AZHRIA
Last Fool Show

Strategists don't help foes to treat their wounds. They hit them where it hurts the most. And that's exactly what I did.

I ascertained all of the factors that the Balzuaris place great trust and value. Since it was a psychological attack, I targeted their emotions and traumas.

Garem Balzuari. His reputation was one thing he cherished the most. So public humiliation was my gift to him.

Roshim Balzuari. A boy who found joy from playing with women. I made him feel how it's like to be played by one.

Harumi Balzuari. The twin sister of insecurity. I slapped her by maximizing her anxiety and feeling of inadequacy.

But those were just mere scratches. I must give them real injuries and add salt to those. It's time to up my scheme.

Now that the game's over, then the real torture begins. The darkest of them all.

What to do with the monsters abusing their power? You strip them off of it.

I'll drain them of the power that fuels them. Their money, I'll take it with me.

"Seize that bastard and make sure he'll never set foot on my hotel ever again!"

Should the guards have not arrived in time, Rosh would surely be needing a facial surgery by now. He's that busted.

One thing I learned, Yuzeyo's a beast.

Unlike Rosh who's greatly injured, the man only had scratches on his cheeks.

"So does that mean I can set foot on your face next time?" Yuzeyo goaded, untroubled by the arms gripping his.

"Fuck you!" was all Rosh could say as he motioned the guards to send Yuzeyo out. Then he harshly breathed, tired.

I rolled my eyes as I glanced at the furious priest. Garem was already unconscious on the floor but Father Quiro just smashed him even more.

Until the guards finally set a good space between the two, much to the priest's displeasure. "Let go of me!"

But all the guards were adamant to rescue Garem. They have successfully carried him out while restraining the priest to cause him another harm.

Rumi had also gone missing. I haven't noticed her leaving but I didn't mind.

Eventually, Father Quiro was set free and marched away with heavy steps.

All that was left was Rosh, glaring at me. Then he aggressively pulled me.

He delivered me to his car and drove so swiftly that we almost got into an accident. Next thing I knew, we were already back to Casa Balzuari, inside his room, while he stayed to be heated.

Blood was spurting from his facial injuries but Rosh couldn't care less.

It looks like they're nothing compared to the pain that I've caused his heart.

Moments later, he threw an envelope at me. Slowly, I opened it and gasped.

Inside of it were random photos of me and Yuzeyo. Outside the olden church. By the poolside. In Hospicio del Vierro.

"I betrayed myself to justify you."

Nagbalik ang mga mata ko kay Rosh. There, I saw it. Pain mixed with rage.

"I turned a blind eye and deaf ear to all of the clues," he muttered lowly, tears flowing alongside his streaming blood.

"Guess, I should've listened to Rumi," he added. "Loving you was a mistake."

Umarte akong nasaktan sa sinabi niya. Like Rosh, I allowed my tears to fall.

"Tell me, Azh. When did you do it?"

I sniffed. "When you're in Manila."

Actually, Yuzeyo had no idea of that stint. Good thing, his silence helped me convince Rosh that I was really pregnant. Now, Rosh's heartbroken.

"We were both drunk, we didn't know what we're doing," I said. "I'm sorry."

I tried to touch him but he stopped me.

"Please, don't come near me," he was begging, "I don't want to hurt you."

To add more drama, I clasped my mouth and just sobbed quietly.

"You told me that I cannot touch you until we're married," Rosh eventually spoke, "and I accepted that condition."

Tuluyan na siyang napaupo sa kama, halos mapasabunot pa sa buhok niya.

"I forbade myself to touch you," he cried, "but not for you to be touched and impregnated by someone else!"

Tumayo siya, halos umusok ang ilong at tainga niya sa labis na pagkasuklam.

"When will you stop fooling me, Azh?"

Well, if it's a dramatic scene he likes, then it's a dramatic scene he'll get.

Category: Innocent backtracker

"When I learned that you're a family of murderers, when I discovered that you molested your assistant, have you heard me hounding about it?" I asked.

Rosh was silenced, seeing my point.

"I accepted all your flaws because I love you, Rosh." I lowkey expected an award for my acting. "I really do."

I almost vomited those words.

