Malamyos na musika ang sumalubong sa bawat taong papasok sa entrance ng hotel. It’s a masquerade party hosted by a known business magnate in France and Halle Roux was invited. It happens that Maverick is with her so she invited him to be her escort throughout the night. Besides, they were up to some business matters and they had to attend to meet the people they were going to deal with. “You look gorgeous tonight,” anas ni Maverick sa punong-tainga ni Halle bago bumaba sa limousine na kanilang sinasakyan. Kararating lang nila sa tapat ng hotel kung saan idinaos ang naturang pagtitipon.“Thank you, b-,” wika ni Halle at akmang hahalik sa binata nang inilayo nito ang mukha at walang pag-aalinlangan na bumaba ng sasakyan. Napanguso na lamang ang dalaga sa inakto nito at inaantay ang pag-ikot nito para buksan ang pintuan ng sasakyan sa kanyang tabi pero bigo siya sa inaasahan dahil ang chauffeur ang nagbukas nito. Halle heaves a sigh and shakes her head gently before she gets out of the
Maverick took a deep breath and looked around to make sure that no other person is hanging around. Then, he looked at the glossy ceiling as he heard gentle footsteps getting closer. Inihanda niya ang sarili at halos pigil ang hiningang isinandal sa pader ang likod at hiniling na sana walang lalabas sa mga kuwartong nakahilera sa pasilyong kanyang kinaroroonan. Muli siyang tumingala sa kisame at kasabay noon ang pagtapat ng babaeng nakasuot ng pula sa kinaroroonan niya. Mabilis pa sa kidlat na humakbang siya palapit dito at agad sinunggaban ang braso nito ay hinila palapit sa kanya. Napasinghap pa ang babae sa bilis ng pangyayari pero huli na nang makahuma siya dahil nakakulong na siya sa mga braso ni Maverick habang dikit na dikit ang katawan niyang nakatalikod dito. "Are you following me?" halos pabulong na wika ni Maverick sa punong-tainga ng babae. Humugot ito ng malalim na paghinga at pumalag pero mahigpit ang pagkakahawak ni Maverick sa kanya. "Are you here to kill me?" muli
"Huwag po! Ayoko po dito. Huwag niyo po akong iwan." "Dito ka lang. Dito ka na titira hanggang paglaki mo. At huwag na huwag kang tatakas kung hindi papatayin ko ang nanay at kuya mo. Naiintindihan mo?!""Opo! Huhuhu!""Lumapit ka na sa kanila at susundin mo lahat ng iuutos nila para hindi ka nila sasaktan.""Pe. . .pero natatakot po ako. Ang papanget nila at nakakatakot po talaga.""Bata halika dito!""Huwag po. Huwag po. Huwaaaagg..."Tagaktak ang pawis sa noo na bumangon siya sa higaan. Hinihingal at hapong-hapo na parang hinahabol ng demonyo sa bilis ng pag-akyat baba ng kanyang dibdib. "Panaginip na naman," mahinang usal niya habang inihilamos ang kamay sa kanyang mukha. Napalingon siya sa higaan bago sinilip ang suot na relo. Mag-aalas syete na ng gabi. "Nakatulog pala ako," wika niya sa sarili sabay tayo at tinungo ang kanyang maleta para kumuha ng damit na bihisan para bumaba sa hapunan. She was about to go to the bathroom for a quick shower when her phone started ringing.
