~Athaia's Pov

Just by looking at him with a dark expression, I can already picture out what will happen next.

Magkakagulo dito. For sure. Kaya ngayon pa lang parang nauulol na ako.

"Excuse me, do you need anything to us?" Dwayne asked, obviously, he knows nothing and I feel bad for that fact.

I should've told him sooner.

"Dwayn—"

"Yes, but not anything, it's someone," biglang singit niya, ni Zethary sa malalim at malamig na boses.

Panay ang tagis ng bagang niya at matatalim ang tingin. But still, I'm thankful na hindi pa siya nagwawala.

Baka mamaya pa? Sa bahay? Naku, patay ako nito.

"Huh? Someone...here? Wait, who are you mister?" Litong taning ni Dwayne at mas umakbay pa sa'kin.

Napatingin ako sa asawa ko at isang malademonyong ngiti ang namutawi sa labi niya.

"I just need to say something to my wife."

"Wife? Then I guess you're on the wrong table--"

"Athaia, you'll go home with me after this short reunion of yours. I'll watch you from afar, I still have a meeting." Putol niya kay Dwayne at napalunok naman ako nang agad na umalma si Dwayne.

"And who the fuck are you to talk to her—"

"Didn't I said it already? My wife," sabat ni Zeth ng hindi inaalis ang tingin sa'kin. "We'll leave before the clock strikes 4."

Napatingin agad ako sa malaking orasan ng café at may 20 minutes pa ako.

Nice. Long enough to explain. I guess?

"What the fuck? Who do you think you are to bluff?! Athaia's not your wife! Who do you think you are huh?!" Galit na sigaw ni Dwayne.

Paalis na sana si Zethary eh kaso napahinto siya sa sigaw ni Dwayne.

Pinagtitinginan na kami pero walang pake yung dalawa.

"Dwayne. Let me--"

"Zethary Freñier,"

Sabat na naman ni Zeth bago tumalikod at dumiritso sa isang mesa na may dalawang babae at isang lalaking nakaupo.

Panay ang tagis ng bagang niya habang malamig na nakatingin sa'kin kahit na nagsasalita ang mga ka-meeting niya.

"What the fuck?! Zethary Freñier?! Athaia, what's going on."

Napabuntong hininga na lang ako at humihingi ng tulong na tumingin kay insan pero ang bruha, panay lang ang kain at patay malisya.

"Athaia, magpaliwanag ka naman! Anong ibig sabihin nun? Si Zethary Freñier, kaano-ano mo siya?" Dwayne is so eager to know, so I explained despite of complications.

"Well, he is my husband--"

"What the fuck?! How come? Athaia, nawala lang ako ng isang buwan gan'to na? And do you know who that Zethary Freñier is? The real him?!"

Of course. Yun dapat ang sagot ko pero mas pinili kong manahimik na lang muna.

"Athaia, naman eh. That man is bad! You don't really know him yet you marry him?!" Nagpupuyos siya sa galit habang nagsasalita-este sumisigaw. May hand gestures pa.

Napangiwi na lang ako at napatingin sa table nila ni Zethary.

At ang langya, titig na titig sa'kin at panay pa rin ang tagis ng panga.

Bumaba ang tingin niya sa kamay kong hinawakan ni Dwayne at ako na lang ata ang kinakabahan at natatakot sa sobrang dilim ng mukha niya.

Bahagya pa siyang napa ayos ng upo at inirapan ako.

Aba! Huh! Wag nga siya diyan, baka nakakalimutan niyang may atraso pa siya sa'kin.

"Athaia, nakikinig ka ba sa'kin ha?"

"Oo. "

"Then listen up. Devorce that man! Right away!" Asik ni Dwayne kaya napatingin ako sa kanya.

Kung sana ganun lang yun kadali pero hindi. Tsaka, hello? Hindi ata siya aware na sa pinas kami kinasal so unfortunately, walang divorce doon.

"Dwayne, I can't."

