Enjoy reading! <3

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TATIANA

I stared at this piece of paper for so long, to the point that Butler had arrived and yet my mind and body were still focused on it. I don't have any idea who is behind this.

Kahit ilang beses ko pang ulit-uliting basahin ay wala talaga. We have a lot of enemies, a lot. Kahit isa-isahin ko pa lahat ng mga kaaway ng famiglia Maurer ay hindi ko rin naman malalaman dahil lahat sila ay pare-pareho ang gusto.

Our money.

Our fame.

Our power.

Our connections.

And most of all, our fucking death.

Yes, our enemies are after these things, which I kind of understand, because who wouldn't want that kind of life? Who wouldn't be jealous? No one, because not everyone, can live with contentment in their lives. Just take a look at me. I may look like I've been living my dream life, but would you live a life without privacy? A life where I can live my life as I want without any hindrance is what I desire the most. A peaceful yet lavish life where no one could say no to me. I own my life. I should decide for myself. It's not other people's business to intervene. My life, my decisions.

So, as I was saying, despite the fact that we have so many enemies around us, our famiglia has still managed to block their strong desire to destroy us. My grandfather, Baba Envicsius was the one who managed to conquer almost half of them with his unbeatable tactics. Some of them had already surrendered and chose to live their lives to the fullest, while some of them didn't and had chosen to retreat but were still thinking of revenge. So, maybe the culprit was one of them.

These bunch of vindictive assholes have been barking up the wrong tree since the beginning.

You're underestimating us, Maurers.

If we have those fucking enemies, of course, we also have those fucking trustworthy dogs. Don't mind their nicknames. I really mean it.

I called them trustworthy dogs because they're really loyal as fuck and they would also obey whatever kind of shit you told them. Some people around me might find that offensive, but that's actually a compliment to me. Dogs are kinda cute. Ang iba ko ngang mga kamag-anak na sobra ang galit sa akin ay hindi ko maatim na tawaging demonyo at kung ano-anong pangalan. My reason? Demons are too vicious and witty for them. They don't deserve to be called demons at all. They deserve to be called demons if I'm already a cold corpse or if my image was ruined by them. Look at me, I'm still here, which is thanks to those bitches, bitches who also used to be my friends, but they left. If I had to describe them, I would say badass and dangerous.

Nung una ay hindi ako naniwala nung sinabi sa akin ni Butler Lee ang tungkol sa kanila. At the age of 13, someone died because of me. Because I'm still young, I'm so curious about their loyalty. That's why I tried testing it. I called Butler Lee and I told him that I wanted to test their loyalty. Guess what? He agreed without hesitating even for a second.

Si Butler Lee ang nag asikaso ng lahat. Pag katapos ay nasa harapan ko na ang isang lalaki na mukhang ka-edad lang ni Dad. He lowered his head as a sign of respect before positioning himself in front of me and our table.

"Good afternoon, Young lady." Aniya habang nanatiling naka tingin sa lamesa na nasa harapan namin. He's avoiding eye contact with me and that means he really respects me as his young lady.

Base sa plano ni Butler Lee. May dalawang tsaa na inihanda sa amin at ang isa ay may halong fake na lason habang ang isa ay wala. Kasama rin sa plano ni Butler Lee na may bomba na nakalagay sa ilalim ng mesa na gamit namin at siya rin ang nag kokontrol don. Bale, kailangan ay may uminom sa amin ng tsaa na may pekeng lason habang ang isa ay walang lason na tsaa naman ang iinumin para huminto ang bomba. Walang alam ang lahat sa maliban sa amin ni Butler Lee.

Butler Lee said that it's not a real poison. Kaamoy lang ng lason pero hindi siya lason. That's kinda weird but also cool at the same time.

"Good afternoon too, Mr.?" I asked for his surname.

"Mr.Veñiasoz. It's a pleasure to meet you, young lady. " He answered with full formality and respect.

I nodded before speaking, "You may take your seat, Mr.Veñiasoz." I offered.

