CHAPTER 34

VALENTINA IMARA MEADOWS

I could hardly take my eyes off the full-body mirror in my small walk-in closet. Siguro halos ilang minuto rin akong nakatayo rito, just admiring myself. My hair was in a clean bun, and I used my two golden stiletto-type weapons, Saf, to keep my hair from completely falling out.

Confident na ako sa likod ko ngayon dahil ang peklat na iniwan ni Helios ay wala na; thanks to Ria, siya ang nagasikaso no'n. Mabuti nga at ilang araw pa muna ang lilipas bago ang mismong birthday party ni Hyperion. I can be sure that no one will see any scars there. The backless part of the long gown I chose reaches down to my waist.

Kaya napagisipan ko na lang din na hindi nakalugay ang buhok ko dahil dito. Maganda ang pagkakadesign ng backless, kaya mas mainam na nakikita ito kaysa sa matakpan ng buhok ko.

I did my own makeup, and I'm pretty satisfied with how it turned out. It's a light makeup look, but my lipstick is a dark, bloody red. It's definitely eye-catching, especially because of my full lips. Napangiti na lang ako habang nakatingin sa harap ng salamin at sinigurado na wala akong makikita na ni-isang ikakasira ng gabi ko ngayon.

It's perfect. I'm perfect!

I took a deep breath and calmed myself before stepping out of the walk-in closet. I went straight to the vanity table to grab Hyperion's invitation card because Atlas said we were supposed to give it to someone before we could enter his house. Mabilis kong pinasok 'yon sa loob ng I slipped it into my dark red rhinestone clutch purse ko at pinasadahan ng tingin ang buong katawan ko sa harap ng salamin ulit sa huling pagkakataon bago lumabas ng kuwarto.

"Akala ko ba naman hindi ka na aalis d'yan sa kwarto mo." "Yon agad ang bungad ni Oceanus sa akin ng makarating ako sa living area.

Oceanus was wearing a cream-colored t-shirt and white shorts. He was carrying a hoodie, while his black backpack was already slung over his back since he was headed straight for the airport on his way to Mexico.

"Daming mong arte, ah," sagot ko at pabiro siyang inirapan. "I just made sure I looked presentable, okay?"

Napailing na lang si Oceanus at nauna ng maglakad papunta sa nakabukas na elevator. I stepped inside and waited for the elevator to ascend to the upper ground.

"Atlas is going to borrow your car again," I said, staring at my reflection in the closed elevator doors.

"Alam ko. Baka naman sisirain niyo ulit 'yon, ah? I wouldn't be surprised if you returned it with just the tires and no sign of the car's body."

I suddenly glanced at him and made a face.

"Alam mo, you're such an overreactor, 'no? Don't worry, Atlas will replace your car if anything gets damaged. Atsaka correction, sa birthday party ang punta namin at hindi sa gyera."

Hindi ko naiwasan na mapaawang ang bibig ng makitang inirapan niya ako. I elbowed him sharply in the side and shot him a dirty look.

"You idiot. You know how to roll your eyes now? Sinong nagpuro sa 'yo n'yan?" iritado kong tanong sa kan'ya.

I heard the familiar sound of the elevator arriving at our floor. Awtomatikong bumukas ang pintuan at sabay na kaming dalawa ni Oceanus na lumabas. When I looked around the warehouse, I saw people busy putting various things into large boxes.

"I only learned it from you. You love rolling your eyes at me whenever you get annoyed," he replied.

Hindi ko na rin tuloy maiwasan na irapan siya sa naging sagot niya at sabay na rin kaming lumabas sa warehouse. I even heard him muttering under his breath, and I could tell he was probably complaining again about me rolling my eyes at him.

"Baliw..." bulong ko sa sarili.

I went straight to Atlas, who was sitting on the hood of his car, talking on his cellphone. His arms were crossed, and he was still talking. Nauna na akong pumasok sa loob at hinintay na lang siya habang itong si Oceanus ay nakapasok na sa loob ng puting kotse dahil isa sa mga tauhan ni Atlas ay ihahatid na siya sa airport.