"She is a twenty-one-year-old and a graduate with a bachelor's degree in the Philippines, orphan, and living alone in Manila."Diego handed the file to Maverick when the latter came to get an update about the woman they suspected to be responsible for attacking him. "What else?" he asked while scanning the file with brows creased as the content is just one page. "That's it?" muling tanong nito sa tauhan na hindi nakuntento sa narinig. "Sorry boss, but her record doesn't show much. And to tell you honestly, it is difficult to find her with these few pieces of information." Padaskol na napatayo si Maverick at bahagyang sinipa ang silyang kanina'y inuupuan. Marahas siyang napalingon kay Diego at nakadipang hinarap ito, kinuwestiyon ang kakayahan nito. "Is that all? You don't want to find another way to look for her? I mean Diego, I'm paying you, you worked for me for several years now and I won't accept that lame reason. Use our connections and I want an update within twenty-four hour
La Maison NoireMaverick has arrived at the hotel where he was going to meet the person from Sanctuario de Atlas. A wondrous palatial hotel lies at the heart of Paris where its clienteles are mostly from the elite society. A society of businessmen, investors, traders, and even groups from underground society. "Monsieur est-il Moulin, dans?" agad na tanong ni Maverick kung saan niya makikita ang taong naghihintay sa kanya nang marating ang reception counter ng hotel. "Oui monsieur! Il vous attend au salon privé numéro deux," tugon ng nag-iisang receptionist ng hotel. Kilala na ito ni Maverick dahil hindi lang isang beses siya nagawi sa magarang hotel. Ayon dito nasa pangalawang private lounge naghihintay ang taong gustong makipagkita sa kanya. "Je vous remercie," tugon niyang pasasalamat. Agad siyang tumalikod at tiningnan ang kanyang tatlong tauhan kabilang si Brando para sumunod sa kanya. "De cette façon, Monsieur," wika ng lalaking Pranses na inilahad ang kamay para bigyang gabay
Naging palaisipan kay Maverick ang mga sinabi ni Monsieur Dieudonné sa kanya. Sinubukan niyang kausapin ito at arukin ang mga ibig nitong ipahiwatig pero hindi niya nagawa. He was so stubborn that he couldn't retaliate when the conversation heated up. He understands though as he can see himself in the old man. "Boss, what are your plans now?" Brando asked when they were on their way back to their lair. Maverick didn't hear what Brando had said as he remained quiet. He is spacing out looking outside of the car window. Brando gently shakes his head when he doesn't get any answer from Maverick. A few minutes later, Maverick turned facing in front, fixing his tie, and spoke. "We need to go back to Italy as soon as possible." "Yes, boss!" Brando replied. "How about Halle?" "She can come if she wants to, but I don't think she can leave in a rush," Maverick answered without taking a glance at Brando. "Women thing. Tsk!" Muli silang binalot ng katahimikan habang nasa biyahe. "What is
"Gabrielle!""Yuan!" Mabilis na sinalubong ni Gabrielle ang lalaking tumawag at papalapit sa kanya. Agad siyang bumeso dito nang tuluyan itong makalapit. "How's your trip?" agad nitong tanong pagkatapos kunin sa kanya ang kanyang maleta. "Good!""Anyway, who is that?" Tanong ulit ng lalaking nagngangalang Yuan pagkatapos mabilis na nilingon ang mga lalaking papalayo. "Nothing! Maybe some passengers na kasabay ko ring dumating at nagmamadali. It was my fault though kaya nagkabanggaan kami. I'm busy looking at my phone to check your message," tugon ni Gabrielle. "He was quite familiar but Im not sure since you guys are far from me," dagdag ni Yuan. "Forget about that. So, where were going now?" "We'll go straight to the station. I just took a break to pick you up from here.""So, after doon at saka ako pupunta ng hotel?" "Anong hotel? Does Tito didn't tell you that you will be staying at the accommodation provided by the agency?" kunot ang noong tanong ni Yuan. Napatampal naman
"You!"Nagkagulatan sina Maverick at Gabrielle nang magkabanggaan sila sa ikalawang pagkakataon."Are you following me?" angil ni Gabrielle nang mahimasmasan sabay palis ng braso ni Maverick na nakahawak pa sa kanyang beywang. Maverick let out an arrogant laugh. "Miss, I'm going out now and you, you just arrived. Who do you think is following who? Hmmm. . ."Bahagya pang inilapit ni Maverick ang mukha kaya napahakbang paatras si Gabrielle. "Whatever! I don't want to see you again!" Naiiritang wika ni Gabrielle at saka pumiksi. Maverick's brows knitted in annoyance. He doesn't like the tone that Gabrielle throws at him. Without a second thought, he made a step closer to her and grab her on her jaw forcibly closer to his face. Pumalag si Yuan para sana depensahan si Gabrielle pero agad itong pinigilan ng mga tauhan ni Mave. "Nobody talk to me the way you spoke to me, lady!" "Let me go!" Gabrielle was struggling to get out of Maverick's grasp but the latter pulled her closer, held
