HINIHINGAL NA naupo sa bench si Sunset matapos ang ensayo niya. Kinuha niya ang bottled water na nasa tabi at uminom tapos ay tumitig sa punching bag.
Two months.
It's been two months since she get out of that boring underground cell. And tomorrow is the day she must begin her mission.
Damn it. The Crown's want me dead.
To go into this mission alone is suicide but options are not offered by that woman. Aleandra did not tell her someone will help her when she accepted the deal just a day after it was offered to her. And it seems like it was clear she is alone in this.
Tch, that mother of you Ruck is cunning.
The woman gave her a suicide mission in exchange for her freedom but she will have to lay down her life first. If she makes it out alive then she will become a maid for six months. Kung sa anim na buwan na iyon ay mapatunayan niyang pwede siguro siyang mapagkatiwalaan ay baka bigyan siya ng trabaho sa organisasyon. Kaya siguro gagawin muna siyang katulong.
But she's not really after the work in the HOPE but the chance that Aleandra could find the two people she's looking for. With that cunning and bitch attitude of that Crown matriarch, Sunset is sure she has something under her sleeves to make René spill something.
At iyon ang hihilingin niya sa babaeng iyon. Ang malaman kung nasaan sila Midnight pagkatapos ng kalahating taon. Hindi niya na kailangan pang maging miyembro ng organisasyon basta kahit iyon na lang ang pangatlong makuha niya, sapat na. That is why she needs to get this mission done with her alive and breathing. And she'll do everything she can.
Tumayo si Sunset at lumabas ng gym saka pumunta ng pool.
Napabuntong-hininga siya habang nakatanaw sa tubig. Hindi niya alam kung nasaan siya dahil nagising na lang siya isang araw matapos niyang tanggapin ang misyon sa bahay na ito.
She was instructed to stay inside the house for two months to train and come up with a plan. After that, she'll have to start and it will be tomorrow.
Wala siyang kasama sa bahay na iyon pero may nagpupunta doon lagi para dalhan siya ng groceries. Hindi niya rin sinubukan na lumabas dahil suot niya na ang bracelet na may tracking device. Maliban doon may kwintas din siyang suot na alam niyang may shock.
Pumalatak si Sunset. Those Crowns are cunning. She can't even take a look outside because the walls are too high. She can't even touch the wall because there's thin metal with running electricity with high voltage.
Not that she wants to escape but damn, their ways to make sure she doesn't escape away is annoying.
Well, perhaps that's why they are strong. They don't trust so easily.
Pero miss niya na ang gumalaw sa labas at makakita ng ibang tao. Nakakabaliw ang walang kausap. Wala ring nagpapainteres sa kanya.
Speaking of interest...
Kumusta na kaya si Ruckus?
Sunset smiled upon remembering the man. It's interesting how she could allow him to embrace her like that to sleep. It was the first.
Nakakapagtaka rin na minsan hinihiling niya na mangyari ulit ang gabing iyon kung saan yakap siya ng binata. With his embrace, she felt safe and calm. Parang naramdaman niya na hindi siya nag-iisa. Na pwede siyang matulog na walang inaalala.
That she could sleep without fear and without feeling that hollow part in her heart.
Sunset sighed. Ruckus offered her comfort that she never had before or she never had a chance to experience. But that's it. Whatever that man makes her experience is something she can't have for long nor will she ever experience it again. Pang-isang gabi lang iyon at hindi na mangyayari pang muli. It was great tho...
Natigil sa pag-iisip si Sunset ng marinig ang ingay na nagmumula sa gate. Palatandaan na may dumating.
Pumasok siya ng bahay at hinintay sa sala kung sino man ang dumating at hindi nga siya nagkamali. Ilang sandali lang ay pumasok ang isang lalaki na nakasuot ng maskara at itim na bonet. Tanging mata lang nito ang nakikita niya. He has that striking lake blue eyes that very much reminded her of Midnight.
"This is all what you asked in your letter," anito at ibinaba ang isang duffel bag sa harapan niya.
"You sure all I wanted is inside?" Tanong ni Sunset.
Nakita niya ang pagsalubong ng kilay ng lalaki bago walang sagot na tumalikod at iniwan siya. Ni hindi nito sinagot ang tanong niya.
Sighing, Sunset crouched to open the duffle bag to take out everything that are inside. Inilapag niya lahat sa sahig ang nasa loob ng bag saka isa-isa niya iyong tinignan.