He sat as I said before, saying, "It's my honor. I thank you, young lady." Tuma go lang ako at umaktong may kukunin sa bag ko habang siya ay mukhang iinom na ng tsaa. Inamoy niya muna sandali ang tsaa niya. Akala ko ay iinumin niya pero binaba niya 'yon muli.

Hmm, he's cautious, which means he might notice it sooner or maybe he already did after smelling it.

"I'm so sorry, young lady. This may look so disrespectful, but can I check your tea? " He asked politely. I can't believe how calm he was. I'm certain he had already discovered the fake poison in his tea.

I nodded as my response was, "Do as you want." Sagot ko habang siya naman ay dahan-dahang kinuha ang tsaa sa harapan ko at inamoy 'yon.

Sandaling kumunot ang noo niya at muling inamoy 'yon. He was about to call and approach the waiters or someone out there, but we heard some beeping under our table. Mabilis na kumilos si Mr. Veniasoz at chineck kung ano ba 'yon habang ako ay kalmado lang na nakaupo at kumakain ng grahams.

Bumalik siya sa pag-kakaupo at seryosong binabasa ang note na iniwan ni Butler lee sa bomba.

"Maurer, I have a present for you. If some of you try to detonate this little bomb, it will explode. The only way to get rid of it without causing it to erupt is to drink the tea that has been offered to you. There is a tea served for both of you, specially made with my hatred and despair. The first beverage is ordinary tea, whereas the second tea contains a toxin that can kill you in thirty seconds. Another reminder: If you leave this bomb here, it will explode. Enjoy your tea! "

That's what it says there. The truth is, I was the one who wrote that because I saw how Butler Lee wanted to refuse to do it, but he also didn't want to disobey my order. He's hesitating because he feels uncomfortable saying those impolite words towards us, Maurers.

"What's wrong?" kalmadong tanong ko at akmang kukunin ang tea ko para uminon doon pero pinigilan niya ako.

"Please don't, young lady. Your tea contains a poison that could kill you in only thirty seconds. " Kalmadong aniya pero nakikita ko sa mukha niya ang pag-aalala.

"Sino ang pasimuno?" Kalmadong tanong ko.

Sumeryoso siya. "I don't know, young lady. Maybe the traitors. "

"I think I should go." Sabi ko at akmang tatayo pero pinigilan niya ko.

"You can't, young lady."

Tumaas ang kilay ko. "At bakit?"

"There's a bomb under our table. Kahit takasan natin 'to, sasabog pa rin 'to, young lady. "

Bumalik ako sa pag kakaupo. "What should we do then? You should call the bomb squad. "

"We can't. It will still explode if they try to intervene. "

"Then, what should we do?"

For the first time, he looked straight into my eyes. "Forgive me, young lady. For you to experience something like this is due to my recklessness. Forgive me, young lady. " sabi niya at walang sabi-sabing kinuha ang tsaa na may lason at agad na nilagok 'yon.

Butler Lee is right. They're loyal as fuck!

Tumayo ako at masayang lumapit sa kaniya para bigyan sana siya ng yakap at para pasalamatan sa pagiging loyal at pag ligtas sa buhay ko kahit hindi naman totoong lason 'yon. Kaso Bago ako makalapit sa kaniya, nagulat ako ng tumayo siya at nag bow sa harap ko bago ngumiti sa akin.

"Be ready. Defeat them, young l-lady."

I was stunned for a second. He's a good person. Naguilty tuloy ako.

I smiled at him. "Thank you--" My words were cut off as I saw him collapsed on the floor with his mouth starting to spit something bubbly.

My eyes widen and I was about to go and help him, but my body guards stopped me. I glared at them, "Get off me!" I want to curse them, but I can't.

Namilog ang mga mata ko ng makitang may mga dumating na lalaking puro nakamaskarang puti at basta na lang hinila ang bangkay ni Mr. Veñiasoz.

