TWENTY-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD Prince Clever “Clev” Del-Vago is sitting in front of the Columbarium in Memorial Park, where his family is. He lit candles in all the cremation niches where the cremation urns of his parents and siblings were. He also gives them different flowers—the favorite flowers of his parents and siblings.
Inamoy niya muna ang mga ito bago niya binitawan.“It’s been seven years since I was last with you, embracing and descrying you. It still hurts me to this day to see you here, which is just ashes.” A sad simper is visible on his lips, harking back to his dark past. Nakahalukipkip ang kanyang mga mata.Pitong taon na ang nakalipas, dalawampung taong gulang na siya. Siya ay nasa kolehiyo, at tinatapos niya ang kursong business management.Umuwi siya galing school na pagod at haggard. Hinalikan niya sa noo ang kanyang ina at ang kanyang nakababatang kapatid na si Clayden pagdating niya. Si Clev ang papalit sa pamamahala ng negosyo kaya't siya ay nagtataguyod sa kanyang kurso kaya palagi siyang abala; Samakatuwid, wala siyang panahon na makipag-bonding sa kanyang mga kapatid at pati na rin sa kanyang mga magulang.Hinanap agad ni Clev ang kanyang ama, ngunit ang sabi ng kanyang ina ay ilang araw na ring hindi umuuwi ang kanyang ama at sobrang abala sa kanilang kumpanya, ang Vagorians Corporation. Pinaginhawa niya ang kanyang ina sa pamamagitan ng pagsasabi ng mga positibong salita upang hindi siya mag-alala.Nasanay na si Clev na kapag darating siya ng kanilang bahay, ang kanyang ama ang sasalubong sa kanya.“I know my dad is fine, Mommy. Don’t worry, he is as strong as I am,” Clev convinced his mother; she just beamed and inclined her head.Suddenly, the purple car entered the gate, and it was Calvin, his father. He looked jaded, but he still managed to smile when he saw his whole family immediately welcoming him with kisses and hugs.“Daddy!”“Hon…”Napawi ang ngiti ni Clev nang mapansin niyang may mga pasa at sugat si Calvin sa mukha. Habang nagtataka ay nilapitan niya ang kanyang ama.“What happened to you, Dad?” Calvin looked away and gulped. Clev felt grumpy because Calvin didn’t even say why he had the wounds.“I fell downstairs yesterday, son,” he answered, still looking away. Clev half closed his eyes, as he didn’t believe him.He followed his father as he walked into their hideout, not far from their main bedroom. Calvin knew that his son would doubt him, so he explained why he had those bruises and wounds. He had a friendly war.“Are you sure, Dad?” Clev asked, not convinced about his explanation.“Yes, son.”Clev ascertained his father’s involvement and secrecy in the Mafia Gangsters organization. His dad is the leader of an organization called the Black Dragon Mafia, located on Corregidor Island in Manila Bay. His palace is made of marble, an attractive yet dangerous palace.Calvin narrated how and when he started joining the Mafia and Gangsters Organization. Clev was worried because he could know that his father was hurt by his involvement in such organizations. Calvin described that previously the Mafia and Gangster world was jubilant and non-killing, unlike now.The good people In the mafia and gangster world are gradually decreasing. They are now greedy, and they are not the same members that you can play along with.“I hope, son, you won’t have any curiosity about joining these groups. It’s dangerous, and I know you can’t fight,” his father said while tapping Clev’s shoulder.“I am not interested, Dad,” he says, giving his father a small grin.“Good.”One night, Calvin woke up Clev and showed him the secret he was hiding in the hideout. Clev was amazed because he didn’t know that the back of the shelf had an unknown room that required entering a password.“Wow. I haven’t seen this before, Dad. This is cool,” he said, amazed.“I know. Take a look at this, son.”Clev was flabbergasted because he saw inside the room hundreds of weapons, such as guns, blades, bombs, etcetera.