CHAPTER 28.

NEWS SPREAD FAST in our line of work. I'm sure my disappearance and my uncle taking over the clan is already the talk of the town. Hindi nga lang ako sigurado kung negatibo ba o positibo ang mga pinagsasabi nila tungkol sa 'kin, pero wala na akong pakialam. All I want right now is to take back what's mine, by hook or by crook.

Kace told me that there's another exclusive club in the city where my uncle and Luciano were using as their meeting place whenever they wanted to talk about their plan on taking my clan and merging it with the Luciano's. Doon daw ulit magaganap ang meeting, at isasama ako ni Kace doon ngayon.

Everyone was getting ready. Trisver was wearing a black suit with a black mask, pati si Roa. They're gonna disguise themselves as Kace's bodyguards so they can enter the club, too. And me, I'll pretend as one of the hostesses inside the club, since hostesses wear masks in order to protect their identities outside of work.

I was wearing a spaghetti strap, black fitted v-neck dress that revealed my cleavage, and with a slit on my thigh, revealing some of my tattoos there. Since magdi-disguise din ako, hindi backless ang suot ko. Nilugay ko lang din ang kinulot kong buhok para mas lalong matabunan ang mga tattoo sa likod ko.

Nagbaling ako ng tingin kay Kace na nasa driver's seat at seryoso ang mukhang nakatingin sa unahan. My eyes went down to his veiny hand that was gripping the stirring wheel, then to his exposed forearm that has some tattoos I didn't know were there, which he probably hid just like what I did when I entered college. The sleeves of his shirt were neatly folded. Then, my eyes went up to his neck, and saw how his Adam's apple slowly moved up and down. His slicked-back hair and black vest that's hugging his toned body completed his sexy look.

I blink when he suddenly glanced at me. Iniwas ko kaagad ang tingin ko sabay tikhim. My body suddenly felt hot.

Nakalimutan kong nakaupo sa likuran sina Trisver at Roa. They probably saw how I almost salivate while checking out Kace. It's his fault for being too damn good looking and sexy.

I heard Kace sigh. “Mauuna kang papasok mamaya sa club, Quincy,” aniya kaya naibaling ko ulit ang paningin ko sa kaniya. Bumalik na rin ang mga mata niya sa daan. “One of my trusted assets inside the club will take you inside. She knows what to do, so you don't have to worry.”

I blinked. She?

“Shouldn't we enter the club... together?” I said.

Napabaling siya ng tingin sa 'kin. “Hostess ka sa club. Hindi ka pwedeng makitang kasama ako sa labas.”

I scoffed. “Why? Because it'll ruin your image? Aren't you fucking around with random women?”

“Because people might get curious and dig information about you,” mariin niyang pagtatama. He smirked which made me raise a brow. “You think I fuck just anyone?”

“Bakit? Mali ba ako? With your looks and body, I'm sure a lot of women are dying to get a taste of you.”

“Are you one of them?”

I blinked and my jaw almost dropped at his words. “What the fuck?”

He chuckled. “Masyado ka namang selosa.”

Mas lalong tumalim ang tingin ko sa kaniya. “One more unpleasant word out of your mouth--” Nilabas ko ang pistol na nakatago sa hita ko “--I'll burry a bullet in your head.”

His amused smile grew wider. “Geez. Calm down, Quincy.”

Tumikhim si Trisver sa likod, habang si Roa ay nagbuga ng hangin. Napairap na lang ako at piniling manahimik na.

After what felt like eternity, we finally arrived at the club he mentioned. May passage sa likod na si Kace lang nakakaalam, doon kami dumaan. It was between the walls of the club, with only one person could fit. The red ceiling lights were starting to hurt my eyes as we walked inside.

May pinto sa dulo ng passage. Kumatok si Kace doon at noong bumukas, bumungad sa 'min ang isang babaeng naka-mask. Bumaba kaagad ang mga mata ko sa dibdib niyang halos lumuwa na dahil sa suot niyang push-up bra, lalo pa't natural na malalaki ang dibdib niya.

