Three days later...

ELLISSE ZERINA 

It's been three days since the Trinity's destruction. Tulad ng bilin ni Renzo, I had to stay with the CIT for my safety and monitor them as they would execute the mission. Well, they did well. Hindi naman kasi basta-basta ang magpabagsak ng isang malaki at malawak na mining base. Isa pa, hindi lang basta pinasabog ng Serpent ang Trinity, they had to secure the golds and other treasures stored in the base bago nila tuluyang sinira ang lugar. 

We're not after those d*mn treasures, of course, those will be donated as money to companies under Serpent Society, charities, and of course a large part of it was given to the poor. 'Yon ang plano ni Renzo at hindi naman tutol do'n ang Serpent King. I'm not sure about the Queen's thoughts. Pero natutuwa ako dahil naisip ni Renzo na tulungan ang ibang taong wala namang kaugnayan sa mafia. Kung katulad lang siguro ng ibang mga pinuno ng organisasyon, siguradong gagamitin nila ang kayamanan para magpa-angat pa at magpalawak ng kapangyarihan. Those d*mn abusers. 

"Hon" Naramdaman ko ang pagpulupot ng kamay ni Renzo sa baywang ko kasabay ng paglapat ng labi niya sa balikat ko. "I love you." He whispered, trying to get acces on my neck. Bahagya kong itinagilid ang ulo ko para mabigyan siya ng espasyo. He started sniffing and kissing my skin on that part while caressing my waist. Naramdaman ko ang paglalim ng halik niya kaya tinampal ko ang braso niya. 

"What?" Nakakunot niya akong tiningnan mula sa salamin na nasa harap namin. Natawa ako sa reaksiyon niya. "You're messing up with my hair, Mr. Hilton." 

He sighed. He kissed my shoulder and placed his chin over my shoulder. "Do you really have to attend the event?" He asked as if he was already pleading with me not to come.

I just rolled my eyes. "Mahigit sampung beses mo ng tinanong 'yan magmula kanina, Lorenzo. Of course, I have. I must be there, Mr. Hilton. Your sister is coming too." 

Ipinatong niya ang noo sa balikat ko. Talagang magpapa-awa at magpapa-bebe pa siya ah. Tss. This man. "You know what...I actually have a plan." 

Napangisi ako. Alam ko, Mikael Lorenzo. Sa halip na sumagot ako ay nanatili akong tahimik, hinayaan siyang magsalita. "You don't have to attend the event. All you need to do is..."

"I will attend the restoration, Commander." Pinal na sagot ko. Nag-angat siya ng tingin para makita ang repleksiyon ko sa salamin. Nagsusukatan kami ng tingin, pero siya ang unang kumalas. "Fine." Kumalas siya sa pagkakayakap mula sa likod ko. Hawak parin ang baywang ko ay ipinaharap niya ako sa kanya. He kissed my forehead bago niya ulit sinalubong ang mga mata ko. "Can you promise me one thing then?" 

I cupped his cheeks and gave him a smack on his lips. "I will be safe...We will be safe. I promise." I assured him. Hinalikan niya ako ulit sa noo tyaka lumuhod. He's looking at my belly as if it's a treasure. He planted a soft kiss on there, "Please, don't get hurt, baby. You and your mom. I love you." 

Tumayo siya at kinuha ang purse ko na nakapatong sa mesa na nasa tabi namin. Inabot niya 'yon sa akin. "Did you wear your vest?" 

Tumango ako. Sakto namang may narinig kaming boses. "Hey, witch! It's already time!" 

"Your sister's here. We have to go now." Hinalikan ko siya sa labi pero mabilis lang 'yon. I smiled at him to assure him that everything would be fine. Well, I hope so. "See you later, Commander."

"See you later, Mrs. Hilton." 

Natawa ako ng mahina. Pinisil ko ang pisngi niya. "Excited. Wala pa ngang kasal. Sige na, alis na kami." Pinisil ko pa ang pisngi niya bago siya tinalikuran. 

"Hey, hon." Pahabol niya kaya napalingon ako. Humalukipkip siya, nakasandal sa mesa. "You look stunning."

