CHAPTER 32

"YOUNG MISS!" Boses Iyon ni King na agad na nagpalingon kay Happy. Bumili siya ng kape sa cafeteria at naglalakad na pabalik sa inookupang pribadong kuwarto ni Lucky sa ospital.

"King..."

Hinihingal ito nang makalapit sa kanya at agad na nagpaliwanag, "I'm sorry, Young Miss. I know I told you that I wouldn't report to your father anymore but I told Master Dominick about your sister—"

"Thank you."

Napatanga sa kanya si King nang magpasalamat siya. "I reported to your father, Young Miss, in case you didn't hear me the first time."

"I did." She smiled. "And thank you for telling my dad. He called me, he said he'll be here soon."

King looked relieved. "I hope this doesn't make you feel jealous over your sister."

Tumaas ang kilay niya. "Why would I be?"

"He called because of Lucky, not because of you, Young Miss."

That pinched her heart. "A little bit jealous yes, but it's different. Lucky, my little sister, needs him more than I do, King. This is a life and death situation, while mine was just, you know, clarification and confusion. It's two different things. And I'd been with Dad for a long time now and Lucky, they just met. Lucky deserves more time with him than I do."

King smiled. "Thank you for understanding the Master."

Happy shrugged. "The things I'll do for my family, King."

Kinuha ni King mula sa pagkakahawak niya ang dalawang kape na dala. "This is my job, assisting you, don't take it away from me please."

Mahina siyang natawa, saka nauna nang naglakad pabalik sa kuwarto ni Lucky habang nasa likuran lang niya si King.

Nang makapasok si Happy sa kuwarto, agad niyang naramdaman ang bigat ng saloobin ng mga nasa loob niyon.

Blake was sitting on the stool beside Lucky's bed and holding Lucky's hand. While Blaze and Axel was conversing about Lucky's condition and how they ccould help her feel better.

And King... he went to Blake's side and put the coffee on the table near Blake's. "It may not seem like it but Lady Lucky, she will be fine. And if you need anything, I'll assist you in any way I can."

"Thanks, King," Blake whispered.

Napangiti siya na nauwi sa mahinang tawa nang ang isang kape na hawak ni King ay ibinigay nito kay Blaze na nalukot ang mukha.

"You need it," sabi ni King, saka kinuha ang kamay ni Blaze at pilit nitong pinahawakan sa lalaki ang styrocup na may lamang kape bago bumalik sa harap niya. "If you need anything, Young Miss, I'll be outside."

"King, I'll be fine—"

"No, you're not." He smiled at her. "It's my job, as your butler, to assist you in any way that I can and this is me doing that job."

Humugot siya ng malalim na hininga. "You being my butler is because my dad is an Arkhon, right? I mean you're rich and you're just my butler. It explains everything."

"I am glad that you now know what your father is but..." King winked. "Get your facts straight, Young Miss. You have a long way to go."

Nang makalabas si King, lumapit naman sa kanya si Blaze.

"What's with your bodyguard—no, I'm your bodyguard. Let me rephrase it what's with that weirdo giving me coffee?"

Nagkibit-balikat si Happy. "I don't know. Ako ang bumili ng coffee pero hindi ko sinabi sa kanya to give it to you and Blake. It's actually for Blake and me." She sighed. "Anyway, how's my sister doing?"

"Her new heart is starting to weaken."

Happy felt her heart sink. "And?"

"And the doctors will do everything they can for Lucky. Don't worry, hindi ko pababayaan ang kapatid mo."

Tumango siya, saka tumingin kay Lucky na wala pa ring malay. "She has to be okay. Nakakasama ko pa lang siya, Blaze. I don't want to lose her."

Masuyong niyakap ni Blaze ang katawan niya, saka hinalikan siya sa noo. "Baby, it's okay to cry, don't bottle it all up."

Umiling siya. "I have to be strong, Blaze. Saka na ako iiyak kapag hindi ko na talaga kaya. My sister needs me to be strong, for the both of us. Kaya ko 'to."

Tumango-tango si Blaze, saka pinakawalan siya sa pagkakayakap. "Why don't you sit on the sofa? I'll buy you coffee." Ngumiti ito. "Naubos ko na ang kape mo."

Nakangiting tumango si Happy, saka umupo sa sofa habang titig na titig pa rin sa kapatid. Nang makabalik si Blaze sa tabi niya mayamaya, kumunot ang noo niya nang makitang wala itong dalang kape.