She smiled. “You're finally here. Pasok kayo.”

My eyes were glued to her as I strutted inside the cramped room. She awkwardly smiled at me before walking away. Napairap ako bago nilibot ang paningin sa paligid.

This cramped room looked like it's the female employees' dressing room. Bukas pa ang mga ilaw ng mga salamin, nagkakalat din sa tukador ang mga make up na nakabukas. May mga nakahilerang mga costumes din sa gilid.

“Working hours na nila,” sabi ng babaeng nagbukas ng pinto sa 'min. “Ako lang ang may alam na papasok kayo ngayon. I was sent here by our boss to assist you, Sir Kace.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. Umayos din ako sa pagkakatayo. Nagbaling ako ng tingin sa kaniya. I raised a brow when I saw she was smiling at Kace.

Tumango si Kace. “This woman right here--” Iminuwestra ako ni Kace “--siya ang may need ng assistance mo--”

“No, thank you!” singit ko kaagad. “I can dress myself up.”

“Kailangan mo pa rin ang tulong niya dahil hindi mo kabisado ang club, Quincy.” Kace smirked. “Stop being stubborn and just do what I say, will you?”

For the nth time, I rolled my eyeballs.

Nauna na silang lumabas pagkatapos kunin ang costumes at masks nila. I was left inside with the damned woman. I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes just so we could get this done already.

Naglaan pa ako ng oras na ayusin ang buhok ko, papasuotin lang naman pala ako ng itim at tuwid na tuwid na buhok. The wig has full bangs, and the length was until my waist. I covered half of my face with a white mask with golden and intricate designs that will surely glimmer when the lights inside the club will hit it. I had to cover my tattoos with concealer and foundation as well, since their uniforms here for hostesses were too revealing. To complete my get up, an ear piece was hidden beneath my wig so i could listen to Kace.

May inabot siya sa 'king tray na may mga inumin. Lumabas kami ng dressing room pagkatapos.

The soft jazz music blended with the hum of low conversations. Each table inside this club were filled with men, accompanied by masked women. There was a casino at the far right, where the laughters and clinking sounds came from.

“Kace, my boy! It's good to see you again!” I heard Luciano's voice over the ear piece.

Yumuyuko sa kasama ko ang mga nadadaanan o nakakasalubong naming mga waiter. Ang mga hostess namang nasa mga table ay nagbabaling ng tingin at ngingiti lang. The VIP rooms were upstairs. Using the elevator, we went up.

I kept listening to them while I was walking. Nagsimula silang mag-usap tungkol sa drug dealing na ginawa sa isang probinsya sa Pilipinas, at success ang transaction. Sunod na pinag-usapan nila ay ang planong pagpatalsik sa isa pang organization na planong mang-agaw ng teritoryo ni Luciano.

Nakarating na kami sa tapat ng VIP room kung saan sila nag-uusap. May dalawang guards sa labas. Tinanguan lang ng kasama ko, at pinapasok na kami kaagad.

My eyes instantly darted towards Kace, who was leaning his back on the black sofa. His coat was removed. He's holding a glass on one hand, while the other was resting at the arm rest. His legs were crossed. In my mind, I muttered a curse.

Nalipat ang paningin niya sa 'kin, at hinagod niya ako ng malagkit na tingin mula ulo, pababa sa dibdib ko at nagtagal nang ilang segundo roon, hanggang paa, at pabalik sa mukha ko. Then, a smirk appeared on his lips before he took a sip from his glass.

“My niece has been gone for a while now,” I heard my uncle--sitting at the sofa across Kace--said. “I heard it was your men who attacked her when she planned to flee.”

“Yes,” sagot ni Kace. “She's under my... care.”

While I was putting down the drinks on the table, I felt his stare. Hindi ko siya pinansin at nagpatuloy lang sa ginagawa. Paalis na sana ako nang may biglang humawak sa braso ko.

