"I WANT YOU to stay here, 'My." Wika ni Troy when we arrived at Travis' place. I was shocked to see Yvette here but cleared my mind since it's none of my business. Pagkakuha namin ng impormasyon patungkol sa nangyaring abduction ay agad kaming umalis ni Troy. I thought pupunta kami sa kung saan kinidnap ang mga magulang ko pero 'di ko inaasahan na dito niya ako dinala.

"Mommy!!!" sigaw ni Gabgab nang magbukas ang isang kwarto ni Travis. Umiiyak itong lumapit sa 'kin at mabilis ko naman itong binuhat para aluin.

"Si Travis, Troy. Make sure he's rational about this please." Rinig kong wika ni Yvette kay Troy habang kita sa mukha ng dalaga ang pag-aalala.

"I will just stay here with Serena and Gabgab. Travis' fortress is safer than any place." Anang ni Troy bago ako nito nilapitan. He kissed the kid's forehead first tapos ako. "I'll be right back. Kailangan kong back-up-an ang kapatid mo. He's raging like a bull."

Hindi na ako tumutol pa kahit na gustong gusto kong sumama. I just can't dahil ayaw ko rin namang iwanan si Gabgab.

Nang makaalis si Troy ay agad kong pinatulog muna si Gabgab bago kami tuluyang nag-usap ni Yvette. She's ravaging her tablet while talking to someone. Nakita niya ako at sumenyas na ang kausap niya ay si Maria.

"Speaker," I simply said then Yvette put the call on speakers.

"What happened?" agad kong tanong kay Maria.

"They are actually going to the mall dahil I traced a SMS convo of your father and Helena na magkita nalang dito para maipasyal si Gabriel. However, tinambangan sila bago pa man makarating sa parking." Maria initially reported. "Good thing, Yvette was just nearby."

Napatingin ako kay Yvette, "That's how I got Gabgab. Pinatakas ng parents' mo ang bata and I took the chance to take away the kid. I was planning on pursuing them but I can't leave the kid alone. I'm sorry."

My fist clenched, "You only saved the kid, no need to apologize."

"Sa'n sila dinala?" sunod kong tanong kay Maria.

"I was tracking your father's phone but the signal went missing somewhere outside the town," Maria replied and it only means a dead end.

Napasinghap ako sa galit. It was my parents they abducted. I don't know what happened pero hindi ko sila palalagpasin sa ginawa nila.

"Any signs or clue kung sino ang may pakana nito?" tanong ko sa kanila, especially kay Yvette.

"Your father has a lot of enemies, to begin with, Serena."

"Then, narrow it down!" hindi ko napigilang bumulanghit. Shit, I slipped a bit. I should have stayed focus than ever. Walang maidudulot ang galit ko sa pag-iisip kung nasaan sila. I sighed deeply, trying to calm.

"Sorry," I apologized and Yvette just nodded. "Where's my brother now?"

"Tangina!" nagulat kami ni Yvette sa pagmura ni Maria. "Your brother is smart; he deactivated all the means to trace him! Alam niya marahil kung saan dinala ang magulang mo!"

"He must have realized that you'll do something to interfere," Yvette commented, and knowing my brother... he will do that.

Napahawak nalang ako sa ulo ko dahil sa stress. Hindi mawala sa dibdib ko ang pangamba para sa mga magulang ko pero mas nag-aalala ako kay Travis. He's always composed and relax. Sa aming dalawa, siya ang mas rasyonal mag-isip. But this is our parents we are talking about and I knew what running to his mind kapag ganitong ang kinanti ng kalaban ay ang mahal namin sa buhay.

"He's going to berserk," I murmured.

"If we can't do something, for now, let's try to figure out kung sino ang pupwedeng maging abductor," Maria suggested and we heard a screech as if she parked somewhere.

If narrowing dad's enemies is the topic here, I can only think of Don Alfonso Monteverde, Rolando Martinez, or... oh god sana lang talaga hindi, my other sister—Helena.

"I know what you are thinking, Serena." Yvette coldly said.