He doesn't deserve treatment like that! He saved me! I would have died if he hadn't drunk my tea!

"Where's my butler?" I asked for Butler Lee while gritting my teeth because of how I witnessed this shit.

"Yes, young lady?" Hindi na ako nagulat ng makita ko siya sa harapan ko at bahagyang naka yukod sa akin.

I'm not a royalty, you know?

"What happened?" I asked, slightly doubting him.

"I'm also confused, young lady. I'm 101% sure that it's not a real poison. " Kalmadong aniya at muling yumukod sa akin. "I apologize, young lady. I didn't see this coming. Forgive me. "

Nalukot ang mukha ko. "I felt guilty. This is my fault. I should go and apologize to his famiglia."

"I'm sorry but you can't, young lady. My Lord would be mad. You know him. "

"Why can't I? I'm responsible for this mess. I'm responsible for his death. Someone died because of my stupid curiosity. That's so mean. " I said while trying not to get a teary eyes.

My expression became dark when the men in white masks had appeared again, but now they're cleaning the floor tiles like it's just simple dirt.

"Who are they?" tanong ko. I am annoyed. "I hate them. Basta na lang nila hinila ang bangkay ni Mr. Veñiasoz na parang sako ng bigas. Ni hindi man lang nila tinignan kung buhay pa siya para dalhin sa hospital. " I said while glaring at their direction.

"I can't tell you, young lady. This is not the right time. Please don't judge them; they're just doing their jobs. It's not their fault, young lady. " Mahabang paliwanag niya.

It's been four years since that incident, but it's still a mystery to them. Ang iniisip ng lahat ay namatay siya dahil totoong lason ang nailagay ng taong inutusan ni Butler lee habang ang iba naman ay sinasabing AKO ang pumatay sa kaniya. Hindi lahat ay loyal sa akin. They're loyal to our ancestors, power, and money. That's why i called them trustworthy dogs. You can trust and use them to guard your place, but as time passes, we won't have any idea that they're already biting us, their own master. In short, they're not permanent like money.

Of course, Mr. Veñiasoz is an exemption. He sacrificed his life for me. That day, I really wanted to apologize and thank his famiglia a lot. Pero hindi ko man lang nagawa dahil hindi ko pa kaya noon. Magagalit si Dad. Maurers doesn't do that. Maurers don't beg and ask for forgiveness, instead, Maurers are being begged and asked for forgiveness. That's what they have been teaching me since I was born in this chaotic world. I was afraid, afraid that Dad might get mad. He's always silent, but that scared the fuck out of me before. But now it's different.

Remember the gossip about me studying abroad this semester? That's true. Plano ni Dad na ipatapon ako sa Italy dahil nalaman niyang humingi ako ng tawad sa pamilya ni Mr. Veñiasoz nung death anniversary niya. That day, I knew he was fuming mad, but he was silent the whole time. I was nervous as fuck that day, but I'm a bitch. I showed him my middle finger with a proud smirk, then the next day, I was about to be sent to Italy because of my rude actions. I would stay in Italy for five years or even more.

Five fucking years!

Pero dahil mabait at masunurin akong anak, nang dumating ang araw na ihahatid ako sa private plane ko patungo ng Italy, nakatanggap ako ng tulong mula sa isa mga naging kaibigan ko simula nung trinaydor ako ni Ariadne. One of them, Un, sent me a parcel and it contains a well-made handcrafted mask. That shit is freaking cool! Once I wear it, I'll turn into a completely different person! Pagkatapos kong takasan ang mga bantay ko, imbis na mag tago ay dumiretso ako sa Mall at nag shopping lang. Then, the day after that, I made my grand entrance into Octavia High and that's when I met those shitheads. My mind aches as I think about those shitheads more.

Hindi alam ni Mom na ipapatapon dapat ako sa Italy ni Dad kasi nasa Greece siya noon dahil mag o-open siya ng mall doon at hanggang ngayon ay wala siyang kaalam-alam. Maybe Dad has changed his mind, which is actually great!

