CHAPTER TEN
"Hindi ko alam ang sinasabi mo."
"Don't deny it. Alam kong ikaw ang nagligtas sa akin kagabi!"
He chuckled, flashing his pearl white teeth like he was doing a live commercial for Dental floss. Dashiel uncrossed his legs as he shifted on the velvet couch, getting comfortable.
My eyes were pinned to him. He looked everywhere but me, and if he wasn't wearing his infamous smile, I would peg him feeling uncomfortable under my gaze.
"Ano naman ang gagawin ko sa lugar na iyon? At isa pa, may maganda akong alibi. I was watching a movie with Kazmus. Tanungin mo pa siya." Tinango niya ang lalaking nakaupo sa kabilang couch.
Humarap ako kay Kazmus nang nakapamewang. I was standing in the middle of their plush living room, trying to act big in the huge space despite the chandelier looming above me. Iniwas ni Kazmus ang tingin at sumulyap sa mga sapatos niya na tila may dagang sumasayaw doon.
"Yeah. I was watching a movie. With him," he said flatly.
Bakit pakiramdam ko nagsisinungaling ang dalawang 'to?
"Sinasabi niyo ba na nagha-hallucinate lang ako? Na guni-guni ko lang na nabaril sa harapan ko ang ex ko at produkto lang ng imahinasyon ko ang bakas ng dugo niya sa damit ko?" Nangilid ang mga luha ko. Hindi ko na alam kung ano ba ang paniniwalaan ko. Pakiramdam ko masisiraan na ako ng bait. "Sinasabi niyo bang i-confine ko na ang sarili sa Mental Hospital?"
"Uhm, hindi naman sa ganoon Everiss," Mahinahon ang boses ni Dashiel. Sumulyap siya sa kaibigan bago sa akin. "Naniniwala naman kami sa'yo."
"Talaga?" suminghot ako. Tumango si Dashiel may munting ngiti sa mukha. "Kung ganoon, maniniwala rin sa akin ang mga Pulis kapag sinabi ko na pinatay si Drake at hinahabol ako ng mga Mafia?"
Isang kurap lang ay nabura ang ngiti niya at napalitan nang kalituhan. I noticed Kazmus tensed in his seat as well. "Mafia?"
I nodded my head and tell them everything that happened last night. Whether it was a nightmare, hallucination, or real.
"Hindi ko alam kung ano ang kailangan nila sa akin pero gusto nila akong kunin." A shiver ran down my spine as the gold-teeth man menacing eyes flashed in my head. Niyakap ko ang sarili dahil pakiramdam ko, nandiyan lang siya. Nag-aabang na makalabas ako sa pinagtataguan para makuha niya ako.
"Ano naman ang kailangan sa'yo ng mga Mafia?" tanong ni Dashiel, tila malalim ang iniisip nito.
Iniling ko ang ulo. It was the same question running through my head the moment I proved last night really happened. Wala akong matandaan na may ginawan ako ng kasalanan para humantong pa sa mga Mafia.
"Kung tama na Mafia— ehem, ang mga humahabol sa'yo, sa tingin ko hindi maniniwala ang mga Pulis sa'yo." He must have noticed the confusion on my face, so he added. "Hindi ko sinasabi na walang saysay ang mga Pulis pero alam mo naman na Mafia ang halos nagpapatakbo sa syudad na ito hindi ba? What I'm trying to say is, they could be Mafia's puppets. You cannot trust any one of them."
Naramdaman ko ang diin sa huli nitong sinabi, may nakatagong disgusto sa tono. I thought of what he said. May sense ang sinabi niya dahil halos Mafia ang bumubuhay sa Arrow City. Sila rin ang gobyerno at ang batas. Maraming sumasamba sakanila pero kalahati rin ng populasyon ang malaki ang galit sakanila. Bampira ang tingin sakanila ng mga tao, not the one who sucks blood though, but the one who drains life and watches the blood paint the cold ground. They won't hesitate to kill people who have learned of their identity. Walang nakakakilala sakanila at kung sino ang mga kasapi sa Mafia dahil ang pagkatao nila ay nanatiling anino sa mga tao— aside from one.
Carlo Cacciari, a businessman who loves the tabloid. Everyone called him an Italian Prince, not just about his sharp jaw, aristocratic face, and boulder grey eyes, but because of his charisma that could sweep the entire population of women— at least that was Candice had described him during our late night Teen Mag escapades. Laman si Carlo Cacciari ng mga TV shows, Billboards, Magazine Covers, Notebook Cover, Tsinelas, Unan, Mug, Cellphone Case, at marami pa. He basically dominated all the men listed by Forbes as the sexiest man alive. Every girls' dream. Candice perfect man.
