Chapter Eighteen: The Ploy Behind the Ploy

"SLAUGHTERED? EXTINCT?" I can't help but repeat the words that would soon herald a chaos of unprecedented scale the Underground has never experienced before. "But... Those people are... Those people were..." A gasp stuck in my throat, rendering me speechless and leaving me with the only resonating emotion I could find within me---fear.

Ni hindi pa namin tapos pahupain ng sitwasyon matapos ng pagkaupos ng imahe ng Konseho, ngunit anupa't ang Clan of Light naman ang sumunod?

Lei's head rose from the mercy of my palms. "Yes... those people. They were strong," she nodded in acknowledgment. "They were also enhanced after attempting to recreate the antidote for a long time. They were cunning. They were able to live under our noses safely and hidden from the eyes of the Council even before we were even born."

Abang tinitigan ko ang paggalaw ng mumunting ilaw na nakareplekta sa mga mata ng babaeng pinakamamahal ko. Nahuli ko kung paanong lumukot ang mga labi niya't nanginig na para bang hindi batid kung bubuksan niya ito o ititikom na lamang ba. She could care less about anyone, but even she could not deny that she trembled over the ultimate extinction of one of the oldest secret societies in the Underground. 

"And now they were dead. Not even Onyx Blood Disease dead but dead dead," natutulala kong pagdugtong.

"Yes. They were," my wife confirmed hopelessly.

My lips pursed in bewilderment, unable to understand why the universe seems adamant to take away our peace at every turn. We fought hard for it, didn't we? We earned it, didn't we? What more do we have to offer to enjoy it to the fullest and for it to last until our last breath?

"We just got our peace back, my loves," I told her, almost like a child whining to go outside and bask in freedom, in sunlight, in nature.  

She heaved a sigh and bit her lower lip for a moment. "We do."

"So why is this happening?"

"I wish I know."

The usual tranquility on Lei's features easily distorted with concern and pain. "I really wish I knew." Once again, she held my hands tight and granted them the bliss of the touch of her lips. "I wish Escape gave me the ability to know. My immunity to poison is very much useless in this matter, sorry."

My heart aches watching her console me from the distress that I am perfectly aware she is suffering from, as well. When she was about to lift her head carefully, I had my right hand slip from her grasp. It found the soft skin of her left cheek, caressing it as it adjusts to get a hold of her face. Feeling her warmth on my hand gave me power potent enough to shut everything else that was happening beyond the curtains. I swear I could hear the rustle of the friction of our skin, the amplified beatings of our hearts as they chase each other's thumps, and the subtle breeze our breaths make as we drown from each other's longing and attention.

Walang segundong pinalampas pa si Lei at siya na ang humatak sa 'kin upang paglapatin ang mga labi naming dalawa. There was no movement. We landed on each other's lips and we stayed there still, our eyes closed, our foreheads touching, and taking in every bit of the presence of each other.

At that moment, the time was ours. The universe could not separate us apart. No piano piece could convey the relief of isolation and the unconventional joy of simply being stuck somewhere far away from the so-called world. We used every second to silently remind each other that we are one and that number is never inferior to how big these problems could get. My hands crept to the masterfully crafted shape of her face, and hers wrapped around my torso as if holding onto me was her lifeline itself.

When our mouths parted, it almost felt like it was deprivation in every sense. I held her tighter that only our lips were not touching. "Lei Fiacre Sancuevas-Sanchez, in this world filled with forte notes, you are the decrescendo that I would always yearn for," I whispered with every fiber of my being.

Naramdaman ko ang pagbuklat ng mga talukap niya at pagtitig sa 'kin habang nananatili akong nakapikit. "Skyzzer Yuan Cromello-Sanchez, you are my every reason to play in E minor," she replied with almost an impending smile that I was so certain of without me actually witnessing it.

Being the wife idiot I am, I gave in and opened my eyes. Lei has a few shreds of tears on her face. "Pero kahit kailan, hindi mo naman nagustuhan ang piano 'e. Ayaw mo rin aralin no'ng una. Napilitan ka lang dahil sa 'kin," ani ko nang may intensiyon sanang mang-asar. Being serious and all were never the zone for both of us. We were each circle's sunshine, after all.