Napairap ako dahil aware na aware ako sa style niya para hindi ako tumuloy sa pag-alis. "I know, Mikael Lorenzo." Tumalikod ako. 

"Ellisse! Aren't you coming? Don't f*cking tell me, you're still playing wild in bed with your fiance!" 

"Five minutes! We're reaching the end!" Sagot ni Renzo kaya napalingon ako sa kanya at kung hindi lang ako nagmamadali baka naibato ko sa kanya 'yong hawak kong purse. Natawa pa siya sa reaksiyon ko. 

"D*mn you, Mikael Lorenzo." Baka kung ano pang isipin ng kapatid niya. Napaka-bulgar naman kasi ni Maxine. Ba't ba ang wild ng utak niya?!

"I love you."

Hindi ko na siya pinansin at nagpatuloy sa pag-alis hanggang sa makalabas ako ng kwarto. Sakto namang palapit palang si Maxine sa kwarto namin. 

She raised her brow when she saw me. Tiningnan pa ako mula ulo hanggang paa. Don't tell me, naniwala siya ro'n sa sinabi ng kapatid niya? Tss. She crossed his arm across her chest, handa na namang tarayan ako. "Didn't I tell you to wear the red dress? Why are you wearing black?" 

"Masyadong magiging agaw pansin kung pula ang susuotin natin pareho. Besides, you're already wearing maroon. The event doesn't have a specific palette theme anyway." Well, she's wearing a maroon long sleeve, fitted turtle neck dress na hanggang tuhod ang haba, at may slit sa kaliwa. It has a hole style at the center showing her flat belly. Nakalugay ang paalon niyang buhok. She lookes undeniably gorgeous. 

She rolled her eyes, "That's the purpose, witch. We need attention."

"No. YOU need attention." Napalingon ako kay Renzo nang magsalita siya. Nakasandal siya sa pader malapit sa pinto ng kwarto namin. Nakahalukipkip at nakataas ang kilay habang nakatingin kay Max. "Let her wear what she's comfortable with. Besides you're not attending the event just to make yourself the center of attention."

"Well, I desire the visitors' attention, Mikael. It's part of the plan, right Ellisse?" She looked at me trying to get my vote.

"I'm leaving you the rest of the plan so I don't mind how you do it." Sagot ko. Siya na ang bahala gumawa kung paano niya tatapusin ang part niya sa plan namin. Kung attention ang gusto niya, then I won't stop her as long as it's for our plan's victory.

"Just make sure you won't do anything that will risk Zerina or else..."

"Or else I'm dead." Bored na sagot ni Max. "Come on, Mikael! Don't you trust your sister? I didn't become the Queen of an Empire for nothing, just in case you forgot." Tumalikod na siya, handang umalis, "Let's go, witch." 

I turned around to face Renzo, "I guess, I'll see you and the gang later?" 

He squinted, trying to understand what I just said. I smirked. Alam ko namang susunod siya kaya kampante ako. 

"I love you, Commander." Hindi ko na hinintay ang sagot niya at sumunod na ako kay Max. It's time for the final war.  

...

Hindi ko maiwasang mamahangha nang tuluyan nang makapasok ang sinasakyan naming kotse ni Maxine sa destinasyon namin. She volunteered to drive habang ako ay nasa shotgun seat hinahangaan ang malawak ng lugar kung nasaan kami ngayon. Marami-rami rin ang mga nakakasabay naming pumapasok sa mataas at malapad na gate. 

"This is triple the size of Serpent's HQ." Paghangang puna ko. This is really unbelievable.

"Dark Soul was once the most powerful and influential organization in the mafia world before anything and anyone else. They had everything—wealth, power, connections, and leadership. Well, I'm talking about the late Augustus Habir's generation when I said, leadership." Saad ni Max matapos niyang maiparada ang sasakyan. 

Napalinga ako sa labas mula sa bintana. I turned my gaze back to Maxine with a creased forehead.  "We're the only people here." 

"Obviously. This is the easy way in and out. I hate wasting too much effort." Nauna siyang lumabas ng sasakyan kaya sumunod na rin ako. Buti nalang ay may dim na ilaw dito sa lugar kung saan namin ipinarada ang sasakyan. If I'm not mistaken, sa pagkakatanda ko sa blueprint na binigay sa akin ni Max, bandang likod na 'to ng Dark Soul Base. 