It's all the weapon she asked for the mission. There is also the chemicals she wanted and the thin layer of stretchable thing that looks and feels like skin. Walang ibang ganoon sa buong mundo kundi ang HOPE at magagamit niya iyon oras na hindi niya makuhang mapatay ang target sa malayuan.
Napangiti si Sunset nang makitang walang kulang sa mga hiningi niya. At least the Crowns are a good provider.
Matapos i-tsek ang mga gamit ay nilagay na iyon ni Sunset sa isang traveling bag saka itinabi sa isa pang bagahe niya na naglalaman ng mga damit niya at papel kung saan nakasulat ang plano at mga schedule ng target niya sa mga susunod na araw at linggo.
Tumingin sa labas si Sunset nang masiguradong maayos na lahat ng gamit niya.
The sun is setting yet again. After tonight, she's going to do the job again that she already deserted years ago. The only difference this time, she'll be alone. If things went nasty, no annoying men will come to her aide, nor will some men will cover her up to lend a hand and help her out. She's on her own.
Damn... I miss those three friends of hers...
BUMUGA NG usok si Sunset habang nasa madilim na parte ng bar kung saan pinapanood niya ang target niyang si Arnold. As usual, andito na naman ang gago sa bar kung saan madaming babae ang hubad na nagsayaw.
Limang linggo na niyang sinusubaybayan ang lalaki. At masasabi niyang mahirap itong lapitan dahil sa mga tauhan nitong laging nakabantay dito at pinapaligiran ito lagi.
Tch. Takot mamatay ang gago. Mga halang talaga takot harapin si kamatayan pero kung kumitil ng mga inosenteng buhay kala mo nananapik lang ng lamok.
But Sunset had enough. If snipping him will not work because the bloody asshole doesn't go out to open place nor could she enter his lair, then she will have to resort to the very last card she has. She despises doing this trick but well, this one always works with someone like Arnold Perez who loves women too much.
Tinignan ni Sunset ang lalaking nasa harapan niya na tahimik lang. Naiinis siya sa lalaking walang modo na basta na lang naupo sa mesa niya kanina. Ni hindi man lang nagpaalam kung pwede umupo.
Well, what did she expect anyway from this kind of place? Good thing this man is quiet but still, he irks her nerves.
"Don't you have a plan on transferring to another table, mate?" she asked, annoyance lacing her voice and she was not in the mood to hide it.
Hindi ito sumagot pero binigyan siya nito ng blangko ng tingin na nagpatagis ng bagang ni Sunset.
"Look—"
"Bother not about making him talk. He's mute."
Mabilis na nagtaas ng tingin si Sunset sa lalaking nagsalita.
Waiter.
Sunset rolled her eyes.
"How do you know he's mute? Are you his coworker?" she asked, taking the bottle of margarita from the waiter.
"Cvlt is our constant customer." Binigay nito ang order ng lalaking nagngangalang Cvlt.
"Have a good night you two." Paalam ng waiter na ikinatikyas ng kilay ni Sunset. Tsk, there's no other good night than sleeping beside an arse named Ruckus.
Hindi na siya nag-abala pang kausapin ang lalaki na kasama niya at ininom niya lang ang inorder niya saka mabilis na tumayo at inayos ang damit niyang ang ikli at hapit sa katawan niya. Kahit walang umbok na lumalabas ay parang wala parin iyong itinago dahil humahapit iyon sa bawat kurba ng katawan niya.
Damn, she's a bitch but whoring is not her league but that's what always works with men like Arnold.
Breathing one last time, Sunset walk towards the lounge where Arnold and his friends with a few women were having a chat.
She needs to get the man's attention. Hopefully, her look will work with him.
With her sultry eyes and sweet smile she masters over the years when needed, Sunset approached the group of old sleazeballs.
"Hey, handsomes... Mind if I join?" Sunset spoke sweetly while trying her best not to scowl when the four men looked at her from head to feet.
"We don't mind miss. With that beauty you have only fool will shun you away." Umusog ang isa sa apat na lalaki para bigyan siya ng espasyo.
Hindi pinahalata ni Sunset ang inis dahil gusto niya si Arnold ang katabi niya.
Not losing her smile, Sunset was about to sit when the fucking Arnold spoke.
"Come here, sit on my lap miss."
Ngumiti si Sunset kahit na gusto niya na lang sipain ang mukha ng gago.
"Sorry mister," Sunset drawled and look to another lounge where a wealthy don was sitting. "But my old man said I can have some fun but not in an open space."
Hindi niya kilala ang matandang lalaki sa kabilang mesa pero halatang hindi rin ito basta basta. Sana lang hindi ito usisain ni Arnold at gulo talaga.
