Chapter 2
Ruin
Daddy is the owner of the most successful clothing company in the country. May iba't iba pang branch ang Crisostomo Clothings Inc. overseas pero ang flagship ng korporasyon ay nandito sa Pilipinas. Our company is also known to be the best tandem alongside with De Leon Textiles, my husband's inherited company.
Our marriage strengthened not only our image in the sociedad but also our company's partnership. Malaking benefit ang nakuha ni Ivan kay Daddy at ganoon din si Daddy sa kaniya. They are even usually the talk of the town whenever there's a release of new designs under their partnership line. I'd say their collective successes produce continuous breakthroughs and their tandem takes the fashion industry by storm.
"We're about to go home, hija," Mommy informed over the line.
I halted on my tracks when it reached my ears. Naiwan ang isa kong kamay sa straps ng stilettos. I decided to just wear the shoes Ivan gave me since it's a perfect match with my royal blue ruffled long-sleeve dress.
"As in right now, Mom?" tigalgal kong tanong.
She chuckled. "Of course not! We still have a few things to fix here before settling our flight. But rest assured, hija. We'll be there in no time. We're gonna see each other, finally!"
Tipid akong napangiti at tinuloy ang pag-aayos sa sapatos. My parents migrated in the States after my wedding. I hate to think that it's because of embarassment dahil sumakto rin naman na kailangan magpagaling ni Mommy dahil sa kaniyang heart disease.
But I can't help but think that it's because of that. Because of me, rather. Sino nga bang magulang ang matutuwa na magkaanak ang anak nila sa murang edad?
None, of course. Kaya rin siguro iyon ang pinaka-epektibo nilang solusyon para makaiwas sa kahihiyan at hopefully, sa galit nila sa akin at sa nangyari.
"G-Galit pa rin po ba ang... Dad?" it was barely a whisper.
Matagal bago nakasagot si Mommy. She cleared her throat.
"Rigella, don't worry. Wala nang magiging violent reaction ang daddy mo. In fact, he's excited to go home for his grandson Ice-"
"But... he's still mad at me, right?"
She sighed.
Pumikit ako nang mariin. A bitter smile made its way to my lips. I am originally a daddy's girl but because of my mistakes and mindlessness, I lost my father. Not literally, but I don't have his heart anymore.
Alam kong kulang pa rin ang paghingi ko ng patawad noon. I disappointed him. He deemed me as a proper and obedient daughter but in the end, his hopes crumbled down. All his dreams for me were tainted and ruined.
Masakit at hindi ko na alam kung paano lalanggasan ang mga sugat pero wala akong pinagsisisihan. I'd rather think about my son and our family that makes him happy.
"He'll eventually forgive you..." Mom's voice soothed me a bit.
Tumango-tango ako, pilit na pinaniniwala ang sarili na ganoon nga. I wiped an escaped tear before answering.
"I hope so, Mom."
"Mangyayari 'yon. By the way, your husband didn't attend the conference with your father. Good thing he sent a message about it unlike before. May nangyari ba d'yan sa inyo?"
Nangyari? Maybe with Lara but not with me.
He said they were in Paris. The city of love. He's not brought me there yet. Or at least in other countries. Kapag magbabakasyon kami ay within the Philippines lang. And when Ice requests for a trip abroad, sila lang dalawa ang magkasama.
"He's... gotten busier this whole month, Mommy," I reasoned out.
It was true, though. Madalas na hectic ang schedule ng asawa ko sa opisina. Sometimes, he would usually go home thrice a week but now, he rarely visits our house. Sanay naman ako na wala siya palagi pero nag-aalala pa rin ako.
Dahil kahit umuuwi siya para lang kay Ice, gusto ko pa ring umuwi siya nang ligtas at maayos. It's more than enough for me.
Natapos lang ang tawag nang magpaalam si Mommy na magpapahinga na. Her timeline was quite different from mine so I understand. Nag-ayos ako sa harap ng tukador para naman maghanda sa pagkikita namin ni Roxy.
Unconsciously, I paused and stared at myself in the mirror. Sa tinagal-tagal ng panahon, mas napapansin ko ang pagma-mature ng hitsura ko. My fair skin hasn't changed its softness and my neck was better accentuated, marahil dahil pumayat ako. My almond eyes has faint dark circles underneath, pero nanatili ang pagkapungay ng mga iyon. My tall nose, my high cheekbones, my bow-shaped lips, and my body... all looked familiar. But I know they matured with time.
