Note: I was long gone again. I ended the semester first bc I want my focus solely on acads. But, here's a jam-packed chapter to compensate for the long wait. Thank you for not giving up on this story. And for the last two chapters, I'm dedicating it to my two favorite writers of action stories. :)

Comment down your lovely thoughts about the coming end of PBD. Happy Reading! ;)

***

Mainit. Ang init na marahang humahaplos sa aking balat ay siyang nagpamulat ng aking mga mata. Hindi ako nakaramdam ng gulat ng makita ang malawakang apoy na sumasayaw sa aking harapan. Madilim ngunit ang apoy ay siyang nagbigay liwanag sa lugar na kinatatayuan ko. Pinagmasdan ko ang paligid at sinundan ng tingin kung saan ito nagtatapos hanggang ako ay napalingon sa aking likod.

I held my gasp when I saw a man standing behind me with his head bowed down. Mabilis akong napaikot paharap sa kanya at naging alerto. Ngunit nawala ito ng parang bula ng tuluyan na itong nag-angat ng tingin.

"Devon," I whispered under my breath. His lips curved into a smile like he heard me. I don't know, but I smiled back at him.

Dalawang hakbang lamang ang iginawad nito upang makalapit sa akin. He lifted his hand and touched the side of my face, cupping my cheek. I close my eyes as I felt his thumb stroking it slowly, making me feel drowsy. It's like we didn't mind the wild fire surrounding us and its heat kissing our skin gently. We didn't mind at all.

I open my eyes and look directly at his. Ang dami kong nais na itanong kung anong nangyare, ngunit walang lumalabas na salita sa aking bibig. Pawang sapat na ang ganito lamang. I never felt so safe right now while staring at him. Bakit ngayon ko lang napagtanto ang lahat? Bakit ngayon ko lamang ito napangalanan?

This moment of realization is making me feel like I'm floating. However, the bliss drastically dropped down when I caught a shadow emerged from the fire behind Devon, making it's way to us.

The dark figure stop completely on the fire, unbothered of getting burnt. Nanlaki ang aking mga mata ng dahan-dahan niyang inangat ang kanyang kamay na may hawak na baril. He pointed the gun directly at Devon's back. Kumalabog ng husto ang aking dibdib dahil sa kawalan ng kahandaan. Mahigpit kong hinawakan ang kamay ni Devon na walang kamalay-malay sa nangyayare.

Halos isang segundo lamang ang naibigay sa akin upang kumilos habang pinagmasdan ko ang paghila niya ng gatilyo. Hindi ko iyon sinayang. Agad kong hinila si Devon payakap sa akin at umikot para magkapalit kami ng pwesto. And, I heard the loudest and scariest bang of a gun that sent me into the void of darkness. I received the pain from the bullet and blood splashed out.

Then, I woke up.

I woke up gasping for air as beads of sweat run down my forehead. I could still hear the gunshot from that unknown man. Fuck. What kind of dream is that?

"Ano ang napaginipan mo? You look so scared."

Pagod akong nag-angat ng tingin sa nagsalita, ngunit pawang mas lalo akong nawalan ng lakas ng makita ang lalaking nasa aking panaginip lamang. Doon lang pumasok sa isip ko ang pagsuri sa kasalukuyan naming sitwasyon. Bumuhos lahat ng ala-ala bago kami napadpad dito. Si Max...Halos hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala sa nangyareng katraydoran ni Max sa amin.

Saglit kong pinagmasdan si Devon. Magkaharap kami at parehong nakaupo sa isang bakal na upuan na mismong nakadikit sa sahig. Pareho ring may bakal na nakapalibot sa aming mga kamay at paa na siyang nakadikit sa mismong aming kinauupuan. Subalit ay meron pang makapal na lubid ang dagdag na nakapalibot sa kanyang katawan. Bukod doon ay makikita ang mga pasa at sugat nito sa kanyang braso sa labi.

Isang sulyap lamang ay alam ko ng lubhang hirap ang naranasan nito habang ako ay walang malay. They battered and tied him on the steel chair like he could still escape. I wonder if they're more scared of him getting loose than me.

"I...I am," I stuttered. Damn. I couldn't even construct a whole sentence with him staring at me like I'm going to disappear with a blink of an eye. Kahit sa natamo nitong mga tama sa mukha ay hindi ito nakabawas sa pagiging perpekto nito. "Nothing. Just a bad dream," I told him in a dry voice.