Everyone views him as the Prince type. Sa isang katulad ko na napaniwala rin ng mga Prince-type, Knight-in-shining armor, charisma— hindi ako maloloko ng Carlo Cacciari na iyan. Hindi nito matitibag ang paniniwala ko na ang lahat ng gwapo, manloloko.
Thanks to Drake— may he rest in peace.
"Tell me about them," pagsasalita ni Kazmus dahilan para mapunta sakanya ang atensyon ko. Since I stepped inside his house— mansion, he rarely spoke not that he was a talkative one, but he seemed in deep thought. He stared at me like he was solving a puzzle inside his head.
Inaamin ko na medyo na-excite ako na makita siya ulit. After the brand new clinic and orchids, medyo, medyo lang, ha? Gumaan ang pakiramdam ko sakanya. I couldn't deny the fluttering of butterflies in my stomach when our eyes met first today, the curling of my toes when he offered me a curt smile when Dashiel wasn't looking. Pakiramdam ko High School pa rin ako na may mutual feelings na kay Crush.
Tumikhim si Dashiel kaya napakurap ako. Hindi ko napansin na matagal na pala akong nakatitig kay Kazmus.
"Ha?" Ha? Ano ba, Everiss! Umayos ka!
"Pftt. Tell him about the Mafia daw, Everiss," sabi ni Dashiel. Malaki ang ngisi nito habang palipat-lipat ang tingin sa amin ni Kazmus na parang mga puppet na nagsasayaw at naaliw siya.
I felt my cheeks burn, exposing the shame and guilt I feel. Tumingin nalang ako sa sapatos niya, impressed nang makita na wala man lang kahit anong uri ng dumi, tila dumi na ang nahihiyang dumikit sa sapatos ni Kazmus.
"Uhm, mga armado sila nang lumabas sila sa itim na Van. Hindi ko alam kung gaano sila karami at..." Sinapo ko ang leeg nang maramdaman na tila may bumara dito. The horror from last night came flashing back in my head like a movie screen. I watched in fear as the golden teeth man pulled my hair and spoke deadly in my ear. I whimpered involuntarily. "H-he's scary."
"Who?" Hindi ko kailangan tumingin kay Kazmus para kumpirmahin ang pagtataka niya. His voice held a warning and threat, whoever he sought surely going to hell.
I described him the scary man from last night. "Sabi niya sa mga kasama kailangan magmadali bago makarating kay Papa. Sabi ko anong kailangan niyon sa akin pero sabi niya hindi raw siya," I said. "Kundi ang Capo tutti toot."
Napatalon ako sa marahas na pagtayo ni Kazmus, nagtatagis ang bagang nito at tila handang suntukin ako. I flinched when the golden hues in his eyes darkened with unspoken rage, they almost turned black. Hindi ko maikakaila ang takot na naramdaman, hindi na sa bangungot ko kundi sa lalaking ito. Kazmus was silent, always observing like a Lion watching a deer drinking in the pond, letting him enjoy his blissful life not knowing the death awaits him. Saka lang siya aatake kapag nasulit na ng Usa ang sandali ng buhay niya.
But instead of attacking, Kazmus sharply turned and stormed away, disappearing behind one of the many arched entryways.
Ilang sandali pang nabalot ng tensyon ang paligid hanggang sa matagpuan ko muli ang boses. "May nasabi ata akong mali. I think it's Capo toot tooth papi."
Narelax ang atmosphere sa tawa ni Dashiel. I released the breath I didn't know I was holding at Kazmus' abrupt change of behavior.
"I believe it's Capo di tutti Capi," Dashiel corrected.
"Anong ibig sabihin niyon?"
"Godfather."
Hindi ko kailangan ng Dictionary o Google para malaman ang ibig sabihin niyon. My scalp pricked, my throat tightened as I involuntarily wrapped my arms around myself. Anong kailangan sa akin ng isang Mafia Boss? Dashiel heard my thoughts and sighed, rubbing the back of his head with a deep scowl on the carpet like there was dirt there he wanted to get rid of.
"Wala akong makitang rason para ipadampot ka ng Mafia pero isa lang ang sigurado ako." Inangat niya ang tingin sa akin.
Linunok ko ang bumara sa lalamunan ko bago nagsalita. Malakas ang kutob ko na hindi ko magugustuhan ang ano mang sasabihin niya, "Ano iyon?"
Nagsalubong ang dalawang bundok sa tuktok ng mga mata niya kung saan bumalatay ang pag-aalala.
"You're in danger, Everiss."
