Yow! Check out my new 'Diary Of A Mean Girl' in my works.

And, btw, for those who have watched the MV of Bad Blood by Taylor Swift, I think I just saw Aurora's friends in their. What ya think? Haha!

Enjoy and thank you for reading!

Comment your thoughts, too! :)

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"You deserve an ample punishment."

That was his last words until I saw myself being dragged out of the kitchen. Ample punishment? For a small scratch? That's a joke, right? I mean, it's just a cut. Mas terible pa itong sugat ko mula sa tama ng baril, ah! And kinakaladkad niya pa ako. Tsk! Pilit ko itong pinipigilan without giving a lot of force with my injured leg.

"Hey! San mo ko dadalhin? Stop dragging me, you demon!" The pang of guilt I felt a while ago abruptly vanished. Napalitan ito ng inis. Better.

Everyone, house cleaners and guards, who saw us, froze. They didn't move a single muscle. Mukhang gising na sila dahil pasimula na ang araw. And me? Paumpisa pa lang ang araw ko ay sira na agad ito. I heard a few gasps. Weird. Because mostly they're starring at the demon's bleeding cut. Ngayon lang ba sila nakakita ng demonyong nasugatan sa pisngi? Don't worry fellas. You will get used to it. Bibigyan ko pa siya ng maraming ganyan. And, for a free service.

I became a cursing machine when we reached the staircase and he lifts me up in a bridal carry, again! I think this is getting too common. I keep reciting my death threats for him but he just ignored me with his blank expression. Damn! And I thought mapapatay ko na siya sa kusina kanina. Everything can really be fucked up even at the very last minute. Kaya ko namang makawala but I need to use my legs and sacrifice my stitched wound. Which, I will not allow.

"What? You're gonna throw me up here? Is that your stupid punishment?!" I shouted as we reached the second floor. Matalim niya naman akong tinignan.

"Shut up. Or I'll consider your suggestion." Kalmado nitong saad. I'm not even suggesting! Grrr.

Pumasok kami sa kwartong ginamit ko. The room I slept in last night and the other night. He tossed me on the soft bed and I even bounced a little. Umupo ako at tinignan siya ng masama. And what the hell are we doing here in connection with the freaking punishment?! A said punishment in a bedroom? Not a good combination. But before I panic, which I don't, I pushed all the dirty thoughts. I started planning for the possible combat attack that I can use with a less coordination with my legs. In case, he'll do something that I will not like.

I stopped over thinking ng kumuha ito ng first aid kit, the same he used last night. Umupo ito sa kama. Takang tinignan ko ito ng inabutan niya ako ng cotton ball. "What will I do with that?" Taas-kilay at mataray kong tanong.

"Eat it." He said sounding bored.

"What?!" I shrieked and he hissed. Damn! Ako ba pinagloloko nito?

"Of course you'll be using this to clean the wound." As a matter of fact nitong sabi. "This will be your punishment." He added. And I crossed my arms over my chest and look at him with a smug.

"And you expect me to do that?" I said with a sneer. He gazed at me with a grin.

"What? You want other punishment?" He asked, still with a flustered smirk. Mukhang may iniisip itong hindi maganda, ah. "Or shall I serve you your requested meal for breakfast?" Pinagbigyan-diin pa nito ang salitang 'requested'. Tsk! He's talking about my 'You?' answer awhile ago. Hell! That is not even a damn request. It's a question, idiot! This demon is frustrating me. Aaargh!

"Shut up, demon. Or I'll stab you again with a knife." I said through gritted teeth. Pabalang kong kinuha ang cotton ball na ikinatawa niya. Pinunas ko sa sugat niya ng may diin. My sweet little revenge.

"I know what you are doing. It's stinging! Be gentle." Sabi nito pero hindi ko naman nakikita nasasaktan siya.

"I'm letting you know what I'm doing." Sagot ko. Tinuloy ko pa rin ang ginagawa ko at pinupunasan ang kaunting dugong lumalabas.

We became quiet for a moment until he spoke again. "About the offer," He started in a much serious tone. The atmosphere change, too.

"What about it? Nasabi mo na sa Don?" I asked. Kung alam niya na eh di maganda. Screw him.

"What did you answer?"

"I killed the old man. That means I declined." I answered in a 'Duh' tone.

"You know you're still part of the Clemente Mafia, right?" Napatigil ako sa ginagawa ko at napatingin sa kanya. That's the time I notice that we're a ruler apart. When he gazed at me, I looked away. Weird. Okay. Why did I looked away? Err. Maybe because we're too close. Anyways, his question rang in my head. Am I still part of the Clemente Mafia? Well, technically and unfortunately, yes. Once you're in, there is no pulling out. I'm still their assassin. It just that I'm rebelling.

