Chapter IV: The Fiancée
(unedited)
-- ∞ --
IT'S almost two weeks and still, Georgina hasn't made any move yet. Looks like what she said about ending the mission in a month won't happen anytime soon. Hindi siya makagalaw dahil sa mga matang nakabantay kay Giovanni Claude, there are eyes everywhere he goes. Probably around fifty people have been watching him closely. Hindi naman na siya nagtataka sa bagay na iyon since anak naman ito ng isang Mafia Boss, it's natural for them to secure his life.
"Hey Miss, that's prohibited."
Napalingon si Georgina mula sa pagkakasandal sa puno kung saan siya nagtatago while puffing some cigars. It's break time and she left the two nerds for a quick smoke.
"This is the smoking area though?" sagot niya. Sa backside na ito ng school at may karatula rin na nagsasabi na 'smoking area' ang lugar.
He walked to her. Kinuha nito ang yosi sa kamay niya at itinapon sa bin na tapunan ng sigarilyo.
"Yes, but that only applies to the staff who are working here. Students aren't allowed smoking inside the school premises. Whether it's the smoking area or wherever." sambit nito.
Georgina arched her brow. What was this guy's name again? Was it Reichen Green? Ah yes, the current school council president and the son of the owner of this university.
"Whatever." maikling sagot niya dito and decided to leave. She'll just make sure not to get caught the next time. Of all time, talagang nahuli pa siya ng SC president.
Hindi pa man siya lubusang nakakalayo ng tawagin siya nito sa pangalan niya. Yep, he called her with her whole name kaya napahinto siya at nilingon ito. He's holding something in his hand and that's her school ID. Hindi niya namalayan na nahulog niya pala iyon.
"Georgina Kim Sta Maria. You're a freshman? I thought you were a third year." wika nito habang binabasa ang mga information sa ID niya.
She took it from him and didn't say a thing. She walked out again.
"Hey Miss, wait up!" sambit nito. Binilisan naman niya ang paglalakad para di maabutan nito but maybe he ran kaya nakasabay ito sa kanya. "I'm Reichen by the way." He was smiling from ear to ear.
"Of course I know who you are, Mr Green." who wouldn't?
"Oh." he mused. "You're an odd one, don't you? I mean if a girl happened to meet me or us-"
"They're most likely to swoon or have some lovestruck? Seriously dude?" Georgina can't believe she's hearing this right now.
The hell. What are these guys even thinking? That they are some god's gift to women? It's making her vomit.
"Uhm, well.. yea?" he answered scratching the back of his neck.
"I have no time for this. Please stop following me Mr Green, your fan girls are glaring at me right now." ramdam na ramdam niya ang nakakapasong titig ng mga babae sa paligid nila. She wanted to be invisible as long as she can, but if this persist baka mauna pa niyang patahimikin ang lalaking ito.
"I'm sorry. Well, nice to meet you Kim." he nodded and left.
Good. Mabuti na iyong nagkakaintindihan sila.
But she was wrong. The next days of her life are the worst. Reichen is always showing up to her face! Like a mad stalker! Trying to be friends with her out of the blue!
"Senior, anong trip mo sa buhay? I mean, it's been days na palagi kang nakabuntot sa kaibigan namin. May gusto ka ba kay Georgina Kim?" Monic asked. Although she's the nerdy type, matalas ang dila nito kung magsalita. Walang pasikot sikot.
We were having our peaceful stay in the library when Reichen popped up. Mukhang may mga walking cctv ito dahil alam na alam kung nasaan siya.
"What?" parang nasamid si Reichen at hindi makapaniwala. "Well, I think a lot of people would say it like that but no. I do like Kim though- as a friend because she reminds me of someone."
Hinampas ni Monic ang mesa at napatayo. "Is that an ex-girlfriend?! Ang kapal naman ng mukha mo kung ganoon!" lahat ay napalingon sa kanya dahil sa ingay na ginawa niya. Even the librarians glared at them pero wala itong magawa dahil kasama nila si Reichen.
"Whoa! Chill. Hindi!" pinaupo muli ni Reichen ito and apologize to everyone in the room. "It's a friend! Kim reminds me of that friend."
"Neknek mo, ayusin mo buhay mo ah! Kahit ikaw ang anak ng may ari nitong school, i-dissect kita ng buhay, Senior. Hmp!"