"Young lady? Are you okay? " Nagulat ako ng kumaway sa harap ko si Butler Lee habang nag aalalang naka tingin sa akin.

I nodded, "Yeah. I was just thinking if I should go and buy the limited edition bag by Michael Kors "I reasoned. Ayaw kong pag alalahin si Butler Lee.

Nanliit ang mga mata niya, "You're not lying aren't you, young lady?" Paninigurado niya kaya mabilis akong tumango.

I took a loud breath when he pushed me slightly in front of the half broken mirror, "Mukha bang okay sa'yo 'yan, Young Lady?" He joked, trying to change the atmosphere here, but my response to his joke was just a glare.

"I'm serious. Look at yourself, young lady. That's not you. That's not my young lady. "

Napangiwi ako. "Alright, alright! Tama na ang drama. Ang cringe, Butler Lee. "

He pouted. "Just support me, young lady." paawa niya na mas lalong nag pa-ngiwi sa akin.

He's being childish again!

"Not now, Butler Lee." Seryosong banta ko. "May tiwala ako sayo kaya ipapakita ko sayo 'to." I said before giving him the gold and red envelope which contains the letter left by that bitch.

Kumunot ang noo niya at agad 'yong binuksan bago binasa ang laman ng liham. Agad na nag bago ang expression ng mukha niya, mula sa pagiging childish, ito ay naging seryoso, pero mukhang kalmado pa rin.

Does that even make sense?

"You're not safe here anymore, young lady. I think you should follow your dad's order and stay in Italy for the meantime. " Seryosong aniya.

"Sa tingin mo ba ay ligtas rin ako doon, butler lee?" Sarkastikong tanong ko.

"But they--"

"Mr. Lee I found something here. "

Sabay kaming napalingon kay Samuel. Si Butler Lee ay swabe lang na lumingon habang ako ay gulat na gulat sa bigla niyang pagsasalita.

"You should've knocked!" Inis na sabi ko dito.

"Don't blame him, young lady. Sinabihan ko siyang lumapit sa akin kung may importante silang nakita o nalaman kahit pa--" Butler Lee said, trying to explain Samuel's side, but I cut his words off.

"But we are talking!"

"Kahit pa kausap kita. Let me finish first, young lady. " Natatawang aniya kaya sinimangutan ko sila.

"Can I speak now?" Nag aalangan na singit ni Samuel.

Sabay kaming tumango ni Butler Lee.

"Anong nakita niyo?" Tanong ni butler lee.

Napakamot ng ulo si Samuel at mukhang nag aalangan pa kung sasabihin ba niya o hindi. "I actually found this." He said as he showed us something that made both my eyes and mouth form into an 'o'.

"WHAT THE—" fucking hell?! My mouth wanted to open by itself to curse, but I tried not to. Cursing is fucking forbidden to us. What the heck is wrong with that? Isn't that normal for us? We're also humans. Why can't we cuss? Weird ass rules.

"That's... a brief?" 'yan lang ang nasabi ni Butler lee habang ako ay halos patayin sa tingin si Samuel kasama ang brief na naka sabit sa daliri niya.

Damn! I already dumped that earlier. Why is it here again? May sumpa ba 'yan?!

"Anong maitutulong ng brief na 'yan?"

Pigil na inis na sabi ko.

Damn you, Bristole!

Dapat ay inuwi na niya 'yan! Babawiin niya diba? Ihahampas ko sa kaniya lahat ng makita kong brief 'pag nakita ko siya! Wala na kong paki kung niligtas niya ko. He's a motherfucker after all.

"I actually saw it earlier here. Wala pa kaming pinapakielaman sa kwartong 'to pero nang dumaan ako sa basurahan kanina nung nag yoyosi ako, nakita ko 'to do'n. Don't you find it strange? What if there's a bugging device here to spy on us or something? " He explained.

Tumango-tango naman si Butler Lee.