"If what you say is true, you'll let me touch you," he then trudged closer, athirst, "you'll let me fuck you!"

Huli na noong naunawaan ko ang pinupunto niya. Rosh was already on top of me, pinning my arms sideways.

He started kissing my neck, licking my jaw, and clasping my chest. I tried to push him but he slapped me in return.

Unlike the soft mattress I was laid on, Rosh's member was rock-hard, throbbing inside his trouser pants.

"Matitikman din kita. At kapag nangyari 'yon, wawasakin kita."

Refusing to be fully dominated by a monster, I gathered all my strength and struck his center with my knee.

Rosh then descended on the floor. And when he rose and opened the bedside drawer, I rapidly carried myself up.

I managed to pull my gun out of my purse just in time when Rosh had gotten his from the bedside drawer.

Forcibly, we aimed our guns against each other's head. Rosh, focusing on my only head, I, targeting his lower head. I then smirked when he gulped.

"Believe me," I glowered, "you wouldn't want to launch a gun fight with me."

Mapatay niya man ako, sisiguraduhin kong hindi na lalaganap pa ang lahi niya sa mundo. Men like him should not be given the privilege to procreate.

This would be my gift to the world.

Cajoled that he stood with no chance of putting me down, Rosh eventually withdrew his gun. And then he sighed.

"Ipinaglaban kita sa kanilang lahat," muli ay humikbi na naman siya, mas emosyonal kaysa kanina, "kati na nga lang ang paglalabanan mo, hindi mo pa nagawa? At sa lahat ng papatulan mo, mortal na kaaway ko pa talaga? Bastardong kapatid ko pa talaga!"

I was caught off guard when Rosh sprinted and managed to choke me.

Sa labis na gulat ay nabitawan ko ang baril. Nagtama ang mga mata namin.

"Rosh . . ." I cried, "p-please . . ."

A hint of sadness then flashed upon his eyes. He stared at me like he had committed the greatest mistake of his life. I spotted how devastated he was.

Kapagkuwan ay binitawan niya rin ako, tuluyang iwinaksi ang gigil niya.

I intentionally reunited with the floor, sobbing like those stars I see in movies.

"If my leaving would spare you the pain of a lifetime," I then dramatically pushed myself up, drying the tears off my cheeks, "then I'll be gone forever."

Tumalikod na ako saka nagsimulang maglakad palayo, palabas ng kuwarto.

Slowly, I tramped away, the heels of my stilettos clacking in my every step.

Do not disappoint me this time, Rosh.

I am giving you ten seconds to talk.

Ten.

Nine.

Eight.

Seven.

Six.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

"Wait."

I hid my smile when Rosh ran up to me. From behind, he earnestly wrapped his both arms around me.

Then he cried, again. Such a crybaby!

"Don't leave me, Azh . . ." he begged, sniffing loudly, "I can't, I n-need you."

He rested his chin on my shoulder, sobbing while hugging me tightly.

"But Yuzeyo and I are having a baby."

It has put Rosh's crying to a short halt.

"We could still have it aborted."

So murder's still his primary resolve.

"No," I even clutched my tummy, "I won't let you harm my baby, Rosh!"

As if he was expecting my reaction, Rosh nodded his head multiple times.

"Fine, then," he replied after a while. "Let me take care of you both instead."

"What do you mean?" I asked as I slowly turned about to face him.

Before kissing the top of my head, he voiced words I was not prepared for.

"With or without that baby," Rosh lowly sighed, "I still want to marry you, Azh."

***

I waited until dayspring before I got up and unwrapped Rosh's arms on mine. I eventually took his iPad and sat down.

Carefully, I used Rosh's biometrics and tapped his finger on the screen until it finally opened, granting me full access to it. Then quietly, I went off the bed.

Nang masigurong malalim pa ang tulog ng halimaw ay umupo ako sa kalapit na lamesa. I then started transferring all his bank transactions to my own device. Until I had managed to hack its system, allowing me to manipulate all of his banking details with overt ease.

For this attack, I used keyloggers to infiltrate Rosh's account. This online method is one of the simplest ways a hacker can perform an account hack.

Keyloggers are a type of malware that records whatever its victim was typing and sends the information back to the hacker. To me, it's the easiest tactic.