"Where's my coffee?"

Sa halip na sagutin ang tanong niya, paharap itong umupo sa tabi niya sa mahabang sofa, saka nagtatakang tumingin sa kanya. "Is King okay?"

Happy's eyebrow furrowed. "Bakit?"

"He seems a little... off."

"What do you mean?"

Blaze really looked bothered. "I... ahm, I went outside to but you a coffee and he was there. Tinanong niya ako kung may kailangan daw ba ako at sabi ko, bibili ako ng kape mo. And then he said, 'No, I'll buy that coffee for you.' I asked him why, and he said it's his job to assist me in anyway he can."

Lumalim ang pagkakakunot ng noo niya sa huling sinabi ni Blaze. "'Yon din ang sabi niya sa akin at kay Blake kanina. That it's his job to assist me."

Confusion filled Blaze's face. "Ano ba'ng nangyayari kay King? I like the King who doesn't give a shit about me, not this weird butler wannabe."

"Siguro worried lang siya for my sister. He did call Dad about Lucky's condition," kuwento niya.

"Kaya ba tinawagan ka ng daddy mo dahil nalaman pala niya kay King?"

Tumango siya. "Yes."

Naputol ang pag-uusap nila ni Blaze nang pumasok si King sa kuwarto at ibigay sa kanya ang kape, saka nagpaalam din agad.

"If you need anything, I'll be just outside."

"Wait!" pigil ni Blaze kay King at tumayo.

Agad namang humarap si King kay Blaze at bahagyang yumukod. "Yes, Your Highness?"

Blaze mouth literally hung open. "Why the fuck are you calling me that?"

King immediately explained. "You are the son of Duke Von Per Vitale. It is necessary that I address you as such."

Blaze closed his parted in shock mouth. "Okay. This has to stop. I want the King back who doesn't give a shit. Come on, bring him back, you nut job."

Umiling si King. "I am sorry, Your Highness, I will do anything you ask, but I can't activate that."

Blaze grimaced and glared at King. "What are you? A robot?"

"No. I am one thousand percent human, Your Highness." May sarkasmo sa boses ni King na ikinatawa ni Happy nang mahina.

Lalong nairita naman si Blaze. "Ginagago mo ba ako, King?"

"No, Your Highness."

Pareho silang natigilan ni Blaze nang sagutin ni King ang Tagalog na tanong ni Blaze.

"The fuck..." Blaze cussed again in shock.

"I understand your language but I cannot speak it," agad na paliwanag ni King. "And as for my activation, what I mean is, I, or rather, my family, answers to two masters." He glanced at her. "Master Dominick..." Then he returned his attention to Blaze. "And Master Von Per, your father, who just called me this morning to assist you."

Happy thought that Blaze was shook at the information because he dropped himself on the sofa, while looking confused.

"I think I just had a heart attack," bulong ni Blaze, saka masamang tumingin kay King. "Explain further before I go Jason Bourne on your ass, you weirdo!"

King took a deep breath. "My family's task, now my task, is to assist the Quinn and Vitale family. My father assisted Master Dominick and Master Von Per, and now, as my father's first born, I will also assist Master Dominick and Master Von Per's first borns and that would be you and Young Miss." Nginitian siya nito bago nginitian si Blaze. "And you, Prince Blake."

Hindi maipinta ang mukha ni Blaze. "Lose the smile, King. It's creepy."

Agad namang nawala ang ngiti ni King.

"So..." Happy looked at Blaze. "Our fathers are really connected like you said."

King interjected. "Connected in more ways than you can imagine."

"Let me guess..." Parang nanghahamon na tumingin si Blaze kay King. "Our family has been connected since the Dark Ages."

King smiled. "Yes. Since the Dark Ages, Your Highness."

"King," tawag ni Blake kay King na nagpatigil sa usapan nilang tatlo.

"Yes, Your Highness?" King said.

"Umuwi ka muna sa bahay at pakisabi kay Mommy na maglagay ng damit ni Lucky sa bag na nasa kuwarto at dalhin mo rito. Pakibilisan."

"Yes, Your Highness," agad na sagot ni King, saka nagpaalam sa kanilang dalawa ni Blaze bago lumabas.

While she and Blaze looked at Blake shockingly.

"What?" Blake asked like he was innocent. "I was listening to your conversation. Sinusubukan ko lang kung totoo ang mga pinagsasasabi niya."

"And looks like he's telling the truth after all," Blaze said then tsked. "This is fucked up and I'm confused."