"Your right, kid." I looked at him with disbelief. "Thank you for telling us. Send it to Bhuzqi and tell him about it. " Sabi ni Butler lee kaya mabilis na tumalima si Samuel.

Nang aasar na ngumiti sa akin si Butler Lee. "Who owns it?"

I glared at him. "I don't like your smile." Nakasimangot na sabi ko dahil sa nahahalatang trahedya.

"Don't try to change the topic, young lady. I know you too well. " Nakangising aniya. "So... who owns it?" tanong niya habang taas-baba ng taas-baba ang parehong kilay niya.

I rolled my eyes. "Why do you want to know anyway?" Pag iiba ko ng usapan.

Duh, hindi ko ipapahiya ang sarili ko. Iniisip ko pa lang na may naka tengga na brief sa unan ko, napapangiwi na ako.

"Because I want to meet your special someone, young lady." nakangiting aniya. "Oh come on! Don't be shy. " Pamimilit niya.

Special what? Someone? Who? Si Bristole? Eww! There's no fucking way that he'll be my special someone. Never! Never! I hate him for fucking sake.

"I don't have a special fucking someone!" Malakas kong sigaw dahilan para matikom ni Butler Lee ang bibig niyang panay ang pangungutya.

"If you're thinking that we're fucking, we are NOT! I fucking hate him, so don't you dare ask me again about that shithead. Do you fucking understand me, Butler Lee? " Huuminga ako ng malalim bago bumaling kay Butler Lee na ngayon ay halos malalag na ang panga habang gulat na nakatingin sa akin.

As a result, he nodded his head while his mouth was still gaping, as if he couldn't believe what he had just heard.

Mabilis kong tinakpan ng dalawang kamay ang bibig ko at muling tumingin kay Butler Lee. "Hehe, B-butler Lee." Kinakabang usal ko.

Ano na namang katangahan ang ginawa ko? Fuck. Ang pag-mumura ay parang katumbas na ng pag-patay sa paniniwala ng mga Maurers. Hindi ko alam kung nauntog ba nila ng isang daang libo ang mga ulo nila o sadyang tunaw na utak nila.

Ngumiti si Butler lee. "Don't worry, young lady. Hindi ko ipag-sasabi sa iba... " He said, which had me smiling. "—In one condition." He added and made my smile disappear in just a second.

I frowned. "Ano na naman? Please, leave my designer bags alone. " Nakasimangot kong pakiusap. He really knows my weakness, fuck it.

He gave me a teasing smile. "Who owns this thing, young lady?" He said as he showed me Bristoles's fucking brief.

My face darkened, which made his teasing smile turn into a teasing smirk. "You have turned into a fine lady, young lady." Naiiyak na aniya bago kunwaring nag punas ng luha pero nandoon pa rin ang nangaasar niyang pagtingin na ikinainis ko lalo

"Fuck you." pikon na sabi ko. Wala na kong paki kung isumbong niya ako basta mailabas ko lang ang inis ko.

Umakto siyang nagulat at para bang nasaktan. "You even cussed at me. Do you love him that much? So, you don't want him to suffer because of your family? Aww, you've finally grown up, young lady. " Aniya bago niyakap ang sarili at umaktong touch na touch sa sa sinabi niya.

"Do you really want to know?"

"Of course, young lady--oh wait, should I call you my lady from now on? But you're still seventeen--"

"Shut up!" inis na putol ko sa sasabihin niya.

He chuckled. "Alright. Titigil na." Natatawang aniya habang nakataas pa ang dalawang kamay na para bang susumusuko.

"So, who stole my lady's precious yet hard as rock heart?"

"He's a scumbag, a jackass, a son of a bitch. In short, he's a shithead. " I said, not minding what he said while grunting.

"Shithead? Did you just speak-ill of me? " That voice...

Sabay kaming natigilan ni Butler Lee.

Oh god. Please tell me it's not him.

~~~

Sorry for typos and grammatical errors, hehe.