"They are the possible culprits here," I replied.

"Who? Sino iyang tinutukoy niyo?" tanong ni Maria sa linya.

"Alfonso, Rolando, Helena." Mabilis na tugon ni Yvette.

"Well, Don Alfonso is a friend of your father kaya baka marahil hindi siya." Maria commented.

"But he's the one who suggested to bring me in this mess. He knew all along with Troy's plan about knowing the truth—not for Helena's death but to know Gabriel's biological mother." I debunked it.

Parehas silang nagulat sa sinabi ko. "And Troy confirmed that?" Yvette probed and I only nodded.

"He made it look like he's eager to know about Helena's death since may kutob siyang si Helena nga ang biological mother ni, Gabriel," I added.

"Or..." napatingin ako kay Yvette. "Hindi lang ang tunay na ina ni Gabriel ang pinakapakay niya. Rolando is still the husband of your sister before her death."

I sighed. That must be the reason why kung bakit pursigidong mapabalik sa Pilipinas ni Troy si Rolando. "Troy took a paternity test and they are not a hundred percent match."

Maria and Yvette gasped. Yvette realized it immediately. "Rolando's a Monteverde."

"H-huh? Paano nangyari 'yon? Ikaw nagsabi Yvette sa 'min 'di ba na yung tatay ni Rolando na isang mayamang lalaki ng Casa Martinez sa Spain ay inacknowledge ang pagiging lehitimo nitong anak kaya ito naging tagapagmana?" Maria asked with confusion.

Iyon rin ang iniisip ko magmula nang sabihin ni Troy sa 'kin na magkapatid sila sa ama. That also means Adrianna and Rolando are blood related. In Yvette's report before, Adrianna is in love with Rolando. Were they committing incest?

"Because that's what I gathered from my intel! You know how I trust my assistant when it comes to this!" Yvette defended and I must agree.

"Don Alfonso also confirmed that when he invited me to talk." I added. "Sabi niya, ba't niya daw pababagsakin si Rolando kung natutuwa siya sa success ng anak niya."

"That cannot be!" Yvette frustratingly reacted. She tends to be this mad kapag may maling impormasyon siyang nakukuha at 'di niya agad nakikita ang butas.

"Something's not connecting," usal ko dahil maraming hindi nagtutugma.

Nasa gitna kami ng pag-iisip nang biglang may kumatok sa pintuan. Agad kaming naalarma ni Yvette. Travis' place is a safe haven with the strongest security. Bodyguards are scattered kaya sino ang maaaring makalapit ng ganito sa bahay ng kapatid ko?

"It's me," agad naming binuksan ni Yvette ang pintuan nang mapagsino ang nagsalita.

We were welcomed by Adrianna that was pushed inside when the door opened. Umiiyak ito at mabilis na lumuhod sa harapan nang makita ako. "Serena! Oh god! Please help me, she'll kill me."

"Not yet, Cagna." Wika ni Jorgy and she said bitch.

"What happened?" tanong ko kay Aurora na ngayon ay seryoso lamang ang tingin sa 'min habang katabi si Jorgy. Nasa likod ng mga ito ang mga personal na bodyguards and they took down Travis'.

"She reached her limit," tugon ni Aurora patungkol sa inaasta ngayon ni Jorgy. Clearly, it's obvious that we are seeing the different side of Jorgy—not the innocent bunso. At kapag ganito ito, that means, Adrianna pissed her off.

"Georgina?" pag-agaw ko sa atensyon nito sa pamamagitan ng pagtawag ko sa tunay nitong pangalan. Her icy look pierced through me. Walang emosyon itong nagsalita.

"She's working with them," iyon lang ang tinugon nito pero nakuha na namin agad ang ibig niyang sabihin. Tiningnan ko si Yvette na ngayon ay kausap si Maria sa kabilang linya.

Nilapitan ko si Adrianna. She looked so worn out with her usual get-up. Madungis at tila sumabak sa mahabang takbuhan. "What did you do that made my friend reached her limit?" tanong ko rito nang pantayan ko ito ng tingin sa sahig.

