1 hour earlier...

ZAYN HARTLEY HERNANDEZ 

I dialed a friend's number on my phone. I was not surprised at all when she immediately answered the call. "Where are you?" I asked without a proper greeting.

"What else? Sinusundan ko ang kotse ni Katriela ngayon. Is she meeting someone? Kailangan ko ba talagang gawin 'to, Art?" She asked losing her patience. Wala akong ibang maaasahang gagawa ng bagay na ipinagawa ko sa kaniya kung hindi siya lang. She's the only person closest to Katriela. "At least, tell me what's going on. Baka ma-late pa ako sa engagement party dahil dito sa pinagagawa mo. I must be there. Dad would surely scold me once I got late." Reklamo niya. As much as I want to explain everything to her, I can't. I'm running out of time. Mapapatagal lang ako sa pakay ko kapag inisa-isa ko pa sa kaniya ang lahat. 

"Just keep tailing her. Tawagan mo ako kaagad kapag may nangyari..."

"So there's something that's going to happen here, huh?" Narinig ko pa ang naiirita niyang pagbuntong-hininga. I took a glimpse on my wristwatch, checking the time. 

"I'm now hanging up. Take care of Kat, Patricia. I'm counting on you." I ended the call and tossed my phone on the shotgun seat. Pinihit ko ang silinyador para bilisan ang takbo ng kotse ko. 

Katriela sent me a big canvas weeks ago. I thought it was just one of her random gifts. Mahilig kasi siyang magbigay ng regalo kahit na nakatambak lang naman sa isang bakanteng kwarto sa bahay ang mga binibigay niya sa akin. 

Days ago after I received the painting, I lost touch with her. I know her well. Kahit gaano pa siya ka-busy sa buhay niya, she would surely spare time to call me, just to ask me how am I doing. Hindi sa hinanap ko ang presensiya niya. To be clear, I don't have any romantic feelings towards her. She's a good friend whom I've known for years, so it was too strange for me to suddenly lose contact with her. I asked Lucas and Patricia, pero kahit sila hindi parin nakakausap si Katriela. And then the painting came up in my mind. Sa lahat ng regalo niya it was the first time I received a painting. Why did he give me one when she knew that I was not even fond of art?

It was just my hunch telling me to use an ultraviolet laser light. I know the trick it could do for invisible inks because she showed it to me once. And there when I surprisingly saw her message. 

The Unknown made his move. The Royal Knightress is in danger. PLEASE, HELP HER. 

I don't know how much she have known about the unknown. Kung paano niya nalaman ang tungkol dito. Nitong nakaraang dalawang buwan ko lang nalaman ang tungkol sa grupong 'yon. I was surprised, knowing that my brother was the one behind it. I wanted to confront him about every illegal business he's been running for the past years just to gain wealth and power, but when I learned that he was after Elijah Mint Lorico, I realized that I must move a little wiser. My brother is a cunning man, and I know that he would easily find out if someone was trying to mess up with him. 

Gladly, I found out everything by sending a spy into our empire kung saan siya mismo ang namumuno. It's not too hard for me to pull some strings in exchange for all the details I need to know. Blackmailing is not really my thing unless it's the only resort I could make to turn the table. Yes, I blackmailed one of my brother's henchmen. I couldn't use a third party to be a spy on my behalf. My brother would easily find out. 

Our parents entrusted him to run the clan's assets. I was surprised to know the reason why the Hernandez Empire was almost down to dust. It was Elijah Mint Lorico. My brother's closest friend before. He found out about my brother's illegal reign, so he destroyed almost all the assets of our clan. My parents blamed my brother to death, kaya naintindihan ko agad kung bakit gano'n nalang ang kagustuhan ng kapatid kong gantihan si Elijah Mint. He badly wants to eliminate every precious person in his old friend's life, and that includes Ellisse. 

I know how desperate I was to make her mine once again. I even joined hands with Dwight Kean back then. Gagawin ko ang lahat makuha ko lang ang taong mahal ko, pero sa tuwing naiisip ko kung paano at gaano ko siya nasaktan dati, kinakain ako ng guilt. I badly want to apologize to her, but I know it's now too late. But still, kahit minsan lang, makagawa ako ng tamang desisyon sa buhay ko. I want to protect her, but I know, Mikael Lorenzo will do better. All I want for her is to be safe and happy living her life. I know I'm no longer part of that happiness, but just for one last moment, I want to do something for that happiness. 