Hindi na siya nagsalitang muli, pero nakapako pa rin sa akin ang kayang mga tingin. Bumagsak ang aking mata sa mga bakal na nagkukulong sa aking mga kamay. I tried twisting it back and forth if I could get loose, but I couldn't. Mahigpit ito at may lock.

"Hindi mo iyan matatanggal," rinig kong wika ni Devon habang pinagpapatuloy ko ang aking ginagawa.

"I know," I spoke without lifting a glance at him.

"Why are you avoiding my stare?"

Hindi na ako nagulat sa pagiging straightforward nito sa pagsasalita. "I'm not," sagot ko na lamang nang hindi pa rin siya nililingon. This imbecile demon. He knows that I'm becoming uneasy right now. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko dahil alam kong kasalanan ko kung bakit kami napunta sa kalagayan namin ito.

"Then, can you lift your head and look at me, Kitten?" mahinang wika nito. Kung sa normal na sitwasyon niya iyan sinabi ay iisipin kong nang-aasar lamang siya.

Ginawa ko ang sinabi niya at agad na nagsalita, "I know it's all my fault. If you're going to tell me how hardheaded I am then go and-"

"I'm sorry," he cut me off. There is no glint of sarcasm in his voice, but full of seriousness on his eyes. Halo ang emosyong nakikita ko sa kanya, pero galit at pagsisi ang una kong napansin. "Don't blame yourself because this is all my fault to begin with."

"What?" Natigilan ako sa sinabi niya.

"Pinagkatiwalaan ko si Monteverdi upang batayan ka. He has been a very good servant and assassin of the mafia for how many years. Naging magkapareha kayo at magkasundo sa loob ng organisasyon kaya't inisip kong magiging madali na lamang ang pagbantay niya sayo sa gabing iyon. But, I was wrong. Although I don't want the closeness grew between the two you since then, I still didn't threw him away from the mafia. I was thinking that I could use that your closeness with him to have access and get you. And, I did. However, it seems like I trusted a snake," mahabang pahayag nito.

Snake. Yeah, that's the right term for him. He crawled into the mafia silently with his stupid intentions. He wrapped us around him to get what he wanted. Pero bakit? Ano ang kailangan niya?

"I trusted that stinking snake, too. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala sa nagawa niya. Kelan pa siya naging ganto?" tanong ko sa aking sarili. I can still feel the nose of his gun on my skull and his baneful laugh as he stare at us as we succumb on his own hands. The carefree, laughing Max was gone. Lahat ng memoryang pinagsamahan namin noon ay biglang nabura na parang bola. Agad itong napalitan ng isang traydor na ngayon ko lang nakilala. "I guess it's no one's fault," saad ko.

Natahimik kaming dalawa. Nilibot ko ng tingin ang kwartong pinaglagyan sa amin. It was an empty room, but I decent one. Bukod sa isang bintana at pinto ay wala ng iba pang aksesorya sa pader. Subalit sa isang sulok ay may nahagip akong surveillance camera. Maliit ito at halos hindi mapapansin ngunit natitiyak kong nababantayan nila kami gamit ito. Mukhang napaghandaan ng mabuti ang pagkulong sa amin.

"Are you feeling well now, Aurora?"

Nalipat ang tingin ko kay Devon nang muli itong magsalita. "Hindi ba dapat ako ang magtanong sa iyo niyan?" I snapped at him. "It looks like they had fun punching your face. And did you fucking kneel in front of him? You should have shoot that traitor's empty skull out!" sunud-sunod kong saad. Umiinit ang ulo ko ng maalala ito. Yumuko ito na parang napagalitang bata.

"You don't know how scared I am when I saw him dragging you with a gun pointing at your head." Pinagmasdan ko ang pagkuyom ang kaniyang mga kamao na tila naalala ang nangyare. Muli itong tumingin sa akin. "I am so damn mad that I want to shower him with my bullets. I badly want to kill him that very moment, but I couldn't. That fucking Monteverdi is holding my life. I just couldn't risk you by just letting him pull the trigger. I did what I did because I know, Aurora, that one wrong move, he might end your life."

