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Chapter 50: Empress' Party
Hades POV
"You think I don't know it Empress?"
I said breaking the silence on this room. We're only two here. A private discussion indeed.
"Spill."
"That your friends are the Bloddamen Gang" I answered that made her stop to touch her mask, I think I caught her attention. And I can see it in her eyes, she's confused.
"Don't be confuse. I have my eyes on you starting on the first second." Nang sinabi ko iyon, isang malamig na titig lang ang nakuha ko sa kanya. Well, I'm used to it.
"Don't put that lens anymore." saad ko pagkatapos kong mapansin ang repleksyon niya sa salamin. She's already done.
"They said I should hide it." sagot niya sa akin. If she remembers it, I also do.
"Have you seen your Grandfather's portrait?" tanong ko nang biglang pumasok ko sa isip ang lolo niya.
"Yes."
"If there's one thing that your mother didn't get from her father, it's the color of the eyes. And your lucky to have it." I said explaining. It's true. Even her mother envy her eyes. After all, it's the least thing she wanted.
"Red eyes equals Red M. Morrigon." She said like she was just stating an obvious. Well, she really is.
"Yes. It signifies power."
Sagot ko na ikinatahimik niya. It's the truth. It holds the power that she inherited from her grandfather. But behind that power is a danger waiting for her at iyon ang ikinababahala naming lahat sa kanya.
"Fine."
She gave up finally. She's now removing the customized thin lens sheet on her. Dapat lang, because she doesn't need to wear it anymore.
If it holds her danger, it also holds her safety.
Jeena's POV
Kanina pa kami nagaantay sa kanya. Pero mas una pang lumabas sa silid si Mr. Hades na ikinatungo namin nina Klaio sa kanya. But until now, halata namang hindi pa rin sanay sina Lexine at Blairre.
"Empress." mula sa tawag na iyon ni Klaio ay agad akong napatingin sa pintuan.
She's so stunning that she made me froze to my position right now. Parang hindi siya si Empress na artista, at sobrang layo sa isang Fuschia.
Maybe because right now, she's really just looks like a Queen.
"Your eyes." Walang preno kong nasaad nang dumaan siya sa aking harapan.
Ako ang pinakahuli niyang dinaanan at dahil siguro sa pagi-isip ko para sa mangyari mamaya ay di ko na namalayan ang lahat.
She made one step backward and whispered on me. "Scared? You stared on it once." (Refer to Chapter 1&3)
I was just too silent that time she said it. And it made me remember the first time I felt those chills. The time when she pinned me into the wall with her hands in my neck. (Refer to Chapter 3&4)
With my silence ay naglakad na din siya palayo sa akin but I can't help it. I stated another line at hindi ko alam kung saang lakas ng loob ko iyon nakuha para sabihin iyon.
"I do remember that violet eyes."
And that line made her stopped. But as a return, her correction answered me. Her name really do state her power.
"It's not violet. It's fuchsia."
"Spelling lang ang nagkaiba yet it's the name you used to pretend." bulong ko pero dahil sa katahimikan ay narinig niya pa rin iyon kahit medyo malayo na siya sa akin.
"Admit it." Rinig kong saad nya. I already prepared myself from this pero parang hindi ko magawang sabihin ang lahat dahil sa lamig ng boses niya. Napahinga ako ng malalim bago nagsalita.
"I already know you. You heard me that time right? And remember when I lose to Klaio? Tinanong niya kung sino ako. And I'll answer it again. I am Jeena Nathalie. One of your Guardians, Empress."
Empress' POV
After hearing it, I left Jeena alone. She's one of my Guardians but she doesn't even know na ang pinoprotektahan niya ay ang sinasabi niyang pumatay sa kaibigan niya. Ironic. Anyway, I made a sign to others that I'll just go to the other room. I forgot something.
I walked inside a room and eyed it. Isang portrait ang agad kong nakita. The same portrait that I used to look at back then.
"Mom."
I closed my eyes for a second and sighed. I opened the cabinet near me and took the box. I opened it and there, I wore the thing inside it. The key necklace.
Lumabas na din agad ako ng silid na iyon . I'm heading to the area where the visitors are waiting. Ayoko pa naman silang mainip. Yet I like the idea of them waiting for their death.
"Empress."
I looked at my back when I heard his voice. Hindi ako pwedeng magkamali.
"Ethan."
"I want to talk to you." he said directly. Ngayon pa lang, I smell lies.
"Admit it."
After my words, he deeply sighed. I'm right. I'm now beginning to hear more lies.