I need to end this. Hindi ako siguradong magiging ligtas ang lahat dahil alam ko kung paano gumawa ng plano ang kapatid ko. Hindi siya mauubusan ng alas hangga't hindi napupunta sa kaniya ang huling halakhak. For him, the winner must be him. No one else. 

I parked my car when I reached the destination. Buti nalang at invited sa party ang mga Hernandez dahil kung hindi isa pa sa iisipin ko kung paano ako makakapasok dito sa hotel. I brought a customize hand gun that fits my suit's pocket. Hindi nila 'to madaling makakapa kaya ito ang dinala ko. I brought one. But, of course, it's not for me. 

I approached the front desk clerk and so she greeted me. "Good evening, sir." 

I smiled a little. "Can I borrow a pen and a note?" 

"Sure, sir. Just a second...Here." I looked around before writing a quick note on the piece of paper. Tinupi ko ito bago ko ibinulsa sa suot kong pants. I then made my way to the exact location of the party. 

 Hindi ko na ikinagulat ang ma-engrandeng venue. It's Hilton, tss. I took a glass of wine nang may dumaang waiter sa tabi ko. Sumimsim ako habang pinapanood si Ellisse at ang fiance niya sa harapan. They look the happiest together. I admit, that f*cking hurts, but what else can I do? 

I spotted some acquaintances, but I'm not here to ask how their business is doing. I even saw Dwight, Tyler, and Blythe at a table. Nagtagpo ang mga tingin namin ni Dwight Kean. Itinungga niya ang wine glass, and so I did the same. Sinadya kong lapitan sila. Umupo ako sa isa sa bakanteng upuan malapit kay Blythe. 

"Ano namang pakiramdam na ikakasal na 'yong ex mo?" Dwight Kean is too straightforward, but I don't mind. Do I need to answer her nonsense question? 

"I hope you don't have any plan to ruin this party, Mr. Hernandez." Pormal na sabi ni Blythe. I smirked. Gano'n ba ka-gago ang tingin ng magkapatid na 'to sa akin para sirain ko ang gabing 'to? 

"Oh, excuse myself. Someone is looking for my presence." Blythe stood up. Inayos pa niya ang tuxedo niya bago tuluyang umalis. 

"Wala talagang delikadesa and gagong 'yon. Ilang beses na ngang ni-reject, naghahabol pa. Ulol lang?" Komento ni Dwight habang sinusundan ng tingin ang kapatid niya. Dahil nakatingin silang dalawa ni Tyler kay Blythe ay sinadya kong yumuko, kunwaring may nahulog sa damuhan at mabilis na kinuha ang hand gun sa loob ng suit ko. Gladly, the two cousins didn't notice me because their attention were still on Blythe.

"He's in love, Dwight. Let him be."

"Are you jealous?" Napatingin silang dalawa sa akin. Sumimsim ako sa wine glass na hawak ko habang ang isang kamay ko ay pa-simpleng idinidikit ang baril sa ilalim ng mesa. "Baka naiinggit ka lang. You're life's too boring, baka gusto mo rin magkaro'n ng love life."

"T*ng ina ka ba, Hernandez?" He cursed. Napangisi ako dahil tagumpay kong nailagay ang baril sa ilalim. Kaagad ko ring inalabas ang kamay ko.

"His life's not boring anymore Mr. Hernandez. Dwight already had his eyes on someone..." Pasimpleng sumimsim si Tyler sa wine glass niya. 

"T*ng ina, saan mo nakuha...."

"I have eyes everywhere."

"Poor girl. I hope she will change her mind soon." Segunda ko sa sinabi ni Tyler.

"F*ck----"

I stood up, cutting Dwight's response. "Excuse me for a moment." 

Hinanap ng mga mata ko kung nasaan si Ellisse. I saw her happily chatting with Zethanya and Dhale. How I wish to see that smile every day. F*ck! What the hell am I saying? 

"Ellisse." I approached her. It hurts every time her smile turns to annoyance when he sees me. Hinintay kong umalis sina Zethanya. I know Dhale doesn't want to leave Ellisse in my presence but thanks to Zethanya.

"Can we talk?" I asked.

