(TW!)

Red descended to the ground floor after the meeting and there she encountered Scale who was conversing with Savanah.

"Your boss is here—" Savanah started, but halted as she noticed Red's outfit change. "Ay, outfit change?" Savanah teased Red as she approached them. Red was dressed in a tailored red blazer, a white silk blouse, high-waisted red trousers, black stiletto heels, a gold watch, a sleek black leather handbag, and oversized sunglasses. The ensemble exuded confidence, sophistication, and power.

"Parang napangasawa mo na si Lucifer, ang pula mo ngayon, kanina mukha kang mahinhin na nilalang," Savanah commented. She was referring to Red's previous attire when she and Scale arrived; she wore a knee-length floral dress with short sleeves, a pair of closed-toe flats, and a pearl necklace, complemented by a small crossbody bag and a delicate bracelet.

Rolling her eyes at Savanah, Red ignored her and turned to Scale. She handed him the clothes she was wearing earlier. "Red wine, Cabernet Sauvignon," she instructed Scale, who promptly understood her, while Savanah looked confused.

"What's that? Dine-in or takeout?" Savanah joked, which earned her a sharp glare from Red, prompting her to protest. "Well, I just don't get it, how would I know what you mean," Savanah added.

"Your CEO splashed on my dress. I just came from church, and he's already testing my patience. I have more meetings. You go ahead home, Scale," Red said, about to leave when she heard her sibling's name.

She saw a tall man talking on the phone, his back turned to her, carrying a bag, and his cheerful tone evident in his voice. She tried to listen to what the stranger was saying, but he was walking away, so she shrugged it off and sat in the passenger seat of her car, which had another driver, while Scale boarded another car owned by them.

Savanah sighed as she watched them leave. "Red Camorra. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. You're kind but quite a bit of a brat." Savanah muttered to herself before continuing with her work.

-----------------------------------

Gio casually passed by Red's room and noticed the mess scattered around. Immediately, he wondered who could have done this and cautiously entered Red's room as if trying to catch the intruder.

Giovanni scanned the surroundings, inspecting the mess and peering into the corners of the room, hoping to find the culprit. Failing to spot anyone, his gaze shifted to the door, where he saw a shadow. Just as he was about to approach it, Karl called out to him.

"Gio?" Karl's voice rang out, prompting Gio to turn towards him. "What are you doing here? Why is it so messy?" Karl added, suspicion evident in his tone.

"I just found it like this. Give me a moment," Gio replied, making his way slowly towards the door. As he looked behind it, he found nothing and felt puzzled.

"Did you take something or...?" Karl inquired, trying to corner Gio.

"I didn't steal anything here. If anything, it's Red's heart that's missing," Gio retorted, causing Karl to grimace in disgust.

"Cringe. I only asked if you took something here. I never mentioned stealing," Karl clarified.

"Do you have a problem with me? If you do, keep it to yourself. I don't care," Gio snapped back at Karl before turning away to leave.

"I was just asking, why so harsh? But honestly, I never said you stole anything... I was just asking," Karl reiterated, prompting Gio to look back at him.

"For me, all you want to imply is that I did all this and stole something, right? Sorry to disappoint, but I found everything scattered like this. I came from downstairs and went up here because Blue called me to fetch something. Get it into your head," Gio emphasized.

"Bakit ka galit? Inaano ba kita?" Karl questioned, raising an eyebrow. "You're immediately getting upset, parang guilty," dagdag ni Karl, kaya nakuwelyuhan si Gio.

"Pikon..."

"Oo, pikon na pikon ako sa 'yo. Gusto mo bang patunayang bakla ako?" Wika ni Giovanni, at umigting ang panga. Natulak siya ni Karl dahil sa nainsulto ito.

"Ano, naiinsulto ka? Totoo namang bakla ka. Akala mo babae ka?! Ulol!" pang-uutya ni Giovanni, napikon kay Karl.

"Anong sabi mo!" Galit na wika ni Karl, saka susugod, pero biglang humiyaw si Red na kakarating lang sa likuran nila.

"What's going on? Such a mess," Red commented, catching Giovanni and Karl's attention. At ano itong naririnig kong bangayan? Para kayong mga bata," sabi ni Red.

"Red, I found your room open and everything scattered. I'm sure someone entered your room," Gio informed.

"Are you saying my room was burglarized?" Red asked, to which Gio nodded, and Karl sarcastically chuckled.

"Burglarized or all part of your plan? Alam mo, Red, naabutan ko siya dito sa loob. Kung maglalakad ka, akala mo konting ingay lang, makukulong siya," sabi ni Karl.

