"Ms. Red? Kakain na po," katok ni Venus sa kwartong tinutulugan ni Red. Napakamot ng ulo si Venus nang hindi sumagot si Red, kaya napagpasyahan niyang buksan ang pinto.

"Tulog ka po ba?" tanong ni Venus.

Nilapitan niya ang kama at nang tanggalin ang kumot, napansin niya na tanging mga unan lang ang natatakpan nito. Agad siyang nataranta at hinanap si Red.

Nais sana niyang tawagan si Sophia para balitaan sila, ngunit biglang narinig niya ang tunog ng piano mula sa isang kwarto kaya sinilip niya ito.

...

Nakaupo si Red sa harap ng piano at tumutugtog.

"I used to float,
now I just fall down.
I used to know
but I'm not sure now.
What I was made for,
what was I made for?
Takin' a drive, I was an ideal.
Looked so alive, turns out I'm not real.
Just something you paid for,"

Red sang softly as her fingers danced on the piano keys.

...

"Where is my apo? My tagapagmana?" Wika ng isang matandang babae na kakarating lang at bago sa paningin ng kambal.

Ipinakilala sila ng tatay nila sa sinabing matanda na kalaunan ay nagpakilalang sya ang lola ng kambal.

"Oh..." Reaksyon ng matanda nang malaman nyang kambal ang apo nya. "Dalawa... Twins..." Dagdag pa nito.

Hindi makapaniwala ang matanda na kambal ang apo nya, dahil narin sa ayaw nya sa kambal dahil sa paniniwalang malas ito at makakaapekto sa buhay nila.

Sinabihan naman sya ng tatay ng mga bata na anak nya rin na bigyan ng chance ang mga anak nya kaya napalingon sya sa kambal, nakangiti sakanya si Blue, habang nagtatago naman sa likod ng tatay nya si Red, natatakot at nahihiya.

...

"What was I made for?
'Cause I, I,
I don't know how to feel.
But I wanna try,"

Red continued to play the piano, lost in her thoughts and emotions.

...

"Hon... Pasyal naman tayo, lagi nalang tayong nandito sa bahay," Red suggested, looking for a change of scenery.

"Not now, madami pa akong ginagawa," Yezh replied, focused on his work.

"Sige, ano nalang... Ipagluluto nalang kita sa bahay, ano gusto mo?" Red offered, trying to connect with Yezh.

"Hindi ako makakauwi ngayon sa bahay, madami akong tatapusin," Yezh explained, absorbed in his tasks.

Feeling a bit disheartened, Red nodded in understanding as she hummed a tune to herself, trying to pass the time in Yezh's home office.

Yezh started to get irritated, putting down his pen and papers, and approached Red, who was puzzled by his sudden movement. She was taken aback when he suddenly slapped her.

"Honey? Bakit mo naman ako–" Red attempted to question her boyfriend but was cut off as he grabbed her by the neck, causing her to struggle for breath as she leaned against the sofa, overwhelmed.

"Yezh... Nasasaktan ako," Red managed to utter amidst tears and pain caused by Yezh's aggression.

...

"I don't know how to feel.
But someday, I might.
Someday, I might,"

Red sang softly, her voice filled with a mix of uncertainty and hope.

...

Mag-isa nanaman si Red sa malaking bahay, kasama ang mga gintong pigura sa paligid, dahil hindi nanaman nakauwi ang nobyo o kahit pamilya nya, para samahan sya sa malaking bahay na iyon.

...

"MM, MM-MM, AHH-OOH. MM-MM-MM, MM-MM, MM-MM.

When did it end?
All the enjoyment.
I'm sad again,
don't tell my boyfriend.
It's not what he's made for,"

Red's voice wavered as she sang the poignant lyrics.

...

"Yezh... Nagtanong lang naman sya," Red defended herself, trying to reason with Yezh.

