''Navigating the waters of treacherous verity, one must tread carefully, for the currents of deception run deep."
Tiffany Suzanne Holland
My tears flowed relentlessly, and my entire body trembled as I clutched my cellphone. Ate Aira had replied to my Instagram DM, and her words shattered my heart.
She told me not to bother looking for them anymore, as they were happy without me. To make matters worse, pinagtawanan lang nya ako nang sinabi ko ang kalungkutan at pagtatampo ko sa kanila.
Hindi ko maiwasan ang makaramdam ng pagtatampo sa mga magulang ko dahil sa pang-iiwan nila saakin, and I couldn't shake the suspicion na plinano talaga nila ito na ibigay ako kay Aizenberg.
It suddenly made sense why they wanted me to stay with Tita Tessy before. Dahil ayaw na nila ako maging parte pa ng pamilya nila. Napahagulgol ako sa pag-iyak saka ko hinahis ang cellphone ko pader dahilan para mabasag at masira ito.
Tremors coursed through my entire body, and my chest constricted, made me difficult to breathe.
This couldn't be happening again... the panic attack had taken hold. With painstaking effort, I mustered my strength to move my body and retrieve my medication from the nearby bedside table.
As I reached for the drawer pulls, I willed myself to open it, my hands trembling, and hastily consumed the much-needed remedy. I laid myself down on the bed, hoping to find some semblance of calm amidst the storm within.
While I was resting, the door to my room creaked open. I squinted at Aizenberg's face emerging from the darkness of the room. She turned on the light and slowly approached me.
"I know you're sad... gusto mo ba na sumama saamin? Lance Corporal Jane is worried about you. She said you should come with us tonight to help ease your sadness."
I shook my head and clutched my pillow tightly. Aizenberg, however, held my pillow and took it away from me, causing me to sit up and try to reclaim it from her.
"Bumangon ka na dyan dali, sumama ka saamin."Pangungulit nya.
"Ayoko.. malungkot ako at gusto ko mapag-isa."
"Edi sumama ka lang saamin tapos kukuhaan kita ng sarili mong space. Kaysa mag-kulong ka dito."
"Bakit ba ang kulit mo Aizenberg? Ayoko nga!" Asik ko.
"Dalian mo na.." pagpupumilit nya.
Aizenberg firmly grasped my hand and gently pulled me out of bed. Despite my heavy heart, I reluctantly decided to go along with her suggestion.
I quickly made my way to the bathroom, and took a soothing shower to relax my body.
After ko magshower, sinuot ko na ang damit ko, a pair of comfortable yet stylish ripped jeans and a trendy crop top to wear. I also applied a swipe of my favorite rosy pink lipstick, to help mask the pallor of my complexion.
After I fixed myself, I emerged from the bathroom, and I saw Aizenberg seated on the couch, my broken cellphone laid out before her.
"Why did you broke your phone?" She asked with concern.
"I don't know," I replied with a heavy sigh. "In the midst of my overwhelming emotions, I impulsively threw it away. Ate Aira messaged me, she told me na wag na daw ako magpakita pa sa kanila, as she claimed her family is happier without me."patuloy ko, Para tuloy akong bata na nagsusumbong sa kanya.
Aizenberg's eyebrows furrowed in seriousness. "Why would she say such things to you?"
"I honestly have no idea," I said sadly, my voice trembling slightly.
Feeling the warmth of tears welling up in my eyes, I quickly brushed them away, ayokong umiyak pa sa harapan ni Aizenberg at makita nya ang vulnerability ko. Napaangat ang tingin ko kay Aizenberg nang tumayo sya at naglakad palapit saakin.
"Kung ayaw nila sayo, nandito naman kami. Pwede mo din ako na maging bago mong family" Saad nya. Napatitig ako sa mga mata nya. Seryoso sya at halata ang sensiredad sa boses nya.
"Iwanan at kalimutan ka man nila, palagi mong tatandaan na hindi lang sila ang dahilan kung bakit ka nabubuhay. Gamitin mo ang pagkakataon na ito para hanapin mo ang sarili mo. Habang wala sila sa tabi mo, focus on your goals and aspirations. You have the potential to become a famous vlogger lgaya ng gusto mo, at tingin ko magagawa mo yun with Lèandre Couture and Stella Dash."