"Don't be," sabi ni Blake. "Kapag hinayaan mo ang sarili mong maguluhan, wala kang sagot na makukuha. Focus, Blaze, and use your brain. Hindi ka naman siguro bobo, doktor ka nga, eh."

"Is that the best advice you can give me?" Blaze's words were filled with sarcasm.

"Yes, and a reminder that you have two balls. One is the brain, and one is the brawn. Use it wisely."

Blaze tsked. "He always know what to say."

Napangiti si Happy, saka pabulong na nagsalita. "Is that why you idolize him?"

Blaze chuckled. "Sort of." Humilig ito sa balikat niya at naglalambing na yumakap sa kanya. "How's my baby? Feeling okay?"

Tumango siya at bumaling dito na sinalubong ang mga labi niya ng masuyong halik na agad niyang tinugon.

She and Blaze was softly kissing each other, licking each other's lips and softly biting while sucking each other's tongue.

And when they both pulled away, Blaze whispered.

"I love you, Happy Quinn." Titig na titig ito sa kanya.

Happy smiled. "I love you too, Blaze Vitale."

She was expecting another kiss from Blaze and strings of I love you, but he stood up and then he left.

Natitigilan at nagtatakang napatitig siya sa nilabasang pinto ni Blaze. "What happened to him?" tanong niya sa sarili.

"Happy?"

Napabaling siya kay Blake na tinawag ang pangalan niya. "Yes?"

"My brother..." Blake looked into her eyes. "Please take good care of him. Alam kong trabaho ko 'yon pero hindi ko na siya naaalagaan sa dami ng inaalala ko ngayon."

Nginitian niya ang brother-in-law niya. "Leave Blaze to me. I'll take good care of him. While you, take a good care of my sister."

Blake nodded with a small smile. "I will."

And the subject of her and Blake's conversation entered the room again, walking straight to her, his eyes never leaving hers and then he cupped her face and claimed her mouth.

Nagulat si Happy sa ginawa ni Blaze pero agad ding nakabawi at tinugon ang halik nito.

When Blaze pulled away, he smiled at her. "Say it again."

She frowned. "What?"

"That you love me too."

"Oh." She smiled. "I love you too, Blazey. Okay na?"

Malapad ang ngiting tumango si Blaze, saka niyakap siya. "Fuck. My heart is racing."

"Kaya ka ba lumabas?" natatawang tanong niya.

"Yeah..." pag-amin ni Blaze. "I need to calm myself and of course, hide while I blush like a girl."

Natawa siya, saka tinugon ang yakap ni Blaze at hinalikan ito sa leeg. Naghiwalay lang sila nang marinig nila ang boses ni Lucky.

Mabilis siyang lumapit kay Lucky na ngayon ay gising na at nakangiti kay Blake.

"Are you okay, baby?" tanong ni Blake kay Lucky.

Lucky nodded. "Yes. I am."

"You're lying to me—"

"I'm being positive," Lucky corrected Blake.

Maingat na niyakap ni Blake si Lucky. At nang magtama ang tingin nila ni Lucky, nginitian niya ang kapatid.

"Hang in there, okay?" sabi niya. "Dad is coming. Hindi ka niya pababayaan."

Nanghihinang tumango si Lucky, saka kumawala sa yakap ni Blake. "How's our baby? Okay lang ba siya?"

"The baby is weak." Si Blaze ang sumagot. "But we'll figure out something to make you and the baby strong. Paano? Hindi pa namin alam pero gagawin namin ang lahat."

"We will be okay," pabulong na sabi ni Lucky. "I'll fight, remember?"

Blake shook his head. "Why are you doing this to me, baby? I told you before, it's okay. Kahit wala tayong maging anak, ayos lang sa akin."

"Not to me," Lucky whispered, "I don't know how much years I will have with you. Maybe five, maybe less or more but what I'm sure, I'll be gone before you. Sigurado akong mauuna ako sa iyo at gusto kong may maiwan akong alaala. You said that you will still live after I'm gone, but I know, you will be messed up. And this, our baby, when I'm gone, you will have another reason to live and not be a mess again. Our baby will give you a new purpose and a reason to be alive and be a good man."

A tear fell on Blake's eyes. "I love you... so much. I love you."

"I know." Lucky smiled. "And I love you too, Blakey-baby. And I will fight this. Kaya ko 'to... kaya natin 'to."

Blake nodded and kissed her sister.

