Vanessa's POV
MY SWEATS are flowing from the side of my head as my heart beats faster than a while ago.
'I thought h-he's already dead?'
"Who are you?" I managed to asked but he just stared at me as if I'm nothing "What is your connection to my uncle, huh?!"
I moved my body but fuck! I forgot that I am tied "Don't move." He told me that made me laugh bitterly
I want to cry but there's a pain—why do I feel like this?! "Don't move? And why, huh?! Because you are going to kill me just like what you did to my father?!"
My fist is trembling. He started to move his wheel chair towards me as I forced myself to move though I am tied to this damn chair
"Hmm!" I groaned and glared at him when he stopped in front of me "What are you staring at, Emperor?"
He did not answer me "You know what?" I forced to smile "My uncle knew that you were dead but he was wrong."
"—because the guy he was with is the pathetic Emperor!"
"Nagkakamali ka . . ." he spoke, his voice waa soft "I wasn't dead."
"Of course, you're the fuckin' Emperor! You lied to my uncle and you killed my father! You cheater skunk!"
My voice echoed inside this dark room. I stared at his hand when it started to raise
'What is he trying to do?'
He slowly reached for my left cheek and saw the pain in his eyes "V-vanessa hija . . . "
Third Person's POV
NAPALAYO ang dalaga dahil 'don "W-what did you just do?" Tanong nito
Ngumiti lamang ng pilit ang lalaki "Hindi ako ang tunay na kalaban, hija."
Natigilan si Vanessa 'don. She wasn't expecting that but of course she did not buy that "And who, huh? You're the only guy—emperor who killed my family!"
Umiling ito "H-hindi ako! Hindi ako! M-maniwala 'ka!" Saad nito
Hinawakan nito ang balikat ng dalaga na nagpalaki ng mga mata nito "Makinig ka, h-hindi ako si Emperor! Hindi ako siya!"
She can feel his hands shivering "K-kailangan mo ng umalis! Hindi 'ka niya p-pedeng maabutan!" Agad itong nagpunta sa likod ng dalaga at tinanggal ang tali nito
Saktong matanggal ang tali ay agad kinuha ni Vanessa ang baril mula sa bulsa nito at hindi nagdalawang isip na itutok ito sa lalaki
"Don't move or I'll blow your head up." Sambit ng dalaga
"Vanessa makinig ka! Hind—!"
Nagpakawala ito ng malakas na putok ng baril "T-tama na, tama na!"
Tinakpan nito ang sariling tenga na nagpataka sa dalaga. Tumingin ang lalaki sa gawi ni Vanessa at nagmakaawang itigil na ang pagpuputok.
Unti unting natigilan ang dalaga—this guy was traumatized. "S-simon, tulungan mo 'ko! Kaylor, patawarin mo 'ko!"
At this moment, she knew that he's out of his mind so he grabbed the opportunity.
Lumapit ito sa lalaki at kwinelyuhan ito "You killed my father! My mother! You cheater!"
Gamit ang kwelyo nito ay naitayo niya ito, ngunit hindi nagtagal dahil nanlambot ang dalaga nang mapasigaw sa sobrang sakit ang lalaki
Napurong ilang beses ang dalaga habang ang lalaki ay gumapang palapit sa dalaga na humihingi ng tulong.
Muli itong tinutukan ni Vanessa ng baril "T-tulungan mo 'ko, Kaylor . . ." nanghina ang dalaga nang marinig niya muli ang pangalan ng ama niya "V-vera . . ."
Nawalan ng tunog ang paligid, tanging pagkahulog lamang ng baril ang nagsilbing ingay at kasabay nito ang pagkakaroon ng malakas na sigaw sa isip ni Vanessa nang mapagtanto ang nakita
Nakita niyang putol ang isang binti ng lalaki habang ang ibang parte ng katawan ay sugat sugat. She cupped her own mouth after she saw those.
Tears started to fall from her eyes. Doon niya lamang napagtanto ang lahat—nang banggitin ang salitang Vera, ang pangalan ng kaniyang ina ay naalala niya ang lahat.
Isang malabong alaala noong bata pa lamang siya—isang lalaking nag alaga sa kaniya kasama ang mga magulang nito.
