Next day, nakahilata sila kung saan-saan na hindi nila namamalayan na nakatulog na pala sila.
"Ow—" Naramdaman kong nahulog ako.
I slowly waking up and I look around and my jaw drops.
I wiped my tears as usual but it wasn't horrible as always. Thanks to the alcohol.
Kinusot ko pa ang mata ko at mukhang nahulog ako galing sa sofa. Tumingala ako at katabi ko pala si Leon na ginawa ko pang unan ang braso niya. Mas nanlaki pa ang mata ko dahil nakabalandra ang katawan ni Leon sa harap ko mismo.
Kinuha ko ang isang coat na nakakalat sa sahig at tinakpan ko ang katawan ni Leon habang mahimbing itong natutulog.
I decided to take a bath before to deal with all of them. Babysitting a drunkard group of people is such a drag.
Pag katapos ko maligo ay dumeretso agad ako sa kusina para pag lutuan sila para mawala ang mga hangover nila. Kahit na mas malala pa ang hangover ko kaysa sa kanila.
Huli ko na napansin ang panganay kong kapatid na mahimbing na natutulog sa itaas ng refrigerator.
"How the hell did he get up there?" tanong ko sa sarili ko habang napakamot ako sa ulo ko.
Hindi ko na lang pinansin and I start grabbing some ingredients to the other side of the fridge.
Muntikan ko na mabato 'yung kutsilyo sa gulat dahil may kumalabit sa likod ko.
"Miahri? Gago ka— kung saan-saan ka sumusulpot!" Binatukan ko siya at hinampas niya ako pabalik.
Tinulungan niya akong mag luto para sa amin. Kahit ano'ng ingay namin ay hindi sila magising.
While I'm preparing the utensils, saktong nagising naman si AJ.
"So wasted, Doctora?" Nginisian ko siya at bigla akong napahawak sa ulo ko dahil sa migration.
"Ano ka pa? Mukha kang gago sa itsura mo ngayon. Anyway, morning."
It's too early in the morning, but her morning routine has been ruined yet again as usual.
Laging mainit ulo ni AJ kada bagong gising siya. Masyadong stress sa trabaho, ni hindi man lang nakapag pahinga kahit saglit lang. Thanks to me, mahimbing ang tulog niya.
Sinabihan din nila ako na tinapos nila ang mga gagawin nila para malinis ang scheduled nila para sa birthday ko.
Sunod naman na gumising, si Castriel.
Tumabi siya kay AJ na hindi niya alam and he later realized na si AJ ang katabi niya and he slightly lowered his head to greet her good morning shyly.
What's this? Hindi naman ata nag sasabi ang AJ sa amin sa love life niya.
"You can eat na. I cooked tons of breakfast, right in front of you. Enjoy! Miahri, assist them." Kindat ko at tinulungan niya ang dalawa.
Una kong nilapitan si Leon na natutulog ng mahimbing. Umupo ako sa harap niya.
I keep poking his face pero nainis lang ito at tumalikod lang.
"You idiot! Gumising ka na!" Nag taas ang boses ko at bigla siyang bumangon.
"Yey, kain ka na. Nag luto na 'ko, good morning." I pat his head at pumunta naman ako sa iba.
Gising na silang lahat, tanging ang kapatid ko na lang ang natitira.
Patuloy kami sa pag tawag sa kanya hanggang sa mainis ako hinayaan ko na lang siya.
Tumabi ako kay Leon na inaantok pa and I make some coffee, his favorite one.
"Please, stop exposing your body in front of the table. Etiquettes, as I speak." I scolded the attorney.
Napatingin siya sa katawan niya and he closes the buttons up to his formal shirt, while thinking what happened last night.
Habang kumakain kami, masarap daw ang niluto ko kaya ilang beses pa sila kumuha sa mga niluto ko.
"Damn, what the fuck happened last night?"
"Don't ask us." AJ yawns.
Naupo na din si Kuya habang tinutulungan siya ni Cross mag handa ng agahan.
