PROLOGUE

MY HEART CLENCHED IN PAIN as I looked unbelievably to my parents. They were no ounce of mercy and soul mirrored in their eyes. I couldn’t help but to laugh sarcastically as my eyes glistened in tears. I thought there was a little hope that they would love me, because they called me to return home as soon as possible. But I forgot how heartless they were to me. 

“You have no choice, but to accept it, Mary Anne. The deal was already signed, and I already sold you to Señor Adolfo in exchange for five hundred billion pesos. You’re now his soon-to-be sixth wife. Huwag kang magtatangkang tumakas dahil hindi ko hahayaan iyon. Bukas ng umaga ay susunduin ka ng mga tauhan ni Señor Adolfo. Umayos ka at huwag na huwag kang gagawa ng kahit anong kalokohan na ikasisira ng ating pamilya,” malamig na turan ni Daddy pagkatapos ibuga ang usok mula sa hawak na tabako. 

Mommy smirked devilishly while caressing her precious pet which was an Ivory Ball Python. “Be a good girl, and obey Señor Adolfo at all costs. Stop doing nonsense things that could make your father and I in shame. Pleasure him always, especially in bed. Alam kong virgin ka pa kaya’t mas lalong matutuwa si Señor Adolfo sa iyo.” 

Nakakasuka sila at walang kaluluwa. Naturingan silang mga magulang ngunit hindi nila ginagampanan ng tama ito. Handa nilang ibenta kahit ang sarili nilang anak para sa pera. 

I clenched my fists while my lips trembled. “Tao pa ba kayo? You even had the guts to force your own daughter to be sold for the sake of money. Tao ako at hindi isang laruan na basta-basta ninyong ibebenta para magkaro’n kayo ng pera. Huwag ninyo akong idamay sa iyong mga katarantaduhan at kayong dalawa na lang ang magpakasal sa panot na iyan!”

Napaigik ako sa sakit nang naramdaman kong tumama sa aking noo ang ibinato sa akin ni Daddy na ashtray. Alam kong nagdurugo ang sugat ko mula ro’n ngunit wala akong pakialam. Masyadong nilamon ng galit ang aking puso dahil sa ginawa nila sa akin. Anak nila ako pero nagagawa nila akong tratuhin na parang hayop kung ibenta. 

“Estúpidang inutil! Hindi uubra sa akin ang pagiging rebelde at kahambugan mo dahil ako mismo ang tatabas sa iyong mga sungay!” asik ni Daddy habang galit na dinuduro ako. 

Mommy rolled her eyes. “Wala ka na ngang silbi, palamunin at puro kahihiyan ang hatid sa amin. Ito na lang ang simpleng gagawin mo para sa ating pamilya ngunit umaayaw ka pa!” 

“Did you even treat me as a daughter or not?” tanong ko.

“You already know the answer to your question, so stop making a drama, because it was so damn annoying. This was the price you should pay for us. Just obey what we said, and make yourself a submissive soon-to-be wife of Señor Adolfo. After you get married to him, don’t forget to give me some of his money that I would spend on derma and shopping with my friends,” maarteng sagot ni Mommy at ipinasok sa golden cage ang kaniyang alagang ahas.

‘They had the ace to ruin my life, but I wouldn’t let them be triumphant, because I knew to myself that I’m innocent of what they blamed me for.’ 

“Why should I obey the both of you? Hindi ninyo naman ako itinuturing na anak. At bakit hindi na lang ikaw ang magpakasal sa panot na iyon tutal kating-kati ka sa pera niya, Mommy?” matapang kong turan.

Mabilis na lumapit sa akin si Mommy para bigyan ako nang malakas na sampal. Agad kong nalasahan ang dugo mula sa aking labi nang marahas niyang hinawakan ang aking panga. Damang-dama ko ang pagbaon ng kuko mula sa aking balat. “Sino ka para bastusin ako? Keep in the little brain of yours that you’re just nothing to me, because you killed my one and only precious daughter! It was all the price you should pay, so don’t you dare contradict what we told you. Dapat magpasalamat ka pa sa amin na ibinenta ka namin kay Señor Adolfo dahil walang magkakamali na pumatol sa katulad mong walang kuwenta at inutil.”

Hindi ko talaga maintindihan ang mga magulang ko. Sila na nga ang nagkaro’n ng kasalanan ngunit ako ang gusto nilang gawing kabayaran. 

