Hello Mae Anne Tisbe and Lani Alonzo ❤️ Happy Reading.

CHAPTER 43

"HOW ARE you feeling?" Napakakalmado ng boses ni Kane nang pumasok sa loob ng ICU at nakalapit kay King. Parang wala itong kasalanang ginawa sa kanilang lahat, parang hindi sila nito tinraydor. "How's your wound?"

"Still breathing," nakangiting sagot ni King. "I hope you didn't come back in my expense. How's did your mission go by the way? Is Orlando limping already?"

Kane's mismatched eyes looked at her. "He's dead."

Happy's lips thinned. Her jaw kept on tightening, and she couldn't speak in so much pent-up rage inside her for Kane. Gusto niyang magwala, gusto niyang pagsusuntukin ang kaharap pero nanatili siyang walang imik habang matalim na nakatitig kay Kane.

Kailangan niyang kontrolin ang sarili. Kapag nalaman ni King ang totoong nangyari, na kaharap nito ang taong may kagagawa kung bakit ito nasa ICU ngayon, baka mas lumala ang lagay nito.

King just woke up!

"You okay, Young Miss?" obserba ni King sa kanya. "You look angry."

Tumango siya at pilit na ngumiti. "Medyo masama lang ang pakiramdam ko." Tinapik niya ang balikat ni King. "Sa labas lang ako." Pagkatapos ay yumakap siya sa asawa, saka pasimpleng bumulong sa tainga nito. "Don't kill him... yet. May rason kung bakit nandito siya. Siguradong hindi 'yon maganda. Baka may mga taong mapahamak kapag nagpadalos-dalos tayo."

Blaze hugged her back then he whispered, "I can control myself, baby. But if he tries to hurt you, I don't care where we are. I'll kill him where he stands."

Hinalikan niya sa mga labi ang asawa bago nagmamadaling lumabas at tinawagan si Knight.

"Knight, Kane is in the hospital—"

"I know. I'm coming over," Knight spoke frantically. "Fuck! Madali niyang napatumba lahat ng nagbabantay sa kanya. When the plane landed, all of Nysza's men are all down."

"Paano siya nakapasok dito sa ospital?" nagtatagis ang bagang niyang tanong. "I thought the whole building is well-guarded?!" she hissed.

"Kane is not called monster by everyone who knew him for nothing." Knight tsked. "Where's Blaze?"

"Trying not to kill Kane." Kumuyom ang kamay niya. "But he's pissed."

"Of course, he is," sabi ni Knight na parang tumatakbo dahil habol nito ang hininga. "Calm him down. We both know what Blaze can do. Pareho silang halimaw ni Kane. Maraming madadamay kapag naglaban ang dalawang 'yon."

Magsasalita pa sana siya nang may umagaw sa cell phone niya. Nang lingunin niya kung sino 'yon, natigilan siya nang makita si Kane.

Nagtagis ang mga bagang niya. "What do you want?"

"Can we talk?"

Lumampas ang tingin niya rito patungo kay Blaze na malapit lang sa likuran ni Kane at alam niyang narinig nito ang tanong ni Kane.

Hinintay niyang pumayag si Blaze na makipag-usap bago siya sumagot kay Kane. When Blaze nodded before walking to her side, she nodded as well.

"Ano'ng gusto mong pag-usapan?" tanong niya. Malakas ang loob niya dahil nasa tabi niya ang asawa.

Tiningnan muna ni Kane si Blaze bago ibinalik ang tingin sa kanya. "I'm here to kidnap you. My master's order."

The fourth Arkhon? "At sa tingin mo sasama ako?" pagalit niyang sabi para hindi nito mahulaan ang tumatakbo sa isip niya sa mga sandaling 'yon.

Blaze took a threatening step towards Kane. "Try and I will kill you—"

"You won't," Kane cut Blaze's off. "I put explosives around the hospital. Those men guarding the whole building, the patients and the doctors inside this building will die together with you, your wife and King."

"You'll die too," sabi niya.

"I don't mind." Inilabas nito ang cell phone sa bulsa, saka may tinawagan. "Blow up the rooftop."

Mahigpit na napahawak si Happy sa braso ng asawa nang makarinig sila ng malakas na pagsabog at ang bahagyang pagyanig ng buong gusali.

"Do you want me to continue?" Kane asked.

Malakas na tumama ang kamay ni Blaze sa tiyan ni Kane ng ilang beses kasabay ng pagtuhod nito sa tagiliran ni Kane at ang pagtama ng siko sa leeg nito. Madaling nasalag ni Kane ang ibang atake ni Blaze at madali rin nitong naibabalik kay Blaze ang mga atake ng huli.

