IEWAG-32: Birthday or Condolence [?] (part 1)
Jannica's POV
"Stop smoking, Jannica! Ang baho!" reklamo ni Alex sa likod ko.
"Shut up! Makikiamoy ka na nga lang!" I yelled at her. I puffed my cigar one more time and threw it at nowhere.
"Happy?" I asked sarcastically. She rolled her eyes. The nerve!
"Tumawag na ba si Drake?" tanong nya habang minamatyagan ang naglalakihang mga lalaking nagbabantay sa entrance dito sa parking lot ng Elite Hotel.
Crap. Hindi ko alam na hanggang sa parking lot marami pa ring securities.
"We don't have to wait for his signal. Mabuti pa mauna na tayo sa loob. The earlier the better." I said in a determined tone.
She glanced at me. "Pinapangunahan mo na naman ang plano ng grupo eh." She whispered in an annoyed tone.
"Hey, Chen. Hindi ko kayo pinapangunahan. Ang akin lang dapat hindi tayo nagsasayang ng oras!" I shrieked.
"Kahit na! Pano kung magaya ulit ng dati? Pumalpak 'yung plano! Kaya ano? Nandito tayo ngayon! You're making things complicated!" sigaw nya rin.
I gritted my teeth and pushed her hard on the wall.
"Ano bang nangyayari sa'yo? Why are you over reacting there?! Tell me! Mapagkakatiwalaan ka pa ba?" sigaw kong tanong sa kanya. She can't look at me.
"Stupid me. Bakit ko pa ba itatanong sa'yo? Hah. Remember Chen, once na tulungan mo si Lagdameo, hindi ako magdadalawang isip na isunod ka sakanya." I'm eager. I'm desperate.
Kahit kaibigan ko pa 'tong walangyang babaeng 'to kailangan ko pa ring gawin ang trabaho ko.
At sa ikakapanatag ng puso ko. I love Zeke. So much. And I won't let anybody take him away from me.
Kahit pa sabihing balak rin syang itakas ni Kevin mamaya. Ayoko pa rin. Mas mabuting ang grupo ang makakuha kay Lopez-girl cause I'm pretty sure na wala na syang kawala samin.
And it's useless for Kevin. Dahil hindi na sya aabutan pa ng sikat ng araw. I smirk.
"Magagandang binibini, invited rin ba kayo sa party?" napatingin kaming dalawa ni Alex sa nagsalita.
Nasa harapan namin 'yung mga securities na nagbabantay dito. What the perk!
But great, I think we can use our charms this time. Smirks by me.
Kevin's POV
Pinunasan ko ang butil butil ng pawis na lumalandas sa noo ko.
Umakyat ako sa rooftop ng Elite Hotel gamit ang harness. Tsk. Buti na lang nagawa ko ng maayos.
Inalis ko ang harness na nakakabit mula sa katawan ko. Itinago ko iyon sa isang bag at itinabi. Nagbihis at kinuha ang maskara.
Lastly, kinuha ko ang baril sa ilalim ng coat. Inasinta at maingat na naglakad palabas ng rooftop.
"Where are you going, asshole?" natigilan ako nang may tumutok ng baril sa pagitan ng mga mata ko.
Hindi ako natakot. Why would I? Handa na kong mamatay makuha ko lang si Marie.
"Chen, looks like I'm not the only one who's excited for this." Saad ni Hepworth. Tinignan ko naman si Chen na halatang nasira nga ang plano namin.
Tss. Dapat mamaya pa sila papasok dito. Hindi dahil hihintayin nila ang signal ni Rodriguez, kundi idi-discharge ko muna ang mga bombang nakaplanta sa mismong venue.
Inalis na nya ang baril na nakatutok sakin.
"Nakakatuwang isipin, kasama ko ang mga pinaghihinalaang traydor ng grupo. Farewell." Nang-aasar na sabi ni Hepworth tsaka umalis.
Tinignan naman ako ni Chen ng makahulugan.
We need to dispatch Jannica Hepworth. And I'll leave it to my alliance.
Sacred Marie's POV
I stared at my reflection in the mirror.
Hindi ko sasabihing ang ganda ko ngayon dahil inaangat ko ang bangko ko.
Its really what I'm seeing now. Light lang 'yung make up pero halos hindi ko na makilala ang sarili ko.
Napatingin ako sa jewelry box na nakapatong sa mesa.
'Yung couple pendant namin ni Kevin. Kinuha ko iyon at pinagmasdan. Kasabay ng pagngiti ko ay ang pagpatak ng isang luha mula sa kanan kong mata.
Bittersweet. Pch.
Binuksan ko ang locket at isinuot iyon sa leeg ko.
It sparks as the light hit it.
"Baby girl.." I heard knocks all of a sudden.
I glanced at the door as a beautiful lady getting in.
"Mom," I lifted myself up from the chair. Mommy walks toward me crying. Same as Dad.