At ito ang lalaking nasa harap niya . . .
"Uncle G-garrett?" Hindi makapaniwalang saad ni Vanessa
Sa gitna ng sakit na nararamdaman, unti unting kumalma si Garrett at ngumiti ng mapait
Dahan dahang lumapit ang dalaga dito at inalalayan "W-what happened?" Tanong ni Vanessa at kinalma ito "Why all of t-these happened?"
Hindi nagawang makapagsalita ng lalaki "Who's the real emperor?"
'Fuck, I'm fuckin' dumb!'
Huminga ng malalim ang lalaki at umupo sa wheel chair nito na inalalayan ni Vanessa.
Lumuhod ng bahagya ang dalaga sa harap ni Garrett upang pagmasdan ang lalaki.
"S-sinaktan niya 'ko," panimula "Pinahirapan at i-inutusan na patayin ang sarili 'kong k-kapatid."
He said referring to Vanessa's father. Kinuyom ni Vanessa ang kamao niya "But why did you follow him? How did you bear to live in this place if you killed my father? Your brother!"
Tumulo muli ang luha nito. Umiling si Garrett, "M-maari 'ngang nagpanggap a-ako bilang si Emperor—upang maprotektahan ang ating pamilya,"
"—pero hindi ko kayang patayin ang aking kapatid at ang kaibigan ko."
Tumulo muli ang luha ni Vanessa "W-why . . .?" She mumured "W-why all of these happened . . . to us?"
Walang nagawa si Garrett kundi umiyak at umiling nalamang "P-patawarin mo 'ko,"
"Your mother was my first love, hija." He told her "—but eventually, I set her free because I know that she loved your father."
"U-uncle . . ."
"Ginamit ito ni Emperor l-laban sa pamilya natin."
Vanessa clenched her fist "That skunk!" She was about to stood up but her uncle held her wrist "I need to kill him for doing all of these!"
"Hindi m-maari, Vanessa! Mahirap kalaban ang lalaking 'yon!"
"Well, I don't fuckin' care!" Sa sobrang galit nito ay naiwaski nito ang kamay nito "I am going to do this not just for my parents but also for making you suffer as if you a servant!"
"Vanessa, hind—"
"Uncle, will you please stop being like that?!" Natahimik si Garrett "Why are such a coward? Huh?!"
"I understand that you are traumatized but heck! I am here!"
"I am here to protect you to fight for your rights!" Sambit nito kasabay ng pamumuo ng luha niya sa gilid ng kaniyang mga mata
"And you can't stop me from making him pay for what he did."
Matigas na sabi ng dalaga at kasabay noon ang malakas na palakpak na nagmula sa likod niya.
Nanlaki ang mata ni Garrett "V-vanessa!" Pagtawag nito dito at akmang lalapitan ngunit muling sumakit ang binto niya "Argh!"
Mabilis na nilingon ng dalaga ang taong kadadating lang
"Andito na pala ang Reyna." Ngumisi ito "Maligayang pagdating sa mansyon 'ko, mahal na Reyna."
Vanessa's POV
I CLENCHED my fist "You bastard!" I ran toward his location and grabbed his jaw, but when I was about smack him. He hit my hips.
His strength . . .
I did not fell on the ground but I felt something cold on my left arm.
He fixed his suit and smirked at me "A Queen doesn't act like that." I rolled my eyes "Tss, you're strength isn't on the same level of mine."
I got pissed off so I once tried to attacked him by gripping on his neck. The moment I gripped on his neck, I felt alive.
Suddenly, he gripped on mine too. The way he gripped on mine makes me let go of his. I can hear my Uncle shouting.
'F-fuck!'
"What now, huh?" He laughed "Do you know why I killed your parents and used your . . ." he glanced at my uncle "—bullshit uncle?"
"Because Briones organization don't deserve their spot." He grinned "Your uncle? I knew that there was a tension between him and your father long long long time ago."
"D-don't use my father to me!" I managed to say as he gripped on my neck even more
"I wanted them to have fight, I wanted to ruin your family!"