"At anong itinanong nya ha?! Ano!" Yezh's eyes blazed with anger as he grabbed Red's face with his hand. "Ilang beses ko ba sasabihin sayo na huwag na wag kang makikipag usap sa kung sino mang lalaki dito!" he yelled.

"Bakit ba napkaseloso mo!" Red's frustration boiled over.

"Sumasagot ka na ngayon," Yezh's tone turned menacing as he slapped Red hard, causing her to sit on the floor, crying and holding her cheek that was struck by her partner.

...

"What was I made for?
'Cause I, 'cause I,
I don't know how to feel.
But I wanna try.
I don't know how to feel.
But someday I might.
Someday I might,"

Red's voice trembled as she sang, her heart heavy with uncertainty and pain.

...

Naglalakad si Red ng nakayapak sa gitna ng ulan... Hindi na nya alam kung ano pa ba ang umaagos sa hita at braso nya; tubig ulan o dugo.

Halos matuyuan na sya ng luha sa kakaiyak dulot ng sakit at kahihiyaan dahil sa nangyari sa kanya.

...

"Think I forgot
how to be happy.
Something I'm not,
but something I can be.
Something I wait for,"

Red's voice broke as she closed her eyes, letting the tears fall freely while feeling the rhythm of the song.

...

"Something I'm made for.
Something I'm made for,"

Red whispered to herself, her emotions raw and vulnerable.

As she turned to leave, the sound of applause echoed from the door, drawing her attention.

"Galing naman," Venus complimented Red on her piano skills.

"Hindi ka lang pakialamera noh... Bolera rin," Red retorted, feeling defensive.

"Nagsasabi kaya ako ng totoo, Ms. Red... Ang lamig po ng boses mo," Venus remarked sincerely.

Taking a deep breath, Red exited the music room, passing by Venus and settling on the sofa to watch TV.

"Ay, maldita... Akala ko nga po umalis ka eh," Venus teased.

"Dapat aalis talaga ako but... Hindi ko mahanap ang susi ng kotse mo," Red explained her presence.

"Well, Ms. Red, kung madiskarte ka, matalino ako," Venus proudly stated.

"So ano pinapalabas mo? Na bobo ako? Kasalanan ko ba kung kasa-kasama mo sa pag-tulog 'yang susi ng cheap na car mo," Red fired back, feeling offended.

"Ang advance mo namang mag-isip, Ms. Red... Syempre 'yun ang bilin sa akin, wag na wag ipagamit sayo ang kotse," Venus reassured.

"Bakit ba kasi 'yan yung ginamit nating kotse... I have mine... Mas better pa ng sayo... That is so cheap," Red expressed her dissatisfaction.

"Oo na cheap na kotse ko, now pwede na po ba tayong kumain? Eto, kain ka na, nagluto ako," Venus offered a plate of food with rice and viand.

"Ew! Tuyo?! Are you kidding me?! Ipapakain mo sa akin 'yan? Ayoko niyan, that's cheap... Gusto ko ng bacon," Red rejected the dish, showing her disapproval.

"Walang bacon, sige na kumain ka na," Venus insisted.

"No! That's gross!" Red exclaimed.

Red accidentally knocked Venus's hand, almost spilling the food she prepared.

"Ms. Red! Ano ba, pagkain 'yan?" Venus questioned, slightly frustrated.

"Ayoko nga niyan, ipagluto mo ako ng iba ayoko niyan... Palibhasa wala kang kaalam-alam sa mga mamahaling bagay," Red criticized Venus.

Venus looked at Red with a mix of understanding and disappointment before continuing to eat alone.

"Ms. Red, alam kong masama ang loob mo ngayon, pero sana naman po wag kayong manghusga," Venus expressed her thoughts, hoping for understanding.

"Why don't you try to be thankful for the things you have... Yes, you have a lot of money, but you are in no position to judge my whole personality; yes, we are poor, but I have never been and will never be like you. Spoiled brat... Kung ayaw mo kumain, fine, hindi naman ako 'yung magugutom... Hindi ako nandito para pagsilbihan ka, nandito ako para samahan ka... If you wanna be alone, then be alone," Venus spoke her mind before leaving Red in the living room to eat alone.

