"EXCUSE me?" Reinald asked with his mouth agape. His spectacles most likely cost a fortune and the papers he held so dear a while ago, they fell onto the floor as if they'd just been shredded to ashes. Even the hand he had on his waist dropped shortly as soon as he heard my response to Caesar's worries.

"S-Six times..." the doctor muttered in a daze, almost as if he lost the ability to grasp whether the number is too little or too many.

The others' reactions didn't come differently from theirs. They may doubt what they heard or even assume I am simply bluffing to serve them a plate of laughter, but can they really? Can they really doubt or carelessly assume something about me when they knew nothing of me in the first place? Can they really treat me like a weak feeble woman when they're aware that even a senior inspector like Calvin Aguirre seemed to have his own fear about me roaming freely in the public?

"You're kidding, aren't you? It couldn't be..."

Bumaling ako kay Caesar na natagpuan kong lubos na nagugulumihanan din sa mga sinabi ko. Gayunpaman, wala akong balak na bawiin iyon. At mas lalong hindi ko sinabi 'yon upang lalo siyang mag-alala, mataranta, o maalarma kung sino talaga 'ko. He already made it clear who I am now. If our deal is to persist, all of us must pretend my over two decades of being someone's lackey never existed.

"The Queen of the Hunt only happens every three years. If you're claiming that you've won it six times in a row, that would mean you've been participating in it since you were a kid," he argued slowly. A prominent huge frown on his face is telling me he's still contemplating all while speaking.

Iniangat ko ang kamay ko mula sa balikat niya at dinampi ang hintuturo sa sentro ng pagkakakunot ng kaniyang noo. "Sorry to break it to you, but you see, Don Montenegro never fails to throw a Queen of the Hunt party every year. The ones you attended, they're the official ones. The not-so-dirty ones," I explained with a sigh at the end.

"P-Pero paanong hindi ka namin nakita kahit sa mga opisyal na piging?" agad niyang balik, mga mata'y nanlalaki sa kuryosidad at gulat.

Halos gusto ko muling mapabuntong-hininga. Ang mga kumakawalang salita sa bibig ni Caesar, napakalayo sa mga inaasahan ko. Alam kong maiksi ang nauna kong paliwanag pero bakit ang ideya na kahit kailan ay 'di mo ko nasilayan doon ang una mong kwinestiyon? Ba't hindi ang pagkukubli sa 'yo ng tinatawag mong matalik na kaibigan?

"You couldn't possibly entered the competition without formal invitation or a sponsor," Tyrell seconded fiercely still, his hand resting on his chin. Mukhang maging siya ay inaabangan kung paano ko lulusutan ang mga butas na nagsisibukasan ngayong may kakayahan na akong magpaliwanag.

"It's just as you said. It's either I have an invitation or I have a sponsor who's influential enough to get me in..." I replied. "...and also powerful enough to hide me as a shadow."

Bagama't muli akong naglantad ng katotohanan, pansin ko ang biglaang paghigpit ng kapit ni Caesar sa bewang ko. "By sponsor... Iyon din ba ang taong naglagay sa 'yo ng device na pumipigil sa katawan mo na mag-function nang maayos?" malamig niyang tanong. His eyes were restless, not because of the unveiling of truth but of something I could dare define as anger. 

Wala akong nakitaang dahilan para masurpresa sa katanungan niya. Kung ang isang araw na pagkakahimbing sa labanan ay kaya ka nang patayin at patumbahin ang pinagmulan mong panig, ano pa kaya ang isang araw na pagkakahimbing sa mismong teritoryo ng mga kalaban? Inaasahan ko na 'to 'pagkat no'ng huling beses na nawalan ako ng malay, si Eldridge Pherenn din ang naiwan upang ako'y masiyasat.

"Yes," I answered, having nothing to stare at but the floor. "They implanted it in me to ensure proper control after I ruined a project they've been brewing for years. They didn't take it lightly, thus the punishment I was given is not light as well." 

"Even now?" Ethan inquired in instant.

I shook my head. "No. I made sure to cut those ties with them before I left... Well, except for my speaking ability." 

Caesar's grip, however, only tightened further, ultimately leading to him fully embracing me in his arms. "Is that why you weren't able to escort the Red Circle executives back then? That device is giving you a hard time?" Disbelief and disgust stained his words, his tone, and even the twitching on his face and neck. "Those clothes with blood and the missing handkerchiefs..."

Even the maids and janitors are sharp enough to check, huh? None of the Montelier employees is ordinary, I guess. "Yes."

"'Yon din ba ang rason ba't ka nagpapanggap na pipe no'ng una ka naming makilala?"

Tiyak kong napagkokone-konekta na niya ang mga detalye't pangyayari mula sa simula hanggang sa nitong huli naming pagkikita. Base sa kung paano niya ako interogahin, nakapasin na siya at may hinala na. He could've spitted them on my face during our confrontation at the cafe, but he didn't. Were these doubts the reason why he didn't see me for a while until then? 