Tumayo ang lalaki at tinignan ang don na sinasabi niya.
"You're his whore?" Arnold asked.
"Yeah, why?" Sunset smiled.
Binasa ng lalaki ang pang-ibabang labi nito na nagpasira ng sikmura ni Sunset. Damn, I want to puke.
"Very well then miss. I want you in my room."
"Oh, no, mister—"
Natigil siya sa pagsasalita ng linapitan siya ng dalawang tauhan nito at hinawakan sa magkabilang siko habang lihim na nakatutok ang baril sa bewang niya.
"You follow." Bulong ng nasa kanan niya.
Sunset acted like she was afraid. Her eyes waiver and she swallowed, making sure the man will see she's vulnerable and weak.
Iginiya siya ng dalawang tauhan nito sa isang pasilyo hanggang sa harap ng isang elevator. Nakasunod naman si Arnold sa kanila.
Nang bumukas ang elevator ay marahas siyang itinulak ng dalawang tauhan nito sa loob at umakto siyang nasaktan ng bumangga siya sa dingding.
"You should have thought twice before approaching us, miss." Nakangising turan sa kanya ni Arnold nang makapasok ito ng elevator.
Ang dalawang tauhan naman nito ay nagpaiwan sa labas at hindi sumunod.
"Now, I'll fuck you all I want." Mahigpit siya nitong hinawakan sa braso at pilit na hinalikan sa labi pero umiwas si Sunset.
Damn it! Not my fucking lips!
Kahit na kaya niyang labanan ang lalaki ay hindi niya ginawa at umakto siyang nahihirapan kumawala. Sunset just made sure this man does not get to touch her lips or she'll end up vomiting.
Hinawakan nito ang dalawang pulso niya at idiniin sa pader bago nito hinalikan ang leeg niya na siyang ipinain niya. Better her neck than her lips.
Sunset smirked when she felt the man lick and kiss her neck.
Oh, man... The clock is ticking...
Nang bumukas ang pinto ng elevator ay tumigil ito at marahas siya nitong hinila palabas at papunta sa silid siguro nito.
Sunset didn't shout. The last thing she needs right now is people dipping into her business.
Pagkapasok sa silid nito ay agad siya nitong binalya sa pintuan at muling hinalikan ang leeg niya.
This time Sunset didn't move to fight. It's disgusting but he needs to kiss her neck until he weakens.
Ngumisi si Sunset ng lumuwag ang hawak nito sa kanya tapos ay unti-unti itong lumayo.
"W-hat... What is happ-pening?" Tanong nito habang hawak ang ulo at nagtatakang timingin sa kanya.
Smiling coldly, Sunset spoke. "Too bad old man, your greed for lust is what will get you killed. See," she paused and took her weapon with a ridged tip that's hidden in her back between her shoulder blades. It looks like a screwdriver.
"My neck is full of drugs that could put a man into sleep for an hour so whoever devours it will devour the drug the same." Sunset continued and made a face of disgust. "It's disgusting but well... It works."
Before the man falls to the ground because of the drugs that he licked from her neck, Sunset moved her hand to stab him on his neck. Deep enough to cause severe injury and good enough to end his life. Binitawan niya ang armas at hindi iyon binunot saka kinuha niya ang isang maliit na bote na nakatago sa gitna ng hita niya at pinainum iyon sa halos wala ng malay na lalaki. Lason iyon. Double kill iyon pero mahirap na, may kasabihan na matagal mamatay ang masamang damo. She has to make sure this man will be dead.
After that, Sunset turned off the light and went to the balcony to see the dazzling lights of the city of Havana. She doesn't want to watch her target die but if it will be René she'll record him dying for sure.
Kumuha siya ng sigarilyo na nasa bulsa ng damit niya at lighter saka nanigarilyo habang nag-iisip sa buhay na naghihintay sa kanya matapos ang misyong ito.
Pero wala pang ilang minuto siyang nakatayo doon nang makarinig siya ng pagbukas ng pinto.
And it's not the door going out but one of the doors inside the suit. Hindi siya gumalaw at pinakinggan ang paglalakad ng taong mukhang nagtago sa loob ng cr pero halos wala siyang marinig.
Fuck it—
"Calm down your nerves, I'm from the HOPE," anito hindi malayo sa kanya.
Mabilis na pumasok si Sunset sa loob at agad niyang nakita ang silweta ng taong nakasandal sa pader at may hawak na sigarilyo.
"Who are you?" she asked, eyes pinned to the man.