Bullcrp.
Ethan's POV
This is totally a sht.
"I know everything. Kasama ako sa plano after that accident. No. I'm already one of them before you met him." I explained and cut our stares. I can't stand it. Nasasaktan ko na din siya.
"Spill." she commanded me with a cold voice. No choice.
"I am Ethan Alexus Grande. One of your Guardians, Empress."
"Go away." she suddenly said after her silence. Her voice was full of coldness and anger. I can trace it.
"Not until you accept my apology." I answered coldly too. I know her.
"I hate liars." She said with anger. I was about to step near her when someone talk suddenly.
"Then, I'm sorry too."
I looked at Empress. I saw shock in her eyes when she saw her, but that shock was hidden immediately.
"I'm sorry from the very beginning. I do know you when we fought in States four years before. Being a friend with you was also my plan. And I didn't regret to be your best friend." She explained to Empress but silence answered her.
"I know you hate me now, but I do sorry for it. Pero lahat ng nakita niyo sa akin, they're all true. I am Klaio Satara Montello. At kung may nilihim man ako. It's being one of your Guardians."
"Cut these shts." She blurted out with anger. I'm really sorry.
"And stay away from me. That's an order."
Madiin niyang bigkas sa bawat salita at naglakad na papunta sa hall. Staying away from her is the only thing I can't do.
"Being mad is fine but stay away? No way." rinig kong bulong ni Klaio. I know what she feels. Same thing on mine but it hurts more for me. I would not let the past happened again. Not this time.
Rex's POV
"We went in front of EH gate. Someone's car drove us to these building in the middle of the forest. And now, we're sitting on a table with other gangsters and mafiosos surrounding us. Oh fck. Anong pinasok natin Grave?" wala sa sariling saad ni Drake.
"If I don't know you, iisipin kong hindi ka seryoso. You're a Casanova in every seconds." Claude boredomly said na ikinatingin lang ni Drake. While Armour he's just looking around.
All those invited have no masks. Hindi naman ito Masquerade party at lalong hindi naman ito birthday party kaya walang nagsasaya.
Parang isang formal meeting lang yet the motif of the event area looks like a party. Moreover, elite people are here tonight. Ang dami naming nakikilalang mga mukha, even some foreign. And looks can be deceiving. Hindi ko aakalain na maski ilang famous politicians and entrepreneurs are also part of this Empire.
"The Dean and her secretary." I stated when I saw them walking downstairs heading to the stage with the spotlight on them.
"Not impossible." Armour said while looking at them.
Tama siya. Hindi rin naman magkikita ang pahat sa harapan ng EH gate kung wala itong pahintulot sa Dean. And seeing them is a proof that they were also involve in this.
"Good evening Gangsters and Mafioso. Tonight we've been gathered and chosen to welcome the one who'll hold this Empire Society. And we're somehow lucky." The Dean's secretary said and it was answered by silence. Mukhang walang natutuwa na nandito sila. Tsk.
"Well, let's witness her together." Anunsyo ng Dean at sabay nilang sinabi ng secretary niya ang linyang hinihintay ng lahat.
" Let's welcome the Granddaughter of the late Emperor, Empress."
Empress' POV
" Let's welcome the Granddaughter of the late Emperor, Empress."
I heard them said and that was my cue to show up. Hindi ko gusto ang atensyon but this time, gusto kong nasa akin ang atensyon nila. I want them to see the one who'll hold their necks.
But they failed to give the attention I need. Their eyes are on me yet there's no clap. Stupid people. They don't even know how to welcome their New Boss.
Well, I do know how to welcome them. Let's see if they would clap on me later. Tss.
Third Person's POV
Suot ang puting gown na animo'y pangkasal at suot ang isang itim na maskara na may bahid ng kulay lila at suot din ang isang mahabang kumikinang na key necklace ay bumaba sa napakahabang hagdan ang kanilang bagong tatayong pinuno. Nakatayo man ang lahat ay walang umiibo at walang ingay na maririnig. Tahimik lang na nakakatitig ang lahat kay Empress na tumigil lang nang marating ang stage at nang tumapat siya sa mikropono.
"All of you know why you're here and I don't need to explain for it." Diretsang panimula nito na ikinatango ng mga nakikinig sa kanya pero ang ilan ay nanatiling tahimik dahil una sa lahat, iyon ang unang pagkakataon na makita at marinig nila ang nagpakilalang Empress.
