- - FLASHBACK - -

｡˚⛓˚｡⋆. NARRATION

"Pre, salamat talaga, ah."

Achilles flashed a genuine smile at Hermés nang makapasok ang magkapatid sa bahay niya. Pumayag si Hermés na sa kanila muna makatira sina Achilles and Yves while they were waiting for the money that Ares will give them.

Mabuti nalang ay sa susunod na buwan pa makakauwi ang mga magulang ni Hermés, He was worried na aabusuhin ng tatay nito ang mga kaibigan niya.

"Don't worry about it." Nagbalik ng maliit na ngiti ni Hermés. "Make yourselves at home and don't hesitate to tell me or the maids if you need something."

Modern. That was the perfect description ng architecture ng bahay nila. The house was so big that it fit three cars and a swimming pool. Hindi maiwasang mainggit ni Yves sa ganitong lifestyle ni Hermés. She would die just to have his life, except for the abuse part.

Anak sa labas si Hermés at namatay na ang nanay nito kaya the custody was granted to his father. Tingin ng tatay niya sa kanya ay nuisance lang siya kaya masama lagi ang dugo nito sa anak. However, he had to take responsibility of Hermés because it will tarnish his image. Senador pa naman siya.

"Kuya Hermés, salamat talaga!" Ngumiti si Yves sa kanya at nagpakita ng 'thumbs up' sign kaya natawa si Hermés. "You the best!"

Lumibot ang tingin ni Yves sa mga pinto but one caught her attention. Kulay pula ang pinto at maraming lock. Iniisip ni Yves na baka may nakatagong alipin doon o alien.

"Ano 'yon?" Turo ni Yves sa pinto.

"Wala 'yon," Hermés said. "Huwag nalang kayo pumunta. That's a private room."

Hinayaan ni Hermés na maging komportable sina Yves at Achilles sa kwarto nila. He especially prepared the guest room for them because he knew that it was already tough for the two... they deserved a good rest. Dalawa ang kama sa kwarto kaya agad na inangkin ni Yves ang kama malapit sa bintana.

It was too good to be true.

"Ang bait ni kuya Hermés, 'no?" Tanong ni Yves sa kapatid niya na nag-aayos ng gamit. Napagpasyahan tuloy ng nakababata na pagpahingahin ang kuya niya. "Kuya, ako na diyan. Magpahinga ka."

Binigyan ito ng ngiti ni Achilles at saka tumango. Totoo naman talaga na pagod na ang nakatatanda... ayaw lang nito ipakita.

Sa kanilang dalawa, siya dapat ang aaktong matatag. Alam niyang bata palang si Yves at madali itong maimpluwensiyahan kaya inilalayo niya ito sa mga bagay na makakasama sa kanya.

"Idlip muna ako," paalam ni Achilles at saka natulog. Yves decided to browse her social media accounts at napakunot ang noo niya when she received a message from Gucci, her best friend. Ni-replyan niya rin si Zeus but her boyfriend was already asleep.

Gucci July

Gucci:

BABE

r u there

Yves:

bkt active kp bruhilda ka

Gucci:

namiss kita

labas tayo bukas

LIBRE KO

Yves:

alam mo talaga ang mga magic words pero no

HAHSHAHHAHAYESPLEASEALISTAYOBUKAS

Gucci:

pabebe mo pa

just say you miss me

Yves:

si zeus kb para mamiss k

Gucci:

so ganyanan?

NE WAYS

sunduin kita sa inyo

Yves:

HUY WAG NA

meetup nalang tayo tmrw

Gucci:

e?

saan ba

Yves:

explain ko bukas

sunday naman

starbs nalang?

Gucci:

hmm oki c u babe

Yves:

copper mwa

- -

"Guch!"

Nagyakapan ang dalawang magkaibigan nang makita ang isa't isa sa labas ng starbucks.

Missing each other was an understatement. Sobrang hectic talaga ng linggo ni Gucci because of acads kaya hindi na rin sila nagkakaroon ng time magbonding. Iba-iba rin kasi ang schedule ng exams and hell week per course.

"Kamusta ang aking flight attendant?" Bati ni Yves sa kaibigan as they plopped down in a vacant seat matapos nilang mag-order ng mga kape nila.

Tourism ang course ni Gucci... she always wanted to be a flight attendant. On the other hand, Yves was a fine arts student while Zeus was a pilot student. Pinangako pa nga nila sa isa't isa na sasakay sila sa wing ng eroplano to mark their friendship.

"I'm surrendering now." Humalakhak silang dalawa.

Gucci really wanted to ask Yves kung may problema ba siya. She really looked like she was hiding something. Although, she was glad kasi sabi ni Yves kahapon na she would explain her situation today. At least, may magagawa si Gucci to reduce her problems.