Perks of being a housewife. But I'm proud to say that I'm doing my utmost best to keep this family together. Huminga ako nang malalim at piniling ngumiti sa sarili, ipinagkibit-balikat na lang ang naiisip.
The lower ends of my hair has a natural curl. Naglugay lang ako at nagsuot ng pearl earrings. My lips were smudged with nude pink lipstick. Nag-powder lang din ako dahil may kaputian naman na ang balat ko.
Sinulyapan ko ang aking relos para makita ang sinasabi nitong oras. It's barely one in the afternoon and I already ate lunch before I showered.
I have my own car that was provided by Ivan. Natuwa nga ako noon nang bigyan niya ako ng kotse dahil halos lahat ng ari-arian ko noong dalaga pa, na-confiscate ni Daddy. Even my bank accounts.
But slowly, as time passes, he gives back what he took from me.
My car was given to me solely because of Ice. Ako palagi ang sumusundo sa anak namin sa school dahil palagi rin namang abala si Ivan. But when he's got the time, he volunteers the fetching.
"I'm parking my car now," I told Roxanne when I reached our meeting place - the mall.
"Saglit nga, Rigella. Nagmamadali ka? Excited?" aniya.
Napailing ako. Roxanne aged but really did not change one bit.
"Nasa'n ka na ba?"
"Nasa condo pa, nagtsa-tsani ng pubic hair sa kili-kili. 'Gusto mo punta ka dito at ikaw ang gumawa para mabilis. Tutal nagmamadali ka, 'di ba?"
I can imagine her rolling her eyes. Huminga ako nang malalim.
"Seryoso kasi..."
"Eng-eng, papalabas na 'ko. Charot lang. Tumawag-tawag ka pa por que naka-plan 'yang phone mo. Unli calls pa nga."
Parang gusto kong pagsisihan na tinawagan ko siya.
"Okay, sa coffee shop tayo?"
"Malamang, saan pa ba? Unless may five star restaurant d'yan 'tapos handa kang magwaldas ng five digits, e 'di go."
Roxanne is also a daughter of a rich family like me. Sa kasamaang palad nga lang, naglayas siya sa kanila simula nang ma-brokenhearted sa kung sinumang dine-date niya noon. I don't really see the connection but I was not asking either. Mas gusto ko na siya ang magsabi pero taon na ang lumipas, wala pa rin akong naririnig.
"Hintayin na lang kita," deklara ko.
Binaba ko ang tawag. I alighted from my car with my shoulder bag and started walking to reach our favorite coffee shop. Siguro pagdating ko, mago-order na rin ako para sa aming dalawa dahil paulit-ulit din naman ang kinakain ni Roxy.
Sinisilid ko sa loob ng aking bag ang phone nang bigla itong mag-ring. I didn't stop, though. Akmang iche-check ko ang naka-flash sa screen nang aksidenteng mabangga ako sa kung sino. The force was strong that I nearly repelled in the air.
Nagkalat ang mga gamit na niluwa ng bukas kong shoulder bag, kasama na rin ang mismong bag. Suminghap ako at napapalatak. Agad akong nagpulot.
"Sorry," a cold baritone voiced out.
Nag-angat ako ng tingin. A man dressed in full black attire was the one I clashed against. Inayos niya ang nagusot na maong jacket bago ako tinulungan sa pagpupulot.
I don't know but I shivered when I saw nothing but thick shades and a mask on his face. Naka-cap din siyang itim.
Siya na ang tumapos sa inaayos ko dahil natulos ako sa kinatatayuan. He clung the strap of my shoulder bag on me and tapped my back. Mas lalo akong nanginig dahil pakiramdam ko, sa likod ng mga nakatabing sa kaniya ay ang malamig niyang ekspresiyon.
Quickly, he ran past me while I watched him, still in a daze.
Nagising lang ako sa aking munting panaginip nang muling mag-ring ang aking phone. Tumuon ako roon at halos manlaki ang mga mata nang makita ang pangalan ni Ivan. He texted me.
Ivan:
Where are you?
I found the text weird. Gayunpaman, nagtipa pa rin ako ng reply kahit na hindi sanay na tine-text niya tungkol sa mga pinupuntahan ko. I just think he doesn't care so... why text me?
Ako:
I went out for a bit. With Roxanne. Susunduin ko naman si Ice after nito. Bakit?