I just nodded, maybe she right, habang ganito ako at walang maipagmamalaki kay Mama. Magfofocus muna ako sa sarili ko, gagawin ko ang mga goal ko sa buhay at pagmatupad ko na yun saka ko sila pupuntahan.
Alam ko pag maging sikat na vlogger na ako, magiging proud din sila saakin at tatangapin nila ako.
As the car glided along the road, tahimik lang ako na nakaupo sa back-seat ng car. Katabi ko si Ms. Jane na bukod tanging nagsasalita.
Ang sabi ni Ms. Jane pupunta daw kami sa isang high-end na bar. Bar daw yun na pinupuntahan ng mga Elite people. Kitang-kita sa muka nya ang excitement. Kasama din namin yung lalake na guest at yung babae na may peklat sa braso.
Nang makarating kami sa bar, may nag-escort saamin na limang lalake na may malalaking pangangatawan ang mga ito.
Sinundan kami ng mga ito, hanggang sa loob ng bar. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasan ang mailang sa kanila, kaya bumulong ako kay Aizenberg na para magtanong kung bakit kelangan pa kaming sundan. Aizenberg assured me that they were just her bodyguards and there was no need to be afraid.
As we settled into the plush seats of the high-end bar, the attentive bar staff swiftly served us an array of delectable dishes and exquisite, high-priced drinks.
The atmosphere was electric inside, with a lot of people dancing around. To my surprise, I recognized some familiar faces among them, grupo ng mga artista na cast sa favorite kong drama-serye na 'Curacha, ang babaeng palaban.'
Grabe, simula nakilala ko si Aizenberg parang bawat puntahan namin na lugar palaging may mga sikat na artista.
Nahintuan ako sa pag-iisip, when Aizenberg took the seat beside me and handed me a beautifully crafted cocktail, kaya napangiti ako. Sinalinan din ng bar staff ang whiskey glass nila at saka nilapag sa mga harapan nila.
"To the night ahead, let's forget about our worries and enjoy the moment." Aizenberg said, raising her glass.
I joined in the toast, our glasses clinking glasses together as we took our first sips.
The atmosphere became lively with laughter and animated conversations. Aizenberg engaged in serious discussions with the two guests, while Ms. Jane and I found ourselves engrossed in a friendly chat about her boyfriend.
"It's been quite some time since I last visited a real bar." Ms. Jane said.
Curiosity piqued me, kaya napatanong ako kay Ms. Jane. "Saan po ba kayo nang-galing Ms. Jane?"
She leaned in, her gaze shifted on me. "You see, I was sent overseas for work about three years ago. It was an opportunity to serve in a different country, and it turned out to be quite an adventure." Nakangiting sagot nya. Masyado syang general sumagot sa mga tanong ko. Kahit nga si Coline napansin din. Dahil tuwing tinatanong namin sya wala syang specific answer.
"Ano po bang work nyo Ms. Jane?" I asked again.
"Hmmn, involve sa mga demise people." Sagot nya, napataas tuloy ang kilay ko. Sabi nya kasi excited and adventure yun work nya overseas tapos related sa mga demise people ang trabaho nya. Ano kayang adventure dun?
"Demise? You mean purenarya ganon? Ano nga po?" Curios pa na tanong ko.
"Y-yeah parang ganon.. Kaya sanay akong makakita ng mga deads." Natatawang sagot nya.
Tumango-tango naman ako dahil alam ko naman na nagbibiro sya. But merong side saakin na pwede din. Kasi si Aizenberg nga killer. Malamang sila din.
"Gusto mo sayaw tayo? Shit ang daming pogi. Tara Tiff punta tayo dun." Pagyaya ni Ms. Jane
"Sige Ms. Jane."
Medyo nahihilo na ako, dahil hindi talaga ako sanay uminom ng alak. But I mustered up my strength to stand and followed Ms. Jane onto the dance floor.