Napalunok si Adrianna nang tanungin ko siya nang ganoong kalamig. "I d-didn't do anything wrong."

I sighed, this time mas nilapit ko pa ang sarili ko rito. She's not getting what this means to her. "Magpasalamat ka at 'di ka pa niya pinapatay," untag ko rito na nagpalaki ng mata ng ginang. "Kung ako sa 'yo magsasalita na ako dahil maging ako... maraming katanungan para sa 'yo na paniguradong ikaw lang ang makakasagot."

Muling humikbi si Adrianna sa takot. Tinanguhan ko naman na si Aurora and she asked the bodyguards outside to come in. "Bitbitin niyo siya at dahil sa basement." Utos ko.

Muling ngumawa si Adrianna ng iyak lalo na nang binitbit siya ng mga lalaking inutusan ko. The look on her face screams fear and she's completely terrified. Sa ganitong estado ni Adrianna, she never experienced this kind of danger. I am not yet sure what happened pero this is the time to answer all the questions in my head.

"Maria," tawag ko sa dalaga nang ibigay sa 'kin ni Yvette ang cellphone. "I'll leave you on tracking my parents. Ipapasunod ko sa 'yo si Georgina d'yan."

"Georgina? Not Jorgy?" Maria asked.

"The Iceberg," I simply replied para mas ma-gets niya.

"Jeez, salute to Adrianna. She pissed our Jorgy so much." Maria commented.

Tiningnan ko naman ngayon si Georgina. She's just looking at me coldly and not saying anything. "While you are still at your beast, can you help us track my parents?" I asked her.

Georgina breathed in and out before tucking her head from left to right. "Much better than killing that woman. She's boring," napangisi nalang ako nang umalis na rin agad ito para sundan si Maria. I left them both to talk on their own.

"Lady Elle," napalingon ako kay Aurora nang lumapit ito sa 'kin. "I insist to do the torture,"

I was actually thinking of doing it on my own to Adrianna. Lalo pa't hindi nawawala ang galit ko sa pagkakakidnap sa mga magulang ko. Pero kung manggaling man kay Adrianna na siya ang may pakana no'n, baka hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili kong tapusin siya. Kaya marahil tamang iba nalang.

"Let her, it's her forte anyway." Yvette urged me more.

"I'll do the questioning from here, kapag hindi siya sumagot—"

"Pain shall be her best friend, got it."

Nginisian ko nalang ito. "Just be gentle, I'll decide if I want her torn into bits."

Tumango lang si Aurora tapos ay nagpunta na rin ito agad sa basement. Yvette prepared the tablet. We decided to stay on the bar stool of Travis. I can see from here naman ang kwarto kung saan ko pinatulog si Gabgab. Kapag lumabas ito, makikita agad namin ni Yvette.

The Livestream began and we saw Adrianna's crying nonstop... cursing our people.

"I won't let you all get away from this!" sigaw pa nito.

I unmute the device and spoke. "You are dealing with the devils and you can't even endure this from a monster like us?"

"If you want to know something, you should have asked! Ba't may paganito pa?! At papaanong may ganito ka?!" tanong ni Adrianna sa pasigaw nitong tono.

Aurora was on the screen now. She's wearing a medieval torture mask that covers her eyes and mouth only. Namili ito ng gagamitin na pang-torture kay Adrianna, sinusuri at iniisip alin ang aakma sa dalaga. Bakas naman sa mukha ni Adrianna ang takot sa tuwing may inaangat si Aurora na isang bagay tapos ay napapatingin sa kanya.

"A-Ano bang gusto mong malaman, Serena?! I was seeking help but why am I being tortured here?!" angil nito.

"Why you are being tortured here?" it was Aurora who spoke at napatingin si Adrianna roon na may silakbo't takot. "Why do you think you made our innocent Jorgy reached her limit and showed what she doesn't want to resurface?"

Nagkatinginan kami ni Yvette. Kung tumakbo nga si Adrianna para manghingi ng tulong, bakit nagising si Georgina?