"No, I'm not." I answered instead.

"Yes, you are." He countered. "You know you're still part of Mafia." Inirapan ko ito. Alam niya naman pala, tatanong-tanong pa! Tsk!

"It's self proclaimed. I quit three years ago." Itinuloy ko ulit ang pagpupunas sa sugat nito.

"Nah. You just bombarded Mafia's properties, run away and hide. You didn't quit because there is no quitting in mafia in the first place. You're just hardheaded and rebellious." Aniya. And he just hit the right spots. He's all correct. Kumuha ako ng ibang cotton ball at nilagyan ito ng alcohol. "For me, that's a very wrong move. Three years ago, you ruined the mafia by yourself. At pinagpyestahan ito sa underground society. Now, the spotlight turned to you unintentionally and all the rogue predators are looking at you like a fresh meat." Makahulugan nitong saad.

"What are you talking about?" Maang kong tanong. Spotlight on me in underground society? Foolish. Wala akong naramdamang ganon.

"They entitled you as a legendary assassin. You attracted them." May giit nitong sabi. Napakunot ang noo ko. I heard about that and I don't give a damn. Pakialam ko sa tawag nila. And it's just a title! I attracted them? Well, maybe some. Tulad siguro ng Dark Clan. Yeah. Because they want to beat the arisen Clemente again and permanently, according to the old man.

Hindi na lang ako sumagot at inilagay na lang ang band-aid sa sugat nito para matapos na. I was securing it while he's staring at me with dark aura. Mukhang naiinis na ito at wala akong pinapakitang pakialam sa kanyang sinasabi. For me, it's nonsense. "You don't know how big trouble you are into. I know you will run away again, Aurora. But I need you to stay by my side so I can protect−−." I fake a laugh, cutting him off.

"You can't tell me what to do. And I don't trust people that all I know is their name. Sino ka ba talaga at marami kang alam tungkol sa akin? I know you're connected to the Don. I don't even know his plans. But whatever it is, I'm sure what you're telling to me right now is part of it." Wika ko na ikinatahimik niya ng sandali.

"And, about the protection you're saying. Listen, demon," I look straight directly to his eyes. "I am not afraid to die or get killed. But I am not gonna die without a deadly and bloody fight." I saw a flash of hurt, frustration and worry in his eyes after I said those words but it abruptly changed to blankness. Therefore, I continued, "I don't know why it concerns you or the Don but whatever that spotlight and big trouble you're talking about, I don't give a damn. Sabihin mo sa Mafia Boss na tigil-tigilan niya na ako dahil gawa't gawa ako ng paraan para makaalis at makatakas sa organisasyon." I told him. Bumagsak naman ang tingin nito sa sahig. Ilang minutong katahimikan bagot ito muling magsalita.

"Maybe you're not afraid to die, but someone else is." Maang akong napatingin sa kanya pero tumayo na ito naglakad papuntang pinto. "Stay here. I'll be back." Saad nito bago tuluyang lumabas.

I was left dumbfounded. Hindi ko na natanong kung ano ang ibig nitong sabihin. Darn. Well, anyways, I should care less to an unimportant matter. Mas pagtuonan ko dapat ng pansin ang gagawin kong plano dahil ayoko man aminin ay hawak ako ng mafia ngayon, specifically in Devon Henderson's hands. Well, I can kill him on my way to running away again. All I just need is a bright plan and a right timing. And, I should think about the underground society issue, too. I attracted them? Pero wala akong naramdamang paggalaw ng ibang organisasyon para sa akin sa nakaraang tatlong taon. Well, except for the Dark Clan's offer that happened just now. And I handled it. Oh! The Don's plan for me, I need to know that, too. Ugh! Andaming sagot ang dapat kong malaman! Damn! Sakit sa ulo!

Itinabi ko ang first aid kit at naisipang maligo. I went to the bathroom to check some essential stuff like towel. I even saw an unopened toothbrush, too. Right. It just that there are no extra clothes. Well, I can demand that later.

I'm in the middle of bathing when someone called my name. Tila gulat at naghahanap ang pamilyar na tinig nito. It's the demon. He's looking for me. Maybe he thought I escaped out of the room again.

"Aurora?" Tawag nito muli.

"I'm here in the bathroom." Bored kong sagot. Next time he'll be looking after me, wala ng sasagot. Because I'll be in a far far away land, that he or the mafia wouldn't know. Napangiti na lang ako. That's a complete freedom. Well, it is just that I still don't know where that far far away land could be. Parang kasing kung saan ako pumunta ay kayan din nilang puntahan. Tsk!

Ilang sunod-sunod na katok ang narinig ko sa pinto. "What are you doing their?" The demon asked. What kind of question is that?