Nakiligo na din sila dito para kahit paano ay mawala din ang tama nila sa mga sistema nila.
Pababa pa lang ako papunta sa sala na may tumatawag sa phone ko.
"Hey, I already sent it to your email."
"Right. Thanks, Rio."
Agad akong pumunta sa kwarto ko at kinuha ko ang mga papeles ko galing sa mga organized shelves.
Hindi pa tapos maligo si Leon and while I'm waiting to open my computer, I saw an unfamiliar envelope beneath my books.
Binuksan ko ito at walang alinlangan kong binasa.
Nangunot ang noo hanggang sa may nabasa ako sa huli.
"What... Is this?" Agad kong binalik ang papel sa loob ng envelope.
This time, ako naman ang kumuha at tinago ko na ako lang ang nakakaalam.
Bumalik ulit ako sa trabaho, pretending I didn't saw anything.
Deep inside, I don't know what to do.
Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko only I can hear my heartbeat's beating so damn fast.
Ayaw mawala sa isipan ko ang nabasa ko as my expression are still surprise.
What the actual fuck...
I stopped typing to my computer and I lean to my swivel chair and starts spacing out while looking to the ceiling.
The heavens enjoys playing with me.
After I review the proposal via Rio's, tumahimik muna ako, processing everything to my mind. Puzzling everything I can.
Sinabunutan ko ang sarili ko sa inis at sumasakit lalo ang ulo ko sa kakaisip.
"This is really stressing me out!" I gritted my teeth. Somehow, I tried to be calm as possible.
Gosh, feeling ko sasabog na utak ko. Jusko, bakit gan'to ang problema na binibigay niyo sa 'kin?! Gusto ko lang naman manahimik sa mundo habang walang iniisip na problema!
"How am I going to deal with this? Kada may problema lagi akong involve. Taragis 'yan. Nakakainis!" Napasigaw ako sa inis.
"Kuya! Kinakausap na ni Ate Mirus sarili niya!" Rinig kong sigaw ni Miahri kahit na nasa loob ako.
I just sigh frustratingly, because it appears that there is nothing I can do about it. Yet.
I need to think something. Quick!
While I'm putting my papers back where they belong, I'm afraid I'm about to lose my sanity in this state.
Once I leave my room, everyone is here parang ako na lang ang hinihintay nila.
I compose myself while maintaining a calm and unbothered expression while I faced them.
But, seriously, it's making me nervous.
For the next few hours, nandito kami ni Kuya sa pamamahay ko, to be exact, nasa underground kami.
May hinahanap ang kapatid ko sa kabilang table at ako naman ay busy sa screen. Still distracted since earlier.
"This is a very serious homicide and what's scary is, paano pa kaya kapag mass murder? How's that possible na siya ang pumatay?"
He's not an actor today. This time, he's being a detective-lawyer persona.
"Corvus has already explained it to you. Hindi ka ba nakikinig?" I stop typing and I raise my brow at him with confusion.
"Alam ko, baliw. That person looks so noble and suplado na may halong kalandian to me." Napaisip pa siya saglit habang kagat ang ibabang labi niya.
"Pero bihira lang kami mag-usap kapag may party na nagaganap." Kuya is shrugging.
Lagi naman siyang invited sa mga parties, he's too lazy to go and talk to people for hours. Pupunta lang siya kapag maluwag ang schedule niya.
"Noble, huh?"
"More like, serial-murder-noble." he answers me in sarcastic way and I rolled my eyes.
Tinapos ko muna ang mga gagawin ko, as I turned around and face my brother again who's busy about the case too. It excites him, to be honest.
Today's my lucky day.
"Kuya, sama ka?"
"Saan?" he questioned, his gaze fixed on the papers.
I'm afraid, Leon will get into this. Sooner.
Nag brainstorming kaming dalawa bago kami kumilos.
Talagang nag talo pa kami kung sino sa amin ang masusunod. In the end, ako pa din ang masusunod.
