Chapter 5

"What's the word home have something to do about this?"

Tetsu beside me laughed. "This is where we sleep, eat, shit and bring our women."

Sya ang kasama ko pag pasok ng mansyon. Nagpaiwan si Seiji sa sinakyan naming wrangler dahil may inutos pa raw sakanya. May mga kasama pa itong sumakay nung pagkababa namin.

This place is complete filth. It's a fucking huge mansion, even bigger than commander's—ang kaibahan lang dito ay amoy usok ng yosi, alak at mga babae na nagtitipid ng tela sakanila damit.

"Suit yourself." Sabi naman ni Tetsu

"Seryoso ka? Eh ayoko ngang huminga rito."

Tetsu just laughed, shaking his head as if ako pa 'yung hindi naka-gets. Maybe I didn't. Maybe I didn't want to.

Naglakad pa ako papasok, pero pakiramdam ko kailangan kong lumutang para lang 'di dumikit sa sahig. Mamahalin ang marble tiles, pero sa dami ng natuyong alak, sigarilyo, at kung ano pang kalat, parang mas bagay na itong demolition site kaysa sa bahay. The high ceilings, gold-trimmed walls, and grand chandelier—all wasted under layers of grime and smoke stains. Sa grand staircase, nagkalat ang mga damit—may bra pa ngang nakasabit sa railing.

Sa kaliwa ko, nandoon 'yung billiard room, supposedly a sleek and high-class entertainment area. Pero putangina, mukha na siyang basurahan ng bisyo. The pool table, na dapat ay laruan, naging tabletop ng empty beer bottles, poker chips, at half-smoked cigarettes. May ilan pang nagpipilit maglaro, kahit halatang hindi na nila matamaan 'yung bola dahil sa sobrang tama.

Sa may likod, kita mula sa glass doors ang malaking swimming pool. Sa unang tingin, parang ang ganda, especially with the neon lights reflecting on the water. Pero kapag tinignan mong mabuti, may lumulutang na bote, at may dark stains sa gilid. Sa tubig, may mga babaeng tawanan nang tawanan, halos wala nang suot. Sa gilid, may mga lalaking naka-relax sa pool chairs, hawak ang mga bote ng alak, parang mga hari sa sarili nilang mundo.

"This place is a fucking mess," bulong ko.

Tetsu just smirked, lighting up another cigarette. "Yeah," he exhaled, smoke curling around his face. "Pero atin 'to."

"Uh no, just yours." Sabi ko na may pandidiri sa aking pananalita.

"Hey." Napalingon ako sa boses na narinig ko. Si  Mr. Formal pala. Nakasalamin pa at magulo ang buhok. Pero ang gwapo pa rin.

"Hi, Mr. Formal."

I heard Tetsu laughed. "Mr. Formal—"

"Damatte. (Shut up.)" Seryoso niya namang sagot, "Ren. That's my name."

"Ren." I uttered while nodding. "I'm surprise for someone looks... " How should I describe him? "looks formal living in such a dump like this."

"It's our home, we just don't have time to clean—"

I burst out laughing. "Pero may time kayong maghasik ng kasamaan? Weirdos." Sabi ko.

"It's the family's business since then, Miss." He fixed his glasses and looked at Tetsu, "bring her to her room."

I hissed. "Malinis ba ang kwarto ko?"

"Hindi. Ikaw ang maglilinis." Sagot niya sabay tumalikod at naglakad palayo sa amin.

Nakakainis! Ang baho na nga ng lugar na 'to, puro pa may sapak ang mga kasama ko.

Hahang paakyat kami sa mahabang hagdan ay hindi ko maiwasan magtanong kay Tetsu na kasama ko. "Anong trabaho ni Ren dito? Mas mukha pa syang stress kesa sa boss niyo."

"Interested?" Tumingin ito saglit sa'kin. Pinandilatan ko lang sya ng mata. "He's a lawyer, he's the consigliere of the family."

Oh. So, that explains the formality.

"Eh, yung boss niyo? He's like a total opposite of Ren. He looks lazy."

Natawa lang si Tetsu, "he’s the boss, what do you think he’s doing?”