"I didn't steal anything," Gio interjected.

"Did I say you stole something?" Karl responded, raising an eyebrow.

"Hey, that's enough. I'll investigate this, Giovanni. Thanks for your concern, and one more thing, stop this argument," Red intervened.

"I didn't start it. Yang baklang yan ang nag-umpisa ng away. Baklang nagpapantasya ng magkaroon ng matres," sagot ni Gio, na lalong nagpikon kay Karl. Pinatamaan siya nito ng suntok na ikinagulat ni Red, kaya napasigaw siya.

Hindi nagpatalo si Gio at sinuntok rin si Karl kaya tumagal ang kanilang away. Patakbo namang dumating si Severo sa itaas kasama ang isang driver nila at pinilit silang paghiwalayin.

"Ano ba, tigilan niyo na 'yan!" Sigaw ni Red sa kanila, ngunit patuloy pa rin sila.

"Red, bumaba ka muna baka ma-stress ka lang dito, mas delikado," suhestyon ni Severo, ngunit nanatili lang doon si Red at tumulong sa paghiwalay nila. Kusa silang napahiwalay, ngunit nasaktan si Giovanni sa tiyan nito.

Hawak-hawak ni Severo si Gio para pigilan itong sumugod pa habang ang isang driver naman ang pumipigil kay Karl. Matalim ang tingin ng dalawa at pumagitna si Red sa kanila, at isang malutong na mura ang nakuha nila mula sa dalaga.

"Putang ina! Pagod ka na nga sa trabaho, ganito pa ang madadatnan mo, piste! Ano ba. Bakit ba kayo nag-aaway ha!" Galit na wika ni Red sa kanila kaya napayuko ang dalawa.

Blue arrived at the house, immediately drawn to the commotion. He rushed upstairs and witnessed the chaos.

"What's going on?" Blue asked, puzzled, but no one answered him, as tensions and anger filled the room. Red, Tala. Kumalma ka, yung puso mo," habilin ni Blue.

"Dito pa talaga sa kwarto ko?! Magsabi lang kayo kung magpapatayan kayo at nang mabigyan ko kayo ng tig-iisang kutsilyo!" Galit na galit na sabi ni Red, kaya napangiwi at napahawak siya sa dibdib. Kamuntikan na siyang matumba, pero buti nandyan si Blue at nasalo siya.

"Mas mabuti pang sa baba muna tayo. Severo, ayusin mo 'yan," utos ni Blue, at tinanguan siya ni Severo. Inalalayan ni Blue ang kapatid pababa ng hagdan, at pagbalik nila sa sala, pinahiga niya ito sa sofa at kinuhanan ng tubig. Pagbalik ni Blue, minasahe niya ang kamay ni Red.

"Just deep breaths, ganyan. Try to calm down, ate is here, okay. Close your eyes and breath, inhale exhale..." Payo ni Blue sa kapatid. "Do you need your inhaler?" he asked.

"It's my heart, not asthma," Red replied.

"Just making sure," Blue joked. "But seriously, stop with the alcohol. Your condition seems to be worsening," she added, trying to reason with her.

...

As time passed, tensions began to ease. Karl and Gio were temporarily separated, with Karl in the kitchen and Gio in the garden, as both needed time to cool off. Meanwhile, Red sat in the living room, her head resting on Blue's shoulder as he tried to calm her breathing.

Karl approached them with a glass and a container of medication for Red. "Red, I'm sorry. I couldn't control myself, I was insulted, and I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry you got involved," Karl apologized, and Red responded with a smile. "Take your medication to ease the pain," Karl said, handing Red the container of medication.

Red took the Nitroglycerin. Nitroglycerin is a medication commonly used to relieve chest pain or angina caused by coronary artery disease. After taking it a few moments ago, Red immediately felt the side effects, such as a headache. She had no choice but to continue lying on her sister's shoulder while Blue gently ran his fingers through her hair.

Karl gently held her hand and started massaging it after learning from Desa that massaging the girl's hand calms her down. After a few minutes, Severo suddenly approached and handed the cellphone to Blue.

"They've been calling since earlier, it's from Lyxeeries," Severo said. Blue checked the number on her phone and confirmed it was the company number. She glanced at Red, who was also looking at her.

"Answer it. It's important, and Karl is here anyway," Red urged her sister. Blue and Karl switched positions, and Red rested her head on Karl's shoulder. Blue then went out to answer the call.

"Your face wound hasn't been treated yet," Red pointed out.