Fresh terror reared up within me, paralyzing me. Bumigay ang mga tuhod ko kaya dahan-dahan akong umupo sa inukupa ni Kazmus kanina. Dashiel's worried face was in front of me in a second, his mouth was moving, but I couldn't hear any words. I blinked the tears in my eyes.
"... you okay?" Iyon lang ang nakuha ko sa mga sinabi niya.
Umiling ako. "Nawawala ang Uncle at Nana ko, hindi ko makontak si Candice at kagabi lang, binaril sa harapan ko ang ex ko at hinabol ako ng mga Mafia goons. Nagising ako sa bangungot, sinabi ng friend ko panaginip lang ang lahat tapos pinuntahan ako ng Tatay ni Drake at sinabing nawawala ang anak niya tapos nakita ko ang damit ko na may bakas ng dugo kaya alam kong hindi ako nananaginip tapos pumunta ako sa'yo para makompira na hindi ako baliw tapos pinatunayan mo na baliw na nga ako at ngayon sinasabi mo na nasa panganib ako at may Mafia Boss na never ko pang nameet na ngayon ay hinahabol ako. No. Hindi ako okay Dashiel. Isu-suggest ko sana na suntukin mo ako para magising ako sa bangungot na ito pero ayoko ng violence kaya— " I choked by my words. I tugged the invisible chain wrapped around my neck. "Yugyugin mo nalang ako para magising," I finished, realizing how my world turned upside down in just one night.
I just wanted to move on from a heartbreak. Kalimutan si Drake at kulamin ang mga gwapo sa mundo at mag-rescue ng mga hayop. How did I end up witnessing my ex-boyfriend murder? Sure. Gusto ko siyang mamatay matapos niya akong lokohin pero hindi ko lubos maisip na masasaksihan ko pang mangyari iyon sa mismong harapan ko. Was it Karma? I believe so. Hiniling kong mawala na siya, guilty ako diyan kaya ito ngayon ang parusa ko sa paghangad ng masama sa taong nakasama sa akin.
Hindi ko naman in-expect na nakikinig pala si Lord sa akin.
"Everiss!"
My visions spin, nausea building in my stomach as my head bobs harshly to the point my neck feels like breaking. Then it stops. Kinurap-kurap ko ang mga mata at nang bumalik na sa normal ang pakiramdam ko ay masama kong tinignan si Dashiel.
"Bakit mo ako niyugyog?!"
He tilted his head like a dog trying to understand me. "Sabi mo yugyugin kita," he said. "Ano? Naniniwala ka nang totoo ito?"
Tumungo ako saka tumango. What would I do now? Kung nasa panganib ako, paano ko po-protektahan ang sarili ko?
My imagination strategizes for me.
Nakasara lahat ng pintuan at mga binatana sa bahay, nakatago ako sa kabinet bitbit ang isang insect swat habang nira-radyo ni Benjamin, bantay sa labas ng bahay, ang sitwasyon sa labas. Sinilip ko si Meatballs na naka-pwesto naman sa bintana na sumisilip sa labas at sinesenyasan akong magtago. May static sa radyo at maririnig ko ang boses ni Caroline.
"Ako ang bahala sa'yo, Everiss. Magaling akong manuklaw, po-protektahan kita— "
"We're under attack! The Mafia Boss is here!" sigaw ni Benjamin.
"Evy, may pagkakataon ka pa para magdesisyon. Susuko ka sa Mafia Boss o susuko ka sa mundo." Tiningala ni Meatballs ang kisame.
Nanginginig kong sinundan ang tingin niya at lumunok sa lubid na naghihintay sa akin.
"Everiss? Everiss!"
Puno ng luha akong tumingin kay Dashiel. "Ayokong magbigti."
He gave me the dog's curious gaze again.
"Susuko nalang ako sa Mafia. Siguro may pet siya pwede akong makiusap na alagaan nalang iyon habang-buhay kapalit ng buhay ko."
"Walang pet ang Mafia. They would kill anyone to who they feel the attachment. Hindi sila pwedeng magkaroon ng kahinaan."
Nadurog ang puso ko, sunud-sunod na luha ang pumatak sa magkabilang pisngi ko.
"Ang sama nila..."
Dashiel nodded, a solemn and guilty look on his face. "They are. Pero may kilala naman ako na mabait ng kaonti sa mga hayop. Imbes na patayin, kinupkop niya iyon kahit labag iyon sa batas," sabi niya, may kaonting ngiti sa labi nito. His eyes were unfocused, as if relishing a scene in his head. He snapped out of it and grinned at me. "Magkakasundo kayo for sure."