Dumaan muna kami sa mahabang hallway na may pinto. Kulang nalang lagyan ng hotel room para gawing hotel dito.

Tumigil kami sa huling pintuan. "You can now rest. It's your first day tomorrow." Sabi ni Tetsu sabay tapik sa balikat ko. 'Di na rin ito nagtagal, umalis na rin sya at naiwan akong nakatayo.

I sighed. I miss them. I wonder kung ano na ang ginagawa nila ngayon. Are they safe? I hope they're safe, especially the girls. Ayokong madamay sila dahil sa pagiging pakialamera ko.

Pinihit ko ang door knob. I was expecting a room that reeks of smoke and alcohol, just like the rest of this godforsaken place. Maybe even a lingering scent of cheap perfume, a reminder of whoever was here before me. 

But when I pushed the door open, I was met with something... different. 

It was surprisingly clean. Dimly lit, but not in a suffocating way—just enough to cast soft shadows across the walls. The bed, though simple, looked freshly made. There were no empty bottles on the floor, no ashtrays overflowing with cigarette butts. The air was still, almost untouched, a stark contrast to the chaos outside these walls. 

I stepped inside, shutting the door behind me. For the first time since I got here, I felt like I could breathe. 

Pero kahit gaano pa ito kalinis, hindi nito nabawasan ang bigat sa dibdib ko. I stared at the ceiling, my thoughts drifting back to them. To home. 

Napahilamos nalang ako sa sarili kong mukha. I still have to do shit for this group. God knows when it will be over but I hope it will sooner. Gusto ko nang bumalik.

I have to keep my nerves calm and think of a plan to escape. I have to rest my mind.

——

"What the fuck?"

That's the first thing I've said this morning. Sinong hindi mapapamura sa kalat ng bahay na 'to? Sure it was a mess last night when I arrived, but it's even messier today! Hindi ba sila nagha-hire ng cleaner?! Ang yayaman pero ang dudugyot!

"Sup Madelaine, how's sleep?" It's Tetsu walking towards me. Kasama niya rin si Seiji na seryoso pa rin ang mukha at may kasama rin silang naka buzzcut.

"So she's the girl who messed with you, Seij." Marahan nitony tinulak si Seiji habang tawa nang tawa. Natawa rin si Tetsu

"Urusai! (Shut up!)" Inis na wika ni Seiji. Hindi ba sya makamove on?

"Maddy, right? Sato desu. Yoroshiku." He greeted as he extended his hand, expecting for a handshake.

Sato? That fucker who held Ravika hostage? Nainis ako bigla nang maalala ang sinabi ng boss nila kagabi kaya agad akong lumapit at sinuntok sya sa labi.

"Fuck! Baka yarou?!"

"You touched Ravika!"

Confusion drawn all over to his face. "Oh... right. That hot russian chick?"

Kumunot ang noo ko at akmang susuntukin na naman sya nang may biglang dumating. "Enough." It's Ren, dressed in a suit again.

Ren's voice was calm, pero ramdam mo 'yung bigat sa tono niya. He didn't shout—hindi naman niya kailangan. His presence alone commanded attention.

Sato wiped the blood from his busted lip, clicking his tongue in irritation. "Tch. That was uncalled for." Sumimangot siya, pero may halong amusement sa mata niya, like he actually enjoyed pissing me off.

"Uncalled for?" I scoffed. "You held her hostage, you piece of shit."

Sato just shrugged. "Orders. Nothing personal." Nilabas niya ang dila niya, sinundot ang dugong tumulo sa labi niya bago muling ngumiti nang pilyo. "Besides, I didn't even hurt her."

Tangina. Mas lalo lang akong nainis. My fists clenched again, ready to swing, but Ren stepped between us before I could move. "I said enough." Mas matigas na ang tono niya ngayon.

"Fine." Humakbang ako paatras, but my glare never left Sato. "Don't you get into my nerves."

Sato just chuckled, rolling his shoulders na parang wala lang sa kanya 'to. "No promises, sweetheart."

Gago. Halos maputok ko ang kamao ko sa sobrang gigil.

I was about to lunge at him again, pero ang isang tingin ni Ren sa'kin was enough to stop me. "Salvatierra. Walk with me."