Since even banking transactions can be done online now, I long obliged to install keyloggers to Rosh's device.

They managed to record his bank's website address, his username, and password. Through those information, I successfully broke into his account.

In my profession, inability to perform quick hacks was considered a crime.

Nang matapos ay kaagad na akong tumayo ngunit mabilis ding nahinto.

My phone beeped so I took it out.

From: Handyman
The woman is a con.

There was no time to react because milliseconds later, I spotted a dark frame from my peripheral vision.

Slowly, I gulped and sought its identity.

And there I saw him. The wild wolf.

Standing before me is Rosh who's wide-awake, his face all darkened.

Then he showed me a tiny recorder. The one I used to eavesdrop on him and Garem. But how did he get that?

"Speak up. I want to hear your excuse."

I tried to get closer but he motioned me to stop. "Oh, don't be a bad boy, Rosh."

"Why did you put a recorder on me? Why do you have my iPad?" he asked.

Pressing my lips together, I shrugged my shoulders, unable to answer him.

"Just who are you really, Azh?"

"I'm . . . your fiancée," I replied.

Bumuga siya ng hangin saka hinilot ang sentido niya, tila nagpipigil siya.

"Fiancée . . . really?" Rosh was acting up. "I don't even know who you are!"

"Oh, don't be a brat, Rosh," I tried to calm him down, "I was just checking something on your iPad. I didn't know that your possessiveness extended to your gadgets. Grow up, Rosh. Please!"

"Just tell me the goddamned truth!" His voice boomed in the room. "You can't kiss and hug and bed and toy with me all at once. I may be biased with you but I'm not stupid, Azh. I know you're hiding something from me. And I am giving you a chance to confess before I snap and kill you. Eyes up and talk."

His words are as empty as his heads.

"Save your effort, Rosh," I then cooed, "besides, killing me . . . would mean nothing. I've already fallen for you."

"Do not talk as though you love me while actively planning to stab me behind my back," he said, furious.

"That's not love! It's madness, Azh."

I guess, lying would be useless here.

Isa pa, sa hukay rin naman ang tuloy niya kaya bakit ba patatagalin ko pa?

"Just tell me the goddamned truth!"

"Truth? Fine! Hindi ko lang isusubo, isasaksak ko pa sa 'yo!" I exclaimed.

"You were just a hump I had to cross to exact my plans. I never cared for you. In fact, I almost died by smelling your scent, feeling your touches, and feeding your ego. Your stares made me threw up, your presence tempted me to kiss a garbage than be with you in flesh. Oh yes, Mister Engineer! Like a damn tool, I used you. I fooled you."

You wanted this. Now suffer, Rosh.

"Truth is, I made you believe in such a beautiful lie. I never intended to be part of your family. In fact, it was the total opposite. My plan was a lethal one. I wanted to kill you. All of you."

Rosh gulped as I stepped nearer.

"From our fated meeting, the fucking, the filthy dinner, the syndicate raid, Garem's scandal, Rumi's heartbreak," I cocked my head, proud, "I planned it all. Yes, Rosh. I am the walking curse of your clan. The monsters I wish to hunt and kill . . . were you and your family."

Seeing his eyes pooled with tears, I almost lost it when his mood shifted.

Mula sa pagkabalisa ay ngumisi siya.

It's like a filter was swiped and Rosh turned into a totally different person.

"No, you didn't!" He chuckled. "Hindi nga? Ginawa mo 'yon? Lahat 'yon?"

Katulad ng mga kapatid niya, baliw rin siya. Baka nga mas malala pa sa kanila.

"Bakit ang galing naman ng fiancée ko?" Ngumuso siya, tila natatawa.

And then his gaze fell completely flat.

"In that case, you have to die for that."

Even if you'll bury me alive, I'd still rise just to assure you'll never lead a happy life. Every fucking single one of you.

"But let me share my story first."

This time, he then posed seriously.

"It took me a while to recollect all of my memories after you punched me to sleep. But when they came back, I have realized that you're cooking up something," Rosh casually revealed.

"That's why I distanced myself when you proposed a marriage to me. I had myself checked. And found out that I was drugged and made to believe that we fucked. I wouldn't lie, you piqued my interest, Azh. That's why I played your game. I craved for some fun."