"Itigil mo na'to!" I heard my Uncle say despite of the pain he's feeling "B-bitawan mo si Vanessa!"
Emperor ignored him as he continues to talk to me "I used your uncle to hide my identity to you, yo—"
"Because you are afraid of my niece!" Emperor suddenly looked away at my eyes
"Hindi ba? Takot ka na malaman niya na ikaw ang pumatay sa kapatid ko at kay Vera dahil alam mo kung gaano kalakas at kung gaano makapangyarihan ang pamangkin 'ko!"
"Manahimik ka!" He shouted loudly "Gusto mo bang madagdagan ang mga 'yan sa katawan mo? Huh?"
With that, he let go of my neck as my body hits the floor. I groaned in pain because of that.
I breathe multiple times as I look for my uncle. My eyes were blurry but still, I stared at him for a couple of seconds . . . not knowing thaf Emperor is already hurting him
I panicked because of that—I cannot lose him! I stood up though I feel weak, I saw a shovel on my right side as I glanced at my Uncle again.
I did not hesitate but to get the shovel and ran towards Emperor. He turned his back and gripped on the shovel.
My eyes widened and kicked him on his stomach. Because of that he moved backwards.
He did not last long—he ran towards me as I tried the shovel to be our hindrance "I won't let you kill my uncle, you c-cheater!" I smirked at him
He smirked "Then, watch this." His moves were fast. He walked near me as he twist his arms that made him let go of the shovel and stopped behind my back.
Emperor get the shovel in front of me and pulled it. "Goddammit!" I cursed, I feel like I'm losing my breath again!
"I want you to watch this, Vanessa." He whispered to me "Watch how I make you suffer . . ." he raised his gun on the side of my forehead
"W-wag, Emperor! Wag si Vanessa!"
I've noticed that the gun wasn't aiming on my head—but it was pointing to my uncle.
I opened my mouth and was about to use my force to prevent him from doing his plan, but I was too late
. . . because the bullet already met my uncle's forehead.
"N-no!" I screamed as my tears fell "Fuck, Uncle! No!"
I forced myself to let go from his hand but I could not. All I did was to screamed and look at him stare at me while his head is bleeding
"Kamusta Vanessa? Masaya ba?" He laughed evilly "Mukhang nagustuhan mo—" he accidentally let go of the shovel from my neck when I cursed loudly at him
"Fuck you!"
I gasped when I felt a stab on my arm, "No one shouts at me." He said
My body starts to tremble for some reason "You must be afraid of me now, eh?"
I closed my eyes deeply and opened them once again. My lips are getting dry. "Are you afraid of me now?" He asked whole chuckling
My eyes met my Uncle Garrett's. He's looking though he's dead.
'I f-failed.'
"Tell me!" He commands "Are you afraid of me now?! Huh?!"
I clenched my fist as I speak "I will never be."
I turned my back to face him and the moment I faced him. I kicked him on his chest.
He hits the empty shelf. While he's trying to recover from my suddeb attack, I'm removing the knife on my arm.
When I was removing it, I did not feel any pain.
. . . all I can feel is nothing.
My hands want something . . . and that is this guy's blood.
I walked confidently as my blood flows over my arm. I did not pay attention on it because in my mind, I only focus on one thing
And that is to finish this fuckin' Emperor's life.
I grabbed his collar as he grabbed mine. The way he grabbed mine was more hurtful that I did.
Because of that, I held his right head as I jumped on the wall and landed on his neck.
He fell and sat on the ground. I reached for the knife
"Are you fuckin' ready for the biggest moment of my life, Emperor?"
Third Person's POV
NAGKAKAGULO ang nga tauhan ni Emperor sapagkat may organisasyong sumasalakay sa teritoryo nila.
Malalakas ang mga ito at ang nakakatakot pa—kasama nito ang isa sa mga miyembro ng Hellacious.
Inakyat ni Cathy ang hagdan at ginamit ang machine gun upang ubusin ang kalaban. Habang si Dave ay pisikal na inuubos ang mga kalaban
Nang may biglang umatake kay Dave na dalawang tao, napatingin si Charles
"Nasaan ang Reyna?!" Tanong ni Dave ngunit naiputok na ng kalaban ang baril at tinamaan si Dave sa braso.
