si Lorenzo at magkausap silang magkapatid tungkol sa operasyon nila sa Antwerp. His brother is his underboss. This is the second time that half of the diamonds they're supposed to get went missing. May sumasabotahe sa kanila. What Lucian doesn't understand is if the person is an outsider or one of their own. Matagal na niyang inoobserbahan ang kilos ni Aurelio-- ang kaniyang consigliere na pinagkakatiwalaan ng kaniyang ama. Aurelio was loyal to the previous Don, pero nang palitan niya ang ama sa posisyon ay may nararamdaman siyang kakaiba. Lucian could be wrong. Mabait sa kaniyang ang matanda at wala itong gagawin na ikababagsak ng pamilya. Isa pa, ang anak ni Aurelio ay isa sa mga capo niya. "Isn't it Brando's crew that went to Antwerp?" tanong ni Lucian sa kapatid. "Yes. I suggested Davide's so we get a different result, but Tio Aurelio made a valid point as well. He said that Brando and his crew knew the i
Karol Hospital Cosentino, Palermo It's sunny out and Lucian's stuck in a hospital bed with a kidney infection and Pneumonia. It was busy so he didn't have time to drink a lot of fluids at dahil mainit ang panahon, palaging naka-on ang air conditioner. Hindi niya iniinda ang sore throat at ubo, pati na ang sakit ng ulo at lagnat. Katwiran niya ay mawawala rin naman kapag uminom siya ng gamot. It didn't seem to go away kahit anong inom niya ng parecetamol dahil ang kailangan niya ay antibiotics. Nang makita siya ni Lorenzo sa silid ay napakataas ng lagnat niya at putlang putla. Lucian was delirious to a point na nakikita niya si Georgina kahit wala naman ito sa silid. "Hindi pa raw ba ako pwedeng umuwi?" tanong niya kay Lorenzo. His brother is managing the business on his absence pero sa umaga ay nakaugalian na nitong puntahan siya sa hospital at dalhan ng pagkain kahit may mga tauhan sila. "It's only your second day. You can't go home yet," paalala nito sa kaniya. Second day? Akala
Nahintakutan ang hitsura ni Elena nang marinig ang sinabi ni Lucian. All she wanted was for him to see her more than his toy. Nasa iisang organisasyon sila at kaya niyang ibigay ang mga bagay na kailangan nito. She can fight alongside him. Hindi katulad ni Georgina na mahina. Alam ng babae kung saan hahanapin si Lucian pero hindi man lang ito naghabol. Malapit lang ang Spain sa Italy at napakadali niyang puntahan si Lucian kung gugustuhin nito. On second thought, naisip rin ni Elena na kaya hindi na ito nag-aksaya ng panahon na habulin ang lalaki ay dahil nalaman nito ang tungkol kay Ludo. Ludo was the perfect plan. She has been working silently for the Profaci Empire at nang mag-aral si Lucian sa California ay nakatanggap siya ng tawag mula kay Don Lucio para bantayan ang anak nito. She did what she was asked dahil madali lang naman ang trabaho. And on top of it, Elena gets paid. Babysitting is really not her favorite thing to do pero kung si Lucian ang babantayan ay hindi siya tatan
Galit na ibinato ni Lucian sa pader ang baso ng tubig niya. Lumikha 'yon ng malakas na ingay at natahimik ang lahat sa boardroom. There were ten men inside at kapapasok lang ng kapatid niya para sabihin na patay ang buong grupo ni Davide sa Antwerp. Walang itinirang survivor ang naka-engkwentro ng mga ito. That also means they don't have the diamonds to deliver for their clients. "Figlio di puttana! Chi l'ha fatto?" (Son of a bitch! Who did it?) Natahimik ang lahat sa silid dahil bihira nilang makita si Lucian na ganito kagalit. He is usually calm and compose. "The gambit. We were able to see a quick footage and this one is different. She's faster and more skilled than the one they encountered," sagot ni Lorenzo sa kapatid. The Gambit-- again. Napatiim bagang si Lucian at huminga ng malalim. Tinik talaga sa tagiliran niya ang gambit na 'yon. And here he thought the gambit is dead. Ang linis ng operasyon nila at walang aberya. And now, they are back to where they started. Isang ling