Feeling a pang of guilt, Red turned off the TV and approached Venus.

"Ano pa ba 'yung ibang ulam diyan?" Red inquired, showing a hint of remorse.

"Kare-Kare," Venus replied.

"Anong ingredients niyan?" Red asked.

"Uhm... Peanut, Onion, Shrimp paste, Beef... Salt..." Venus listed the ingredients.

"There... Sila... Ilan ba teka... Peanut, Onion, Shrimp, Salt, and Beef... Lima sila, it's not good for people who have asthma, like me so let me politely decline it, Ms. Salazar. A little advice, bago mo din pagsabihan ang isang tao, alamin mo muna kung ano ang pinagdadaanan niya ha... Addio," Red explained before excusing herself and heading to her room.

Venus was left pondering, "Akala ko ASD lang asthma, din pala, so ano kinakain nya kung bawal lahat, hangin?" She sighed in frustration, "Ano ba yan, bakit ba ako 'yung namomoblema, hindi pa rin 'yun valid reason para gumanun sya."

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

Scale and Sorpia received a text from an unknown person, so they exchanged glances. They immediately informed the investigator at Red's office about the recent events. Sorpia was equipped with a wireless mic to capture any conversations from potential suspects.

Sorpia arrived at an abandoned location known for being a meeting place for syndicates, where she unexpectedly encountered armed men wearing red masks.

"Show yourself, don't be a coward!" Sorpia shouted as she scanned her surroundings.

"Are you looking for me, dear?" a woman's voice spoke. Sorpia turned to the woman, dressed in a long red cloak with her face concealed, prompting Sorpia to point her gun at her.

"Whoa, relax, dear... I didn't come here to fight... I came here to deliver this," the woman said as she tossed a small envelope containing a letter in front of Sorpia, keeping a safe distance between them.

"What is this?" Sorpia asked.

"Why don't you take a look? Don't worry, there's no bomb in there," the woman reassured, prompting Sorpia to cautiously pick up the envelope while still keeping her gun aimed at the woman.

As Sorpia read the back of the envelope, she saw the name "Inang Rosas." The woman in red clapped her hands, catching Sorpia's attention. Slowly, the mysterious woman raised her veil, revealing her face, much to Sorpia's surprise.

"I know there are hidden cameras around, you're wearing a spy audio bug. You didn't expect to see my face, did you? I'm not a coward to hide this face, the eyes that have seen through all their lies," Inang Rosas spoke. Sorpia observed her closely: short dark brown hair, one blue eye, and one white eye, a long scar on her cheek, and a golden mask.

"You're a brave woman... Why don't you join my team?" Inang Rosas suggested.

"Why are you doing this? What did Red do to you?" Sorpia questioned, her gun still pointed at Inang Rosas.

"Why should I tell you, are you a god? You know, Sorpia, you don't have to endure her treatment. It's not necessary," Inang Rosas replied.

"What do you mean? Who are you, and how did you know my name?" Sorpia inquired.

"It doesn't matter how I know your name; what's important is how she treats you. Look, there are three of you, and she only values her two ducklings. She spoils them, but what about the third one... Will you continue to be Red Camorra's pawn while Scale and Desa live their best lives? And you, following orders here and there," Inang Rosas explained.

"I know what you're trying to do... Making me feel angry and jealous... Well, sorry to say, but I'm not foolish enough to believe you. Ms. Red treats all her employees fairly; she doesn't play favorites," Sorpia defended.

Inang Rosas continued, "Yes, she does not play favorites with her employees, but those two ducklings are her friends, not just her employees, dear... Come to think of it, you're the only one who didn't grow up with them... You're the only one..."

"What do you mean?" Sorpia asked, still confused.

