PROLOGUE
Reign Promethia Sy
I woke up disoriented and with my body aching. I opened my eyes and looked around the room I was in. Everything is unfamiliar. It was all white, hindi naman ganoon ang kulay ng kwarto ko, it was definitely not my room. Where the hell I am? Sinapo ko ang ulo ko, it was throbbing hard. How many liquor did I take last night?
Unti-unti akong naupo sa kama. The memories I had last night was blur. I had no idea what I did. “Damn, Reign Promethia Sy, what did you do?” inis na pagkausap ko sa sarili ko.
I gaped when the duvet fell exposing my naked soul. I am fucking naked under the bed sheet. And top most, my pussy feels sore. Bigla akong nakaraamdam ng takot. I am not dumb not to know this shit. I was fucked last night, but whom? Napapikit ako at mahigpit na sinabunutan ang buhok ko. May boyfriend ako and I love him. Pero hindi ako sigurado kung s’ya ba ang nakatalik ko kagabi. I had no memories of last night.
“Oh my God! What did I do?”
Pinilit kong inalala ang pinaggagawa ko kagabi. May fragments naman akong naalala. I was with Sky last night. Dumiretso kami sa isang bar -- Octagon. I remember not drinking too much. We danced. We partied. Hanggang doon lang ang naalala ko. Wala nang iba. Hindi ko maalala kung paano akong napunta sa ganitong sitwasyon. Hindi ko rin maalala kong nakipag-sex nga ba ako. But I did. I know, I did it last night. I am no longer a virgin.
Tumayo ako at ibinalot ko ang sarili ko ng kumot. There’s a blood stain on the bed sheet, confirming what I had in mind. Mas lalong naghuramentado ang puso ko. Kabang-kaba ako. Mukhang wala naman akong kasama sa kwarto. Where is Sky? He should have been here with me.
I went to the bathroom. I heard water splashing down. Someone’s taking a shower. Napangisi ako. Akala ko umalis na ito at iniwan akong mag-isa sa kwarto. Naliligo lang naman pala ang magaling kong boyfriend and I am ready to join him.
Nakaawang ng kaunti ang pinto. Sinilip ko iyon and I got the biggest shock -- twist of my life. Mas trumiple ang tibok ng puso ko, there was a guy in there taking a shower but I am so sure it wasn’t Sky. It wasn’t my boyfriend. Napahawak ako sa tapat ng puso ko. For the second time, I was scared. Natatakot ako. But I looked once again. I stared at his back. I found a tattoo, iyon lang ang magsisilbing pagkakakilanlan ko sa lalaking iyon.
I wasn’t sure if I was molested. Wala naman akong natatandaang nangyari sa’kin kagabi. I didn’t know how I ended up here. Naiiyak ako pero hindi ako dapat magpatalo sa emosyon. I have to get out. I need to. I must.
Paano si Sky? Paano ko ito sasabihin sa kanya? He will be disappointed of me. Siya na lang ang meron ako. I don’t want to lose him.
Mabilis ang naging pagkilos ko but I made sure, I am not making any sound. Ayokong makita ang taong iyon. I don’t want to confront him. I was shaking but I managed to find my clothes. Mabilisan ang naging pagbihis ko. Kailangan kong makaalis habang naliligo pa s’ya. Hindi ko pinansing ang ilang sira ng suot kong damit. Basta, kailangan kong makaalis.
Tinungo ko ang pinto at patakbong lumabas. I sighed when I made it out. Nanginginig ang buo kong katawan. Sunod sunod ang pagtulo ng mga luha ko. Ang mabilis kong lakad ay nauwi sa pagtakbo hanggang makasakay ako ng elevator. I was in a hotel.
Iyak ako nang iyak. It was the first time after a long time. Hinayaan kong maging mahina ako. I was scared. Sobra-sobra. Alam kong agaw-pansin ako sa mga taong nakakita sa’kin, I don’t care. They could rot in hell for all I care.
Malalaki ang naging hakbang ko nang marating ko ang lobby ng hotel. I bumped into someone. I gasped.
“S-sky?”
“Reign.”
Niyakap ko s’ya nang mahigpit. Hindi ko alam ang mararamdaman ko but I was glad he was here with me. Umiyak ako sa mga bisig n’ya. Wala akong pakialam kung nasa gitna kami ng lobby. Wala akong pakialam sa mga taong nakatingin sa’kin.
“I’m sorry,” he told me.
Kumalas ako sa pagkakayakap ko sa kanya. I shook my head. “No, I’m sorry. I was a bad girl.” mahina kong wika. Nawala pansamantala ang matapang kong anyo. Gone the bitch Reign. This one, ito ang mahinang ako na ibinaon ko sa limot sa maraming panahon.
