Chill and Enjoy Reading!
Soundtrack: Come Home by: One Republic
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Zed is the target and I'm sure of that, Vendetta won't get him if he's not. Ngunit anong kailangan nila sa kaibigan ko? If they knew already, that the Calibers was the one behind their sabotage transactions. E'di sana ako ang kinuha nila, why would they get the wrong person? Ni hindi nga lumalabas si Zed ng kotse, at ako ang nakikipagbarilan sa kanila tuwing hinahabol ng kotse nila ang sa amin.
That doesn't makes sense at all, or they want to use Zed as the prey? And they're expecting me to come for him? Someone from the Calibers is working for them too, there's really a snake in our clan and I couldn't just identify who it is. But whoever that snake, he or she should hide already before I find him. Hell, knows what I'm capable of slaughtering traitors.
Nanahimik lang ako pagkatapos isiwalat ni Aunt Rica at Uncle Leroine ang balita na iyon. Iniwan nila ako sa kwarto ni Lyric at sinabihang bumaba na lang kung gusto kong sumama sa paghatid sa kanila sa airport. Normally, i would stay in my room and listen to music all day. But a miracle strikes, that I found myself changing my clothes. I wore a baby pink cardigan, and a white halter top inside of it and black highwaists shorts. Sinuot ko na ang white tennis shoes ko at nagspray ng perfume, 'tsaka ako lumabas.
They were all shocked to see me coming with them but I don't care. I need a freaking distraction, before I lose my mind. Dire-diretso lang ang lakad ko papasok sa kotse ni Lyric, naupo ako sa shotgun seat. Paalis na kasi sila kaya nagmadali na lang ako, I don't want to be a vip here. Sunod na pumasok si Trina sa backseat at si Lyric naman sa driverseat.
"Woah! Looking good today Tasha huh," Trina exclaimed to me.
"I'm always good," I simply replied.
"Right. You'll always be," she gladly said.
"Do not mention anything shits, if you guys don't want to ruin this ride," I remind them in my usual cold voice.
"Yes, your majesty," they both said in chorus.
Lyric started the engine and drove off the mansion, we're following the car of Uncle Leroine. Wala akong dala na wallet o cellphone, sa hindi malaman na dahilan ay hindi ko ito dinala. I leaned my head on the window and tried to get some sleep, since this would be a long ride. Never having any plans to talk with my cousins, pakiramdam ko may masasabi lang akong masakit na salita, kapag nagsalita ako.
I woke up when Lyric shook my shoulders, telling me that we're already arrived at the airport. Kinusot ko ang mata ko at lumabas na ng kotse, naabutan kong yakap yakap na ni Trina ang mga magulang niya. How lucky she is. Lyric joined his family, while I remained standing five meters away from them. Savouring the thorns and blades in my heart.
Kumalas sila sa yakap at bumaling sa akin, walang emosyon ko silang pinuntahan. Hinayaan akong yakapin ni Aunt Rica at Uncle Leroine, tipid ko silang nginitian.
"Take care and see you again, maybe soon..." I muttered to them.
"Same to you Tasha. You can do it," Aunt Rica said to me.
"We will always be on your side, even we're far away from you," Uncle Leroine gently said.
"Thank you," I said and hugged again.
Humiwalay ako, para makasama pa nila at makausap ang dalawa nilang anak. I couldn't help but envy Trina and Lyric, for having a complete and alive family. From now on, i'll be alone on my own. No family, no parents or guardians, and will be having no one. Guess that's my fate, to be alone for life. Pero kahit ganito na ang kapalaran ko, umaasa pa rin akong mabago ito. Stupid right?
Aunt Rica and Uncle Leroine bid their goodbye to us, as we parted ways. Dapat sasama na si Lyric at Trina para magcelebrate ng pasko sa New Zealand. Hindi nga lang pumayag ang mga magulang nila, para daw may kasama akong magcelebrate dito. Lalo na daw at nakidnap si Zed. Well, for me, it's okay if I'm gonna celebrate the christmas and new year alone. I don't even have a plan on celebrating it.
We went to the nearest mall, to eat dinner. They let me choose a restaurant, but I crave fries so much, so we ended up eating at McDonalds. I got myself a chicken fillet meal, large fries and sundae. Nagtataka pa ang dalawa sa akin, dahil cheap daw ang fastfood at ito ang pinili ko.