"Monic, water." sambit ni Gabriel at inabutan ng bottled water ito. Monic drinks from there while not leaving her eyes at Reichen.
"Don't you know you're really creeping us out Senior?" Georgina couldn't help blurting out. Maybe not really a creepy word to say but it's just that not just anyone- an elite like him can hang around to ordinary student like them.
Reichen was stunned for a moment and stare at them, "Am I creeping you out?"
"Yes." magkapanabay nilang tatlo na sagot.
"Wow. Can't I hang around with you guys? I mean student naman tayo lahat dito. I can choose who I want to be with, right?" he said.
"Oo nga, lahat tayo student dito but duh? Our differences are like the ground and heaven. Lupa kami, nasa taas ka. Hindi ka ba naiilang kasama kaming commoners? Where are your rich friends? Kami tuloy ang naiilang kapag nandyan ka eh, like seriously. One of the Five Kings is hanging around with us. Yes, it's giving us the creeps." sagot ni Monic.
Reichen was about to say something when someone came. Isa sa myembro rin ng Five Kings- Odin Stevens.
"Rei. I've been looking and calling for you, naka silent ba ang phone mo? What are you even doing here?" bungad nito.
"Oh, I didn't notice. I left my phone in the office too. What's the problem?" Reichen asked. "Oh, Odin. Meet my new friends. Gabriel, Monic and Georgina." he introduced them.
Odin only takes a quick glance at them, he's looking at them in a very not friendly way. Tipikal na tingin ng isang elite kid sa hindi nito ka level na estado.
"New friends? Are you serious? Are we not enough for you to add more?" He sounds offended.
"Why not? I mean anyone can be friends, Odin." sagot ni Reichen. Comparing the two, mas mukhang mayabang itong si Odin.
Kunot noong inisa isa silang tingnan ni Odin, "Well, I have no problem with you having more friends.. But seriously, they look all plain. You're the SC President, kahit sino pwede mong maging kaibigan, just why them though?"
"You know what?" hindi na napigilan ni Georgina ang sarili na hindi magsalita, Odin's words are becoming more like an insult. "Don't worry wala rin naman kaming balak makipagkaibigan sa katulad mo. F*cking brat." Halos pabulong nalang ang huling sinabi niya. She quickly gathered her things to leave. "Let's get out of here. Nakakahiya naman, baka maging plain din ang isang 'to." sambit niya sa dalawang nerd at nauna ng lumabas ng library. Tumalima naman agad ang dalawa.
"Georgina! I'm sorry!" pahabol ni Reichen pero hindi na lumingon pa si Georgina dito. Mainitin ang ulo niya, baka hindi niya matantiya si Odin at masapak niya ang bunganga nito.
As if gusto rin niyang makipagsalamuha sa mga ito. She's just here for a mission. She would stick to that.
"What the heck, Odin. Why did you do that? They're my new friends. Stop being so picky, mababait naman sila."
"Seriously, Rei. Lahat naman sa'yo mabait, halika na. We have something to talk about, nandon na rin sa HQ si Gio. Baka umalis iyon agad, mainipin pa naman ang taong iyon."
Lumabas na sila ng library at naglakad papunta sa HQ building.
"Talk about what?"
Odin lowered his voice, "About the organisation."
Reichen went silent. If it's about the organisation means it's important. Minutes later ay nakadating na sila sa building.
"What's the problem in the org?" bungad ni Rei.
"Gio's father is deciding to step down from his position." it was Magnus who answered.
"What? Why so sudden!?"
"Yes, we all shared the same reaction. I just heard it from my father. Si Gio, siya ang mas nagulat sa nangyayari. I mean wala naman silang usapan ng tatay niya tapos out of the blue ay ganito..."
Magkasalubong ang kilay na tiningnan ni Reichen si Giovanni. "Which means Gio's going to replace him right, pero napaka aga naman yata ng desisyong ito? I mean malapit na tayong grumaduate, why is this sudden change? Akala ko napag usapan na ito noon pa?"
"Is your father sick, Gio?" tanong ni Leandro.
"My mother would tell me if he is." Kibit balikat na sambit lang ni Giovanni, like as if he didn't care.