While she held Blaze's hand and pulled him out of the room to give the couple some privacy.

Happy felt like there was something heavy on her chest, looking at her sister like that... but she felt a little better when Blaze hugged her from behind and kissed her shoulder and neck.

"Nandito lang ako," bulong ni Blaze sa kanya.

Umikot siya paharap at yumakap sa leeg nito. "My sister is gonna be just fine, right?"

Blaze didn't answer.

"Blaze, please... tell me she's gonna be fine," she begged.

Binigyang distansiya ni Blaze ang katawan nila, saka sinapo ang mukha niya at pinakatitigan siya. "I'm a doctor, baby, and I can't say it unless I can confirm it in the test results and—"

"I'm asking you as my boyfriend, not as a doctor."

Blaze took a deep breath. "Baby, your boyfriend is a doctor. I can't just tell you that Lucky will be okay because we both know she's not okay and what she need is a miracle. Ayokong magsinungaling sa iyo. Ayokong paasahin ka. Gusto kong sa akin mo mismo malaman ang totoo. I will not make you feel better with lies, baby."

Huminga si Happy nang malalim para hindi malaglag ang luha sa mga mata niya. "A miracle..." Mahina siyang natawa. "I'd been praying for one since Lucky told me she's pregnant."

"And I think God just answered you," sabi ni Blaze habang nakatingin sa likuran niya.

Sinundan niya ang tingin nito at 'yong lakas at ang pag-asang naramdaman niya nang makita ang daddy niya ay nag-umapaw.

And then her attention moved to the three women and three men behind her dad and all of them were wearing a doctor's robe.

"Daddy!" Sinalubong niya ang ama.

"Princess." Niyakap siya nito at hinalikan sa noo. "Come on."

Hinila siya papasok ng ama sa kuwarto ni Lucky at agad nitong kinumusta ang kapatid niya. Habang si Blaze naman ay tumabi sa kanya ng tayo at pinagsalikop ang kamay nilang dalawa.

"Hindi ka natatakot kay Daddy?" nangingiting tanong niya sa lalaki. "He hates you."

"I'm serious about you, baby. And If being with you means facing your father's wrath, then so be it."

"Always the sweetest," sabi niya, saka hinalikan ito sa pisngi.

Blaze just winked at her.

"I have six doctors here for transport," sabi ng ama niya na kausap si Lucky. "And fourteen more in Pennsylvania, waiting. All of them are brilliant and they will take good care of you."

"T-twenty doctors?" Hindi makapaniwala si Lucky. "So many."

"Of course." Her dad smiled. "I will add more to assist and make you feel better."

"Axel... Dr. Axel..." sabi ni Lucky. "I want him as my doctor."

"Consider it done, my baby. Daddy will take care of everything." Then he faced Blake. "Ayaw kitang pangunahan pero para ito sa ikabubuti ng anak ko na asawa mo. We have to transfer her to Pennsylvania and you will accompany her."

"Kahit saan pa 'yan..." Hinaplos ni Blake ang pisngi ni Lucky. "Basta gagaling ang asawa ko, sasama ako."

"Good." Her dad faced the six doctors. "Do your thing. If something bad happens to my daughter, I will put you all in a casket..." Then he smiled. "But I'm sure you can take good care of her because you're all brilliant."

As the doctors worked with Dr. Axel to make Lucky feel better, her father went to her and stopped in front of her.

"Princess..."

Ngumiti siya. "Hey, Daddy."

Masuyong nitong sinapo ang mukha niya. "Do you hate your old man?"

Umiling siya. "I'm just confused."

"I know... I know..." Hinalikan siya nito sa noo, saka pinakatitigan. "I'm sorry about not answering your calls."

"It's okay. I know you're busy."

"I'm not busy, really." Her father gave her an apologetic smile. "Hindi kita kinakausap kasi alam ko na ang itatanong mo at hindi ko alam kung paano ko sasagutin 'yon."

"But Themarie said you're the only one who can tell me everything," sabi niya na nakikiusap ang mga matang nakatingin sa ama. "Naguguluhan na ako, Dad. My life is simple before this, and now, I don't know anymore."

"Your life was never simple," sabi nito, saka hinalikan uli siya sa noo. "I want it to be simple. I want it to be uneventful, so you can live your life happily. But soon I realized, our family, the Quinns, will never live a peaceful life. Tanggap ko na 'yon, lalo na nang mabaril ka. Our past will always catch up to us and it's catching up to you now."