"I can't let you do that. I'll cover the losses and go to Antwerp myself to get the diamonds," wika ni Lorenzo sa kaniya. Just like him, he's skilled-- combat and firearms."Lore--" awat niya sa kapatid. Ayaw talaga nitong ituloy niya ang plano. "You haven't sent me so they don't know I'm coming. I'm going to bring a different group. We will get the diamonds, don't worry." Lorenzo assured him it's going to be fine."You know that's not my point." Tumango ito. "You don't have to do this, Lorenzo." Mas maaalagaan niya ang kapatid kung narito lang sa Italy at wala sa mga delikadong lugar kung saan naroon ang mga diamanteng kailangan nila sa negosyo. "You don't think I can do it?" kunot noong tanong ni Lorenzo sa kapatid. Kahit ma-edad na siya ay bata pa rin ang tingin ni Lucian sa kaniya. Napahilamos si Lucian sa mukha. "I know you can do it. Magaling ka. I'm just trying to protect you, Lore. Kapatid kita at bunso pa." Lorenzo snorted. Sasabihin na naman nitong nagiging sentimental si
Capaci Town Two days later... Lucian's men moved quickly at kagabi ay nahanap na ng mga ito ang nang-ambush kina Lorenzo. He was busy trying to contain the damage that he didn't get to Capaci until after midnight. From the main road, they have to travel for at least two minutes more. Rough road ang daan sa loob. His men opened the tall, rusted gates. Nagkalat ang mga tauhan niya at lahat ay armado. His bulletproofed black SUV stopped in front of an old warehouse at ipinagbukas siya ng pinto katulad ng dati. Lucian was wearing all black like he's the grim reaper himself. Nasaktan ang kapatid niya sa mismong teritoryo nila. He will show no mercy and gender doesn't matter. No one dares to touch his family. No one. Nadatnan niya ang dalawang lalaki na may tuyong dugo sa mukha at ang isa ay sarado na ang isang mata. The other one has a broken nose. Nagmistulang punching bag ang mga ito. Lucian told his men that they can throw a punch or two, but they are not going to kill them because
Lucian came home in the wee hours of the morning. Tahimk na ang buong kabahayan at malamlam ang ilaw sa sala. He is tired, but his mind cannot rest. He needs to plan the attack against Miceli. Nakasalubong ni Lucian si Lorenzo habang pababa ito ng hagdan. He was on his pyjamas at may arm sling. Hindi ma-imagine ni Lucian kung napatay ang kapatid niya sa ambush na ‘yon. He would never forgive himself. Bata pa lang siya ay palaging bilin ng kaniyang ina na bantayan ang mga kapatid niya. Siya ang kuya. Responsibilidad niya si P at Lore. “You’re early for a run, aren’t you? And you’re wearing the wrong outfit,” tukso nito sa kaniya. Lucian is still wearing the same clothes from yesterday morning. Alam nito kung saan siya galing. “Tsk. What time is it?” “Half past four, maybe?” Nagtuloy ito sa kusina at pumunta roon si Lucian. Sumunod sa kapatid. “Do you want coffee or warm milk? I was thirsty so I came down here.” “Just water then I’m heading to bed.” Inginuso ni Lucian ang braso ni
Ludo was fast asleep. His head was resting on Lucian's thigh. It's already nine in the evening and they've been out all day playing ball. Hindi nila kailangang lumayo dahil nasa kanila na lahat ng kailangan nila. Their father, Don Lucio, made sure that everything is within reach. Kahit marami silang tauhan, everyday is still considered a risk kaya naisip nito na i-provide ang lahat para sa mga anak. A huge playground at the back, tennis court, olympic size swimming pool which they used for parties sometimes are one of the few things in there. There's also an arcade area. Updated ang mga machine para sa mga bagong laro. But Ludo didn't appreciate it until today. He had basically no one to play with. Everyone is always busy at naiiwan siya palagi sa yaya. "He really enjoyed today, Kuya," wika ni P sa kaniya. Nasa patio sila ngayon at dito naghapunan. They treated P like a princess almost all day. Ludo wanted to grill fish kaya pinagbigyan ito ni Lucian. Lorenzo helped by making a dipp
You can never tell who will be your ally and who will betray you in this world. Some of them have been there for less time, but their allegiance has always been with you. Some of your closest allies may have sold their souls to the devil and turned against you despite their long history of loyalty. Hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit nagawa ito ng isang taong pinagkatiwalaan ng kaniyang ama sa napakahabang panahon. Itinuring nila itong pamilya. At alam niyang ibinigay ng kaniyang ama ang lahat at maraming beses itong pinaboran. "Why?" tanong niya kay Aurelio. Nasa isang silid sila kasama nila si Lorenzo. Nakaupo si Aurelio sa isang silya at nasa pagitan nila ang isang maliit na mesa. The old man just shrugged his shoulders. He is clearly not willing to talk at this time. Wala itong piring o tali sa paa at kamay. Kung titingnan ay para lamang itong nasa meeting. Maayos ang bihis at walang sugat sa kahit anong parte ng katawan o mukha. Si Lorenzo ang nagsabi sa kaniya na pinasundan it