Naagaw nito ang pansin ni Cathy at dahilan ito upang manlaki ang mga mata nito.
Agad tumakbo si Charles papunta sa direksyon ni Dave nang makita niyang babarilin siya nito muli.
"Shit!"
Kasabay nang pagkabaril kay Charles ang pagdagdag ng mga kakampi.
Duguang nakahiga si Charles sa sahig habang si Dave ay nawalan ng malay "Dave!" Tumakbo si Cathy papunta sa direksyon nito "Dave . . ."
The battle continues. Bago pa matamaan ang miyembro ng Hellacious ay agad siyang pinalibutan ng organisasyong kinasasangkupan ni Vanessa
"C-cathy . . ." naagaw ni Charles ang pansin niya "Si J-jaime . . ."
"Charles, dadalhin ka namin sa sasakyan okay? Wag ka—!"
"E-eric . . ." bulong nito "—m-mahal ni Eric si J-jaime."
Napakunot ang noo ni Cathy "C-charles?" Doon niya lamang napansin na titig nalang ni Charles ang buhay . . . sapagkat wala na ito.
Bumagsak ang luha ng dalaga—she needs to find the Queen!
Tinignan niya si Charles na wala ng hininga habang si Dave ay wala ng malay.
'I won't let them get away just like that.'
Tumayo si Cathy at kinuha ang dalawang baril mula sa bulsa niya. Mabilis itong naglakad at kasabay nito ang pag ulan ng baril sa mga kalaban
"How's Eric?" Tanong ng dalaga habang pinipigilan ang emosyon "Si Jaime?"
Sa kabila ng lakas ng putukan ay narinig niya ang sinabi ng isang lalaki "May mga kalaban din 'ho sa labas."
Saad nito "—ngunit inutusan 'ho kami ng Reyna noon na bantayan si Mr. Pires."
Vanessa's POV
"ARE YOU fuckin' ready for the biggest moment of my life, Emperor?" He couldn't answer my question
"You killed my parents," I gripped on his hair "You used and killed my uncle." I clenched my jaw
"And you woke the heartless and merciless Mafia Queen's blood once again."
I slowly caress his head "Enjoy, cheater." I told him as I turned his head sidewards.
His body melted as his face meets the floor, "I am not yet done, Emperor." I smirked
I get the gun from the floor and aimed it on his leg "Fuck!"
"That's for my parents that you killed because they are popular and they have the power in our world."
I aimed the gun on his back "That's for my Uncle Garrett that you used to ruined all of us."
He cursed once again "And lastly," I aimed on the bag of his head "This is for wrecking my family."
With that, I pulled the trigger exactly on his forehead.
MINUTES had passed, but I'm still staring at his body "You deserve to die in the first place anyway." I chuckled and threw the gun on the wall.
I was about to walk away from the room, but I've seen something on the mirror.
'Uncle Garrett . . .'
I slowly walked towards his dead body, when I reached his body. I kneeled down and stared at his face.
"I-I am sorry." I whispered "—for l-losing you."
"—for not letting my Uncle Simon meet you after a decade."
I looked away "He would be happy about it." My tears fell
"I wish that I knew about this long time ago, so that I saved you before this happened."
I cried "S-sorry, Uncle." I hugged his cold body "F-forgive me, I am s-sorry."
In this dark room, I was alone but . . . I know he was there—together with my family who was comforting me.
I AM not really use to hospital's lights—it's like they want an eye battle with me whenever I see them.
I cough suddenly, I shouldn't be ill. "Queen?" I turned my back, it was Jaime. "Coffee?" She offered kindly
A smile appeared on my face "Thank you," I get the coffee from her and sip a little "How's your wound, Queen? Malalim ba?"
"It is," I answered "But it was fine."
We were about to go home after this tiring night but I knew that many of us were in a critical conditions.
Just like my men. Some of them is in a coma. I sighed with that.
"How about Eric? I heard he's still sleeping." I asked, the moment I knew about what happened to Eric—I panicked.