“You can stay here for a bit,” Luciano said and smiled disgustingly. He pulled me closer, to the point I could smell the stinky alcohol when he breathed.

I fought the urge to grimace. I forced a smile before removing his hand and continued walking. Disgusting, fucking bastard.

“You can't take her on physically, especially with weapons. She's still an Azarcon, and she's been trained to fight since she was little.” My uncle laughed. “You know what's the easiest way to tame her?” Tinuro niya ang dibdib niya. “Feelings. Emotions. Anything that involves the heart. Lumaki siyang walang nanay na nag-aaruga sa kaniya. Maaga pang namatay ang ama. A woman who is as tough as her, her heart is her weakness. After all, she's still a woman.”

I gritted my teeth. This damned bastard. Kung pwede lang, kanina ko pa 'to binaril sa ulo.

“She's still... too dangerous, Sir.”

Uncle chuckled. “You've done well gaining her to trust you, though. It's time to move to the next phase of this plan.”

Nasa tapat na ako ng pinto nang napahinto ako sa paglalakad.

“I told you. Malambot pa rin siya. Nakuha mo na ang loob niya. She's my niece, so I know that bitch will come back to our mansion. Once she brings you there with her, take advantage of it and eliminate her.”

Naikuyom ko ang mga kamay. I could feel my nails digging into my palms. Heck, I wouldn't even care if they bleed. I couldn't fathom what I just heard, and I didn't know what to feel anymore. My chest was starting to tighten.

“As promised, we will split the territory and divide the profits from all of our businesses--”

Hindi ko na napigilan. Dinukot ko na mula sa kanang hita ko ang nakatagong pistol at tinutok kay Kace. Kasabay ng paghila ko, nagsihugot din ng mga baril ang mga bodyguard ang ibang hostess na nasa loob, at sa akin naman tinutok ang mga baril nila. Pati ang uncle ko, naghugot ng baril at tinutok sa 'kin.

Kace was the only person inside the room who didn't raise a weapon at me. He remained composed, with an unreadable expression, while staring at me.

“I knew it,” I hissed between gritted teeth. “I fucking knew it.”

“Quincy...” He stood up and was ready to come closer but a bodyguard stopped him.

“You played your part well,” I said coldly. “Gained my trust, infiltrated my circle, made me think you cared.”

“Oh? How amusing!” Tumayo na rin si uncle at humarap sa 'kin. “Welcome back, my dear niece. How was your vacation?”

Nilipat ko sa kaniya ang pagkakatutok ng baril ko. He just smirked.

“Masyado mo naman akong minamaliit, uncle. As you've said, I'm still an Azarcon,” I smirked. I cocked the gun, making the bodyguards more alert and also cocked their guns.

“Go on, then.” He spread his arms wide. “You can kill me right here, right now.”

I gritted my tooth.

Before I could even pull the trigger, nakalapit na sa 'kin si Kace. Hinila niya pababa ang baril, at saka siya pumwesto sa harap ko. Bahagya siyang dumukwang papalapit.

“Stop it, Quincy...” he whispered, pleading.

“Fucking move!”

Tinulak ko siya papalayo pero hinuli niya lang ang kamay ko. Kaya naman inikot ko ang kamay ko at noong nabitawan niya ako, mabilis kong hinampas sa batok niya ang baril. Noong natumba siya, tinutok ko kaagad kay uncle ang baril at mabilis na hinila ang trigger. Umalingawngaw kaagad ang putok ng baril at natamaan siya sa balikat dahil nahila siya kaagad ng isang bodyguard.

And in just a split second, the whole room was being rained by bullets.

Mabilis na nakatayo si Kace. He scooped me and put on his shoulder like I'm a sack of rice, before he started running out of the room.

Dahil sa nangyari, naalerto ang mga nasa baba at nagpanic na rin. Nasundan kami ng mga galing sa VIP room at pinagbabaril. While I was still on Kace's shoulder, I still managed to raise my gun and shoot them.

