Gianna extended her hand towards her. Hindi naman nakipagkamay si Laverna dahil unang tingin pa lang niya sa babae ay alam na niyang hindi maganda ang dulot nito.“They said you are a beauty to behold, but I see no beauty in you. Probably just your red hair and green eyes.” She scoffed. “With that frail-looking body, you cannot satisfy Caesar–”“Watch your mouth,” the mafia boss intervened as he stared at her with a deadly gaze. “Leave.”“But–”“Don’t make me repeat myself.”“We are going to see each other sooner anyway.” Sinamaan niya ng tingin si Laverna.
After the quick beach getaway, the wedding of Laverna and Caesar was very much anticipated. With only a few important people invited and several men on the lookout, Caesar was assured that nothing and no one would be able to stop his union with Athena Valdemar.“Ma’am, this is your wedding gown,” saad ng assistant nang makapasok sila sa isang malawak na silid.“W-What?” utal na tanong ni Laverna saka itinuro ang wedding gown na nasa mannequin. “But that’s not the wedding gown we chose before.”“Sir Caesar thought that the previous gown was too plain so he had this one made only for you.”Hindi na alam ni Laverna ang kaniyang sasabihin dahil sa pagkabigla. Nakatayo lamang siya habang nakatitig sa wedding gown niya.It was not of pure white, but the lace that ran over the strapless gown was light blue. What almost took her breath away was its long train that looked like the waves on the beach on a clear, sunny day. Maya-maya pa ay inaayusan na siya ngunit ni isang salita ay walang luma
Isang masamang tingin ang naging tugon ni Laverna. Pakiramdam niya ay pinaglalaruan lamang siya ni Nicholas lalo na at kitang-kita niya ang ngisi nitong tila aabot na sa langit. Nais man niyang sipain ito palayo pero pagtitimpi lamang ang kaniyang magagawa.“I appreciate the gesture pero hindi ko kailangan ang anumang bagay mula sa‘yo,” sumbat ni Laverna.May masama rin kasi siyang kutob sa laman ng malaking kahon na naka-fancy wrap pa. Natatakot siya na pagkabukas niya roon ay sasabog ang isang bomba o ‘di kaya’y kahit anong bagay na magdudulot ng gulo sa kasal niya.Ayaw niya no’n ngunit nanindig ang mga buhok niya sa katawan nang natawa si Nicholas.“Huwag kang mag-alala. Hindi iyan bomba o ulo ng pinsan mong si Clarrisse. That’s the gift which I promised to you before,” saad ng lalaki.“No, thanks.” Akmang tatawagin ni Laverna ang atensyon ng isa sa mga tauhan ni Caesar para ilayo ang kahon sa kaniya ngunit napatigil ito nang muling magsalita si Nicholas.“It’s also something you w
“What the hell is this? A fucking opera?” komento ni Charlie nang maupo siya sa may harapan ni Gunner na kagagaling lang sa abroad.“Shut up. That’s a stupid question,” Mino interjected. Tinulak niya pa si Charlie saka binaling ang atensyon kay Gunner. “Anyway... So you are saying that the Luciano group is behind the explosion?”Hindi sumagot si Gunner habang nakatitig lamang sa dalawa na tila ba tumatakbo sa isipan niya kung mahirap bang intindihin ang mga sinabi niya o sadyang mga inutil lang at mabagal mag-isip ang mga lalaking nasa harapan niya.A moment of silence prevailed in the room. Once in a while, Mino would steal glances on the side where the bed was located where a woman laid unconscious while under the white sheets covered with several bandages. He hated that scenario, but things had already happened and there was nothing else they could do but to proceed to their next plan.“If the Luciano group turned their back on the Quevedos, then what are you going to do next?” Cha
The man in front of her did not move an inch. His eyes remained shut even though she had been looking at him for several minutes. Nawalan din ng kabuhay-buhay ang balat nitong dating puno ng emosyon sa tuwing nagku-krus ang kanilang paningin.Nanginginig man ang kamay ni Laverna ngunit napahawak pa rin siya sa pisngi ng asawa. Napakagat ulit siya sa ibabang labi habang hawak-hawak ang nasunog na balat ni Caesar. The burn ran from his cheek down to his shoulders, telling her that before the Black Stallion took them away, the fire had already eaten everything around them. Ngayong harap-harapan nang nakatitig si Laverna sa bangkay ng kaniyang asawa saka lang niya tunay na napagtantong wala na ito. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ni Caesar.She could still vividly remember how warm it was, but now, such warmth seemed to have never existed at all. He had gone cold. Pale. Lifeless. Gone. Forever. And there was nothing else she could do but face tomorrow without him.She shook her head.“Hindi...