"It's convenient. And I crave fries..." I explained to them.
"Hayaan mo na Trina. Ngayon na lang ulit lumabas 'yan," wika ni Lyric.
"Excuse me, ikaw ang nagrereklamo dyan," utas naman ni Trina.
Kumain na lang ako at hindi pinansin ang walang kwentang pagtatalo nila. Kinausap nila ako kung gusto ko raw ba mamasyal muna, na agad kong tinanggihan. Yeah, I need a distraction, but I still need to think on how will I bring Zed back. Malulunod na ako sa kakaisip, kaya hindi ko mabigyan ng atensyon ang pinaguusapan ng dalawa.
I ate fastly and finished my fries and sundae, I'm already done eating but they're still talking about something that I don't understand. Trina excused herself when her cellphone rang, leaving me and Lyric alone in our table.
"You need to answer me quickly," I started.
Lyric frowned at me and stared intently, "Shoot," he cooly said.
"Where is Zed right now?" I coldly asked.
Nawala ang pagkunot ng noo niya at nag iwas ng tingin, lumunok muna siya bago ibinalik ang tingin sa akin. Pinagtaasan ko siya ng kilay, dahil mukhang nagiisip pa siya. Nasa tabi ko lang siya kaya madali lang kung bulungan niya ako.
"I can't tell you here..." he whispered.
Humalukipkip ako sa tabi niya at nanatiling nakataas ang kilay.
"And why is that?" I questioned him.
Pumikit siya ng mariin at halos sapuin ang noo, "Later, in my bedroom. I'll answer your question."
Tinagalan ko muna ang titig sa kanya bago siya inirapan.
"Fine," I muttered and sighed.
Saktong natapos ang pakikipag usap ko kay Lyric nang bumalik si Trina. She was typing a message or something on her cellphone, when sitted again on her chair. Lumipas ang dalawang minuto at biglang nag-aya ng umuwi si Trina, sumunod na lang kaming dalawa ni Lyric. Hindi ko na siya kwinestyon, dahil gusto ko na rin namang umuwi para makausap si Lyric.
Pagkarating sa mansion, hinila ko agad si Lyric papunta sa kwarto niya. Binitawan ko siya sa kama at napaupo siya roon. Sinarado ko naman ang pintuan at nilock iyon para walang makarinig sa amin. Naghalukipkip ulit ako at sumandal sa pintuan.
"You're kinda aggressive huh. Baby, are you ready for this? I'm prepared, and I'll make sure to pleasure you," Lyric said sensually.
Kumunot ang noo ko at dumampot ng unan para ibato sa kanya. This pervert!
"Damn you! I pulled you here to answer my question earlier! You maniac!" I mumbled.
Nakaupo na si Lyric sa gilid ng kama, habang hawak ang tiyan sa kakatawa. Nagpeace sign pa siya sa akin. Anong nakakatawa roon?
"Kidding," sambit niya at tumigil na.
I rolled my eyes at him and sit on a chair in front of him.
"Answer my fucking question," mariin kong utos.
He cleared his throat and sat properly on the side of bed, "We cannot find him."
"You didn't track his phone?"
"We tried Tasha, but it didn't work."
"Well, I'm gonna find him."
"How can you do that?"
Hindi ko siya sinagot at pumasok na sa walk in closet. Sinarado ko ang pintuan at naghubad ng damit. Nagpalit ako ng black leather fitted longsleeve top at isang pares ng black leather highwaist jeans.
Lyric's eyes widened when I went out from the walk in closet. I didn't threw a glance at him and went to shoerack to wear a black ankle booths.
Kinuha ko rin sa drawer ang red neck gaiter mask at black veil. Kinabit ko ang holster sa balakang ko. Hindi na ako nagdala ng katana at daggers dahil mabilis lang naman ang gagawin ko.
"Where are you going?" tanong ni Lyric.
"Somewhere far, don't worry. I'll be safe," sagot ko at hinablot ang mga susi sa drawer ko kasama ng cellphone.
