Chapter 1

The harness cut into my hips as I dangled twenty feet above the polished marble floor of the gallery. The beam of my headlamp bounced across the dimly lit room, casting eerie shadows on the walls. I took a deep breath as I scanned the whole place and finally saw the target. A priceless painting stolen from its rightful owner. Tonight, you are coming home.

"How are we doing, Maddy?" Miles' voice crackled in my ear, calm and confident as ever. He was my eyes and ears from the van parked two blocks away, monitoring the security feeds we had hacked into earlier.

"All clear so far," I whispered back, being careful not to make a sound that might echo through the hall. I adjusted my grip on the thin, reinforced cable suspending me in the air.

Can't wait to go home and be in my PJ's.

Slowly, I descended, inching closer to the canvas. My pulse quickened. The painting-"Cry"-hung in its glass case, untouched by time but tainted by the dirty hands that had stolen it. The case was protected by a sophisticated alarm system, but we had already planned for that.

"Miles, I'm in position," I murmured.

"Ready when you are," he replied. "Just remember-three seconds after you cut the power to the case. Any longer, and we'll have the entire security team on us."

I nodded, though he couldn't see me. With practiced precision, inabot ko ang aking toolkit at kinuha ang EMP generator. It's an Electromagnetic Pulse, it's a small handheld device that can disable the alarm protecting around the painting's case.

A soft click echoed through my earpiece. "Now," Miles said.

I moved quickly, my fingers deftly working the latches on the glass case. The EMP had done its job. I lifted the cover and gently pulled the painting free, rolling it into a protective tube. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag pero wala na akong oras para mag celebrate.

"Got it," I whispered, already starting my ascent. The harness whined as it lifted me back towards the skylight. I glanced down one last time, making sure everything was as we left it.

"Great job, Maddy. Let's get you out of there," Miles' voice urged me on. The cool night air hit my face as I emerged from the building, a grin spreading across my lips. Another mission successful, another wrong made right.

The night air was cool against my flushed cheeks as I was lifted up through the skylight and onto the roof. I swiftly unhooked the harness, coiling the rope neatly as Miles' voice buzzed again in my ear.

"Security system rebooting in sixty seconds, Maddy. Get moving."

I stowed the harness in my pack, slinging it over my shoulder before making my way to the edge of the building. Hawak-hawak ko ang canvass sa kabila kong braso, ramdam ko ang timbang ng tagumpay naming misyon ngayong gabi habang bitbit ko ito.

Below, the city hummed with life, oblivious to the heist unfolding above. I scanned the streets, pinpointing the dark, nondescript van two blocks down.

"Miles, status check on the ground," I whispered, keeping low as I moved.

"All clear," he replied. "We've got a patrol car coming around in three minutes, but if you stick to the alleyways, you should be fine."

"Copy that," I said, feeling the adrenaline surge through my veins. I secured the painting against my side and began lowering myself down the fire escape. My feet hit the ground softly, and I slipped into the shadows of a nearby alley.

The city felt like a maze at this hour, with every turn potentially leading to discovery. But I knew these streets well. Miles guided me through, watching through the security cameras we had looped to show empty corridors and deserted streets.

As I approached the van, the back door swung open, and Miles' familiar silhouette beckoned me inside. I hopped in, careful not to jostle the painting, and he shut the door quietly behind me.

"That was smooth," he said, offering me a bottle of water. "Let's get out of here before anyone realizes what happened."

I took a long drink, feeling the cool liquid calm my racing heart. "Nakakataranta pa rin kahit palagi na natin 'tong ginagawa."

Narinig ko namang tumawa ang kasama naming si Wilson. "Halata nga. Ubos kaagad yung mineral water e." He's an F1 racer. He stopped years ago at sa amin nag trabaho. Kailangan namin ng halimaw mag maneho dahil minsan ay naghahabulan pa kami sa kalsada ng mga ninanakawan namin. Mabuti nalang ngayon ay madali lang at tahimik.

The van rumbled to life, and we drove off into the night, the city's lights fading behind us. Finally, makakahiga na rin sa wakas.

As I leaned back against the seat, I took a glimpse of Miles beside me, still busy typing something on his laptop. "What are you doing?" It itched my brain to ask.

His keyboard clicked a few times before he hit the enter button. Napataas ako ng kilay. Ang bilis naman mag type ng lalaking 'to, parang may kaaway sa chat. "It's Yeraz, he keeps asking me if you're okay and he doesn't believe me."