"I'll go ahead!" Oceanus shouted. When I looked at him, he was looking in our direction while sitting in the passenger seat. Nakababa ang bintana sa bandang driver at nakita namin siya na naka-upo sa passenger seat, nakatingin sa puwesto namin.

"Okay! Take care!"

I waved one last time until the car Oceanus was in drove off. They left before Atlas and I did. Muhkang may importante pang kinakausap si Atlas sa cellphone; probably it was Ismael.

We were running late because of some emergency meeting that came up in Mexico. But I figured it would be sorted out quickly since Oceanus was already on his way there.

"Let's go."

I glanced at the driver's seat as Atlas sat down. Inadjust niya pa ang suot niyang necktie na isa sa mga kasama sa binili niyang three-piece suit. The color was the same as mine since he was my escort. His suit and vest were a deep, bloody red, and so was his necktie, while his shirt underneath was a plain white polo.

"Kumusta yung shipment sa Mexico?" I asked.

He sighed. "It's fine. The consumers are just demanding that we send more drugs, even though the payment hasn't increased."

Mahina akong natawa at napailing na lang. "Huh? Sinuswerte naman sila kung gano'n. Tayo malulugi n'yan."

"I've already talked to Ismael about it. But if they still insist on what they want, we're not supplying them with any more drugs," he replied as he started the car.

"You're right. But what if they keep pushing even after you've warned them?"

"It's not my fault if something happens to them. They won't like what I'll do if they try it. They signed a contract, and they have to follow the rules written in it."

Napailing na lang ako at sinuot na lang ang sealbelt ko at pinakinggan lang na magsalita si Atlas sa mga naging usapan nilang dalawa ni Ismael kanina. He was still talking about some of Ismael's transactions in Mexico since Ismael was the one keeping him updated now that he wasn't there.

Alam ko na agad na kung sino man na bumabangga kay Atlas para na rin nilang nilalagay ang sarili nila sa peligro.

▄︻デ══━一

I couldn't help but be amazed when we arrived at Hyperion's house. It wasn't just any house—it looked like a palace! Sa tingin ko para siyang mediterranean mansion. The exterior design was so clear and visible, thanks to the light yellow lights that were on.

The passenger seat window was down, kaya nakadungaw ako roon at malayang napagmamasdan ang ganda ng bahay ni Hyperion. The car was parked at the edge of the gutter. Malawak din ang driveway kaya alam kong hindi rin kami nakakasagabal dito. Before we could enter the house, there were two curved staircases on either side of the entrance. Sa gitna no'n, there was a small fountain with a statue of a mermaid—her arms raised, holding a large vase, from which the water flowed.

"Wear this mask and gloves."

Napalingon ako kay Atlas ng bigla siyang nagsalita. May binigay siyang gloves na tansyado ko na aabot hanggang siko ko. They were velvet, blood red in color, just like the long gown I was wearing. The mask was the same color as my gown too but with a bold gold design. It also had black lace along the edges and a black feather design on the upper right corner of the mask.

"Hindi ko alam na masquerade ang theme ng birthday ni Hyperion," sabi ko sa kan'ya.

Agad kong sinuot ang gloves na binigay niya, I smiled when I saw how well they matched my gown. Inangat ko pa sa ere ang kamay ko para matingnan 'yon ng maayos bago lingunin si Atlas. He was staring at me, his serious ash-colored eyes hard to read, and to be honest it was difficult to tell what was going through his mind.

"Sorry, my bad. Nakalimutan ko lang, I forgot to mention that his birthday theme is always like that every year."

Napailing na lang ako at pinanood siyang tiningnan ang sarili sa rearview mirror. Gano'n din naman ang ginawa ko; may binaba ako sa bandang itaas ng kotse kung saan ako nakaupo ngayon para tingnan ang sarili ko. I just applied some lipstick, then raised the visor mirror again.