"We're already talking, Hartley. Just say it." She's losing her patience already. F*ck. Paano ko ba sisimulan ang sasabihin ko? 

"Well..." My eyes turned to her belly. Medyo halata na ang tiyan niya. What else is the reason for me to fight for her? She already has a man who can protect her at all costs...and they're going to have a child soon. T*ng ina, pero sa ayaw at gusto ko, kailangan ko siyang bitawan. 

I looked up, looking back at her face. I tried to smile. "Congratulations. You finally found your man."  I can't even say it with all my heart. F*ck. 

"Actually..." I was about to go on...

"Got a problem here?" Mikael Lorenzo came out of nowhere, wrapping his arm behind Ell's waist. Pinapamukha talaga niyang na sa kaniya na ang taong sinayang ko dati. If I could only punch his face, grab Ell's hand away from him...T*ng ina, ano ba 'tong iniisip ko?

"We're just talking." Si Ellisse ang sumagot nang mukhang maramdaman niya ang tension sa pagitan namin ng fiance niya. 

"Congratulations, Mr. Hilton." I don't care if that didn't sound so sincere.

"Can I take my wife now, Mr. Hernandez? I bet you don't have any necessary business with her you should talk about longer than a minute." They were about to leave... 

"I actually need to talk to you, Mr. Hilton." Patiuna ko. Siya naman talaga ang pakay ko. I dislike the idea of sitting in a room just to talk with him, but as if I have any other better choice?

He raised his brow at me. Before he could even answer, I spoke, "It's a private urgent matter. I hope you can spare your five minutes for it."

Silence ensued between us three. I don't know what he's thinking right now. Seryoso at diretso ang tingin niya sa akin na parang kinikilatis niya ang pagkatao ko. I knew I got him when he removed his arm behind Ell's waist. He then turned on her, "Stay with Max. I'll be right back." Napaiwas nalang ako ng tingin sa kanila nang halikan niya ang labi nito. Does this man trying to piss me off or something? Nasa kaniya na nga, parang aagawin ko pa. Well, if I only could, why not?

He turned around,  "Your five minutes starts now, Mr. Hernandez." 

I looked at Ellisse before following Mikael Lorenzo. Saktong nakasalubong ako ng lalaking waiter. Palapit palang siya ay dinukot ko na ang piraso ng papel sa bulsa ng pants ko. Hinarang ko siya para ibigay ang papel. "Hand this to the Royal Knightress. Don't mention anything about me." Lorenzo turned his head on me after I successfully gave away the note. 

No one knows about the chaos that's about to happen any minute now. Ellisse needs at least a self-defense weapon. Sinadya ko talagang sa table ng Stanford ilagay ang baril dahil oras na may mangyaring hindi maganda, Tyler or Dwight would surely secure the Knightress. Magaling sila sa labanan kaya hindi ako nagdalawang isip na sa kanila ipaubaya ang kaligtasan ni Ellisse. I just hope, my estimated timing about my brother's cue to start his mess is right. 

"Three minutes." He said as we entered the elevator. 

I have no choice but to start, "Someone's coming to ruin your party." Hindi na ako nagpaligoy-ligoy pa. Saktong tumunog ang elevator. I didn't see any reaction coming from him until he made his way out. I followed him into a room that had a VVIP label on its door. 

Dumiretso siya sa mesa kung nasaan may bote ng alak. Sinalinan niya ang isang rock glass ng whisky. He turned around, facing me. "Are you asking for my permission to ruin our party?" 

I sighed. Isa pa ang lalaking 'to. Masyadong g*go ang tingin sa akin porque sinaktan ko si Ellisse noon. "Siguradong matagal mo ng alam ang tungkol sa Unknown." I tried catching his attention. "Well, they're coming." 

"And how did you know? Did they send you to  warn me?" How could this man keep his cool? Hindi ba siya nababahalang ano mang minuto pwedeng mapahamak si Ellisse? 

"You're not taking my words seriously, are you?... Look, Mr. Hilton. I'm not here to ruin your party..." I heaved a sigh. I can't believe myself telling him these words. "I came to protect the Knightress."

"Since when did you have the rights? I don't remember giving you a job to protect your ex from danger..."