"Well, let's start the party." Saad ni Empress at pagkatapos ay ipinitik ng dalawang beses ang daliri nito na sakto lang. At tila gumawa ng senyales ang pagpitik nito dahil automatikong naglabasan ang mga tila waiters na may dalang chafer at tinapatan ang bawat bisita.
"Welcome to my party. And do enjoy the kill." saad ni Empress bago tumalikod at naglakad ng may ngiti sa mga labi.
Habang ang mga Gangsters at Mafioso naman ay nagtaka sa kanya pero nawala ang pagtataka nila nang buksan sabay sabay ng mga waiters ang taklob ng chafer.
"Dmn it." iyon na lang ang naibulong ng mga bisita kabilang na si Armour.
"That lady." Iyon naman ang naibulong ni Satara sa inasta ng kaibigan niya.
Bulungan at mga mura ang ilang maririnig mula sa mga bisita samantalang ang dalawang may edad na lalaki at limang may edad na babae ay nagtatawanan sa taas kung saan nakadungaw sila sa baba at nasaksihan ang nangyari.
"She never failed to impress us." Komento ni Alfonso na kakaakyat lang bago pa magsalita si Empress.
"A gun for a dinner? Not bad." Komento din ni Cresantine na sinangayunan ng buong Crystals dahil pagbukas ng bawat taklob ng chafer ay isang baril ang bumungad sa kanila.
"Oh. I smell blood." Saad naman bigla ni Louise habang nakadungaw sa may binta na ikinadungaw muli ng lahat.
Kitang kita nila ang pagkuha ng isang lalaking gangster ng baril na mula sa chafer at tila nay planong itutok ang baril kay Empress. Nagulat man sila ng bahagya ay napalitan din iyon na pagiling nila. Kilala nila si Empress. Alam nila na alam na ni Empress ang ginawa ng lalaking iyon kahit ito man ay naglalakad pa paitaas ng hagdan.
"That gangster would be dead for two minutes. You guys bet?" Saad naman ni Donna na ikinatawa muli ng lahat bago muli nila itinaas ang mga hawak nilang kopita ng alak.
Samantalang sina Satara naman ay nanatili sa isang sulok ng hall habang katapat naman nila sina Zaren kasama ang gang nito na Lily Gang. Hindi man lang sila umalis sa kanilang pwesto pero inalerto nila ang kanilang mga sarili nang makita rin ang lalaki na kinuha ang baril mula sa chafer na hawak ng waiter.
"This is bad." Namutawi sa bibig ni Klaio Satara na ikinailing nina Blairre at Lexine.
"Beast mode pa naman." Isip ni Klaio dahil sa nangyari kanina. Alam niya kung gaanong pagtitimpi ang ginawa ni Empress sa kanilang dalawa ni Ethan at alam niya na din na kung wala sila sa ES Ground ay baka nakatikim sila kay Empress ng galit nito.
Matapos ang ilang segundo ay ibinaba na ng waiters ang hawak nilang chafer sa lamesa ng mga bisita pero isang tuno ang pumukaw sa kanilang atensyon.
*BANG*
Klaio Satara's POV
Alam kong tanga ang lalaking iyon para kuhanin ang baril na iyon pero hindi ko alam na napakatanga niya para itutok at ipaputok iyon kay Empress. Psh.
"Stop her." Biglang bulong ng sumulpot na lalaking ito. This man. Isa rin siya sa may kasalanan kung bakit mainit ang ulo ni Empress.
"I can't Ethan. She is who she is." I ironic said na ikinailing ng katabi ko. Well, sa kadulu-duluhan ng isip ko ay medyo masaya ako. Nakatingin ako sa nangyayari at hindi ko maiwasan matuwa. Hindi kami ang pinagbuntungan ng galit ni Empress, malas na lang ng lalaking iyon. Tanga eh.
"They're watching." Bulong ni Lexine habang nakatingin sa itaas at tama siya. Nanduon sina Mr. Hades at Mr. Alfonso kasama si Ms. Louise at ang Crystals na kanina'y ipinakilala sa amin ni Ms. Louise.
Sino ba naman ang hindi manunuod sa isang napakagandang sitwasyon ngayon? Isang lalaking gangster ang nakangiti sa kanyang katayuan habang hawak sa kanang kamay niya ang isang baril. While Empress was stopped to her position upstairs.
But suddenly, I felt the tension in the air. Maski ang mga bisita ay halatang kinabahan nang maglakad si Empress pababa muli ng hagdan. This lady is up to something at kung ano man iyon, hindi iyon maganda.