Mom hugged me. Dad hugged us. Then we all cried.
"Happy birthday. And I hope.. this would be really a happy one for you," said by my Dad. "..for us." dugtong pa nya.
Mas lalo kaming napahagulhol ni Mommy sa iyak.
"But now, my heart and mind are now at peace. As long as Zeke is with you."
I don't like that idea, Mom.
I protested through my mind.
Kumawala ako sa yakap nila at napatungo. Nakita ko namang nagkatinginan sila. Dad patted my back.
"Anak, may mga bagay na kailangan mong gawin para sa ikakabuti ng mahal mo. It may be painful but at least you tried to save them. That's part if loving them."
"But he's a gangster, Dad."
"He's a gangster, yes. But that gangster is the only person who can protect you for the rest of your life."
"No." Matigas kong tugon. "I'm sorry, Dad. I don't like the idea of engaging a gangster. I hate them like hell! You know that! At dapat kayo ang unang makakaintindi ng nararamdaman ko!" I shrieked. Napaawang ang bibig ni Dad.
"Baby girl, I thought we already cleared this issue?" may bahid ng pagkagulat sa tono ni Mommy.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
I'm sorry cause this would be the first time I wouldn't obey your plans for me. It hurts me too, so bad.
Third Person's POV
The celebrant is wearing a white sequined elegant-detailed gown. A masterpiece you can only see at Disney movies. A white glittered with its luxurious and fluffy feather mask, matched into it.
Her heart-shaped lips had been sexily applied with a red lipstick. Her hair that is perfectly curled.
Pero kahit gaano man ka-gara... gaano man sya magmukhang Dyosa... hindi nya pa rin maitatago ang kaba nya sa dibdib... kaba ng mga taong malalapit sa puso nya na sa kasalukuyang pinanonood sya habang bumaba ng hagdan.
"Napakaganda ng anak mo, Selina ..."
Pare-pareho nilang komento sa dalaga. Inalalayan ni Zellig Marris Lopez, ang kanyang anak habang dahan-dahan itong bumababa ng grandiosong hagdan.
Sinalubong sya ng kanyang escort na napaka-ayos at gwapong gwapo sa suot nitong red suit. Grandiyoso ang detalye nito kahit sa kaliit-liitang piraso ng tela.
Nagmukha tuloy silang isang Royal Couple sa gitna ng maraming tao.
Agaw atensyon.
Napakaganda at perpekto nilang tingnan.
Pero hindi maikakailang... sila'y ipinagkasundo lamang.
They will never follow their fate and destiny. The dreams they built together with their partners.. lahat 'yun naglaho.
"Y-You.. look good." Ang tanging nasabi ni Marie habang pinagmamasdan ang mala-Adonis na lalaking nasa harap nya.
"Quit stating the obvious." He said arrogantly.
"Pch." Napanguso sya. There's no one who can replace this arrogant man beside her.
Tumungo sila sa stage kung saan napapalamutian ng mga kumikinang na disenyo.
Umupo sila sa nakalaang upuan doon. Maraming mga mata ang nakatutok sakanila. Napasinghap sya nang may dumantay na malambot at mainit na labi sa tainga nya.
That lips. She never thought she just kissed that soft and tempting lips before.
She blushed. The feels. She can't contain.
A warm breathe exploded her ear. Same with the words..
"Since when you started to be that lovely?"
Napalunok sya. At napalunok ulit. Halos malaglag sya sa upuan.
She froze. He had a jackpot smile. Ngiting tagumpay na napakilig nya ang babae.
'OMYGASH!' nagsusumigaw ito sa utak ni Marie.
Her Dad were having a speech when she her eyes started to look for him.
'Where are you, Yam?' she wants to shout.
"You looking for someone?" Muntik na syang mapalundag sa kinauupuan nya.
"Hindi-"
"That f*cktard Lagdameo again, isn't it?" sabi nito gamit ang seryosong tono.
"L-Levi. Ang kamay ko. Nasasaktan ako." She muttered in pain. But she still managed casual in front of the thousand audience.
Nilingon nya ang gangster. Nakaside ito at tila nag-aapoy ang mata nito.
He clenched his jaw.
He's scaring her again.
"You can't f*cking run away from me. Not with that jackass." Mas lalong humigpit ang hawak ng gangster sa kamay nya.
Pilit namang kumakawala si Marie.
"What's your problem?" she muttered again.
He glanced at Marie. He does nothing but to stare at the girl.
'Minsan talaga gusto kong pasukin ang utak nito para malaman ko iniisip nya.'
"And now, as my only princess turns 18, I wanna tell her that if there's someone whose happy for having her a second chance to spent with her for another 3 years.. that's me." Her Dad glimpse at her and smiled. She forced a smile. After their talk awhile ago, she suddenly felt guilt.
"We want you to live longer.." Umiiyak na ang Mommy nya sa tabi nya. "That's why we're doing all of this. Please, don't be mad."
