"Ano kaya pa?" Blue jokingly asked Zac, who was feeling dizzy from the rides they took.

"I can still handle it, but for now, I need to throw up," Zac uttered.

Blue burst into laughter at Zac's reaction.

"You're really weak," Blue teased.

"If you rode that swing ride, you'd definitely throw up," Zac explained.

"Nah, not me," Blue denied.

"It's obvious... We've been spinning around, and you act like it's nothing," Zac pointed out.

"You bravely rode it but ended up like this," Blue teased.

Blue continued to laugh as she watched Zac get sick from the swing ride they took.

"Let's go... Let's try the roller coaster this time," Blue suggested.

"Oh, dear... Not there, it's expensive there, we haven't received our salary yet," Zac joked.

"What expensive... You're arguing even though you're wrong... This amusement park is under R Empire; I'm free here because Red owns it... I wish I came alone," Blue joked.

Blue grinned when she saw Zac stand up straight and hold her hand.

"Let's go to the bumper cars instead," Zac suggested.

"Are you sure? I thought you wanted to try the roller coaster," Zac asked.

"Zac, I'd be selfish if I forced you to ride it when you're already feeling sick..." Blue explained.

Zac didn't immediately respond and averted his gaze to Blue.

"Let's go to the bumper cars," Blue insisted.

...

"Hey! You look so down, buddy," Scale teased his sibling Severo, who was sitting in the garden.

"Wala, the mansion feels lonely and quiet," Severo remarked.

"Come on! Are you saying you miss Desa..." Scale teased, glancing at Severo.

"Do you really love her? Or do you just love her because I told you she loves you?" Scale asked, making Severo turn to him and nod.

"I love her because I love her, Scale, not just because of what you said. I've thought about this for a long time, I love her. It may be hard to believe, but that's the truth," Severo replied, smiling at his sibling.

Scale sighed, catching Severo's attention immediately.

"That's deep. Sad girl over there," Severo commented.

"Come on, Kuya," Scale protested.

Severo chuckled when Scale pouted like a child.

"Why do you always sigh deeply?" Severo asked.

"Sorpia is avoiding me," Scale explained, pouting.

"Poor kid, that's because you're teasing her," Severo teased.

"Hey! FYI, I'm not a bully, okay," Scale retorted, annoyed at his brother.

"Fine, come on, I'll buy you ice cream," Severo offered.

"Am I a kid?" Scale joked.

"Why don't you want it?" Severo asked.

"Did I say I didn't want it? Let's go, hurry up," Scale replied.

Severo chuckled as Scale quickly walked out of the gate.

"Kuya, hurry up, let's also buy some taho," Scale shouted to Severo, who was far ahead.

...

"Model and entrepreneur Red Camorra was stabbed after being attacked by an assassin in his own office. Many have sent their support to the model such as famous personalities..."

News on television

"Oh regarde, nous ne sommes pas les seuls à vouloir tuer cette Camorra rouge, il y en a beaucoup d'entre nous... Ce genre d'assassinat que Lyxeeries peut faire" ???

(Oh look, we're not the only ones who want to kill that Red Camorra, there are many of us... That kind of assassination that Lyxeeries can do)

"Wie hast du das gewusst... Wie kannst du sagen, dass es die Lyxeeries waren, sie haben einen Waffenstillstand" An apprentice talks in German.

(How did you know... How can you say it was the Lyxeeries, they have a truce)

"Comme si Red allait être obéissante... Vous la connaissez, elle a été à la hauteur de son nom... forte, confiante et ayant une personnalité extravertie, audacieuse, bruyante et pleine d'énergie, intrépide, impatiente, agressive et dominante" ???

(As if Red will be obedient... You know her, she lived up to her name... strong, confident, and outgoing personality, bold, boisterous, and full of energy, fearless, impatient, aggressive, and dominant)

"Kannst du aufhören, sie zu beurteilen." An apprentice talks again in German.

(Can you stop judging her.)

"Can you fucking stop talking in German?" ???

"You stop speaking in French." The apprentice.

"Hey, what's going on, you're going to fight when you both understand each other," said another mysterious person who was with the two.

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

"Ano ba yan, patayin mo nga yan nakakarindi," Red exclaimed, clearly annoyed.

Napalingon si Venus kay Red na basa ng pawis parang kakagaling sa exercise.

"Nanonood lang naman ako ng news," Venus replied calmly, observing Red's sweaty appearance.

"Akala ko ba mag go-grocery ka," Red questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"Tinitingnan ko kung may possibility ba na umulan kasi medyo madilim sa labas eh 1 pm palang naman... Ikaw bat pawis ka," Venus inquired, noticing Red's perspiration.

"Nag exercise ako..." Red explained, looking down at his attire - a sports bra and leggings.

"Bakla ka, exercise pag yang sugat mo dumugo ewan ko sayo..." Pagsusuplada sakanya ni Venus. "Ang laki pala ng tattoo mo sa may bandang tyan? May mga ahas... Medusa?" Venus teased, noticing a large tattoo on Red's stomach depicting snakes - possibly Medusa.