"Huu? Bakit? Athaia, I'll help you."

"Dwayne, kasi...wala namang divorce sa Pinas. Saka siguradong hindi siya papayag. "

"But Athaia, you can't stay with that man. I know him. He isn't just a business tycoon but also..." He halted. Halatang ayaw niyang sabihin.

"Also what?"

"Wala. Basta, masama siyang tao Athaia. At hindi ka nababagay sa mundong ginagalawan niya. You are too innocent."

Well, months ago maybe. But months after, I wasn't. Because even if he won't tell me, I know what he means.

"At bakit ka ba nagpakasal sa kanya, Athaia?" Nagkatinginan kami ni insan.

"It's because of me. I was sick that time. Nagkataong wala kaming pera at kailangan na operahan ang binti ko dahil sa na aksidente ako. At si Mr. Freñier lang ang nag-offer ng tulong sa'min dahil siya na rin ang bago kong boss." Thaina butt in.

"And in return, Athaia has to marry him?! That's absurd! Why you, Athaia? Why does he would asked marriage in return?" Naisip ko na rin iyan noon eh. Pero wala akong sagot. Only my husband knows the reason.

"Sana sa'kin kayo naghingi ng tulong."

"You were off to California that time and we can't contact you. Biglaan din yun kaya walang nagawa."

Napailing na lang si Dwayne at mas humigpit pa ang hawak sa kamay ko.

Tumikhim si insan kaya napatingin kami sa kanya.

"If I were you Dwayne, I'll let go of my cousin's hand. Baka kasi bigla ka na lang bumulagta diyan eh."

"Huh?"

Nginuso ni insan ang mesa nina Zethary. At tama nga siya, sobrang talim ng titig ng mokong sa magkahawak naming kamay ni Dwayne.

But Dwayne will not be Dwayne if he isn't stubborn.

Hinalikan niya pa ang kamay ko at umiling sa'kin.

"I'll get you out of this hell, babe. I swear," aniya.

Saktong lumitaw si Zeth sa tabi namin at agad niya akong inayang umuwi.

"Times up, Amore. We have to go home," mahinahon pero may diing sabi niya.

Without a choice, I stood up. Fine. I'll face his rage then, buti hindi siya nag-wala dito tulad ng inaalala ko.

"Wait, Athaia!"

"Let's just talk some other time, Dwayne. Insan," sabi ko.

"Insan, pwede bang dumalaw sa bahay niyo bukas?" Singit ni insan. "Zeth-I mean boss, can I?"

"Sure. I won't mind you visiting my wife. Please excuse us."

Pagkaalis namin ay agad na pumalibot sa bewang ko ang braso niya.

Napaikot na lang ako ng mata. Ayan na naman siya, nakikiliti nga sabi ako eh!

"Get in." Siya ang nag bukas ng pinto. Agad siyang umikot sa driver's seat at tinulungan pa niya akong isuot ang seatbelt ko.

Tahimik lang kami buong beyahe at mukhang hindi na naman siya galit.

I thought we're gonna fight again like we always used to whenever we debated.

***

"Ma'am Athaia, kakain na raw po sabi ni boss," sabi ni Brendel. Nasa labas siya ng kwarto ko at ako nama'y kakatapos lang maligo.

Nakashorts lang ako at naka hang-in na sleeveless. Tinatamad na kasi akong magbihis pa. Saka okay naman 'to eh.

Nagsuklay muna ako to hindi na nagtali bago bumaba.

Pero pagbaba ko ang mga nagkakagulo na sina Maxer, Alexen, Stynx, Gray at Coother ang nadatnan ko sa mahaba naming lamesa.

Maraming pagkain at inumin ang naka handa at may gana pang mag-agaw agaw ang mga patay gutom!

"Akin nga sabi lahat 'to, Lex! Ang swapang mo masyado eh!"

"Hoy, ikaw ang baboy kumain eh. Yan, sa'yo na lahat! Ubusin mo ah!"