"Mamaya ko na ro gagamutin" Karl replied, but Red insisted on taking care of it herself. Red suddenly stood up but quickly sat back down, feeling dizzy, one of the medication's side effects.

"I'm feeling dizzy, please get the first aid kit from the kitchen," Red instructed Karl. Karl complied to avoid stressing Red further, fetched the first aid kit, and sat beside Red again.

Red started treating Karl. Her touch was gentle, and Karl didn't feel any pain or stinging, just gazing at Red as if memorizing her face.

"You have freckles," Karl remarked, catching Red's attention. The girl turned to look at him, but paused as their faces were too close to each other.

"You can barely see them. There are some near your nose, close to your eyes, and on both cheekbones," Karl described, making Red smile and blush. "You're blushing. Is that also an after-effect of your medication?" Karl added, causing Red to look away shyly.

"Ye... Yes," Red stuttered. "Facial flushing or redness of the skin may occur soon after taking nitroglycerin as blood flow increases near the skin's surface," Red explained sheepishly as Karl nodded in understanding.

"Now, don't talk too much, I'm applying ointment to your lips," Red said as she gently applied a small amount of ointment on her fingertip and carefully put it on Karl's lip wound.

Red was focused on Karl's lips, thinking, 'Soft... Kissable lips.'

She snapped out of it when Karl cleared his throat. "It looks like the ointment you're applying will run out soon," Karl remarked, and Red realized she used too much.

"Oh, sorry!" Red panicked and was about to wipe it off when Karl stopped her hand. "It's okay, I'll wipe it off... Are you done? I'll return this so you can rest," Karl said with a smile. Red just nodded in response as Karl stood up, taking the first aid kit back to the kitchen.

"OMG, what was I thinking, kissable lips? Gosh. This is crazy," Red muttered to herself, covering her face with both hands in embarrassment.

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"What?! USB na nga lang hindi mo pa nakuha," sigaw ni Cleove Gillio sa kausap niya sa cellphone.

Cleove Gillio is the firstborn of the Gillio family and the successor of the GLIO Empire, one of the heavy competitors of R Empire. Cleove delegated the responsibility to his younger brother, Gearn Gillio, who is only two years younger than him. Cleove is currently pursuing his passion for fencing, but he also helps his brother with the company.

"Sorry boss, sinubukan kong kunin, pero maraming nakahalong ibang USB, hindi ko po alam kung saan doon 'yung video sa bar," sabi ng kausap ni Cleove sa kabilang linya, boses babae.

"Hindi kita pinadala diyan para magbakasyon, pinadala kita diyan para kunin ang pinambablock mail sa amin ng lintik na Red Camorra na 'yan. So go get that USB and get your ass back here," sabi ni Cleove nang galit at pinatay ang tawag.

"Bro, chill, take it easy. Kakapasok niya lang doon, mas mahirap kung mahuli siya kaagad, siyempre she had to gain their trust first. Calm down," sabi ni Gearn habang binibigyan ng baso ng whiskey ang kapatid.

"Wag kang mag-alala. Kakainin lahat ni Red lahat ng mga block mail niya. We'll let her taste her own medicine," sabi ni Gearn kaya natawa silang magkapatid at nag-cheers and drinks.

"Prost?" Gearn stands and turns to his brother, raising a toast.

Cleove smirks and clinks his glass with Gearn's. "Prost!" he said, and they both take a sip.

-----------------------------------

Red gently pulls Ella towards the pool area, still wearing an apron.

"Nay, come on, let's go swimming," Red insists.

"Oh, Red, stop it... Why don't you go swimming with Scale instead," Ella responds.

"Come on, mom... I even bought you this swimwear," Red pleads.

"Red... I allowed you to swim, do you want me to take that back?" Ella teases.

Red pouts and tries to look cute in front of her mother. "Please, mom, pretty please."

"That won't work on me. You two go swimming; I'll prepare snacks... Remember the condition for swimming in the pool," Ella reminds.

"Yes, thank you, mom," Red acknowledges.

"Alright, go swim, or your sister might catch you and scold you," Ella jokes.

"She can't do anything; you're the one who allowed it," Red responds.

"Ikaw talaga," Ella playfully pinches Red's side. "Okay, I'll prepare your snacks." She kisses Red on the forehead and heads to the kitchen.

...

While the girls, Scale, Desa, Sorpia, and Venus, were having a great time at the pool, Red was busy sunbathing.

"Red! Don't you want to swim? Tita already allowed you, just stay near here," Scale called out.

"I'm busy here," Red replied.

"Wag ka nang magpatan mamumula ka lang naman, magmumuka kang lechong payat," Desa teased.