Hindi na lang siya nagsalita kaya dali-dali na akong lumabas ng kwarto at tumakbo papunta sa kotse ko. I heard Lyric following me but I acted like I couln't hear him. I alarmed my car and went inside the driverseat, i started the engine and drove off fast. Mahigpit ang hawak ko sa steering wheel habang pinapaharurot ang sasakyan papunta sa bahay ni Zed.
And because his house is in this village too, I've arrived there quickly. Nag park lang ako ng maayos sa labas niya at binuksan ang maliit na gate gamit ang spare key na binigay niya sa akin. Pumasok ako at sinarado ang gate at nagtungo sa pintuan. Binuksan ko rin 'yun gamit ang susi, he kind of gave me a spare keys of his house, so I can enter his house freely. May parang kumurot sa puso ko nang maalala ang sinabi niyang, pumunta punta daw ako dito at ubusin ko raw ang fries sa refrigerator.
Isinantabi ko 'yon at umakyat na sa kwarto niya sa third floor. Pagkapasok sa kwarto niya ay agad na hinanap ng mata ako ang computer niya. Umupo ako sa gaming swivel chair niya at pinaandar ang pc. He told me few months ago that if ever he's gone and he's nowhere to be found. I shall open his computer and find the file that he called 'watch'. It's like a file that contains his location, how will I know that? The royal blue wristwatch he's wearing has a tracker.
T-i-n-ype ko ang password ng computer niya at pinakita pa ang mukha para sa face recognition. Good thing that Zed instructed me about his computer, sometimes i'll hang with him here and he will teach me some lessons about hacking. It's actually interesting but it's not my thing. Ni-refresh ko muna ito bago pinindot ang documents icon. Even the file was hidden and had a passcode and face recognition.
When I clicked the file, a green black map revealed in the computer. May mga lugar roon na may color green na dot.
Z-in-oom ko ang lugar sa Laodicea city at nakita ang nagbi-blink na red dot na tapat ng Macedonia Lake. I zoom it again to see the exact address and when I saw it. I immediately grabbed and sticky note and ballpen from his table to copy the complete address.
After copying, sh-in-ut down ko na ang computer niya at pumunta sa walk in closet niya. Kumuha ako ng isang pares ng pantalon, isang t-shirt at boxers, i put it on a dark blue shoulder bag. Kumuha rin ako ng essentials at perfume niya, I'm just thinking if he hasn't took a shower since the day he was kidnapped. I stormed out of his room after that and went to his kitchen.
I prepared him a hot ham and cheese sandwich and orange juice in a can. I also got him a cold water in a jug. Kinuha ko na rin ang first aid kit niya, dahil baka may sugat o pasa siyang kailangang gamutin. Nilagay ko yun sa shoulder bag na dala. Iniisip ko rin kasi na baka hindi pa siya kumakain. Sa sala na ako naghintay ng tamang oras bago umalis, I'm planning to go in that place at 4 A.M.
Napamura ako nang hindi ko namalayang nakatulog ako dahil sa paghihintay. I let out a heavily sigh when I saw the time, it's 2:30 A.M. Hinilamos ko ang palad sa mukha ko at nagpasiyang umalis na. Damn, I need to bring Zed back, I can't sleep yet.
With Zed's shoulder bag, I ran outside his house and hopped in my car and drove away. S-in-et up ko na rin ang gps ng cellphone ko at sinunod ang tamang direksyon. Buti na lang at full tank ang gas ko, 'cause I forgot to bring my wallet. I drove my car from 80 kilometers per hour, that's why I quickly reached the macedonia lake.
Palipat-lipat ang tingin ko sa cellphone at sa paligid, nang makitang nasa tamang lugar na ako ay tinigil ko na ang sasakyan sa gilid ng kalsada. Nasa tapat ako ng isang tatlong palapag na bahay, at kung hindi ako nagkakamali. Ito rin ang bahay, kung saan ako huling nakialam sa transaksyon ng mga Vendetta.
Inayos ko muna ang suot na neck gaiter mask at veil, isinukbit ko rin ang shoulder bag na dala, bago lumabas sa aking kotse. I smirked behind my mask, when I noticed that I parked in their back yard. Mapapadali nito ang gagawin ko. Not that I'm planning to fight the assassins of Vendetta. I just want to bring Zed back.