"Alam niyo? Nakakahiya kayo. Para kayong hindi pinapakain ah." Saway ni Coother.

Nag-aagaw agaw kasi sila.

"Ganyan naman kayo palagi eh. Ang akin kinukuha niyo pa," singit ni Maxer.

"Alam niyo, wag niyo na munang galawin ang pagkain. Mamaya malagot tayo kay boss eh."

Hindi pa ata nila ako nakikita dahil walang nakinig kay Gray.

Hanggang sa may tumikhim. Si Zethary yun at may dala-dala siyang bagong ulam.

Napaisip agad ako, is he the cook for tonight? Siya ba ang nagluto?

Oh gosh!

Naka-pink apron pa siya. Pink talaga yun dahil ako ang namili ng lahat ng apron namin.

Nakasuot din siya ng asul na shirts at Cardigan. Medyo magulo ang buhok niya pero ang hot pa rin ng itsura.

"Boss! Aba, mukhang masarap 'yan ah. Patikim ako!" Asik ni Alexen at akmang kukuha nga ng ulam nang nagsalita ang mokong.

"Try to ruin my design and I'll cut your hands." Zeth threatened him.

Shemay! Na-freeze rin agad si Alexen at parang batang pinagalitan na naupo ulit.

Yung ulam kasi, may kung anong design pa. Halatang sira-ulo yung nagluto.

"Amore." bigla ay tumingin siya sa'kin at ngumiti. "Come here, love. I cooked your favorites," malumanay na sabi niya kaya napanganga ako.

Ahah? Mukhang nagbabait-baitan na naman siya ah. Baka naman may nagawa 'tong kasalanan?

"You cooked?" I asked lavishly.

"Of course, I just thought I haven't do this to my wife since day one."

"Wow. What's your mistake?" Di ko na napigilang tanong nang makaupo na kaming lahat.

He just chuckled as he put foods into my plate. At ang walangya! Parang bibitayin ako sa dami ng nilagay!

"Pff. I just cook for us, and you already thought I made some mistake? Now, where's justice?"

"Oh come on, you never cook for us, specifically for me, so why now?" Tanong ko.

Kumakain na'yung iba at palihim na nakikinig sa'min kahit na kumakain sila at mahinang nag-uusap.

Mga chismoso!

Tumawa na naman ng marahan si Zeth. Napailing-iling pa siya at iniumang sa bibig ko yung unang subo niya.

Gan'to palagi ang eksena, bago siya kakain, susubuan niya muna ako bago siya.

Somehow, I find it cute.

"Nothing. I just want to cook for us. You already did one time."

"Hmp!"

"Pff. Come on, open your mouth. Or maybe you want me to feed you through——"

Kinain ko na agad ang iniumang niyang pagkain. Daldal eh.

Tumawa naman siya. Hanggang sa natapos kami ay panay lang ang tawa niya.

Now I wonder what spoil food did my husband eat to be this so unusual. Or perhaps, he's taking drugs?! Ow my!

What an addict.

***

11 P.M.

Hinintay ko talaga na maghating gabi at tulog na ang lahat bago ko tinawagan si Kuya para ibalita na umalis na naman ang asawa ko at sina Maxer.

Tapos ay nagbihis din ako ng itim na damit, at nag jacket na itim din at sumbrero na itim din bago umalis ng bahay.

"Sakay na, couz." Sumakay ako sa kotse ni Thaina at pumunta kami sa dati naming mansion dito sa Sicily.

Nang makarating kami agad kaming sinalubong nina Kuya Ferrin at Kuya Knave.

"Kuya!"

"Baby!"

Pasalubong pa lang sila ay agad na akong tumakbo at tumalon para lang mayakap sila.

"Kuyaaaaa!"

"Heck! Sis, you're so heavy!" Kuya Knave joked around while laughing as he hugged me tight.

Napatawa lang ako at kumalas sa kanya at patalon ding niyakap si kuya Ferrin.