Pinunasan ni Marie ang luha sa pisngi nya.
"Tsk. How I hate dramas." Himutok ni Ezekiel.
"Happy birthday, my princess. Dad loves you in bits and pieces. And because this is a special day for you.. a special announcement will be announced-"
Parang huminto sa pagikot ang mundo ni Marie. Gusto nyang agawin ang mikropono nito upang wag ng matuloy pa ang mga sasabihin.
Pero anong magagawa nya? The gangster was actually holding her hand. His attention wasn't with her. Pero sya 'yung tipo ng tao na kunting kibot, alerto.
"..later." She silently rejoices.
"Lets all cheers as we greet my princess!"
Aizer Matt's POV
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIE!" everyone cheered.
I looked at Zeke and Riri at the stage. Halatang sila lang ang hindi masaya sa mga nangyayari.
"The dance floor is now ready. Shake it off!" saad nung emcee. Nag hiyawan naman 'yung mga tao.
Ako lang mag-isa. My assigned destination kasi kami.
Si Ranz at Kaiz nasa control room. Ako, dito lang sa venue at minamasdan ang paligid. RedStains might be anywhere. Connected naman kami nina Ranz at Kaiz, sila ang nagbabantay ng CCTV cameras outside and inside.
Si Zan naman nasa rooftop. Sya ang piloto ng helicopter na sasakyan nila Mr. the Great kung sakali.
Ininom ko ang white wine ko at- pwee! Muntik ko ng maibuga!
Red suit. Black mask. Mr. the Great.
"Must look for Sacred. Fucking hurry."
"What? Di ba nasa tabi mo lang sya kanina?!"
He gripped my suit. Tae. Ang mahal ng suot ko gugusutin pa ng gagong 'to.
"Hahanapin ko ba sya kung hindi nawawala? Are you damn making me nuts, Steinway?" Tss. Sabi na eh. Wag dapat ginagalit ang Poncio Pilato.
"Oo na. Oo na."
Napaka-OA ng taong 'to. Para saan pa ang nakakalat na isang batalyon ng securities at bouncers dito kung mapapahamak din lang si Marie?
"Fck it! Can't you do it faster?!"
Tss.
Sacred Marie's POV
After magtoss ng mga wines namin may nagring 'yung phone ni Levi. Nung una hindi nya pinapansin pero nung sunod-sunod na nairita na sya.
Pikunin, walang kupas -___-
"Stay there. One wrong move, you're dead." Banta nya.
Anong gusto nya? Maging tuod na lang ako dito?
Napatingin ako sa mga teens na humahataw sa dance floor. Later will be my 18 roses. After that.. crap. Iaannounce na ni Dad.
Bigla akong nalungkot at pinanlambutan ng mga buto. Nanghihina ako tuwing iniisip ko 'yun.
"Kiyaah~"
"Who's he? So hot tho."
Bigla akong napaayos ng tayo. My strength. He's here. I recognized him though he's wearing a mask. It's the heartbeats you know.
Nagmamadali akong bumaba ng stage at nilakbay ang dance floor na pinupuno ng mga taong uhaw sa musika.
"Kevin!" sobrang lakas ng music kaya kinailangan ko pang sumigaw. Sobrang dami din ng tao. Shet! Asan na sya??
"Aray!" giit ko nang may babaeng bumangga sakin.
Hindi dahil masakit ang pagkakabangga nya sakin. She pulled something from my neck! That was hurt big time huh!
Napalingon ako sa leeg ko atsaka namilog ang mga mata ko.
Nawawala. NAWAWALA ANG PENDANT KO!
I hysterically searched that girl at the center of the crowd. It would be impossible to find her.. but crap! I need to get it back!
Hinahawi ko ang mga taong humaharang sa daraanan ko. I maybe mean, but who cares!
Nagulat ako nung may humawak ng kamay ko. Aba! Kinakalaban na nya ko?
I glanced to see this person.
O. My. Gad.
The gangster. I'm dead.
He pulled me closer to him. No. Not with this seducing moment again! >_<
"What with the word 'stay' you don't understand, poor slave?"
There we are again.
"Let go of me." I demanded.
"Umaasa ka pa rin ba na pupunta dito si Lagdameo para pigilan ang engagement natin?"
"Gusto mong malaman 'yung totoo? OO! I'm waiting for him! You should be happy right?"
"Happiness for me is making your life like a living hell." He said in a serious and eager tone.
I frowned. I frizzed. I'm scared.
I was taken aback when he kneeled down on me.. showing a.. diamond ring?!
"What are you doing?!" I hissed.
"Making your life easy." He grinned hellishly.
"The hot dude with a red suit is suddenly proposing to Marie?"
"Nice catch!"
"Lucky girl!"
"Marry me, Sacred Marie Lopez."
That's not a proper way of proposing.
That's an order.
And why would I answer him a yes? Only fools will do that.