“Anong nangyari!?” tanong ni Trisver noong nakasalubong namin siya sa hallway papuntang dressing room. Kasunod niya si Roa na mabigat na ang paghinga.

“We'll talk later. For now, let's focus on escaping,” ang tanging sagot ni Kace.

Hinampas ko sa likod niya ang hawak kong baril. I heard him groan. “Let me go! Hindi pa patay ang gagong 'yon!”

“Fucking calm down, Quincy!” he shouted angrily. He was starting to feel frustrated. “Wala 'to sa plano!”

“Fuck you and your plans! Asshole! Fucker!”

Napupuno na siya sa 'kin kaya naman noong nasa dressing room na kami, binaba niya na ako. Pero bago pa ako makapagsalita ulit, hinampas niya ang batok ko. Unti-unti akong nawalan ng lakas, at nanlabo ang paningin.

“I'm sorry, baby...” he whispered. The last thing I remembered was him scooping me up again before I lost consciousness.

Nagising na lang ako na nasa loob ako ng pamilyar na kwarto. Nasa bahay na naman kami kung saan ako dinala ni Kace noong kinidnap niya rin kami ni Trisver. Suot ko pa rin ang silky dress na uniform ng mga hostess sa club.

Mabilis akong bumangon. Sakto namang kakapasok lang ni Kace. Kung ano ang suot niya kanina sa club, 'yon pa rin ang suot niya, maliban sa wala na siyang mask at magulo na ang buhok niya.

“Are you okay?” tanong niya.

Hindi ako sumagot. Tumalon ako pababa ng kama at noong nakalapit ako sa kaniya, sumipa ako at planong tamaan ang ulo niya pero mabilis siyang nakailag. Binaba ko ang paa ko, at sinubukan naman siyang suntukin pero nahuli niya lang ang kamay ko. I took it as a chance to pull him closer and kicked his abdomen.

Napaubo siya at napaatras. Habang mababa pa ang defense niya, sinipa ko ang mukha niya dahilan para mapaatras siya. Sinipa ko ulit siya at kumalabog ang pinto dahil tumama ang likod niya ro'n. Nalukot ang mukha niya at napaubo pa lalo.

Dahil sa panghihina ay napadausdos na siya pababa ng pinto. Kaagad akong lumuhod sa harap niya. Dinukot ko mula sa kaliwang hita ko ang swiss knife at saka itinutok sa leeg niya.

He was panting. When he opened his eyes, his gaze was a mixture of affection and guilt.

He grinned. Hinawakan niya ang kamay kong may kutsilyo, at siya na mismo ang nagdiin ng kutsilyo sa leeg niya. “Go on. You can do anything you want to me.”

He gasped when I pressed the knife on his skin more, but his smile never left his lips.

“Fucking asshole...” I was surprised when my voice shook. I didn't even notice my lips were quivering. “I never should have trusted you...”

He remained silent. He was still staring at me with the same expression.

I gulped. “Tell me... was any of it even real? Or was I just another piece on your chessboard!?”

Hindi pa rin siya nagsalita. Umangat ang kamay niya. His palm touched my cheek lightly, so light that it felt like didn't want his skin to touch mine at all. His thumb gently caressed my cheek.

The side of my eyes started to sting, and my vision was getting blurry.

“Fucking tell me!” I shouted angrily. Nangilid na ang luha ko. “You all planned this! You planned to make me fall in love with you so you could take advantage of me and discard me once you get what you want. All along, what you wanted is my empire that I worked hard to build and maintain. Tell me! Do you even truly care about me? D-Do you... Do you even...”

“I love you...” he whispered, his voice gentle, full of affection.

And that was my last straw.

I let out a frustrated scream and stabbed the door behind him. He didn't even flinch. He remained staring at me.

I let out a shaky breathe, before I stood up and went out of the room.