"You still don't understand, do you? Let me be specific. Firstly, Desa is her best friend since middle school, and Scale is her classmate from middle school... And you, you only applied to be her guard, and she saw potential in you," Inang Rosas explained, leaving Sorpia stunned and wondering how she knew all of this.

Inang Rosas chuckled at Sorpia's reaction. "I did my research, dear. And when I say research, I mean I know even the smallest details about you, kahit nga split ends nyo alam ko kung ilan," Inang Rosas laughed mischievously while Sorpia kept her gun aimed at her.

The woman waved her cloak, creating thick smoke in front of Sorpia. Sorpia crossed through the smoke quickly, but the woman she was talking to disappeared like a bubble. Sorpia felt confused and looked around, unable to understand how the woman they had just met knew so much about her.

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

While Karl was arranging the displays sa kanilang station, biglang may humiyaw, "Kuya! I missed you!"

"Hoy! Anong ginagawa mo dito? Don't you have school?" tanong ni Karl.

"Maaga kaming pinauwi... So naisipan kong tumulong dito," paliwanag ni Jane.

"Weh," wika ni Karl skeptically, dahil hindi siya makapaniwala na pinauwi ng maaga si Jane, isang gawain na dati niyang ginagawa nung nag-aaral pa siya.

"Fine, umabsent ako. Ayoko kasi ng accountancy, I don't like ABM, gusto ko Agri Crop," reklamo ni Jane, causing Karl to shake his head.

"Wala tayong magagawa, yun yung gusto nya. Sayo ipapamana yung kumpanya," sabi ni Karl.

"Pero ayoko, gusto ko agriculture," Jane insisted. "Kuya, gusto ko ng Agri Crop, please," dagdag niya, trying to be cute.

"Oh eh ano?" tanong ni Karl.

"Ikaw magsabi kay daddy, sabihin mo transfer ako sa Agri Crop," request ni Jane.

"Loka to. Gusto mo bang majombag ako ng daddy?!" reaksyon ni Karl.

"Just try it, pag jinombag ka nya, ako makakalaban nya," biro ni Jane.

"What, jojombagin mo din?" tawa ni Karl sa kapatid.

"No, sisipain ko lato lato nya," biro ni Jane, making them both laugh.

"By the way, kamusta na pala si Ate Red?" tanong ni Jane.

"She's still alive, probably has more lives than a cat," sagot ni Karl.

"More lives than a cat? Maybe she's like Cardo," biro ni Jane, making Karl laugh again.

"Loka loka ka talaga, manang mana ka kay mommy, even the features, you got them," biro ni Karl.

"Kuya... Miss ko na si mommy," sabi ni Jane, feeling a bit sad.

Napansin ni Karl na nalulungkot ang kapatid kaya lumapit siya at niyakap ng mahigpit.

"Don't be sad, remember what Mom used to say, if you're sad, you look ugly. Do you want to look ugly?" biro ni Karl kay Jane.

"Hayaan mo bukas maaga ako magsasara para mabisita natin si mommy, ok ba yun?" suggestion ni Karl.

"That's great! Thank you, kuya. You're the best," reply ni Jane.

"That's my birthday gift to you," sabi ni Karl.

"Oh, I almost forgot, wait," nagulat si Karl nang may kunin na sobre si Jane at ibinigay sa kanya. "Open it," sabi ni Jane.

You are invited to
Jean Jane Derioso's
Birthday party

"Are you serious?" tanong ni Karl.

"Yes, of course! Daddy allowed me, so you can't say no," sagot ni Jane.

"Why would I say no? Kahit pa ma–ban ako sa bahay, pupunta parin ako kasi debut mo eh. Thank you," sabi ni Karl, at niyakap ulit ang kapatid.

"Kuya, diba Agustin yung apelyido ng nanay nila ate Red?" tanong ni Jane.

