The chilly night air smelled of smoke and barbecued meat. As sparks flew into the sky, I sat near the fire pit, feeling the warmth lick at my skin. There was a sizzling sound and the occasional chuckle as my dad and brother stood at the grill, rotating barbecue skewers. With a broad smile that never left her face, mom seated beside me. Her joy was almost childlike as she held out a stick with a marshmallow speared on the end. “Here, darling. Try it. Just hold it close enough to the fire until it turns golden.” She instructed.I took the stick, hesitating at first, then carefully angled it toward the flames. My chest tightened, an odd mix of nervousness and something softer. I never tried it before. I’m thankful that mom was here beside me.The huge table behind us rumbled with food. Trays of kakanin are placed next to bowls of fresh fruit, pancit and lumpia are carefully organized, lechon is shining in the lan
THE FIRST light of dawn filtered softly through the curtains, painting the room in gentle gold. I stirred, blinking sleep from my eyes, and realized I wasn’t surrounded by the warmth of the night’s embrace anymore.“Elle… wake up darling.” My mom whispered, nudging me gently.“Mom?” I sat up, rubbing my eyes.She smiled, her hand resting on my shoulder. “It seems we’re the only ones on the bed. The gentlemen… they’re probably downstairs. Preparing breakfast, I’m sure. After all, we’re their queen and princess.”I couldn’t help but smile at her words, the nickname feeling strange and yet comforting. “Queen and princess… huh?”She laughed softly, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “Yes, my baby girl. Come on, let’s wash up and get dressed before the royal treatment begins.”I followed her downstairs after taking a fast shower and changing into a light morning dress. As the scent of freshly prepared food filled the hall, my stomach began to growl with excitement. My dad and brother
TIARA’S POVI held on to him. The weight of years of suffering, sorrow, and longing has fallen, and we are both trembling. Together, we sobbed, the silence of the mansion surrounding us containing our sorrow, our relief, and the fleeting happiness of being together at last.The unspoken sibling link, softened by trauma but reinforced by survival, was evident in that embrace. I realized for the first time that we had each other, even though the past could not be changed. And for some reason, that made everything feel a bit lighter.“I-I’m sorry if I shouted at you.” I spoke in my hoarse voice. I should have not blame him. I jumped into conclusion right away without hearing his explanation. “I’m sorry if I didn’t know…” I added. My voice cracked again.He hushed me and hugged me tightly. “It’s okay, baby girl. Let’s forget about it. The important thing now is that… you’re home. I’m glad I have already found you. When I told our parents… they were over the moon. If I hadn’t stopped them,
TIARA’S POINT OF VIEW I sat in the living room as I await for Sir Hart’s return. It wasn’t even six in the morning yet, but I had been awake since before dawn. My eyes swollen from nights of restless thinking. I wrapped my arms around myself. The silence of the mansion was heavy, broken only by the distant chirping of birds greeting the morning. Two nights. I have seen Sir Hart's friends slipping down the corridor two nights ago, holding their breath as though the walls themselves might turn on them. That morning, when I found them spread like corpses on the couches in the living room, I knew something was happening. Since then, I have witnessed the same scene every night. Doors creaking softly, shadows creeping in toward Sir Hart's office and then out of the mansion, then returning hours later to drag Sir Hart back before dawn, tired and drained. ‘He’s doing this for me. He’s burning himself down just to free me from the organization.’ My chest tightened when I remembered about th
TIARA’S POINT OF VIEWThe living room was quiet except for the faint hum of the television. I decided to see a movie on their large TV screens with Sir Hart. Sitting on the sofa with my knees bent, Sir Hart sat comfortably next to me. He let me choose the film to watch. As this was happening, the words "breaking news" flickered over the screen.The screen showed blurred video of bodies being pulled from the water.“The Villaraza couple who had recently announced bankruptcy were found earlier this morning, floating lifeless in Pasig River. Both suffered gunshot wounds to the head, which authorities confirmed as the cause of death.” The news anchor voice was calm, but every word struck me like glass splintering inside my chest.My breath was shallow as I sat motionless on the couch. After a single slam, my heart fell heavily into my gut. Confident that I had misheard, I blinked. However, it was clearly stated in the headline at the bottom of the screen. VILLARAZA COUPLE WERE MURDERED. M
SIS HART’S POINT OF VIEWThe night was still. My office wrapped in silence except for the hum of computer screens. Maps of Avila’s drug factory sprawled across my desk. The factory was an old textile plant repurposed into a drug laboratory.“At least twenty security details. Alternating shifts with weapons. Blind spots solely on the north boundary, infrared on the east wall.” Knox didn’t look up as his voice echoed in the room. Lines of code streamed across his monitor as he dug into the plant’s surveillance.“Sounds like fun.” T leaned against the desk, arms crossed, and smirk as sharp as ever.My pen moving across the blueprint as I circled weak points. “North perimeter will be our entry. Knox kills the eyes. Emir and Cash handle the guards outside. Gael provides cover from the ridge.”“And us?” T raised a brow.“We burn it from the inside. Once we’re in, there’s no turning back. That place goes up in flames.” My tone was steel.“Let us join too. It won’t be fun if we just stay outsi