Maverick and his men arrived an hour earlier to the hotel where he was going to meet Dieudonne's grandson. He received a message from Halle which surprised him. Ang alam niya ay ilang araw pa bago ito susunod sa kanya. “Boss, Miss Roux is at the mezzanine waiting for you,” salubong ng tauhan nila sa lobby ng hotel. Isa sa mga shareholders ng hotel si Maverick, a major shareholder to be exact. Pag-aari nito ang halos 60% shares ng hotel while the rest was owned by three of his underworld partners. The hotel was their venue if they had meetings and events privately.“Daniel, we have guests coming. You wait for them here and send upstairs. I assume you are already informed who they are,” ani Maverick. Huminto ito sa mismong harapan ng tauhan. Daniel Bain is incharge at the reception as a supervisor to their employees assigned at the reception but also to accommodate the organization’s guests in the hotel. His work includes by sending the guests to the meeting area, restaurants, or even
While waiting for Keyller to be back, Maverick went back to his room. He was exhausted with his trip to France and dealt with the authorities. Agad niyang hinubad ang suot na damit at naglakad papuntang banyo nang tumunog ang intercom. May centralized audio system na nakakabit sa kanyang silid kung saan kahit saang bahagi man siya ng silid ay maari siyang makipag-usap direkta sa kanyang kanang-kamay na si Brando. "Boss, I got a message from Sanctuario de Atlas and some—""Louise?"'No! I think, their new leader.'Maverick turned on the shower as soon as he stepped inside. Isinara rin niya ito pagkatapos mabasa ang buong katawan at itinuloy ang pakikipag-usap kay Brando habang nililinis ang katawan. Nagkainteres siyang alamin ang pakay ng bagong lider ng grupo. "What about him?" Usisa niya kay Brando na ang tinutukoy ay ang lider ng Sanctuario de Atlas. 'He wanted to meet you, Boss! Do I have to schedule a meeting?' Hindi agad tumugon si Maverick pero saglit siyang napatigil at na
Keyller Hayes is an earl who managed to escape with the help of their butler from the massacre where his family was a victim.Maverick and his men saved him from the hands of Federico and his men when coincidentally they were at the same place. To get away from Federico, Keyller joined Maverick when the latter offered to join his group."Are you ready?" Maverick asked when Keyller showed up in front of him. "Yes, boss!" "Get Federico alive!" utos ni Maverick sa bagong tauhan. Napag-alaman niyang mga tauhan ni Federico ang kamakailan lang ay namataang nasa paligid ng kanyang teritoryo. Si Federico ay minsan na nilang nakabanggaan sa isang transaksiyon. Nakipagsabwatan ito sa grupo ng Spiders. Ito ang nagbigay ng tip sa kabilang grupo tungkol sa gaganaping transaksyon ng mga tauhan niya kaya nagkabulilyaso ito at nakuha ng kabilang grupo ang mga produkto. Pero. . .hindi pa niya alam kung bakit nitong nakaraan ay namataan ang mga tauhan nito sa paligid ng kanyang teritoryo. Kaya naisi
"You!"Nagkagulatan sina Maverick at Gabrielle nang magkabanggaan sila sa ikalawang pagkakataon."Are you following me?" angil ni Gabrielle nang mahimasmasan sabay palis ng braso ni Maverick na nakahawak pa sa kanyang beywang. Maverick let out an arrogant laugh. "Miss, I'm going out now and you, you just arrived. Who do you think is following who? Hmmm. . ."Bahagya pang inilapit ni Maverick ang mukha kaya napahakbang paatras si Gabrielle. "Whatever! I don't want to see you again!" Naiiritang wika ni Gabrielle at saka pumiksi. Maverick's brows knitted in annoyance. He doesn't like the tone that Gabrielle throws at him. Without a second thought, he made a step closer to her and grab her on her jaw forcibly closer to his face. Pumalag si Yuan para sana depensahan si Gabrielle pero agad itong pinigilan ng mga tauhan ni Mave. "Nobody talk to me the way you spoke to me, lady!" "Let me go!" Gabrielle was struggling to get out of Maverick's grasp but the latter pulled her closer, held