"Alam mo ikaw natuto ka lang mag Tagalog, napakamapanglait mo na," Red quipped, making everyone burst into laughter. While Red was busy sunbathing, the others playfully splashed water on her, prompting her to join in and splash water back at them.

...

"Don't stay there blocking the sun," Red said as she lay on the pool tanning ledge with her eyes closed.

"Here you go, your highness, moving aside now," Scale jokingly complied.

"Let's go inside, nakakakagutom," Sorpia suggested.

"Lagi ka namang gutom eh," Scale teased.

"Ikaw naman. Wag mo nang awayin, ako rin nagugutom na, inubos kasi ni Red yung cookies di nag tira, tara pasok tayo," Desa said, earning a playful glare from Red.

"Venus, sama ka? We're going to get some food," Scale invited.

"Sige, you go ahead, I'll join you later," Venus replied, nodding as the others headed inside the mansion.

...

Red furrowed her brow as she didn't hear any noise around her. She was too relaxed to open her eyes, so she simply puckered her lips.

"Hmm... Is anyone there? Scale? Desa? Pia? Venus? Oh well, can someone put lotion on my legs? I forgot to apply," she requested with her eyes closed, knowing her request would be followed as she heard the lotion cap being opened.

Before long, she felt a hand gently touching her thigh, spreading lotion; then the touch slowly turned into a teasing caress that seemed to be enticing. In a matter of seconds, she felt the soft palm trailing down her belly... She could sense the warmth of the hand as she was in a two-piece swimsuit.

She opened her eyes in surprise when the hand reached her chest... And she was taken aback by who it was... Just as she was about to speak, she was unexpectedly kissed, causing her eyes to widen.

Confused but unable to push away, she gradually responded to the kiss until they both lost their breath.

They locked eyes, and Venus was about to kiss Red again when Red suddenly snapped back to reality, gently pushed her away, and stood up.

"Porca miseria! What are you doing?!" exclaimed Red.

"Kissing you," Venus replied with a mischievous grin.

A moment of silence

"What?! This is so wrong!" exclaimed Red, a mix of surprise and amusement in her voice.

"What's wrong? I just kissed you, what's wrong with that?! Just because we're both girls?! I just gave you a kiss," Venus replied with a playful grin.

"Coglione! Let's not mention that again!" Red responded, frustrated.

Feeling a bit flustered, Red decided to head inside, not wanting to stir up more playful mischief with Venus.

"Why don't you just admit you're a tomboy!" Venus teased, unable to resist a final playful jab.

Red stopped in her tracks, turning to face Venus with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"PUTANG. INA. MO." Red exclaimed, a mix of frustration and amusement in her voice.

She continued walking towards the house, making her way to the nearby bathroom. Standing in front of the mirror, she wiped off the lipstick smudge left by Venus on her lips. As she gazed at her reflection, she couldn't resist a playful punch at the mirror, causing it to crack and her hand to bleed and sting slightly.

...

"Wala akong anak na tomboy! Magpakababae ka!" Hernan exclaimed while swinging a belt towards Red.

"Tay, tama na po! Nasasaktan po ako!" Red cried out.

With a firm grip on Red's hair, Hernan to lift her off the ground, eliciting dramatic protests from Red.

"Hernan, maawa ka sa bata, that's enough," Ella intervened, trying to calm the intense moment.

"Why don't you behave like your sister! So graceful! Such a lady!" Hernan teased, comparing them.

"Dad, please stop, you're hurting Red!" Ella exclaimed while Hernan pointed at Blue, who was simply watching the scene unfold, a bit hesitant to speak up out of fear of getting involved and facing a similar punishment. Red, called out for Blue's help, knowing that Hernan often listened to her more, but Blue just looked at her, holding a book in her hands, unsure of what to do.

"Don't interfere! This one won't behave unless you all pamper her!" Hernan retorted, tossing Red on the floor, causing her to have minor injuries on her knee and palm. "From now on, you won't wear these!" Hernan declared, pointing to Red's boyish things.

He then burn all of Red's male items, including her shoes.

"No, tatay, please stop, please!" Red pleaded, pleading with her father to spare her belongings, as she watch it burn Infront of her.

...

As Red clenched her fist, her nails dug into her palm, reminiscing about those memories filled with nothing but anger and frustration while staring at the broken mirror in front of her.

Taking a deep breath, she wiped away her tears, calming herself before stepping out of the bathroom.

Upon leaving the bathroom, Red accidentally bumped into Karl, causing her to plop down on the floor.

"Oh, anong ginagawa mo dyan, nanlilimos ka ba?" Karl teased with a playful smirk.