I rolled my eyes in annoyance. Ba't ba ganyan sya maka-asta ngayon? Nakalimutan niya bang may ginawa sya kahapon? "Block him." I commanded.

"Ib-block ko si Y-Yeraz?" He stuttered, blinking twice.

I nodded and fixed my gaze to the road. "Yeah, scared?"

"Basta ikaw bahala sa'kin pag uwi ah," sabi niya. I chuckled silently.

I just enjoyed the whole drive. Nandito na kami ngayon sa compound. Yes, we actually live together. We're like a family of good thieves.

At syempre, sa isang pamilya, hindi mawawala ang mga magulang.

Nasa tapat na kami ng pintuan habang hinihintay na pagbuksan kami. The security camera's censors turned green, it means-"How's the mission, Maddy?" Lilith welcomed me as she opened the huge ancestral door. And yes, it simply means, we're not an enemy trying to lure in the mansion.

"It was smooth like what Miles said." I casually replied. Miles chuckled from behind.

"Oh my god! That's the painting?" Kaagad niyang kinuha sa pagkakahawak ko ang painting na kinuha namin kanina. "So beautiful! Ibabalik pa ba natin 'to sa may-ari?" Natatawa niyang tanong.

"Slow down, Lily." I heard Miles said. Hindi ko na sila pinansin at naglakad na papasok.

Then I saw Wallace, Peter and Ravika on the couch, eyes were nailed on the TV while their hands were busy on those controllers.

I lazily stood up in front of them. "It's literally 2:45 in the midnight and you're still playing?" Sabi ko sakanila habang nakapameywang.

"Ano ba, Maddy! Tumabi ka!"

"Maddy! Naglalaro kami!"

"Ano ba yan!"

Sabay sabay nilang reklamo. Natawa nalang ako sa mga reaksyon nila.

"Hey."

A deep baritone voice approached me. Nilingon ko ito at galing iyon sa kararating lang na si Yeraz. "Gising ka rin?" Tanong ko kahit alam ko namang hindi pa sya natutulog simula kanina.

Umalis na ako sa harap ng TV para salubungin sya. "Of course. I was waiting for Miles' updates but he blocked me. Bakit hindi mo naconnect yung earpiece mo dito sa bahay?"

My forehead suddenly screeched. "I didn't?" Naguguluhan kong tanong. I was supposed to keep my earpiece connected not only to Miles' but also to the headquarter's end. Kaya pala alalang-alala sya dahil wala syang alam sa nangyayari kanina.

"Yes, you did not. I was worried sick. Akala ko kung ano nang nangyare. Pati sa chat ay binlock ako ni Miles. Did you asked him to do that?"

Pinagkrus ko naman ang mga braso ko. "Nothing happened. Okay na okay kami and I don't know what you're talking about." Sagot ko, "matutulog na ako." Dagdag ko pa saka nilampasan na sya.

I'm too exhausted to deal with him right now. Naaalala ko lang yung ginawa niya kahapon. Naiinis na naman tuloy ako.

After taking the long staircase, kaagad akong dumiretso sa kwarto ko. Pabagsak akong humiga at huminga ng malalim. I tapped my shoulder and smiled. Good job today, Maddy.

---

I can hear the laughter and chitchat as I walked down the marble staircase. Kitang-kita ko kaagad silang lahat sa hapagkainan na kumakain na. Lahat sila ay nakaupo na, yung upuan ko nalang ang bakante. I must've slept so deep.

Nakababa na ako at unang una akong lumapit kay Commander saka b****o. "Good morning, Madelaine."

Sya ang padre de pamilya sa labas at loob nga mansyon. Sya ang boss namin sa grupo. And he's also the father of Yeraz.

He's named Zeus.

"Morning, old man." I greeted back.

"Hey, Maddy. 'Di ka na nakapagbihis ah." Peter said, napatingin naman ako sa itsura ko. Oo nga, hindi na ako nakapagpalit ng pangtulog.

"Ang busy mo na kalalaro kagabi, napansin mo pa 'to." Sabi ko sabay upo sa pwesto ko. Pinagitnaan ako ni Miles at Lilith.

"Naalala ko lahat. Narinig ko nga usapan niyo ni Yeraz-"

"Talk more and I'll fucking kill you," Yeraz cut him off, showing Wallace the table knife.

Peter just raised both of his hands on the air. Natawa lang sila at ganun din si Peter. Sya lang talaga ang kayang asarin si Yeraz.

"I heard from Miles that the mission went well," sabi ni Commander. "I was right for giving that mission to you." He smiled and took a sip of his red wine.