Nakasunod lang ako sa kasama ko hanggang sa marating namin ang pinto. Max placed the card on the access card sensor and it was granted successfuly. She already had everything under control, huh? 

"Where's your husband, by the way?" I asked to break the silence. Tinatahak namin ang walang katao-taong corridor. 

"What about that busy man?" Walang ganang tanong niya. 

"He must be here accompanying the Queen of Fallen." Sarkastikong sagot ko. 

Dire-diretso lang siyang naglalakad. "I can work by myself. He must take care of Kiel. That's how we work together." 

There's no need to be surprised. Nasanay siyang magtrabaho ng mag-isa kaya alam ko na kaya niyang tapusin 'to ng siya lang, but of course, what are we going to do tonight is actually my plan, kaya hindi pwedeng siya lang ang sasabak sa gyera rito. 

We reached another door that has a card sensor. Itinapat ulit niya ang hawak na card kaya madali kaming nakapasok at muling tinahak ang mahabang corridor. This place is huge. Ang daming pasikot-sikot. 

"Anyway, bakit ako ang nilapitan mo? Why not Mikael? He's overqualified to help you win this mission." 

"He is, but I don't want him to limit his capability for my safety. Ayokong gumawa siya ng plano na puro kaligtasan ko ang priority sa bawat galaw niya at ng iba. That would only limit them to do what must be done. I want him to pull off something the usual way he does. Being the ruthless and fearless Serpent Royal Commander who only thinks about one goal alone: Victory over someone's safety." 

Matunog siyang napangisi kahit nanatiling nakatalikod sa akin habang patuloy sa paglalakad. "Knowing my brother, securing his Knightress over anything else is his real victory." 

That's why Maxine was the first person who came up in my mind when I was planning to take down Christopher Baldwin. I agree that Renzo is overqualified to win this, but just like what I have said, ayokong limitahan ang kaya niyang gawin dahil sigurado akong kaligtasan ko ang priority niya sa halip na gawin niya ang dapat niyang gawin. It's not that I want him to feel that I don't need his protection at all, ayoko lang talagang makalimutan niya ang posisyon niya bilang Commander ng Serpent. I want him to know that I'm always here supporting him as I also do my job as the Serpent Royal Knightress. 

"We're almost there." 

Inayos ko ang tindig ko nang magbigay ng signal si Maxine. Naririnig ko na ang orchestra sa hall. "Best of luck to the both of us." Maxine took the left wing of the hall and so I walked to the right. Kita na mula rito sa taas ang madaming bisita sa baba. 

Wala akong kilala sa mga nakikita ko, pero lahat sila ay nakasuot ng mamahaling suit at mga night dress. Halatang galing sa mayayamang mga angkan at bigatin ang mga narito. Well, what would I expect? This event is for the Dark Soul's restoration. Hindi na ako magtataka kung ganito karami na ang na-recruit na bigating tao ni Christopher Baldwin para umanib sa angkan niya. Well, I can say that these people are enough to restore the power of a big organization. Everyone must have the qualifications to be one of Baldwin's loyal puppets. Tss. 

"What a stunning lady we have here." I looked to my right and there I saw a man in a two-piece maroon suit. He's a tall one, maganda ang pangangatawan at hindi maikakailang galing sa kilalang angkan. May hawak siyang alak pero nang napadaan ang event caterer na may dalang tray ng wine ay kumuha pa siya ng isa. "A toast?" 

I smiled as kindly as I could, "Thanks, but I'm good. I mean, I don't usually drink. Mabilis akong malasing and that would not do good to this event. I'm afraid that I might do something I would only regret." Palusot ko at itinuon nalang ang atensyon sa mga bisitang nasa baba mula rito sa railings dito sa taas. Tss, I'm pregnant, asshole. Of course, bakit ako iinom ng wine? 

Sumandal din siya sa railings. "Something like?" 

Nakakunot ko siyang tiningnan. Mabilis niyang itinungga ang basong hawak niya at nakipagtitigan sa akin. May dumaang event caterer na pinag-abutan niya ng basong wala ng laman. "What something would you possibly regret doing when you get drunk tonight?" 