"We're running out of time here, Mr. Hilton. I'll explain every single detail you need to know, but for now, I need your troops to outnumber my brother's men." I'm not surprised anymore when I see his bored reaction. Siguradong alam na niyang ang kapatid ko ang nasa likod ng Unknown group.

"He's after Ellisse. I know my brother. He won't stop until he gets what he wants...Just like you, I can't afford to lose her...Not again."

"You already lost her a long time ago, Hernandez." I clenched my fist at the fact he mentioned. I can't even say anything about that f*cking truth. 

"You don't need to ask for my troop. I know how and when to protect my property." Did he know something about my brother attacking them tonight? Kung alam nga niya, ba't pa niya dito itinuloy ang party kung pwede namang pumili nalang ng ibang lokasyon? He can just use this hotel as a decoy to corner the Unknown. 

"It's not only you who knows how your stupid shithead brother moves. He's pretty cunning, I'll give him that, but not enough to impress me." I see. He was expecting this to happen. No. He's waiting for my brother to move first before he pulls the string on his end. 

I was watching him tapping his phone's screen before putting it on his ear. Sumimsim siya sa baso ng alak na hawak niya sa kabilang kamay. "Good. Now, let him start his surprise."

Napakunot ako. So he really made a preparation to counteract my brother. Ibinaba niya ang tawag at kaagad akong nagtanong. "Does she know about this?"

"My wife doesn't have to know." He shortly replied. "I heard you ordered your men to defuse the bombs here..."

"I did." Because I was sure that my brother would love to see this place turn to dust. He must have sent his disguised men before the party to plant the bombs around this place. 

"And you commanded your gang as well, I assume." He must have taken action to it. Huminga ako ng malalim dahil hindi ko alam kung pa'no ko ba sasabihin ang mga susunod na salita. F*ck this. Hernandez ako sa pagkaka-alam ko, tss. 

"I know how much you dislike working with me as much as I do, but let's end this game once and for all, Mr. Hilton...Let's take my brother down." 

"So you don't care about your empire at all, huh?" He smirked.

"I'm just making up for my mistake even if it's too late for me to apologize," I replied sincerely. I don't care if he doesn't want to believe me.

Itinungga niya ang natitirang alak sa baso bago 'yon ibinaba sa mesang kinasasandalan niya. He took his gun behind his pants and loaded it. "I won't stop you from doing what you want, but I'm warning you...once you play your cards against mine, I won't f*cking hesistate to blow your heads off."

I took my hidden gun from my suit, the one like Ell's. Nakipagsukatan ako ng tingin kay Lorenzo. I was about to say something when we were caught off guard by an explosion. 

"I thought you f*cking sent your men to defuse every single bomb?" He asked, pissed.

"Akala ko ba inutusan mo rin ang Serpent gang? Hindi ba nila na-defuse lahat?"

"F*ck! Why are you f*cking asking me?" Nagmamadali siyang lumabas kaya sinundan ko rin. "I'm going to f*cking kill your men once something bad happens to Zerina."

"You should blame your gang. Why put all the blame on my men?" Gago ba siya? 

Nagmamadali niyang pinindot ang elevator at atat na pumasok nang bumukas ito. "Serpent gang gets any task flawlessly done. Are you nuts? I'm not sure about yours. They must be poorly trained. They can't even properly defuse a bomb."

"Are you----" Hindi ko na itinuloy ang sasabihin ko nang itapat niya ang phone sa tainga niya. Now he's blaming me and my men dahil sa pagsabog? 

"Where's Zerina?...What?...F*ck! I told her to stick with you...I can't f*cking reach her phone...I'm on my way." He ended the call. Bumukas ang pinto ng elevator at kung hindi lang mabilis ang galaw namin, baka naunahan kaming pagbabarilin ng mga armadong lalaking nakaabang sa amin. They're my brother's men. 

"F*ck!" Lorenzo couldn't stop cursing when we reached where we left everyone. Sobrang gulo at napuno na ng usok ang paligid dahil sa mga pag-sabog. 

"Zerina!!" He tried calling, but then we were interrupted by the number of men approaching us. We had no choice but to fight them back. 

As I thought. Zamielo has many aces. Gagawin niya ang lahat para umayon sa kaniya ang sitwasyon. 

"Hey!" I called Lorenzo. Patuloy parin kami sa pakikipag-barilan. "We need to find my brother! He must be looking for Ellisse now." 