"Yes," I bit my lower lip and patted his back in an attempt to calm the poison leaking from his grits.

"Ngunit sa ngayon, mukhang mas malaya ka nang nakakapagsalita, Miss Quinzel," singit ni Rupert matapos pulitin isa-isa ang mga nahulog na papeles ni Reinald. "What's changed?"

With my guard's shift from a cutesy, mocking song to his actual serious one, I glanced at the doctor who is for sure, knew about the irregularities I have physically all along. Just like how he was quick to understand my plea for help the first time we met without us verbally communicating, Eldridge nodded to intercede for me and do the honor of explanation.

"The device itself." He patted his comrade's shoulder. "Hindi ako sigurado kung ano o sino ang dahilan pero may nag-iba rito. The change appears to allow her to speak more and to utilize more of her bodily functions."

Pinahalukipkip ng doktor ang dalawa niyang braso sa kaniyang dibdib at bahagyang nagpasilay ng ngiting tagumpay. "Iyon ang dahilan kung bakit siya ang naging rekomendasyon ko kay Mr. Montelier," aniya nang nakakaloko sa kaniyang mga kasamahan na batid niyang pinagdududahan ang rekomendasyon niya sa unang araw pa lang.

Jaz, coming to terms that all he heard was true and actually giving sense to everything he's witnessed, scoffed. "Dahil bakit ka nga naman bibigyan ng bagay na lilimitahan ka kung hindi ka isang indibidwal na may kakayahang gawing posible ang lahat?" paglalapat nito sa salita ng kabuuang ideya ng sitwasyon ng katawan ko. "They want you tied and bound. If you ruined something for them once, they'd be afraid you do it again."

"Hindi ba 'yon pwede alisin, doc?" Ethan innocently asked, his hands fidgeting for hope.

Unfortunately, the doctor pursed his lips while firmly closing his eyes. "I'm afraid no one can except the one who planted it there."

"Isn't that too much? It's as if that person wanted to keep Miss Quinzel all to himself forever!" my guard ranted angrily. "Ano bang ginawa niya para lagyan ng ganoong parusa? What kind of disobedience could warrant a person a lifetime sentence?"

Sa paghihimutok ni Rupert, napanatag ako sa pagkakakita na may nagagalit para sa 'kin. Dahil kahit noon pa man, hindi ko nagawang ipakita ang galit ko nang ibinigay niya 'to sa akin. Sa araw na natapos ang recovery ko mula sa operasyon ng pag-implanta nito, bumalik lamang ako sa pagiging uto-uto at masunuring bata na hindi marunong sumuway sa utos. Natuto akong halikan muli ang mga kadenang sa aki'y nakapulupot.

Sa hindi ko malamang dahilan, nangangati ang dila kong sabihin kung bakit nga ba ako may parusang ganito. Siguro dahil may iba nang nakaaalam. Siguro dahil may iba nang nakararamdam ng hindi ko maipakita. Siguro dahil nasa mga bisig ako ng taong sagot sa 'bakit' na 'yon. Siguro nga ito ang mga dahilan kung ba't ako kusa na lang napasagot.

"It's because I saved someone who I am supposed to kill."

"What?" Caesar instantly grabbed both my arms and yanked me off of him. "Then why did you save that person?"

I wanted to laugh watching him be frustrated with his own salvation. "I never regretted it, though. Not before. Not now. Not ever. I'm glad I saved him. I'm happy with my choice," I told him, almost bragging. Even if he wouldn't appreciate it as much since he doesn't know he's the recipient of such disobedience, saying it proudly in front of him made me smile contently.

"Lucky bastard," he murmured in his breath, sulking.

"He is," I agreed.

Unlike how strongly he approached earlier, Aljaz Tyrell walked towards us, calm in manner and now lacking of the usual amount of hostility around him. "But Miss Quinzel... Posible rin na kaya ka nila nilimitahan ay dahil delikado ka para sa marami," suhestiyon nito na agad pinagkaisahan ng iba.

"Jaz! Why do you keep making her look like an enemy?" Rupert stomped his feet.

Subalit, kabaliktaran ng iniisip ng guwardiya ko ay tila hindi rin gusto ni Tyrell na ipunto ang ideyang nasambit na niya base sa hindi na niya taas-noong pagtingin sa 'kin. Rather than accusing me, he's weighing down the possibilities he has in his head, with his comrades' safety as top priority. Hillary's right. He's Garth's protégé, indeed. 

"I won't deny it," pauna kong pagpapahinahon sa kanila na kapwa nakikipagtagisan na ng tingin kay Aljaz.

The Cyber Security Director stared at me, waiting to judge my resolve according to his own.