Biglang nawala ang inis ko at namayani ang katahimikan. Ilang segundo pa bago ako nakapagsalita, "You're always saving my useless life. How about yours? Hindi ko alam kung anong utang na loob ang naibigay ko dati sa iyo at bakit ganto ang ibinibigay mo sa akin," diin ko. I was overwhelmed with thoughts, but I just manage to say a few.

"Hindi ko rin alam, but I already told you. You are the poison that I badly want. Of all the woman who are trying to catch my attention, I don't know why I always end up settling getting yours. Always, Aurora, always. Noon pa man. You're the only woman I'm willing to risk my life with. At hindi ko rin alam kung bakit, so stop asking on how I want to protect you," he said in a serious voice.

Nanatili akong nakatitig lamang sa kanya. Hearing those words felt like a music soothing me to sleep on the softest clouds. I kept on wondering why do I deserve someone like him in my life. I open my mouth to speak, but the door opened loudly, cutting me off. Napalingon kami sa nagbukas at naging mas alerto.

"Hmmm... Confessions. I'm sorry I destroyed the moment," he said looking not sorry at all with a grin flustered on his face.

Pumasok ito at naglakad papalapit sa amin. Sinundan lang namin siya ng tingin hanggang sa tumigil ito sa gitna. Halos magtaasan lahat ng dugo ko habang tinitignan lamang siya. At alam kong ganoon rin ang nararamdaman ni Devon.

"If you two aren't aware, you can't kill me with just your glaring eyes," halakhak nito sa amin. It echoed inside the room and we just remain silent, letting him devour his own sick joke. Bumaling ang atensyon nito sa akin, "How was the sleep of my Aurora? Don't worry it's not a killing poison. Pampahina lamang ito. I couldn't hurt you that bad," ngiti nito. Halos kumulo na ng tuluyan ang dugo ko. This fucking lunatic poisoned me!

Kahit kating-kati na akong makawala rito upang patayin siya ay kinalma ko pa rin ang aking sarili. "What's your perfume, Max? It seems like it did a great job concealing your ugly, rotting identity," I told him sarcastically.

The smirk on his lips widened, "Ugly, rotting identity? Aurora, we are just the same." I gritted my teeth in annoyance. How dare he compare the two of us. "I thought that our conspiracy against the mafia is clear to you. I told you I'm always on your side, remember? I helped you destroy the headquarters back then. I helped you escape. I supported you with everything! But what did you fucking do? You did nothing in my favor! Hindi ba halata ang intensyon ko, ha? Pareho lang tayo, Aurora," wika nito. Ang ngisi nito ay nawala at napalitan ng galit ang kanyang ekspresyon.

"What conspiracy are you talking about? You showed me your loyalty to the Don when you asked me to surrender to him! We are not fucking the same, Monteverdi. I was never a traitor," I exclaimed.

"But you betrayed me. You betrayed me first, Aurora!" agap nito. His scathing tone shot me with flares. "I showed you my fake loyalty to the mafia to provoke you more of destroying it! Well, it worked at first, but then you still surrendered. And not because I told you so, but because you fucking listened to this fucking bastard!" his pointed his finger to Devon with his rage-filled voice.

I never knew this shadow of Xam Monteverdi. Hearing him spoke his inhibitions made me doubt everything that he told me years ago. Sabay kaming lumaki sa pangangalaga ng organisasyon at sa pagkakatanda ko ay ako lang ang naging rebelde. Pero mukhang pareho lang kami ng hangarin noon. Sa ilang taong nagdaan hindi ko maiisip kung paano niya ito naikubli. Sa palagay ko ay mali ako ng pagkakakilala sa kanya.

"Who are you?" I asked instead. Hindi ko siya kilala. Hindi siya ang Max na naging ka-partner ko sa mga misyong tinapos ko.

"Good question. Let me formally introduced my self to you," bumalik ang ngisi at galak sa kanyang mukha. "I'm Xam Monteverdi...Navarro, the illegitimate son of Samuel Navarro."

My jaw suddenly dropped and the room seems to be getting smaller. For a moment, I was disoriented. Tama ba ang narinig ko? Binanggit niya ba ang pangalan ng taong pumatay sa mga magulang ko at sumira sa buhay ko? Is this another sick joke? Ha, ridiculous! Lalong bumilis ang pintig ng puso ko habang iniintindi ang sinabi nito. Pati ang buo niyang pangalan ay kanya rin pa lang itinago.

