𝗩𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗔 𝗔𝗨𝗥𝗢𝗥𝗔 𝗟𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗢
ALMERA'S POV
I was amazed by the breathtaking view of Villa Aurora, overlooking Lake Como's crystal-clear waters, lush green mountains and picturesque Italian towns. Kahit sa labas palang ay hahanga ka na.
Clark and I should celebrate our honeymoon here. Ironically, we didn't have one after our wedding, as he left immediately after the ceremony and didn't return to the mansion for several days.
Maybe next time, when he learns to love me? At sana'y buhay pa ako kapag dumating ang araw na 'yon.
Bago ako makapasok ay ibinigay ko muna ang invitation card sa dalawang lalaking naka black suit na nagbabantay sa labas ng entrance ng Villa Aurora.
Napapansin ko rin na ang daming mga bantay sa labas, sa bagay hindi mga normal na tao lang ang nasa loob.
Nang makapasok ako ay mas humanga ako sa itsura ng buong paligid, this place is paradise!
Inside Villa Aurora, Lake Como, the elegance shines. High ceilings adorned with ornate chandeliers, marble floors and intricate woodwork create lavish spaces. Soft lighting, upbeat music and champagne toasts fill the air.
Nilibot ko ang paningin at hindi na naitago pa ang ngiti, I like parties you know!
Guests mingle, enjoying hors d'oeuvres and cocktails amidst majestic staircases, crystal chandeliers and stunning floral arrangements. Panoramic windows frame breathtaking Lake Como views, making every moment unforgettable.
Napansin ko ring mas doble nga ang mga bantay rito sa loob.
Naglakad-lakad ako at napapansin ko ang mga tinginan ng mga Italyanong mga lalaki sa akin, at hindi lang Italyanong mga lalaki ang nakatingin, may ibang lahi rin. Ganda ko e.
Also may mga babae rin ang panay tingin sa'kin, perhaps they're curious about my identity, given my distinctive presence. As the wife of a prominent Philippine mafia boss, I'm far from ordinary.
Too far..
Hindi ko pinansin ang mga tinginan nila at ngumiti nalang, maamo man ang mukha ko pero hindi ang ugali ko.
Pinalaki akong hindi barbie doll or kitchen toys ang hawak ko kundi baril at katana.
Hindi lullabies ang kinalakihan kong tunog kundi tunog ng putok ng baril at tunog ng pag tama ng katana sa isa't-isa.
Nilibot ko ang aking paningin, kung sino-sinong mga kilalang tao ang nakikita ko, ang iba sa kanila ay kasama ang kanilang mga asawa.
Consortium party is about collaboration or alliance between different mafia groups. And this party is also ways to recruit people into the mafia.
And the bosses could be meeting to negotiate deals, divide territories, or coordinate future activities.
Medyo gumaan ang pakiramdam ko ng makita ko na si uncle, he's with two unknown guys, na mukhang mas bata sa kanya ng tatlong taon.
My uncle is already in his 40's pero malakas at gwapo parin, he is my father's sister's husband.
Ismael Vendura.. even though he's not directly related to my blood he is like a father figure to me.
Wala na akong ama at wala na rin siyang asawa. Because my father and his sister, my aunt, died in the accident.
Pero aksidente nga ba? We're not convinced it was an accident, that's why we're investigating secretly.
Nang mamataan ako ni uncle ay ngumiti ito sa akin at kumaway, my uncle is the Archivist. He is the keeper of the mafia's secrets and history. He maintains a vast collection of records, documents, and artifacts that chronicle the organization's past, its triumphs, and its failures.
He acts as a living encyclopedia of the mafia's history, providing valuable insights into their rivals, their strengths, and their vulnerabilities. He also serves as a guardian of their traditions, ensuring they are preserved and honored.
Nang makalapit ako sa kanya at yinakap ko siya ng mahigpit at ganon rin siya sa akin.
"Glad to see you here, Almera" usal niya sa akin pagkatapos ang mahigpit naming yakapan.
Ngumiti naman ako sa dalawang taong kausap ni uncle ng magpaalam silang aalis na.
"Me too uncle, saan na po siya? Is he here na ba?" I asked, referring to my husband.
I'm also nervous. I discovered Clark's secret as a mafia boss through Cassandra. Tinago niya ang pagiging rank 3 to protect his sister, opting instead to join Quantum's team to stay informed about mafia activities.
Kaya hindi ako sure kung pupunta ba ito ngayon o hindi.
He chuckled, led me to a secluded spot, and seated me at a table with fine wine.
"He hasn't arrived yet." tinitigan niya ako "Don't be too excited. The Philippine mafia bosses are still not here, but as you can see, counterparts from other countries are already here."
Nilibot ko ang paningin ko, he's right! Bosses from Russia, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece and Mexico were already present. However, I'm unfamiliar with the other attendees since hindi ko naman kilala lahat ng mafia bosses.
Notably, Italian mafia bosses are also here, as expected, given our location in Italy.
Tumango-tango at ibinalik ang paningin sa kahirapan ko.
"Would you mind sharing why you're here alone? Where's your husband?" hinawakan nito ang kamay ko "Kinakawawa ka ba ng asawa? Tell me, I'll do everything to keep you away from him kahit mas mataas ang posisyon niya sa akin" mababakas talaga sa mukha nito na hindi ito nagbibiro.
Tinapik-tapik ko naman ang kamay niyang nakahawak sa kamay ko.
"Don't worry, uncle. Maybe he didn't bring me for my own good" ngumiti ako.
Wala naman masamang mangarap, malay mo.. totoo pala ang mga sinasabi ko. That my husband cares for me.
Pati ako ay kinikilig sa mga kadeluluhan ko.
Umingay ang paligid kaya napatingin ako sa entrance ng Villa Aurora. Nakita ko ang pagpasok ng mga pamilyar na mukha sa akin.
"They're here" narinig kong bulong ni uncle na nasa tabi ko.
Napangiti naman ako.
"Ohh the Philippine bosses have arrived?"
"I've never seen them before, they exude intimidation and charisma huh." Sinamaan ko ng tingin ang isang babaing nagsabi noon.
Mamaya, aabangan ko 'to sa labas, tsk!
Pinilit ko nalang ngumiti ng makita si Yuiji kasama si Knight at si Cassandra na kasama si Xio.
The rank one and the rank two with their wives, ang unfair! Dapat kasama ako d'yan. But it's okay, gaya ng sabi ko, baka may rason si Clark kaya hindi niya ako isinama.
At nalipat nga ang tingin ko sa panghuling taong pumasok. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko, kalmahan lang natin Almera.
My husband with.. a woman?
Nawala ang ngiti sa aking labi at napatayo. Who the fuck is that woman?!
"These women are stunning. They must be the bosses' spouses" rinig kong usal ng isa sa mga guest.
Fuck no! Ako ang asawa ng isa sa kanila! Tumingin ako sa harapan at nakita kong nasa akin ang madilim nitong mga mata. Mas bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko.
Sandali kaming nagkatitigan pero ako ang unang nag-iwas ng tingin ng makita ko kung paano mas inilapit ng babaing kasama niya ang katawan nito sa asawa ko.
Calm down Almera, you need to calm down..
END OF CHAPTER 10