"You know, konti nalang talaga masasakal na kita," Red retorted, playfully teasing back.

She stood up and pinagpag ang katawan.

"Medusa?" Karl jokingly remarked, making Red look around to see where he was looking.

"I... I have to go," Red hurriedly excused herself, not giving Karl a chance to respond, and quickly made her exit.

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Nasa loob sila ngayon ng kanilang kwarto dahil sinabi ni Desa na may sasabihin siya.

"Someone is suspicious here," sabi ni Desa.

"Hindi ako ha, baka ako nanaman yan," Sorpia replied.

"Gaga! May sinabi ba akong ikaw? What I mean is yung bagong salta, sobrang suspicious," Desa explained.

"You mean? Venus? Venus Salazar?" Scale asked in surprise.

"Sino pa ba yung bagong salta dito? Ikaw? Syempre si Venus, nakakapanghinala yung mga galaw nya," Desa said.

"Well, Desa has a point, come to think of it pioneer tayo dito and sa dami ng nadaanan nating bagong salta sya lang yung may lakas ng loob na lapitan tayo or kausapin si Red randomly and casually. Most of them are scared and some are hiding when they encounter with Red," Desa shared, prompting the others to ponder.

"Yes, Red looks innocent and approachable but her aura is— well..." Sorpia uttered hesitantly.

"It's really odd," Scale said while lying on the bed and staring at the ceiling. "It's either she wanted to be close to Red so her work would be easy or it's about this thing," Scale said, glancing at Sorpia and Desa, holding a USB.

"Alam naman nating lahat na ito ang habol sa nanloob ng kwarto ni Red and it's not possible na nakapasok lang dahil Red check her things and investigate on what happened she found this, a teddy bear earrings," Scale shared.

"Teddy bear, patingin nga... It's familiar," Sorpia said as she took the earring. "Red would never wear a childish earrings like this and I've seen this somewhere," Sorpia added, trying to recall.

They exchanged glances as the pieces of the puzzle started to connect in their minds.

-----------------------------------

Umaga sa CZ Mansion, kasalukuyang nagkakape ang tatlong bibe na sina Scale, Desa, at Sorpia nang lumapit si Karl na galing sa kanyang morning jog.

"Oh, mukhang nakikita na kita dito araw-araw ah," biro ni Sorpia.

"Parang ang sama naman ng pagkakasabi mo nun, that's rude," sabi ni Scale na may kunot-noo.

"Masama naman talaga yun, anong maganda dun? Ano sasabihin ko, 'Hala, ang galing magic, nandito ka nanaman.' Ganun?" sagot ni Sorpia, kaya napakampante na lang si Scale. Tumawa naman sina Desa at Karl sa kanilang banter.

"Dito kasi ako natutulog, gusto ni Momshie. May tanong lang ako," paliwanag ni Karl, na kaya naman napansin ng tatlong bibe at tinanong kung ano ang kanyang tanong. "May tattoo pala si Red sa may bandang bewang... Medusa? Bakit ganun, ano favorite character niya?" simpleng tanong ni Karl, ngunit walang sumagot sa kanya. Walang anuman ang tugon mula sa tatlong bibe.

"Sige, ibang tanong nalang. Gusto ko lang naman maging kaibigan si Crayon. Napansin ko na ang dami niyang alam na languages dahil pinapanood siya ni Jane, yung kapatid ko... Ang dami niyang alam na languages," dagdag pa ni Karl, at doon lang nagsalita ang tatlo.

"Well, she's good at languages and communications. Hindi namin alam kung gaano karami ang alam niya na languages, so safe to say na hindi lalayo sa thousands dahil may 7,000. Basta sabihin nalang nating alam niya lahat," sagot ni Desa sa kanya.

"Kung gusto mo talaga siyang maging kaibigan, you must know every single detail of her, even the smallest ones. Halimbawa, magaling siya sa math. Hindi mo maipagkakaila, kapatid siya ni Blue," sabi ni Sorpia.

"Nakakatulog ka na yata diyan at nananaginip ka na," biro ni Scale.

"Magaling kaya siya sa math," wika ni Sorpia.

"Sige nga, ano ang sagot niya sa tanong mo na 30 × 30?" usisa ni Scale.

Nagkatinginan silang dalawa at napuno ng katahimikan ang paligid.

"Bumblebee," sagot ni Sorpia.

Tinaasan siya ng kilay ni Scale at ngumiti ito sa kanya.

"Damn it!" bulalas ni Sorpia, kaya natawa silang lahat.

—♡—