"That's why... if you ever see me becoming someone I didn't come here to be, I want you to look at me the way you always did before and tell me to leave," I continued, grinning from ear to ear. How I wish that day would never come. It'd be better to leave on your own, anyway, than being told to leave as if you're worthless worn-out jeans.

Nahulog sa malalim na katahimikan ang buong bulwagan. Naiwan ding walang imik si Jaz na pawang tinitimbang pa rin ang mga salita ko at ang kapahamakan ng pagtanggap sa isang tulad ko na hindi nila alam ang pinagmulan at dating pinagsisilbihan. Ang akala ko ay mabuburo na lang kami sa nakasusulasok na tensyon. Isang akalang nanatiling akala salamat sa mga bisitang dumating.

"Master, may mga panauhin po tayo. Ayon sa kanila, pinadala raw po sila ni Don Julian Montenegro para..." Saglit na napasulyap sa direksyon ko ang mayordomo. Kabado ito ngunit kalaunan, lumunok ito't nagpatuloy muli. "Nandito raw po sila para sunduin si Mrs. Montelier."

Nayuyukong tumabi sa gilid ang mayordomo matapos ng pagbabalita nito. Animo'y batid niyang ang dalang balita ay hindi makakukuha ng ngiti o papuri mula sa kaniyang amo.

"What... Is that man blatantly insulting us? It's not even past two! The party's set on eight!" Rupert scowled, his built-in loathing toward the recently mentioned man triggered in one flick. "Tell him to go back."

Mapayapa namang isinaayos ni Cortez ang salamin niya pabalik. "We can't do that. Wala pa tayo sa posisyon para malayang sumuway sa pamunuan ng Red Circle. Tingin ko ay pinadala sila rito para matiyak na maisasama si Miss Quinzel sa party." Napapamewang muli ang consigliere at napapilitik ng dila.

"Hindi ba't para na rin po nilang sinabi na may inihanda sila na hindi kaaya-aya sa Queen of the Hunt?" nababahalang ani ni Ethan na kalauna'y tumuon sa 'kin nang may nagmamakaawang mga mata. "Masama po ang kutob ko. Huwag po kayong sumama, Miss Quinzel."

However, as much as I admit how adorable his puppy eyes are or no matter how all of them seem to be obviously taken aback by the news, I can't help but simply heave a sigh and pose a bitter smile.

"You're smiling?" Caesar said in disbelief, a nerve on his forehead almost popping out. "We don't know what they need you for. They didn't even inform us ahead of time."

Bumaba ang mga kamay niya mula sa mga braso papunta sa mga kamay ko. "Butler, inform them to meet me at my study—"

"No, bring them here," putol ko sa pangungusap ng huling Montelier na ikinatawag ng atensyon ng lahat.

Kahit na ba hindi nila ibuka ang mga labi nila, lantad sa mga mukha nila ang pagkabahala sa nais kong mangyari. Magkagayon man, hindi pinatagal ni Caesar ang pagdadalawang isip naming lahat at ipinagkaloob ang permiso sa segundong ipinalapat ko sa magkabila niyang pisngi ang mga palad ko. 

"It'll be fine," I told him. "They wouldn't dare hurt me." 

His nose scrunched slightly. "They better not."

May kaibahan nga lang nang mamataan na ang mga tauhan ng pinuno ng Red Circle. Sa pagkakatantong hindi man lang inabala ng apat na lalaki na itago ang sukbit-sukbit nilang mga armas, kanya-kanyang kumilos ang bawat miyembro ng High Command para harangan ang paglapit nila sa 'kin.

"Hold it right there. Nakalimutan niyo ba sa pagpasok kung nakaninong teritoryo kayo?" Wala pa mang apat na metro ang lapit sa 'min ng mga paunahin ay matikas na hinarang na sila ni Ethan. Brandishing his long dagger's leather sheath automatically urged two of the visitors to pull out and raise their guns.

Ang tila lider ng apat ay mabilis na pinatigil ang mga kasama sa pamamagitan ng pagtaas ng kaniyang kamay. "Please excude our rudeness, but we're only following orders from the upper up," aroganteng giit nito nang hindi natitinag sa panlilisik ng mga mata ng mga katulong na nanonood mula sa bawat sulok ng mansyon.

"The madame must come with us whether you like it or not," another man from the four added, strongly refusing to put down his gun against Ethan despite his superior's gesture.

"And who are you to decide on that, you prick?" 

Sa kalagitnaan ng pasaringan ng inis ng dalawang panig, kapwa napatuliro at halos mapahiyaw ang lahat nang tatlong umuusok na bala ang pumalibot sa 'di kalayuan ng paanan ng lider ng mga bisita. Sa tikas ng pagpapakawala nito ay natibag maging ang tiles na kinahinatnatan nito at pumalibot ang bubog at alikabok sa mga panauhing hindi ikinararangal na tanggapin.