"Ikaw, babe? Kamusta?" It was Gucci's turn to ask. Yves smiled bitterly as she took a sip of her coffee.

Alam naman niya na makakarating ang balita kay Zeus at some point... kailangan nalang niya siguro tanggihin ang tulong na ibibigay sa kanya ng boyfriend niya. Yves was trying to change for the better.

"Pinalayas kami sa apartment, babe." Bumuntong-hininga si Yves while Gucci felt so worried and pitiful for her friends. She knew how much they were struggling to survive kaya this time, she would really help them in any way she can. "Nakitira muna kami kina kuya Hermés hanggang sa makakuha kami ng pambayad mula kay kuya Ares."

"Alam ni Zeus 'to?" Gucci asked as Yves shook her head.

"Huy, babe, huwag na!" Yves exclaimed as she saw Gucci fishing something on her wallet. Nanlaki ang mga mata niya nang bigyan ito ng... 15 thousand!

Oo, her best friend was rich pero surely, may pinag-iipunan din siya para sa sarili niya. It was much better for her to get help from Hermés and Ares.

"No, no!" Nakangiting sabi ni Gucci. "Tanggapin mo, okay? Pasensya na, ayan lang kaya ko as of now."

Yves took a deep breath before getting the money, tears welling from her eyes. She felt lucky dahil ganoon siya ka-mahal ng kaibigan niya. Ever since high school, she was always there for her. Siya ang kaibigang ni minsan ay hindi niya kayang pakawalan.

Yves even referred to Gucci as her maid of honor kapag kinasal siya.

"Thank you, babe." Nataranta si Gucci nang makitang umiyak ang kaibigan niya. Marami tuloy ang napapatingin! Gucci hated attention the most, she felt like everyone was judging her. Agad nitong niyakap si Yves as she comforted her.

Their friendship seemed the purest at the time.

The next day, sabay kumain ng lunch sina Zeus at Gucci dahil Yves was busy at the moment. It was the perfect time for the two to talk to each other about Yves' situation.

Forget about my feelings, Gucci thought, mas mahalaga si Yves ngayon. Hindi niya naman hahayaan na manatiling homeless ang kaibigan niya.

"May sinabi ba siya sa'yo?" Tanong ni Zeus at saka kumuha ng ulam mula sa plato ni Gucci kaya binatukan tuloy ito ng babae. "Chill! Tama na!"

"Yes," kaswal na sagot ni Gucci. "Kailangan natin siyang tulungan."

"I'm listening." Zeus gestured her to continue as he chews his food.

"Pinalayas daw sila sa dati nilang apartment. They're living with kuya Hermés for the moment habang hinihintay nila ang ipapahiram sa kanilang pera ni kuya Ares." Shock was written on Zeus' face as he processed each and every word Gucci said.

Nalungkot siya para sa sarili niya... did Yves not trust him enough to tell him about her situation?

Was he a bad boyfriend to her?

"I gave her 15K," dugtong ni Gucci. "Ayun lang ang kaya ko."

"Bakit hindi siya humingi ng tulong sa akin?" Gucci's lips parted at Zeus' question.

Alam niya na, for sure, Zeus would feel sad and doubt himself for being her boyfriend. Hindi rin masisikmura ni Zeus na masaya silang magkasama ng girlfriend niya, pero actually, marami palang worries at pinagdadaanan si Yves.

"Baka naman sasabihin palang!" Gucci tried to cheer him up kahit evident sa mukha ni Zeus na malungkot siya. "Or naghahanap ng tamang timing!"

After that, nakita nalang ni Gucci na nagwi-withdraw si Zeus sa bangko ng 25 thousand pesos.

- -

"Mom, I just need 100k."

Napamasahe sa sentido si Mrs. Revaz dahil sa pangungulit sa kanya ni Ares, ang paborito niyang anak. They were in the Revaz mansion at mabuti nalang na ang nanay niya ang naabutan niya... her personality was much softer than her father's.

However, this time, hindi na kayang lumambot ng nanay niya sa kanya dahil wala na silang pera.

They were heavy in debt.

Masyadong naging kampante ang Revaz family dahil sa paulit-ulit na pagpanalo nila ng kaso that they did not expect that one case they lost would send them plummeting down.

Ares' sister, Arza, disassociated herself with her family dahil hindi ito suportado sa kaniyang pangarap maging architect. However, she fulfilled her responsibilities as an older sister to Ares dahil siya lang ang sumuporta sa kanya.

Secretly, she would send bits of money to Ares para may allowance siya.