"Kuyaaa. Huhu, na-miss kita ng sobra!" Iyak ko kunwari pero tumawa lang siya at niyakap ako pabalik.

"So, ano? Siya lang ang namiss mo, baby-girl?"

"Kuyaaa!" Angal ko agad. How I hate it when they're calling me baby or baby-girl.

For Pete's sake! Mukha ba akong bata?!

"Hahaha. Ikaw talaga, baby ka pa rin naman namin ni Kuya, Ferrin."

I pretended to be annoyed but I also laugh.

"Couz"

"Thaina, na-miss din at kita, paborito kong pinsan!" Ani kuya Knave at nagyakapan sila ni Thaina.

"I miss you too, my favorite cousin. But I'm your only cousin, Knave. Wag kang KAP." Si insan.

"KAP?"

"KAP as in Kulang Ang Pag-iisip."

Tumawa kami pareho nang ngumiwi si Kuya Knave at sumama ang timpla ng mukha.

"Ganun? Then I'll act that way! Lumayas ka sa pamamahay ko, Thaina! Ayukong makita ang pangit mong mukha!" Asik ni kuya pero tinawanan lang siya ni Insan at nilagpasan.

"Kuya Ferrin."

"Hey, how's life couz?"

"Fine." Unlike kuya Knave, Kuya Ferrin is always serious and quite. But for me he is the best big brother in the world.

He would comfort me and Thaina whenever we are sad, or feeling down. He's strict, yes, but he's also dearing.

"Tara sa loob. We can't waste the time that we're together, baka mamaya ay umuwi na agad ang Zethary Freñier nayun at hindi na naman namin kayo makakasama," nakangiting sabi ni Kuya Knave at inakbayan si Insan.

Unlike Kuya Ferrin, Knave is the playful one. Always chilling and going with the flow. But he is the kindest and sweetest big brother I have.

Close rin sila ni Thaina dahil halos mag kasing-edad lang sila.

~Thaina's Pov

"So, kamusta ka naman sa mansion ng asawa mo? I wish he's treating you fine. Dahil baka mapatay ko siya ng wala sa oras kapag minamaltrato ka pala niya," seryusong sabi ni Knave habang kumakain kami.

Magkatabi kami ni Athaia na panay lang ang kain, akala mo ginugutom eh.

Seryuso rin si Kuya Ferrin na nakaupo lang sa pinakadulong bahagi ng mesa.

"Ahm, well? I'm fine there, Kuya. My husband..." pinag-diinan ni Athaia yung salitang husband na para bang pinagtatawanan niya lang," is good, kind and generous. Mukhang wala naman siyang pakialam kung magwaldas ako ng malaking pera. He's always buying me expensive stuffs, he provides all the luxurious things there is. Either needed or not."

"That's quite good. Seems like money doesn't really matter to him—or maybe, he didn't really care about money since he has plenty of it,"  Knave said, sa itsura niyang mukhang namamalimos halatang may naiisip na naman siyang plano laban kay Zethary Freñier.

Which is my boss in Pinas. Nagtatrabaho pa rin ako sa companya niya since low profile ang peg ko dito.

"Well, what do you expect? He's a multi-billionaire. He is the only heir of their family's wealth after all. The Mafia's funds and collected money is also added to his wealth." Kuya Ferrin butt in.

Napaisip din tuloy ako, kahit pala hindi Mafia si Zethary Freñier ay makapangyarihan pa rin siya, kaya kahit na malugi ang negosyo niya ay may susuporta pa rin sa kanya. Firstly, the money he earn in his illegal deeds. And inversely.

"Yeah? See, my husband is such a big man." Tawa lang ng pinsan kong may saltik. Hindi ba niya naiisip na hindi naman magandang i-joke yun.

Ang Zethary Freñier nayun ang pumatay kay Aveñier. Kalaban din sila ng Alfaza noon pal ang. Nagulat nga ako kung bakit naisipan nina Ferrin at Knave na-ipakasal si Athaia kay Zethary. Though, that time, we didn't really know what to do.