"I'll ask my dad about this. He's part of the org too, maybe he knows the reason behind this." ani ni Reichen ulit. Mataas rin ang katungkulan ng ama niya sa organisation kaya tiyak alam nito kung ano ang sitwasyon.
"Yea, we need to clarify this things. We're the next generations to fulfill their duties so we're ready if the right time comes but this sudden change is a bit surprising." sabi iyon ni Leandro. Kahit ito ay di rin makapaniwala sa biglaang anunsyo.
"I'm not doing it."
Lahat ay napatingin kay Giovanni dahil sa sinabi nito. He was standing beside the huge window and looking outside.
"What do you mean not?" Odin asked.
It took Giovanni sometime before he spoke again, "I won't take his position. I am not going to be a part of that organisation."
Lahat ay natigilan at nakatingin lang kay Giovanni dahil sa sinabi nito. Parang siguradong sigurado ito sa desisyon nito.
"Are you sure? Have you thought about this? I- I mean, Gio. You're father has the highest position, if you won't take his seat then sinong mag t-take over ng leadership? Does your father even know about this?" Si Magnus ang unang bumasag ng katahimikan.
"He does, that's why I think this quick changes has to do something about my decision."
"Me too," Reichen muttered. "I also don't want to take my father's position. We have talked about this already and he respects my decision. Baka ang kapatid ko nalang ang magiging tagapagmana niya sa org. I somewhat understand why Gio decided not to join.. The Mafia is a very complicated world to be in, it was like we're always living on the death's door. The threats and everything.. for me it's not the life that I always wanted..."
There was a deafening silence again after that. They are all in deep thoughts.
Ang pagkatok lang siguro ng kung sinoman ang pumukaw sa atensyon nila.
"Kings, may isang babae po ang naghahanap sa ibaba kay Sir Giovanni.."
Odin who's near the door opened it. "A girl? What's her name?"
"Ayaw ibigay ang pangalan eh, pero mukhang foreigner. Nagagalit na nga po sa ibaba, parang gusto nang manakmal." sagot nito.
Meron silang bantay sa ibaba para hindi agad makapasok sa head quarters nila ang kung sino man. They didn't allow anyone to enter other than them especially if it's a woman. Off limits ang mga ito.
"Babae? Sino kaya?" Odin questioned and glanced at Giovanni's direction. "Do you expect anyone? If mother mo 'yan for sure she would call you to pick her up kung pumunta siya rito. Besides, kilala naman ng lahat dito ang nanay mo."
"Tara, let's see." aya ni Magnus na may ngisi sa labi. Si Leandro ay sumunod rin dito palabas ng hq. Of course, Odin followed the two.
Silang dalawa nalang ni Reichen ang naiwan. Reichen gave him a look.
"A foreign girl? Knowing how aloof you are when it comes to women, I am so sure you also didn't know whoever that girl. Oh, except to that one girl you met in the club!" Tumawa ito sa huling sinabi. "Di mo pa nahahanap?"
"Nope." was Giovanni's short reply. Umalis ito sa pagkakasandal sa may window at naglakad na palabas ng hq.
"Wait, Gio. Bakit diyan ka dadaan?"
Hindi naman sumagot si Giovanni at lumabas na sa isang pintuan liban sa mismong dinaanan ng tatlo. Sumunod naman si Reichen dito. Binuksan nito ulit ang nakalock pa na isang pinto, kasunod ay ang grill door na at ang hagdan paibaba. Hindi naman sila makikita sa ibaba dahil nahaharangan parin iyon ng pader.
"Aren't you curious who's that girl looking for you?" Reichen asked.
"No." malamig na tugon lang nito.
"Grabe." Naiiling at natatawa nalang si Reichen. Kung hindi lang talaga niya ito kaibigan simula pagkabata ay malamang iniwan na niya ito dahil sa cold attitude nito. "Uuwi ka na ba?" he asked. Nakababa na sila at malawak na parking lot na ang bumungad sa kanila.
"No. I'll go to mom's business."
"Oh, I'll join. Hindi ko na rin nakikita si tita-"
"Ano ba naman 'yang sasakyan mo, Gabriel. Pang junk shop na yata 'yan."
Napatingin silang dalawa sa narinig na boses sa parking.