“Wow! This is a lot, Dad! How can you get all of this?” Clev asked with wide eyes while pointing the weapons one by one.Calvin chortled at his son’s reaction and explained that he gets all those weapons when he fights manually, and he gets rewards from those who have a high position in the organization. Although he is the leader of one of the most powerful organizations, they still have someone in a high position.Inilagay ni Calvin ang isang makapal na libro sa palad ni Clev. Ito ay ang book of codes, at mula sa salitang “codes,” ang mga nilalaman ng aklat ay nakasulat sa iba't ibang mga code. Ang lahat ng nilalaman ng libro ay mga sikreto ng pagiging mayaman, malakas, at isang mahusay na pinuno. Hindi naintindihan ni Clev noong una, ngunit unti-unti siyang naliwanagan sa ipinapaliwanag ng kanyang ama.Nag-alinlangan si Clev, ngunit hindi pa rin niya lubos na naiintindihan ang ipinapaliwanag ng kanyang ama tungkol sa mga grupong kinabibilangan niya.“But Dad, I am not good at this.”“Me too. Just trust the process of learning, son.” Calvin coldly smiled, and Clev nodded as he stared at the book.That night, Calvin left words as if he were saying goodbye to Clev. They both cried because Clev felt strange about the words Calvin was saying to him.“Dad! Stop saying nonsense words, will you? Are you going to die, huh?”Clev couldn’t help raising his voice.“Son, all I want is for you to be strong. You are stronger than me. I love you, okay? ”“Dad!”That same night, they were attacked by the group of Jerico Atarato Sandoval, Calvin’s greatest enemy. Clev is incredibly afraid of what happened. He made an effort to help his father, and he strived to use guns despite knowing nothing about them.“Dad! Where are you? Sh*t!”The house became disorganized, and a lot of glass was scattered because of the gunfire. Sandoval is furious and wants Calvin to come out of his house.“GET OUT OF YOUR HOUSE, LOSER! “Sandoval wants to knock down Calvin Del-Vago immediately. “Are you scared?! “Sandoval shouted again, followed by his evil laugh.Calvin appeared, and they had a heated argument until Sandoval got mad because he was defeated and offended by Calvin’s iconic and savage words. That night, Clev never forgot what he saw—the death of his father—and how Sandoval tortured Calvin in front of Clev.That was why he lost himself all the time. He even forgot about his studies because of what happened. He just cried every day and every night.Clev’s mother is also affected by what happened to Calvin. That experience was extraordinarily painful. Clev’s mother, Carissa, became ill after Calvin’s disappearance. That same night, Clave, Clev’s twin, fainted because he similarly saw what happened until he woke up and did not remember what happened.Binalak ni Clev na ipadala si Clave sa Australia para magpahinga sa 'ospital. Iminungkahi rin ni Jenny Lim, kaibigan ni Carissa Del-Vago, na kailangan niyang ipadala ang kanyang kambal sa Australia para makabalik sa dati niyang sigla. Dahil hindi alam ni Clave ang nangyari, pinili ng kanyang kambal na itago ang lahat sa kanya tungkol sa nangyari sa kanilang ama.Alam niyang may sakit ang kambal niya, iba ang sakit sa ulo niya niya, at ayaw niyang dagdagan pa ang sakit na nararamdaman ng kanyang kapatid. Walang malay ang kanyang kakambal sa kanyang karamdaman.Nalaman ng mga kapatid ni Clev na sina Claire at Clayzon ang katotohanan. Hindi nila matanggap na ang kanilang pinagmumulan ng lakas ay pinatay na lamang ng ganun-ganun lang. Nakonsensya sila at napopoot sa kanilang sarili dahil wala man lang silang nagawa para iligtas ang kanilang ama.Makalipas ang ilang buwan, biglang dumating si Sandoval at ang hari ng Underground of Knights na si Mico Hasero Velasquez, na kalaban din ni Calvin. Balak nilang sirain ang buong pamilyang Del-Vago.Until Clever watched with both of his eyes how they gradually erased his mother from the world, His suffering tripled. All of his siblings have almost lived in their parents’ graves, especially Clev, who himself witnessed the loss of his parents.Claire lost her job as a nurse, and Clayzon’s company, which he held, nearly fell. They almost want to kill themselves because of what happened. They are forcing themselves to answer why their parents died all of a sudden.Until another incident happened. This is the worst part that his sister experienced. When Clev arrived late, he could no longer save his sister. They sent Claire’s body naked and lifeless. They also sent a video of how they tortured, raped, and