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Chapter 4
Huling Na-update:
2023-04-18 20:24:24Tinanghali ng gising si Georgina kinabukasan at wala na rin sa tabi niya si Lucian. It's a weekday at may pasok ito sa opisina. Nevertheless, he left her a note beside her phone.
Good morning beautiful! I'll be home early so don't cook dinner. I love you! -LP
The note put a smile on her face. Para siyang tanga na hinalikan pa ang maliit na papel. And if her friends from Vanguard can see her now, uulanin siya ng tukso ng mga ito. Nang huling araw niya sa France ay tama si Nikita. Pinag-usapan ang service niya at diretso siyang tinanong kung magreretiro na. Malapit ng sumapit ang ika-25 kaarawan niya. She answered them truthfully and said she wants to retire. Hindi na nagtanong pa ang mga ito at inilagay sa minutes ang pinag-usapan.
They will need her to do the turnover two weeks before her last day. They have new recruits often kaya hindi magiging problema ang kapalit niya. Ang hindi niya sigurado ay kung may IT ang mga ito na mahahanap na katulad ng kalibre niya. The Vanguard Triad knows that she is the best in the field at kung pwede lang na huwag siyang magretire ay sasabihin ng mga ito. But then it's their own policy and they have to adhere to it.
Georgina tried to get up pero kaagad siyang napaupo pabalik sa kama nang maramdaman ang kirot ng balakang niya. Lumipas na ang epekto ng Tylenol na ininom niya kanina. After being intimate with Lucian, binuhat siya nito at dinala sa banyo para linisan. Georgina didn't have to walk at nang magbalik siya sa kama ay nagpakuha lang siya ng tubig. May pain reliever siya sa drawer at uminom siya ng dalawa saka natulog. She needs to visit a doctor and get a stronger medication. Maybe Percocet will do until it heals kaya lang ay nakakaantok 'yon.
***
Nagkakape na siya sa kusina nang magring ang cellphone niya. It's her father.
"Dad," bati niya sa ama. Alas kwatro ng hapon ngayon sa Spain at alas diyes naman ng umaga sa Toronto.
"Georgina, when are you coming to visit? Sobrang tagal mong hindi dumadalaw. May I remind you that your father is still alive?" Napangiti si Georgina. Nami-miss na siya ng ama kaya biglang tumawag at nangongonsensiya.
"I miss you too, Dad. Kumusta ka na?" Humigop siya ng kape. Kailan ba niya huling nakita ang ama? Six months ago? Maybe seven?
"Getting old, otherwise I'm fine. So when are you coming to see me? Kung hindi makakasama si Lucian ay iwan mo na."
Napahagikhik si Georgina sa sinabi ng ama. Her father loves Lucian like his own son, pero bilang ama ay hindi maaalis sa kaniya na mag-alala dahil sa uri ng pamilya nito. His father is a Don at kahit magkaiba ang mundong ginagalawan ay nanatiling magkaibigan ang mga ama nila.
"You know he has to work for our future. Ayaw mo naman sigurong magdildil ng asin ang unica hija mo, Dad?" She heard her father sneer. Ganito na silang mag-usap kahit noon pa. Growing up without a mother was hard, pero anong magagawa niya kung ama lang ang mayroon siya? She prayed every night for her mother to show up hanggang sa mapagod siya sa kahihintay at tinanggap na lang na hindi na ito babalik pa.
"Quit it. How's your business? Do you need funds or—"
"It's fine, Dad. Steady lang ang income at hindi ako nawawalan ng clients. Ako na ang tumatanggi kung minsan para makapahinga." Her father has always supported her. Basta sa ikasisiya niya ay hindi tumututol. Pero kung alam nito ang tungkol sa Vanguard ay siguradong hindi siya pasasalihin. That decision was solely hers and hers alone. Wala siyang kinonsulta kahit na sino.
"Good. Don't tire yourself out. Magtira ka rin para sa sarili. Health is wealth, Georgina," paalala nito. She realized that her father will always worry about her and it doesn't matter if she's four, or forty. To him, she will always be his little girl.