Matapang kong tinignan si Mommy. Wala akong pakialam kung sumabog ang bibig ko mula sa kaniyang mga sampal. Manhid na ako mula sa sakit at impiyernong ipinapadama nila sa akin. “Hindi ka ulirang ina. Pareho kayong dalawa ni Daddy na mga walang kuwentang mga magulang.  And why should I fucking be grateful to the both of you if you’re heartless to sold me? Dapat pinatay ninyo na lang ako kung sisirain ninyo ang buhay ko.”

Padaskol na binitawan ni Mommy ang aking panga. Muli niya akong sinampal nang malakas at sinabunutan. Hinayaan ko lamang siyang saktan ako dahil ito na ang huling beses na gagawin niya ito sa akin. 

Naputol lamang ang pananakit sa akin ni Mommy nang tumunog ang cellphone ni Daddy. Agad sumenyas si Daddy kay Mommy na tumigil. Kinuha ko iyon na pagkakataon na lumabas sa office ni Daddy sa aming mansion. Dumiretso ako sa aking silid at padabog na isinarado ang pinto. Hindi ako makapaniwala na hahantong sa ganito ang kasamaan ng aking mga magulang. Sinagad na nila ang natitira kong pasensiya. 

I know that I’m just an unwanted child. I’m not even born in this world yet my parents already hated me. It's their greatest sin that they badly wanted to get rid, but they couldn’t, because my grandparents hindered it. However, they were already dead which made my parents do whatever they wanted to me. 

Nang dahil do’n, natuto akong huwag maging mahina at lumaban sa lahat ng mananakit sa akin. Hindi ako magpapaapekto sa panghihila nila sa akin pababa dahil kahit ano pa ang mangyari ay aahon ako at lalaban. 

I became the rebellious daughter. I loved to go to underground car racing and street fights just to make myself strong. From that, I gained friends that I treated as brothers and sisters. They welcomed me to be a part of their friendship and family. And I couldn’t help but to envy them, because their family accepted and loved them for who they really are. 

‘Kung sino pa ang hindi mo kadugo, sila pa ang magpapahalaga sa iyo. There’s no room for being weak in this cruel world. We should know how to fight and stand up for ourselves. Dahil kung patuloy natin ipakikita na mahina tayo mas lalo silang masisiyahang saktan at tapakan tayo nang paulit-ulit hanggang sa madurog.’

I sighed heavily as I wiped-off the tears falling from my eyes. This would be the last time that I would shed a tear for them, because they weren’t worth it. 

Nagpalinga-linga ako sa loob ng aking silid na naging saksi sa lahat ng mga luha at pag-iisa ko sa mala-impiyernong pamamahay na ito. Wala akong kakampi. Tanging sarili ko lamang ang naging sandalan ko. Inayos ko ang aking sarili para sa susunod kong gagawin. Tatakas ako kahit ano pa ang mangyari. Lalabanan ko ang mga haharang sa akin.

Nag-vibrate ang aking cellphone mula sa bulsa ng aking suot na crop top leather jacket. Kinuha ko iyon at hindi ko napigilang ngumisi nang nakita ko ang text ng kaibigan kong si Mitzie na nakaabang sila sa gilid ng mansyon. Gusto kasi nila makasiguro na ligtas at maayos ang lagay ko habang nasa mansyon ako.

Nagtipa ako ng mensahe kay Mitzie na kailangan ko ng kanilang tulong dahil kailangan kong makatakas agad at mamaya na lang ako magkukuwento. Hindi ko dala ang aking motor at sumakay kasi ako ng taxi papunta rito. Sinigurado kong naka-lock ang pinto. Nagmamadali kong nilapitan ang glass window at sumilip kung mayro’ng mga nagbabantay na guards sa ibaba. Nang wala akong nakita ay binuksan ko iyon. 

My room was located on the last side of the second floor. I didn’t think twice about jumping out of my window just to escape, and I landed perfectly on the bushes. I immediately ran to the other side heading towards the back of the mansion. 

Agad kong nakita ang mga kaibigan kong sina Phantom at Omega na ginilitan ng leeg ang kalaban na guards gamit ang Butterfly Knife habang si Mitzie naman ay mayro’ng hawak na Automatic 9mm Machine Gun mayro’ng silencer. Pare-pareho silang nakasuot ng black combat suit at combat shoes. 

Halatang marami na silang napatumba na guards ngunit alam kong maraming darating dahil sisiguraduhin nina Mommy at Daddy na hindi ako makakatakas. 

Mitzie playfully saluted at me while chewing her gum. She even blew a bubble and popped it eventually. I jogged towards her while looking from side to side to see if there were guards. Phantom and Omega went beside us too, holding their Colt 45 Pistol Guns with silencers in each hand. 