Walang nakakalamang, walang nagpapatalo. Parehong mabilis ang kamay ng dalawa, malakas ang bawat suntok at sipang pinapakawalan nang may sumabog na naman.

Blaze threw Kane on the floor and was about to beat him up more when Kane spoke.

"Do you want to hear another explosion?"

Blaze froze, his teeth gritting in anger. "I will kill you!"

"Feel free," sabi ni Kane na bumangon mula sa pagkakasadlak sa semento. "The whole building will blow up and you can't stop it even if you try harder." Then he looked at her. "But you can stop this. Come with me."

"Paano ako makasisiguro na hindi n'yo pasasabugin ang buong gusali pagkalabas na pagkalabas natin?" tanong niya.

"Happy!" Blaze hissed at her. "You're not actually considering his offer!"

"I am," Happy said firmly. "It's either me, or the innocent people in this hospital. And I choose myself. You stay here and take care of King—"

"Baby!" Marahas na umiling si Blaze. "No!" Then his sharp eyes glared at Kane. "I will kill you!"

But before Blaze could took another step closer to Kane, they heard another explosion and screams of innocents.

"Stop this," malumanay niyang pakiusap kay Kane. "Please? Sasama ako sa iyo. Just please... stop hurting these people. Wala silang kinalaman sa gulo na 'to. Stop... I beg you..." pakiusap niya.

Kane's looked at her with his mix matched emotionless eyes. "You're still too nice."

"Ayoko lang na may mawala o mapahamak nang dahil sa akin. Just let me say good-bye to my husband," sabi niya, saka lumapit kay Blaze at mahigpit na niyakap ito. Mahina siyang bumulong sa tainga nito na silang dalawa lang ang makakarinig. "There's a tracker on my bracelet. I think dadalhin niya ako kay fourth Arkhon. Bring a battalion and come and get me, okay?"

Blaze cupped her face before kissing her fully on the mouth. "Okay," he whispered, "I'll be there before you miss me."

Tumango siya, saka mapusok na hinalikan uli ang asawa bago humarap kay Kane. "I'm ready."

Tumango si Kane at iminuwestra ang kamay patungo sa exit ng ospital.

Tahimik siyang naglakad palabas ng ospital habang nasa likuran niya si Kane. Nang nasa parking lot sila, napatigil siya sa paglalakad nang makasalubong nila si Knight.

Knight was instantly on guard and was about to attack Kane when she shook her head to stop him.

"Don't," pigil niya. "There are bombs all over the place. A lot of people will get hurt."

Knight's jaw tightened. "Lady Happy—"

"Secure the building and make sure that everyone is safe," pakiusap niya kay Knight. "Please do it for the innocent people inside. I'm not your responsibility, they are."

Knight's nodded while sending a death glare at Kane.

"That car, Lady Happy," sabi ni Kane na iminuwestra ang kamay sa itim na kotse.

Naglakad siya palapit sa kotse at agad siyang sumakay nang buksan ni Kane ang pinto. At nang makasakay ito at makaupo sa driver's seat, nagsalita siya.

"Get rid of the explosives now," sabi niya sa malumanay na boses. "Please? Hindi ako tatakas sa iyo. I want the people in that building safe and unharmed. Ako lang naman ang kailangan mo."

Tumango si Kane at may tinawagan habang minamaniobra ang kotse palayo ng ospital.

"Get rid of the bombs," utos ni Kane sa nasa kabilang linya, saka pinatay nito ang tawag.

Napuno ng katahimikan ang buong sasakyan ng ilang minuto bago niya binasag 'yon.

"Utos ba ito ng ikaapat na Arkhon sa iyo?" tanong niya kay Kane.

She was fishing information to find out if what she was thinking earlier was right.

"Yes."

"You're very loyal to him," komento niya.

"He's my master since I was a child."

Kumuyom ang kamay niya. "So pakitang tao lang ang lahat ng ipinakita mo sa amin?"

"Yes."

Masama ang loob niya sa mga sagot ni Kane. "We trusted you," pabulong niyang sabi.

"Your fault, not mine."

Mapait siyang napangiti. "Do you really mean to kill us that night?"

"Yes."

Tumingin si Happy sa labas ng bintana ng sasakyan habang himihinga nang malalim. "Well, I hope what happened to King made you happy. And I hope that your master will treat you as family. You need it."

Hindi umimik si Kane at patuloy lang na nagmaneho habang nakatitig siya sa bracelet na suot.

Blaze could track her with this. Pinalagyan niya iyon ng tracker kay Yrozz pagkatapos niyang malaman na si Kane ang may kagagawa ng pagpapasabog sa bahay nila, ipinasadya niya iyon para sa mga pagkakataong ganito. Kung may kumuha man sa kanya ay hindi mababaliw si Blaze sa kakahanap sa kanya.