"All thanks to Miles' hacking and security skills." I replied, "I can't do it without them." Sabi ko sabay tingin kay Miles na inaayos ang salamin niya. He looks shy. "Pati na rin kay Wilson for getting us home safe."

"Of course, all of you have done a great job this week. I was thinking . . ." he paused for awhile as he wiped his lips with his table napkin. "I was thinking that we could have a vacation."

Lilith almost choked on her food. "Really? Where?"

"Kayo, saan niyo gusto?" Tanong ni boss.

Kumuha lang ako ng dalawang hotdog at nilagay yon sa plato ko, kumuha na rin ako ng konting rice. I wanna eat more right now pero wala akong gana. I don't eat much every morning.

"Siargao tayo, boss. Daming chix doon."

Ravika flicked Peter's ear. "Fucking pervert."

"Selos ka na naman, my labs. Para yon sa tatlo, okay?" Sagot niya naman, shifting his eyes to Wallace, Wilson, Miles and Yeraz.

"I don't care about that." Wallace said.

"Neither do I," says Yeraz. I smirked sarcastically.

Kakikita ko pa nga lang sakanya noong isang araw na may kahalikan e. Ang hipokrito niya naman para tumanggi sa mga chix sa siargao no.

"I suggest you pick somewhere overseas. Let's get out from the Philippines for awhile." Tugon ni boss.

I took a bite on my hotdog while taking a quick glance on Yeraz in front of me. Kanina pa sya sumusulyap sa direksyon ko. Ano? Gulat ba sya na wala na akong pakialam sakanya?

Yes, I like him for a long time. And I wanna forget about it and move on for some reasons. I don't wanna think about it nor talk about it.

"Let's go Japan," I said casually, taking another bite of my hotdog. I barely looked up from my breakfast, letting the taste fill the silence.

Lilith, Wallace, and Peter exchanged looks, then nodded in agreement. We haven't really gone to a lot of countries in Asia cause boss usually loves Europe, Italy to be exact-where his old business started, when he was still doing illegal stuff.

"That's a good suggestion. Anything else?" Old man waited for an answer but everyone were silent. So, I guess. . . "Japan it is."

---

"Are you avoiding me?"

"Fucking hell?" I jumped a bit of surprise when someone just barge into my room. Maghuhubad na sana ako ng damit to take a bath, but this dumbass just suddenly appeared out of nowhere. "Hindi ka ba marunong kumatok?" Inis kong tanong.

"Do you think I'm on my right mind right now to knock? I can't even sleep since yesterday."

I crossed my arms. "Ano namang kinalaman ko d'yan?"

"Is this about what happened the other night?"

[ Flashback ]

"Who's that girl, Raz?" I asked despite all this numbness I'm feeling right now. My knees are trembling because of what I saw. He's just drunk. I'm convincing my self that he did it cause he's drunk.

"Reina, just a friend," he replied.

"Do friends kiss like that?"

"Yeah, are you jealous?" I didn't answer. I looked away instead. "Listen here, Maddy. You're one of my dad's people and he probably treated you all as his kids as well." He lights his cigarette, "I can't kiss my sister."

[ End of flashback ]

"Maddy? Answer me."

I suddenly snapped back in reality. "W-What did you remember from that night?" Can he even recall what he said that night?

"I woke up with a cigarette on my hand so I guess I smoked in front of you which I promised my self not to do it."

He's so clueless, isn't he? Inirapan ko nalang sya at tinulak ang kanyang dibdib papalabas ng kwarto ko. "Get out. I'm changing."

"You didn't even answer my question."

"I don't have to. Wala namang nangyare, e. Just trying to be less immature." And I pushed him full force then locked my door.

He's all brains but can't be even a little empathetic to me. Hindi ba halatang over four years ay gusto ko sya? Ang manhid manhid naman niya kung ganun.

I stood before the huge mirror hanging against the wall, the soft glow of the room illuminating every curve and contour of my body. As I undressed, the leather clothing slipped away, revealing my skin adorned with intricate tattoos. I took a moment to appreciate the details, tracing my fingers over the lines and shapes.

I turned my back to the mirror, and the reflection revealed my tattoo: a snake coiled around an eagle. The snake's scales shimmered as it wrapped tightly, while the eagle, faced it with fierce determination. It's like watching two different persons fight.

I tattooed this because of Yeraz. We started off as enemies, I hated him to the core of my guts. Later realized that I want him more than that-I loved the attention he's giving me every time we fight and compete against each other.

But I guess, he wasn't the serpent.

I wonder who may this be.