Naghintay ako ng reply mula sa kaniya but I didn't get any. I tilted my head. Could it be that it was just wrongly sent?
Dumiretso ako sa shop na napag-usapan namin. Malapit-lapit na ako sa entrance nang pumihit din patalikod dahil sa gulat.
Oh my! I saw Ivan!
Sumulyap pa ako nang isang beses para makumpirma kung totoo nga. But then again, it's still him!
An arm wrapped around a girl's waist, he smiled radiantly. Halos matulala ako roon. Kung hindi lang siguro siya napalingon sa direksiyon ko, magmumukha akong nagigimbal sa mga ngiti niya.
Pero... he turned to me!
Panic was rushing within me but I couldn't move a limb. Hindi ko rin maintindihan kung bakit nakatigil sila sa entrance pero mas lalo na itong parehas pa kami ng pinuntahan!
Nagsasalita ang babaeng hawak niya ngunit mariin siyang nakatingin sa akin. He stole a moment to glance at her but he immediately shifted to see me again.
May sinabi siya sa babae at pumasok na ito sa shop. I saw the girl wearing thick shades and a coat. I noticed Ivan was only in his white dress shirt.
He took a step forward. Kumabog ang dibdib ko. Marahan ang mga hakbang niya patungo sa akin at sa madilim niyang mukha, naaapuhap ko ang numinipis niyang pasensiya.
His hand was in his pocket as he faced me. Napatingala ako sa kaniyang tangkad.
"What are you doing here?" he asked menacingly.
The wild pumping in my heart doubled. I could almost feel it in my throat. My lips parted but my voice was chained. I couldn't speak.
Pitik marahil iyon kay Ivan kaya marahas niyang ninakaw ang aking braso at humakbang nang malalaki. All of it dawned on me. My tongue was back.
"I-Ivan, wait!"
But he won't stop!
Lumuwag ang kaniyang hawak nang makapasok kami sa isang restaurant. The guard greeted us but we were fast to even take a look. Pumasok kami sa isang comfort room. He pushed me without holding back that my back painfully hit the sink.
"Ah!" d***g ko.
"You're really desperate, aren't you?" aniya sa nangungutyang boses.
Unti-unti akong bumaling sa kaniya.
"I didn't know-"
"Liar!" he grunted.
Pumikit ako at nag-iwas ng tingin.
"I told you to never show your face when I'm with Lara!"
La... ra? He's with Lara? That girl is her?
Bumungad sa akin ang malabo niyang imahe nang magmulat ako. He told me he'll date her today, alright. But I thought he was just mocking me. At lalong hindi ko naman alam na nandito rin pala sila.
Besides, how would I know? Ni hindi ko naisip na pupunta siya sa ganitong lugar.
"You're doing this on purpose because of what I'd told you. You even chose the method that will anger me," mapanganib niyang sinabi.
Hindi na 'ko nakatiis. Habang nakaluhod, I reached for his arm. Naluluha na ako ngunit ayaw ko na iyong pansinin. I just want to explain to him.
"Ivan, please. H-Hindi ko talaga alam. Maniwala ka naman. Nandito rin kami palagi ni Roxy at hindi ko alam nandito kayo..."
His brows furrowed. Darkness grazed his silver depths. They were cutting at me.
"Do you really think I'd believe you and your stupid excuse?"
Tila pinanawan ako ng pag-asa. "Ivan-"
Using his arm that's inside my hold, he pushed me again but this time, I ended up on the floor. Napaupo ako at mas tumindi ang pag-iyak. I tried hugging his legs but like a wild beast that's jailed, he was struggling on my hold.
"Stop it!" pagalit niyang sinabi nang makalaya.
I bent my knees in front of him to show him that I'm telling the truth. That I really didn't know. And that... I'm being broken into fragments.
"No matter what you do, I'll never bring myself to forgive you! Like you! And more so, love you!"
Napahikbi ako. Tumungo ako at sinugatan ang sarili sa pamamagitan ng pakikinig lang.
"Ruin my life all you want, Rigella. You already did once the moment you forced this unwanted marriage. Now, I won't let you do it twice by stopping what I have with Lara."
Pagkatapos niyon, ang marahas na pagsalpok ng pinto na lang ang narinig ko. Nanghihina kong niyakap ang sarili dahil sa kalunos-lunos na nangyari.