"Saan mo ako dadalhin?" tanong niya kay Kane kapagkuwan.

"To the fourth Arkhon."

Tama ako! Nandito ang matandang 'yon kaya hindi niya mahanap-hanap. He was just under her nose.

Umakto siyang parang nagulat. "What?!" Pinalaki niya ang mga mata at pinaawang ang mga labi na halatang gulat na gulat. "Ang matandang 'yon... Ano ba'ng kailangan niya sa akin?"

"To renounce your position."

Happy scoffed. "Ganoon ba talaga niya kagusto ang maging pinuno ng Organósi?"

"You are not equipped," sagot ni Kane. "Hindi nararapat sa iyo ang posisyon na 'yon. Masyado kang malambot."

Tumahimik siya. Walang punto na patunayan dito ang sarili niya dahil hindi naman nito maiintindihan 'yon kasi nakasara ang isip nito.

If Kane was openminded and was open to understand and appreciate people, he wouldn't have betrayed them in the first place.

Isinandal ni Happy ang likod sa likuran ng passenger seat, saka ipinikit ang mga mata. Maraming minuto ang ibiniyahe nila hanggang sa tumigil sa isang pier at pinalabas siya ng sasakyan.

Iginiya siya ni Kane pasakay sa speedboat at pinaandar nito iyon.

Happy remained silent and calm. Alam niyang mahahanap at masusundan siya ni Blaze. Sana nga lang hindi pa huli ang lahat at mahuli nila ang pang-apat na Arkhon sa pagkakataong ito.

Bumagal ang takbo ng speedboat nang makalapit sila sa nakatigil na yate sa gitna ng karagatan.

Lumipat sila ni Kane sa yate at hinawakan siya nito sa braso habang hinihila patungo sa top deck, patungo sa ama ni Knight na ngumisi nang makita siyang naglalakad palapit.

Nakaupo ang ikaapat na Arkhon sa recliner. Ang ama ni Knight. Si Don Kelleon Velasquez.

"Welcome." Idinipa pa ng matanda ang mga braso nito. "How are you? Pleasant to see you here."

Bahagya siyang tumango bago sumagot. "Good afternoon. I'm doing well."

"Are you?" Natawa ito. "You're in front of me now, that means you lose."

Happy smiled calmly. "It's nice to see you again. Remember what I told before? If we ever see each other again?"

Tumawa ang ikaapat na Arkhon. "You have no whips, woman. And you're in my yacht, that means you are under me." Tiningnan siya nito nang matalim bago inutusan si Kane. "Tie her up!"

Agad namang sumunod si Kane. Pinaupo siya sa stool na gawa sa kahoy, saka tinali ang kamay niya sa likuran, pagkatapos ay ang mga paa naman niya ang isinunod nito.

And Happy could feel it. Hindi hinihigpitan ni Kane ang pagkakatali sa kanya na lihim niyang ikinakunot ng noo.

"Connect that heavy ball of metal on her ankle ties," utos ng ama ni Knight kay Kane na sinunod naman agad nito.

Napatingin siya sa camera na inihahanda ng isa sa mga tauhan ng ikaapat na Arkhon.

Parang alam na niya ang balak ng matandang 'to.

"I'm awed by you actually. You're calm even in situation like this," sabi ni Don Kelleon habang palakad-lakad sa harap niya. "You are indeed Dominick Quinn's daughter. Fierce and loyal. Just like his father. But just like your dad, you also have the same weakness. Family and friends. I was happy when the system chose Kane here to be your ultor. Normally, I would have said no to letting one of my best killer works for someone else but I need an inside man, so I let him. He was with Orlando at the time, so he was quick to come to you after the incident."

So that was why Kane was fast to come to her. He was already there.

"Look, you're young and you just got married and I don't wanna kill you," sabi ni Don Kelleon. "I just want you to renounce your position because it should be my son on top. My son is more than capable of everything while you are inexperienced. My son may not see it now, but he will thank me in the future."

Hindi siya umimik at nanatiling nakamasid lang kay Kane na itinatali pa rin siya.

"Don't you feel guilt for playing us for a fool who treated you like family?" kapagkuwan ay tanong niya kay Kane nang hindi na niya napigilan ang sarili.

Tumawa ang ikaapat na Arkhon. "Don't bother. He has no feelings. He is a killing machine. Nothing you say will get to him. He is program to kill and follow my orders since he was a child."

Hindi alam ni Happy kung bakit may awa siyang naramdaman para kay Kane kahit walang awa nitong pinasabog ang bahay ng asawa niya.

"Because if you are capable, you would have see Kane coming to deliver you to me, but you weren't prepared at all because you are busy taking care of your butler who's in the hospital."