I hesitated, but eventually, I exhaled sharply. "Whatever."

As I followed Ren out of the room, naririnig ko pa rin ang tawa ni Sato sa likod namin. Tangina, nakakapundi.

Tahimik ang hallway, malayo sa gulo ng main area. Ren's footsteps were steady, calculated, habang ako naman ramdam ang init sa dibdib ko.

"You need to control your temper," he finally said.

I scoffed. "You expect me to just let that bastard walk free after what he did?"

Biglang huminto si Ren. He turned to face me, his eyes unreadable, pero may kung anong panganib sa tingin niya. "You're in our world now, Salvatierra. You don't get to act on impulse. Not unless you want to end up dead." Tumalikod ito ulit at nagpatuloy sa paglakad.

Napalunok ako. He wasn't threatening me. He was warning me.

And I hated that he was right.

Wala ako sa sarili kong bansa para mag astang malakas. I have to remind my self that I'm in the turf of an organized crime family or else I can't get home.

"So where are we?" I looked around. Unlike the grand, chaotic living room, this area felt colder, more industrial. Dumaan lang naman kami sa kusina kanina, hindi ko na napansin na paiba nang paiba ang lugar ng bahay na 'to.

I'm just following Ren's steps hanggang sa tumigil na ito. We stopped in front of a large heavy steel door. I noticed something else—this wasn't just any locked room. Mounted just above the keypad was a face scanner, sleek and embedded into the reinforced steel. The device blinked to life the moment Ren stepped closer, a faint holographic light flickering to scan his face.

That is so freaking cool. I need that security to our mansion! Sasabihin ko ito kay commander. May ganito na ba sa Pilipinas?

I watched as the door slowly slid open, revealing the dark space beyond.

"Aoi, denki wo tsukete. ( Aoi, turn on the lights. )" Ren's voice echoed the room as the lights flickered to life one by one, filling the room with a cold, sterile glow. Pagbukas ng ilaw, my eyes widened at what lay before me.

Nalaglag nalang ako panga ko sa tumambad sa akin.

Rows upon rows of weaponry lined the walls—handguns, rifles, submachine guns—lahat naka-display na parang private arsenal. The metal racks gleamed under the fluorescent lights, emphasizing just how many deadly tools were stored here. On one side, neatly stacked ang mga kahon ng bala, some of them open, revealing bullets packed in tight rows.

Sa dulo ng kwarto, isang buong section ang dedicated sa bladed weapons—knives, machetes, even katanas, their sharpened edges reflecting under the lights. The air smelled of gunpowder and oil, a clear sign na lahat ng nandito was well-maintained and ready to be used anytime.

Napalunok ako. This wasn't just a storage room—this was a fucking armory.

Ren stepped forward, walang pag-aalinlangan, parang sanay na siyang dumaan dito araw-araw. He reached for a pistol resting on one of the metal tables, checking the magazine with a smooth, practiced motion. Then, he finally turned to me.

"Do you know how to use one?" he said, his voice calm but carrying the weight of something deeper.

I can, of course. I was trained by Zeus. I can even defend my self with only a knife, I also have experience with a handgun. Only Yeraz and the boys have used the rifles before. At nangyayari lang yon kapag kailangan naming makatakas o mga sindikato ang mga ninanakawan namin.

So far, we haven't shoot one or killed a person. Wala sa amin ang pumatay ng tao, inosente man o hindi.

"No. Why would I use that?" Pag mamaang maangan ko. I can't show him off that I'm capable of using a gun. As much as possible, I wanna maintain this act till I can get out of this place.

Ren stared at me for a moment, as if trying to gauge kung nagsasabi ba ako ng totoo o hindi. Then, he let out a small hum, flipping the gun in his hand before placing it back on the table.

"Ganun ba?" He stepped closer, his eyes not leaving mine. "That's a shame."

I forced myself to shrug. "Hindi naman ako kriminal para matuto niyan."

He smirked at that, but there was something in his expression that made me uneasy. He leaned slightly against the table, arms crossed. "You don't have to be a criminal to know how to use one. Sometimes, you just need to survive."