Chapter 3 Bleed When was the last time that I was unadulteratedly happy? Hindi ko na rin alam. Small and big things make me happy, but they are not enough to fill the emptiness I have inside. Nagtatalo ang tama at mali sa utak ko sa tuwing nakakaramdam ako ng ganito. Malungkot. Nasasaktan. At halos wala nang makitang lagusan para tumakas. Tahimik akong sumimsim ng tubig. After that heated scene, I was able to stand up and fix myself. Hindi lang dahil may paparating kundi dahil alam ko rin na kung doon lang ako nang matagal at magmumukmok, hindi ako makakausad. Besides, I have been experiencing the same thing for almost eight years. Truth be told, I sometimes get tired of our setup. Ang paulit-ulit na pagbabayad sa danyos na oo, ako nga ang gumawa. Pero ang mga bagay na hindi naman ako ang salarin pero ako ang sinisisi niya, I think it's unfair. But what can I do, right? Even if my heart is not this forgiving, I know I'd still bring myself to understand and forgive him. Pasasaan p
Chapter 4Surprise"Salamat, Marilyn." Ngumiti ko sa dalaga."Naku, wala pong kaso, Ate. Magpapahinga na rin po 'ko," kimi niyang paalam niya."Sige, salamat, ha. Saka, pasensya ka na rin sa nangyari..."Napakamot siya. "Okay lang po talaga, Ate. Naipasok ko naman po agad si Ice sa kuwarto."Huminga ako nang malalim. "Salamat. Sige, mauna ka na. Ako nang bahala..."Nginitian niya ako bago nilisan ang kuwarto ni Izen Cedric. It was a good thing she automatically thought of my son after assisting the other maids. Bumaling ako sa aking anak na nakatitig sa akin sa namumungay na mga mata. I sat beside him on the bed."Sleep, anak," I told him and patted him lightly on his shoulder.Sa huling sulyap ko sa timepiece, pasado ala una y media na nang madaling araw. Like what I expected, Ice heard the commotion downstairs but unlike the first time he's experienced it, he's calm but curious."May pasok ka pa bukas, 'nak. Sleep ka na," paalala ko."Did Papa drink alcohol, Mama?" tanong niya na nag
Chapter 5HopelessI hugged my legs and put my chin on my knees. Nakapatong ang mga paa ko sa bench habang nanonood sa pagragasa ng tubig sa fountain sa aming harapan. The cold wind brushed my numbed skin and I immediately felt the chills."So, they're still together," Seymour concluded after our long conversation about my husband."Hmm," tipid kong tugon.Nakita kong sinulyapan niya ako mula sa napako niyang tingin sa fountain. He let out a sigh. Binaba niya ang mga binti ko sa sahig. He looked a bit annoyed."You're in a dress, Rigella," strictness stained his tone.I didn't heed on it. "Sa tingin mo ba, masama ba 'kong tao? Kung... masama ako, 'di ba dapat natutuwa ako sa paghihirap ng iba? Pero bakit ako nasasaktan?""Hindi ka masama." Tumingala siya. "Biktima ka lang din. Nasasaktan lang naman ang tao kasi kapag nagmamahal sila, gusto nilang lahat ng magagandang bagay, nakukuha ng mahal nila kahit na ano pang hirap ang maranasan nila. O 'di naman kaya, talagang nasasaktan lang si
WARNING: Mature content.Chapter 6Unchanged"You need to compensate for making me this mad."Dumaing ako sa pagdapo ng kaniyang mainit na labi sa aking leeg. His hot kisses tickled my neck. Pinapaso ako ng mainit niyang hininga at ng malalagkit niyang haplos na kung saan-saan na dumadapo.My head fell back on the wall as I tried catching my breath. The heat spread through my body like wildfire. My logic was on my doorstep but my limbs were gone too weak to even move.No, this is not right. Get a hold of yourself, Rigella!Hirap ako nang magmulat. Pilit kong hinila ang huling sinulid ng tuwid kong pag-iisip. He's... He's only drunk! He can't be doing this and loathe me even more after this!His caressed my jaw then my arms. Tumindig ang balahibo ko sa mainit niyang haplos. And when it went down and down... I couldn't help myself anymore."I-Ivan!" I called panickingly when his hand molded my clothed peak.Pinilit kong igalaw ang aking kamay sa ibabaw ng kaniyang dibdib. I pushed him w
