All is well.
Everyone was so busy taking their time in the party. Bakit pa nga ba ako magtataka? Lahat naman ng pinag-uusapan nila, it's all about business and politics. Ang mga babae naman, hindi mapalagay sa iisang lugar kakatingin sa asawa ko.
"Excuse me, miss?" naabala ako nang kausapin ako ng isang lalaki na nasa katabi kong lamesa. Panay lang naman ang sulyap ko sa iisang direksyon at ngayon lang may nakakuha ng atensyon ko dahil sa ginawa niya.
Good to know that I was wearing a mask kaya hindi ako makikilala ng sarili kong asawa, "Yes?" tanong ko at pinagtaasan siya ng kilay.
"I could see that you have no company," saad nito na inilibot ang tingin sa paligid.
"And so? It's none of your business," sagot ko. I don't even know him.
"I was just thinking if... you want me to accompany you then?" bahagya itong lumapit sa akin at bumulong kasabay ng pagngisi ng masama, "We could also take this into a deeper level... maybe somewhere private?" he said while pouring a wine from the glass beside me at iniurong 'yon papunta sa akin kaya napatingin ako dito.
I could even see lust from his face nang ibalik ko sa kanya ang tingin ko, "Mr. Whatsoever, do you really think I'm that kind of girl na mukukuha mo sa ganyan? Thanks but no thanks," kinuha ko ang wine glass at ako naman ang lumapit sa kanya.
"I can accompany myself," ngumiti ako ng masama at uminom mula doon. Muli ko namang ibinalik ang tingin sa direksyon na tinatanaw ko magmula pa kanina.
Halata namang hindi niya inaasahan ang inasta ko kaya napatango na lang ito, "Okay, if you say so," muli ko siyang hinarapan, "So may you please give a little space for me now?"
I don't even have a business with him at hindi siya ang pinunta ko dito. Tumabi naman ito hanggang sa makadaan ako. Good to know na hindi siya mahirap kausap. Masakit na nga ang ulo ko, dadagdag pa ba siya?
Uh, what a man!
While I was looking at them, napansin kong mag-isa na lang ang magaling kong asawa kaya napagdesisyunan kong magrestroom na muna while the party is not yet on its climax. Walang pwedeng makakilala sa akin dito, especially him. I must not take my guard down.
While I was having my way, looking ahead of me... isang pamilyar na mukha ang nakita ko dahilan para matigilan ako sa paglalakad.
At hindi ako bulag para hindi siya makilala. We might be wearing a mask but his presence will always make me feel like this.
With the way how he looks at me, those vengeful eyes of him? Hinding-hindi ako nagkakamali kung sino siya.
I always feel in danger whenever and wherever he is.
We were both gazing at one another, enough for me to say na nakilala niya rin ako. I didn't expect to see him here nor did he. Matatalim na titig ang ibinibigay niya sa akin which I already thought na huwag ng makipagtitigan pa ng matagal sa kanya.
It caused me to divert my attention away from him while finding a way to escape this tremor again. Tranquillity is all I want right now pero mukhang mapapasabak nanaman ako sa gyera.
Muli kong ibinalik ang tingin sa asawa ko. He's busy talking with his business negotiators. How I want to be beside him right now but I can't.
I had to abruptly decide about leaving this place because of 'that man'. He knew me. Since from the first place, he already knew me. And he's always a threat to my plans. Uh, bakit ba ganito?
Tinahak ko na ang daan palabas at naglakad ng mas mabilis. He can't reach me, especially now.
"Excuse me, miss?" I just had to forcefully stop when a young lady came in front of me.
"Yes?"
"Mam, the party is about to start as of this moment," saad nito.
"I know, and so?"
"Mam, we were informed not to let anyone out not until the party is over for the protection of everyone."
"Seriously? I have to use the restroom right now at 'yan ang sasabihin mo sa akin?" pagsusungit ko. Bakit ba kasi humarang-harang pa siya? Ang daming panira ngayong araw na 'to.