For the first time since I arrived, I think I'm now seeing the real Rosh.

His deadly aura. That dark smile. The danger in his eyes. His drive to kill.

"My dear Prianca . . ." Rosh moaned.

I stepped back when he inched closer.

"She's a great actress, wasn't she?"

Perhaps I went a little reckless by trusting that lowlife. I should have sliced her head instead of my arm.

"When a man broke into her house, offering protection," Rosh clicked his tongue then grinned, "I confirmed that you're a naughty, little devil disguised with a face of an angel. True, you're no ordinary. An expert shooter, a fighter."

Rosh's testing eyes were drawn on mine. "Finally, a worthy enemy."

I knew what he's trying to do. He's evoking fear in me. He's testing me.

Tinapatan ko ang matalim na titig ni Rosh, ngumisi at pinalakpakan siya.

Then I stopped and pursed my lips.

"Sa tingin mo, matalino ka na niyan?"

I mockingly shook my head, smiling.

"Dalawa na nga ulo mo, sa 'baba pa ginamit mo. Isa kang malaking bobo."

When Rosh's jaw clenched, my smile widened. He can never win against me.

"Pero teka . . . malaki nga ba?"

"Oh, don't be too excited," Rosh licked his lip, "in time, you'll be slapped by it."

I raised the iPad when he moved.

"Baka gusto mong isampal ko sa 'yo 'to?" tukoy ko sa iPad. "O, baka naman mas gusto mo 'to?" I kicked his core.

Nang matumba siya ay marahas kong hinambalos ang mukha niya hanggang sa tuluyan siyang mapahiga sa sahig.

Smirking, I sat on top of his chest.

Then I caught Rosh, mesmerized.

"You love me . . ." he mumbled softly.

I then shot a sweet smile at him.

"But I didn't," I waited forever to tell him those words, "and I never will."

Ang paghanga ay napalitan ng galit.

"How could you . . ."

His lips tensed. "You betrayed me!"

"I did," I smiled, "and I always will."

Rosh then gnashed his teeth before switching our position. He's now on top of me, both eyes were burning.

"You won't get the chance again!"

Unfazed, I sensually traced his arms up to his shoulders until I reached his jaw. And then I softly caressed his cheeks.

"You see, the fun part was when I get to kick you all the time," I chuckled to myself, "but the best part was when you actually believed that I will love a monster like you. Delusional. Psycho."

Without a word, Rosh slapped me. So damn hard that the metallic taste of blood persisted inside of my mouth.

Gritting my teeth, I gathered some blood and then spat it on Rosh's face.

I didn't wait for further reaction and groped his carotid artery. When I took a hold of it on the side of his neck, I then released one sudden blow which ultimately rendered him unconscious.

I pushed Rosh westward even before his body landed on mine, causing him to reunite with the floor, his eyes shut.

Nang makatayo na ay tila binuhusan naman ako nang malamig na tubig.

It was one monster after another.

Garem, who had just entered the bedroom, gazed at me with disdain.

I knew he witnessed everything.

But even with a swollen face, bruised nose, and injured arm, he still had the guts to grant me one villainous smirk.

"In this town, we are god."

"Ah, you looked better with a battered face," I told him, hiding my inquietude.

Garem's smirk stretched even wider.

"And you'd look better six-feet under."

I eventually rolled my eyes, trying to estimate the distance of the drawer.

Four meters. That's how far my gun is.

"Can't you see that you are disturbing something? Get out, Garem," I replied. "I won't let you watch as we have fun."

"Nahuli na pero ayaw pa rin umamin?" He raised a brow. "Did you kill him?"

Slowly, he stepped and then halted.

"He's still breathing, so that's good."

It's my time to surge nearer. "Good for what? So that you can install another spy camera on his bathroom again?"

The device that he used was actually familiar to me. And so I recognized it immediately when I first spotted it.

"I thought that you were just a creepy monster who wanted to spy on your brother's fiancée, but when I learned about your affair with the priest, all became clear to me. The spy camera was long installed in Rosh's bathroom. So it's not me, you wanted to spy on."

I then glanced at the sleeping boy.