Chapter 7 Face off Seymour called and texted me about his said contact. Today, we will meet his friend named Corrine Zapanta. Ang alam ko'y isa siya sa mga blue-chip fashion designers na sikat na sikat sa buong Pilipinas. Tuloy ay kabado ako dahil compared to her, I think I'm just a dot. "Ano ka ba, Rigella. Oportunidad na 'yang kumakatok sa 'yo. Saka alam mo naman na shipper n'yo 'ko ni Seymour, 'di ba? Kahit komplikado ang pronunciation ng pangalan n'yan mas better naman siya sa kurikong mong asawa," Roxanne was back with her frank words again nang tawagan ko siya. "Para sa 'yo 'yung portfolio, 'no. Ni-request mo. But you showed it to him," dahilan ko. "Inggrata! Ikaw na nga 'tong binida kahit bida ka na do'n. Alam mo, sa kakasama mo kay Ivan napaka-nega mo na. Sinasabi ko sa 'yo malapit mo nang ma-reach ang pagiging eng-eng level 1,000,000." "Nakakahiya naman kasi. Inabala pa natin 'yung tao. He has his own life." "Naku, 'tong babaeng 'to. Ansya ka, 'no? What's his life for i
Chapter 8 Father My hand trembled when I saw the result of the pregnancy test. "Ano, Rigella?" Roxanne asked attentively. Droplets of sweat fell from my forehead. Some were on my neck and down. Lumalabo na ang paningin ko pero kitang-kita ko ang dalawang linyang pula na ipinakita test kit. "P-Positive..." my voice croaked. "Kingina!" she screamed with frustration. Napahilamos si Roxanne. Tumindi ang aking pagluha. Napahikbi ako habang hawak ang naninikip na dibdib. Nawalan ng lakas ang aking binti para makatayo pa nang umayos. I was left half sitting, thinking what could be the consequences of all of these. It's terrifying. Hindi ko... hindi ko naisip na... mangyayari 'to! "Your dad will go berserk once he finds out!" Napailing ako. No... my father can't... he can't know about this! Kahit gaano pa niya ako kamahal at pinahahalagahan, alam kong hindi niya ito palalagpasin. Si Ivan... marami na siyang problemang hinaharap. Their company might go bankrupt! Oh my God. Ano 'to
Chapter 9 Always "We're here," untag ni Seymour makalipas ang mag-iilang minuto nang katahimikan. My lips parted. Nasa harapan na ng bahay ang kotse. Gusto kong tumugon pero sa huli, pinili ko na lang na ngumiti. I played with my fingers as I studied his expression. He's unbelievably calm and steady. Samantalang ako, kanina pa lumilipad ang isip sa kung saan-saan. I guess, I couldn't simply get used to what he just told me. Initially, if you like someone, you will pursue her and profess what you feel for her. Wala namang nangyaring ganoon. Of all the years that we were together in the past, we never crossed the barrier as more than friends. "Am I bothering you?" aniya habang titig na titig sa akin. Huminga ako nang malalim. There's no point on hiding it. Tumango ako. "I understand. Hindi rin naman magandang pagkakataon ang pag-amin ko. Though, I just felt like confessing earlier so... I did." Naiintindihan ko naman siya. Maybe his words of comfort overwhelmed him that he sudd
Chapter 10 Bruise Lihim kong ipinalangin na sana, hindi na lang ako umuwi. I could be anywhere but not inside this devil's lair. Pinapaso ako ng nagbabagang init kahit wala namang literal na patotoo iyon sa totoong buhay. Or maybe, it's my emotions taking over. Maybe, it's the tons of emotions assaulting me inside all of once, burning me alive... along with my sins. I just stood there like a lifeless woman struggling to get her past life back... behind her facade of indifference. I badly want to jump over the railings and escape but I don't know how. I don't know when to start. I don't know why there's still a tiny impulse within me telling me to stay in my place and never hear my long hidden pleas. Sobrang... magulo. Magulo ang lahat.. Maybe... it's those emotions. They became grueling and exhausting... for so long. They were different... contradicting. They were suppressed and faked... for so many times. That... it already came to this. That everything doesn't seem... right