Before he could approach Keira, she already got up and left the place. She looked frail and thin. Ang akala niya ay bumalik na ito sa Amerika pagkatapos ng bakasyon nito sa Italy."You know that pregnant woman?" tanong ni Georgina sa kaniya. He nodded. "Nabuntis mo?" Pinisil niya ang ilong ni Georgina bilang lambing, saka hinalikan sa pagitan ng mga kilay na halos magdikit na sa iritasyon."You and your ridiculous thoughts. Her name is Keira and Lorenzo went out with her a few times. Hindi ko s'ya nabuntis at hindi ko alam kung sino ang ama ng anak niya." Relief flooded Georgina's beautiful face. Paano pa kaya ang asawa niya kapag nagbuntis uli sa baby nila? He is expecting the worst ngayon pa lang. Siguradong maghahanap ng mga prutas na wala sa bansa o kaya naman ay hindi napapanahon. "Akala ko—" Ngumuso ang asawa niya. At bago pa ito nakapagsalita uli ay inabot niya ang mga labi nito. He kissed her to his heart's content. If she didn't tap his shoulder, hindi s'ya titigil. Hininga
The mattress has been delivered and the men replaced the old one. Tatawagin sana ni Lucian ang isang kasambahay para ayusin ang kama at lagyan ng bagong kobre pero pinigil s'ya ni Georgina. "Let's do it together," sabi nito sa kaniya. Sa bahay nila ay silang dalawa ang gumagawa ng lahat. They do not have a maid because they like to do things together. She saw Georgina locked the door as he took the sheets out from the cabinet. Fitted sheet pa lang ang nailalagay nila nang lumundag ito sa kama na parang bata. "What on Earth are you doing, Ruthie?" natatawa niyang tanong sa asawa. At their age, they know better not to jump on the mattress because it would ruin it. "Just testing how strong this new bed is." Sa huling paglundag ay umupo ang asawa niya sa gitna ng kama at hingal na hingal. Hinila niya ng paa nito hanggang mapahiga. "What are you doing?" She asked while biting her bottom lip. Itinukod niya ang magkabilang siko sa kama at naging maingat s'ya para hindi maibigay kay Georg
Two weeks later... It was clear to Lucian that his life would never be the same after he left Italy and handed over control of the Profaci Empire to his younger brother. To the best of his ability, he became whatever his father had dreamed for him. But he won't repeat his past mistakes; he'll stay with Georgina forever. Now that they don't have to worry about the Triad, they can take revenge for their daughter. France is roughly an hour and a half away from Italy. His friends were eager to join them, but he knew they had other commitments. Pumayag lang ang mga ito na magpaiwan kung isasama niya ang iba nilang tauhan. With Georgina and Nikita around, daig pa niya ang may dalawampung katao kaya hindi s'ya nag-aalala. He is not fully healed yet and Georgina wanted to put the trip off, but he put his foot down. Gusto na niyang matapos ang lahat para makapagsimula na sila ng panibago. Remembering the past pained him and he will never get over losing his daughter. Mawawala ba ng tuluyan a
She left with the other gambits to deal with Maeva while Lucian's pals stayed with him. The sky was dark and foreboding, as if a thunderstorm was imminent. All their feelings against the fake who had posed as Margot Vanguard for so long were captured perfectly. Anais Vanguard decided to go nevertheless despite the terrible forecast. To find closure, she had to visit the gravesite of her real sister. A severe punishment is in order for the person who created problems with the Triad. The Lyon cemetery of Loyasse was where Georgina took them. It is among the region's most revered and historic burial grounds. Thousands of burials and tombs dating back to the early 19th century can be found inside. They had to walk a little ways from la Ficelle to get there. "Maeva Moreau. Forever in our hearts," said Anais. Ibinigay ni Georgina ang isang envelope na naglalaman ng DNA test results kay Anais. "I did not have time to exhume the body." "Dig," utos ni Anais sa mga kasama. Ipinasara ni Ana