Kung gaano siya kabagal umakyat papaitaas ng hagdan ay kasalungat na bilis ng pagbaba niya sa hagdan. It only took seconds. Lahat sa kanya ay nakatingin, ang tahimik na paligid ay mas lalong natahimik dahil sa nangyayari.
Empress is just walking through her visitors at parang mga robot na nagbibigay daan sa kanya ang mga bisita. That's what she can do in every people. She controls them automatically. Pero dalawang bagay lang ang mababakas sa bawat taong madadaanan niya. It's fright and amazement. Dahil sa bawat hakbang niya ay tanging takong niya ang maririnig. Her poise signifies also the authority that she have at walang ni isa man ang nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob para hawakan, sanggiin o lapitan siya. They're afraid at kahit ako ay natakot sa aking mga nakikita.
Yes, I already talked to her. At hanggang ngayon ay naaalala ko ang mata niya na diretso kong tinitingnan kanina but sinukuan ko din ang bagay na iyon. Her eyes sends shivers on my spine even though I find her eyes amazing and until now ay ganun ang nangyayari. The stoplight is following her steps at mas lalong nakikita ng lahat ang isang bagay na ebidensya na walang dudang apo siya ng dating Emperor. Her eyes' color. Nakamaskara man siya ay litaw ang kulay ng mata niya. Maputi siya at mas lalo pa siyang namuti sa kanyang suot na white gown but still her color of the eyes are the center of attraction. At kahit man ako ay nasa malayo, I can see it's color. Her eye's color fuchsia is getting lighter.
"Oh please." I whispered on myself nang makita kong itinutok muli ng lalaki ang baril kay Empress nang may isang dipang layo na pagitan sa kanila. That guy is smiling crazy but I know better. I know Empress is smiling right now in her head. And that's a fact.
Nakatutok ang lahat kay Empress lalo na nang susugod na sana ang mga lalaking bantay niya. I know them. Sila ang under ng Guardians. Pero sa simpleng pagtaas lang ng kaliwang kamay nito ay tumigil at nanatiling tumayo na lang ang mga bantay niya. Power and Authority are different yet parehong angkin niya ito. Talented. Psh.
"Pull it. Or else." Empress warned, but it sounds like a statement for me.
"Or else what? You'll shoot me?" Natatawang sagot ng lalaki. He's totally a sht. At mukhang matatawa pa ako sa kanya kapag namatay na lang siya ngayon bigla. And speaking of.
*BANG*
A gunshot sound filled the party. While gasps, smiles, curiosity, and fright was plastered on their faces while looking to Empress who's now going upstairs again. Nakakatawa sila. They're overthinking for Empress capabilities.
And yes, Empress just took a gun from her guard near her and straightly shot the guy in his head. No need to waste her saliva. That sht deserved it anyway.
Lady K's POV
"I told you Alonzo. Ikaw ang kakain ng mga sinabi mo sa akin." I said to the man in front of me. Kung wala lang rehas na nakapagitan sa amin, malamang hinila ko na siya at inumpog sa pader.
"Don't be too confident my lady. Nakakalimutan mo atang hawak ko ang alas." He answered smiling while he's looking at me. Ang sarap punitin ng ngiting iyan. This man is really hitting in ny nerves.
"But, nakakalimutan mo atang siya ang pinakamagaling." Saad ko na ikinasama ng tingin niya. Napangiti na ang sulok ng labi ko pero agad din iyong nawala nang sabihin niya ang isang linya sa akin.
"Pinaka? Not unless she face the man whom is special now in her heart."
"Damn it Alonzo!"
Hera's POV
"Have you done it?" He surprisingly asked na ikinalingon ko sa may pintuan ng kwarto ko. Hindi ko siya naramdaman man lang.
"Soon Father. Soon." Sagot ko na lang sa kanya pero hindi man lang siya umibo sa kanyang kinatatayuan. Does he still needs something?
"Do this for me and for us Hera." He said with authority na ikinatango ko sa kanya. He only want to complete us as his family at hindi ko siya doon bibiguin. Eventhough my mother was already dead.
"I will do it as what I promised Father." I answered na ikinatango niya sa akin. I just wish na kahit ngayon lang, walang paninisi at mura akong matatangap sa kanya. Just for once.
"Don't disappoint me Hera. Do your job." He said with no expression. He's serious. Paiba iba ang ugali niya. But isa lang ang nasisiguro ko. I need to do it. As his daughter and as his pawns.
"Yes Father. I will bring my brother here. I will bring Armour."
Edited.