murdered their sister.The man who did that was Miller, one of the members of the U.O.K., and Sandoval.Clev almost gasped because of what he saw. He realized that they were being reduced little by little.Every face Clev sees, he remembers and swears tirelessly. He couldn’t do anything. He is weak, and all he knows is to cry and cry.Because Clayzon was the eldest, he wanted to do nothing but safeguard his remaining siblings. He planned to take his siblings away from their place one by one, so he first took Clayden, their youngest sibling, to go to his aunt to take Clayden with him.While they are on the jaunt, Clayzon doesn’t expect Delfin, Sandoval’s partner, and Calvin’s opponent, to catch them where they are.Clayzon was very confused because he didn’t know what to do; he was still holding a child!But in the end, Clayzon was tortured and beaten until he lost his breath. Clev found out all that, so he was extremely furious, and at the same time, he was awfully screwed.He couldn't understand if those people really meant to videotape themselves erasing the Del-Vagos from the world and show it to Clev.He was losing hope, but he was still thinking of his two brothers. He took care of his brothers, Cloud and Clone, for a few days. He didn’t let the two out of his sight.A couple of months had passed when Clave went home to spend three days with them. Clev still doesn’t tell him the truth; luckily for him, Clave just knows that their parents are just staying abroad for business purposes.Until Ronnie Linga, Kenny Mercado, and Renie Alfonso came. They had two children, Clone and Cloud. Clev and Clave tried to fight back, but they couldn’t because they were just too weak to fight. Clave was so frightened by what he saw again because his brother Clone was whipped in front of him.Clave had nothing to do but run to their chamber. He notices someone who is running with a kid and only realizes that one of his brothers He quickly hides in the cabinet, slapping himself and bumping his head out of confusion.After Clev tries to find his suddenly disappeared brother, Cloud, he loses consciousness.When he woke up, he wept because he was weak, and he thought that they had taken his other siblings again. All he knew was that they had all his siblings except him. Fortunately, he searched the entire house and found Clave unconscious inside the cabinet.He sent Clave back to Australia and begged Mrs. Jenny Lim to let his brother stay there and take care of him while he was in the hospital.Until his best friends, Ivo Syd Lim and Philip Ace Mariano came to settle him. He almost committed suicide because of the tragedy that transpired for his family, but fortunately, his friends stopped him.He promised himself that he would strengthen and train himself in all kinds of fighting. There was nothing else on his mind but to practice.Until he met Nathaniel Salcedo, who taught him how to fight manually because he is a martial artist.He met Rudy Bernard Agoncillio and Joshua Caleb Gonzales to teach him how to hack accounts and track people, vehicles, and devices.Furthermore, they helped him learn how to use technology. They worked for Clev until they were together in the same house.They stayed with Clev until he learned. He continued his studies because he needed a lot of information about knowledge so that those people would not think about him as a fool and stupid person.He departed their old house and moved to one of their mansions in the middle of the forest, which Calvin had built in case someone ruined their land. Clev took good care of the assets he inherited from his father.Since then, he has promised that he will take revenge for his family. With the help of his friends, he became a strong Mafia boss and formed an organization. Everyone fears him, but the cheerful former Prince Clever Del-Vago has reversed.His father’s opponents altered him into a devil.In his eyes, then, you could see joy and no problems at all. Nevertheless, there is currently anger and pain. That is the only thing that marks him, and that is what you can see in his eyes.He exhaled deeply and walked out of the colony. Before going to the store for a drink, he folded his long-sleeved white shirt around his wrist.He was admired by a lot of those who glanced at him, but he ignored them.He doesn’t want others to look at him or engage with him in interactions. Only a select few are the people he talks to and spends time with.He stared at his wallpaper. The photo of him with his ex-girlfriend, whom he still loves dearly He beams when he catches a glimpse of the girl smiling.So, unfortunately, they parted ways. Everything was going to be fixed, and he would make sure they resumed their damaged relationship.