Chapter 61His Past (Part 2)“What’s that? Pampalubag loob mo?” Larisse asked sternly and coldly after I handed over her a bouquet of flowers and chocolates.I kept a small smile, still. She can really be difficult at times, but I can understand. We’re each other’s reflection. We are so alike.Two people sharing the same dilemma. Their parents.Maybe that’s what prolly gravitated us towards each other.“Please, accept this?” I said softly, cajoling her, “I made the chocolates by myself.”Mabilis na nagbago ang seryoso niyang ekspresyon. Her face softened. Lumawak ang ngiti ko. She then finally accepted the flowers and chocolates.She straightened out her arms, offering a hug. Ngumiti ako niyakap siya. “It’s your fault, but apology accepted.”Napawi nang kaunti ang ngiti ko. I remembered why we ended up breaking up weeks ago. Nagselos siya sa babaeng lumapit sa ‘kin para kausapin ako saglit.Lara she couldn’t control her jealousy sometimes that it gave me thoughts. If this is really w
Chapter 60His Past (Part 1)“You ranked first, but this is not enough,” Papa told me, one time in my last year in high school, when I showed him my report card.I came into his office thinking that when I‘d brought him the good news, he‘d finally allow me to have culinary classes again. That was my only hope.But then, as per his very words...It’s still not enough.“What do you mean?“ mahina kong tanong nang tanggapin ko ang binalik niyang report card.My grades were high. I never had any eight or seven. Only nines and even a hundred.Why does he keep on underestimating my hard-earned efforts?“That’s still insufficient for you to be accepted in Harvard,“ he answered as if it was too simple to do.My lips parted. I was rendered speechless.I only... wanted one thing. To take culinary classes. I loved cooking. I loved the feeling of being able to serve people with delicious food. It’s... something that not all men in my league aspires to do, but I do.I can always breathe as long as
Chapter 59Her Doubts“It’s not that he forgot completely who Uno is. It’s that he’s under a trance, and he can’t say his name. Guess what? This is how he‘d been for the last thirteen years, Rigella,” mapait na dagdag ni Tres.Halos manigas ako sa aking kinatatayuan. My mouth parted but no voice came out. Umangat ang tingin ko kay Ivan na nanghihina pa rin at tila naluluha. And I just noticed, his eyes looked lost and and dead.What the hell is this?!“Maniniwala ka ba talaga sa gagong ‘to, Andrea?” Danger asked which made my rationality come back.True enough, that’s ridiculous.Tres hypnotized Ivan? What kind of excuse is that? Ano ito? Para lang hindi nila masabi sa ‘kin kung sino talaga si Uno?Of course! They’d avoid answering my one and only question. Kasamahan nila sa organisasyon ang demonyong ‘yon kaya pagtatakpan nila kahit buhay pa nila ang maging kapalit.And now, they’re trying to escape me with that pathetic excuse?“Great question, Cinco. It’s like you really don’t kno
Chapter 58Her Shock“What do you mean?!” I asked Ivan with a ragged breath.Habol ko ang aking hininga habang paulit-ulit ang pagdagundong sa dibdib ko. Halos kilabutan ako sa narinig ko sa kaniya.My enemy numero uno... my archnemesis... Uno...Is just within my reach... so close to me... all this fucking time?!His head fell weakly. Kumunot ang noo niya at parang litong-lito. Lumapit ako at padarag siyang hinawakan sa balikat.“Answer me! Sino si Uno!” Niyugyog ko ang nakatali niyang katawan.He lifted his head and our eyes met. May sugat siya sa gilid ng kaniyang mata at may pasa sa pisngi. His lip was bleeding.“I... I can’t say it,” he hissed.My brows quickly pulled together. “Are you insane? Sasabihin mo lang! Sabihin mo sa ‘kin kung sino si Uno!”Puno ng kalituhan ang mukha niya. What I noticed was his eyes. He looked very confused and his eyes were bloodshot.“S-Si... Si...” he attempted to say something, but he would pause each time he tries to speak.Niyugyog ko siyang mul
Chapter 57Her Danger“I want you to choose which method I should use on you,” nakahalukipkip kong tanong at pinadaan ang talim ng kutsilyo sa gilid ng leeg ni Ivan, “a torturous death... or an easy way out?” Kalmado pa rin ang mukha niya kahit nakababa na kami mula sa van at dinala ko siya sa isa sa mga rest house ko sa isang liblib na lugar sa probinsya.He was seated on the sofa of my living room — with both hands and feet cuffed. Nasa akin ang susi ng posas at naka-double lock din iyon. Unless, he‘d burn his own arms and legs, then he could get out.Nagkalat sa paligid ang mga tauhan ko at nasa taas din sina Sapphire at Emerald. Diamond left the port the moment I instructed her to guard my son and take him to a safe place. Kung saan tumutuloy si Darlyn at ang anak niya.“What do you want to know?” tanong niya at diretso ang tingin sa kawalan.From his back, I grabbed his chin. Inangat ko iyon hanggang sa ma-expose ang leeg niya. I pointed the edge of the knife on his neck.“Who i