"Ops! Shocking, isn't? No pressure," halakhak niya ng makita ang gulat na rumehistro sa aking mukha.

"H...How?"

"Samuel Navarro had an affair with a woman named Karina Monteverdi and I was created. Both abandoned me after a few years, but my father eventually came back after knowing I'm alive and living under the Clementes. End of the story," he narrated. A short story that he never told anyone before. That is bullshit!

"Like father, like son," Devon spoke. The traitor's gaze averted to him. "Thank you for your fake loyalty and service to my family, but it will end now. I should have dispatched you the first time you touch her. Hindi ko alam kung paano ka naipasok ng traydor mong ama sa aking organisasyon, ngunit sinisigurado kong hindi na ito mauulit. Why don't you just stay in your cute clan, instead? Your father will surely be proud of you," seryosong saad nito sa kanya.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm already working for the Dark Clan from the very beginning. And this cute clan will turn you into ashes very, very soon, Henderson," he told him viciously. "If you aren't all too stupid to notice, I controlled everything. Lahat, mula sa pagpapadala ng itim na mga sulat hanggang sa ambush," he told us proudly. The information I'm hearing is sickening each time. Tila bumabalik ang mga ala-alang naikwentro ko noon. Kinokontrol niya lang pala ang lahat. Kasa-kasama ko lang pala ang dahilan ng gulong ito. At napadali sa kanya dahil nakakasagap siya ng direktang plano ni Devon.

"Asaan si Katy? She had nothing to do with this!" I screamed. The ambush was a fraud act.

"My bait?" aniya. "Buhay pa naman siya... Sa ngayon," he smirked at me. Pinikit ko ang mata ko ng mariin. At least, I know she's still alive.

"Kung sa tingin mo ay makakatakas ka gaya ng iyong ama, nagkakamali ka. I advice you to hide to the deepest depths of Hell because I will surely hunt your family line down," Devon said in a controlled tone. I can already hear his anger intensified even more, but he is still calming himself. Samantalang naghalu-halo pa rin ang aking nararamdaman. Nangingibabaw pa rin ang gulat sa akin ng malamang isa siyang Navarro.

Halakhak ang isukli ng traydor, "As much as I want to kill your arrogance right now, I wanted to first taste this sweet apple of your eyes." He gaze shifted and lingered on me. He started walking to my direction and all I did was sent him deadly glares. Gusto kong burahin ang ngisi sa kanyang labi ng tuluyan na kaming magkaharap.

"Get away from her," Devon growled. At mukhang mas lalo pang ikanatuwa iyon ni Max.

"What do you want?" I asked him in a gritted teeth. Ano ang rason niya para maging traydor?

"What I want?" he hummed. He came closer to me as he lifted my chin up. Devon growled and cursed again behind him. He spoke like he didn't heard his threats. "I want the Clemente Mafia down, I want the Don dead, and I want you," sagot nito habang nakatingin sa akin ng diretso.

I stiffened and felt the sudden coldness. "Me?" I whispered in shocked. Why? "Why would I be fucking included? Is it because of your father? Dahil hindi ako napatay ng iyong ama?" I questioned. But, the psycho just laughed again. Tumayo ito ng tuwid at binitawan ang baba ko. Naglakad siya paikot sa akin hanggang sa maramdaman ko ang kanyang mga kamay sa aking mga balikat mula sa likod. Doon ko rin nasilayan ang talim ng tingin ni Devon sa kanya. If looks could really kill, Max is long buried six-feet under.

"I don't really care about the issues of my father. Ang gusto ko lang ay makuha ang mga gusto ko," aniya. Ramdam ko ang hininga nitong pumapaypay sa aking batok. "You see, Aurora, we can still be partners. We can give the wants of each other. I can give you the head of my father and you could help me dismantle the Clementes. Hindi ba't iyon naman ang gusto mo noon pa man?" he whispered in my ear, luring me. Kita ko ang pagkunut ng noo ni Devon dahil hindi niya narinig ang sinabi nito.

"Get the fuck away from her, Navarro," Devon's raging voice came again. I can feel the tightness of his chest with his heavy breathing. But, Max challenged him even more by running his fingers on my neck.