“I will always love and care for you, my Danica.”HE TOOK A DEEP BREATH as he gazed at a tall building where his ex-girlfriend, Danica Leona Sarmiento, a model for one of the most famous fashion companies and one of the most beautiful women in the Philippines, lives.Her appearance is very popular in the eyes of the people, which drives men crazy, and Clev is one of them.Clev rang the doorbell and tilted his head. He intentionally wore formal clothes because he wanted to invite Danica on a date, and he also wanted to apologize for what he had done.He is now wearing a button-down white long-sleeve pair with black slacks and black shoes. He put gel on his hair, which makes it stay on the side.Pagkabukas ni Danica sa kanyang pinto, bumusangot ito bigla at akmang isasarado niya ulit ang pinto nang biglang isangga ni Clev ang kanyang braso kasabay ang paghawak niya sa kamay ni Danica. "Please, Danica, let's talk. Let's clear up this mess that we made, babe. I don't want to lose you, so please give me a chance," he pleads with her, bit
LEEXIYA'S POV ABOT tainga ang ngiti ko nang makalabas ako sa convenience store. Sinuri ko muna ang mga pinamili ko. Baka kasi may kulang at pagagalitan na naman ako ni mama. Baka bigla na lang niya akong kurutin o sabunutan, masakit pa naman ‘yon. “I will break the chain that binds me…hmm hmmm hmmm,” I smiled, nakanta ko na naman kasi ‘yung paborito kong kanta na kinanta ni Bruno Mars. Naglalakad lang ako pauwi dahil masyado lang malapit ang bahay namin pero ang daan ay may katabing gubat. Hindi naman ako natatakot dahil sanay na sanay naman na ako, araw-araw din akong nag-jajogging. Dito rin kami naglalaro ng tagu-taguan ng best friend ko, and yeah, kahit ang tanda na namin naglalaro pa kami. “Ahh!” Napatigil ako. Nalukot ang kilay ko dahil sa narinig ko, a woman’s voice, and a yell. I think they are on the rough side. I walked toward the forest, I saw a trace of a car tire and I followed it. Ayun! There’s a black Van parked there, that’s also where I hear shouting. My hands
PINAIKOT-IKOT NIYA ang baril sa kamay niya at kita ko ang malademonyong ngisi niya na para bang nasasarapan siya sa ginagawa niya at parang natutuwa na nakikita kaming umiiyak. Parang naglalaro lang siya ng simpleng laro base sa reaksyon ng mukha niya. Anong klaseng tao siya?Nilapitan niya ang isa pang babae, maganda rin ito, at mukha siyang model. Mahigpit siyang hinawakan ng lalaki dahilan para mapasigaw siya. Niyakap niya ang lalaki, ngunit agad nitong itinulak ang babae palayo sa kanya dahilan para mauntog ang ulo nito sa sahig."Please, set me free! I'm so sorry! Kung ano man ang nagawa ko sa 'yo that time, please sorry. Hindi na ako magpapakita sa 'yo, j-just set me free, please?" Hinawakan ng babae ang mukha ng lalaki. Mabilis niya 'tong hinawi kaya nasubsob ang babae sa sahig."You're ugly." Panlalait niya sa babae at nanggigigil niyang hinablot ang braso niya at sinabunutan. "You know? Your father owes me. Not a thing and not f*cking money! But lives! He hurt my mom, and h
“ANO NAMAN ngayon? Ano pang hinihintay mo!? Patayin mo na ako! Hindi mo ako mapapakinabangan!” Kahit anong ipagawa niya sa akin ay hindi ko gagawin. “Sure?” Hindi! Ayoko pang mamatay! “Isang pagkakamali lang ng sagot mo, babaon ang bala na ‘to sa ulo mo," banta niya. “You are lucky for the reason that you are the one that I had a preference for,” napasinghap ako dahil namantig ang tainga ko sa narinig ko. Binalingan ko siya ng inis na tingin. Masuwerte? Baka malas. Walang suwerte sa sinabi niya! “Iba na lang!” Bigla siyang lumayo sa akin. Kumuha siya ng kung anong bagay na nakapatapong sa lamesa. Isang kaha pala ng sigarilyo, nagsindi ng isang stick at bumaling ulit sa akin. “You’re the one that I desire to be with my fiancé, do you have to do with it?” He lifted his eyebrows. He suddenly goofed up smoke on me. Napaubo ako at halos matanggalan ako ng hininga sa ginawa niya. “Ano ba?! May asthma ako!” Pagsisinungaling ko pero ang totoo, ayaw na ayaw ko lang ang amoy ng sigarilyo