“I’m sorry, Reign. I can’t lose my car, you know that, right? Magagalit sa’kin ang parents ko. They gave it to me. I can’t.” he said. I looked at him. Hindi ko mabasa ang emosyon n’ya. Something’s in there.
“What are you talking about?” I asked, confused. Hinawakan n’ya ang magkabilang kamay ko. Pinisil n’ya ang palad ko.
“We had a bet. I had a deal with him. I lost.” malungkot n’yang wika. “I can’t lose the car.” dugtong pa n’ya.
I am not stupid. Mabilis pumick-up ang utak ko. “What are you saying? Don’t beat around the bush!” nanghihinang wika ko. Pinahid ko ang mga luha ko.
“I’m really sorry. He won and I lost. And you were the prize. I’m sorry, Reign. I’m really sorry.”
Pakiramdam ko ay namanhid ang buong katawan ko. Para akong nabingi. Wala akong ibang marinig kung hindi ang tibok ng puso ko. Malakas iyon at napakabilis.
“W-what did you s-say?” I choked, parang mayroong bumikig sa lalamunan ko. “H-how many are they?” he sold me to a devil. It could possibly be worse.
“I’m sorry,” he said again. “I don’t know,” I slapped him. Dalawang sampal sa magkabilang pisngi.
“I trusted you,” mariin kong wika.
Patakbo akong umalis sa lugar na iyon. I heard him called my name a lot of times, I didn’t look back. I was in pain to look back. I was in so much pain. How could he do that? I trusted him more than anyone else. Siya na lang ang meron ako and yet he betrayed me.
I was the prize. My worth was just the same as of the car. How could he?
______
“You know I only need one thing.” he stopped near my seat. Inilapit n’ya ang mukha n’ya sa’kin. I didn’t budge. He caressed my cheek. I shivered. There’s an electricity sent through my bod. Tinabig ko ang kamay pero hinuli n’ya iyon ng kamay n’yang malaya.
“Your body,” walang abog n’yang sabi.
I gulped. I met his lusting eyes. “You mean a one night stand?”
“Unlimited sex with you, wherever and whenever I want. Be my fucking sex slave,”
Walamg buhay akong tumawa. What the fuck is that? I hate his guts. I was called a lot of things --- a slut, a bitch. Little did they know, sex intimidates me. I had never do it again after that one time. And I still had no idea what happened.
Napaliling akong iniwan s’ya roon.
I was slaved of my past, he want me to be slave of his present. Now, I’m dealing with another evil oaf.
No, I won’t.
CHAPTER ONEI’m a queen and people who will say the opposite may face my Giuseppe Zanotti’s heels.“I said no sugar,” I looked at my assistant, well, my new assistant since the last one resigned after a week of working with me. Hawak n’ya ang tasa ng kape ko. She made me my coffee that morning, possibly the last coffee she’ll ever make for me. Namutla s’ya. “For a fresh graduate with bragging credentials, you’re dumb. How can you not follow a simple instruction?”Itinapon ko ang kape sa harapan n’ya. She has to clean it. I told specifically to my previous assistants that I liked my coffee with no sugar. No questions asked, they just have to obey. Pakialam ba ng ibang tao if I prefer my coffee like that. I shook my head, one thing I hate is to repeat everything I say.Dapat hindi slow ang nakapaligid sa’kin. In th
CHAPTER TWO“Hello, my name is Minerva Hermione Mendeleev, I am eight years old. I am named after two great witches who ever lived. My mom says, no weapon can match my ability of thinking and wits. And that one,” itinuro n’ya iyong batang babaeng nakakipag-agawan sa isang batang lalaki, hindi kalayuan. “is my sister. Her name is Katniss Arrow Mendeleev, because mom tells us she can make a difference. She’s five years old by the way. And that guy is Perseus Grover Mendeleev and he’ll takeover the world and the underworld and the galaxy. He’s four years old. This one with me is Khaleesi Dracarys Mendeleev, she’s two years old and our little queen. My mom told me, Daenerys Targaryen’s, I mean Daenerys of the House Targaryen, the First of Her Name, the Unburnt, Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Queen of Meereen, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Protector of the Realm, Lady Regen
CHAPTER THREEManhattan, New York.I want everything to be perfect.It’s the only thing that fulfills my being unless I will include my bitchiness to people and see the fear in their eyes.Tomorrow is the day of the fashion show. I was a bit nervous. Pakiramdam ko dito lang ako nagiging tao. Somewhat, I still fear failurebecause it’s the only thing I can call my own, the thing that belongs to me --- my passion and I consider this my life. Kung ito pa ang kukuhanin sa’kin, I don’t know what I would become. Maybe the worst of the worst. I shook my head.“You’ve come a long way. You’re here.” I reminded myself.Technical problems lang ang pwede kong ma-encounter and even that, ayoko pa rin. Walang makakasira ng ilang buwan kong pinaghirapan. Everything’s gonna be okay.&