Bago pa ako makapagtanong, biglang tumuwid ang likod niya saka nag-bow sa akin na tila isa akong prinsesa. "Maiwan ko muna kayo."
Kayo?
I opened my mouth to ask, but Dashiel jogged backward like a basketball player who had shot three points in the loop and celebrating. Before he disappeared in the many archways, too, he winked at me.
I heard someone growl. Wait— growled?
Lumingon ako at nakita si Kazmus na matalim ang tingin sa direksyon na pinuntahan ni Dashiel. He wasn't like someone who would punch you in the face anymore, he appeared rather calm now despite his annoyed expression.
Nang magtama ang paningin namin ay agad akong umiwas. Not that I was avoiding him, but I got distracted by the familiar tingles in my toes. Nang maalala ang huling taong nagparamdam sa akin niyon ay patay na, tila ako sinuntok sa sikmura.
Nangilid muli ang mga luha ko kaya medyo tumingala ako at kumurap sa nakakalulang chandelier.
"I can offer you protection."
Halos mag-crack ang leeg ko sa bigla kong paglingon sakanya. Kazmus stood in front of me with a good distance, eyes anchored on mine as they waited for my answer.
"W-what?" Pinilig ko ang ulo. Ngayon ako naman ang aso na nacu-curious sa tao sa harapan ko.
"I can give you protection from the Mafia," ulit niya. If only my ears playing tricks on me, I would note the desperation in his tone.
"Bakit mo naman gagawin iyon?"
Hindi man lang siya kumurap nang sumagot. "Because I would need you in return."
My face contorted in confusion which wasn't cool since I looked like a curious Bulldog. And for once, I don't care. Gumapang ang iritasyon at pagkadismaya sa loob ko. Lumitaw sa memorya ko ang naka-enkwentro kong Pulis sa Presinto— asking the same.
Hindi ako tanga para hindi makuha ang gusto nilang ipahiwatig.
I pressed my thumbs together, squeezing them tightly over my lap. Kazmus' gaze flicker to my thumbs, then returned his attention to my face. Pwersahan kong pinilit ang sarili na manatiling kalmado sa kabila nang bulkan na nagaalburoto sa loob ko.
Clearing my throat, I asked in a business-like voice. "Need me in what?"
His eyes shifted, my heart sunk like a Titanic in the abyss along with the stupid tingles reserved for him. It seemed like Kazmus felt that too because his face sat blank.
"To be my wife."
Anong lengwahe ba ang gamit niya kaya hindi ko siya maintindihan? O sadyang nabobo na ako sa mga nangyari kaya hindi ko siya ma-gets.
Kazmus' head snapped to the side, only allowing me to see his ticking jaw and lips pressed in a thin line. His gaze lingers on the archway he disappeared not a moment ago like he couldn't wait to go there again.
"Dashiel will elaborate it for you. Please think about it. For now, you have two days to decide." He dismissed like we were in an executive meeting and he was the Company CEO, ending the assembly to his like.
Kazmus pushed himself to the archway he appeared a moment ago and disappeared through it again. I was left alone, feeling ditched and betrayed. Iba ito sa heartbreak na naramdaman ko dahil... mas masakit ito. My heart starting to glue its pieces back together shattered once again, leaving me nothing but sickening coldness and hollowness.
Naalala ko ang late-night visit niya sa Clinic, ang adventure namin kasama si Kojo, ang bagong gawang Clinic, at ang mga orchids. The brewing hopes died just like how Drake's life ended in front of me. Brutal.
Tumingin ako sa mga kamay kong mahigpit nang nakakuyom sa kandungan ko. They were pale to the point that my veins protruded.
Masyado akong umasa na iba siya. I should have not expected something, dahil pare-parehas naman talaga sila.
"Everiss?"
Nang marinig ang boses ni Dashiel ay pinakawalan ko ang pressure sa mga kamay bago lumingon sakanya. He flinched when he saw the anger on my face.
"I believe— "
"I believe I need to go." Tumayo ako at pinalandas ang mga palad sa jeans ko na tila nakusot ito. Masama ko itong tinignan dahilan para umiwas siya, alam kong alam niya ang sinabi ng walangya niyang kaibigan na akala mo matino pero kasapi pala ni Drake na siraulo, kaya hindi ito makatingin sa akin ng diretso na animo'y guilty.
He opened his mouth to speak, but I raised my index finger to silence him.
"Tell him he can suck his balls and marry his ass," I swallowed the anger in my throat. Disappointment washed through me like a violent stream. "It was a mistake meeting you both."
Pinanlakihan siya ng mga mata. For a split moment, I saw the hurt in his eyes, but it quickly vanished and was replaced by understanding.