May nakita akong mataas na pader roon na walang bubog sa itaas, inakyat ko 'yun at tumalon sa loob. No one is here, so I walked without making any sounds of my footsteps. I was already holding for my pistol gun too, nang may marinig akong mga yapak ay ay agad akong umakyat sa narra'ng puno roon. Nakakapit na ako sa sanga nang silipin ko ang tao sa baba, my eyes widened when I saw Mark! Having a videocall with someone!
Confirmed! I'm on the right place! Zed is really here! Dahan-dahan akong kumilos para maabot ang barandilya ng ikalawang palapag. Tagumpay akong nakasampa roon at nang makalikha ito ng tunog ay agad akong dumapa para hindi ako makita ni Mark. I took a peak of him again, and saw that he's already walking away. Did he see me? I wish he didn't.
I gulped and stood up, sana walang nabasag sa kung anong dala ko sa shoulder bag ni Zed. I turned my gaze to the sliding door, and put my palm above my eyes to see if someone is there. Siningkitan ko ang mata ko para makita ito ng mabuti, halos nalagutan ng hininga ng makita ko si Zed.
His eyes we're opened wide, as he walked slowly to my direction. He was topless and he had bruises and wounds on his face! I felt the burning anger inside me, but I calm myself down. He looked painful and messed but why do I find it weird?
Lumapit ako sa sliding door para buksan, laking gulat ko nang makitang bukas ito. Nilakihan ko ang siwang nito at tuluyang pumasok, Zed was already near to me and I was about to say something when he pulled me closer to him and wrapped his arms around waist. He hugged me tighter, i couldn't help but hug him back too! God I missed him!
"I'm so glad you're alive..." he whispered in my hair.
"Yes, I am. And you are too..." I whispered back.
Binitawan niya ako at nilagay ang palad sa magkabilang pisngi ko. Gulat pa ako pero kumalma rin nang dampian niya ng halik ang aking noo at niyakap akong muli. Nanatili kami sa ganoong posisyon at hinayaan ko lamang siya, parang binabasag ulit ang puso ko nang maramdaman ko ang luha niya sa aking balikat. Lumayo ako sa kanya para punasan iyon.
"Why are you crying?" I confusely asked him.
He shook his head and harshly wiped his own tears, "I was just...relieve."
"What they did to you? Did they torture you? You're not comfortable here, are you? How did they got you?" sunod sunod kong tanong.
Yumuko siya at pabagsak na naupo sa sahig. Umupo ako sa tapat niya at nilahad ang shoulder bag na dala.
"I used the method you taught me by the way, I brought here a first aid kit, food, water, your clothes and essentials," I informed him.
"Thank you," he muttered and get the shoulder bag from me.
Nilabas niya muna ang first aid kit at pagkain at inumin, bago siya tumayo.
"We will talk after my shower," he calmly said to me.
I only nodded to him and looked away. Geez. This is really weird! He's not even tied, there's no duck tape in his mouth too. Is this really a kidnap? Damn it!
I roamed my eyes around the room we're in. It's a fucking normal room! That have a king sized bed, study table, refrigerator and fully air-conditioned.
Don't fucking tell me it's a trap!
Hindi ko na alam kung ilang minutong nakakunot ang noo ko dahil naguguluhan pa ako. Napatigil lang ako sa pagiisip ng makita si Zed na lumabas mula sa bathroom. Basa pa ang buhok niya habang nakasampay ang tuwalya sa batok niya. Sinundan ko ng tingin ang bawat kilos niya, pumunta muna siya sa pintuan at nilock ito mula sa loob.
When he's done checking it, he turned to me and sit beside me. Kinuha ko naman ang sandwich at drinks niya.
"Nagbabaka sakali akong hindi ka kumakain, kaya nagdala ako," paliwanag ko.
"They're feeding me here, still thanks for thinking about it." he gave me a smile.
I frowned to him, "What the hell is going on Zed?"
Kumagat muna siya sa sandwich at uminom sa water jug na dala ko.
"I was kidnapped," he opened up, "The first night I'm here I was in jailed, downstairs at their stockroom. Where I've got there wounds."
Tinuri niya ang mga sugat sa mukha niya, hindi ako sumabat at hinayaan siyang magpaliwanag.