CHAPTER FOURI thought I would enjoy my stay in Manhattan but I didn’t, even the New York Fashion Week. I flew to the Philippines as soon as my work was done. Hindi ko na tinapos ang NYFW. There are more designers that will showcase their creations pero hindi ko na nagawang pumunta sa shows nila.Ariska and Phoebe Imelda were nowhere to be found after our last confrontation but their walk of shame was all over the news and cheap tabloids. They were facing several issues all at once. Hindi magkamayaw ang mga tao kung anong tsismis ang uunahin. Pathetic. On the other hand, I still see Centauri, he’s almost everywhere I go, flirting and kissing different lips. Like yuck? I wonder if he already got HIV or sexual diseases. I hope he has. Kung sinu-sinong dinadali n’ya. And I remember how of a manwhore he was, he almost fucked two girls. He enjoyed watching them.I hate him more. He has the g
CHAPTER FIVE“She’s okay. She just needs rest and continue her medication. She should attend her regular check-ups, Miss Sy. No need to confine her.” sabi ng doctor. Magalang s’yang ngumiti sa’kin.Tumango ako. I sighed in relief.“Mommy, mommy!” the little voice caught my attention. The little girl emerged from the door, she was running towards me with a big smile on her face. She has glasses. Naka-pigtail ang buhok n’ya at may hawak s’yang squishy. Dinamba n’ya ako, mabuti na lang mabilis ang reflexes ko. She hugged me. Natigilan ako sa pagkakaupo ko. I froze at the moment. I lokked at her closely, she is a pretty girl.Tinanngal n’ya aang kanyang maliliit na kamay sa pagkakayakap at tiningnan akong mabuti. Kinapa n’ya pa ang mukha ko at marahang tinapik.“Ay, hello!” she was sm
CHAPTER SIXNapadalas ang pagdalaw ko sa mansyon dahil kay manang. I was worried sick. Kahit madalas n’yang sinasabi sa’king wala naman s’yang kakaibang nararamdaman. I ended up staying in my dad’s house.She was my favorite person. She knew me more than anyone and stood by me when I needed all the support. She was the mother figure I never really had. Come to think of it, I never knew my mother. Ni walang nasabi si dad. He never mentioned her once.Dad was busy as usual. I haven’t seen him even in dinner time. Minsan lang magtagpo kami sa iisang lugar. We haven’t talked after what happened in El Toro. It seems like he forgot all about that and I don’t want to talk about it. Kahit gusto kong tanungin kung anong ginagawa n’ya kasama ang mga lalaking iyon. And apparently, one of them, give an indecent proposal to me. Like fuck, hindi pa ba sapat ang mga babae
CHAPTER SEVENNakatanggap ako ng tawag kay Mrs. Castro the very next day. I canceled my schedule for that meeting. I never required Lolay to come with me. It’s better that she stays in the boutique while I am away.“This way, ma’am,”The guy showed me the way. Sinundan ko lang s’ya hanggang makarating kami sa isang VIP room. I was smirking when I was reminded of what happened last time. It wasn’t the same VIP room. But it was the same restaurant.It was in the middle of the second floor, sakop niyon ang teresa. There’s an access to the outside view.It was a spacious room. Scented candles are everywhere. I love the smell. I always love scented candles. A painting hung in the wall caught my attention. Ibinaba ko ang dala kong pouch sa table, I went near the painting. It was an abstract painting of scorpion and I found it i
CHAPTER EIGHT Ang dami kong naiwang gawain sa Reign’s Realm. Hindi ako pumasok sa trabaho for almost a week now kaya tambak na ang mga ito. I shouldn’t have listened to Manang. Dapat nagtrabaho na lang ako. Seeing all these pending works and papers makes me want to never work again. Inunat ko ang likod ko at sumandal sa swivel chair. I was playing with my pen, letting myself engulfed with my thinking. Muling pumasok si Lolay sa opisina ko. May dala s’yang iba pang papeles. I rolled my eyes when she caught my eye. Ngumisi lang ito. “Sorry Miss Sy. Quits lang tayo, noong absent ka ako ang stressed dito.” she told me nonchalantly. Muli ko s’yang inirapan. “By the way, may samples ng tela dumating mula sa suppliers, tingnan mo na lang kung anong ia-approve mo.” I nodded. “One more thing Miss Sy, the new owner of the land was very persistent. Sinisingil n’ya