"Mam, we have a restroom nearby and within our scale. Hindi niyo na po kailangang lumabas pa. If you want, I can accommodate you there."
"Do you think I'm that stupid? Of course I know that there's a restroom there at maraming tao kaya nga lalabas ako, isn't it obvious?"
"But mam— "
"Get out of my way."
"Hindi po talaga pwede— "
"I'm just going to use the restroom outside? Why are you even making this a big deal? Mahirap bang intindihin 'yon? Babalik din naman ako agad."
"What's happening here?" tanong ng isang babae na lumapit sa amin. Hindi nagtagal ay nakilala ko siya.
Napayuko naman ang kausap kong babae nang tignan niya kaming dalawa. She even had the guts na pagtaasan kami ng kilay without even knowing that this lady in front of me is better than her. Mas gugustuhin ko pang makipag-debate kesa makita ang mukha ni Adriana.
Hanggang dyan na lang ba ang ganda na kaya niyang ipakita? Wait, wrong term. I mean, she doesn't even have the beauty and yet, dahil lang may koneksyon sila sa senador at heneral akala mo kung sinong makapagmataas.
"Ayaw kasi akong palabasin," sagot ko na tinignan ang babae.
"I'm sorry but it's one of the rules. Walang pwedeng lumabas not until the party is over," she was even showing 'care' but apart from that, halata sa mukha na nagtataray siya. What a plastic! Halata naman sa mukha niya ang pagkaplastic.
She doesn't even have an idea that I know her true colors but just like the senator... nakatago ang mumunting baho.
Plasticity everywhere, huh?
"I spent too much for this party. Tingin niyo ba basta-basta na lang ako uuwi? Maraming tao sa restroom that's why I want use the one outside. I will just do some retouch dahil ayaw kong makita ako ng iba na ganito. I'm already haggard, look? I'll make it quick, so if you may, please let me. The party is about to start," pakiusap ko.
Nagkatinginan ang dalawa bago nagbuntong-hininga si Adriana at tumango, "Fine. You can go now."
"Really?! Oh my gosh! Thank you! Totoo nga ang sinasabi nila na mabait ka. Just like your mother Mercedes, right?" I can even act like a plastic too. Ito lang pala ang gusto niya?
"Really?! You know us?!" hindi makapaniwalang tanong nito.
"Of course I know," sagot ko. Kakasabi lang, bakit kailangang paulit-ulit?
"What's your name then? I would like to know more about you," out of nowhere, bigla naman siyang nagkainteres sa akin but no thanks. Napatingin ako sa direksyon ng nakatitigan ko kanina hanggang sa mapansin ko na wala na siya sa kinatatayuan niya ngayon.
It feels like his presence is just nearby hanggang sa mapansin ko na papalapit na siya sa akin.
"We'll talk about that later once I come back. I really really have to leave right now," saad ko naman na mabilis na nilagpasan si Adriana para lumabas. Aktong pipigilan niya ako ay hindi niya na rin nagawa.
Iniikot ko ang tingin sa paligid habang nagmamadali. Hindi niya ako pwedeng maabutan. Why did I have to take that long para lang makalabas? Uh, I really hate this!
Hawak-hawak ko na rin ang suot kong gown and while I was about to remove my g*ddamn heels...
I felt a strong grip on my arm kaya natigilan ako. I was about to immediately stay away from him but chances were small, "If you don't want to get caught right now, shut your mouth and follow me," mahina at pagbabanta nito.
His presence caused me with much panic. He was like a threat that cannot be destroyed just because he's been hiding all this time.
Napatingin kaming dalawa sa paligid bago niya ako hilain papasok sa isang kwarto at mabilis na isinara ang pintuan. Tinanggal ko ang pagkakahawak niya sa akin dahilan para harapan niya ako, "What the hell are you doing here?!"
"And you? What are you doing here?" pabalik na tanong niya, "Do your husband knows that you are here?" ramdam ko na rin ang malamig na pader sa aking likuran.
"It's none of your business."