As our hands intertwined, we swayed and twirled in the midst of the crowd, indulging in a carefree and playful dance. Laughter echoed around us as we reveled in the joy of the moment.
Napatingin ako kay Aizenberg, na ngayon ay nakatayo sidelines nitong bar. Mukang pinapanood nya kami ni Ms. Jane kanina pa. Nag-init tuloy ang pisnge ko at nakaramdam ng nahiya kaya huminto ako sa pag-sayaw at kinausap si Ms. Jane.
"Ms. Jane, nahihiya ako. Balik na kaya tayo sa table." I suggested.
"Okay lang yan dear.. wag ka mahiya. Sayaw nalang tayo." Ms. Jane reassured me.
With a joyful scream, she twirling and dancing with abandon. Nanatili akong nakatayo dito sa gitna ng dance floor habang natatawang pinapanood sya.
Babalik na sana ako sa table namin, when someone's approached me. My heart skipped. It was none other than Akira Leonardo, the talented actor who portrayed the lead role in the popular television drama. Katrabaho din nya si Ate Aira.
"Hi, can we dance?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of charm.
"Wait, are you Akira Leonardo?" I asked, my voice betraying a mix of surprise and shyness.
"Yes, it's me. And you?" he replied, flashing a warm smile.
"I'm Tiffany. Do you know Aira Naomi Holland? She's my sister," I introduced myself.
Matahimik sya ng ilang segundo na tila inaalala ang name ni Ate Aira then just after a moment, nagsalita syang muli.
"Aira Holland, right? I remember now. Wait, you're her sibling? I always thought she was an only child," he remarked.
Umiling ako at sinabi ko na talagang magkapatid kami. Nasira lang kasi yung cellphone ko kaya hindi ko sa kanya mapakita ang mga pictures nakin ni Ate Aira na magkasama.
Niyaya ako ni Akira na uminom sa bar counter. Tumango naman ako at pinaunlakan ang imbitasyon nya. Iniwan ko muna si Ms. Jane sa dance floor at pumayag naman sya. Sabi kasi ni Akira na one drink lang kaya pumayag na ako.
Akira and I went to the bar counter, and he ordered our drinks. As time passed, the crowd grew larger and louder, may sikat na band singer din ang dumating para mag-perform sa stage. Kaya lalong umingay ang paligid.
Binalik ko ang tingin ko sa table namin. And to my surprise, Aizenberg and the two guests were no longer there. Kaya agad kong inikot ang paningin ko sa paligid para hanapin si Aizenberg. Pero wala talaga sya.
Nag-aalala tuloy ako dahil baka iniwan na nya ako dito. Kaya nagpaalam muna ako kay Akira Leonardo na pupunta ng toilet, kahit ang totoo ay hahanapin ko si Aizenberg.
Habang naglalakad ako papunta sa second floor, bigla akong nilapitan ng waiter, para sabihin na closed ang second floor ngayon dahil under renovation ito.
"May hinahanap po ako na tao.. Yung nasa table number 18."
"Sina Doctor Aizenberg po ba? They're in the VVIP room, ma'am," the waiter replied.
"Saan po yun?"
The waiter graciously guided me to the area where the exclusive VVIP rooms were located.
As I made my way towards the VVIP area. I curiously take a peek into each room na nadadaanan ko.
However, as I reached the end of the corridor. I saw three imposing figures, their presence, entered one of the rooms.
Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, sila ang tatlo sa five bodyguards ni Aizenberg na nakabantay saamin kanina lang.
Intrigued and somewhat apprehensive, I cautiously approached the room, my heart pounding in my chest. With trembling hands, I slowly pushed the door open, just enough to catch a glimpse of what lay inside.
To my horror, a scene straight out of a nightmare before me. Several lifeless bodies lay strewn across the floor, their pallid faces stained with their own blood.
The sight sent shivers down my spine, and I couldn't help but feel a wave of fear wash over me. It was evident that these individuals had met a gruesome fate, their lives abruptly cut short.