Nang pinayagan ng doktor na ma-discharge si Laverna sa ospital, dineretso siya ni Mino sa headquarters ng Black Stallion. This was a precaution to make sure that she would not try anything reckless that would put her life at risk. Bukod doon, inaalala rin nila kung papaano nila sasabihin kay Laverna ang katotohanan tungkol kay Anna. “Pwede kang gumala kahit saan basta hindi ka lalabas sa premises ng headquarters. Ia-update kita sa lahat ng mangyayari lalo na sa darating na auction at sa mga plano natin,” saad ni Mino nang maihatid niya si Laverna sa kuwarto nito.Naupo naman si Laverna sa may gilid ng kama niya.“Isa lang ang gusto namin, Athena...” dagdag nito.“Laverna,” bigla niyang singit.“Huh?”“Mas gusto kong tawagin niyo na lang ako na Laverna.”A moment of silence filled the room before Mino cleared his throat.“Iyong nais namin ngayon ay ang hilingin ang kooperasyon mong magpagaling. Sagot lahat ng Black Stallion ang mga doktor, gamot, gamit, at kahit anong kakailanganin mo
Napalunok muna si Clarrisse bago pinilit ang sariling ngumiti.“She is doing fine... I guess,” saad niya na siyang nakapagpataas ng kilay ni Laverna. “You see... The very next morning after the fire, Nicholas sent her abroad para makapag-aral at siguro para na rin hindi malaman ni Anna na patay ka na.”Laverna scoffed.“Napakagago talaga niyang tao. Either way, mas makakabuti iyon kay Anna para hindi siya masangkot sa trahedyang sasalubong sa mag-asawang Constantine.”Kinagat man ng kaniyang pinsan ang nagawa niyang kasinungalingan, mas lalong natakot at naduwag si Clarrisse na sabihin sa kaniya ang totoo. Nais man niyang ipagtapat sa kaniya na wala na talaga ang bata ngunit nag-aalala siya na baka bumalik ito sa dati niyang kalagayan. Clarrisse saw Laverna seemingly an empty shell of her old self on the first week that Caesar died. It pained her to even imagine that she would become like that again. Kaya sa ngayon, susuportahan na lamang niya ito sa anumang plano niya.Maya-maya pa a
When everyone all geared up and lined at the starting line, Laverna took one last glance at the car where Liraz was, which was right next to hers. She relaxed on her seat with a smirk tugging at the edge of her lips.“Tingnan natin kung gaano ka kagaling lalo na at mukhang naririto rin ang asawa mo,” sabi niya sa sarili.When the green flag was waved, all the race cars revved off the starting line in a blink of an eye. Patuloy ang hiyawan ng mga manonood—sinisigaw ang mga pambato nila at nilalait ang mga iba. Isang professional racer naman ang nangunguna kasunod nito ang isa ring kasamahan nito. Sa pangatlong puwesto naman ay walang iba kundi si Liraz. Naka-focus lamang siya sa mga tinuro sa kaniyang technique para hindi siya magpadalos-dalos sa susunod niyang hakbang habang sinusubukang maging pangalawa sa mga nangunguna. Nasa pang-lima lamang si Laverna ngunit ang nasa isipan niya ay ang pag-pressure sa racer na nasa harapan niya. Sinusubukan niyang pangunahan ito pero ang pinakagu
“I am Liraz Constantine, the wife of no other than the head of the Magnus mafia group. I am more than sure that by the time someone watches this, I am already dead.”Panandaliang natulala si Nicholas ngunit nang marinig niya ang tawa ni Laverna, agad siyang bumalik sa katinuan.“She truly knows her fate. Good for her,” komento ng dalaga.“What’s the meaning of this?” nagtitimping tanong ng mafia boss habang nakatingin nang masama sa kaniya.“Oh, come on. Huwag kang magalit agad. Hindi mo pa nga natatapos panoorin ‘yan eh.”She even cupped his cheek, but Nicholas immediately slapped it away as his piercing glare met her gentle yet mocking gaze.“So this is your goal after all this time?” “You guessed it right. What are you going to do about it?” Ngumisi si Laverna. “Papatayin mo rin ba ako katulad ng pagpatay mo sa babaeng kasa-kasama mo sa loob ng ilang taon?”Hindi sumagot si Nicholas ngunit agad niyang hinugot ang kaniyang baril saka tinutukan sa mukha si Laverna. She, however, nev