"Nagising na siya Queen kanina," I smiled with that, well he better be "Minor injuries ang nakuha niya pero dahil mahina nga, ayan." We both laughed because of that
While laughing, I heavily sighed "I'm sorry, Jaime." I looked at her "I am sorry for your loss."
She smiled bitterly "I-it's fine, Queen." She looked away
I forced to smile and sat beside her even more. I hugged her "People die but their souls in our hearts will never be."
I let go of the hug "Mom told me that." I said "So, don't worry about Charles." I fixed her hair "He's probably happy right now."
She nodded "Panghahawakan ko 'yan, Queen." She smiled at me as I smiled back "Nga pala, Queen."
"Kailan mo balak sabihin kay Tito Simon ang . . ." she stopped "S-sor—"
"It's fine, Jaime." I smiled "About your question."
"I will tell him soon about Uncle Garrett." I said
Cathy comes out from a room. Jaime and I stood up "Kamusta si Dave?" Tanong ni Jaime
"Still unconscious." She simply said and smiled a little
I've notice pain in her eyes "Cathy?" She glanced me "Q-queen?"
"He will eventually wake up, so you have nothing to worry about." I said, cheering her up
"I hope he will." She whispered "Queen?"
"Hmm?"
She looked down "I am sorry for being an irresponsible member of Hellacious." My brows furrowed
'What are you talking about?'
"K-kung dumating kami ng maaga, edi s-sana buhay p—"
"It's not your fault, Cathy." It's Emperor's "Both of you aren't responsible for anybody's death, okay?" I told them
"Jaime," She gazed at my direction "Don't blame on yourself too. It's fine though you did not come with Cathy."
"—because you took care and protected Eric when he was alone."
"And you, Cathy." I stared at her "Don't blame yourself because my Uncle Garrett died, in fact you did a good job."
"All or us did a good job, so you have nothing to worry about." I said "Understood?"
They both nodded "Yes, Queen."
After that, we talked again here in the pathway. We weren't allowed to stay inside their room just because.
While talking, a nurse walked towards us "Excuse me, kayo 'ho ba si Miss Vanessa Briones?"
My forehead knotted as I stood up from the chair "Yes, I am." I answered
"Maari ko 'ho ba kayong makausap ng tayong dalawa lamang?" I glanced at my friends, they nodded immediately.
We walked away from them and we're here near the elevator "What is it?" I asked her
She gave me an envelope "Pinapabigay 'ho." She told me "Pasensya na 'ho kung nagpunta pa 'ho tayo dito." She apologized
"It's fine." I started to open the envelope and saw a letter on it
"Pasensya na 'ho ulit. Napag utusan lang 'ho." She bowed at me as she walked away from me.
I read the letter but while I was reading the letter that was given to me—my brows furrowed.
This letter . . . is from the guy who almost killed me.
"H-hoodie guy."
While reading the letter, I feel tense and nervous at the same time. But the most shocking part of the letter? Is when he revealed his name.
Let me tell you a story, Vanessa baby.
Do you know who King Stefan is? Well, if you don't know him then, I'll proceed.
He wasn't supposed to be the King not until the former King announced that anybody can replace him if someone would bring any part of their enemy's body
It's Maleficent he was referring to
Before Stefan became the King—Maleficent and Stefan talked a lot. She even let him looked around her kingdom because she trusts him
They were close and happy on the friendship they have. Not until King Henry announced about the Maleficent's death.
Maleficent must die for them to own her kingdom.
Unexpectedly, Stefan broke the friendship that he and Maleficent built. Because her beloved wings was cut by her friend.
You know what? You should be careful, Vanessa baby.
Because someone might cut yours, especially now that Stefan is near you.
Sincerely yours,
Axel Shin Winston
I looked around when I felt that someone's looking at me. I can feel it!
My eyes stopped at someone who is entering an elevator, "Excuse me?"
He turned his back as I saw his face, again.
'Hoodie g-guy . . .'
We watched each other's face until the elevator's doors closed. But before it completely close, I saw something.
His eyes were cold as he smirked at me.
The elevator's doors closed as I remained standing.
What was he talking about in this letter? I stared at this letter once again.
"W-why are you confusing me like this—" I whispered
"—Axel Winston?"