...

Present.... At Highstone Hospital 

FRIZA GONZALES 

Tinatahak ko ang pasilyo papunta sa VVIP room kung saan dinala si Ellisse nang mapatigil ako sa paglalakad dahil nakita ko ang isang lalaking nakatayo sa harap ng kwarto. Gago ba siya? Eh hindi naman magbubukas ng kusa 'yong pinto. Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad hanggang sa makalapit ako sa kaniya. Mukhang malalim na pinag-iisipan pa niya kung bubuksan niya 'yong pinto dahil hindi man lang niya napansin ang presensiya ko.

"Hindi 'yan kusang bubukas." Nakuha ko agad ang atensyon niya. P*tang ina, parang gusto ko paring suntukin ang pagmumukha niya. 

"Bakit hindi ka pumasok?" Tanong ko. 

"No. It's fine. She must rest..." Mukhang hindi nanloko ang isang 'to. Ngayon pa siya mukhang nasasayangan kay Ellisse na iniwan at niloko lang niya noon. 

"Kung gano'n, pwede ka ng umalis." Balita ko medyo malubha ang kalagayan ni Katriela kaya hindi ba dapat do'n siya sa kwarto nito pumunta, hindi rito sa ex niya? T*ng inang gago 'to. Kahit na may ambag siya sa pag-kitil sa kapatid niyang si Zamielo Hernandez na mas gago pa sa kaniya, naiinis padin ako sa kaniya dahil sa ginawa niya kay Ell noon.

Parang may gusto pa siyang sabihin, pero mas pinili nalang niyang itikom ang bibig niya. Tumalikod na siya sa akin at paalis na. Aktong bubuksan ko na ang pinto ng kwarto ni Ellisse nang bigla niya akong tawagin, "Friza..."

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay at hinintay ang sasabihin niya. Bumuntong hininga siya bago nagpatuloy, "I'm sorry. I mean it." 

"Ah~ Sa pangga-gago mo kay Ellisse?"

"Look, I didn't...." Tumigil din siya kaagad. Mukhang na-realize niya biglang hindi na niya kailangang magpaliwanag pa. 

"Alam mo, hindi mo naman na kailangang magpaliwanag. Tapos na 'yon, Art. Nangyari na. Wala akong pakealam sa kung ano ang dahilan mo kung bakit mo sinaktan si Ellisse noon. Isa pa, h'wag ka sa akin o sa amin na kaibigan niya humingi ng tawad kundi kay Ell. Siya ang nasaktan, siya ang niloko, siya ang iniwan at hindi ipinaglaban." 

Mukhang naubusan na siya ng sasabihin kaya naman tuluyan ko ng binuksan ang pinto para pumasok sa loob. Natigilan pa ako nang makita ko ang eksena sa loob. Nakakatuwang makita na okay na si Ell. Pero t*ng ina, dapat pala hindi muna ako pumasok. Buti nalang hindi rin pumasok ang gagong Hernandez na 'yon, baka masira pa niya 'tong magandang moment. 

Dahil malapit pa naman ako sa pinto, marahan at ingat na ingat akong lumabas. Maingat ko ring isinara ang pinto. 

"Friza!" Masama kong tiningnan si Nickolas nang sumigaw siya, palapit sa kinatatayuan ko. Kasama ng gago ang kapwa niya gagong si Axcel. Sinenyasan ko silang tumahimik. 

"Nasa'n si Ellisse? Ayos na ba siya?" Tanong ni Nick. Tumango ako. 

"Patingin...." Kaagad kong hinila ang kwelyo niya nang akmang lalapit siya sa pinto. "Bakit ba?!"

"T*ng ina mo, h'wag kang istorbo."

"Huh?" Nagtatakang tanong ng gago.

"Uy parang maganda ang ganap sa loob." Nakaloloko ang ngisi ni Axcel. Kalaunan ay napangisi na rin ang p*tang inang si Nickolas na kaagad na-gets ang takbo ng utak ng kalahi niya. Mga gago talaga 'to.

"Mga manyakis, tara na nga ro'n." Hinila ko sila, pero nagpupumilit pang sisilip kahit sandali lang daw sa pinto. Gago ba sila? Gusto yatang makatikim ng bala galing sa baril ni Commander.