My focus was then drawn to a woman standing behind a woman, who bore a scar on her arm. It was Aizenberg. And It was clear that she held authority over her, as she issued instructions with a commanding tone.
"Make sure this is clean later," she directed, her voice laced with a sense of authority.
"Yes, boss," mariing sagot ng babaeng may peklat, acknowledging her command.
But Aizenberg next words sent a chill down my spine. "Surrender all those illegal drugs to the Delta Intelligence team. Before dawn, bring me the leader's head." She ordered, her words dripping with a disturbing sense of power.
Overwhelmed by the shocking scene before me, I couldn't help but feel a surge of fear. Kahit na hindi ito ang unang pagkakataon na nakakita ng ganyan dahil dito kay Aizenberg, hindi ko parin maiwasan ang hindi matakot.
Kung titignan mo talaga si Aizenberg, hindi mo iisipin na killer sya. Kung ano ba naman kasi itong pinasok ko? Kung ano man yun, It was clear that I had inadvertently stepped into a world of danger at walang way para maka-escape pa ako.
"Yes Boss." Sagot ng mga kalalakihan, kaya muling naagaw nun ang atensyon ko.
Nakita ko na mabilis na kumilos ang mga tauhan ni Aizenberg para linisin ang mga blood. Isinarado ko na din ang pinto ng tuluyan para bumalik na sana sa bar counter nang may maramdaman akong malamig na bagay na tumutok sa sintido ko.
Hindi ako nakagalaw dahil sa takot. Ilang saglit pa naramdaman ko ang kamay na humawak batok ko saka nya ako tinulak papasok ng room kaya napahandusay ako sa sahig.
Napatingin saakin sina Aizenberg at ang dalawang guests. Halata sa dalawang guests ang pagkagulat nang bigla akong mapahandusay sa harapan nilang tatlo. Pero si Aizenberg nanatiling kalmado.
"Boss, nakikinig ito sa usapan ninyo at nakita nya ang lahat." Saad ng lalake na bodyguard.
In a heart-stopping moment, the atmosphere grew tense as three men menacingly raised their guns, directing their aim towards me.
The weight of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks, and an instinctual response of terror surged through my body.
Overwhelmed by fear, a piercing scream escaped my lips, echoing through the room, as I desperately sought refuge from the imminent danger.
In a desperate attempt to shield myself from the impending threat, I instinctively covered my ears with both trembling hands, hoping to drown out the terrifying reality before me.
"No one will shoot..." Aizenberg commanded firmly. She walked towards me and instructed me to stand up.
I struggled to my feet but I managed to stood up and clung onto Aizenberg's arm, seeking haven like a frightened child.
The woman with the scar smirked, her head tilting to the side.
"We need to eliminate that woman, Doc Aizenberg. It's in the rules of the organization that any one witness and who poses a threat to the Mercenary Organization must be eliminated." mariing saad ng babaeng may peklat sa braso.
Nanatiling tahimik si Aizenberg habang ako nakatago sa likod nya at nanginginig.
"No, do not lay a finger on her. No one, under any circumstances, is permitted to inflict harm upon this woman..." Mariing utos ni Aizenberg.
The three men obediently lowered their guns, relieving the tension that had gripped the air. Aizenberg turned to face me, her gaze piercing into my eyes.
"Bakit ka pumunta dito?" Halos pabulong na tanong nya.
"H-hinanap lang kita." Sagot ko, habang nanginginig pa ang boses ko.
Napabuntong hininga si Aizenberg saka nya hinawakan ang kamay ko. Hinila nya ako palabas ng VVIP room at saka kami naglakad pabalik sa table namin.
Nandun na din si Ms. Jane na lasing na. Nang makaupo ako sa upuan ay agad na bumaling nang tingin saakin si Aizenberg.
"Tiffany, bakit ba ang kulit mo? Bakit mo pa ako sinundan dun? Paano kung binaril ka ng tauhan ko?..pinapahamak mo yang sarili mo dahil sa katigasan ng ulo mo."
"Aizenberg, bakit kelangan nyong pumatay? Kelan ka ba titigil sa gawaing yan?"