Happy took a deep breath before looking at Don Kelleon, his speech was starting to irritate her. "How's Orlando? Did you grieve for him?"

Biglang nagtagis ang mga bagang nito at nanlisik ang mga mata. "You will pay for his death. I will take your hippeis life as well. An eye for an eye."

"Try... and you'll die." Her lips thinned. "If you touch even just a strand of my husband's hair, I will make you suffer and I'm not kidding."

Tumaas ang sulok ng mga labi ng ikaapat na Arkhon. "May I remind you that you're tied up? I can easily order my men to kill your husband—"

Napatigil ito sa pagsasalita nang bigla niyang malakas na inihampas ang noo sa noo ni Kane dahilan para matumba ito sa sahig. At ginamit niya ang natutunan kay Midnight kung paano makawala sa pagkakatali dahil hindi naman 'yon mahigpit.

Aatakehin na niya ang Arkhon nang bigla itong naglabas ng baril at itinutok sa kanya.

"Move or I'll shoot you."

Tumalim ang mga mata niya. "You have no balls."

Umangat ang kamay ng ama ni Knight para sampalin siya gamit ang hawakan ng baril pero madali niyang nasalag iyon nang hindi gumagalaw dahil sa mabigat na pabilog na metal na nakakabit sa bukong-bukong niya.

All she could do was disarmed the fourth Arkhon and smashed the gun handle on his skull until he bled.

"You bitch! Kill her!" sigaw ng ikaapat na Arkhon dahil para agad namang tumutok sa kanya ang baril ng mga tauhan nito.

Pero bago pa siya mabaril ay may humampas sa kanya sa likuran dahilan para mawalan siya ng malay.

NANG MAGISING SI HAPPY, nahihilo siya pero mabilis na nagpumiglas nang makitang nakatali ang buong katawan niya sa isang upuan. Mahigpit na 'yon. Hindi tulad kanina.

"Untie me!" sigaw niya sa ikaapat na Arkhon na sumisimsim ng wine.

"It's on. We are live." Itinuro nito ang camera na nasa harap niya. "Do what you came here to do. Renounce your position or else I will kill your hippeis in more ways than one. Do it now."

Napatitig siya sa camera.

"Renounce your position now!" sigaw sa kanya ng Arkhon. "Or I will kill everyone that you care about!"

Matiim siyang tumitig sa camera bago nagsalita. "I, Happiness Aravena Queen, will not renounce her position—"

Bigla nitong kinuha ang latigo na katabi ng bote ng alak na iniinom at ihinampas iyon sa kanya.

Napaigik siya sa sakit pero nanatili siya matapang. "I will not renounce my position!"

Another whip hit her side.

"Never!" she shouted at the camera. "I believe that I can do things better that Kelleon Velasquez. I will never, ever, renounce my position! Never!"

Binitiwan ng ikaapat na Arkhon ang latigong hawak at sinipa nito ang camera dahilan para bumagsak iyon sa sahig at galit na nilapitan siya. Malakas siya nitong sinakal hanggang na hindi na niya kayang huminga pa.

"I'd been nice to you because you're young, but my patience can one be stretched too much." Nanlilisik ang mga mata nito. "You don't want to renounce?! Then die!"

Pinakawalan siya nito sa pagkakasakal sa leeg, saka mahigpit na hinawakan siya sa braso at hinila patungo sa gilid ng yate.

"Let go of me! Let go!" panay ang sigaw niya at pagpupumiglas. "Let go! Let go you bastard!"

Natigilan siya sa pagpupumiglas at lumuwag din ang hawak ng ikaapat na Arkhon sa braso niya nang makarinig sila pareho ng tunog ng helicopter.

They both looked at the sky and saw five helicopters circling around the yacht.

And she could see her husband rappelling down from the helicopter.

Happy smirked at the fourth Arkhon who stared at her with disbelief. "Gotcha." She wiggled her wrist where her bracelet was. "There's a tracker inside, moron!"

Nanlisik ang mga mata nito. "How dare you tricked me!"

"You tricked me first," sagot niya. "An eye of an eye, remember?"

"Die!" galit na sigaw ni Don Kelleon bago siya tinulak pababa sa malalim na karagatan.

At dahil may mabigat na metal na nakatali sa bukong-bukong niya at nakatali pa siya sa upuan, hindi siya nakalangoy paahon nang nilamon ng malalim na dagat ang katawan niya.

No! Blaze! sigaw ng isip ni Happy habang pilit na nagpupumiglas at pilit na kumakawala sa mahigpit na pagkakatali sa kamay niya.

She was struggling to get free as her body fell more deeper unto the ocean's bed when she saw a figure swimming towards her.

She couldn't see who it was.