"Connect it with his phone and start recording it. Quickly." I commanded the AI.
"Yes, I am planning a party tonight. Few of my business partners are also included. Guard the house while I'm gone. You know what to do."
Napailing na lang ako dahil kanina ko pa nakita ang blueprint sa pamamahay niya.
Saktong may dumating na invitation galing sa text at siya mismo ang nag send sa akin.
"Pupunta ako sa party, saglit lang. Tapos mag kikita tayo sa main location natin. Naiintindihan mo?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Inayos muna namin ni Kuya ang mga gamit na dadalhin namin.
Next couple of hours, nakahanda na ang lahat, the last step is the final plan.
I walked around the hallway, gripping my sling bag. While I'm passing by, most of them are looking at me.
Just a little more, Cecilia. You can kiss your suffering goodbye.
I was driving alone on the way to the hotel and I can't help it but to panic.
Bakit niya dinamay si Miahri? Anong atraso ko sa kanya para gawin niya 'yon?
Nawala ang iniisip ko na may tumatawag galing sa sasakyan ko.
Sinuot ko ang earpiece as I answer the call.
"Where are you? Sabi ni Rigel umalis ka daw?"
"Yup. I received an invitation to a formal party. Miss me already, Mr. Lozano?" Hindi ko maiwasan mapangiti.
"Yeah, in your dreams." Napasimangot agad ako.
"Letseng 'to. Ano na naman kailangan mo sa 'kin?" Pinatay ko agad ang tawag dahil aasarin niya lang naman ako.
After thirty-five minutes, nakarating na din ako sa hotel and I parked in front of the entrance, the staff assisting me and I gave my keys to him.
Inayos ko muna ang black wrap around dress na may tali pa sa gilid like a bathroom robe.
Nakalugay din ang buhok ko and as I entered the event, my high heels were clinking on the marble floor.
I'm walking slowly to the stairs until I see a few familiar faces around here. I maintain a calm and humble expression on my face.
I smell some burning plastics around here.
I drew the attention of the women and proceeded to greet them. Forcibly.
"Lady Caelum. It's been a long time, hasn't it?"
Most of the people here calling me 'Lady' instead of the actual 'Miss Caelum'. Besides, nakasanayan ko na din na tawagin akong Miss Caelum lalo na at nanggaling kay Leon and Corvus.
"It has." Tipid kong sagot at binigyan naman kami nang champagne.
"Blooming ka, are you dating someone?" Josie asks at hinawakan niya ang braso ko.
"Yeah. I'm dating my paperworks." I rolled my eyes jokingly.
To be honest, whenever I attend this kind of event, the guests are too toxic with exhibit bad behavior. They're always pretending, and it disgusts me as fuck.
Kailangan gusto nila sila mas angat, mapera, makapangyarihan, at kung ano pa ang iyayabang nila.
Hinding-hindi sila mag papatalo.
What is the point of their wealth and power if they can't help the society and the environment? When all they do is flaunt their possessions and look down on the poor?
They're talking about their money, estates, businesses, and whatever else they can think of, and I rolled my eyes in annoyance.
"Lady Caelum, how about you? How's the Solis doing? I've heard you've been in a lot of trouble lately and the Solis too. What happened?"
Seriously, what the hell.
"Nothing special. You don't have to be concerned, I'll take care of them."
Or, to put it another way, I aim my gun at their heads.
"Why don't you come at us next week?"
"Uh, where?" I asked.
"To Los Angeles! We, the girls, need to take a break from work and enjoy ourselves by spending our money!"
They all giggled, and I gave them the most irritating smile.
"When fortune bestows wealth on us, we should give it to those in need." I said in a deep meaning and driving them into confusion.
"Please excuse me, I need to speak with someone. Please have fun." I slightly lowered my head and walks away from them.
While I'm wandering around, I even saw a familiar face that I wanted to avoid and talk for the same time.
I mean, literally. Someone would like to speak with me.
