LOGINNASA kalagitnaan na ng gabi pero hindi pa dinadalaw ng antok si Hyacinth. Pabaling-baling siya sa kanyang higaan. Hanggang sa nagdesisyon siyang magtimpla ng tsaa at inumin iyon sa balkonahe.She couldn’t admit that she was affected by Varo’s presence in the villa. Malakas ang kutob niyang may kinalaman iyon sa marriage alliance na gusto nitong mangyari, pati sa rin sa plano nitong paghihiganti.Hyacinth was in the midst of drinking her tea when her vision caught a suspicious male figure clad in black clothing. Naroon ito sa madilim na bahagi na wari ay nagmamatyag sa kanyang cabin.“This shit wants to die,” Inis niyang hayag sabay patong sa mesa ang hawak niyang tasa.Sino ba naman kasi ang maglalakas-loob na mag-spy sa isa sa pinakamataas na miyembr
NANG dumampi ang paa ni Hyacinth sa baybayin ng Meng Island, nakadama siya nang kakaibang saya. It somehow eased her worries that she was in her safe place. Although that very island hid her bloody secrets, it was also the same place where she fought for her freedom.‘You’re just running away from Varo,’ anang isang bahagi ng isip niya.“Oh, shut up! He’s irrelevant now!” pinagalitan niya ang sarili.Hyacinth enjoyed the early morning sun. Naglakad-lakad siya sa dalampasigan ng ilang sandali bago siya nagpasyang pumunta sa kanyang private cabin sa isla. Lahat kasi sila sa squad ay may kanya-kanyang cabin roon habang nasa hindi kalayuan ang Chan Villa.Sa bahaging iyon ng isla ay isang mapayapang luxury resort
ILANG sandali ang nakalipas bago nakahuma si Kaori sa narinig. Pilit pa niyang kinumbinsi ang sarili na baka nagkakamali lang siya ng pagkakarinig. Unfortunately, the old man’s words were loud and clear.Ibig sabihin wala lang sa matanda ang ipinakita niyang loyalty dito. He’d toss her aside when she was no longer useful!“Baihu…” her eyes widened in disbelief. “Your son is engaged to me. We’re getting married in three months. Don't tell me you’re thinking of selling your only biological son to the enemies?”“Hmm…” Kunwari nag-isip nang malalim si Alfredo at kaswal na sumipsip ng tsaa sa tasang hawak nito. “I understand your sentiment, Kaori. But we’re talking about business expansion. You know I’d always prioritize the Lao’s business interests above anything.”“D-Don’t tell you agreed?” Halos mabulol si Kaori para kumpirmahin ang hinala. Ibinaba ni Alfredo ang tasa at tumingin nang deretso sa kanya na wari ay tinatantiya ang kanyang magiging reaksyon.“Well, I’ll give you monetary c
BUMUKA ang bibig ni Hyacinth pero walang katagang lumabas. Did the Dragon Head sell her to the Lao Clan for a shitty marriage alliance?Natawa nang pagak si Paul Chan. “With the horrified look, are you thinking I’ll send you to the White Tiger’s den easily? Hindi ako pumayag. We may not be blood related but I treat you as one of my daughters. Hindi ko pangungunahan ang desisyon mo pagdating sa usaping ito.”Nakahinga nang maluwag si Hyacinth. “Thank you, Uncle.”“Pero sumagi na ba sa isip mo na ito na ang natatanging pagkakataon mo para hawakan ang angkan ng mga Lao? I know one of them is your target, Cinth. Pag-isipan mong mabuti,” kalamadong wika ng matanda.Naikuyom ni Hyacinth ang kamao. “Aramis Lao…”“You’ve been hunting him, right? But his influence in the organization is almost the same as yours. Don’t worry, if in case you agree to the marriage, I won’t send you to war without the best armies,” Paul Chan reassured her.Sandaling hindi kumibo si Hyacinth at huminga siya nang ma
LUMAKAS ang tawa ni Paul Chan nang marinig ang sinabi ni Varo. Even Ren had to chuckle in disbelief upon hearing Varo’s proposal. “You’re basically saying you want one of my daughters’ life. No, young man. I’ve already lost Xiaoyu. Besides, their marriage is for them to decide.” May pinalidad sa timbre ng boses ni Paul Chan.“This marriage will surely benefit the Chan Clan more,” Varo insisted.Mariing umiling si Paul. “That’s impossible. Haven’t you heard? Ali is already engaged. I have Cinth and Vesta, though we are not blood related, I considered them my daughters as well. But I highly doubt they’d want to be involved in a marriage alliance.” Tumikhim si Ren. “With all due respect, Mr. Lao, you’ve just celebrated your grand engagement. Are you trying to put our Chan Clan to shame?”“That engagement is more of an internal family arrangement. I can call it off anytime. My father will surely be elated with this marriage alliance,” taas-noong wika ni Varo.Paul’s expression darkened.
BIGLANG nawala si Hyacinth sa stage at mabilis niyang tinungo ang control room pagkatapos magbihis. Sisitahin niya si Jian dahil sa nangyari kanina lang. “Jian, what the hell was that?” Salubong niya sa kaibigan. Dahil bakas ang matinding iritasyon sa boses niya kaya napatingin sa kanya ang mga tauhan nila sa loob ng silid na iyon.Hinila ni Hyacinth si Jian sa loob ng isang pribadong silid na opisina ng security.“Hey, what’s the matter?” Jian looked puzzled.She glared at him. “Did you do it on purpose?”“Do what?” Jian feigned ignorance.“What is he doing here, Jian? Bakit hindi ko sinabi sa akin na narito siya?” Nanggigigil talaga si Hyacinth dahil pinakaayaw niya sa lahat ay nagmumukhang tanga.“Hey, calm down, will you? Akala ko ba hindi ka apektado? He’s been here since day one, Cinth. Our people passed the Intel. He’s looking for you. Anyway, siya ang pumalit bilang representative ng kanyang ama, at wala akong nakikitang masama roon.”Hyacinth snapped. “So, what? Bakit hindi
SINULIT nina Varo at Hyacinth ang buong araw para mamasyal sa buong syudad. She had fun before Varo decided they’d fly back to the Philippines the next day to meet his biological father in the next few days. They learned that the Lao Patriarch was in Italy for a business meeting. Varo insisted on
“I THOUGHT I was careful enough to escape your ears…” Nakagat ni Hyacinth ang pang-ibabang labi. She was so engrossed in hitting Aramis that she almost forgot a possible onlooker. “Shush.” Ren gestured his hand to keep her mouth shut. Napatango si Hyacinth at naiintindihan niya ang ibig nitong
HYACINTH was left wondering as she saw Aramis at her doorstep. She acted shocked not to blow her cover. Pero may ideya na siya kung bakit ito naroon. “Y-Yes?” she asked him, looking confused.Aramis grinned, not even concealing his evil motive. “My brother didn't introduce me to you earlier. I'm A
NAUPO si Hyacinth sa kama habang si Varo naman ay nasa mini bar at abala sa pagsasalin ng alak sa kopita. Lumapit ito sa kanya dala ang dalawang wine glass at inabot sa kanya ang isa. “Finally, we're alone now. These past few hours were grueling. How are you feeling?” tanong ni Varo. Itinaas ni H