Maybe Blaze.

The figure went to her back to untie him and get rid of the metal on her ankle.

And she was free!

Mabilis siyang lumangoy para makaahon at makahinga dahil malapit nang sumabog ang baga niya.

She was losing oxygen.

Ilang beses siyang humugot ng hininga nang makaahon at agad na inilibot ang tingin sa paligid.

Helicopters were encircling the yacht. She could hear gunshots and grunts of pain. People falling off the yacht, lifeless.

"Blaze!" sigaw niya habang hinahanap ng mga mata ang nagligtas sa kanya. "Blazey!"

Happy was starting to panic because her husband didn't resurface when she saw him on the top deck fighting the fourth Arkhon and two of his men.

Her lips parted.

Who saved me?

Nahigit niya ang hininga nang may tumakip ng bibig niya mula sa likuran.

"Silence," sabi ng boses mula sa likuran niya, ang may-ari ng kamay na nakatakip sa bibig niya.

Her eyes widened. It sounded like Kane!

"Move to the yacht," utos nito.

Agad siyang lumangoy patungo sa likod ng yacht kung saan naroon ang swimming platform, kung saan puwede siyang makaakyat sa yate.

Nang makasampa siya sa yate, nilingon niya si Kane na nasa dagat pa rin.

"You saved me..." she whispered while catching his own breath. "W-why?"

A sad smile stretched on Kane's lips. "We're family."

Her eyes watered as she offered her hand at Kane. "Come on."

"Mauna ka na," sabi nito, saka tumingin sa speedboat na papalapit sa yate. "Sige na."

Tumango siya. "Ingat ka," bilin niya kay Kane bago patakbong tinungo ang top deck kung saan naglalaban ang asawa niya at ang Arkhon.

And what she saw on the deck made the hair on her skin rose.

Blaze was fighting the Arkhon who was holding a gun and a man who had a sharp sword. Blaze's movements were fast. He could even evade the bullet from the fourth Arkhon's gun.

Nang mapatumba ni Blaze ang panghuling tauhan ng Arkhon, mabilis na kinalabit ng Arkhon ang gatilyo ng baril nito ng ilang beses pero mabilis na nakaiwas si Blaze. Pinatamaan nito nang malakas na suntok at sipa ang katawan ng Arkhon at bumagsak ang matanda sa sahig ng yate.

And from nowhere, a man with a gun entered the scene and she heard the fourth Arkhon's shout.

"Kill him!"

Mabilis pa sa kisapmata na pinulot niya ang latigo ng ikaapat na Arkhon na nakakakalat, iyon ang ginamit nito sa kanya kanina. Mabilis niya iyong ihinampas sa lalaking may hawak na baril.

At mula sa kung saan, may espadang bumaon sa likod ng lalaki na tumagos sa puso nito. Nakita niya si Kane na tumatakbo palapit sa lalaking gumigiwang na dahil sa espada nakatarak dito.

Kane pulled the sword out of the man's body before encircling the swords handle around his wrist as his feet turned and the hilt of his word embedded on Don Kelleon's hand and floor.

Napasigaw si Don Kelleon sa ginawa ni Kane at nanlilisik ang mga matang tumingin sa lalaki. "How dare you!"

"That's for whipping my lady," kalmado ang boses na sabi ni Kane, saka pinaikot ang espada nitong nakabaon sa kamay ng ikaapat ng Arkhon. "And for pushing her to the water."

"You will all pay for this!" sigaw ni Don Kelleon.

Humigpit ang hawak ni Happy habang nakatingin sa matanda. "Naaalala mo pa ba 'yong sinabi ko sa iyo kapag nagkita tayo uli? I will show you no mercy."

Pagkasabi niyon ay itinaas niya ang kamay na hawak sa latigo at malakas na ihinampas iyon sa katawan ng ikaapat na Arkhon.

Hindi niya alintana ang pagsigaw nito. Basta panay lang ang latigo niya rito.

Lashes after lashes, until the fourth Arkhon was bleeding on the yacht's floor, grunting and unmoving.

But that wasn't enough for her. She was still livid.

Ilang beses pa niyang hinampas nang malakas ng latigo ang ikaapat na Arkhon bago niya binitawan ang latigo. Napatingin siya kay Knight na nanonood lang habang nakatitig sa ama nito.

Blaze picked up the gun on the floor, checked the magazine before he pointed it at the fourth Arkhon.

"Even in hell, I don't wanna see you again, you motherfucker," sabi ni Blaze bago inilagay ang daliri sa gatilyo.

"Blaze... don't," pigil niya sa asawa.

Kahit gaano pa kasama ang ama ni Knight, hindi pa rin niya kayang ipapatay ang ama nito sa harap ni Knight mismo. The man, however evil he was, he was sill Knight's father.