"Sus! Nagsalita ang hindi adik sa pagtatrabaho." Narinig niya ang pagtawa ng ama.
Nang matapos ang pag-uusap nila ay nangako siyang dadalawin ito two weeks from now. Toronto to Spain is almost an eight hour flight. Pwede silang umalis ng Biyernes at umuwi ng Linggo. Tatanungin niya si Lucian kung makakasama ito pero kung hindi ay tutuloy pa rin siya.
***
There's a nearby clinic at kahit walking distance lang 'yon ay ayaw niyang maglakad. Ayaw niyang palalain ang injury niya kung sakaling may dislocation. Senyales na rin siguro ito na dapat na siyang magretire.
She presented her health card and while waiting in the lobby, Georgina picked up an old magazine. Wala siyang hilig doon pero gusto niyang bawasan ang screen time niya.
"Vestido precioso." Nilingon niya ang babae sa kaniyang tabi at ibinalik ang tingin sa magazine na hawak niya. Huli na nang matanto niyang wedding magazine 'yon. That's weird. Clinic ang pinuntahan niya pero wedding magazine ang nasa mesa.
"Sí." She replied yes to the lady who said the dress looked lovely.
"I'm Elena. Are you from around here?" Halatang nakikipagkaibigan ang babae at hindi nalalayo ang edad nito sa kaniya.
Tumango si Georgina. "George." Nakipagkamay siya sa babae at ibinaling ang atens'yon sa magazine.
Elena tried to make conversation but Georgina kept it at a minimum. Being a gambit is not easy at hindi niya alam kung nakikipaglapit ito para makakuha ng impormasyon sa kaniya. But then again, she could be wrong. Baka naman nakikipagkilala lang talaga ang babae. Gustong makipagkaibigan. Baka bago siya sa lugar.
Georgina shouldn't be doing this but she can't help it. Using the chip on her phone, she was able to copy the woman's information. Elena is holding her phone and all Georgina had to do was click a button to activate it.
"Ladrón." Tumayo si Elena at sinundan ang nurse.
Funny. Her last name means thief in Spanish. If this is some kind of a joke, she's not laughing. Habang naghihintay ay binasa niya ang nakalap na impormasyon tungkol sa babae. She's twenty-nine, from Madrid. An orphan. Her parents died when she was only eight years old. She has a business degree from Stanford.
Stanford. Wait.
Kaugnay na kabanata
LUCIAN PROFACI (The Black Sparrow Society) Chapter 5
Another call came in to Lucian's phone from an unknown number, but he ignored it. He strolled up to the florist and picked out some blooms for Georgina. The florist has her favourite gerberas and peonies. Soft pink peonies and multicoloured gerberas would perk up this dreary winter day.Lucian saw two men harassing a woman where he was parked near an alley. He should go, but he can't turn a blind eye to the fact that one of them has the woman by the hair. Lucian began his training at a young age, beginning with firearms, knives, weapons of mass destruction and martial arts. He has a special fondness for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. And the man who trained him was a former CIA agent who owed his life to Don Lucio— Danny Perilli. Ipinatong ni Lucian ang bungkos ng bulaklak sa ibabaw ng hood at saka naglakad palapit sa kinaroroonan ng mga ito. He doesn't want any bloodshed at sana ay madaan sa isang maayos na usapan ang lahat. "Is there a problem here?" Hinila ni Lucian ang babae mula sa pagka
Huling Na-update : 2023-04-18LUCIAN PROFACI (The Black Sparrow Society) Chapter 6
"You know her?" tanong ni Lucian kay Georgina. Nagkukulay ube na ang parte ng mga mukha nito na may pinsala."I met her at the clinic earlier. Bakit mo siya kasama?" Salubong ang kilay ni Georgina at mukhang hindi natutuwa. Any woman would be in a bad mood if they found their man with another woman. Nature ng mga babae ang maghinala. "I bought flowers and I was park near the alley where they were in.""He helped me," singit ni Elena. Mukha itong nahihiya sa nangyari at nadawit sa gulo si Lucian. "I can see that," pormal na tugon ni Georgina at hindi siya natutuwa.She had a bad feeling about the woman this morning at heto nga— hindi nagkabula ang nararamdaman niya. Ang hindi niya lang inaasahan ay si Lucian ang madadawit sa gulo. Nang tawagin ng nurse si Elena ay tumayo ito sumunod sa babae. Naiwan silang dalawa sa lobby. Napabuntong hininga si Georgina at sinipat si Lucian. "Are you hurt anywhere?" "A few punches here and there. I will live." Lucian tried to smile in an attempt t
