Maddox's point of view Nang matapos kong makausap si Sariel, ay pumunta ulit ako kay Kenzie. We need to keep checking their background. Huminga ako ng malalim, parang ang bigat lang kasing gawin, sasabihin ko nalang sa kanya siguro, pagkatapos nito. "Hey, so? Whats up? Meron ka na bang nakita sa background ni Sariel?" Tanong ko sa kanya at umupo sa inupuan ko kanina. "Tinawagan ko kanina si Nyx, hindi mo magugustuhan ang sasabihin ko sayo. Brace yourself," he says, turning to face me. His face went blanck. I cock my head at him, what does he mean by brace myself? Damn, terror overtook my face. "What?" I ask, studying his face. "Seraphena Ariel Dixon, that was her full name, and based on my research here, she's the daughter of Seira Dixon and Archer Sinclair Dixon, her father died a long year ago. She and her mother are the only ones left with the Dixon," he explained. "So? You're telling me that they're really related to Finn Dixon?" I deadpanned. "No, I didn't confirm that yet
Maddox's point of view There's a burning feeling in my chest. My mouth snaps shut; I have no words to say. Alam kong kahit hindi ko na siya tanungin, ay magsisinungaling na naman siya. Why does she have to lie? Well, in case na may tinatago talaga siya sa akin. But what else? I already knew her parents, and she doesn't have an illegal background, they're all clean. Neighbor? Tsk. Neighbor, my ass. I turned my heel to walk back to my office. I bounced at my seat, not minding Kenzie knotting his brows to me. "Anong nangyari sayo at para ka namang pinagsakluban ng langit at lupa?" he pondered. I clenched my fist, my knuckles turning white. Damn. I have no choice but to know what she's really up to right now. Hindi ko sinagot ang tanong niya. Binato ko nalang ulit ng tanong. "Can you locate where Sariel is right now?" I muttered, calculating my stern voice. His face was beaming, and he went on, " Naman, ako pa ba? Just give me a minute." Sumandal ako sa upuan ko at nag-iisip n
Sariel's point of view Murphy changed his mind like a flash. Nagpa discharge siya kaagad, nung narinig niya ang pag-uusap namin ni Maddy. Pinatayan ko na nga si Maddy ng tawag, e. Tsaka, kaya nga ako lumabas ng kwarto para tuloy-tuloy ko siyang makausap, tapos sumunod naman ang tarantado. Nang makapasok ulit kami sa kwarto niya ay may hinugot siya sa likuran niya. My eyes widen. "What the heck?" Paano siya nakadala ng Glock sa loob ng hospital na 'to? I take a step back and give him a glare. "Paano mo napasok 'yan dito?" I hissed, gritting my teeth. He steps forward to be inches from me and grumbles, "Oh, my uncle is the owner of this hospital. Isn't that good?" Hindi na ako umatras, at pinantayan kung paano siya tumitig sa akin. Awe transformed his face, and my face went blank. Ha! Magkamatayan man kami rito ngayon, ay hindi ko na siya aatrasan. Does this hospital, therefore, engage in illegal business? I hope that's not the case, as this is how they market out people. Wha
Sariel's point of view Pagkatapos akong i-tour ni Murphy sa impyerno nila ay hinatid naman niya kaagad ako sa bahay. Nagkita pa nga sila ni tito. Aba't tuwang tuwa naman ang dalawa. Nasa circle of hell ba naman. Sana talaga last na namin na pagkikita 'yun. Gumagawa pa ako ng paraan para makaalis dito sa bahay. 'Yung hindi talaga makatunog si tito. Pinuntahan ko muna si mommy sa kwarto niya. "Hey, mom, what's up?" I beamed. I was walking toward her. She turns to look at me. She's doing something on her bed now, I think it was crochet. "Oh, well, pumunta ako kanina sa Seira's sweet haven. Busy kasi sila kaya tumulong na ako. Wala naman akong ginagawa rito sa bahay, e." Napatango naman ako sa sinabi niya. Meron kasi kaming bakeshop, marami namang tauhan si mommy, kaya okay lang na kahit minsan lang siya nalagi roon. I smiled at her sweetly. "Oh, ano na namang ngiti 'yan? Mga ganyan mong ngiti parang alam ko na 'yan, e," she mumbles, raising her eyebrows at me. "Ito naman s