Happy looked at Knight. "If he pulled another stunt again, I would let Blaze kill him for sure."

Knight looked at her with gratitude. "Thank you for showing mercy that he doesn't deserve."

"I'm not doing it for him," sabi niya. "I'm doing it for you. He's still your father."

Tinanguan siya ni Knight at ito mismo ang naglagay ng posas sa pupulsuhan ng ama. At kasama sina Chaos at Yrozz, binuhat ng mga ito si Don Kelleon at ibinaba sa speedboat.

At nang humarap siya kay Blaze, agad siya nitong sinugod ng mahigpit ng yakap.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Hindi kita agad nailigtas. There was something in this yacht that made the signal weak and a little bit untraceable—"

She kissed her husband's lips. "It's okay. You came, that's more than enough."

Blaze kissed her back. "I love you, baby. I love you."

Mapusok silang naghalikang dalawa hanggang sa mahigpit silang nagyakapan.

And then she whispered, "Kane saved me."

"I know," Blaze whispered back. "I saw him jump to the water to save you. Oddly, I trusted him to save you. Maybe because I heard the worry and fear in his voice when he shouted, 'Lady Happy' as you fall to the water."

Kumawala siya sa yakap ng asawa. "I have to talk to him."

Happy was about to search the whole yacht because she didn't see Kane from where he was standing earlier when she saw a speedboat speeding away. And she saw Kane on it.

Happy stilled as she looked at Kane speeding away.

"I'm confused," pag-amin niya sa asawa habang pinagmamasdan pa rin ang speedboat na kinalululanan ni Kane na malayo na. "Why did he do what he did? I thought he's loyal to the fourth Arkhon?"

Blaze hugged her from behind. "Looks like he considers us family after all."

Tumango siya at kumunot ang noo nang makita ang isang helicopter na gumalaw para sundan ang speedboat ni Kane habang bumababa ang machine gun sa unahan nito.

The target was Kane!

Umikot siya paharap kay Blaze. "Stop that helicopter!" sabi niya, sabay turo sa helicopter na sumusunod kay Kane. "It's going to kill Kane!"

Blaze immediately neared his watch over his mouth, then he spoke. "Echo, this is the second Arkhon's hippeis. Don't open fire on that speedboat! Second Arkhon's order. Over! Can you hear me?! Over!"

Ilang segundong kabado si Happy dahil walang sagot mula sa helicopter hanggang sa umikot ang helicopter at hinayaan nitong makalayo si Kane.

Nakahinga nang maluwag si Happy at napasandal siya sa dibdib ng asawa. At doon lang niya naramdaman ang sakit ng buong katawan niya dahil sa ilang beses na paghampas sa kanya ng ikaapat na Arkhon ng latigo.

"Baby... your back is bleeding..." May takot at pangamba sa boses ni Blaze na ngayon lang din napansin dahil kagagaling lang niya sa dagat at nalinis doon ang dugo sa katawan at damit niya.

Happy closed her eyes as she leaned on her husband. "I'm tired."

Agad siya nitong maingat na binuhat at malalaki ang hakbang na umalis ng yate.

Hindi na namalayan ni Happy ang mga sunod na pangyayari dahil nawalan na siya ng malay.

Nang magising siya, nasa loob na siya ng puting kuwarto at nanunuot sa ilong niya ang amoy ng gamot.

Hospital.

Happy looked at her side and saw Blaze holding her hand while he was asleep.

Bahagyang gumalaw ang kamay niyang hawak ng asawa pero nagising agad ito at sunod-sunod ang naging tanong.

"Are you okay? How are you feeling? Is your body okay? Does it hurt? How's the wound?"

Happy smiled. "I'm fine."

Pinakatitigan siya nito bago hinalikan ang likod ng kamay niya. "Talaga? Okay ka lang?"

Tumango siya. "I am."

Para itong nakahinga nang maluwag, saka bumuga ng marahas na hininga. "Baby, I'll be a doctor now, okay?" sabi nito, saka binitiwan ang kamay niya at sinuri ang buong katawan niya, kasama ang sugat niya.

Gone the sweet Blaze. It was replaced by a very hot and strict looking doctor.

"You're so handsome," puri niya sa asawa niya na seryoso ang mukha. "Uy, ngingiti na ang asawa ko."

Blaze's face remained serious. "Stop it."

Happy continued praising Blaze. "You're very hot."

"Stop it," saway nito sa kanya.

Napangiti siya. "My baby, you're so handsome and gorgeous and hot and amazing and so, so good in bed. I love you so much."

Finally, a smile broke his serious face. "Masaya ka nang mapangiti mo ako?"