Napangisi ako sa loob-loob ko. This man's intention about starting a conversation with me is too obvious. Tss, asshole. 

Kung wala lang sa plano ang pagpunta namin dito, baka nabara-bara ko na 'tong lalaking 'to. Dapat nag-club muna siya. Mukha ba akong may balak patulan ang bagay na naglalaro sa isip niya? 

"Having s*x with some stupid asshole, I guess?" Kibit-balikat na bulgar kong sagot. Of course that was a lie. I'm not a d*mn whore. Tss. 

Natawa siya ng mahina na parang namangha sa sagot ko. Before he could say something, inunahan ko na. "This is a big event. Obviously, galing ka sa kilalang angkan. Which one?" 

He smirked, bumalik na ang atensyon sa mga taong nasa ibaba. And there I spotted Maxine, comfortably talking with a man. Tss. This witch. 

"Do you know that woman in a maroon dress?" Suddenly, the guy beside me asked. Nalipat ang tingin ko sa kaniya pabalik kay Max. Saktong napatingin sa direksyon namin si Maxine. She gave me a devilish smirk. "I guess you do know each other."

"That woman is my sister." Sister-in-law. 

"Really? You two don't look alike."

"Hindi lahat ng magkapatid magkamukha. Me and my sister for instance." Pambabara ko sa kanya.

He chuckled. Nag-joke ba ako para tumawa siya? "Yeah? Well, you're both stunning."  

I smirked. Tiningnan ko ang katabi ko. Hinintay ko siyang tumingin sa akin and whe he did, I replied, "So which clan are you associated, Mr?" 

"Frostlee." Napataas ang kilay ko sa sagot niya. Halata namang may lahi siya. 

"And you? Which clan?" He asked back. 

I wanted to say Hilton, but then an event caterer approached us, interrupting our conversation. "Sorry, Ma'am, may nag-papahatid lang po nito." He handed me a glass of green juice, tumungo pa siya bago umalis. I sniffed the drink and when I smelled a touch of matcha flavor, pinigilan kong ngumiti. 

"That's weird." Komento ng lalaking katabi ko. Sumimsim ako sa inumin ko. Sa'n ba galing 'to? 

"Looks like a secret admirer of you knows you well, huh?" Napalinga ako sa paligid. Is he already here? 

"I'm Hans, by the way. Nice meeting you?...." Nakalahad na ang kamay niya nang tingnan ko siya pabalik. 

"Zerina. Distant relatives of Horawoki's." Pagpapakilala ko katulad nang kung paano ang sinabi sa akin ni Maxine na dapat kong pagpapakilala. "Nice meeting you too, Mr. Frostlee." We then shaked hands. 

"What a big clan, huh? Well, see you around then, Ms. Zerina. Enjoy your drink." Sinulyapan pa niya ang basong hawak ko. He smiled and I did the same before he walked away. I sighed in relief. Buti naman at naisip niyang umalis na. Hirap na hirap na akong magpigil na barahin siya. 

Para makapaglibot ay nilisan ko muna ang pwesto ko. I was about to leave when someone approached me again. Another event caterer. "Excuse me, Ma'am. May nagpapa-abot po." Iniwan ko sa tray na dala ng caterer ang baso ng juice bago kinuha ang maliit na piraso ng papel na naka-rolyo mula sa kanya. There was a line written on it. 

Who was that f*cking asshole you were talking to?

And I don't need to guess who was the sender. Napailing ako dala ang ngiti. Seriously? This man. Luminga ako sa paligid, pero wala akong makita ni bakas man lang niya o ni isa sa gang. But Renzo easily spotted me. Tss. I was about to walk away, taking the left wing when the light's fade out. Buti nalang ay sumindi rin ang mga dim lights kaya naaninag padin ang daraanan. I touched my silver earrings. It was actually an earpiece device. 

MAXINE: [It's starting in two minutes.] 

"On my way." 

MAXINE: [Did you see them?] 

