Elliot Two years ago Batangas WITH TOUSLED HAIR, a ruffled sleeve, and the upper half of my royal blue long sleeve unbuttoned, I was standing on the verge of the top of our land, watching the flickering lights of the city of Batangas. A few strands of my chest hair were freely experiencing the frigid wind. My hands were both inside my pockets. My black leather shoes were cake in thick sludge. My family owns this land, slated to develop as a private subdivision for politicians and well-known families in the city. I chose this place tonight for my guests to remember how we intended to improve the property. But everything changed in just one snap. When Hubert turned himself to uncover the Elizalde's, I ordered Sabino to track down those fucking cowards who agreed with Federico to bump me off. I was blaming myself for giving them my credence that I didn't notice their sleight of hand against me. "You stupid. Dumb. Asshole lawyer," I murmured to myself. My lips were shaking from the a

Malori"Ma'am, okay na po ang kotse n'yo. Pero kailangan na po palitan ng bago ang baterya. Kung gusto n'yo po ay dalhin n'yo sa shop para kami na po ang magpapalit." Paliwanag ng mekaniko sa akin.Huminga ako ng malalim. "Pero kaya pa naman 'yan hanggang weekend 'di ba?""Kaya naman po,ma'am. Basta dalhin n'yo lang po kaagad para hindi na maulit na tumirik sa gitna ng daan.""Sige po, salamat. Magkano po pala babayaran ko?""Okay na po ma'am. Na-settle na po ni Attorney." Sagot ng isang lalaking kasama.Why do I have these rare feelings the moment I hear his name? Naalala ko tuloy 'yong nangyari noon sa lobby ng building nila. What I felt that time is the same feeling I felt earlier. Mahina kong natampal ang aking noo ng bumalik sa alaala ko ang tagpong iyon. Nakakahiya!"Sige po ma'am, aalis na rin po kami."Tumango na lamang ako dahil wala na naman akong sasabihin o itatanong. Pupuntahan ko na lang siguro siya sa opisina n'ya para magpasalamat. Awkward naman kung tatawag lang ako.

Elliot"I had to keep her safe, and I couldn't let the public see her with me. Raiko is with her, and you know the man.""I know. I got everything you need.""Good." Then I pressed the end call button. It was Sabino on the other line.Facing the glass wall of my office, I turned around and strode back to my chair and resume to read the files my asset had sent me. Still holding my phone, I scroll my contact list and dial Axel's number."Boss?""Fucking impressive, Axel! You did your job well. I'll call you for your next move and make sure no one knows you're working for me.""Yes, boss. I have several photos here from yesterday's event. I will send it to your email now."I didn't get the chance to respond to Axel because someone opened the door and barged inside with my secretary behind her, nervous. My feisty sister had arrived!She turned to face my anxious secretary. "Get out now!"Garie turned to me with an apologetic face. "Attorney?""Leave us," I said with an overbearing tone.M

Elliot Keith and I arrived at the location at precisely six in the evening. Founders are currently here, except for Lev and Trace. Keith informed me earlier that they were on the island and having a meeting with one of our associates. Trace assured Keith that they would be here at seven in the evening. I set foot first in the staff house, where Trojan brought my ex-girlfriend, Amanda. I decided to interrogate her before torturing the two men she was with the night of the explosion, whose hands were chained up. Amanda is firmly seated, arms and legs tied on the chair, eyes covered with a white handkerchief. I am viciously looking at her, and the day she betrayed and cheated on me flashed back, and the truth that she conspires with her family to kill me. “Elli,” Amanda called. “Elli, I know it's you.” She swallowed, and I could see how her neck waved from it. I was at a vexed point the moment she called me in an alias that my only beloved sister Eona called me. I motion to Trojan to

Elliot Trace was sitting, almost slanting, while his head rested on the backrest of the chesterfield, boringly staring at the ceiling, doing the hits with his dopes. Hindi pa rin ubos ang tinitira ng gago, kaya kung ano-ano na naman ang pumapasok sa utak niya. “Billiard,” he said. Fuck! Trace will not stop and let it rest. He insisted that what he heard was precise. “Pollard.” Mabilis na umayos nang upo si Trace dahil sa sinabi ni Jeru. “Anong pollard?” kunot-noong tanong niya. “Wala lang. It still ends with ‘lard’ word. So, that’s my guess.” Kibit-balikat namang sagot niya. He throws a pillow at Jeru after the fucking piece of ass celebrity brother of ours spills his snafu idea. “Gago! Wala ka naman doon kagabi. Sabog ka ba? Billiard ‘yon. Niyayaya ni Amanda mag-billiard si Eut. Puta! Umayos ka nga!” “Ako pa ang sabog?” Natatawang balik-tanong ni Jeru bago sumimsim ng alak. “Baka naman lizard. May nakitang lizard si Amanda bago mamatay.” It was Daxon. I grimly squeezed my n