"What do you think?" Sarkastiko kong tanong. "I'm bathing! Get me some clothes!" Utos ko na sa palagay ko ay sinunod niya dahil tumahimik sa labas.

Paglabas ko ay nakita ko siyang nakaupo sa kama. Habang may nakapatong na rin doon na tray ng pagkain at damit. Napatangin agad ito ng marinig ang paglabas ko. He gazed at me with a frown ng makitang nakatapis lang ako ng tuwalya.

"Get the clothes and go back to the bathroom." Utos nito.

"Get out." Utos ko rin.

"You should learn how to get dressed inside the bathroom."

"I said get out." I answered impatiently. Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin pero tumayo din ito. Tsk! Loser!

"Don't do this in other guy's houses." He told me with a frown before he walk to the door.

"Whatever!" Sagot ko na lamang at kinuha ang nakapatong na damit sa kama. Eh anong magagawa niya kung hindi ako sanay magbihis sa banyo. Tsk!

"Call me when you're done." Sabi niya bago tuluyang lumabas.

Sinuot ko ang damit. I was shocked to see some pair of undergarments tucked in it. And it freaking fits! Damn! Coincidence? Now I wonder kung saan galing ang mga 'to. Tinawag ko nga siya ng natapos ako. At di ko na ito pinansin at nagpakabusy sa pagkain. Wala naman itong ginawa kundi ang umupo sa sofa habang nakakunot ang noo nitong tinitignan ang phone niya.

"Kaninong mansyon ito?" I asked suddenly to him. I'm starting to create a plan.

"Mine." Simple nitong sagot habang busy pa rin sa phone. Yeah. He's rich. Maybe that's why he got a bossy attitude, too. Okay. I think he's bothered with what's on his phone and I can use this moment to ask questions.

"When will the restaurant be open again?"

"Kung kailan ko gusto." Bored nitong sagot. And is still busy with his phone. So, I started asking ramdom questions.

"Where is April?"

"Her condo."

"How about Max, have you seen Max?" I asked even he don't know him by that name. And to my surprised, he answered.

"No." Tsk! He's not really paying attention on what he is blabbing. Hah! Nice.

"Do you have a pet?" I asked a nonsense and out of nowhere question.

"None." And, he answered again. This time, my lips twitched into an evil smirk while I'm looking at him. Hindi naman ito nakatingin kaya kahit i-dirty finger ko siya at di nito malalaman.

"What is your position in Mafia?" Tila bumagal o tumigil ang buong paligid habang hinihintay ko ang sagot nito. Actually, it's not important in some terms here but I still need to know. Kailangan kong malaman kung hanggang saan ang kaya nitong gawin at sakop na desisyon. I considered him as an enemy. And, I need to know more about him.

"I'm the..." I was waiting for the next words nang iniangat nito ang ulo niya at deritsong tumingin sa akin ng may nakakalokong ngiti sa kanyang labi. Oh-ow! Busted! "Nice try, kitten." He said. Nalukot ang tila nagdidiwang kong mukha kanina. Damn! That was close!

Sasagot pa sana ako ng biglang may kumatok sa pinto. Maya-maya ay bumukas ito at bumungad ang grupo ng kalalakihan na nakasuot ng pormal at may dalang mga armas. Guards. "Sir Henderson, kailangan na raw kayo roon." Magalang nitong saad. Napilitan namang tumayo ang demonyo. Bago itong tuluyang lumabas ay nagsalita ako.

"Open the restaurant tomorrow." Utos ko sa kanya na parang ako ang manager.

"What?" Kunot-noong tanong nito. "Why?"

"Because I said so!" Mataray kong sagot. He tsked me after hearing my answer. I need to get out of this mansion and working to the restaurant is a perfect excuse. Alam ko namang kaya nitong mapaayos agad iyon aa mabilis na panahon. He had minions to do the work.

"I'll be out for a couple of hours. Don't do anything stupid." Paalala niya bago isara ang pinto. And I mentally heard a popping confetti. He'll be out for a couple of hours.

Good news.

I jumped off the bed and went to check the window. Nagulat ako ng may nakitang dalawang nakabantay sa mismong tapat ng bintana. They're patiently standing and guarding the area. Heck! At mas marami pang nagkalat sa paligid at labas ng mansyon. Mafia Guards. I'm sure there are sensors placed in the gates and walls, too. Masyado nilang dinibdib ang pagtakas ko. It's funny because I will not escape...yet. Kailangan ko pang magmanman at alamin ang plano nila. Pero kailangan ko pa ring lumabas ng mansyon ng legal sa kanilang paningin. At doon papasok ang trabaho ko sa restawran. Ayokong mapreso dito.