"Gamit pa ito ng tatay ng tatay ko, malamang madali na masira talaga ito. Sabi kasi mag jeep or bus nalang tayo papunta doon sa mall."
"Dios mio, salin lahi ba 'yang sasakyan niyo? Baka pagnagka anak ka ipapamana mo pa iyan."
"Kung gagana pa, bakit hindi?"
"Gosh. Ngayon palang naawa na ako sa magiging anak mo. Bumili ka na ng bago 'oy."
"Monic, wala akong pera. Kung papautangin mo ako, baka mapalitan ko na ito agad."
"Gago, wala akong pera. Ibenta mo iyang kidney mo mabuti pa."
Natatawa si Reichen sa mga naririnig niya sa mga nerds. "Hi, guys!" bungad niya sa mga ito.
"Ikaw na naman. Aso ka ba? Naamoy mo na naman kung nasaan si Georgina!" asik ni Monic. Pinulupot nito ang kamay sa braso ni Georgina. Masama naman ang tingin sa kaniya ng huli.
For a nerd, Monic seemed very active and talkative.
"Ikaw lang nerd na madaldal na nakilala ko."
"Excuse me, hindi ako nerd. Kapag nakasuot ng salamin nerd na agad? Diba pwedeng malabo lang ang mata? Ang judgemental mo, sir. Baka awayin na naman kami niyang kasamanmo ngayon." dagdag pa Monic.
Natawa nalang si Reichen. "I'm really sorry for what happened earlier. Hayaan niyo na iyon si Odin, mabait naman iyon."
"Mabait? Kapag tulog?"
Napakamot nalang sa ulo si Reichen. Hindi yata mauubusan ng pambara si Monic. Hindi naman umiimik lang si Georgina at Gabriel na nakatingin lang sa kanila.
"Guys, this is my other friend, Giovanni." pakilala nito sa katabi, "And Gio, this is my new friend- Gabriel, Monic and Georgina."
Nagtatakang napatingin sa kaniya si Giovanni.
"Oh, kita mo 'yan? Ganyan iyong tingin nung isa kanina sa amin eh." komento ni Monic ulit. Inirapan pa nito ang dalawang lalaki.
"Huy, Monic tama na iyan." Gabriel intervene. "Ano, sorry pres and sir Giovanni. Uhm, aalis na kami.."
"No, it's fine. There's no problem, saan ba kayo pupunta? Maybe we can drive you? Paalis narin kami, we accidentally heard na hindi yata gumagana iyang sasakyan niyo?" Reichen glanced at the green mini cooper beside them. It really does look very old..
"We can manage." It was Georgina. Seryoso itong nakatingin kay Reichen, "Hindi mo na kailangan pang mag abala, President." sambit niya dito in her cold voice. He's becoming more of an annoyance for her.
"Okay lang naman, if one way lang naman ang pupuntahan namin we can drop you off." pangungulit pa nito.
"Bandang liko kami pupunta e," Monic added.
Reichen glanced at her with confusion, "Huh?"
Napanguso si Monic, "Hirap mag joke sa mayayaman. Tara na nga, dios mio."
They were about to leave when Giovanni stopped them. Nakatingin ito kay Georgina, "Wait. Hav-"
Natigil ang sasabihin nito ng may tumawag dito.
"Gio! Rei! Man, bakit kayo nandito?" it was Magnus. Kasunod nito si Leandro at Odin.
Nakalapit na ang mga ito sa kanila, saka lang nila napansin ang kabuntot sa mga ito na isang babae na medyo blonde ang buhok at mukhang manika.
"Hello, Giovanni. I'm Savannah Lazovsky- your fiancée." bungad nito ng walang pasakalye.
"Oh, wow." Monic mused. "May eksena na dito, sibat na tayo." umalis na nga sila.
Georgina glanced at the new girl. Lazovsky, the name is very familiar to her ears. Ah, yes. She heard it before from his father's colleagues..
Napabaling ang tingin niya kay Giovanni. She didn't notice that he's also looking at her. Hindi niya mabasa ang expression nito, binawi nalang niya ang tingin at nagpatianod sa dalawang kasama.
Lazovsky Mafia. One of the largest organizations in Russia. Fiancée? Seems like there's something going on.. She needs to investigate. If another heiress is here, for sure there are obstacles she might face for her to complete the mission.
_____
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1.31.23