Napakunot ako sa tanong niya. "Who?" I pulled the gun under the table na nadaanan ko. Si Maxine ang may gawa nito. Hindi kami pwedeng pumasok ng may dalang armas kaya dito mismo sa loob itinago ang mga gagamitin namin. Maxine said she left the job from his men to hide the weapons within our reach before we arrived. Siguradong nandito rin ang mga tauhan niya sa event umaaligid. 

MAXINE: [Serpent] 

"I know. Hindi ka ba aware na may plano si Renzo na sumunod dito? He has a plan too." 

MAXINE: [Of course, I know. What I'm trying to say is that...their presence is weird. Not Serpent, but some people.]

Napakunot ako. "Weird? Anong ibig mong sabihin?" 

Nang makababa ako sa hagdan ay may dalawang lalaking naka-suit ang biglang sumulpot sa magkabilang gilid sa likod ko. Hindi na ako na-sorpresa. Remember the securities that Renzo was talking about? Well, it was them kaya hinayaan ko lang sila.

MAXINE: [Nevermind. Don't lose your focus. It's about to begin.] 

Yes. The war is about to begin. We waited for a few seconds before the emcee started his line. Nakatutok ang spotlight sa kanya. "Great evening, ladies and gentlemen."

Hindi ko alam kung ano ba talagang mayro'n, pero nagsimula akong makaramdam ng kakaiba sa paligid ako. The weird feeling as if anytime, the crowd's going to attack me. Pakiramdam ko sobrang bigat ng presensiya ng mga taong nakapalibot sa akin. D*mn it! 

Hindi ko na narinig ang ilang mga sinabi ng emcee dahil sinusubukan kong pasimpleng tingnan ang paligid ko. Everything seems fine for me. Wala namang kahina-hinala sa mga taong kasama ko rito sa baba, pero hindi parin maalis sa loob ko ang kakaibang pakiramdam. Hinigpitan ko ang hawak ko sa baril ko. 

"Please welcome the King of Baldwin Empire, Mr. Christopher Baldwin!" 

And the crowd applauded the devil when he came out from the dark. Nakatuon na ang spotlight kay Christopher. This is going to be a checkmate for you, old man. 

"What a pleasure that we made until this point...This hall's indeed filled with my dearest faithful allies. The empire we built over the years has become powerful and stronger. In respect for our late hero and the very founder of this society, Mr. Augustus Habir, I would like to proclaim that we are now officially awakening and restoring the organization that no one could ever dare to surpass...Everyone..." He took the golden goblet from the table beside him and raised it, showing it to the crowd. "A toast of victory to each one of us...for each clan presented here, for each one of you, and every empire...Kings and Queens. For the great return of Dark Soul Organization, cheers to each one of us!" 

And then a loud bang echoed in every corner of the hall. The next thing that the crowd witnessed was the woman behind Christopher Baldwin. "Cheers, Mr. King of Baldwin Empire." She announced. It was Maxine. Ininom niya ang red wine mula sa kopita habang nakatutok ang baril sa likod ng ulo ni Baldwin.

"Move the f*ck out." And then a woman appeared behind Max. D*mn! That was Claire. 

Tahimik ang buong paligid hanggang sa mag-echo ang mala-demonyong tawa ni Baldwin. As if he's enjoying the scene. D*mn him. 

"What a great...great entrance, Ms...Hilton. Kahanga-hanga." Kulang nalang ay pumalakpak siya. Walang bahid ng takot niyang hinarap ang baril na kanina ay nakatutok sa likod ng ulo niya. "Well, you should've prepared a more flabbergasting move. I was expecting bombs explosion over the place. Too sad, it didn't happen."

Max didn't give in. "NOT. YET." She showed a devilish smirk na parang tagumpay na siya kahit na may baril na nakatutok sa likod ng ulo niya. 

"You came here for me. That's obvious. Well, it's a great honor." Bahagya pa siyang nag-bow na parang isang reyna talaga si Maxine. "The Fallen's Queen paid me a visit." 

"Well, I thought...since you are a real Hilton, you're a genius too. I had very high expectations from you. You know, like father, like daughter, but I guess, I was wrong." Halata ang pangungutya sa boses niya. "Did you really think, this event is for the restoration of Dark Soul?" 