"OA mo naman masyado, naka move on na ako tapos ganyan ka mag react," Red retorted, slightly irritated.

"Pero yung meaning ng Medusa na tattoo..." Venus continued, intrigued by the symbolism.

"Tatahimik ka ngayon o patatahimikin kita habang buhay," Red threatened, silencing any further discussion on the topic.

"Pero..." Venus attempted to speak up.

"Hintayin mo ako dyan magbibihis lang ako sasamahan nalang kita mag-grocery," Red instructed, heading upstairs to change, leaving Venus waiting on the sofa.

...

"Huy, nadala mo ba yung juice?" tanong ni Karl.

"Syempre, ako kaya nagtimpla nito," sagot ni Jane.

"Sige na, mauna ka na dun, ako na bahala mag-park ng kotse saka magdadala ng mga gamit," sabi ni Karl.

"Naks, hindi ka si Karla ngayon ha," tuksong sinabi ni Jane.

"Sige na, pumunta ka na dun," sabi ulit ni Karl.

Bumaba ng kotse si Jane at lumakad patungo sa puntod ng kanilang nanay habang si Karl naman ay naghanap ng pwesto para makapag-park.

Lumipas ang mga oras na puno ng tawanan, asaran, at minsan seryosong usapan habang nagpi-picnic ang dalawa sa tabi ng puntod ng kanilang nanay.

"Kuya, magpatattoo kaya ako, noh?" tanong ni Jane.

"Tattoo? Mas gusto ko pang tawagin mo ako ng kuya buong buhay ko kesa magpatattoo ka," sagot ni Karl.

"Maliit lang naman eh," depensa ni Jane.

"Nag-aadik ka ba? Mommy, oh, nag-aadik," biro ni Karl.

"Hoy! Hindi ah, maliit lang naman, nakita ko kasi yung tattoo ni ate Red sa may wrist nya, may rose... Ang cute," paliwanag ni Jane.

"Ang ate Red mo malaki na yun, ikaw nag-aaral pa kaya, no, no, no... Kaya may tattoo ang ate Red mo kasi may tinatakpan dun sa wrist nya, ikaw meron ba?" tanong ni Karl.

"Wala naman... Pero pag nakagraduate na ako, pwede?" tugon ni Jane.

"Oo na... Basta maliit lang ha," payo ni Karl.

"Yay! Alam mo, may na-research ako dito, meaning ng mga tattoo eto... The Crescent moon tattoo represents fertility and motherhood, pero meron din itong ibang kahulugan. Halimbawa, ang crescent moon ay maaaring simbolong para sa creativity, growth, at manifestation. Ohhh, isa pa yung sun tattoo, also represents rebirth, a new beginning, new dawn. Ohh, bongga," ibinahagi ni Jane.

"Pwede mo yan pagsamahin, tapos kanta ka ng sun and moon," biro ni Karl.

"Oo nga noh... Teka eto pa... Eto infinity symbol, meron nito si daddy – it symbolizes timelessness, a never-ending cycle, and eternity. Pwede din tong semicolon tattoo kasi semicolon can represent your tough, resilient, and persuasive spirit. You’re a fighter who never wants to give up," sabi ni Jane.

"Ayan, bagay sayo yan, semicolon nalang," biro ni Karl.

"Now na?" tanong ni Jane.

"Anong 'now na,' sapakin kita dyan eh," biro ni Karl.

"Joke lang, eto naman... Meron din ditong goddesses like Athena, ano sya oil, peace & war and then si Aphrodite was the goddess of love, beep, and beauty," kwento ni Jane.

"Ano yung beep?" tanong ni Karl.

"3 letters, tas dyug dyugan," sagot ni Jane.

"Ahhh ok gets, the S," sabi ni Karl.

"Oo, S, para kang ahas... Speaking of ahas, Goddess din ba si Medusa?" tanong ni Jane.

"Hmm... Well, legend says that Medusa was once a beautiful, avowed priestess of Athena who was cursed for breaking her vow of celibacy. She is not considered a goddess or Olympian... Bakit?" tanong ni Karl.

"Well, may nabasa kasi ako dito na the Medusa tattoo can mean many things, but it's generally a symbol of survival, strength, and overcoming assault, says tattoo artist Ruby Rose. Medusa has become a figure of protection to women who have experienced sexual assault or assault on some level, particularly by men," paliwanag ni Jane.

"Sexual assault?" tanong ni Karl.

...

"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 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.

"She is wearing a two-piece, she has two tattoos... And it's Medusa... I know that has a meaning, I just can't remember what it is," Karl mused.

...

"Why kuya, do you know someone?" Jane asked.

"Maybe..." Karl replied.

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

"Ayun, bili tayo ng pasta, magluluto ako ng lasagna," sabi ni Red.