Huling Na-update : 2023-04-19LUCIAN PROFACI (The Black Sparrow Society) Chapter 7
Ilang sandali pagkatapos magshower ni Lucian ay idineliver ang pizza. They ate in the living room while watching a random show. Pinili nilang huwag pag-usapan ang nangyari kanina. Sa halip ay binanggit ni Georgina ang tungkol sa pagtawag ng ama. Gusto rin naman niyang madalaw ito and it's the perfect opportunity to keep Lucian safe. He will be away for a few days at mawawala sa radar ng mga nakalaban nito kanina. "This weekend?" Tumango si Georgina. "Sana, if you're not busy. Nagtatampo na kasi si Dad. Hindi raw ako bumibisita. You know how he is. Medyo dramatic na nga. Ang hirap talaga kapag tumatanda." "I know what you mean. Tumawag si Lorenzo. Dad's sick but he didn't tell me kung anong klaseng sakit." "Did you call him back?" Tumango si Lucian. "I did, pero madaling araw doon ngayon. I'll try him again later." They continued eating at napaisip si Georgina. Would it be selfish of her if she takes him to Spain? Mas mabuti ba kung samahan niya ito sa Italy para makita ang amang m
Huling Na-update : 2023-04-20LUCIAN PROFACI (The Black Sparrow Society) Chapter 8
Lucian thought the same thing. And it's not a good idea to bring Georgina in Italy right now. Mas mabuti pa kung pumunta ito ng Spain para dalawin ang ama pero kung hindi siya sasama, baka mapahamak ito. When his call ended, hindi siya kaagad pumunta sa silid nila ni Georgina. He needs a drink. Nagsalin siya ng scotch sa baso at imbes na simsimin, ininom niya 'yon ng straight. It burned his throat like hell, but it made him feel alive. Isa lang ang kaibigan na mapagkakatiwalaan niya habang wala siya sa Italy. He can keep an eye on them while he's away. Nang magring ng ilang beses ay sinagot nito ang telepono. "The devil rose from the dead." Malat ang boses at sa halip na normal na hello ang isagot sa kaniya ay iyon ang bungad."Kons." Konstantin Kozlov is a Russian man who is fluent in a lot of languages including Tagalog. "I need your help."They talked about what's happening in his family in Italy, at dahil galing rin ito sa maimpluwensiyang pamilya ay madali para rito ang tulunga
Huling Na-update : 2023-04-21LUCIAN PROFACI (The Black Sparrow Society) Chapter 9
Nagfile si Lucia ng dalawang linggong bakasyon para masulit ni Georgina ang pagbisita sa ama nito. Mabibilang sa daliri kung ilang beses siyang nakapunta sa malaking tahanan ng mga Dela Garza sa Spain pero wala pa rin nabago sa kabuoan nito. It's still as grand as ever. The barrel shaped tiles in warm Earth tones. It's rustic and yet, sophisticated with its terracotta shades of red, orange and deep brown. Just like my Georgina. I always think it's a reflection of her— warm and cozy. She make me feel at home. "Hey, what are you doing here? It's late." Naramdaman ni Lucia ang pagyakap ni Georgina mula sa likod niya. They have three days left before they go home and it's a nice change from living in the city. Nagpapahangin si Lucian sa hardin nang puntahan siya ng babae. After dinner, he decided to take a walk para bigyan ng quality time si Georgina at ang ama nito. There is no doubt that they've missed each other. Her father raised her by himself and Lucian never asked about Georgi
Huling Na-update : 2023-04-22LUCIAN PROFACI (The Black Sparrow Society) Chapter 10