"Really? Of course your business is my business too," inilagay nito ang isa niyang kamay sa pader kaya nagkatapatan kami.
"Pwede ba tigilan mo ako?" aktong tatalikuran ko siya nang hawakan niya ako sa braso at iharap muli sa kanya.
"Never ever try to get away from me or else right now at this moment, malalaman niya ang lahat ng kalokohan mo," halata sa itsura niya ang pagkatuwa dahil alam niyang kontrolado nanaman niya ang lahat kaya galit ko siyang tinapatan.
"What the hell is wrong with you?! Pwede bang kahit ngayon lang tigilan mo muna ako?!" I wanted to shout but I couldn't since walang pwedeng makaalam na may koneksyon kaming dalawa.
"And why would I do that? No one should tell me what to do."
"Then find someone who can do all you want, huwag ako!"
"For your information, all I want is you."
"But I don't want you the same way you like me! Mapera ka naman hindi ba? Bakit hindi ka maghanap ng taong magpapakontrol sa'yo katulad ng gusto mong gawin sa akin ngayon?!"
Money can do anything pero bakit hindi niya pa ako tigilan?
"Do you mean someone who's better than you?" ngumiti naman ito ng masama, "You're different apart from others. You're the only different thing that I want. So never ask me to stop cause I will do whatever it takes just to get you even if I have to forcefully pull you out of that mansion."
"Different thing?" pwersahan kong tinanggal ang pagkakahawak niya sa akin.
"For your information, I am not just a mere thing na pwede mong kunin, kontrolin at paglaruan. If you really think that way about me, well you're really trying to piss me off. Everything about you makes me want to vomit so shut the fu— " mahigpit nitong pinisil ang magkabilang-pisngi ko dahilan para mapaatras ako at maramdaman ang pader sa mismong likuran ko.
Nagkatapatan naman kaming muli ng tingin, "Remember who you are talking to, I am not just someone that you can deny nor reject. You know what I can do right now. Don't test my patience!" binitawan niya ako kaya sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.
"I can't believe you. May balak ka ba talagang ilaglag ako sa mismong harapan nila?" hindi makapaniwala ngunit galit kong tanong.
"Come on, I am just showing you how it feels to be really scared through my own words and actions, don't tell me.... " I felt disgusted by the way he looked at me lalo na ang masamang pagngiti nito.
He will never really stop and I swear that I don't know what to do once he reveals everything.
"You're already scared? I am not starting the game yet," dagdag pa nito na mas lalo kong ikinainit.
"I clearly remember all and every words that you said to them. Matagal ko na silang kasama. Hindi madaling mapasunod ang Alzini, they will do whatever it takes to find out the truth and I'm sure that they will dig deeper than this."
"I am just doing whatever it takes for you to come home," sagot nito pabalik na tila hindi natatakot.
"I already have a home— "
"Yes you have but you don't even belong there. Ano sa tingin mo ang gagawin nila sa'yo once na malaman nila ang namamagitan sa ating dalawa? Hmm?" lumapit pa ito kung saan mas lalong lumapad ang pagngiti. Maski ang paghinga niya ay nararamdaman ko na rin.
Aktong aalisin niya ang suot kong maskara ay marahas kong hinawi ang kamay nito, "We are not in a relationship. You only think that way, so please stop being delusional. It makes you stupid."
"Stupid? For real?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya.
"Yes. Therefore if you were not, you wouldn't have to say such things especially sa harap pa ni Senyora? Tingin mo ba hindi siya maghihinala sa sinabi mo?" galit kong tanong but still keeping my voice down.
"And what did I say?"
"Stop acting innocent. Hindi nakakatuwa. You're getting both of us killed for some time. You disgusts me a lot!" hindi ko rin maipaliwanag kung anong klasing galit ang nararamdaman ko ngayon.
"Hindi ko ginusto 'to," dagdag ko pa.
"Whether you like it or not, damay ka. You'll have to remember that. You're the one who's acting as a victim here though you were really not a victim since from the start. Alzini consists of intelligent people especially the detective, right?"