I quickly turned around, but it was too late for me to run and hide.
"Chairwoman Caelum? Fancy meeting you here."
"President Ricasio. Pleasure to meet you here, unexpectedly."
"Drop the honorifics, Mirus. Anyway, I forgot to give you this. I already knew I am meeting you here."
May kinuha siya sa bag niya at natagalan pa siya dahil hindi niya makita.
Nang makita niya na, inabot niya ang isang maliit na ruby box and I slowly reaches my hand.
"Yesterday was your birthday, right? and I didn't even show up. Something important came up. Feliz Cumpleaños, Mirus." Ngumiti ito sa akin and I can tell she's not lying.
(Happy Birthday.)
"Why, thank you. I do appreciate it."
"I really love your British accent. Anyways, have you seen the party host? Wanted to talk to him about business."
Another kind of business, I see.
"The Morales?" I asked and pretending to be innocent.
"Yup."
While I'm drinking some wine, I saw Owen who's flirting with a lady.
"That person may appear to be gentle on the outside, but he hides a lot of secrets in his skeletal closet." she said it in casual terms, but I understand what she meant.
"Tempting. My interest was piqued all of a sudden." I breathe lowly.
"You don't have to be concerned, you might see him on the news the next day." she taps my shoulder.
Wait—
I look at my bracelet watch to see if it's time for me to leave.
I take another look around again, the guests here are overjoyed, exaggerated, and all of them are hiding secrets as well. Using their everything to protect their honorable reputation.
Everything will be lost if their secrets are revealed.
Even I am at a loss for what to do if the infamous Scarlet Assassin is revealed to be the Chairwoman of Solis and from the Caelum bloodline.
Damn, need to stay low as possible.
"Anyway, speaking of which, have they apprehended Mr. Han Sung Min yet?" Quintessa faced me with curiosity.
"They have not, I'm afraid. Still hiding in the shadows of the night."
Hmph.
"It appears that you, too, have enemies? To tell the truth, I am as well. All of the guests who are here are also enemies."
"How do you mean, Mirus?"
She drank the entire glass of wine and looks at me with her brows furrowed in confusion.
"We're up against the people who seeks power and wealth for the sake of their greed. Including, illegality and violence." I take a sip of my wine while the guest is dancing around the center.
People will get nowhere when they put their trust in money.
"We are playing..." I stated in low tone.
"In a very dangerous and risky game, and if you don't play your cards correctly, hmph. It's your loss." I glance over Quintessa.
You understand what I'm saying, right?
"One thing you must do in order to win is to survive. It's your best bet." I smiled genuinely with a hint of sarcasm.
Though It's my only best option.
"Guess I'm playing my cards recklessly." Quintessa tilts her head to the right.
I check my watch again and looks at her and smiles.
You're always reckless.
"Gotta go. have a flight to catch up on." I lied.
"Well, then. See you again, Mirus. I do have better things to do." she smiles again, which makes me feel quite uneasy.
"I'll wish you the best of luck."
I finally turn around and walk away from them. My eyes have no expression and I smirk as I leave the event.
The staff returns my keys and informs me that my vehicle is parked behind the building.
While I'm walking towards to my car, I call Kuya that I'm on my way to the location.
Once I got inside, I grab my bag and I start to change my clothes.
I wear the realistic latex face mask and I look myself to the mirror and my appearance is completely different. No one will know that I am using the different face.
I also put the voice changer strip, when I speak, my voice is completely different from mine.
Everything's going well and drives away from the building meeting my brother right now.
For a few minutes, I finally arrived and I park my car beneath the tree from the dark side.
I grab my bag and got out from the car.
I saw my brother hiding to the woods and his face is different too.
"What took you so long?" he asked, in different voice.
"Traffic."
Kinuha ko ang remote and I didn't hesitate to push it down. To be more specific, the entire neighborhood's electricity is out.
We run to the back of the house, and communicating with Corvus at the same time.