Inabutan ako ni Phantom ng 9mm Machine Gun na mayro’ng silencer na tinanggap ko. “We needed to go out as soon as possible before my parents had doubts that I escaped.”

Mitzie nodded even though there was a hint of bewilderment in her eyes. “Naka-standy si Frivo sa loob ng pick-up truck.”

“Okay, lead the way,” sambit ko.

Nagsimula na kaming tumakbo paalis ng mansyon habang nasa unahan si Mitzie. Naka-back-up naman sa magkabilaang gilid sina Phantom at Omega. Mayro’ng kaming nakakasalubong na agad kong binaril. 

Hindi rin nagtagal ay nakarating kami kung saan naka-stand by si Frivo. Agad kaming sumakay sa loob ng pick-up truck. 

Mitzie settled on the passenger seat while I’m at the backseat with Phantom and Omega. Frivo immediately drove the pick-up truck fast away from the subdivision.

However, there were black cars tailing the pick-up truck. Omega grabbed a black duffle bag underneath our seats. He opened the zipper, and I couldn’t help but to smirk devilishly when I saw an Armalite AR-15. 

Phantom and I looked at each other before we rolled down the bulletproof window on each side, so that we could position ourselves to shoot the black cars with our Armalite AR-15. 

Mabilis kong pinatamaan ng mga bala ang gulong at front window ng mga sasakyan na sumusunod sa amin. Sumabog ito at nabangga ang ibang sasakyan. Ngunit agad napapalitan ng iba pang kalaban na nakasakay sa motor at pinapaulanan kami ng mga bala. 

Sumagot kaming dalawa ni Phantom at pinatamaan ang mga nagmamaneho ng motor para mawalan ng kontrol kaya’t nalaglag ang mga nakasakay sa kanilang likod na bumabaril sa aming sasakyan. Si Phantom naman ang umasinta sa mga iyon para hindi na makahabol sa amin.

Nang naubos na sila ay umayos na kami ni Phantom sa loob pagkatapos naming iangat ang bulletproof window. Mas lalong binilisan ni Frivo ang pagmamaheho ng pick-up truck. Nag-iba din kami ng daan para mas lalong maligaw ang mga magtatangkang sumunod sa amin. 

Hanggang sa nakarating kami sa aming tinutuluyan na apartment. Magkakasama kaming bumaba at pumasok. Agad sumalubong sa amin si Kuya Hale at ang kaniyang asawa na si Ate Amirah.

“What the hell happened?” tanong ni Kuya Hale sa amin. 

“Nagamit po namin ang mga armas na dapat ay i-de-deliver kay Mr. Tan  para makatakas kami, Kuya.” sagot ni Omega. 

Kuya Hale looked at me curiously. “Don’t worry about that. Ako na ang bahala kumausap at mag-deliver ng panibagong armas kay Mr. Tan. Ang mas mahalaga ay ligtas kayong nakarating dito.”

Ate Amirah moved closer to me to hold my hand. “Ano ang nangyari, Ma-anne? Mayro’n ba silang ginawang masama sa iyo?”

I couldn’t help but to comb my fingers through my shoulder length jet-black hair with curtain bangs in frustration. “My parents sold me. . .”

Ate Amirah gasped loudly as tears glistened to her eyes. “Oh my gosh! Why did they do that to you?”

“My parents already sold me to an old pervert man that used his power as a Billionaire, and paid them a five hundred billion pesos. I’m now his soon-to-be sixth wife. Kung hindi ako nakatakas ay paniguradong kukunin ako ng matandang panot na iyon bukas ng umaga,” paliwanag ko.

“Kaloka! Sagad na sagad na talaga ang pagiging demonyo ng mga magulang mo at nakuha ka pang ibenta nang hindi mo alam. Are they for real? Itinuring ka ba nilang anak kahit minsan lamang?” hindi makapaniwalang turan ni Mitzie.

Mapait akong napangiti. “As long as I’m alive, they would blame me for killing their one and only daughter. Mommy told me that it was the price that I should pay. Ngunit hindi ko talaga matanggap na hahantong kami sa ganito. Mas lalo nilang ipinamukha sa akin na mas mahalaga ang pera kaysa sa akin.”

Agad akong niyakap ni Ate Amarah. Hindi ko napigilang umiyak sa kaniyang bisig. 

“Kung ayaw nila sa iyo, dito ka na lang sa amin, Ma-anne. You deserved to be treated better, and not the worst. Huwag kang magpapaapekto sa sasabihin nila dahil hinding-hindi ka nila mapapatumba, okay?” malumanay na turan ni Ate Amarah habang hinihimas ang aking likod.