"Because you hate us, please allow me to escort you home, so I could make sure of your safety," malungkot na aniya.
I hated that I feel guilty about it.
→→→
"Mr. Rozanov, pwede pa tayong magpalit ng bride. We still have time— "
"WE DON'T HAVE FUCKING TIME!"
Gus flinched, cowering under the Beast's penetrating gaze. If only Gus has a third eye, he would see the horns growing on the Beast's forehead with smoke emitting from his nose. Terrifying.
Hindi alam ni Gus kung papaano siya napunta sa ganitong sitwasyon pero isa lang ang sigurado siya, mamatay siya ngayong araw mismo kapag hindi pa kumalma ang Halimaw sa harapan niya. Gus winced when another bottle of expensive wine landed on the floor with a piercing crash. The broken pieces splattered in every direction.
Langya, sayang... he thought.
Lumunok muna si Gus, kompiyansa sa lakas ng loob na meron siya, nagsalita ito. "Pero mukhang hindi papayag si Ms. Valentine na magpakasal sa'yo." Even Gus had to wince on that.
Years of service with the man fuming in front of him, Gus has never seen anyone— I mean, anyone rejected Kazmus Rozanov. Well, there were few, but not of them was still breathing now. Gus was surprised Everiss Valentine still managed to walk freely around without flame on her body. Kazmus must have really chosen her. Once Kazmus put a claim to anything, it'd stay that as his possession until he saw fit.
Kazmus turned to glare at Gus. Ang mga palad niyang nakatukod sa bar counter ay mahigpit na kumuyom. Everiss' disgusted face when he offered her marriage flashed through his head, he clenched his jaw, not understanding how that made him disgusted to himself too.
Dalawang araw nalang ang meron siya para makahanap ng asawa. He cannot mess this time, he had to have a wife, or else he would see as someone failure to the Brotherhood. A man who cannot bring a wife to carry his heir to continue the legacy of the Rozanov was far worse than humiliation. He cannot disappoint Semion. Not this time.
Even Kazmus has to force his candidate bride for marriage, he will. Kahit kamuhian pa siya ni Everiss.
Kazmus tasted the disgusting guilt on his tongue, instead of spitting it like he normally does, he swallowed, preparing for the worst of what Everiss might think of him.
The door opened to Kazmus' left and Dashiel entered, his eyebrows were in a thin line, eyes narrowing in deep thought. Saka lang na-distract sa kung ano mang iniisip si Dashiel nang may maapakan na nadurog sa ilalim ng sapatos niya. He tilted his left shoe and saw who didn't survive from his heavy Armani boots. Inangat niya ang tingin nang maramdaman ang tensyon sa kwarto. Dashiel doesn't have to be Valedictorian to know what happened.
Sumulyap muna siya sa naninigas na Gus sa gilid bago bumaling kay Kazmus. "Nakauwi na siya. She's safe for now, but I don't know how long would that be." He paused. "Our men assigned to her spotted a group of Italian's lingering around her house. Hindi ko alam kung hanggang kailan sila doon."
Gus knitted his eyebrows together in confusion. "Ano bang kailangan ng mga Mafia sakanya?"
Dashiel shook his head. Even he sees no reason why would the assholes need her— especially the Godfather. Unless nakarating na rin sa mga ito ang tungkol kay Everiss bilang bride ni Kazmus? If that was the case, Everiss was really in deep shit.
Alam nilang hindi nagsisinungaling si Everiss nang ikwento ang nangyari kagabi. If Gus wasn't monitoring the CCTV he installed in front of the Pet Clinic, they won't be able to save Everiss— Alright, every one of them was guilty of the CCTV. It was Kazmus' idea when they spend four hours refurbishing the poor Clinic. Man, Dashiel almost nailed his pinky while installing the new door. Kazmus sweeping the floor is still a sight to behold. Kung hindi lang mala-pinya ang kaibigan na maraming mata, nakunan na niya sana ito ng litrato at pina-frame para i-display sa bawat sulok ng Mansion. Kazmus would kill him, but that's going to be worth it.
Gus phone dinged, snatching all their attention. Lumunok ulit si Gus, hindi man nakatingin sakanya si Kazmus ay alam niyang nasa kanya ang buong atensyon niya. Gus tapped his phone and upon confirming the message, he looked at Kazmus.
"They got Candice Valentine. What's next?"
Kazmus poured a good amount of whiskey into his glass and drank it down without wincing. Nang maibaba ang kopita, mariin siyang napapikit nang muling sumilip sa memorya niya ang galit sa mga mata ni Everiss. Nagmulat siya at masamang tinitigan ang walang laman na kopita.
"We'll make it worse."
.