PAGOD NA umuwi si Zayndrei sa mismong bahay nila. He couldn't remember when was the last time he came home. Simula nang magtrabaho siya bilang CEO sa kumpanya ng pamilya ni Ayze, hindi na siya umuwi.

His family seldom visits him in his unit, that's it.

He found his peace, got his own life, his privacy by living alone. Pwede siyang umuwi sa oras na gusto niya, nagagawa niya ang mga hindi niya nagagawa sa bahay nila, and lastly he could bring Ayze home.

But lately, he couldn't sleep in his unit. His peace, left him. Madalas siya ngayon sa opisina, umuuwi na lang sa unit niya para pakainin ang alaga niyang pusa. Kage must be sulking because he doesn't have enough time for her.

Kaagad siyang nilapitan ng nanay niya nang makita ito. Nanlilisik ang mga mata nito sa kanya, bahagya pa siyang napaatras dahil sa hawak nitong tinidor. His mom might forgot that he was her legal son, na sa sinapupunan nito mismo siya nanggagaling.

Pasimple siyang napangiwi at bumuntong hininga. Hindi naman niya ito masisisi. Sa kanilang dalawa ni Ayze, mas matimbang ang dalaga. Parang ito pa nga ang kapamilya.

"What did you do, Zayndrei?" kaagad na tanong nito sa kanya. Nakapamaywang ito sa harap niya, habang ang mga mata naman niya ay nasa hawak pa rin nitong tinidor.

"Ma..." pagod ang boses na tawag niya sa mommy niya.

"Zayndrei, I am asking you. What did you do? Bakit ang Papa mo ulit ang may hawak sa kumpanya? Ayze kicked you out, yeah? Why?" sunod-sunod na tanong nito.

"Hindi ba... sinabi ni Papa?" nagtataka na tanong niya.

His mother rolled her eyes. "If he told me the reason, sa palagay mo ba nandito ako ngayon sa harap mo at magtatanong? Sermon kaagad ang bubungad sayo, 'nak."

Napakurap-kurap siya sa narinig. His father stayed silent?

He frowned when he felt a pang of pain in his head. Hindi niya 'yon ininda. Ilang gabi na siyang walang maayos na tulog.

"You didn't tell me you already have a girlfriend. Oh well, she introduced herself as your partner, pero pinaalis ko." His mother mischievously smiled at him and continued, "Si Ayze lang ang gusto ko na i-uwi mo dito sa bahay, maliwanag?"

Umawang ang mga labi niya. Paano niya 'yon i-uuwi sa bahay nila kung galit ang dalaga sa kanya? He has to think twice whether he'll stay close and get killed or work in silence, saka na lang bumalik.

"Umayos ka, Zayndrei. Malaki ang naitulong nila sa atin. Hindi naman sila naniningil, but we must give back their kindness."

Alam naman niya 'yon.

"Please, Ma... Be patient with me, hm? I'll do better. I promise."

Sakto naman na dumating ang Papa niya. He looks worn out, pero may dating pa rin. Unlike him, mukha na siyang patay na naglalakad.

"How's the company, Pa?" tanong niya.

The last time Zayndrei heard, bukas na ulit ang resort na pinasarado niya. That was the only place that Windelle knew, kaya pansamantala niya munang pinatigil ang operation.

His father, Zayvin, shrugged. "Bakit ko naman sasabihin sayo?"

Hindi siya makapaniwala na tumingin dito. His father chuckled and softly ruffled his hair.

"Whatever you're planning, paki bilisan mo, 'nak. Bago ka mapatay ni Ayze." Banta nito sa kanya.

"And if she's really going to kill me?"

His mom was fast to answer his question. "Well, we're going to hold a grand funeral for our precious son."

Ngumisi sa kanya ang Papa niya, "You heard your mother."

"Parang hindi anak, ah?" sarkastiko na sagot niya sa dalawa.

Natatawa na umiling sa kanya ang Papa niya at mahinang tinulak ang katawan niya papunta sa kwarto niya.

"Sleep, son. Kaunti na lang, babagsak ka na."

