Chapter 37
Epiphany (Part 2)
Pagkatapos noon ay hinila na ako ni Ate patungo sa kanyang tabi, agad sumalubong sa akin ang mukha nila ni Kobe.
"That bitch?!" she scoffed.
Inilingan ko na lang iyon at nawalan na lalo ng imik sa paglipas ng oras.
The program progressed.
Naging busy si Tito para sa mga speech, awarding, at recognition sa lahat ng mga naging kasapi ng proyektong ito. Maya't maya ang palakpakan habang nanatili lang kaming nakaupo.
I got bored. I drank in my wine which I seldom ta
Chapter 38QuestionsI feel numb and sick. Hindi ko na sigurado kung pang-ilang ulit ko nang binasa ang liham na iyon.The precise handwriting, the signature. And most especially, the familiar phrases Zaro used to keep on telling me when he got back here. Lahat ng iyon ay natagpuan ko sa sulat.Lahat ng iyon ay tumugma sa wakas, bagay na hindi kayang taglayin ng liham na natanggap ko dati kay Nana.The two letters are so alike, but except for the intention. They are very opposite.Still crystal clear, the one I received more than three years ago was maliciously rude. It was roughly constructed as if it intended to persecute me.Well, it did. And even though it has been a long time ago, it still... haunts me.The vengeful shadows of the past still visit me like a persistent nightmare. The reason why Zaro has been always the face of my traumas since then. I blamed him for all these
Warning: Please be advised that this chapter contains mature content not suitable for young audiences.--Chapter 39PunishmentPunishment, he says. But if this is how satisfying he castigates, then I'd delightfully surrender myself all the time after committing intended mistakes. I'd confess my sins and sorrows. I'd be compliant to repent beneath his heated gaze."Is that how little you think of me?" he whispered sexily in my ear like a lazy devil, barely grazing his nose somewhere around my sensitive neck and earlobe.Hirap kong minulat ang mga mata.
Chapter 40Open"You're still there, right?"Kahit hindi nakikita ni Mama, tumango ako at lalong pinagdikit ang mga hita. Ganoon na rin ang mga paa ko sa sahig at ang isang kamay sa aking tandayan."Opo. Medyo... uh... tinanghali na po kasi ng gising."Kasalukuyan akong nakaupo sa gilid ng kama ni Zaro. Makalipas ang ilang taon, ngayon na lang ulit ako nakapasok dito. There are some changes, but the ambiance here is still the same. Comfy yet masculine at the same time."You must be really tired," ani Mama sa kabilang linya.Kahit alam kong walang malisya ang sinabi ni Mama, uminit nang husto ang pisngi ko sa kung anong dahilan."M-Marami kasing iniinisip kagabi kaya po napuyat ako..."It's partly true, though. But I know where the lie is. Kinagat ko nang mariin ang pang-ibabang labi habang abala sa pagbubura ng kaisipang iyon.Mula sa kanyang walk-in closet, natanaw
Warning: Please be advised that this chapter contains explicit content not suitable for young audiences.--Chapter 41BloodThe week has been a smooth sailing since that day. For a couple of days, I felt so magical and euphoric.Kahit papano ay napapagtagpi-tagpi ko na rin ang mga pinag-usapan noong araw na iyon. Who would have thought that Senyor Danilo's impeccable intellect was bestowed by Mama before?The Superiors of Aurdel have the prowess to endow or grant prominent humans a gift that they deserve. Our ancestors helped and protected Castel and Casteleños. But not until whe
Warning: Please be advised that this chapter contains mature content not suitable for young audiences.--Chapter 42CurseFor a long while, I found myself staring blankly at the horrendous note—detached and barely able to breathe.Kung hindi pa rumesponde ang mga tauhang tinawagan ni Aren ay baka tuluyan na akong inugatan sa kinatatayuan. My mind was unstable at that moment of time. I was temporarily put in the convoy truck, surrounded by our men.Dumating ang mga pulis at agad sinarado ang crime scene. Napalilibutan ng tao ang paligid. Kinuha rin ang note sa akin dahil kailangan
Chapter 43VicissitudesHabang binabalagtas ang tahimik at sagradong pasilyo ng establisyimento, nanumbalik sa akin ang mga sinabi ni Mama dati."They have no other choice but to cooperate with us with all honesty.""How are you so sure that... they won't betray us? After all, Duccio is a Castellano. The blood running through their veins is the same. Hindi rin malabo na ulitin nila ang ginawa niya noon sa atin!""I can sense it, Saki. At masasabi kong mayroon tayong alas na hawak laban sa kanila. Kaya sa oras na magkagipitan, malaki ang mawawala sa pamilyang Castellano..
Chapter 44ProphecyIt was a tragic sight to witness. After Mr. Lopena's resolute plea, we didn't waste any more time.Agad nilipat si Janine sa pinakamalapit na guest room. Somehow, our household is prepared for this. Kahit ako ay nabibigla habang pinapanuod ang lahat ng nangyayari sa paligid. As if I am the only one alarmed because they all seemed apt and ready for this day.Sometimes, my eyes would come across Janine's direction. I think she's unconscious and her life is already at stake, barely breathing.But whenever I catched myself looking, I'd always look away instantly, afraid that glimpsing at her would aggravate her ailment."Ako na muna rito. Sumama ka na lang kina Mama sa study area," utos ni Ate.Tumango ako at iniwan na muna sila ni Kobe roon kasama ang mga Aurdel na tauhan sa mansiyon ng mga Lascano.Sumunod ako kina Mama. I saw how Mr. Lopena lost himself while li
Chapter 45UnitedEyes. Eyes are the windows to your soul... that's what they told me.It's been ages. Many years have passed away, but I still wonder what my soul looks like. Is it pure, sweet, solemn, radiant, and innocent? Or is it... dark, violent, murderous, and shameful?I wanted to know. I still want to know...I was curious about my own soul and essence. About my purpose. But sadly, even if there's someone willing to glimpse through the window, fear would overtook their faces.Or worse, they die...Umukit ang mapait na ngiti sa akin nang muling binalikan ang lahat.Iyong mga panahong musmos pa lang. Tanging problema lang ay tumakas tuwing Sabado o Lunes para masaksihan ang pagsikat ng araw.O hindi kaya'y ang mga ganid na tao na gusto raw, hindi umano, na kunin ang mga mata ko kaya dapat ay laging suot ang artipisyal na maskara.Thinking about trivial things