Months ago, we didn't know about them. Ang alam lang namin ni insan ay kami na lang dalawa sa buhay.

When Athaia's parents passed away, si Mommy na ang nag-alaga sa kanya. Hanggang sa namatay din si Mommy at dad sa aksidente.

They didn't told us about the other Alfazas. Hanggang sa nong na aksidente rin ako at walang-wala kami ni insan, si Zethary Freñier lang ang tumulong sa'min, kasabay nun ay ang paglitaw nina Ferrin at Knave.

They said Athaia should accept the offer, despite of confusion and questions we had, Athaia still obeyed her brothers.

"For now, just keep pretending. Kung kaya mo siyang paibigin, gawin mo,"  sabi ni Knave.

Minsan duda rin ako sa mga plano ng chongggo na'to eh. Hindi kaya mapahamak naman si Athaia niyan?

"K-Kuya?" Napaubo lang si Athaia, "Paiibigin? Yung lalaking 'yun? Are you kidding? Eh mukha ngang walang alam yun sa pag-ibig! " she argued.

"And Zethary Freñier isn't a joke. He is maybe letting Athaia do whatsoever she wanted, but still, there is limits." I argued more.

"Well, my plan is harmless. You just have to seduce or tease or whatever to get his attention fully. Believe me, men are attracted to unique woman." Para pang confident na confident na saad niya.

"Pero kuya Knave, bakit ko pa gagawin yun? We're already married! I already have a right to his wealth." Oo nga naman.

Napatingin ako kay Kuya Ferrin na tahimik lang at pinag-iisipan ang plano ni Knave. Mas may tiwala ako sa kanya kaysa kay Knave, yung huli ay palpak palagi at puro plano, pero walang back up plan.

"Kuya Ferrin." Athaia called him out.

Napahinga naman siya ng maluwag bago tumango kaya agad akong napare-ak.

What?! Just what? I expected him to disagree. Though, Knave's plan isn't that big deal naman. Ang inaalala ko lang ay baka anong gawin nitong si Athaia!

Luka-luka pa naman siya madalas.

"Kuya!"

"Relax, Thaina. There's no big deal. We will monitor Athaia heavily this time. There's nothing that you should be afraid of too since she will just make Zethary Freñier fall in love with her." Napanguso lang ako. Sa bagay, pero baka naman si Athaia yung ma-fall.

Zethary is like a stone, so hard to break and so well-wielded. What I'm scared of is when Athaia starts to play with the fire, and because she's clumsy and fool, she'll get burn firsthand.

"The problem is, will the Freñier fall to our sister?" Knave stated cheerily.

"Wala kang tiwala sa ganda ko kuya? Sa itsurang'to? Hindi sa pagmamayabang ha, pero may ibubuga naman ako!"

Natawa na lang ako. Yeah? I admit it, since we're kids, Athaia is like a goddess and as days passed by, mas lalo lang siyang gumaganda. Well, the three of them are so good-looking. Parang pinaglihi sa mga diyos. Ewan ko lang kay Mommy kung saan niya ako pinaglihi at mukhang hindi naman ako ganun kaganda.

"Hahaha. I believe you can do it, baby. We share the same blood so I believe you can make that Freñier fall for you."

"Ang hangin," mahinang sambit ko.

"At nga pala, may isa ka pang gagawin," singit ni Kuya Ferrin. Minsan lang ako makarinig na naglalahad siya ng plano kaya makikinig talaga ako.

"Kuya?"

"Baby, this one isn't so hard but not so easy either." He slightly smiled.

"Bakit, ano ba yun kuya?"

"Oh, well, you just have to transfer funds from Freñier Enterprise into the Alfaza Incorporation. Maybe for up to 200,000 Euro per week? Or more." Sa kalagitnaan pa lang ng sinasabi ni Ferrin ay napanganga na ako.