"Huwag na huwag mong babanggitin ang pangalan nila dito. You don't clearly have an idea kung ano ang kaya nilang gawin," pagbabanta ko.
"Oh, really? Of course I do because they are one of my mortal enemies... and I am not pretending as a friend to them but you? A traitor? A wife hiding through a mask? I can't imagine yourself being punished by those people."
I was left speechless inside when he called me that pero pinilit ko pa ring magsalita.
"And this wouldn't have to happen if you didn't interfere since from the start," matatalim na tingin ang ibinigay ko sa kanya. Gustuhin ko mang umiyak pero hindi pwede, at hindi sa harapan niya.
Dahan-dahan nitong inialis ang suot niyang maskara kaya mas lalo ko pa siyang nakita dahilan para mas lalo akong makaramdam ng galit.
Naglakad siya para lagpasan ako ngunit natigilan sa tapat ko at sa mismong tapat ng pintuan, "They will definitely know. They will dig from the past where all secrets lie. Especially now that someone is going to be back at the mansion, you might think that I don't care but I won't put you in a situation where I don't have enough control. Just do what I want. If anyone suspects you, shut them. Do or die, let's see how far you can go," pahayag nito kaya napakuyom ang kamay ko na hindi na siya tinigpan pa.
"I... despise you a lot, Liam," I could even hear my own crack voice. After that, he just vanished leaving me all alone out of the blue. Kusa na lang tumulo ang mga luha ko kaya tinanggal ko ang maskarang suot ko para punasan ito kasabay ng pagsasara ng pintuan.
Time will come, I vow to kill you.
Continua...
"I hope you're all well now," two men were sitting right in front of one another. Nasa iisang kwarto ang dalawa kung saan nababalutan ng katahimikan not until when one of them asked the other.
Just like the Alzini mansion, the room was covered with dim lights. Their whole clan doesn't like much presence of light. They want to keep everything hidden even with the lights being turned on.
"Please, no worries about me, Elder. I am all well, hence I wouldn't have to go back right now if my health is not yet better. They are all waiting for me especially now that the heir of El Nostra came back to take his Godfather's throne."
Upon hearing that from one of his grandson, this one whom he calls 'Elder' couldn't help but to laugh while they were both seated relaxingly, having their glass of wine for the remaining hours before they set apart.
"That's what I really like about you. Very informative. Ardizzone's grandson is really intriguing. Such ruthless people residing within the scalability of El Nostra. Great to know that our origin haven't yet ordered to eliminate them."
"Sad to say that it is impossible but if it were to happen, Elder... even our ancestors wouldn't stand a chance against them, they all have powerful members. No one's gonna rip them apart not until their third generation dies before even being completed."
"That's why you should deliver my message to my son. We have to gather the whole generation and take their places for safety against threats. It won't also take that too long before the army gets stronger. We have to secure everyone."
"But Godfather won't agree to this, Elder."
"I know, but time will come that he would have no choice. We have to gather everyone as soon as we can, enemies will surely attack the mansion anytime from now."
"Rest assured. I have confirmed that the De Valois family is protecting the mansion, there would be no problem for now, Elder."
"Once you get home, tell them to gather everyone. The snipers, hitmen, trackers, hackers, weapon sellers, traders, associates and all dealers. If you have to bribe anyone just to reach them, do it. But strictly no to killing unless there are threats and traitors, exclude innocents from this matter."
"Your wish is my command, Elder," he responded not until someone knocked on the door. Isang kaaya-ayang lalaki na may edad ang pumasok at bahagyang yumuko, "Architect, everything is settled. The Elders have given their permission for you to leave. If you may, please let me accompany you."
Pagkatapos nitong magsalita ay tumayo ang dalawa. The architect bowed respectfully towards his elder, "I guess it's time," saad ng matanda na nginitian siya kaya iniayos nito ang suot niyang coat.
"I shall take my leave now. Please deliver the other Elders my farewell."
"Take care and be well, Sullivan NoFuente." -Elder