Maxine's forehead creased. And that moment, he devilishly laughed again like a f*cking maniac. Tuwang-tuwa sa nakikita niyang reaksiyon ng kausap niya. D*mn! I want to pull the trigger now. 

"See? You had no bullsh*t idea what the hell is really going on here, Ms. Hilton!... Well, let me show you what a real surprise must be." Baldwin faced the crowd. Inilahad niya ang magkabilang braso na parang isang rebulto na dapat sambahin. The next thing, kanya-kanyang hugot ng baril, kasa at pagtutok nito ang ginawa ng bawat isa paturo sa direksyon ni Maxine. 

D*mn it! Napahawak ako ng mahigpit sa baril ko nang halos patong-patong at hindi mabilang ng daliri ko ang mga pulang lasers ng mga sniper na nakatutok sa noo, mukha at katawan ni Maxine. But she remained fearless. Walang takot sa mga baril na naka-amba sa kanya para patayin siya.

"This night. This grandiose evening is actually dedicated to Hiltons." 

Napangisi si Maxine sa anunsiyo ni Baldwin. Kaya ba hindi ako mapakali kanina dahil ito ang risk na nag-aabang sa amin bago matapos ang lahat? D*mn it! 

"What a great honor, I guess?" Saad ni Max.

"A great honor for me as well to witness your father's demise." Mula sa kaliwa naagaw ng atensyon namin ang lalaking naka-two-piece suit, nakapiring ng itim at nasa likod niya ang maskuladong lalaking humahatak sa kaniya para umusad palapit sa pwesto nila Max. 

"Dad!" 

Gustong-gusto ko ng gumalaw sa kinatatayuan ko pero hindi ko magawa dahil ako ang mapuputukan. This must end successfully. Ang paulit-ulit na bulong ko sa isip ko. 

"F*ck you, Baldwin!" Halong umusok na ang ilong ni Max at gustong barilin si Christopher pero hindi niya ginawa. 

"Where's the other one?" The devil asked.

Mula sa likod namin napalingon kami nang marinig namin ang pag-sayad ng kung ano sa sahig. A man was pulling the sack at habang ginagawa niya 'yon papunta sa harapan ay siya namang pagbibigay-daan ng mga tao para makadaan siya. I was looking at the sack the whole time dahil iba ang pakiramdam ko rito. I don't know why but d*mn, hindi ako mapakali. 

I was quick to open my purse, get my phone at pagbukas na pag-bukas ko ng screen, bumungad sa akin ang madaming missed calls. Nagsimulang mamuo ang luha ko. D*mn, no! 

I got a message too. Sa dami ng missed calls na galing kay Renzo lahat, isang message lang ang sinend niya. Nagsimulang rumagasa ang mga luha ko nang buksan ko 'to. 

I love you, hon. Please, take care. 

I should've checked this out before. D*mn it. D*mn it! I don't know if this was part of Renzo's plan but d*mn! I felt that it was not. What if it's really not? 

"No. No, f*ck! F*ck you, Baldwin! F*ck you!" 

Parang nawala ako sa sarili nang marinig ko ang malutong na mga mura ni Maxine. I turned my gaze back to the center in front. Hindi ko alam at hindi ko na maintindihan kung uma-arte lang siya alang-alang sa plano o ano, but I'm aware that this wasn't part of our plan anymore. 

Halos hindi ko na namalayang nabitawan ko ang purse at baril na hawak ko at napatakip ako sa bibig ko nang dumapo ang mga mata ko sa sako na ngayon ay bukas na at nakalabas ng bahagya ang laman nito. There when I f*cking saw Mikael Lorenzo.

"Good job, Neithan and Hunter." The devil complimented the two. "Now, we only have two heads left. The King and his princess." 

Pinunas ko ang mga luha ko at nanginginig ang mga kamay kong pinulot ang baril. You held this f*cking event to checkmate us. Well, d*mn you, 'cause I'm here to f*cking end you, and your f*cking Empire, Christopher Baldwin.

I am not yet done.  

I touched my earrings without breaking my gaze to Baldwin. "Now, Novaleigh." 

My cue to her was followed by a loud bang which echoed all over the hall.