"Saan mo ba gagamitin ang 100k, anak?" His mom asked, getting stressed out. "Alam mo naman na lubog tayo sa utang. You should be thankful that your father is not here."

Almost everyone was thankful that Ares' father was not present. Napaka-toxic niyang tao and his life and mind has always been about work and public image.

Hindi na niya nagampanan ang trabaho niya bilang ama kina Ares at Arza... but he was grateful, to say the least, na privileged siya in terms of having a lavish life.

Just not a loving family.

"I just need it for my thesis," pagsisinungaling ni Ares but his mother was not buying it.

Kahit din naman makumbinsi ang nanay niya, wala pa rin siyang maibibigay na ganoong kalaking pera. They were grabbing all sorts of loans para lang ma-sustain ang magarbo nilang buhay. Wala na silang maibubuga.

"Please, mom!" Kulang nalang ay lumuhod si Ares sa ina niya.

"I don't believe you." Mrs. Revaz sipped on her tea as she eyed her son. "If I know, ibibigay mo lang 'yon sa girlfriend mo na basura."

"Don't call her trash, mom!" Mahaba ang pasensya ni Ares... only someone badmouthing his girlfriend was enough to unleash the demons inside of him.

Ano nga bang ie-expect ni Ares from them? His parents married each other for money and power. Hindi rin nga siya tinuruan minahal... only Tiffany made him feel the purity of love.

Only Tiffany.

"Don't talk back to me!" Tumayo ang nanay si Ares at matalim na tiningnan ang anak. "I will disown you if you decide to follow your sister's footsteps. Such a disappointment."

Pinanood nalang ni Ares maglakad palayo ang ina bago siya dumiretso sa kwarto niya. Umupo siya sa kama niya at napamasahe sa sentido niya. His head was aching as he tried squeezing ideas out of his head.

At that point, he did not know what to do. Alam niyang sa kanya nakaasa sina Achilles and Yves... at wala sa personality niya ang magbigo ng tao. Ares believed that because he had a lavish life, responsibilidad niya na magbigay pabalik sa mga nangangailangan.

Hence, he would do anything in his power to give help to his friends in need.

However, the plan he made was too risky. Moreover, it would get him expelled if ever the plan goes wrong. For a law student, siya ang nagpaplano ng napaka-illegal na gagawin.

His mind was bent on smuggling the university funds that he forgot na may kaibigang maaapektuhan dahil sa gagawin niya.

Tuesday. 1:00 am. Ares' plan will commence.

- -

Achilles and Yves thought everything was too good to be true.

Akala ni Achilles na namamalikmata lang siya. However, these past two days, napapansin na niya ang mga mata ni Hermés. He was looking at Yves differently... iba sa tingin niya kay Dior, the one he said he so loudly loves.

Hermés was looking at Achilles' sister with so much lust.

Sa una, binalewala lang ito ni Achilles. But, this time, it already went out of hand.

Napaawang ang labi ni Achilles nang makita ang damit na ipinasuot ni Hermés kay Yves. It was his sister wearing a maid dress that exposed her ass! Agad na sinugod ni Achilles si Hermés sa kwarto niya. Aambahan sana niya ito ng suntok pero napagpasyahan na kausapin muna nang maayos.

Hindi naman tanga si Achilles para isipin na hindi 'yon sinasadya ni Hermés.

"Pre, pwedeng paki-palitan 'yung suot ni Yves?" Tanong ni Achilles habang pinipigilan ang sarili niya na awayin ang kaibigan. "Maikli kasi. Underage pa naman 'yon."

Umaktong malungkot si Hermés at ngumuso pa nga. Hindi makapaniwala si Achilles sa inaasta ngayon ng kaibigan niya. Ngayon niya napagtanto na ganito pala ang totoong pagkatao ni Hermés... isa siyang manyak.

Ang dumi niya.

Sa kaloob-looban, diring-diri ngayon si Achilles habang nakatingin sa kaibigan. Posible kayang... ganito rin ang pagtingin niya sa mga babae nilang kaibigan?

"That's the last maid outfit," pagsisinungaling ni Hermés. "I think my parents are coming home tonight so I had to make sure the both of you would not be noticed by them."

"Aalis nalang pala kami," gigil na sinabi ni Achilles, masama ang tingin kay Hermés. "Makikitulog nalang kami sa iba. Salamat sa tulong mo."

Nagmadali itong lumabas at pinalibutan ng tela ang bewang ni Yves para matakpan ang pwet nito. Hermés followed him calmly as he watched Achilles shove their clothes into their bags. Hindi naman hahayaan ni Hermés na mangyari ito. He had to fill his lust.