Without sparing a glance at the lifeless body of his wife, Nicholas knelt on one knee in front of Laverna as he handed back the gun to her. Isang ngiti ang gumuhit sa labi ng dalaga bago niya kinuha ang baril mula sa kaniya. After securing it back on her leg, she outstretched her hand towards him as if expecting him to do something.Hindi naman nag-atubiling halikan ni Nicholas ang likod ng kamay ni Laverna bilang mensahe na handa siyang gawin ang kahit ano basta muli silang magsama. After he did the gesture, Laverna grabbed his chin and made him look up to her.She must admit that she loved the desperation in his eyes and one thing only came into mind—use it to her advantage. Hindi siya sigurado kung totoo ba ang nakikita niya ngunit wala na siyang pakialam. Mamatay man siyang nakapaghiganti o hindi, sisiguraduhin pa rin niyang hinding-hindi makukuha ni Nicholas ang inaasam-asam niyang kapangyarihan. “What took you so long to want me this much?” tanong niya na tila ba matagal na niy
“What’s the matter?” an Agate member questioned upon seeing the intense expression of their boss.“Focus on the auction. Make sure that you get the item no matter what. I will be back in a while,” sagot ni Nicholas bago umalis sa silid na iyon.Pagkalabas niya sa headquarters ng Agate, muli siyang nakatanggap ng mensahe na mas lalong nagpa-inis sa kaniya. Agad siyang pumasok sa kotse niya at pinaharurot iyon paalis patungo sa direksyon kung nasaan ang dating mansyon ng mga Quevedo.On his way there, he dialed the number of his right-hand man. In just a matter of seconds, his call was answered.“Surround the Quevedo mansion, but keep it low. Laverna is being held captive in that place,” he instructed. “I will be there in a few minutes.”“I get it that you want her back, but don’t you think it is a bit suspicious that she is there right now with the auction still going? What if she is there to trap you?” Victor questioned.“Just gather the others and do what you are told!” galit na sago
Habang nag-uusap si Liraz at ng boss niya, binisita naman ni Laverna si Lily sa kwarto nito. Hindi na niya hawak-hawak ang espadang ginamit niya sa pagbugbog kay Liraz. Nagkatinginan ang dalawa. Katulad noong mga nakalipas na araw, tahimik lang si Lily ngunit nang magsara ang pinto ay agad siyang napabangon.“How’s Liraz faring?” tanong nito.Ito ang kauna-unahang pagkakataon na umimik siya mula noong nakulong siya sa white room kaya naman nabigla si Laverna. Hindi niya inaasahang tila walang epekto kay Lily ang tinatawag nilang “white room torture.” Gayunpaman, hindi masyadong halata ang pagbabago sa ekspresyon niya. Naupo siya sa nag-iisang puting lamesa habang kaharap si Lily.“You must have enjoyed beating her up after going through hell because of her and her husband,” dagdag niya habang nakangisi. “Anyway, there is one thing I am curious about.”Tumayo si Lily saka dahan-dahang nilapitan si Laverna.“Now that my ex-husband is gone and the man closest to him is my son, are you
Attached with the message sent to all bidders was the image of Laverna with her middle finger raised while holding the printout of her bounty. Right to next to her was Joseph, a declaration that the founder of Black Stallion truly had Laverna under his wing as of the moment.Isang malakas na tawa ang pinakawalan ni Julian habang nakatingin sa mensaheng natanggap niya. Hindi naman kasi niya inakalang pati si Laverna ay ibebenta ng Black Stallion. All this time, he had been thinking that they were going to use her as one of those people who would take guard at the final item for the auction. Mas natatawa pa siya sa kadahilanang alam niyang maiinis at ikagagalit ito ni Nicholas.“Things involving this Laverna woman really do spice things up,” komento ng consigliere habang kaharap ang bagong pinuno ng Luciano na hinahasa niya upang maging kasing-galing o mas gumaling pa kaysa kay Caesar.“Should we go to the auction hotel ourselves?” tanong ng bagong pinuno na siyang nakapagpabago agad sa