Bumalik ako sa kama at humiga. Later on, I've fallen back to sleep. At nagising lang ako ng makarinig ng mahihinang katok sa pinto. Tamad habang nakakunot ang mga noo kong binuksan ito.

"Kain na po kayo." Magalang na wika ng sa palagay ko'y babaeng tagapagsilbi rito base sa suot niya habang hawak ang tray ng pagkain. Ibig sabihin, tanghali na.

"Hindi ako nagugutom. Get lost!" Sigaw ko sabay balibag ng pinto pasara. Tsk! Inabala niya ang pagtulog ko.

Bumalik ako sa kama at sinubukang bumalik muli sa pagtulog. Dumaan ang ilang minuto at oras ay gising pa rin ako. Crap! I thought this would happen. Gusto ko lang magpahinga at matulog buong araw para di gaanong nagagalaw tong binti ko at ng gumaling agad. Well, hindi naman na siya humahapdi at dumudugo. I can walk straight. I'm recovering fast but I still need to be a little cautious. Anyways, I want to have a rest to clear my mind, too. I don't wanna think about my problems for awhile. In other terms, I'll procrastinate and act as a comatose patient for the rest of the day.

Pero dahil di na ako makatulog, sira ang plano ko. Nakahiga lang ako hanggang sa madalim sa labas at abutin ng gabi. Muli na namang may kumatok sa pinto. At malamang ito ay tagapagsilbi na may dalang pagkain na naman. But I'm not starving so...

"Lumayas ka sa tapat ng pintong 'yan kung gusto mo pang mabuhay!" Pagbabanta ko. And it's effective. I heard running footsteps away from the area. Tsk! Pathetic.

Makalipas ng ilang minuto ay bumangon na ako. Ayoko na! Nabuburo na ako sa kwartong 'to! Why am I even here, anyway? Ah. Yeah. I remember. I passed out and the demon brought me here without notice. Tsk! 'Yong masamang damong 'yon, di ko mapatay-patay! Grrr. Pero kung pagsusumahin ay siya ang pinakamalapit na daan para malaman ko ang plano ng Don. Isa pa 'yong gagong Mafia Boss na 'yon! Bakit hindi na lang kami magpatayang dalawa at nang matapos na. He doesn't want me dead. Why? Or else, may kailangan pa ito sa akin bago niya ako todasin. According to the demon, he's planning something special for me. What could that special plan be? Ano kailangan nito sa akin? My killing ability? Nah. Alipores niya si Devom. That bastard is stronger than I am. So what is it? The heck! I'm clueless!

Lumabas na ako ng kwarto dahil konti na lang ay masasabunutan ko na ang sarili ko kakaisip ng problema. I tried running in balcony. At kaya ko naman na. Pati pagbaba sa grand staircase, parang wala na lang. Di tulad kaninang madaling araw. I'm really recovering fast. Well, I'm an assassin and gunshots are pretty normal. Sanay na ako sa sakit na dala nito. I can tolerate it but don't doesn't mean I'm immune. That'll be ridiculous if that happens.

Di tulad ng dati ay walang pakalat-kalat na minions dito sa baba. Maybe, all of them are busy outside. Whatever. Umupo na lang ako sa nakita kong coutch at pinagmasdan ang paligid. Ngayon lang pala ako na nakapagmasid sa mismong detalye ng mansyong ito. It's more like a modern style. Quite cool but very sophisticated details. Our mansion back then is more like in a gothic style. That was more in swirling details. Magkaiba dito.

Nang mangalay na ang leeg ko kakalibot ng tingin at tinigil ko na rin at inayos na lang ang upo. Nababagot na naman ako. The house is pretty quiet and lonely. Naiirita rin ako sa maingay pero ayoko rin sa masyadong tahimik. Deafening silence. Maybe if I am not here, I'll be assassinating some businesspersons or I'll be working as a waitress. I sighed. I'm getting freaking bored. Damn!

My eyes dropped down the glass table in front of me. I saw a few cigarette butts, shot glass and a bottle of whiskey. At halos puno pa ito. I gingerly picked it up. Maybe this could ease my boredom. Binuksan ko ito at inamoy. Nakainom na ako dati ng alcoholic beverages dahil di iyon maiiwasan sa trabaho ko dati sa mafia. Pero dahil palagi kong kasama si Max ay palagi din akong may kasamang kill joy. Unang inom ko pa lang ay pagbabawalan niya na ako sa pangalawa. Nakita niya na raw akong nalasing at iyon ang palagi nitong dinadahilan. Pero wala naman akong maalalang nalasing ako so I think he's just lying or something to annoy me.

And now, it is just me and this bottle of whiskey alone. I would like to taste it.

Just...a little...sip...