"Stop touching me, you fucking traitor," I told him in a controlled tone. "Wala kang mapapala sa akin, Max. I will be more willing to kill you right now than of your father. You've picked the wrong person to join your monkey business." I told him dismissively. I'm done with revenge and it did nothing good on me.

His fingers stopped in the midair until he fully withdrew and stepped back. Narinig ko ang pagbuntong-hininga nito bago muling magsalita, "Masyado pang maaga para magdesisyon, Aurora. I'm just introducing my plan without inflicting pain to the two of you. Tignan nating kung hanggang kelan mo iyan maipaglalaban sa teritoryo ko. Enjoy your rest. I'm not sure if you'd be able to feel it again tomorrow," he ended blankly and strode to the door.

Bago siya tuluyang makakalis ay nagsalita ako, "Why don't you show me your goddamned father, instead?" Napatigil ito sa pagbukas ng pinto ngunit hindi ito lumingon.

"Actually," he started after a few seconds. "I killed him. I already did you a favor and all I am waiting is your payback. And, I would fiercely get it you by any means," he said and left the room without glancing back.

When the door finally closed, silence enveloped us. He what? He killed his father, Samuel Navarro? His own flesh and blood? Napamaang ako sa aking narinig.

"Do you...Do you think he is lying?" I asked Devon dumbfounded.

"I don't really know," he told me. " But, based on his story, it might be true since it seems like he's aware that Samuel Navarro is just using him to get us."

Akala ko ay napakasama ko ng tao, ngunit mukhang nilagpasan pa ako ni Max. I actually hoped that it's just a misunderstanding. Na hindi niya kayang magtaksil sa amin ng ganto. But, hearing him reveal the ugly truth? It feels like he's stabbing me with a knife numerous times.

"He's the Underboss." Kung siya ang nagpadala ng mga itim na sulat, walang dudang siya ang tinutukoy nilang Underboss.

"Then, it adds up. The underboss could replace the boss only if he retired or died," sagot nito at tumango na lamang ako. It really adds up. Perhaps, he just want to lead the whole Dark Clan and get us.

"Are we going to end here?" tanong kong muli. With these hard metals restraining us, I'm doubting our survival. Ngayon ko lamang ata narinig ang sarili kong magtanong ng ganto. I used not care about life, even mine. I kill and I'm not afraid to get killed, because I don't care anymore. But, staring at him right now...

How can we be saved?

"He's trying to get you to join their organization. He will shower you with flowerily words, or even trade with you. You just need not to listen to him," payo nito.

Trade with me? Right... A deal could seal this disaster. Malaki ang tsansang mamamatay kaming dalawa rito. Just two bullets and we're dead. I should think of the worst scenario and that is, one of us could be save out of this place and one could remain here to deal with the traitor. And, that's me.

"If I would join them, I could trade with him to free you," wala sa sarili kong saad. At least that could make both of us alive. Kahit iyon lamang.

"No, Aurora. Look at me. Please, look at me, Aurora," he called me from zoning out. "No, you're not doing that."

"Then, how? H-How could we get out of here? One bullet and your dead! One syringe and I'm poisoned again! One...wrong move...and he could end our lives," I spoke in a shuddered breathing so I leaned back and grimace. "Kahit isa man lang sa atin ang makalabas. If you could get out of here, it is easier for you to ask for help. I could stay here and deal with him," saad ko.

"No," giit nito. "I'm not getting out of here without you. I'm sure the mafia is already tracing us right now. Don't let that psychotic man control you, Aurora. You're the strongest woman I met in my life, but please...don't do that. Please, my queen, stop pushing me away," he pleaded.

Emotions were swirling in my head. Tila nauupos akong kandila habang pinagmamasdan at pinapakinggan ang nagsusumamo nitong mukha at boses. Gusto kong tawidin ang dalawang metrong layo namin sa isa't-isa para punasan ang mga sugat nito. There was something wrecking inside hearing him beg me not to leave him.

"I would pull you to my side if I will be given a chance right now! I am so done pushing you away, Devon! But, our situation forbids me to. We need to take this risk to save our lives," I exclaimed with my emotions taking over. I stared directly at his dark eyes and he looks taken aback. He bit his lower lip like he's stopping a smile and gaze anywhere but me.