"Daddy, wake up." Pilit na ibinubuka nito ang talukap ng kaniyang mga mata. He opened his eyes and found himself in a strange place. Wala s'yang maramdaman na sakit sa dibdib, but he remembered being shot on the chest. Moreover, there's a little girl with wavy hair with the same eyes, nose and lips as him. Ang naiba lang sa bata ay ang kilay— katulad ito ng kilay ni Georgina. The kid is wearing a white dress and her hair has a white ribbon to go with it. Nakasuot ito ng sandals na kulay puti rin. "You ruined Lola's plants." Ngumiwi ang bata at itinuro ang kinalalagyan niya. Maliwanag ang kapaligiran at maraming bulaklak. It looked like paradise. Kulang na lang ay makakita s’ya ng unicorn. “What are you doing here, Daddy?” “Luciana?" She smiled and nodded her head. Umupo s'ya at itinaas ang mga braso para yakapin ang bata. Pinagbigyan naman s'ya nito at pumaikot ang maliliit na braso sa may leeg niya. "Where are we?" Kumalas sa pagkakayakap ang bata at nagkibit balikat. "I live o
Those who have a lot of regrets are paralyzed by their own fear. But Georgina lived her life to the fullest and her one regret, if she were to die today, would be that Elena hadn't passed away first. And it's what keeps her going, that and her hope for a family with Lucian and future children. "They are out, Phantom. I counted." "Copy that," sagot niya kay Nikita nang magsalita ito sa earpiece. She, like Krista and Camille, was outside the walls but can still see everything that's happening inside. She was fortunate to have met these women who became like family during her time as a gambit and in the years of retirement that followed, if anybody could call it that. "Can you see her?" "The woman is completely daft, I swear. She's hiding behind Hugo but I have a clear shot. You want me to take it?" "No. Just fire just above her head when I say go." "Copy." She laughed a little. "She looked like a fucking scared mouse right now." "Niki—" "Yeah?" "Don't miss." The last thing sh
Two days from now, they are flying to France. Georgina had no choice but to hack the system of the Vanguard Triad's main office in Normandy. She used to control it five years ago, and developed new systems to increase the security of the facility. She gave up the controls when she retired, and made an oath to never share nor touch it ever again— or she will pay for her life dearly. "There are two main controls in the facility. They used to have just one, but since I came— I created a backup just in case of an attack." She heaved a sigh. "I never thought I would be the one to launch an attack against them and bring their security down." Lucian rubbed her back. "You shouldn't feel guilty. You are doing this for us." She didn't say anything. "Is Anais staying at the main office?" Georgina nodded. "She lives there. That fortress has been with her family for generations. We have the best medical team. Everything we need is there." "And this Margot lives there too?" "Yes. I wouldn't be
Two weeks passed since they've been back to the city. They bought a house at Albarracin at magkatabi lang ang bahay nila ni Kons. They ordered all the furniture online and didn't even look at the cost. His project in Pampanga is going well at next week ay finishing touches na lang ito. He will take Georgina with her dahil isang araw lang s'ya roon. She's been busy finishing off projects and taking on new ones. It's keeping her mind off the Vanguard Triad problem. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin nagigising ang pinuno ng organisasyon pero buhay pa rin daw ito. "I'm getting groceries. Do you want to go with me or dito ka na lang?” tanong niya kay Georgina. Kanina pa ito nakaligo pero nakatutok ang mata sa laptop. Mukhang aburido at malapit nang mainis.“You need a break, baby. Mamaya mo na ituloy ‘yan. Ililibre kita ng mais con yelo.” Hinalikan niya sa leeg si Georgina nang makalapit sa kinaroroonan nito. Sumilay ang isang ngiti sa mga labi nito at bahagyang umungol. “Fine. I’m going w