Napahawak nang mahigpit si Laverna sa baso ng kaniyang kape habang hinihintay ang mga susunod na sasabihin ni Liraz. Ngunit sa sumunod na limang minuto, purong katahimikan lang ang nanggaling kay Liraz.Nakatalikod ito sa CCTV habang nakasandal sa puting dingding. Napabuntong hininga na lamang si Laverna, senyales ng kawalan ng kaniyang pag-asa na malaman ang katotohanan sa likod ng pagkamatay ni Anna. Gayunpaman, hindi niya inaalis ang tingin kay Liraz.Bigla naman itong lumingon sa CCTV habang nakangiti. Her smile was wide as if the edges of her lips could reach her ears. Her eyes widened with thrill and excitement, making it seem like she was about to drop the most pleasant news.“I killed her!” sigaw niya bago humagalpak sa tawa. “Alam mo kung bakit?”Liraz glued her sight on the CCTV as if she knew that Laverna was watching her. The grin on her lips never left as another word left her mouth.“Because you and Nicholas treasure her so much. She is the only hope that my husband is h
Laverna opted not to visit either Liraz or Lily that night. She wanted them to be in their white rooms for two or three days to make sure that they would slowly lose their minds. Kinaumagahan, mag-isang kumakain sa dining area si Laverna. Tanging ang ingay lang ng mga kubyertos ang naririnig sa silid na iyon.Maya-maya pa ay sumabay sa kaniya si Mino na ngayo’y kitang-kita ang eye bags niya. Para bang tatlong araw din siyang hindi natulog.“Kamusta naman si Clarrisse?” tanong ng lalaki bago kinain ang unang slice ng kaniyang steak.Nagkibit-balikat si Laverna.“She volunteered to become bait.”“Magandang ideya din ‘yon lalo na at alam ni Nicholas na pinapangalagaan mo ang pinsan mo...”Napatigil siya nang makitang umiling ang dalaga na siyang dahilan para tumaas ang kilay niya.“Anong...” Ginaya ni Mino ang pag-iling ni Laverna. “I sent her to a private island. Sa tingin mo talaga na hahayaan ko na naman siyang mawala pagkatapos kong malaman ang lahat?”Natahimik ang binata pagkatapo
“What?!” sabay na sigaw nina Liraz at Lily nang marinig nila mismo kay Clarrisse na dadalo si Laverna sa kanilang secret meeting.“You’re not joking, are you?” saad pa ni Lily na halatang hindi masyadong naniniwala sa kaniyang narinig. “I mean... I have been trying to convince her before, but she never listened.”“Well... She probably changed her mind after what happened a year ago,” sumbat naman ni Clarrisse. “Plus, she is just recovering now so I’d like to apologize in advance if she does something offensive or anything.”Tahimik lamang si Liraz. Sa hindi niya malamang dahilan, bumilis ang pagtibok ng kaniyang puso. Dahil ba iyon sa excitement dahil magiging kakampi na rin nila si Laverna o dahil ba sa takot na buhay ito at may malaking galit pati sa kaniya dahil sa ginawa ni Nicholas? She could not tell, but she wished it was the former.“How did you convince her to join us?” tanong ni Liraz.“She actually listened to our conversation the last time we met. I told her that she shou
Laverna froze upon hearing those words. Her glass of champagne, which she was about to drink, broke after she gripped it too tight. Its content that used to be yellowish in color was now stained with scarlet as it spilled on her lap. “Oh, right. That poor little girl... I wonder who actually killed her on the night of Laverna’s wedding,” Lily commented after letting out a heavy sigh. She then turned to Clarrisse and caressed her arm.“And you are such a brave girl, Clarrisse, for trying to save her.” She paused. “Did you already mention this matter to Laverna?”Umiling si Clarrisse kahit alam niyang sa mga oras na iyon, alam na alam na ni Laverna ang katotohanan. Hindi niya maipinta kung ano ang reaksyon ng kaniyang pinsan ngunit sigurado siyang nasasaktan ito. Kumirot ang kaniyang dibdib dahil sa ganitong paraan niya pa malalaman ang totoo. Gayunpaman, hindi siya nagpatinag at pinagpatuloy ang kaniyang pakikipag-usap sa dalawa.Sa loob ng isang oras ng kanilang pag-uusap, nakatulala