Binasag ko ang bintana gamit ang siko ko and I grip the lock of the window to open it up.
"We must move quickly. We don't have a lot of time." I got inside to the house first.
"For them? I'll make some." I keep aiming my gun everywhere.
Corvus is telling us where to go even if we take the people here down.
I heard a footsteps walking to our direction using a flashlight and Kuya attacks first making the man into a deep sleep.
Binuksan ko ang phone ko kung saan sinabi ni Corvus ang pupuntahan namin.
Ah, shit.
A group of people starts studying our faces.
Kuya and I quickly attack them as I use the gun para hampasin sila sa ulo to lose their consciousness.
The other group alerts them and I took a glance below. I quickly aim my gun, pulling the trigger mercilessly.
We already take them down and they will wake up for an hour, I guess.
So this is all about.
It's an underground prisoner, I'm still thinking if she's going here too.
The door is lock, well, with a password.
Tinapat ko ang phone ko sa tapat ng electronic door lock and Corvus starts hacking it with no problems.
It made a sound with a green light, it means the password is correct. No sweat.
I take a deep breathing while looking at the door.
"Hey." Tawag niya.
Pareho namin sinipa ang pinto and Kuya aims his gun everywhere as I changed another magazine to my gun at kinasa ko agad.
Fuck.
I lowered my gun down and there's a few women here, it looks dead and three of them is my employees.
What the—
"Please! Help us!" Sigaw nila and starts to cry out loud.
Kinuha ko ang kutsilyo na nakalagay sa balikat ko at sinimulan ko na putulin ang mga lubid nila.
To be honest, bigla akong kinabahan. Because of the situation, I never really like it and these women are... Suffering.
They don't deserve this. They don't.
"Don't worry, we're agents. My name is Madelaine and that guy is Nathaniel." Turo ko sa kapatid ko.
Damn, that's unexpectedly surprising.
"It's too easy to guess. Wanna start explaining?" tanong ko sa isang babae na isa sa mga employees ko. Missy Ramirez.
Talagang hilig niya sa mga stewardess.
"He raped... All of us... Palagi niyang ginagawa kapag dumadalaw siya dito!"
"Since when did he abducted all of you?" tanong ni Kuya.
"I don't know... P-pero, may pinatay siyang babae. Few of them. He kills them whenever they attempt to escape..."
"And one of them is Cecilia Brielle Esteban, right? Unfortunately, she died brutally." I told them in bitter tone.
"Is he always here?" tanong ulit ni Kuya while groaning in annoyance.
"Yes. He always does."
After we break them free binigay ni Kuya ang isang susi sa sasakyan niya.
"A van's parked directly behind the house. Get them and escape as soon as possible. Please do not reveal our names. It's our secret mission and classified." Kumindat pa ang kapatid ko.
"Tell them you helped each other when you got the chance and were able to escape. We'll go ahead and contact the police anonymously. Now, go, quickly!" Binuhat niya pa ang isang babae na may pilay sa paa.
"Thank y-you, Ethan... Madelaine..." Tuluyan na silang nakalabas.
Ako na lang ang naiwan dito sa baba and I have another thing to do.
I dash into the room and steal something from this person.
Agad kong nakita ang hinahanap ko, it's foolish to show his cards like that. I read the documents first, smiling wickedly.
This is a jackpot. How lucky I am.
This is where all of the illegal transactions and other illegal businesses are recorded. And Leon will take care of it once I give it to him. I only did my part to bring him down without getting my hands stained with blood.
Bago ako umalis, binuhat ko pa isa-isa ang mga tauhan papunta sa basement at itinali ko sila katulad nang ginawa nila sa mga hostages.
Nilinis ko muna ang pamamahay niya na para bang walang nangyari.
"Such a pitiable waste." I shake my head.
After that, I leave without leaving any trace of my presence in that location.
Now, I'm looking forward to the next scene.
A/N:
Happy New Year y'all, writers and readers! More stories to write and read to come!