"AYZE, baby? Bakit ang Tito Zayvin mo ulit ang may hawak sa isang kumpanya natin? Did something happen?"

Her mother were throwing her questions pero kahit isa ay wala siyang nasagot. Paano niya sasabihin na nasa kabilang panig na ang paborito nito? Paano niya sasabihin na konti na lang at pati si Zayndrei ay bobombahin na niya?

"Mom... Let me off the hook for now, yeah? I'm tired." Ngumuso siya at malamya itong tiningnan. Hoping that will be enough para kaawaan siya nito.

Her mother smiled a little as she nodded her head. Ayze was thankful to have an understanding mother, at kunsintidor na ama.

After niyang makita ang stress at galit sa mukha ni Windelle, kumalma rin ang buong pagkatao niya. She had no idea how happy she was.

Her mother reminded her to eat first, bago ito umalis para pumunta sa café nila. When her mom decided to step out of her position, inabala nito ang sarili sa pag manage ng café nila. Together with her other Tita's.

Ayze went inside her brother's room and looked for her guitar. Vane was keeping it. Naisip niya na dalhin na lang ito sa unit niya, pero hindi pa 'yon maayos. She doesn't have time para ayusin 'yon. And Ayze was contemplating whether to hired an interior designer or nah.

Sumandal siya sa headboard ng kama nito habang sine-set-up ang gitara. She started to strum her favorite music and hummed softly along with the sounds that her electric guitar creating.

Playing guitar never failed to calm her whole being. Pansamantala na nawawala ang mga bad vibes na nakatambak sa katawan niya.

Ayze got lost in her own world as she continues to strum her guitar. Tumigil lang siya nang makita si Arki na nakasandal sa hamba ng pintuan at tahimik na pinapanood siya.

"As expected, you're here." Arki smirked at her.

"Maingay ba?" tanong niya.

Naiwan niyang bukas ang pinto, of course, mabubulabog ang buong village sa lakas ng tunog ng gitara niya. Their parents made Vane's room sound proof because of their hobby. Lalo na at minsan ay gabi na nila naiisipan na tumugtog.

"Nah, it's fine. Nag-e-enjoy ka naman e," sagot nito. Hinila ni Arki ang gaming chair ni Vane at doon ito naupo. "Anyways, I'm here to ask if there's something I could do for you?"

A small smile appeared on her lips. Right. She couldn't do it alone. If she intended to win— which she'll surely do, she needed someone to help her. As the saying goes, two heads are better than one.

"I am actually thinking of letting them do whatever they want. Besides, my plan is to fight head to head." Ayze snickered. "But don't you think playing dirty is a bit fun?"

"Come on, Ate, that's what we are. Dirty. We love it, more than anything." Arki smirked.

Tama, they love getting dirty. It excites them.

Ayze strummed the guitar as she let her mind wander around. Thinking of any possible ways to win. By means of getting dirty, blood must be scattered around. But as much as possible, iniiwasan niya 'yon.

The monster inside her was tamed long ago. It'll be poisonous, once na nagising ulit 'yon.

"Arki, blocked every connection they have para hindi makabawi ang mga ito. Make sure na ang maiiwan na pera sa kanila ay sakto lang to hire some people to kill me. I want them to keep their eyes on me."

Arki scoffed at her. Halata sa mukha nito na hindi nito gusto ang narinig. He licked his lower lip and clasped his hands.

This was her idea of fighting head to head. Bukod sa kaya ng mga ito na bombahin at ubusin ang pera ng isang kumpanya niya, sigurado siya na kaya rin ng mga ito na pumatay. Ayze was raised to be a strong warrior, not a coward.

"I know you're crazy. But not to this extent, Ate," bahagya na tumaas ang boses nito. "I don't like your idea. If you were me, damn sisimutin ko na lahat ng pera nila. But it's you, I'll just need to make sure you're well guarded."

Ngumiti lang siya kay Arki. Sa lahat ng mga nakatira sa village nila, masasabi niya na pagod na pagod na ang pamilya ng Tito Ryker niya sa kanila. They loved creating a mess, only to be fixed by them. Delikado na ang trabaho ng pamilya ng Tito Esel niya, dumadagdag pa sila.