"I'm ready. Let's go; we're running late. Nakakahiya naman kay Hyperion kung mahuhuli pa tayo," ani ko.

Mahinang natawa si Atlas. "I'm telling you, we're not late. Hyperion just set the time on the invitation early because he knows his guests will be an hour late."

"So we're still late, then?"

He nodded. "I don't like waiting for too long, Hexia. Besides, Hyperion knows we'll be late."

Napabuntong hininga na lang ako sa naging sagot niya. I put on the mask while shaking my head and adjusted my gloves for the last time. When I looked at him, nakasuot na rin pala ang mask niya—pure black, with black lace designs on the edges, just like mine.

"Don't forget to bring out your invitation card to give it when we get there," Atlas reminded me.

"Okay."

Sabay kaming lumabas sa kotse at naglakad na. We walked along the sidewalk and headed up the stairs toward the entrance of Hyperion's house. May mga nakasabyan din kaming guest at mukhang tama nga rin. na may mga latecomers talaga.

"Invitation card, please," seryosong sambit ng isang malaking tao na nagbabantay sa entrance.

Atlas and I both handed over our invitation cards and waited for a few seconds since he seemed to be looking at something. I furrowed my brows when I noticed that he was staring at me for a long time, and then he glanced at Atlas and then back at me again. Tatlong beses niya 'yong ginawa, at medyo naguluhan na rin ako, okay? Anong meron?

What's his problem?

"Welcome back again, Mr. Collazo. Hyperion will be so happy that you could make it to his birthday," he smiled at Atlas and then looked at me. "You too, Mrs. Collazo. It's nice to meet you in person."

I couldn't control my reaction. I turned to Atlas with a grimacing expression on my face, hardly believing what the man at the entrance had just said. My face immediately soured because of my reaction to what he said. Pakiramdam ko kumibot ang kanan kong mata dahil sa narinig ko.

I hesitated to laugh or smile; hindi ko alam kung anong magiging reaksyon ko.

"Sorry, but I'm not Atlas' wife—"

"We're going inside now. Just let Hyperion know we're here," Atlas cut me off.

I felt his hand on my waist, and we walked inside together. Hindi man lang hinintay ang sagot ng lalake, at basta na lang kami naglakad papasok. Ano na naman bang topak nito ni Atlas. Minsan hindi ko na rin talaga alam kung anong tumatakbo sa isipan niya.

We were greeted by a cool breeze coming from a large air conditioner. In front of us was a small hallway, and at the far end, I assumed that's where Hyperion's birthday celebration was happening. Maraming mga bakanteng kuwarto sa bawat gilid, at meron pa akong naging malaking hallway sa kanan at kaliwang bahagi.

We were sure the party was at the end of the hallway since I could hear faint music coming from that direction. The double doors had a large gap, and through it, I could see the flashing lights inside.

"Baliw ka ba? Why don't you just tell them the truth? hindi mo 'ko asawa!" I hissed at him.

"Let them think what they want. I just need to confirm something, Hexia. Just go with the flow," he replied in a low voice, just loud enough for me to hear.

Kumunot ang noo ko sa kan'ya. "Huh? Are you hiding something from me? Are you planning something without me and Oceanus?"

Hindi niya ako sinagot. Sa halip ay naramdaman kong humigpit ang hawak niya sa baywang ko. We walked to the far end of the hallway in Hyperion's house. In the middle, I noticed there were more hallways on both sides. Hmm... mukhang magandang mag libot libot dito mamaya kung maboring ako sa loob.

Mukhang hindi naman mapapansin ni Atlas na makakaalis ako mamaya dahil paniguradong busy na 'yon makipagusap sa ibang tao. I didn't know anyone here as well, except for Atlas.

"I just need to confirm something. This wasn't part of the plan, but I noticed something," he said as we reached the end of the hallway.

"Bakit ba hindi mo na lang sabihin sa akin? Maybe I can help? Baka naman makatulong pa kami ni Oceanus d'yan sa gusto mong gawin."