"Ayan, sige, bili din tayo ng sauce baka wala sa bahay," tugon ni Venus.

"Wag na, marunong ako gumawa ng sauce, ano nalang, cheese, damihan mo," utos ni Red.

"Ms. Red, di ka naman adik sa cheese, 'no?" tanong ni Venus.

"Masarap 'yan, basta cheesy, trust me," sabi ni Red, while giving Venus a playful look, making her laugh as she pushed their cart towards the cashier.

...

"See, sabi ko naman sayo wag na nating gamitin yung kotse mo at mag-commute nalang, buti nalang nandun si manong Rando at dala nya yung van," pahayag ni Red.

"Yes, commander, wag ka nang magalit, nakauwi naman na tayo ahh... Hindi ka ba marunong mag-unbuckle ng seat belt?" sabi ni Venus.

"Baliw... Na-stuck kasi; piste..." sambit ni Red.

"Patingin," sabi ni Venus.

Venus leaned to approach the passenger seat from the driver's seat to check the condition of Red's seatbelt when she suddenly turned to her so their faces came closer and looked at each other.

Natanggal ni Venus yung pagkakabuckle ng seatbelt ni Red pero hindi nya matanggal ang pagkakatitig nya sa mga mata nito.

"Your eyes are blue like the sea in Palawan... And your lips... are precious," sabi ni Venus.

Unti-unti nya itong hinalikan ng madahan at sumabay din si Red sa ritmo ng labi nya.

Humaplos ang kamay ni Venus sa hita nya pataas kaya pinalo nya ito at napangiti naman si Venus habang hinahalikan nya si Red.

Itinayo nya si Red at itinulak sa likuran kaya napaupo ito, saka sya kumandong at agresibong hinalikan; iniangat nya yung t-shirt ni Red nang mapalingon sila sa kumatok sa bintana ng van.

"Hello? May tao ba dyan?" sabay tanong ni Scale.

Umalis sa pagkakakandong si Venus at inayos ni Red ang damit nya.

"Scale? Anong ginagawa mo dito?" tanong ni Red.

"Uy, may tao pala, akala ko nakapark lang, anong ginagawa nyo dyan?" Inosenteng tanong ni Scale sa kanila kaya sinagot ito ni Red na na-stuck ang seatbelt nya kaya tinulungan sya ni Venus. "Ah ok, sumunod na kayo sa loob, hinahanap na kayo ni tita Ella," sabi ni Scale.

Tiningnan lang nila mula sa loob si Scale na papasok ng bahay natawa naman silang dalawa.

"Pasalamat ka tinted... Kung hindi, nakita na ni Scale kung paano ka naging lion at paano mo ako nilapa..." sambit ni Red.

"Che! Bumaba ka na nga, ako na magpapasok ng groceries," sabi ni Venus.

Natatawa namang bumaba ng van si Red at pumasok.

...

"Hi ate Red..." sabi ni Jane.

"Uy, Jane... You're here too... Anong ginagawa nyo dito?" tanong ni Red.

"Mag-overnight, dito kami hanggang bukas, sleepover ba," sabi ni Karl.

"Sya may plano nyan, namiss ka eh," sabi ni Severo.

"Yieee, ang sweet naman, di ka na galit sakin?" tanong ni Red.

"Che!" wika ni Karl sabay inirapan si Red at umupo sa sofa, kaya natawa naman sila.

"Si Blue asan... And Desa saka Sorpia?" tanong ni Red.

"Si Blue kasama pa si Zac sa amusement park and si Desa di pa clear kung bakit sya umuwi, si Sorpia di din namin alam," sagot ni Gio.

"Ahh nakikipag-date kay Zac..." sabi ni Red.

"Uy may nagseselos dito oh," wika ni Ella habang nakatingin kay Severo.

"Tita naman eh, loyal po ako kay Desa," depensa ni Severo.

Natawa naman sila sa reaksyon ni Severo.

"Sandali lang, magluluto lang ako ng lasagna," sabi ni Red.

"Yown! Yan ang namiss ko," sabi ni Gio.

"Yung lasagna ba talaga ang namiss mo o yung magluluto," tanong ni Scale.

Nahiya naman si Giovanni nang sabay silang nagsabi ng ‘Yiee.’

"Tara na nga Red, tulungan kitang magluto ng pasta, nakakainis sila," sabi ni Gio.

...

Habang nagluluto si Gio at Red, nagkukulitan din ang dalawa.

Gio hugged her from the back while four pairs of eyes watched them.

"Akala ko ba sabi nyo, ako yung nagseselos, bakit parang yung dalawang yun ang nagseselos," sabi ni Severo.

"Huh, what do you mean?" tanong ni Jane.

"Tingnan mo yang dalawa, halos matanggal na yung mata sa kakatitig," sabi ni Severo.

Napatingin sila kay Karl at Venus na kanina pa nakatitig kina Venus at Gio na nagluluto at nagkukulitan sa kusina.

—♡—