"WHERE DO YOU think you're going, huh?" Nakataas na kilay ngunit malamig na tanong sa akin ng taong nagbukas ng pinto. Nakaramdam ako ng takot at hindi nakapagsalita. Bilin niya na hindi ako pwedeng umalis."Wow! Twinny, 'yan ba ang sinasabi mo? Ganda ah!" Abot tainga ang ngiti ng kasama niya 'tsaka tiningnan ako mula ulo hanggang paa at nag-lip bite.Manyak! Bagay nga kayo ng kasama mo.Sarap ipag-untog 'tong dalawa, halata naman na mag-kambal sila. Ang kaibahan lang ay ang kulay ng kanilang mga buhok. Black yung kay killer, oo killer yung tawag ko sa kanya, tutal bagay naman sa kanya ang bansag na 'yon dahil mamamatay tao siya. Heartless pa. Tapos 'yung kakambal niya ay brown yung hair may piercing din.Sa lahat-lahat pa ng tao, bakit 'tong lalaki na 'to ang nagkaroon ng kakambal? Parang nadoble lang 'yung nakakainis niyang pagmumukha. Ang sagwa sa paningin."Twin, pinasuot mo pa talaga ang Jersey shorts mo 'no pero nung ako 'yung nanghiram ayaw mo kasi sabi mo bigay 'yan ni Danica
NAKARINIG KAMI ng mga nagtatawanan habang pababa kami sa hagdan. May nadatnan naman kaming limang lalaki. Kilala ko yung itsura nung isa, 'yung humawak sa akin kanina na nagpasok sa akin sa sasakyan, siya rin ang sumikmura sa akin.Naikuyom ko ang kamao ko. Gusto ko siyang sampalin. Hindi niya alam kung gaano ako nagtitiis sa ginawa niya. Ang lakas ng impact n'on sa katawan ko. Muntik na akong masuka ng dugo."Wooohh! Akalain mo pare, may ligtas pa!" Sigaw nung lalaking may dala-dalang pamalo at may subo siyang lollipop.Isip bata! Malunok mo sana ng buo 'yang lollipop mo nang mabulunan ka at mamatay ka na."Teka, alam ko 'yan ah? 'Yung si chismis girl. Bakit pa siya nandito?" sabat nung taong nanakit sa akin. "She even wore your clothes!" Sambit ng lalaking mukhang masungit at inirapan pa ako, sarap dukutin yung mata niya, "hindi ba ayaw na ayaw mo 'yan? Ang may gumamit sa iba mong gamit? Are you out of your mind?" "Wait, don't tell me siya na 'yung sinasabi mong girl mo?" Tanong u
SANDOVAL'S POVIN FRONT OF my door, I'm expecting my daughter to come for almost four days being absent in our house. I rolled around in my place after biting my thumb finger. Hindi pa naman ako naluluwagan kaagad ng hininga kapag hindi ko nakikita ang anak ko sa loob ng bente-kwatro oras.I was thinking for her almost I wasn't able to do my duties properly. My people were hunched over when the door burst open. I spat on them. Hindi ko nagugustuhan ang timpla ng mga mukha nila.Putting down my hand, I questioned, "What? Have you found her yet?" Tumigil ako saglit sa pag-iikot sa pwesto ko."H-Hindi po, boss. Naikot na namin ang buong lugar, wala pa rin po," sagot nila na nagpa-iba ng mood ko.Nakaramdam ako ng panggigigil at hinablot siya kwelyo. I could see my reflection in his nervous eyes, my eyes were turning red as if wanted to burst into a huge fire."Stupid! How many days have you been looking for her and still nothing huh!?" They did not respond when I asked. Due to my anger,
FROWNING IN FRUSTRATION, Nathan commented, "Tarantado naman pala 'yon!" Napaangat pa siya sa kanyang inuupuan."Clever, alam niya ba itong bahay natin?" Ivo inquired and received a shake of the head from Clev."No one knows this place except us and that idiot woman who peacefully sleeping there. I'm telling you, you won't let that woman get out of here," His tone carried a lot of menace. He turned his gaze to where Leexiya's sleeping before he glanced back at his friends, who were nodding in agreement with what he had reminded them of."Uy, bossing! Hindi ba natin pauuwiin 'yun?" Tanong muli ni Nathan habang nagkakamot ng ulo."No, I need her, and we have no idea what she'll do if I let her go. She saw it all, and I doubt that she will report it. There is no reason why I should hurt her, so don't worry about it.," he assured his friends, as they took a deep breath in relief.Clev only buried innocent people when they were involved in the murder of his family; perhaps Leexiya is simply