"You know I don't like it, Arki." Ayze whined.

Ayaw niya na may nakasunod sa kanya. She can protect herself. She know basics self defense and she know how to use gun.

"Ako naman ang magbabantay sayo. Don't worry, hindi naman kita babantayan oras-oras. You won't even feel my presence." He assured her.

Ayze shrugged. Wala naman siyang magagawa para itaboy ito. Even his father, Tito Ryker, was the same when it comes to their other Tito's. They're overprotective of each other.

TAHIMIK ANG panig ni Windelle, kaya naman wala siyang naging problema. She has her free time to buy some tools and equipment for her newly buy unit.

Amari already told her schedule beforehand and finished her obligations as fast as she could, para lang makapunta siya sa mall. Unlike before, she only came here to buy clothes, any kind of jewellery, shoes, bag and suchlike.

It feels different to go to the mall, choosing which furniture she'll buy. She's actually buying kung ano lang ang meron sa bahay nila. She's not good at this. Ngayon siya nagsisi na hindi niya sinama ang lintik na anak ng Tito Castiel niya, o kahit isa sa mga pinsan na lang niya.

"Ayze?"

Lumingon kaagad siya nang marinig ang pamilyar na boses. Ayze smirked, looks like God won't let her buy anything that wasn't useful for today.

"Hey!" Ayze smiled at him.

Lumapit ito sa kanya at alanganin ito na hinalikan sa pisngi. It was someone from her past.

"It's unlikely you will be here..." He judged. Ayze laughed at him. Totoo naman kasi.

"I need to buy a few things for my unit."

"Few things? Or expensive things that'll suit your taste?" pabiro siya nitong tinaasan ng isang kilay.

She sneered. "E, ikaw? Bakit ka nandito?"

Pinakita nito sa kanya ang dalang iPad, saka siya sinagot, "Trabaho, syempre."

"But you're working abroad, right?" nagtataka na tanong niya. Right after he graduated, nag migrate ang pamilya nito sa ibang bansa. Well, that's what she heard before.

"Still am. May pinagbigyan lang na kliyente."

"Wow, special!" She playfully exclaimed.

"Do you need some help? Tapos naman na ako." He offered.

Matamis siyang ngumiti sa lalaki. Sabi na nga ba, hindi siya hahayaan na gumastos ng malaki ngayong araw na 'to.

"Yes, please?"

"Sus, 'wag ka na magpa-cute. Alam mo namang malakas ka sa akin!" The guy playfully pinched her cheek.

They settled for a minute or so. Ayze told him the details of her unit, the guy was easy to pick up what kind of design she likes for her unit. After that talk, naghiwalay sila para mas mabilis silang matapos.

Hinabilinan siya nito na pumili ng maayos dahil hindi ganun kalaki ang unit nito. But here she was, buying everything that looks nice and suit her taste. She doesn't have to worry because they're too small and probably won't get much space.

Medyo nanibago siya bigla dahil walang Zayndrei na nakasunod sa kanya ngayon. He'll probably be the one picking up which utensils she'll bought if he's here beside her.

"Why do I keep missing that fucker?" Naiiling na tanong niya sa sarili.

Ayze pushed her cart while her eyes were on her phone. Nagpalitan sila ng number ng lalaki, and he's updating her kung ano na ang mga nabili nito. And sometimes, he's making her choose.

She took a quick snap of her cart and send it to him. Hindi na siya nagulat nang bigla na lang itong mag angry react sa picture na na-i-send niya rito.

She chuckled and immediately replied, 'Please, don't get mad? Maliit lang naman ang mga 'yan.'

He replied, 'Kahit na. Those are still going to take so much space once na maayos na natin ang unit mo.'

Ayze just shrugged her shoulders and lazily moved her cart. Her mood dropped when she saw the man he was just thinking about earlier. And he's with someone. The witch, Windelle.

The woman smirked when she saw her. "Alone?"

She informed the guy kung saang parte siya nito makikita bago niya ituon ang pansin sa babae.

Ayze smirked smugly. "I can handle myself but... I am with someone, luckily."

☕