Tumango si Happy, saka napangiwi nang bahagyang masagi ang sugat niya sa tagiliran. "How's the fourth Arkhon?"

"Rotting on the dirtiest cell."

She frowned. "What if may magtakas sa kanya na isa sa mga loyalist niya?"

"That's why Yrozz made sure that the lock on his cell can't be open without your fingerprint and mine."

That made her feel at ease. "That's good. One less problem, a lot more to go." Bumuntong-hininga siya at maglalambing sana sa asawa nang may kumatok at pumasok sa kuwarto na kinaroroonan.

Helena.

"Happy, baby," sabi nito, saka lumapit sa kanya ng may pag-aalala. "How are you? Are you okay? I heard about what happened."

Blaze automatically pulled his gun from behind him and he pointed it at Helena. "Don't come near my wife or I'll shoot."

Napatigil sa paglapit si Helena at nagmamakaawa ang mga matang tumingin sa kanya. "Baby, what's the meaning of this?"

"You heard my husband," sabi niya. "Don't come near me."

"Baby—"

"You're part of the Triad," sabi niya, saka walang emosyong tumingin sa mga mata nito. "You betrayed, Dad. You choose the Triad over Dad and me. So don't act like you care—"

"I do care!" Helena hissed at her. "The Triad just forced me to do things, to leave you! I have to leave to keep you safe!" Nanunubig ang mga mata nito. "I love you, baby, and I love your dad. So much. I just want to be with you—"

Helena's speech stopped when a sharp edge of the sword—from behind her—held by Kane touched her neck.

Parehong silang napatitig ni Blaze kay Kane.

Slowly, Kane moved from Helena's behind to her side while his sword was still touching Helena's neck. "Pick it up," sabi nito kay Helena na ikinakunot ng noo niya at ikinatingin niya sa sahig.

There it was. A circle device on the floor.

"Pick it up," ulit na sabi ni Kane.

Mabilis na umiling si Helena. "That's not mine."

"I saw you dropped it," sabi ni Kane sa walang emosyong boses. "Pick it up before I pick it up myself and force you to swallow it. We both know what's that thing can do. I specialized in bombs."

Namutla si Helena. "It wasn't mine. The Triad made me do this!" Desperado itong tumingin sa kanya. "Baby, you have to believe me!"

Kane's sword was just touching Helena's neck but now it pierced her skin.

Kane looks livid.

"Do not call my lady like that," sabi nito sa matalim na boses. "Only His Highness is allowed to call my lady baby."

The seriousness on Blaze's face broke at what Kane said. He actually smiled.

"If you won't pick it up..." Kane destroyed the device with the sharp tip of his sword before bolding it against Helena's neck again. "Leave before I behead you."

Helena desperately looked at her. "Happy, I love you and you're my life—"

"Why?" she asked, stopping Helena's words. "Why now? Why not before? When I'm still clueless to all of this. You only called after Dad perform the rite of passage for me. Why? What do you want from me?"

"I love you, Happy—"

"Answer me if you want me to believe you," wika niya.

Bumukas ang bibig ni Helena pero sumara din 'yon bago tumalikod at umalis ng kuwarto niya.

Napabuntong-hininga siya, saka napatingin kay Kane na bigla na lang lumuhod sa sahig habang nakatungo ang ulo.

"I'm so sorry, I betrayed you," wika nito habang nakaluhod pa rin. "I will accept any punishment. I'm sorry."

"Bakit ka umalis sa yacht?" tanong nito.

"Huhulihin nila ako kasama ang ikaapat na Arkhon," sagot ni Kane. "And I will not have the chance to explain myself."

"Why?" Si Blaze ang nagtanong. "Why did you do it?"

Sumagot si Kane habang nakayuko pa rin. "The fourth Arkhon knows where to hide and you can't find him that easily. It's the other way around. He will find you and it'll be too late for all of you to fight him. He will kill all of you. I have to draw him out."

"That was your plan and you didn't tell us about it?" Blaze said in a sarcastic tone. "Nice plan, you dimwit!"

"If I told you about it, it would not work. You have to be genuinely mad at me, especially Lady Happy."

Napabuntong-hininga si Happy. "Tumayo ka na riyan, Kane."

"But it's my fault that King is in the hospital," sabi nito sa mababang boses. "Akala ko makakalabas kayo agad ng bahay. I know that Phoenix Martinez's alarm system will go off the moment I activated the bombs."

"You kidnapped my wife—"

"I know Lady Happy has a tracking device on her bracelet and I know His Highness will not let any harm befall to Lady Happy."

Blaze tsked. "I should kill you for blowing up our house, you lunatic!"

"I'm sorry," Kane whispered. "I'll pay for it."

Blaze tsked again. "At saan naman galing ang pera mo?"