Lucian had no choice but to leave Georgina in Spain and visit Italy. His father's capo and a few soldiers came to pick him in the airport and they were careful not to draw so much attention. Lucian doesn't want to be here but he needs to. Pietra was panicking pati na si Lorenzo. Nang magpaalam siya kay Georgina ay hindi ito kumontra o nagtanong kung bakit siya bibisita. Aware ito na may sakit ang kaniyang ama. Pero hindi niya masabi na bukod doon ay may iba pang rason— ang batang dinala sa bahay nila.Sa eroplano pa lang ay iniisip na niya ang lahat ng babaeng nakasama niya sa kama. He made sure he was protected, pero sabi nga sa condom ay hindi naman ito isang daang pors'yento. Kanina pa siya nagmumura sa isip niya. Sa kaniya ba talaga ang bata? The last thing he wants is to have a child right now habang magulo pa ang lahat. At kung magkakaanak man siya, si Georgina lang ang gusto niyang maging ina ng mga ito. He has fucked so many women... countless of them pero siniguro niyang wal
Huling Na-update : 2023-04-24LUCIAN PROFACI (The Black Sparrow Society) Chapter 11
TORONTOLucian stayed for two days in Italy at imbes na pumunta sa Spain, sinabi niya kay Georgina na sa Toronto na didiretso ng uwi. When he got home, naroon na ito. Lucian took a taxi home at nang umibis siya ay nakita niya ito mula sa bintana. He stayed on the sidewalk at pinagsawa ang mga mata sa kabuoan ng naging tahanan nila ng halos tatlong taon. Hindi niya inalintana ang lamig. Sinusubukan ng araw na sumikat pero masyadong maraming ulap. Parang katulad ng kaniyang pakiramdam ngayon ang panahon. Makulimlim. Nang pumasok si Lucia sa loob ng bahay, maayos ang lahat at ni isang kalat ay wala siyang makita. Georgina has always been neat at wala siyang pwedeng ireklamo. He swallowed and his gaze fell in to their frame picture together on top of the console. Sa Disneyland 'yon nang birthday ni Lucian. Georgina made him take rides that he wouldn't dare go in, pero dahil malakas ang convincing powers nito ay nagpahinuhod siya. Mahal niya e. Nang makarinig siya ng kaluskos ay sa kusin
Huling Na-update : 2023-04-26LUCIAN PROFACI (The Black Sparrow Society) Chapter 12
The next few days weren't any better for Georgina and Lucian. It was like walking on egg shells. They barely talk. They don't sit down and share a meal together. He comes home late and she's already asleep. No one wants to talk about his recent trip to Italy. Ayaw magkwento ni Lucian. Ayaw din magtanong ni Georgina. Both are afraid to hear what the other has to say. Ganoon yata kapag mahal mo at ayaw mong mawala sa 'yo. You just wait until everything gets better on its own. Or maybe, people just don't want to take action because they don't want to take the blame. Maalin na lang sa mawala sa 'yo ang taong 'yon, or they'd be stupid enough to stay. Katulad ngayong gabi, Lucian came home late at alas onse pasado na. He was unbuttoning his shirt when Georgina spoke. Ang buong akala niya ay tulog na ito. "I'm tired of dancing around this. Do you have time to talk?" Georgina is aware that his father is sick and there are a lot of things going on with his family. But the point of being in
Huling Na-update : 2023-04-27
Pinakabagong kabanata
LUCIAN PROFACI (The Black Sparrow Society) Epilogue
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
LUCIAN PROFACI (The Black Sparrow Society) Chapter 53
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
LUCIAN PROFACI (The Black Sparrow Society) Chapter 52
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
LUCIAN PROFACI (The Black Sparrow Society) Chapter 51
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
LUCIAN PROFACI (The Black Sparrow Society) Chapter 50
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
LUCIAN PROFACI (The Black Sparrow Society) Chapter 49
"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
LUCIAN PROFACI (The Black Sparrow Society) Chapter 48
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
LUCIAN PROFACI (The Black Sparrow Society) Chapter 47
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
LUCIAN PROFACI (The Black Sparrow Society) Chapter 46
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