"W-was it because of that stupid stray cat she keeps on caressing even though it stinks?!"

I scoffed at napailing iling. So, that's why. "Let me guess, you shooed or... was it safe to say that you hurt the innocent cat in front of her?" tanong ko.

Adrianna's quick silence confirmed it. "Oh dear, you can insult or belittle that woman but never hurt any animal in front of her. You're lucky you haven't reached the real Hell yet." I said.

Mas lalo namang namutla ang mukha ni Adrianna sa kabila ng pagod at pag-iyak nito.

"Do you really think na palalagpasin ko ang ginawa mo sa bata?"

Hindi na kami nagulat ni Yvette when Aurora pulled Adrianna's hair with pure rage. Adrianna, on the other hand, was yelping in pain dahil sadyang may pwersa ang pagkakahila ng buhok nito.

"I am doing my best para hindi siya masaktan, magalit at magising tapos gano'ng kadali mo lang 'yon ginawa?" tanong pa ni Aurora.

Adrianna's face was confused sa kung ano ang sinasabi ng torturer nito. "And you dare to seek help because you stupidly involved yourself in the Black Market?"

Hindi na maapat pa ang iyak ni Adrianna lalo pa noong sinuotan siya nito ni Aurora ng isang koronang gawa sa bakal at hinulma na parang mga tinik. "Move your head, and I can guarantee you that this crown will pierce you more."

"Speak, Adrianna. Before I ask you my questions, speak what happened and you needed help." Wika ko nang masimulan na 'to.

Ilang hikbi pa ang pinakawalan ni Adrianna bago tuluyang nagsalita. "I was looking for a member of Genesis under the name of Lakandula to help me on this." Simula nito pero it got our full attention.

She was not supposed to know about the existence of Genesis.

Genesis is an old organization that started right after the Philippines was finally freed from being governed by Spain. It was established here in the Philippines with the sole purpose of making sure to prevent any wars in the country. The organization faced a tremendous number of challenges especially with our history with the conquest of America and Japan.

After the world wars, the group still retained and slowly being known by other countries—secretly, and the organization has grown exponentially across the globe. During those times, the vision and mission of the organization have evolved as time passes by. From preventing wars, they are now making sure to eradicate all evil and monstrous groups who spread fear and deaths. It was like, they are the protectors of the world in the dark. Their main enemy is the organized institution named Privus Trata.

"Continue," I said. I need to know more.

Adrianna gulped. "D-Dad's ambition... to put the Monteverde Group in the international market was way too impossible two years ago. He said that we are doing great and tasked me to do business with Joaquin without anyone knowing. All of the transactions that made our financial standing were kept hidden and approved by him because we need to get a share of Joaquin. Without it, it would be a myth to make my father's dream."

Alfonso... your greed.

"Rolando was against the idea because... he doesn't want to do anything with our family. I tried my best to persuade him since I know him... since we were kids. But he's firm not to do business with us. It made my dad furious, murmuring under his breath how ungrateful Rolando had become. And so, he did what I didn't expect him to do."

"He made a devil's deal with Privus Trata," untag ko na nagpasinghap naman kay Adrianna—not expecting that I could guess it right. She nodded profusely and started to cry again.

"It was not his first deal with them," Adrianna confessed. "He made a deal with them before and tried to ruin your family, Serena."

"Through my sister... Helena?" I asked because that's the main reason kung bakit nagkaroon ng sigalot ang pamilya namin sa kanila.

"He made another deal with them again and the exchange this time is the life of your parents."

What?!

"Para saan?" madilim kong tanong sa kanya habang nagpupuyos sa galit.

Adrianna was hesitant to proceed but continued. "If my father will agree to it, Privus will make sure that Joaquin will make a good partnership with the Monteverde through a merger."

"And your father agreed? Kahit na ang kapalit ay ang buhay ng isa sa mga kumpadre niya?!" nanggagalaiti kong tanong sa kanya.