"It is so rare and precious to hear those words from you and I'm just so happy that I've listen to your vague thoughts. But, I still disagree," sagot nito. "I don't want to take the risk to lose you again. We don't need to compromise with him. Promise me you will not go with him, Aurora."

He waited for my answer, but I just breathe deeply, close my eyes, and shake my head lightly. Hindi ko maipapangako.

Later on, I fell asleep. And woke up when the door created a loud noise. Gulat akong napabaliwas sa aking kinauupuan.

Una akong napatingin kay Devon, ngunit nakamasid ito sa pinagmulan ng ingay kaya sinundan ko rin ito ng tingin. Limang lalaki ang sunud-sunod na pumasok. Lahat ay may bitbit na armas. Huling pumasok ang traydor na si Max.

"Sana ay nakapagpahinga kayong mabuti dahil uumpisahan na natin ang tunay na palabas," bungad nito. And mga alagad nito ay nagtungo kay Devon upang kalasin ang nakakabit sa kanya. I cursed when they punched him beforehand.

"Where the fuck are you taking him?" I screamed in alert when they started dragging him.

"Wag kang mag-alala, Aurora. Hindi ko siya ilalayo rito dahil gusto kong makita mo lahat ng mangyayare sa kanya," ngisi nito at pumalit sa kinauupuan ni Devon sa aking harap. "Umpisahan niyo na," utos niya sa kanyang mga tauhan.

Punches were thrown to Devon without a ceremony. Nanlalaki ang mata ko habang pinagmamasdan siyang bugbugin ng mga kalalakihang ito. Pawang nararamdaman ko ang bawat tirang tumatama sa kanya. At tila hindi pa sapat ang mga naunang mga sugat at pasa nitong hindi pa naghihilom ay dinagdagan pa ito ng mas marami.

"S-Stop...Stop it!" I shrieked when I found my voice to speak. Marahas akong napatingin kay Max na prenteng nakaupo sa aking harapan na nanunuod sa aking ekspresyon. "STOP THIS FUCKING STUPIDITY, MONTEVERDI!" I ordered him, but he just gave me a playful shrug instead.

"I could watch this for the whole day," aniya.

Both of my hands formed into a fist while shaking in rage. They won't stop no matter what I say. I'm breathing furiously while looking at him receive all the pain. Another hit and his lips had a cut. Blood dripped down. "Devon..." I whispered hopelessly like all of my energy drained. Yumuko ako at napapikit ng mariin. Doon ko naramdaman ang pagbasa ng aking mga pisngi. Sunud-sunod na naglabasan ang mga luhang matagal ko ng ikinubli.

"Look at you, Aurora," I heard Max spoke. "That man is your weakness. Because of that man, you lost your killer's edge. Where is that woman who killed hundreds of people mercilessly? Where is that woman who oath for revenge and kill everyone that goes on her way? Where is the old you?" he questioned.

"Make it stop," I told him once again, instead. Even my voice is trembling in madness and I couldn't control it.

"You could make this stop," sagot nito.

"Devon!" I called him again, but louder this time.

"Just close your eyes. Don't worry about me," he grimaced in pain. "Don't listen to him," hirap nitong saad. Mas lalo akong napaluha na makitang lalong lumala ang kalagayan nito.

Muli akong tumingin kay Max ng tumayo ito at lumapit sa kanya, "A-Ako na lang. Ako na lang ang pahirapan mo!"

Mas tumindi ang aking kaba at takot ng maglabas ito ng baril at itinutok kay Devon. Pawang namanhid ang aking katawan ng ilang pangyayare ang dumagsa sa aking isip.

No. No...Please, don't pull the trigger...

"Alam mong hindi iyan ang gusto ko."

"THEN, WHAT? What do you really fucking want?" sigaw ko sa kanya. "P-Please...Don't! Don't kill him. I'm begging you!" I cried.

"Join the Dark Clan, Aurora."

Like what I have foreseen. I guess this is our ill-fate already. I stared at the glassy eyes of Devon as he disagree. But, I'm sorry. If this would save you, I'm sorry, Devon, because even at the very last moment I didn't listen to you. However, this one is worth the shot.

"I...I will," I answered desperately. "Just set him free." Max smiled viciously like he had received the answer to all of his problems.