"It's okay—"

Hindi natapos ang sasabihin ni Atlas ng biglang bumukas ang double door kung saan kami papasok dapat. A tall man in a black three-piece suit stepped out. His hair was brushed up, and I couldn't see his face because of the mask he was wearing. Pero nang magtagpo ang tingin naming dalawa ay doon ko napansin ang mala abo niyang mga mata.

I could sense that he frowned when his gaze fell on my waist, kung nasaan ang kamay ni Atlas. The corner of his lips lifted slightly, kasabay no'n ang pasalubong ng abo niyang mga mata sa mata kong light brown bago niya kami lagpasan ni Atlas.

I wasn't wrong. I knew it was Helios. I couldn't see his face clearly because of the mask, but somehow I just knew it was him. Parang may parte sa akin na hindi ko rin maintindihan kung bakit nakilala ko siya.

"Let's go; we need to go inside," Atlas urged me, which snapped me out of my thoughts.

"T-tara..." nauutal kong sagot.

Nang lingunin ko si Atlas ay nakatingin na pala siya sa gawi ni Helios bago tumingin pabalik sa hall. I noticed him shake his head slightly, napangisi pa nga bago ko marinig ang bulong niya sa kan'yang sarili.

"I knew it," he whispered.

"Huh? You knew what?" I asked, confused.

Atlas immediately looked at me and shook his head. "Nothing. Let's get inside. Hyperion's probably looking for me."

Muli kong naramdaman ang paghigpit ng hawak ni Atlas sa baywang ko bago kami tuluyang makapasok sa loob, and just before a woman could close the double doors, I glanced at the spot where Helios had been standing one last time.

At gano'n na lang din ang panlalaki ng mga mata ko ng makitang nakatingin din pala siya sa akin. I saw him standing at the edge of the second hallway on the right. He was leaning against the wall, na para bang ineexpect niya na lilingunin ko siya at 'yon nga ang nangyari!

I felt like his gaze was piercing through my skin. Hindi ko alam pero sa paraan niya kung paano siya nakatingin sa akin ay parang ang pamilyar no'n. He was standing with his arms crossed, and his serious, ash eyes seemed like they could melt me with just one look.

At sa mga segundong 'yon pakiramdam ko parang nililipad sa ibang lugar ang utak ko. I lost my train of thought, my focus drifting because of what I was feeling.

Naguguluhan ako. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganito ang nararamdaman ko.

Kumunot ang noo ko at iniwas ang tingin sa kan'ya. Akala niya siguro hindi ko pa nakalimutan ang ginawa niya sa akin? Sisiguraduhin kong babaon si Saf sa katawan niya sa susunod na mapalapit ako sa kan'ya.

▄︻デ══━一

I was sitting at our table with Atlas. We were joined by Hyperion and a few men I didn't recognize, pero mukhang nga frontlines and associates ni Atlas 'yon. Marami naman akong nakilala mga tauhan ni Atlas doon pero majority kasi hindi ko pa nakikita ang iba.

My gaze was fixed on my plate as I cut into my steak. We had already walked around the entire hall because Hyperion was introducing us to his people, lalo na ako dahil first time ko pa lang makaattend din sa birthday party ni Hyperion.

When I first joined their organization up until last year, hindi nakaattend si Atlas sa birthday parties ni Hyperion dahil sa akin. Limang taon na rin 'yon at kung tutuusin ay sobrang talaga na rin talaga.

As expected, whispers surrounded us as soon as we arrived. It felt like I was the one being judged, not by what I had done but by the fake news they thought they knew.

Lumalim na rin ang gabi, and most of the people had already started mingling and enjoying themselves, pero mas pinili ko na lang maupo rito sa upuan ko at kainin ang steak. Sinasadya ko pa na bagalan ang kinakain ko para walang mang-istorbo sa akin.

"She's even more beautiful in person."

"They look good together... both mysterious."

"Now I get why Atlas couldn't attend the previous birthday parties. It's because of her."

"If I were Atlas, I'd also spend time with my wife first."