"Go on," Caesar warned menacingly, a revolver resting on his right hand. Clunks can be heard as he prepares to press his finger on the trigger again. "The next time you step a foot forward to my wife will be the last time any of you would possess a foot. Kung pangarap ninyong mag-apply ng PWD card dahil lang ininis ninyo ko, lapit lang."

Napasinghap ang tauhan, hindi inaakalang ang mismong kanang kamay ng amo niya ang aatake sa kaniya nang ganito. "Mr. Montelier! We are still here under the orders of the president! We are here to escort her!" bulyaw nito nang hindi man lang maialis ang paanang pinalibutan ng mga bala. "Even you won't be safe if I report this!"

"Ba't hindi mo subukan?!" Akmang aambangan na ng suntok ni Rupert ang isa kung hindi lang siya hinila sa braso ni Reinald na matamang umiling-iling para balaan ito.

"Huwag kang lumapit sa aso," ani nito at saka tinapunan ng ngiwi ang mga bisita. "Baka may rabies."

This is not looking good. Pinisil ko ang natitirang kamay ni Caesar na nakahawak sa akin nang mariin, pinapaalala sa kaniya na isa pang opensa sa mga pinadalang tauhan ay baka maduduming haka-haka na naman ang kumalat tungkol sa kaniya at pangalan ng pamilya. This is not even the war yet. He should know that a small battle of pettiness won't make us victors. 

"Let me handle it. Don't worry, even if they want to, they really wouldn't be able to hurt me," I assured him confidently. And when I felt he was still hesitating to do as I said, I thought of using the same tactic he uses with me.

"Mon amour," I pleaded and his hand immediately twitched in response.

At sa marahan kong pagtawag, nanginginig man sa pagtitimpi ay unti-unting niyang ibinaba ang baril. Alam kong labag sa kaniya na gawin ang pakiusap ko. Pero anong magagawa ng High Command ngayon gayong hindi pa namin nababaliktad ang entablado sa aming pabor?

"Babalik ako," pabulong kong paalam sa kaniya at marahang kinalas ang kamay ko sa kaniya.

"Let me pass," udyok ko sa High Command na kahit na ba may pag-aalinlangan ay inayunan pa rin nila. Sa pagtabi ng lahat at pagbaba ng mga nakaambang kamao't armas, nangingising inayos ng apat ang mga suot nilang amerikana na animo'y sila pa rin ang nagwagi sa huli.

"As expected, the lady of the house is filled with wisdom and composure," the leader greeted me, his eyes twinkling at the joy of being shielded from the High Command. Compared to the consigliere who's followed utmost decorum and etiquette with me for the past days, he neither offered a bow nor a kiss on the hand.

Mga walang modo na nga, bastos pa. Tipikal na gago pala ang tema nila.

Tumigil ako hindi kalayuan sa harap ng apat, dala-dala pa rin ang ngiting libu-libo na ang nalinlang. At nang lantad na at kay linaw ng linya sa kanilang mga leeg sa aking paningin ay ginilitan ko ang dalawang nasa unahan nang walang pagbati't pamamaalam.

"You can blame Quinzel Montelier for this, but do you think the Quinzel your master knows can be blamed and punished for this?" I beamed wider, enjoying the fountain of blood springing from the two fallen guards' throats.

Pareho nilang hawak-hawak ang mga leeg nila, tila mga estupidong umaasa na mapagdidikit nila ang balat na nabuklat ko na. Ala-bulateng nagmamakaawa hanggang sa huli ang lider ng mga panauhin, tinatapik ang paanan ko ngunit sa bandang huli'y tinapakan ko ito nang maurat na ko. Hindi ko alam kung ba't sinusubukan pa nilang sumagap ng hangin gayong dugo ang tumatagas sa kanila.

I exhaled in disappointment as I then turn to the remaining two. "Poor you. Hindi man lang ba kayo pinaliwanagan ni Julian kung sino ang susunduin ninyo? Anong akala ninyo, santa-santita ako?" naaawa kong tanong sa kanila na imbes ikakalma nila ay ikinaurong pa ng mga paa nila.

"S-So... You're really a monster as he said..." the one who can't even put down his gun a while ago stuttered.

I chuckled when the name that bastard used to damage Caesar's reputation was also used against me. "I am," I said, lifting the bloodied dagger I hid under my sleeves before I left the room close to my nose. "Too bad you didn't believe his warning, huh? And now, you insulted that monster's husband and friends."

At the setting in of the smell of metal deep within my nose, I narrowed my gaze toward them.

"Now, are you willing to wait for me to dress up or should I end Satan's waiting for you two?" 

******

A/N: 2nd update of the year! I'm nervous about my work-related appointment tomorrow, but wish me luck! ^^ I hope you'll get through anything you're struggling with right now. xoxo