Third person's point of view The sounds in the background are Ennie Meenie mixed with Danza Kuduro, and they reverberate throughout their bodies. They stand up and head toward the club's center. They're all dancing like crazy, banging their heads, jumping, and roaring from the back of their throats. They're swinging their bodies, forming a tiny circle, and dancing to the beat. Kaelyn walked to their center and danced, followed by Aster, Sunny, and, last but not least, Sariel. Naghiyawan sila ng walang tigil, feeling nga nila wala na silang boses pagka labas nila ng high-end bar na 'to. Nang mapagod sila kakasayaw ay tumigil muna sila at tinungo muli ang couch at napahinga sandali. Babalik din naman sila mamaya. They're all talking about their romantic and sexual lives. Nalalasing na rin sila dahil walang tigil na ang pag-inom ni Meli, at bigay sa mga kaibigan ng iniinom nilang scotch. Si Sariel naman ay kahit nahihilo ay tinawagan niya si Maddox, drunk call ang mga ante nyo. Taw
Third person's point of view "But my parents said that Aster and I are hidden because they don't want us to be seen or not to be known as one of the Venturas, but rather because someone tried to abduct us when we were young, back when Daddy was still the company's CEO, he really has so many enemies. Hindi man nila sabihin pero ramdam kong meron silang bodyguard na pinasusundan ako. Ramdam ko 'yun, e, hindi ko lang alam kay Aster," she trailed off looking at where Aster was sitting. Tumango naman si Aster, indicating that she agreed with her and that they both felt it. Then she continued speaking. "Pero hinayaan ko nalang, kasi para rin naman 'yun sa magiging kaligtasan namin," she stopped, then reached for a glass filled with scotch and gulped it straight. "So, you're all family, and I was acting foolishly the entire time, thinking things like, 'Oh, you guys are so wonderful; I like hanging out with you all,' and suddenly, like magic, bugaw na bugaw na pala ako sa kapatid nyo. Pwed
Sariel's point of view Biglang dumating si Maddox at mga kapatid niya. Sinuntok muna niya ang lalaki bago tuluyang lumapit sa akin. With gentleness, he asks. "Hey, are you okay, baby? Tell me where it hurts." Pero hindi ko siya sinagot. Iyak lang ako ng iyak, masakit na rin ang pisngi ko sa pagsampal ng lalaki sa akin. Hinawakan niya ang pisngi ko at dahan dahang hinarap sa kanya. His face became rigid as he looked directly at my left cheek. It hurts a little and is somewhat flushed, but other than that, I'm okay.As he motioned for me to get up, "Come on, let's take you home," my phone rang out of nowhere. Maddox was staring at me the entire time, which is a good thing because my uncle is the one who is calling me at the moment. I'm trembling with anxiety; this is all far too much."No, I'm fine. I need to take this call. Excuse me," I sputtered. Nang tumayo ay deretso lang ang lakad ko. Hindi ko na siya nilingon, I went to the corner where I could count the people on two hands, and
Sariel's point of view When we arrived at the office, he gestured for me to get near him. He pulled an envelope out of his drawer as he sat in his table chair. Sana all kasi pasarap lang sa buhay, tapos 'yung mga pang illegal na business nila pangsisira sa lipunan. I roam my gaze at the whole office; it looks like a library—an office library, to be exact. This was my favorite place when I was young and when Daddy was still alive. I like it here because of the books. I love reading mysteries and thrillers. Well, Daddy also likes it, he's the best dad ever talaga. We have a lot in common, and it saddens me to think about this place's past each time I visit. Si Hudas na kasi ang naninirahan. I snapped back when Tito handed me the envelope that he had taken from his drawer. I knotted my forehead, curious, and took it out of him. Sinilip ko kung ano ang laman, mga pictures. Upon seeing the photo of Maddy, the Maddox Ventura, my mouth dropped open. In exactly how did Tito know him? Meron