Semua Bab Mafia Kings Series #1: Nostra Vita: Bab 21 - Bab 30

Palawan might’ve been paradise on the surface, but right now, it felt like hell pressing down on my skull. I hadn’t slept. Not really. Just laid there in that overpriced villa, staring at the ceiling fan as it spun in slow, mocking circles—like time was laughing in my face. There were cracks forming under my feet, and I could feel them widening. Espinoza's betrayal wasn’t the only one. There were rats in the company. Men I shook hands with. Men I trusted. And if I wasn’t careful, they’d chew right through the empire I built. And now? Now, I had to watch men sniff around Trinity like she was some helpless doe in the woods. I poured another shot of espresso into my mug and tossed back two Advils. Still not enough to dull the pounding behind my temples. “Boss,” Sky’s voice buzzed through my earpiece. “Just got confirmation. Espinoza rerouted one of the shipments to Batangas two nights ago. It was an inside job.” Of course it was. “Names.” “Still digging. But…” Sky hesitated, and

It was our last week in Palawan. Thankfully, all the work was wrapped up the week before. No more deadlines, no pressure, no late-night laptop marathons—just actual rest. It was the kind of peace I hadn’t realized I needed until I finally had it. Since we had time to ourselves, we made the most of it. That morning, a few of us swam at the resort’s private beach. The water was so clear it looked almost unreal, like something straight out of a travel vlog. Aisha brought extra swimsuits and, after some pushy convincing, I ended up wearing a strappy two-piece she swore was “perfect for my body type.” I rolled my eyes at her dramatic flair, but… I wore it. Maybe she was right. I didn’t hate how I looked in it. After swimming, I slipped away from the group for some quiet. I took a long walk along the shoreline, the water brushing against my feet, the breeze cooling my sun-warmed skin. It was peaceful. Grounding. No noise, no tension, no overthinking. Just stillness. When I got back to t

Manila was a different beast at night. The city never slept—it hunted. It fed on fear, thrived in corruption, and bled through every alleyway. Every neon flicker painted a lie. Every backdoor deal carried a body count. The air smelled of rain, smog, and rot. This wasn’t like Palawan, with its soft waves and quiet nights. This was war-torn territory. This was my kingdom. And I ruled it with blood. The moment my jet's wheels kissed the tarmac, I was already dialing. I didn’t even wait for the engine to shut off. “Set up the meet,” I growled into the phone. “I want the Espinoza rats in the warehouse by midnight. No delays.” “They’ve been dodging our people,” Sky answered from the other end. “Even the lookouts in Tondo can’t find them. They’re hiding.” “Then drag them by the fucking throat,” I snapped. “I don’t care if you burn down their mother’s house with them inside. I want them kneeling before me before the clock hits one.” I hung up without waiting for a response. Palawan so

“You know, you’re selfish.” I went silent at his words. “You're so focused on that guy from your past that you're invalidating the feelings of everyone in your present.” I furrowed my brows at what Joshua was saying. “Where is all of this coming from, Josh?” “I’m so stupid for waiting for something that will never happen. For every damn shooting star, all I wished for was for you to see me as more than just a friend. And through this endless night, all you’ve ever done is invalidate my feelings, Trinity.” His fists clenched as tears streamed down his face. I stood up to match his height, but he turned and walked away. I didn’t know. I didn’t know he felt that way, that I’d been invalidating his feelings. I thought it was clear to him that I didn’t like him, especially since I told him about me and Leo. “Trinity,” I turned and saw Aisha standing beside me. “I heard you and Joshua talking. It’ll pass. Come on, I want to introduce you to someone.” … I went to the restroom to ret

As we stepped out of the mall, Leo’s expression shifted. My gaze followed his, landing on Joshua standing near the entrance. He looked frustrated, his stance rigid. It was clear he had been waiting.“Trinity!” Josh walked toward us, but the guards stopped him before he could get too close. “Let me go! I just need to talk to her!” Leo gave the guards a brief nod, signaling them to let Josh through.Josh’s eyes scanned me my whole body and then stopped at my legs. He's probably confused at my state right now. “What happened to you? Did you get into an accident?” He asked really concerned.“I—I’m fine. Just a minor injury.” His brows furrowed. “How? Did you trip or—?” His voice trailed off as he noticed the faint purple red mark on my neck. His expression darkened as if he already knew I was lying about that 'minor injury'. “I’ll take her home,” Josh said, stepping forward to grab the wheelchair’s handle but Leo’s hand shot out, stopping him. His voice was calm but firm. “No. I’ll bring