"It's Rosh's shaft, you wanted to see."

Just like that, Garem's eyes sparkled.

"Husay talaga," tumawa siya, "lahat talaga nabibisto mo. I'm impressed!"

And then suddenly, he shook his head.

"You see, Rosh wasn't one to stimulate me," he pointed, "but with Quiro, ugh!"

He began touching himself, swaying smoothly as if reminiscing his times with the priest. His eyes even closed.

Like he'll reach orgasm anytime now.

"He filled me like I have never been filled before," Garem bit his lower lip, "his thrusts and kisses kept my fire burning. He was my sanity in this madness. The heat in my coldness."

Eventually, his shut eyes opened.

"Well, I have always wanted to peek at Yuzeyo's member but he never stayed in the mansion so it is still a dream."

Never have I imagined to share this conversation with Garem Balzuari.

What he's telling me, it was more than just a brotherly love. It's an obsession.

The kind only monsters would have.

"But before I fulfill that dream, might as well send you to hell first," he then added. "You heard me right, bitch! I'll be the devil who'll bring you to hell."

Flatly, I gazed at his swollen face.

"Even the devils salute to you," I said, undaunted, "so why would I even want to go to hell . . . if I already have you?"

His loud scoff then reached my ears.

"Hindi talaga nauubos ang tapang mo, 'no?" Garem's eyes narrowed into slits.

"No wonder why they chose to hand you this mission. Unlike others, your success rate was truly exceptional."

Saglit akong natahimik. Imposibleng makilala niya ako. Ang tunay na ako.

For a quick second, I felt fear. Not for myself, but for her. I can't drag her to this mess. Not now. Not in this lifetime.

"Oh, ba't parang gulat na gulat ka?"

Garem was pushing me to my limit.

"Didn't you expect that I can decipher your roots?" He sarcastically clutched his chest, acting in pain. "You must have underestimated me so much."

Sooner or later, I knew they'll be able to uncover my lies. But not this early!

"If you think that you have everything dancing on your palm, think again."

Blowing his own trumpet, Garem upped his chin as if he already won.

"No one can put the Balzuaris down."

His brow then raised. "Not even you."

My heart raced as I heard the name I never thought he'll utter before me.

"Special Agent Azhria Yrozama."

Knees weakened, I composed myself and hid all of my worries. Garem will never see fear in my eyes. Not again.

"As the top agent of the Regiment of the Shadow Chasers, you're dubbed as a walking artillery. Name any weapon and you have it, they say. Not a single case you failed to conclude in your favor. Simply, you're on top of your game. A force to be reckoned with."

I was a trained assassin. I have killed politicians, drug lords, and criminals.

I had put on different masks before. I was a chameleon. A con artist. A liar.

Azhria Yrozama is my name.

Punishing soulless monsters is my game.

"My private investigator even told me that you could smoothly adapt to any existing weapon in the scene. Indeed, you have mastered the art of killing."

And you will experience it in a bit.

"I see that you've done your research well," I praised Garem, "but perhaps you skipped a detail. A primal one."

When his brows arched, I smirked.

"Even without a weapon, I can kill."

Then I sprinted and leaped. I struck his face, elbowed his hypochondriac region, and gripped his neck for a headlock. I then choked him hard.

"Oh, this is how you like it, right?" I whispered to his ear. "To be choked hard. Now let me choke you to death!"

Garem was already gasping for air but I only tightened my grip as a response.

"You . . . you will p-pay . . . for this!"

"No, Garem," I swiftly replied.

"You," mindlessly, I choked him in full force, gritting, "you will pay for this!"

I was about to rupture his neck when the bedroom door suddenly banged open. Then came myriad henchmen.

Sa pagkabigla ay nabitawan ko si Garem. He was almost breathless.

I watched as numerous men bearing huge guns occupied the entire room.

Until they enveloped us in circle.

I then carried myself up, more than ready to give them all a good fight.

Ngunit natigilan ako nang biglang humalakhak si Garem, tila nabaliw.

While his knees bent, head hanging low, his menacing laughter echoed.

"The last to be fooled in this show," he breathlessly spoke, "that's you, Azh."

Suddenly, I felt something hit my head.

The next thing I knew, I was back in black.

***