CHAPTER SIXTY: A TALE OF MISERYKarmine’s Point of ViewI looked straight at everyone’s confused eyes as mine was filled with untameable anger and undying wrath.Binuka ko iyong nanginginig kong labi dahil sa nagngingitngit na nararamdaman ko sa makapal na mukhang si Agnes.“Once upon a time there lived a young beautiful princess—so young and just a minor; just fifteen year-old—in her small abode. The young princess’ name is Karmine and she had a younger sister named Karine and no, unlike the other fairy tales, she doesn’t have a wicked step-mother and step-sisters nor a father who remarried but she had a useless mother—and again no, Princess Karmine’s mother is very much able but she’s nothing but a very beautiful Queen with a damn lazy ass and a goddamn selfish and a greedy attitude.”Tumaas lang ang kilay ko dahil hindi sila makapaniwalang lahat sa panimula ko.“Queen Agnes once almost got rid of Princess Karine in her womb so that King Kiko of another big kingdom would likely choos

CHAPTER SIXTY: A TALE OF MISERY PART 3Karmine’s Point of ViewI smirked wickedly.I giggled before I tucked the strands of her hair on her ear that was covering her tear stricked face. “Why would I listen to you, Mama? Did you ever listen to me when I begged you not to leave us because we have no one but you that three in the morning? No? You did not listen to me that time, Mama because you still left us without looking back, so why would I give you something you didn’t even give to me in the first place? Why would I forgive you? So that you will appease your conscience and your guilt? No way, Mama. There is no way I will forgive you. Not now, not ever. Never even if the world ends today,” malambing kong saad habang masuyo kong hinahaplos ang hilam niyang mukha.“H-Hindi ko alam na iyon ang m-mangyayari,” she choked. Her beautiful, made up face was now filled with her own tears.I nodded my head at her, still wearing that innocent face I once had as I stroke her hair down to her fo

CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO: REALIZATIONS AFTER THE OUTBURSTKarmine’s Point of ViewAfter I deposited the sleeping Madison on the big couch inside the presidential suite, I headed to the bathroom which is just adjacent to Karine’s bed.Nanginginig ang mga kamay ko nang maghilamos ako ng malamig na tubig. I splashed cold water to my red face—it is as red as a juicy apple—to wake my whole system up and calm myself down.Sinampal ko ang noo ko ng malakas at matalim na tinitigan ang sariling repleksiyon sa salamin.“Tanga, Karmine! Ang tanga-tanga mo! Bobo! Estupida! Hunghang! Tonta! Ang akala ko ba ay ayaw mong malaman nila ang nangyari sa iyo noon? Pero bakit ikaw pa mismo ang nagbuko sa sarili mo? Ha? Bakit? Bobo! Tanga! Gaga! Estupida ka talaga!” Nanggigigil kong hinampas ang noo ko at sinabunutan ang buhok ko hanggang sa magulo ito at mapagod ako sa pananakit sa sarili ko.Ngayong nahimasmasan na ako sa galit na lumukob sa akin kanina ay gusto ko na lang na iumpog ang ulo ko sa pader sa sobra

CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE: SINS OF THE PAST PART 2Howard’s Point of View“She will be yours in no time,” he whispered his answer to my question—more like he addresses it to himself.I chuckled and tapped his back, “You’re right, son. She will be mine no matter what. Mine alone.”We were busy talking about random stuffs when my brother’s secretary came rushing towards us with a heavy pant and brought us with a bad news.“Sir!”“What is it that you have to disturb my time with my son, Grayson?” My voice stern and hard and dangerous that he immediately took a few steps back.“Something happened to the gir—”I didn't let him finish his words as my hand immediately found his collar and grip it tight to strangle him.“Aack—!”“Dad, damn it, that’s enough! Shit! Let him go! Dad!”I felt a pair of strong hands pulled me harshly away from strangling Grayson to death.“What did you do to, Karmine, Grayson?”I watched him coughed hard, steady his breathing, and composed himself. My cold and glaring m

CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR: SAGE, THE DOLL PART 2Karmine’s Point of ViewI know that he’s familiar with my voice. At alam ko ring pilit niyang inaalala kung saan at kung kanino niya ba narinig ang pamilyar na boses ko kaya hinayaan ko siyang mag-isip muna.I watched as everyone held their breath as they stared at the most feared underground tyrant. He was frowning and staring at the nothingness like he was really trying hard to remember something significant which is me, by the way.I raised my brow at him. I was starting to get impatient.“Doll,” he mumbled slightly confused and his mouth slightly ajar.I chuckled humorlessly, “Bingo!”Napapabuntong-hiningang tiningnan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa.“Follow me,” he said and indeed, I did. Tahimik ako’ng sumunod sa kaniya. Ngumisi ako sa Scorpius gang na sinagot nila ng matatalim na tingin at pag-amba sa akin ng baril nila na ikinatawa ko.Umakyat kami sa ikalawang palapag kung nasaan ang opisina niyang gawa sa babasaging salamin na kita a