What? So ibig sabihin magnanakaw si insan? Teka, bakit pa? Mayaman naman ang Alfaza ah. Even the organization is fine!

"Kuya? Why should I do that?! What if Zeth will find out? He's managing the business so ano naman gagawin ko para maka-transfer ng ganun kalaking pera?" Angal ni Athaia.

Gulat na gulat din siya at parang hindi makapaniwala. Sa bagay, magnanakaw ba naman siya sa mismong Company ng asawa daw niya? Paano kaya yun e hindi nga siya pumupuntang office.

"Chill, baby. Your hubby won't know it, we have a spy inside his establishment. And Kuya Ferrin's plan is good, for us to take the Freñiers down, we need to lessen his money first. Masyado siyang mayaman eh," sabi ni Knave at tumawa sa huli.

Tapos napatingin sila sa'kin.
Sa kislap pa lang ng mata ni Knave alam ko ng may binabalak na naman siya.

Ihampas ko kaya sa kanya 'tong inuupuan ko. Talagang hindi nauubusan ng palpak na plano 'to eh.

"What?!" Iritadong saad ko. His smirk just widened as he lay his plan on the table.

"And Thaina, there you're going to enter the scene...You also have to affect the inner circle of Freñier Mafia."

"And? What's your wicked plan this time? Make sure it's worth my while."

Knave chuckled as he shook his head.

"Always the impatient and hot-headed one. Chill couz, because just like Athaia, you also have to make another Freñier fall for you--"

"Anong sinabi mo?!" Hindi pa siya natatapos ay agad na akong napasigaw.

Hindi ko ata gusto yung sinabi niya. Pakiramdam ko tinayuan ako bigla ng mga balahibo.

What?! Gago ba siya?! Ayuko nga!

Tumawa lang ang dumuho at tuwang-tuwa pa siya.

"Kuya Ferrin!"

"Let's hear his thought first, couz."

"What?!" Pati ba naman 'tong si Ferrin? Ugh! Fall in love? Ang cliché pakinggan pero nakakapanayo balahibo.

"Chill, Thaina. Si Maxer Leverge naman yun eh. May itsura, pero lamang tayong mga Alfaza. May height, kunting high heels mo lang couz, mapapantayan mo na yun. Sus, tsaka hindi ka na lugi doon. I do background check and he's also rich. We can also use him——"

"Knave! I don't fucking care about that M-Me-kung sino man 'yan! Basta ayuko!"

"But couz, this is a good idea. That way, you can also look for Athaia. You can look out for each other. And don't worry, we'll monitor you both for safety." Now it's just getting worse.

Mom and Dad never told me, us, that we're related to this organization. That we are also a heiress of the Organization they founded.

They never raised us with this environment. Kaya siguro medyo naninibago kami. Medyo nag-aalangan.

"I'm sorry, Athaia, Thaina, if you have to do this. Medyo gipit lang kasi ngayon ang--"

"Knave." Ferrin cut Knave. Umiling siya sa kapatid niya at napabuntong hininga.

"Bakit kuya? May problema ba?"

Ngumiti lang si Ferrin sa'min. Mukhang ayaw niyang sabihin sa'min.

"Nothing, baby. Just about the funds. You all know that Alfaza was long gone—well, not really, we just keep quite until we recovered. We have enough funds but still, we acquire for more for unexpected use. We're just setting everything into place. Sooner, the Alfaza will rise again and get what it trully deserves; the respect and title. Just decades ago, everyone feared us, until the Freñier threw us unto the dirt," Ferrin said with a cold smile. I can feel his rage and sincerity.

"The plan is good, but if you don't agree, that's okay. You can complain, we'll find another way," dagdag pa niya.

Pero huli na, nagsimulan na nga ni Athaia sa pamamagitan ng pagpakasal kay Zethary Freñier. Well, I'm a bit hesitant but I will agree.

"It's okay Kuya, this is the least I can do. I also wish for our success and the Freñiers' downfall."

***