Lumapit si Mitzie at niyakap din ako. “If they didn’t love you, let them go. Kawalan nila ang hindi pagpapahalaga sa iyo. Tandaan mo, dalawa lang sila pero lima kaming nagmamahal sa iyo.”

“And soon it would become six, Ma-anne.” sambit ni Kuya Hale.

Napatingin ako kina Kuya Hale at Ate Amarah na malambing na nakangiting nagpupunas ng luha sa akin. Kahit papaano ay napalitan ng saya ang aking puso. Kahit paano ay mayro’ng magandang nangyari para sa araw na ito. Matagal na talagang gusto nina Kuya Hale at Ate Amarah na magkaro’n ng anak ngunit dahil sa sakit na cancer ni Ate Amarah ay naudlot iyon. 

As of now, Ate Amarah was a cancer survivor. She was a brave warrior to defeat this while being with Kuya Hale. I witnessed them through their ups and downs. They accepted and loved each other’s flaws and imperfections. Kuya Hale was from a rich family and a former Gangster Leader while Ate Amarah was a battered daughter. He saved her from her drug addict parents that wanted to sell her to a Nightclub, and everything went to history.

Madalas akong mag-stay dito sa apartment nina Kuya Hale at Ate Amarah. Ayaw din kasi ni Ate Amarah na naiiwang mag-isa sa tuwing nagtatrabaho si Kuya Hale sa Car and Motorcycle Repair Shop kasama sina Phantom at Omega. 

“Gusto ko po munang mapag-isa. . .” usal ko.

Ate Amarah looked at me worriedly. “Are you sure, Ma-anne? Why not stay to here instead? Mas kailangan mo ng kasama ngayon at baka mapaano ka.”

Napatingin din ako sa aming mga kasama at kitang-kita ko ang pag-aalala at pagod sa kanilang mga mata. Ayaw kong maging pabigat at maging abusado sa kanilang kaibaitan. Kailangan ko rin na tumayo mula sa aking sariling mga paa.

“Don’t worry, I can handle myself, Ate. I just wanted to unwind for a moment. Magpahinga ka na po muna. Bawal kang ma-stress lalo na’t buntis ka,” pangungumbinsi ko sa kaniya na hayaan niya akong mapag-isa. 

Ate Amarah sighed heavily while looking at me with teary eyes. She didn’t want to let me go. 

“Let her be, Ate. Hindi mo rin naman mapipigilan iyan sa kaniyang gusto. Bigyan na muna natin siya ng space para makapag-isip,” singit ni Mitzie.

“Basta’t mag-iingat ka, Ma-anne. Call us if you need help, okay?” malambing na turan ni Ate Amarah habang hinahaplos ang aking pisngi.

***

I DROVE FAST my black and red Ducati Panigale V2 motorcycle towards the Arum—a famous elite bar owned by Maru Arklentine. I badly wanted to be alone, and drink to forget all the pain and miseries that I had. And I knew hard liquor was the best remedy for that. 

The bouncers immediately let me in. A pop beat of music blared that was being synchronized by colored lights in every corner of Arum. I headed straight to the bar counter, and ordered a bottle of Vodka. I poured some Vodka on my shot glass, and drank it straight which made my throat burn in sensation.

‘Iiyak ba sina Mommy at Daddy kung patay na ako? Mukhang mas mahalaga ang pera para sa kanila kaysa sa akin na sarili nilang anak. Sino ba naman ako para mahalin nila? I’m just their unwanted child, and the greatest sin that happened in their life.’

Funny it was, that my parents didn’t even think twice to sold me to an old pervert in exchange for five hundred billion pesos. They were still furious and blamed me for what happened to my older sister twenty years ago. 

That nightmare kept hunting me though I’m innocent of what they blamed me for. Maureen Nerissa, my sister, saved me twenty years ago from drowning while our family was having a beach vacation. She was dead on arrival. Mommy was furious and blamed me that I should be the one who deserved to die instead of my sister. 

At a very young age, I literally faced the demons alone. As time went by, no one ever dared to be friends with me, because my parents were shaming me that I’m a rebel and black sheep. I might be tough on the outside, but inside I’m suffering from depression and anxiety from the physical, mental and emotional abuse of my parents and the people who believed in them. 

‘I didn’t care if they didn’t accept and believe me. Hindi ko naman sila kailangan sa buhay ko. Magsama-sama silang sinungaling at demonyo na nagbabalat-kayo para durugin ang mga taong mas mababa sa kanila. Darating din naman ang araw na babagsak at nadudurog sila nang pinong-pino.’