Lumawak ang magkabilang gilid ng mga labi niya. "I never really intended to say yes to you before but I did anyway, didn't I?" she chuckled playfully. Binawi niya ang kaliwang kamay niya mula sa likod ko at dinampi sa kanang pisngi ko tulad ng ginawa ko sa kaniya kanina.

"Natutunan kong mahalin ang pagtugtog tulad nang kung paanong natutunan kitang mahalin. At tulad nga ng sabi mo noon, it would be my greatest regret not to know the brilliance of a piano. Well, yes, it would have been also my greatest regret if I never allowed myself to love you as much as you do."

Hayst. Pagkarinig ko no'n, lumipad na lang talaga ang mga palad ko sa mukha ko para takpan ito.

"Eh? What is it? May nasabi ba kong mali?" nag-aalalang tanong ng asawa ko. Dali-dali niyang hinawakan ang mga kamay ko at marahang niyugyog. "Did I use the wrong piano term?"

Puta. Puta. Puta. Ang swerte ko, gago. Jackpot talaga huhu. Winner talaga, Lord. Bawing-bawi sa love life kahit na nakakagago ang mundong kinalakihan.

"Sky?" Lei's voice was drenched with anxiousness. "Won't you look at me, please? I---"

At her sudden pause, I knew and she knew. "Sorry, kinikilig kasi talaga 'ko. I have no control over my ears and the... the tent," I admitted in shame, my ears burning hot.

Pero ikaw ba naman kasi makatanggap ng bugbog ng confessions! Isa pa, Fiacre is inherently not vocal about her genuine feelings. Her suddenly doing so is like an unexpected attack that defies all rules in battles, so it's only understandable for my whole body to react!

"Akala ko ba worried ka sa family planning," her brows rose to question me.

"I know, I know, sorry," nahihiya kong pag-uulit-ulit ng paumanhin. "I have no excuse."

Napabuntong-hininga na lang kaming dalawa sa sitwasyon at hinayaang pakalmahin ang tensiyon sa pagitan naming dalawa. Matapos ng ilang sandali ay nilisan na rin namin ang study ni Alexander. Naihatid na ito sa ospital ng mga Heavelson ngunit dahil hindi lang basta-basta mafioso ang inatake sa gabing ito, naglipana ang kumpol ng mga associate ng angkan namin para palibutan ang buong property para tiyaking walang makaliligtas na bakas ng nangyari sa imbestigasyon.

"We're too late, the news has already reached Uncle Johan's ears," nangingiti kong pagpapaalam sa asawa ko habang kompostura kaming kumakaway sa mga anak naming nakatunghay mula kotseng papalayo sa 'min. "Heart attack. He's being transported to the same hospital with a different vehicle and route."

"Two down already from our side, fuck it," Lei gritted her teeth, her smile gradually fading as our kids disappear into the blinding fog surrounding the safest road to depart from the Cromello Manor.

Napagdesisyunan namin na ipadala na ang mga anak namin sa pamilya ni Lei ngayon pa lang. Hindi namin alam kung gaanong kalaking gulo ang mangyayari matapos ng gabing ito but we're not taking any chances when it comes to our children's well-being. We won't let their childhood be tainted prematurely of violence and threats the way we had ours. If we could save them a few years, hell even a year away from it, we are ready to gamble everything to make it possible.

Isinuksok ko ang cellphone sa bulsa ng coat ko. "Kailangan natin puntahan sina King para balaan sila," suhestiyon ko at seryosong bumaling sa kaniya.

My woman remained staring at the eerie woods nearby, the gentle, the warmth, and the vulnerability from a while ago gone from her image. "No, we won't."

"Huh?" Parang nag-buffering ang utak ko sa tugon niya. "Bakit naman hindi?"

"They dared to attack Alexander of all people. It could have been any of us. That meant the mastermind was aware of the extent of how we move as a group. It won't take a genius to deduce that the first thing we'd do is to run to Alex and Spade," she explained bluntly. "We have to solve this with a different approach. We will do things the opposite of what they would expect us to do."