"Daddy—"

"But you will not let them hurt you, okay, princess—"

"Daddy." Hinawakan niya ang kamay nitong nakasapo sa pisngi niya. "You need to help, Blaze. He's in trouble. Baka malaman ng Organisasyon na nagsabi siya sa akin tungkol sa kanila kahit hindi ako miyembro. You're an Arkhon, you can make the punishment go away—"

"I can't."

Happy froze. "No. You're lying..."

Umiling ang ama niya. "I already renounced my position so many years ago, princess. I'm not an Arkhon anymore. I don't have the power to do what you want me to do."

"No." Marahas siyang umiling. "You're lying to me."

"I'm sorry, princess." Pinisil nito ang kamay niya. "Yes, I can still use my position to get information and connections and make the lower level of the Organization do my bidding but, that's it. I cannot change the decision of the fourth Arkhon and I cannot bend the rules for Blaze. I don't have that kind of power anymore."

"No... no, what if they found out about what Blaze did? Ano'ng gagawin namin? Ano'ng gagawin ko? This is a huge organization, Dad. I will not let them hurt the man I love."

Her father looked at Blaze. "What were you thinking telling all that to my daughter, anyway?"

"Don't use that reverse mojo psychology on my son, Dominick. I will kick your ass." It was Blaze's father.

The duke!

"Von Per." Nakangiting bumaling ang ama niya sa ama ni Blaze. "Been a long time, you motherfucker."

"It's been a long time and you're still a dick," iritadong sabi ni Tito Von.

"Yes. I still have a dick, Von."

Tito Von tsked. "When you called my son, you didn't directly say it but I know you want to put fear on him so he would tell your daughter what she's up against. You're old but still wicked."

"How dare you called me old?" Her father glared at Tito Von. "Between us two, you're the one who have white hairs."

"That's because you dye your hair!"

"It's a natural hair, you jackass!"

"You're the jackass!" singhal ni Tito Von sa ama niya. "When you called Blaze, I feared that you're in trouble, so I track you down and this is how you say thank you?"

"Aww..." Her father was sarcastic. "So sweet of you."

"I should just let you die," sabi ni Tito Von.

"As if you'll let that happen."

"Dick!"

Her dad retaliated. "Ass!"

The two were bickering like an old couple. Samantalang ni hindi nga nag-usap ang dalawa sa kasal nina Lucky at Blake.

"Dad!" she hissed at her father.

"Dad!" Blaze at his father.

Natigilan naman ang dalawa at napatingin sa kanila.

"What?" sabay na tanong ng mga ito sa kanila ni Blaze.

"Ano'ng gagawin namin if the Organization finds out that sinabi sa akin ni Blaze ang lahat ng alam niya?" tanong niya sa ama.

"Happy..." Ang ama 'yon ni Blaze. "Your dad can no longer bend the rules. He already renounced his position so many years ago. He can't go back and go against the fourth Arkhon. He's not that powerful anymore. The families behind your father before will no longer do his bidding since he already left the Organization."

"What families?" Blaze asked.

Her dad answered. "Every Arkhon has families behind him to support him do his responsibilities and that is to save as many lives as he can. At dahil umalis na ako, hindi ko na sila hawak. Yes, I can talk to them but to force them to do what I want now? No... It takes an Arkhon to make them move again and I'm not that anymore."

"And I can't do anything because the Arkhon I'm serving..." Tito Von glared at her father. "Renounced his position without even consulting his hippeis."

Her father sighed. "Peace, that was the only goal of the Organization. Before, it was already within our reach... but now..."

Tito Von tsked. "Now it's more chaotic. Since the first three Arkhon's left, the fourth Arkhon has been the ruler of the Organization. Maybe it's time to dethrone that son of a bitch."

Happy's shoulders slumped. "This is getting more confusing and confusing. The Organization just keeps getting bigger and bigger."

"Princess... you have no idea."

Tumingin siya sa ama. "You're not giving me answers, you're giving me more to think about. Simple lang ang gusto ko, paraan para hindi maparusahan si Blaze."

"Be me," sabi ng daddy niya. "Be who I was."

Happy stilled. "What do you mean, Dad?"

"What he meant is..." Blaze's dad looked at her in the eyes. "Be an Arkhon. That's the only way to save my son if things go south."

"Be... an... A-Arkhon?" she whispered, stunned even at the absurd idea.

Her dad smiled. "Second Arkhon to be exact, princess."

CECELIB | C.C.