Gusto kong maramdaman na pinapahalagahan nila ako sa pamilyang ito. Ngunit masyado akong nasasaktan at nasasakal sa pamilyang ito. Unti-unti nilang akong dinudurog at pinapatay. 

My heart clenched in pain as tears fell from my eyes. I immediately wiped it off.  I couldn’t help but to drink again and again until I emptied the bottle. I sighed and pouted as I felt my cheeks flushed when I heard my favorite song. I wouldn’t let it end without showing-off my dancing skills. 

With that, I stood up, and went on the dance floor in a zigzag motion. I giggled when I reached the middle part of the dance floor. Heat crept in me, so I got rid of my crop top leather jacket which made my white lace bralette and navel piercing show. 

I started to sway my hips in the beat of the music. I raised my hands, and caressed my body sexily to emphasize my curves. I felt wild and free whenever I danced. I combed my fingers to my shoulder length jet-black hair with curtain bangs as I rocked my body sexily in the middle of the dance floor like a dancing queen wearing only a white lace bralette, black high waisted leather jeans and white boots. 

Until I felt a hot stare, and I absentmindedly looked to see where it was. I couldn’t help but to bite my lip to see a hot stranger watching intently at me like a hawk while he took a sip on his Whiskey to his vintage diamond-etched lowball rocks glass. He was dashing and oozing with sex appeal. His pale skin stood up on his black and silver modern fit European long sleeves with three buttons opened showing-off his muscular chest and gold chain necklace. It was paired with black pants and leather shoes with silver details. But what really made him look hotter were his dark brown tousled hair, his five o’ clock shadow, and the gold ring in his forefinger with a unique detail that I badly wanted to look at it closer. 

Unti-unti akong naglakad palapit sa misteryosong lalaking nakaagaw ng aking pansin. Hindi pa rin naghihiwalay ang aming tingin sa isa’t-isa. Tila nahihipnotismo ako na mas lalong lumapit sa kaniya. Kung sa malayo ay agaw pansin ang kaniyang kakisigan at lakas ng karisma, mas lalong matindi pala sa malapitan. 

I smelled his minty scent while I’m deeply captivated by his brown eyes. He looked like a freaking vampire sitting like a king while holding his diamond glass of Whiskey. Now, I could see how detailed and mysterious his golden ring was. It had a detail of fangs and claws protecting a black diamond crystal in the middle.

‘Who was he? Was he a businessman or a politician? His appearance screamed power and danger. But I badly wanted to feel how dangerous he was.’

“I wouldn’t mind if you touch me, Hermosa Bombón.” he uttered huskily as he smiled at me which made his little dimples on both sides of his lips visible.  

Hindi ko masyadong maintindihan ang kaniyang sinabi dahil mayro’ng nagsigawan ng body shot. Ngunit hindi nakaligtas sa akin ang huli niyang sinabi na ikinaismid ko.

My brows furrowed in bewilderment. “You’re hot and handsome, but how dare you call me bulbol. That’s not my name, because I’m Mary Anne, Idiot.”

I saw how his brown orbs twinkled in amusement as he chuckled. “I’m sorry for being an idiot, Mary Anne. But I wanted to defend myself that I didn’t call you bulbol, I just called you Hermosa Bombón, it was from Spanish which means Beautiful Hottie. You’re so beautiful and hot while dancing in the middle of the dance floor, and you’re the only one who captured my attention tonight.”

Parang gusto kong lamunin ng lupa sa kahihiyan. Lasing na talaga ako at kung anu-ano na ang naririnig ko kaya iba tuloy ang aking nasasabi. Ngunit tila natuod ako nang bigla niyang hawakan ang aking kamay at pinatakan ng halik ang likod nito. 

He smiled at me showing off his little dimples on both sides of his lips. “I’m Daxton, and it was a pleasure to meet you tonight, Mary Anne.”

My face flushed as I bit my lip in embarrassment. I had the guts to call him an idiot even though he was just only praising me. I should make it up for him, so that he would forget what I awfully said to him.

With that, I snatched his vintage diamond-etched lowball rocks glass that had Whiskey, and drank it straight. I badly wanted to add fuel to make more dauntless to what I would ask for him. He watched me intently as I gave him back the glass. I combed my fingers through my shoulder length jet-black hair as I smiled seductively at him. “Do you want to have sex with me?”

His brown orbs darkened as he licked his lip. “No sabías cuánto te quiero. And I wouldn’t say no to you, Hermosa Bombón.”