"Nilipat nila ako sa kwarto nito pagkatapos ng dalawang araw. Binigyan nila ako ng damit at pagkain. They explained to me that they will use me as a bait, because their Assassin Prince told them that I'll be the weakness of the Caliber's Assassin Princess."
Paris is right, Zed is my weakness. Aside from Aunt Rica, Uncle Leroine, Lyric and Trina. He's the only family I have.
"They we're planning to catch you, because they are dying to meet you and recruit you to be a part of their clan. As you can see, they didn't tied me up or shut my mouth with a duck tape. I can escape but I can't."
He can but he can't? What the fuck is that?
"Once I try to escape from that sliding door, they will kidnap you too."
I mocked a laugh, "And how they will do that? If they can kidnap me from the very beginning, why get you first and not me? Are they stupid?"
"No...they want you to initiately a move. You also need to know that someone from the Calibers is working for Vendetta too. That someone is tasked to guard and the one who will take you to the Assassin Prince of Vendetta."
Nag tiim bagang ako, dahil sa siniwalat ni Zed sa akin. I won't be surprise anymore of one day, I will be abducted like Zed.
Tumayo ako at naupo sa kama niya, kinakalma ko ang sarili ko. Mixed emotions in my heart is welling up again. I feel I'm gonna explode any minute now. Hindi ako nagsalita kahit tapos na siya sa pag-kain niya. Tumabi siya sa akin at binuksan ang first aid kit, naglabas siya ng bulak at betadine.
"I want to spend this dusky dawn with you," he sincerely said.
Inagaw ko ang bulak sa kanya at sinimulang gamutin siya, "I have a question," wika ko.
"Fire away Tasha," he huskily replied.
Muli ko namang inisip ang matagal ko nang gustong itanong, mula noong gabing sinayaw niya ako.
"Why didn't you have your first dance with another girl?"
Syempre, ako kasi may dahilan kung bakit 'di ako nagkaroon ng first dance bago si Paris. I mean I was homeschooled, and he's not, 'tsaka hello? He's almost thirty years old kaya bakit hindi siya nagkaroon ng first dance bago ako?
I felt his staring into my eyes, as I gently damp the cottonball on his wounds. Then he spoke.
"Because I said to myself that I will only dance with the one I love."
Dumagundong ang puso ko sa sinagot niya, kagaya noong nakaraang gabi na may sinabi siya sa akin. We're both drunk that time, but I clearly remembered of what he confessed. Yet, I never wanted to acknowledge whatever it is.
"The one you love?" I repeated his last phrase.
"You...are the one I love," he firmly said to me.
I awkwardly laughed at his question, "Ofcourse, I'm your bestfriend."
"No. I really love you Natasha, you may not want to hear it but yes, I am inlove with you."
Yumuko ako sa biglang pag-amin niya, though, I felt that towards me everytime, still, I refused to entertain it. Zed is just a bestfriend and brother to me, nothing less and nothing more. Ang dalawa lang na iyon ang turing ko sa kanya.
"I'm sorry but you already know my answer for that," I apologetically said to him.
"Don't be sorry, I am the one who fell right at the first moment I saw you," he said and held my wrist that's busy treating his wounds, "One look and I know my heart was stolen, you were only seven back then, that's a crime actually. Having feelings for you that time was completely a crime."
Tumawa pa siya at ako naman ay hindi lang nagsalita, hindi ko alam na nakita niya na ako bago ko siya makita bilang trainor ko.
"Kusang lumago 'yung nararamdaman ko para sa'yo, hinayaan ko kasi, sa lahat ng babaeng nakilala at nakita ko. Ikaw lang ang paulit-ulit na minamahal at nakikita ng ko."
May parang kumurot sa puso ko habang sinasabi niya iyon.
"And yeah, you broke my heart the moment I learned that your heart was already stolen by someone, that isn't me. But I don't have the right to argue about that, you didn't force to love you this way, it's all on me if I said that I was hurt because you can never give me the kind of love I gave for you."
Doon ako tuluyan na hindi nakapagsalita, how can my bestfriend do that? Maraming babae sa mundo, ang mas karapat dapat sa pagmamahal na binibigay niya sa akin.
"You've been with your ex girlfriends Zed, you will surely forget me if you get yourself a girlfriend again," wika ko sa kanya.