Napalunok ako but I held my ground. "Well, I never had to." Lie. We always do carry a gun, incase we fail during our operations.

"Not yet," he replied smoothly.

I didn't like the way he said that. Parang siguradong-sigurado siyang magbabago 'yon.

Ren turned away, picking up another gun, this time a sleek black handgun. "Pero since nandito ka na, maybe it's time you learn."

I frowned. "What?"

He tossed the gun toward me.

Mabilis ang reflexes ko, but I forced myself to hesitate before catching it, acting as if I was unfamiliar with the weight in my hands. The gun felt natural—too natural. Pero kailangan kong itago 'yon.

Ren watched me carefully, eyes sharp. "Go on. Hold it properly."

I adjusted my grip, pretending to fumble. He sighed, stepping forward, at bago ko pa mapigilan, he reached out, guiding my hands into the right position.

"Ganito," he murmured, voice close. His touch was firm, his presence too near for comfort.

Tangina. I had no choice but to play along.

His hands lingered on mine, firm yet steady, as he adjusted my grip. "Relax your fingers," he murmured, his voice dangerously close. "Kung ganyan ka humawak, baka ikaw pa ang tamaan ng bala."

Napakagat ako sa loob ng pisngi ko, forcing myself to act clueless. I already knew this. I knew how to hold a gun. I knew how to shoot. Pero kung ipapakita ko 'yon ngayon, I'd lose my cover.

Slowly, I followed his lead, letting him adjust my hold. Ramdam ko ang init ng tingin niya, analyzing every little movement I made.

"Tsk." Ren clicked his tongue, shaking his head. "You really have no experience, huh?"

I faked a nervous laugh. "Oo nga, ang kulit."

He hummed in response, pero parang hindi siya naniniwala. His fingers tapped against the side of the gun before he finally stepped back.

"Fine," he said, crossing his arms. "Point it forward."

Dahan-dahan kong tinaas ang baril, aiming at the empty wall ahead. I made sure my movements were stiff, unnatural—parang ngayon ko lang nahawakan ang baril sa buong buhay ko.

Ren observed me closely. His gaze was sharp, unreadable. Then, all of a sudden—

Bang!

A loud shot echoed through the room. Napapitlag ako, almost dropping the gun as my heart slammed against my chest.

My eyes snapped to Ren, who was now holding his own gun, smoke still trailing from the barrel. He fired.

"Lesson one," he said, voice cold and steady. "Never hesitate to shoot if needed."

I swallowed hard, tightening my grip on the weapon in my hands. I'm starting to hate this guy.

"Put it down." Mala-awtoridad nitong tugon.

I followed what he said. Binaba ko ang baril at nilapag yon sa mesa. I sighed, nakakakaba naman presensya nito. I never felt this way before with a man.

Ren didn't say anything else. Instead, he turned his back and walked toward one of the shelves sa gilid ng silid. I watched as he pulled out a bulletproof vest, inspecting it for a second before tossing it my way.

"Wear it," he ordered.

Napakunot-noo ako, tinitigan ang vest na nasa kamay ko ngayon. "Bakit?"

"Lesson two," he said, rummaging through a drawer this time. "Don't get yourself hurt."

I was about to argue, pero naglabas na naman siya ng isa pang bagay—a Swiss knife. He flipped it open, the sharp blade glinting under the lights. It wasn't just any cheap knife. The edges were serrated, designed to cut through more than just flesh.

"This," Ren said, tossing the knife toward me as well, "is yours now."

Agad kong nasalo ang kutsilyo, pero pinili kong magpanggap na parang masyadong mabigat iyon para sa akin. "Ano 'to, souvenir?" I joked, trying to keep my tone light kahit na mas nagiging seryoso na ang sitwasyon.

Ren didn't smile. "Self-defense."

Tahimik lang akong tumingin sa kanya. My fingers traced the cold metal of the knife, my mind running fast.

A bulletproof vest. A knife.

Ano ba talaga ang pinapasok ko dito?

Then he turned his back on me again habang nakapamulsang naglalakad palabas. "Let's go, we got some work to do."

This is supposed to be my vacation but here we are.