"Gabrielle!""Yuan!" Mabilis na sinalubong ni Gabrielle ang lalaking tumawag at papalapit sa kanya. Agad siyang bumeso dito nang tuluyan itong makalapit. "How's your trip?" agad nitong tanong pagkatapos kunin sa kanya ang kanyang maleta. "Good!""Anyway, who is that?" Tanong ulit ng lalaking nagngangalang Yuan pagkatapos mabilis na nilingon ang mga lalaking papalayo. "Nothing! Maybe some passengers na kasabay ko ring dumating at nagmamadali. It was my fault though kaya nagkabanggaan kami. I'm busy looking at my phone to check your message," tugon ni Gabrielle. "He was quite familiar but Im not sure since you guys are far from me," dagdag ni Yuan. "Forget about that. So, where were going now?" "We'll go straight to the station. I just took a break to pick you up from here.""So, after doon at saka ako pupunta ng hotel?" "Anong hotel? Does Tito didn't tell you that you will be staying at the accommodation provided by the agency?" kunot ang noong tanong ni Yuan. Napatampal naman
Naging palaisipan kay Maverick ang mga sinabi ni Monsieur Dieudonné sa kanya. Sinubukan niyang kausapin ito at arukin ang mga ibig nitong ipahiwatig pero hindi niya nagawa. He was so stubborn that he couldn't retaliate when the conversation heated up. He understands though as he can see himself in the old man. "Boss, what are your plans now?" Brando asked when they were on their way back to their lair. Maverick didn't hear what Brando had said as he remained quiet. He is spacing out looking outside of the car window. Brando gently shakes his head when he doesn't get any answer from Maverick. A few minutes later, Maverick turned facing in front, fixing his tie, and spoke. "We need to go back to Italy as soon as possible." "Yes, boss!" Brando replied. "How about Halle?" "She can come if she wants to, but I don't think she can leave in a rush," Maverick answered without taking a glance at Brando. "Women thing. Tsk!" Muli silang binalot ng katahimikan habang nasa biyahe. "What is
La Maison NoireMaverick has arrived at the hotel where he was going to meet the person from Sanctuario de Atlas. A wondrous palatial hotel lies at the heart of Paris where its clienteles are mostly from the elite society. A society of businessmen, investors, traders, and even groups from underground society. "Monsieur est-il Moulin, dans?" agad na tanong ni Maverick kung saan niya makikita ang taong naghihintay sa kanya nang marating ang reception counter ng hotel. "Oui monsieur! Il vous attend au salon privé numéro deux," tugon ng nag-iisang receptionist ng hotel. Kilala na ito ni Maverick dahil hindi lang isang beses siya nagawi sa magarang hotel. Ayon dito nasa pangalawang private lounge naghihintay ang taong gustong makipagkita sa kanya. "Je vous remercie," tugon niyang pasasalamat. Agad siyang tumalikod at tiningnan ang kanyang tatlong tauhan kabilang si Brando para sumunod sa kanya. "De cette façon, Monsieur," wika ng lalaking Pranses na inilahad ang kamay para bigyang gabay
"She is a twenty-one-year-old and a graduate with a bachelor's degree in the Philippines, orphan, and living alone in Manila."Diego handed the file to Maverick when the latter came to get an update about the woman they suspected to be responsible for attacking him. "What else?" he asked while scanning the file with brows creased as the content is just one page. "That's it?" muling tanong nito sa tauhan na hindi nakuntento sa narinig. "Sorry boss, but her record doesn't show much. And to tell you honestly, it is difficult to find her with these few pieces of information." Padaskol na napatayo si Maverick at bahagyang sinipa ang silyang kanina'y inuupuan. Marahas siyang napalingon kay Diego at nakadipang hinarap ito, kinuwestiyon ang kakayahan nito. "Is that all? You don't want to find another way to look for her? I mean Diego, I'm paying you, you worked for me for several years now and I won't accept that lame reason. Use our connections and I want an update within twenty-four hour
"Huwag po! Ayoko po dito. Huwag niyo po akong iwan." "Dito ka lang. Dito ka na titira hanggang paglaki mo. At huwag na huwag kang tatakas kung hindi papatayin ko ang nanay at kuya mo. Naiintindihan mo?!""Opo! Huhuhu!""Lumapit ka na sa kanila at susundin mo lahat ng iuutos nila para hindi ka nila sasaktan.""Pe. . .pero natatakot po ako. Ang papanget nila at nakakatakot po talaga.""Bata halika dito!""Huwag po. Huwag po. Huwaaaagg..."Tagaktak ang pawis sa noo na bumangon siya sa higaan. Hinihingal at hapong-hapo na parang hinahabol ng demonyo sa bilis ng pag-akyat baba ng kanyang dibdib. "Panaginip na naman," mahinang usal niya habang inihilamos ang kamay sa kanyang mukha. Napalingon siya sa higaan bago sinilip ang suot na relo. Mag-aalas syete na ng gabi. "Nakatulog pala ako," wika niya sa sarili sabay tayo at tinungo ang kanyang maleta para kumuha ng damit na bihisan para bumaba sa hapunan. She was about to go to the bathroom for a quick shower when her phone started ringing.