"Hindi mo naintindihan. Kahit ipaliwanag ko hindi mo maintindihan Tiffany."
"Ipaliwanag mo? Bakit mo nagagawa ang pumatay? Syndicate ka ba?" I pressed, desperately seeking answers.
"No―"
Nahintuhan si Aizenberg sa pagsasalita nang biglang yumakap saakin si Ms. Jane, mula sa likuran ko.
"Hindi kami Syndicate dear. We are called mercenaries. At yang kausap mo ang pinaka Boss namin. Speaking of the Syndicate, I would have killed that woman for burning my identity." Ms. Jane added in drunken voice, reaching for another bottle of alcohol and taking another sip.
"Wag na natin pag-usapan yan dito." Mahinang saad ni Aizenberg.
"Fine... let's pretend I didn't see anything," I said, saka ako tumayo and without uttering another word.
I walked out of the bar and waited for a taxi, dahil gusto ko nang bumalik sa mansion. Parang naubos ang energy ko dahil sa sunod-sunod na stress.
"Tiffany?"
Napalingon ako sa isang pamilyar na boses. Agad na kumabog ang dibdib ko nang makita ko si Ate Aira.
"Ate Aira?"
"Anong ginagawa ng isang maid dito? Ah! hulaan ko, sinama ka ng amo mo? Kasi para pag malasing sya ikaw ang maglilinis ng sinukahan nya?" Nakangising saad nya.
"Ate..."
"Don't call me Ate, hindi tayo magkapatid. Ang alam ng mga tao wala akong kapatid na pathetic, trying hard na vlogger at maid."
Hindi ako makapagsalita dahil sa mga sinabi nya. Tinignan ni Ate Aira ang damit ko kaya natawa sya.
"Do you even know where you are? You're just in a high-end bar for elite people. And you're dressed like that? Gosh, Tiffany. Kahihiyan ka parin." Naiiling na saad nya. looking at me as if disgusted with my appearance.
Maya-maya pa tinawag na sya ng mga kaibigan nya at masigla naman syang sumama sa mga yun. Naiwan ako dito na nakatayo.
A pathetic vlogger, OA , na'naistock sa masion ng isang killer. Pumirma sa isang kontrata na walang katapusan at iniwan ng pamilya.
As if Ate Aira was right all along. Wala akong kwentang tao. I couldn't help but look at myself, even my appearance seemed different, ni hindi ko man lang pinag-isipan ang damit na susuotin ko bago pumunta dito. She was right, I looked stupid.
Hinakbang ko nalang ang mga paa ko para umalis na sa lugar na ito. But before I could take another step, I felt someone grab my hand.
"Saan ka pupunta?"
"Aizenberg.." I murmured.
"Bumalik na tayo sa loob." Mahinahon pero ma-otoridad na saad nya.
Napasulyap ako kay Ate Aira na ngayon ay nakatingin saamin ni Aizenberg. Napatingin din si Aizenberg sa kanya, pero halata sa muka ni Aizenberg ang kaseryosohan.
"Wag mong pansinin ang mga sinabi nya Tiffany. Bumalik na tayo sa loob."
"Excuse me?" Nakataas kilay na interrupted ni Ate Aira. Kaya muli kaming napatingin sa kanya. Ngumiti naman si Ate Aira kay Aizenberg saka ito nagtanong.
"Ikaw ang Amo ni Tiffany? Doctor Patrice Aizenberg, right?" Tanong ni Ate Aira. Napakunot ang noo ko dahil kilala ni Ate Aira si Aizenberg.
"I'm Aira, Tiffany's sister. It's nice to see you here, Doc Aizenberg. Hindi ko alam na ikaw pala ang Amo ni Tiffany. She didn't told me." Ate Aira said with a smile, extending her hand for a handshake with Aizenberg.
But instead of accepting it, Aizenberg pulled me towards inside the bar, kaya nagpatinaod nalang ako.
Sinulyapan ko ulit si Ate Aira, nakasunod ang tingin nya saamin ni Aizenberg. The anger in her eyes was evident as if she humiliated by Aizenberg's disregard.