"I swear! Nito ko lang nalaman ang kapalit! My dad also lied to me by telling me na ang kapalit lang ay hatian sa profit but I didn't expect that other lives will be the exchange again." Adrianna begged me to listen but something caught my ear.

"Again?" I asked, confirming if I heard it right.

Nodding continuously, Adrianna also added that made me stood up. "The first time was the life of Helena—your sister. And I'm sorry. I-I'm sorry about it."

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nararamdaman ko ngayon sa mga siniwalat ni Adrianna. Because of greed for his dream, Don Alfonso agreed to exchange the life of my sister?!

I felt my knees lost their will to be sturdy, and good thing Yvette helped me and guided me to sit again.

"Ano ang pinangako ng Privus sa tatay mo na ang naging kapalit ay ang buhay ng kapatid ko?!" I asked.

Bakas sa mukha ni Adrianna na ayaw nitong sagutin ang tanong ko na siyang nagpangitngit sa 'kin muli. "Torturala,"—torture her, I commanded.

Aurora clicked a small remote control on her hand and that made Adrianna screamed in pain. Blood on her head was now starting to pour and she keeps on crying now. I signaled Aurora to stop.

"Answer me," I demanded. I gave Adrianna a couple of seconds to recover. "Don't make me say it twice."

Sobbing quietly, Adrianna replied. "My wish to save Rolando's life!" she exclaimed.

Si Rolando na naman? "When your father knew that Rolando and Helena were having an affair, your father did his best to put Rolando in his place. Your father doesn't want Rolando for your sister because she's our Nanny's kin. He made sure that Rolando won't be getting any good opportunities—bet it on any work or even scholarship."

I may know my father can do this but I still can't imagine that he already did.

"And my father didn't like what your father's been doing. You see, R-Rolando's---"

"He's illegitimate son," ako na ang sumagot na nagpagulat sa mukha ni Adrianna. "Your father told me that too." I added when I felt she will ask.

"Y-yeah, Rolando's... my half-brother. And I didn't like what your father has been doing too. I saw how Rolando suffered at the hands of your father. And that rage was directed to my other brother—Troy because I didn't like how he's protecting your good-for-nothing sister instead of believing what I told him. He keeps on saying that... Rolando deserved it too."

And that's the reason why their brother and sister relationship fell apart. Kung bakit nag-iba na ang pagtrato nito sa kanyang kapatid. I'm not sure if Troy is aware of this but remembering the days, I'm seeing him sad because of my sister's treatment towards him, I can't help myself but be mad with Rolando.

"And since my father, no matter how asshole and unfaithful he'd become with my mother, he sought help with Privus to protect him because your clan has been untouchable ever since."

"Privus agreed to protect him in exchange for killing my sister through fabricating his family ties with Monteverde and made sure that Rolando will be the inheritor of Casa Martinez." I probed and Adrianna just nodded.

Yvette immediately put the mic on mute and looked at me. "Fontanilla has been one of the main supports of Genesis ever since and Privus used this chance to put despair in your parents kapag nawala ang panganay nilang anak. That was also the time na halos bumagsak ang kompanya ninyo. Privus aimed to dismantle one of the pillars that supports Genesis in the outside."

Mas lalong nagningas ang galit ko dahil wala nang ibang dahilan kung bakit pumayag ang kalaban namin na tulungan si Alfonso. It will greatly benefit them!

"They clearly didn't kill Helena because she's here. Privus wanted to use Helena and the timing is perfect. Adrianna said, sa mithiing nais na makuha ni Alfonso, he sought for another help nang hindi pumayag si Rolando makipag-unayan pa sa kanya. And since Helena is alive, Privus probably used that leverage to change the mind of Rolando." Yvette added.

So, that's why Rolando's indifferent towards them.

"But my family was no longer helping Genesis because that's my condition when they offered me the throne and there's no way someone knew our identity," I spoke.

"Not unless," Yvette said then looked back at me and shared what's her idea. "They might have known or someone leaked a piece of information about us and for them to confirm it..."

Ako na ang tumapos ng sasabihin niya... "They are using my parents to lure me out."