"But I only dated them because of the imagination that it was you," he muttered and loosened his grip to my wrist.
"I appreciate your love Zed, but you're right. I can never give back the kind of love you gave to me," I spoke and tapped his back.
He sadly smile at me, "Thank you for being honest. Whatever your happiness is, remember that I will always support you."
"You will eventually find someone that will love you, like how you give love to other people," I gave him a positive smile.
"I will only give my love for you Natasha," he pointed his heart, "You're my all in all, no one can change that fact."
It fluttered me actually but at the same time, it hurts too. Because i know to myself that I can never equaled his feelings towards me. Zed is a special person, not in romantically way but in platonic way. My heart is already taken by Paris, and no one can change that fact too.
"You're a great person Zed," tanging nasabi ko at ipinagpatuloy ang paggamot sa kanya.
Malungkot niya lang akong tiningnan sa buong oras na ginamot ko siya. Nang matapos ay parehas kaming sumandal sa headboard ng kama niya.
"Do you think they will see me here?" tanong ko sa kanya.
"People at this hours are already sleeping Tasha," sagot naman niya at bumuntong hininga, "Kailangan mo nang umalis, bago ka nila makita pero may kailangan ka pang malaman."
"What?"
"On New year's eve, there will be a year end party in this house. Exclusively for Vendetta's kingdom."
"Am I invited? What time?"
"Midnight of January 1, they didn't invite you but they're kind of expecting you on that night."
"How did you know all of this?"
"I overheard their conversation last time. It includes the issues of having a snake in our clan."
Umalis ako sa kama at inayos ang neck gaiter mask para matakpan ang mukha at ang veil, naglalakad-lakad habang hinahaplos ang baba.
"May kailangan ka ring malaman," bulalas ko kay Zed.
"Ano 'yun?"
"Aunt Ruth and Uncle Paul, are already dead. They we're killed by Vendetta's Assassin."
Nanlaki ang mata niya at umahon rin mula sa pagkakahiga.
"They are?!" galit niyang tanong.
"Yes, and that only means one thing."
"The end of Caliber Assassin Clan," we both stated in chorus.
"What about your plan? Come on, their party will be advantage for you to make a move," Zed asked me.
"Tuloy pa rin," simple kong sagot.
"I'm sorry, I can't do anything that will help or protect you right now," he said with a glint of gulty in his voice.
Naglakad ako patungo sa kanya at niyakap siya ng mahigpit, "It's okay Zed, knowing that you're fine being jailed here is already enough."
"You can do it Tasha," he breathed on my hair and let got of me.
Hinawakan ko ang dalawang kamay niya at naglakad papunta sa balcony ng kwarto niya at nangakong, "Wait here okay? I'm gonna bring you back home. Don't ever die okay?"
He let out a heavy sigh and avoid my gaze, "I-I w-will...Tasha."
"Promise me Zed that you will never let yourself to die." my voice is shaking because of fear.
He shut his eyes tightly and looked on mine again, "I promise."
"Good...See you again my highness."
"See you again, my majesty."
Nginitian niya ako at ganoon din ang ginagawa ko sa kanya, bago tinalon ang pagitan ng barandilya at sanga ng puno. Nang makababa mula sa puno ay muli akong tumingala sa taas, kumaway ako nang makita si Zed na nakasandal sa barandilya.
He smiled to me again and waved his hand too. I turned my back from him and climbed up to walls of the House's backyard. I jumped off to the grounds and ran towards inside my car. Papaandarin ko pa lang sana ang kotse ko nang may mapansing pamilyar na bulto ng babae at lalaki na nakahilig sa railings ng lawa. The girl's outfit is very familiar.
Kumalabog ang puso ko nang makita ang mukha ni Paris na seryoso at malamig ang tindig. Papalayo na sila sa pwesto nila nang maglakad sila pabalik sa bahay, at unti-unti umusbong ang panibagong galit sa puso ko nang maaninag ang mukha ng babae. Kahit malayo sila sa akin. Tagilid ang mukha niya pero sigurado ako kung sino siya.
"Trina?" I asked myself.
Damn. This is really the end of Caliber Assassin Clan.
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Here's the chapter forty six!
What do you think about Trina?
Thank you for reading!
-Ardent Psyche