"Sandali, in short, you're telling me you're going to hide something from your bestfriend?" hindi ko makapaniwalang tanong. I wouldn't deny Fiacre and I had a few arguments before about her putting her loyalty to the four bitches alliance above almost everything else but given the situation? I could not believe she was the one who was actually suggesting this.

"Am I hearing it right?" pangungumpirma ko pang muli kung sakaling sadyang hindi pa ko nakakapaglinis ng tenga o guni-guni ko lang ang narinig ko.

Pumamewang naman ito't hinarap ako. "Ayan talaga ang napansin mo sa lahat ng sinabi ko?" she scoffed. "Alam kong matalino pareho sina Alex at Spade, Sky, but dearest, have you not been paying attention to stories? The main protagonists are not always the brightest bulbs in the shed, especially right now na kababalik lang ni Alex. They're on cloud nine. They're in the moon." 

Mas binalot ang sarili niya sa suot na coat. "We showed too much of our strengths to handle the matter about the Council, which meant we're vulnerable because whoever this enemy is, they already knew enough to prepare countermeasures against those strengths."

I heaved a loud sigh and a puff of mist followed my breath due to the cold midnight air. "So we have to work on our resources na hindi pa lantad sa iba?"

"Exactly, bebelabs," kibit-balikat nitong sagot.

Pawang aaluin ko na sana si Lei pabalik sa loob ng mansyon nang mahawi ang atensyon ko ng isang aninong bumagtas sa hindi kalayuang halamanan. Agaran kong hinatak ang asawa ko upang ikubli siya mula sa likuran ko. Awtomatiko ring umakto ang mga tauhan namin sa galaw ko at pumosisyon sa bawat direksyon upang pananggalan kami.

"The security detail for my children?" I inquired to the guards.

"Nakaalis na po sila para sundan ang mga bata, master," turan ng isa na siyang nakapagpanatag sa 'kin. As such, I confidently jerked the blade resting under my shirt sleeve, and its hilt submitted instantly to my grip.

"Whoever you are, you've picked the wrong timing to trespass," bulyaw ko sa kung sinuman ang nagkukubli sa likod ng kadilimang binubuo ng mga dahon at puno. "If I were you, I'd show myself so that I could at least plead mercy for being stupid enough to be caught in the act."

Mabilis na sinagot ng pigura ang abiso ko. Ang kaluskos dulot ng mumunti nitong pagkilos muli matapos tumigil sa pagtawag ko rito ay tumawag ng alarma sa bawat tauhan naming naririto at gayon na rin ng mga sandatang nabibilang sa mga katawan nila.

"Sky," Lei called from my back. "Be careful."

I squeezed her hand to convey assurance. "It's okay. Our kids are safe. We are safe. This is our land. This is our territory."

'Yeah, and its master just got attacked,' a sarcastic thought popped in. 

Nonetheless, I stared fiercely at the outline of the person who shamelessly dared to enter my line of sight. Halos hindi na namin inda ang pagpigil sa hininga malaman lamang kung sino ang nagtangkang bumisita ngayon sa teritoryo ng mga Dela Vega't Cromello nang walang pasabi.

Alas, our guard eventually eased, yet my heart can't be the same. Wrecked and ground my chest was when I discovered my biological mother staggering as she approached the light emanating through the manor's windows and posts.

"S-Skyzzer..." nauutal at nahihirapan nitong tawag sa 'kin, her hands clutching at her sides.

Para akong sinabuyan ng mainit na tubig habang pinanonood ko siyang buhatin ang sarili niyang bigat at kaladkarin ang binti niyang nabaunan ng dalawang balisong.

"M-Mom?"

"Master?" The associates cried in confusion after hearing how I addressed our supposed trespasser.

I was left stunned on the spot. Aside from this is our first meeting again after the café fiasco, why should she come for me in this state? She may have gone through a rough patch during her past life and after waking up with the disease lurking in her veins, but how could Lady Edeline Cromello drag herself to her very home battered and in ragged clothes?