"Kai," sagot nito. "I'll be the one to clean up your mess. No body should be found here—"
"How?"
"That is not your fucking business already." He answered roughly then he moved to turn on the lights and Sunset was fast to get her weapon from her target just in case she gets into trouble with this man named Kai.
Tinitignan ni Sunset ang lalaking may kahabaan ang buhok na pinaghalong itim at silver ang kulay. His eyes are those that look like everything bored him but Sunset will not omit, this one is handsome.
"Please don't fall for my look woman." He pauses to smoke. "The last thing I want is to get into trouble with one of the fucking Crown brothers that could go bull."
Sunset arched her brow. "I don't understand what's your blubbering about but bother not to explain just tell me why exactly are you here."
"I told you the one reason and the second is this." Naglakad ito palapit sa kanya habang may hawak na papel.
Agad na inabot ni Sunset iyon at binuksan para basahin ang nakasulat doon.
Go back to the Crown after you rest. You will be Ruckus's maid for six months. My handsome, impatient son but a hero for many kids needs one.
Yours truly,
Mom
"Seriously?" Sunset whispered, reading the letter once again mentally. Not only how Aleandra describes her son but the Mom. Geez, that woman might have thought she was sending a letter to one of her sons.
"A-huh." Tinignan siya nung Kai mula ulo hanggang paa. "Damn your hot. No doubt that scum falls for that." Tukoy nito sa lalaking wala ng buhay. "But..."
Frowning, Sunset narrowed her eyes at the man. "But?" she asked, urging him to continue.
"Not enough to make every dick hard—"
"It's not my fault if your dick can't get up at all," she cut his blubbering.
"Oh..." Tumaas ang isang gilid ng labi nito. "You telling me I have erectile dysfunction?"
Hindi siya sumagot at pumunta lang sa banyo para sunugin ang papel sa toilet.
"I don't have that, you just mere is not my type—"
"I don't fucking care. You shut up," the only dick that interests me is from Ruck, Sunset wanted to add but didn't.
Lihim na napangiti si Sunset sa naisip. Never did she think she'll see him again.
And six months?
Damn, that will be interesting for six months. That would definitely entertain her. Ruckus is an asshole but for some reason, he entertains her. His upfront and rough attitude is what gets her. He's also short-tempered which makes it more humorous. Huh! She sure will annoy that jerk for berating her a few times.
"No wonder you caught his attention you're different from the women he usually associates with."
"Who?" she asked while flashing the toilet.
"You guess." Kai sighed, then went to the dead man to take a look. "Go, we'll manage from here. Make sure you clean your body because it's disgusting to think this man had a taste of you—"
Sunset tsked. "Don't make it sound like I was used, tch."
"Well, if I am your man I will go on a rampage if I am to know what just happened."
"Good to know you're not my man." Bored niyang tinignan ang lalaki. "And never will, Kai."
"Good to hear. Now, get lost," anito saka kinuha ang cellphone at may tinawagan.
Siya naman ay naiiling na lang na lumabas silid na iyon.
Mabilis siyang umuwi ng hotel niya para maligo. Nandidiri siya at gusto niyang masuka. This is what she hated working with men that she have to kill. They get to touch her.
Sunset removed the stretchable thing that looks and feels like skin from and around her neck before taking a bath.
Ilang ulit na kinuskos ni Sunset ang leeg niya habang naliligo at matapos maligo ay napailing na lang siya habang nakatingin sa salamin. Her neck is red already but she still feels that scumbag's vile lips despite the barrier she glued around it.
Pinikit niya ng mariin ang kanyang mata tapos ay napailing ng malala ang sinabi noon ni Ruckus.
Lovely neck... More like disgusting.
Lumabas na ng banyo si Sunset bago pa man niya maisip ang basagin ang salamin dahil sa galit.
Never again will she go back to this kind of job. She already quit. Kung hindi lang ito kapalit ng kalayaan niya at pag-asang makita ang dalawa ay hindi niya gagawin pa ito.
Nahahapo siyang nahiga sa kama at napatitig sa kisame.
She will be a maid for six months. Tapos si Ruckus magiging amo niya. Not bad but she can't stop wondering what is Aleandra is up to.
Hindi ba nito naisip na pwede niyang lasunin ang anak nito habang katulong siya sa bahay ni Ruckus?
Nailing siya saka napapalatak. Ang weird ng babaeng iyon. Mana talaga si Ruckus dito. Ang binatang galit sa kanya pero balik ng balik sa selda niya noon.
Clfern