Chapter 56His Surrender“Kill me,” I told her in a breathy voice.She wasn’t even fazed. The cold smirk on her lips told me that she didn’t feel anything about me anymore.I’m nothing but a prey for her... that she needs to kill and dispatch.My vision blurred even more. My heart clenched in pain. Umigting ang panga ko at nagbaba ng tingin. Kumuyom ang aking kamao.“Just do it, Rigella.” I have nothing else to say but it.Because I know, I deserve every pain and torture for not being able to protect her before.For letting those evil minds treat me like a guinea pig. For letting them mess up my mind that primarily affected my relationship with my wife and my family. It’s all my fault... and I deserve to die for it.“One question, Ivan,” aniya at mas diniin ang nguso ng baril sa aking noo, “are you Uno?” My eyes widened a bit. She... knows Uno? Then she probably knows that goddamn org, Dark Alpha.It shouldn’t surprise me anymore, but it still did. She’s Andrea Steinfields now. Som
Chapter 55Her Comeback“Momma, she’s crying,” nag-aalalang saad ni Rayven sa telepono.My heart clenched. “Baby, what happened? Did Rayne got hurt? Are you both okay?”“Yes, Momma. We’re okay. She had a nightmare. She told us you disappeared in an instant and never came back again in her dream.”Napahinga ako nang maluwag nang marinig iyon. Lulan ako ng van na patungo sa private port na pagmamay-ari ni Dos. A total of ten vehicles are tailing my van.Today is the D-day. I’ll finally come face-to-face with my pathetic little ex-husband after so many years. “Rayven, can you do something for Momma?” I asked carefully. “What is it?”“Please pass the phone to your sister? Tell her I called.” Tumahimik naman ang kabilang linya. I heard my daughter crying over the phone. Pumikit ako nang mariin. It breaks my heart to hear her cry like that at wala man lang ako sa tabi niya.“Rayne, Momma wants to talk to you,” I heard Rayven’s calm voice.“H-Huh? Momma? Momma is calling, Rayven?!” I hear
Chapter 54His Seat“Dos, can you calm this asshole?” iritadong saad ni Cuatro matapos maupo sa kaniyang upuan. I also settled in my seat, wearing my mask of indifference. Nakaupo na rin si Tres sa gitna namin. He’s massaging the bridge of his nose as if something’s pestering his mind.The oval meeting table was still unoccupied by the other members of Dark Alpha. Nauna kaming dumating at malalamang na namahuhuli si Uno dahil gusto niya na namang magpapansin sa lahat.“What’s wrong?” I asked in a serious voice.Cuatro hissed. “Sagutin mo, gago!” He punched Tres’ arm. Hindi naman natinag si Xyleus. His face was serious and his brows were furrowed tight.“Cuatro,” I called Creed, “what the hell is wrong with him?”Pumalatak siya. “Tangina talaga neto ni Tres. Kinakausap ka, eh!” My jaw clenched. Nang makita niyang dumidilim na ang ekspresyon ko ay napangiwi siya.“Para kayong gago, eh. ‘Wag n’yo na nga akong idamay sa mga katarantaduhan niyo. Namumuro na kayo, ah!”“What... the fuck.
Chapter 53Her Aces“Bakit hindi ka pa kumikilos?”Danger puffed from his cigarette beside me. Niyakap ko ang sarili ko dahil sa lamig na dala ng malakas na hangin.I happened to visit my organization’s hide-out in the Philippines. Binilin ko muna kay Roxanne ang kambal. Pinaalam ko na lang na may kailangan akong gawing trabaho at naintindihan naman nila.Ayoko sanang nahihiwalay ako kina Rayne at Rayven, pero kailangan.“Why are you so excited?” tanong ko at ngumisi.Binalingan ko siya. His face was serious and dark. Napailing ako nang muli siyang humithit sa kaniyang sigarilyo.“You’ll die early with what you’re doing,” iling ko.Matunog siyang ngumisi. “Not until I had avenged my brother against that fucking Dark Alpha.”Napahinga ako nang malalim. I don’t exactly know what Danger wants out of our plan, but I just know that his hatred for the people who killed his brother fuels his desire to destroy and eliminate them.“It’s a pity that Ate Rina died before we even got our hands on