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
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
“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
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
“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
Clad in a black dress, Laverna, as most people address her, stood in front of a tomb where she just laid the white chrysanthemums near a candle slowly burning. Julius Hernandez. Iyan ang pangalang nakaukit sa lapidang binisita ng dalaga. Suot-suot pa rin niya ang makapal na itim niyang sunglasses para lamang itago ang mga mugto niyang mata dahil sa pagkawala ng lalaking pinagkakatiwalaan niya sa lahat. Tahimik lang siyang nakatayo nang matuwid sa loob ng ilang minuto bago niya hinarap ang isang babae na nasa likuran niya. “Make the proper arrangements. I need to find a new trustworthy partner as soon as possible.” Her voice was hoarse and she paid no heed to it. She may have lost her comrade but grieving for quite too long would only show weakness. “Right away, ma’am.” Agad umalis ang babae para isagawa ang utos ng kaniyang boss. Dahil sa kasalukuyang sitwasyon, alam niyang kahit konting kapalpakan ay siya ang pagtutuunan ng galit. Si Laverna naman ay agad pumasok sa kaniyang kotse
Habang nasa kotse sina Nicholas, Laverna, at Clarrisse, hindi maiwasan ng binata na magpasalin-salin ng tingin sa magkamukhang mga dalaga. Agad naman itong napansin ni Clarrisse na nakaupo sa may harap. Isang ngisi ang gumuhit sa kaniyang mga labi bago tumingin sa labas ng kotse.“Laverna, don’t tell me siya ang pinili mo dahil ang gwapo niya,” pagbibiro nito.Laverna chuckled. “Aanhin ko ang kagwapuhan kung hindi naman siya magaling? And don’t you dare flirt with him. Kita ko agad sa mukha mo ang binabalak mo.”Tumawa naman si Clarrisse dahil nahulaan agad ng pinsan niya iyong gusto niyang gawin. Hindi niya kasi maiwasang maakit sa itsura ni Nicholas. Kung nauna lang niya itong nahanap, sana noon pa man ay ginawa na niya itong alalay sa kama.Tahimik lang si Nicholas at tila ginagawa ang lahat ng kaniyang makakaya na isawalang-bahala ang mga salitang naririnig. Ramdam niya kasi na tinatrato na agad siyang parang isang gamit lamang na pwedeng pagpasa-pasahan ng dalawa kailanman nila g
“Kilala mo, Liraz?” tanong ng babae na siyang dahilan para umiwas ito ng tingin kay Nicholas.“Hindi. Tara na, tinatawag na tayo,” agad na sagot ni Liraz. Malakas ang kabog ng kaniyang dibdib nang lampasan nila si Nicholas na nakatayo pa rin sa labas ng dressing room. Hindi niya alam kung magagalit ba siya o magtatampo o kung anuman. As far as she could remember, Nicholas never mentioned this matter to her… not through text or call and not even when they met last time. Napabuntong hininga na lamang siya para kalmahin ang sarili niya. “I am sure he has a reasonable reason why he did this.” Iyan ang tinatak ni Liraz sa isipan para kahit papaano ay makapag-focus siya sa show na iyon. Meanwhile, Laverna was almost done getting prepared, however, she received a text. Kumunot ang noo niya habang nakatitig sa report na kaka-send lang ni Julia. Pagkatapos niyang mabasa iyon, pinatay na niya ang cellphone at tinuon na lang ang pansin sa pag-aayos.Upon finishing putting on the wedding dress
“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