"Pero, Jane, wag kang umabsent ng umabsent ha. Mag-aral ka ng mabuti kasi hindi lahat ng tao swerteng nakakapag-aral. Ikaw swerte ka kasi nakakapag-aral ka at sa Empress University pa," advice ni Karl.

"May kaklase kasi ako, Agustin yung apelyido nya, baka kamag-anak nila," sabi ni Jane.

"Madaming Agustin sa mundo, Jane," sagot ni Karl.

"Malay mo baka malayong kamag-anak nila diba," pangungumbinsi ni Jane. "At isa pa, nalaman ko, may kapatid syang lalaki. Matagal tagal ka na ring single, ipapareto kita," biro ni Jane, kaya nabatukan sya ni Karl.

"Are you crazy? Why does it matter if he has a brother," biro ni Karl.

"I'll set you up, make him your sweetheart," insiste ni Jane.

"No, stop bothering me," biro ni Karl.

"Why do you seem reluctant? Before, you were open to anyone, kahit nga lalaki sa punso go ka, but now, I can smell something fishy... You're in love, right?" biro ni Jane.

Nilingon ni Karl ang kapatid na mataman na nakatingin sakanya kaya inirapan nya ito. "Something fishy ka dyan, maybe it's your mouth... It's close to your nose, diyan ka na nga," biro ni Karl, at nagpatuloy sa pag-aayos ng display habang si Jane ay kinukulit sya kung sino ang napupusuan nya ngayon.

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

"Blue," Zac called out.

"Ay tikbalang! Ay ano ba," Blue replied.

"Did I surprise you?" Zac asked.

"Seriously, you're asking that... What's your purpose?" Blue inquired.

"I was thinking of inviting you for coffee," Zac said.

"Here we go again with coffee..." Blue teased.

"Uhm... Let's go for a stroll... To the amusement park since you don't have work anyway," Zac suggested.

"Sure... Let's go to unwind a bit," Blue agreed.

...

Giovanni brought coffee that he intended to give to Blue, but he paused when he saw her talking to a guy.

...

Zacxheus assisted Blue getting into the car, then he took the driver's seat and started driving towards the amusement park.

Their journey was not quiet due to Zac's lively chatter, bringing joy along the way.

Upon their arrival at the amusement park, they immediately played games and quickly won prizes. Blue was delighted with the stuffed toys Zac won for her and handed to her.

"So many of these... Thank you, you're so good," Blue expressed her gratitude.

"It's because you're with me... You are my luck charm," Zac remarked.

"Here he goes again, bolero, Blue rolled her eyes.

"But admit it, you blushed, which means you were kilig, right?" Zac teased.

"Stop it, Zac... Let's ride that one," Blue redirected.

Blue walked ahead; Zac smiled and followed.

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

Venus descended the stairs, catching a whiff of freshly cooked food.

"Hi," Venus turned to Red's greeting, who was carrying rice.

"What's this..." Venus asked.

"Peace offering... You're right, I shouldn't have been like that... So I fried this for you, sorry it's just fried, I couldn't think of anything to cook, there's not enough supplies here," Red explained.

"Peace offering, really? Ms. Red, this is okay, this fried fish is delicious... Wait, pwede ba sayo to?" Venus inquired.

"We'll find out... If I'm still breathing later, it means I can eat it," Red joked, making Venus laugh and scratch her head.

"Okay, let's not waste time, let's eat," Red suggested.

They sat at the table... Venus started eating when Red suddenly said a prayer, causing her to spit out the rice and make the sign of the cross.

"In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit... Lord, thank you for the new life you've given and the food on our table, thank you, please guide us in Jesus' name we pray, amen," Red prayed and made the sign of the cross again.

"You didn't tell me you were so godly," Venus remarked.

"Just eat there," Red said and started eating.

"I also have a peace offering... But it's for dessert later," Venus shared.

"Wow, a dessert. Is it strawberry?" Red asked, but Venus just smiled and didn't answer.

—♡—