I felt my right eye twitch at their words. Bakit ba napaka chismosa nilang?! I expected to hear rumors related to their illegal activities, but I didn't expect to hear this.

Napailing na lang ako sumimsim sa red wine ko. Mabuti na lang at nakabalik na si Atlas; naupo na siya sa tabi ko kaya nilingon ko siya.

"Are you done?" I asked.

"Yes. We were just talking about some problems with Faction Tres," he replied quickly.

Napatango na lang ako. "I'm going to the restroom first. Kanina ko pa 'to pinipigilan dahil hinihintay kitang makabalik dito. Baka mamaya kasi kapag umalis ako rito, mawalan na tayo ng upuan."

"Sure," he said briefly.

I stood up and grabbed my clutch purse. Nagmamadali na rin akong lumabas sa hall.

The truth is, I didn't really need to use the restroom. Gusto ko lang talaga na makalabas dito dahil parang hindi na kaya ng energy ko na makipagsabayan sa mga tao rito.

Some were dancing in the middle, while others were chatting around the edges. It was all so chaotic. Pakiramdam ko nalowbat na ang social battery ko kahit na pinapanood ko lang sila.

"I know you're not heading to the restroom, Hexia," pahabol ni Atlas.

Natigilan ako at napabuntong hininga ng marinig ang boses ni Atlas sa likuran ko.

I hadn't even realized he was following me. I turned to face him, and I could tell by his serious expression, pansin ko agad 'yon kahit na may suot siyang mask. Atlas wasn't messing around.

"Maglilibot lang ako. I won't go too far, I promise. Wala akong ibang kakilala rito bukod sa 'yo kaya hayaan mo na lang ako, okay? Don't worry, I'll text you if there's a problem."

"Just don't talk to people you don't know. It's risky since we don't know what they want with you," he said, sounding like my father again.

"Okay!"

I turned around again and walked down the hallway of Hyperion's huge house. When I reached the middle of the hallway, I saw another hallway on both sides. Napagdesisyunan ko na lumiko sa kaliwa dahil sa dulo ng corridor na no'n ay may double wooden screen door na bukas.

Dahan-dahan at maingat akong naglakad papunta roon, pero kahit na anong ingat ang gawin ko, umaalingawngaw ang malutong na tunog ng heels ko sa sahig.

I froze when I saw the double door slightly ajar. I knew what was inside even without stepping in. Something was pulling me to go in, amoy libro. The scent was so familiar and comforting to me.

My past self, Sarah Dayanghirang, parang bumabalik sa akin. Even though I was Valentina Imara Meadows now, when it came to books, it was like I couldn't refuse them. Parang nagging parte na 'yon sa aking puso na mahilig akong magbasa.

Awtomatikong sumilay ang ngiti sa aking labi ng makapasok ako sa loob ng library. I couldn't help but feel awed at the sight. The towering bookshelves were filled with books, and there was even an open second floor. The designs were made of expensive, glossy wood and clearly well-maintained.

The sound of my heels echoed with each step as I walked inside. Dumiretso agad ako sa staircase para makarating sa second floor ng library. I ran my hand along the handrail, not a speck of dust in sight. The smoothness of the wood was even more apparent because of the gloves I was wearing.

Nang makarating sa itaas, saka lang naglaho ng parang bula ang ngiti sa labi ko nang makita ang isang tao na nakaupo sa isang bay window at naninigarilyo. The bay window was situated at the far end, and I was greeted by a wide reading nook. There were two sofas facing each other, with one-seater sofas on the side. A long, wide wooden table stood in the middle.

Nanatili akong nakatayo kung nasaan man ako ngayon habang pinagmamasdan ang taong 'yon. He was staring at the window, seryoso ang mukha habang naninigarilyo. Wala na siyang suot na mask kaya kitang kita ko na ang mukha niya.

His brow furrowed as he held the cigarette between his index and middle fingers. He took a few more puffs before quickly looking at me, bago muling tumingin sa labas ng bintana.

"What are you doing here, Mrs. Collazo?"

SHANGPU