"My salary, from the fourth Arkhon, since I was a kid." May kinuha si Kane mula sa bulsa nito. "Here. Hindi naman ako kumuha riyan at wala akong pinagkakagastusan kaya nakaipon ako."

Tinanggap ni Blaze ang passbook ni Kane at napamura ang asawa niya, saka hindi makapaniwalang tumingin sa kanya. "Bigla akong nanliit. Barya niya lang ang ipon ko."

Kane looked up at Blaze. "Would that be enough for the house?"

Ibinalik ni Blaze kay Kane ang passbook nito. "Don't worry about the house. My twin will take care of it. Pagkatapos niya akong bungangaan, aayusin niya 'yon."

Inilahad niya ang kamay kay Kane. "Come on, get up. You saved me."

Umiling ito. "I put you in that position. It was my fault. So, I will accept any punishment. Even death, I'll accept it. Nakapagpaliwanag na ako kaya okay na ako."

"Your punishment?" She looked into his eyes. "Go and tell King what you did and then helped him get better. I need my whole team intact and stronger. We'll be facing the Triad soon. It's gonna be bloody."

Tumango si Kane at tumayo na rin sa wakas, saka parang nag-aalangang nagtanong sa kanya. "Am I... still part of, ahm, Team Happiness?"

"Team Happiness?" sabay nilang gagad ni Blaze rito.

"Yeah... because you all made me happy."

Napangiti siya. "Go to King. Take care of him."

Tumango si Kane at lumabas na ng kuwarto niya.

"You trust him again?" Blaze asked.

She shrugged. "He saved my life when he doesn't have to. Kung gusto talaga niya akong patayin, dapat pinabayaan niya akong malunod. O kaya naman sana nilabanan ka niya para iligtas si Don Kelleon."

Napatango-tango si Blaze, saka bumuntong-hininga. "With Kane, it's like we're raising a kid. And now your mom, fuck. What are we going to do about her? May kakaiba talaga sa mommy mo."

Tumango siya. "We'll figure it out."

Blaze kissed her temple. "We will."

Akmang maglalapat sana ang mga labi nila ni Blaze nang may tumikhim mula sa pinto ng kuwarto.

Blaze grunted in annoyance. "Can't we kiss without being interrupted?"

Mahina siyang natawa, saka bumaling sa pinto.

It was a woman. Very pretty and regal looking.

Blaze frowned at the woman. "I think you're in a wrong room, Ma'am—"

"No, I'm not," sabi ng ginang, saka matamis na ngumiti sa kanya habang naglalakad palapit. "Hi..." Inilahad nito ang kamay. "I am Henreitta Lazzaria. Head of Lazzaria family who supports the second Arkhon."

"Oh." Agad niyang tinanggap ang pakikipagkamay nito. "It's nice to meet you."

"You too." She was grinning from ear to ear. "I saw your video and I was amazed. I was in Europe and I just have to come here and see you to show my support. You are indeed Dom's daughter."

Tumaas ang kilay niya. "You called my dad by his, ahm, nickname?"

"Yes. We go long way back." Henreitta chuckled. "I was your dad's best friend."

Napakurap-kurap siya sa babae. "You look young to be my dad's best friend."

Henrietta's smile was sweet. "I'm already in my late forties, Miss Quinn—"

"Mrs. Vitale," pagtatama ni Blaze kay Henrietta.

"Oh! I'm sorry, and congratulations."

"Thank you," sabi niya, saka nagtanong uli. "My dad didn't mention you to me."

Nauwi sa ngiwi ang ngiti nito. "Your mom was a very jealous woman, so I distanced myself for everybody's peace of mind. Dom didn't like it but I have to leave Pennsylvania and go to Europe. But now I'm here and I will help you. Whatever you need, tell me. I'll provide it."

"How about some high-tech stuff?" she asked when she remembered Yrozz.

Henreitta smiled. "Well, I happened to own a tech company. Whatever you need, just call." Binigyan siya nito ng calling card.

Tinanggap niya ang calling card at nabaling ang atensiyon niya nang may pumasok na lalaki sa loob ng kuwarto.

"Mom, come on, our plane is waiting." He had a British accent.

Nagtatanong ang mga mata niyang tumingin kay Henrietta. "What the... h-he l-looks like—"

"Looks like the face says it all." Henreitta chuckled. "We have to go. I'm sorry. See you soon and we'll talk. Take care. If you need anything... call."

Nakatigagal lang si Happy hanggang sa makalabas si Henreitta kasama ang anak nito.

The whole room was silent until Blaze spoke.

"Henreitta's son... he's like a younger version of your dad."

She was still in shock as she whispered, "I know... shit."

CECELIB | C.C.