Lumingon si Achilles kay Hermés at napansing may hawak itong susi. Saglit na napakunot ang noo ni Achilles as he finished packing up their things. Lalapit na sana si Achilles kay Yves pero napatigil ito nang makitang nakapalibot ang kapatid sa braso ni Hermés.

She was held at gunpoint.

Hindi lang pala manyak si Hermés... kaya niya rin palang pumatay.

"Put down your bags," matalim na sabi ni Hermés. "Or this bullet will go through your sister's head."

Yves was shocked and traumatized as tears brimmed her eyes. Halos buong buhay niya ay kilala niya si Hermés but... she did not know him enough. Hindi niya alam na may demonyo pala siyang kaibigan. She felt so betrayed and so sad for her friends dahil pinakikisamahan nila ang ganitong klaseng tao.

Achilles' weakness was his sister. Kahit gusto man niyang umalis, natatakot siya na baka barilin nga ito ni Hermés. Hindi niya nga alam na manyak si Hermés... so he also had the potential to be a killer.

Natigilan nalang sa pwesto si Achilles habang pinagsisisihan na humingi pa sila ng tulong kay Hermés.

That was their downfall.

"Tangina mo, Hermés," Achilles hissed as he coldly stared at Hermés eyes... that was full of so much lust. "Malalaman 'to ng mga kaibigan natin, putangina ka."

"Why? You'll tell them?" Hermés scoffed. "If you do, I'll put a bullet on Yves' head."

Mas lalong naluha si Yves at nanghina ang mga tuhod niya. Sana... kahit for the last time... kay Zeus nalang siya humingi ng tulong. In this world filled with dirty people and traitors, isa si Zeus sa mga natiling totoo sa kanya.

The love he gave her was the purest... oh, if she could just take time back.

"Bunso, pasensya na." Tumulo ang isang luha mula sa mata ni Achilles as he slowly dropped their bags. Yves gave him an assuring smile and nodded at him... magiging ayos din siya. This was just an obstacle, right?

"Because you two have very naughty..." Kinabahan si Achilles sa mala-demonyong ngiti ni Hermés. "You both will receive a punishment."

Wala nang nagawa si Yves kundi umiyak nang hatakin ito palayo ni Hermés. Naglakad ito papunta sa pulang pinto as Hermés unlocked it using the key. Alalalang-alala naman si Achilles at saka sinundan ito.

"Tangina mo, anong gagawin mo kay Yves?!" Sigaw ni Achilles at sinubukang hilahin palayo ang kapatid kaso napaluhod ito nang suntukin ni Hermés.

"Stay put." Mariing sabi ni Hermés at saka pumasok sa kwarto.

tw // grooming , rape , incest

Takot na takot si Yves nang libutin ng mga mata niya ang kwartong kinaroroonan niya. It was full of things that she never saw before. Hindi niya rin alam kung ano ang gagawin sa kanya. She could only hear the screams of her brother outside the room.

Lumingon siya kay Hermés at nanlaki ang mata nang tinanggal nito ang damit niya.

"Ah!" Mas lalong namuo ang galit ni Achilles sa puso niya nang marinig ang mga hiyaw ng kapatid. Pinagsusuntok na ni Achilles ang pinto para lang magiba ito. His sister was crying for help!

"Putangina mo, Hermés!" Paulit-ulit na sigaw ni Apollo habang ginigiba ang pinto. "Papatayin kita!"

"Kuya, pakibukas 'yung pinto!" Lumuhod na si Achilles doon sa mga guard at maid, umiiyak at nagmamamakaawa. "Tulungan niyo po 'yung kapatid ko."

His knees were glued to the floor as he begged the people looking at them. Nawawasak ang puso niya tuwing naririnig ang bawat sigaw ni Yves. Certainly... he felt like he failed to protect her from the harsh world.

Si Achilles din ang naglapit kay Yves sa mga bagay na pilit niyang inilalayo sa kanya.

"Achilles." His eyes were bloodshot as he stared at Hermés' and Yves' naked body. Para bang may demonyong sumapi rito at sumugod siya kay Hermés, akmang susuntukin ito but he was pushed down by the latter.

"Your punishment is..." Ngumisi si Hermés. "Have fun with Yves."

"Isa kang hayop, putangina mo." Achilles stared coldly at the man who thought was his friend. Ngayon lang siya nakakita ng basura... and he even let him in his life. Napakuyom ang kamao nito as he charged to Hermés but the latter was strong enough to shove him to Yves.

This was inhumane.

Not only was she his sister... at underage pa ito! His baby sister was raped by their once friend! And, that fucker even asked Achilles to do what he did to her!

"I'll kill her if you don't do it, Achilles," malamig na paalala ni Hermés. "Don't test me."

Wala nalang magawa ang magkapatid as truly... they let the crows kiss their death.