Unang nagsibaba ng armas ang mas nakatatandang mafioso. Hindi man inaasahan ay tila nakikilala nila ang naunang dalaga ng Familia Cromello na pinagsilbihan nila bago si Alexandria Cromello.

"My lady? Is that you, Lady Edeline?" Sir Almeric almost fell to his knees; His son, Sir Shane immediately ran to support him.

"Dad! Are you alright?"

"Oh my god. Lady Edeline... Lady Edeline!" Halos histerikal na kumawala sa mga bisig ng anak niya ang mafioso. Ni hindi niya ininda ang pagkakahulog ng mga armas sa mga kamay niya at mabilis na nagtungo sa isa sa mga natitirang buhay na miyembro ng nakatatandang henerasyon ng mga Cromello.

Humahangos, hinablot niya ang mga balikat nito. "Lady Edeline, buhay ka! Buhay ka!" the elder exclaimed with both joy and tears. "Shane, bilisan mo at tumawag ka rin ng mediko para sa binibini!"

Nagkukumahog namang sumunod ang anak nito. Dito na mas rumehistro sa 'kin na totoo ang lahat ng 'to. Nakauwi na si mama. Umuwi na si mama! Nandito na siya ulit. Sa kung saan siya nabibilang. Kung saan siya nagmula.

Lei pulled her hand gently from mine. I turned to her, and she responded with an approving smile and pat on my arm. With that, I ran to my mother as fast as I could, even throwing away the dagger I so tightly held moments ago as I sprinted.

"Mom, what happened?! Sinong umatake sa 'yo?" nababahala kong tanong.

Mother, despite looking like doing hard labor to even breathe a passing breeze of air, frowned at the protective arms wrapped around her shoulders. That was when I realized she had yet to recover her memories. She might not even be feeling or thinking sentimental the way Sir Almeric and I do as we see her walk back home. But as if she knew, as if she recognized that every strand of grass, every piece of statue, every breed of flower inhabiting the gardens, and even the architectural design of the house were a part of her identity, her body ultimately collapsed with relief, acknowledging the safety her instincts recognized as soon as she stepped her foot in here.

Dahan-dahan na inayos ni Sir Almeric ang pagkakasandal ni mama sa kanya at maingat din naming iniwasan na galawin ang binti niyang may saksak.

"Mom..." I took her hand with both of mine. "Who did this to you?!"

"S-Son... you have to summon him back. We have no time to waste!" she almost screamed but in a whisper.

"Him? Him, who?"

"T-The Judge. Call him back. We need him back. He can't hide for too long."

Napakurap ako at halos mawalan din ng lakas sa sarili kong mga binti. Bakit ito ang bungad na pakiusap ni mama sa 'kin sa mismong pagbabalik niya? Oo't hindi kasalanan ni Sean ang lahat ng nangyari. Pero hindi ba't may galit ang 'Edel' na nakilala namin noon sa café sa bawat miyembro ng Konseho? 

"Listen to me," she groaned as she poured all remaining strength in her that I was holding onto to pull me close. "Y-You have to get him back here, lest the Clan of Light will really lose the gamble."

"Gamble?" My eyes widened at her choice of words, but more so at what seemed to be happening in the background while all of us thought that we'd reached a happy ending. "But mom, the Clan of Light... They just..."

Lady Edeline Cromello smirked sinisterly. "This has always been the bigger plan. The ploy behind the ploy. How do you think Sean even found out his lineage when Amaluna herself cut her ties to anyone involved in her past?"

"You don't mean..." I shook my head, dumbfounded at the realization of what she was pointing at. It couldn't be.

Does this mean Sean may have been the scriptwriter of the recent ploy, but he wasn't the director behind the scenes?

"Son, this is the Brooven Restoration. The Clan of Light died gambling for this very cause." 

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A/N: For anyone who's buffering din (lol), decrescendo is the quieting of sound in a piano piece while forte notes are the loud notes. E minor is considered a key that expresses a declaration of love. You can search for further details, tho! And if anyone is still confused, reread book 1 hahaha! Sky can play the piano.