Chapter 31: Catch them Devils (warning cursing, violence and sex)

 "Sir nagrereklamo po yung nasa table two. Gusto po kayong makausap nung customer," I wiped my hands on a towel before I took off my apron. The waiter smiled sheepishly, "Kuha niyo ko autograph, sir." I laughed at his expression.

"Bakit, sino ba yun?"

Lumaki lalo ang ngiti ng aking tauhan, "Si Ms. Ellie Go po, yung bagong singer. Fan po yung anak ko."

"Sige, sige," I patted his back as I paused by the kitchen door.

"Watch the salmon. Make sure na hindi overcooked yung vegetables," I told my sous chef Bleu, who is busy preparing the ingredients for the panna cotta.

"Sure thing," she smiled at me. I winked at her and she giggled. Hay naku, if she wasn't my employee, I'd date this one.

"May ready na bang batch?" She nodded and immediately went to the freezer para ilabas yung panna cotta na agad niyang nilagyan ng candied blueberries at sauce. She quickly made geometric patterns and put a sprig of mint to finish the decoration.

"Perfect, mi bella." I grinned and she blushed at the compliment.

My feet found their way to table two and I settled the plated dessert on the table before I flashed a grin to its lone occupant. "Complements from the house." Damn. She's hot.

She looked surprised but she quickly masked it with a slight curving of her lips. "And you are?"

"Alfredo Zabala, owner and head chef." I gestured to my waiting staff with a flick of my fingers and my sommelier approached the table with a bottle of our best white and two wine glasses. 

"Domaine William Fèvre Chablis, sinoré," I thanked him and he smiled as he poured for us. She picked up her wineglass by the stem and gave it a swirl before she inhaled its bouquet. A seductive smile grew on her lips. Hmm... pwede. I smiled inwardly at the prospect.   

"What seems to be the problem, la mia belladonna?"

"My chicken arrived late." She pouted at me.

"Well then, let me apologize for my staff. This will not happen again." She narrowed those dark eyes at me. "And if you'll allow it, I'll personally prepare your next meal on my establishment." Her smile widened at the prospect of another meeting.

"Are you asking me out, Mr. Zabala?" She pushed a strand of hair away from her face.

"Call me Alfred, Miss...?"

"Ellie, I'm Ellie Go." she extended her hand and I kissed it lightly. "Pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine." My smile faltered when my transponder sounded and Alistair's voice flooded into my ear. Tsk, ang galing ng timing. I shook my head.

"A3, please go to the parking lot. We need you for back-up. XH32 is on the move."

"Sorry, I need to take this call," I excused myself and saw her smile falter. "I'll see you again, belladonna." I took purposeful strides back to the kitchen.

"Copy that Jaguar," I answered in a clipped voice.

"Meet you guys at the East entrance." I heard a soft click and the call ended.

"I'm going out," I announced to my staff and they all nodded their heads. "Bleu take over the side dishes. Have Emil close earlier kung wala ng tao." The staff bid me good night and I took a short cut to my parking space.     

Time to play with my brothers. This is gonna be fun. 

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"Oh shit," I cursed softly as the bolt I'm currently installing slipped from my fingers. My hands are shaking from the effort. I glanced at Reaper and saw that he just finished installing the programs on the Lady. Now, she's literally a supercar.

"Whoa ang fun pala nito," he grinned widely and I was taken aback at his resemblance with our boss. Shocks Trixie, get ahold of yourself. He's freakin' seventeen years old!

Suddenly a throwing knife zipped past my ear and I flinched back. Holy crap!They're here?  

"Ano ba? Tapos na ba yan?!" Jem hollered at us as she tried to hold back three armed guys. Anak ng tipaklong...

Tutustahin ako ni Boss Ali kapag hindi namin natapos itong installation sa kotse ni A3. I reached for the next bolt and leapt back when a bullet grazed past my shoulder. Shit, ang sakit. Nalaglag yung panghuling bolt at gumulong sa ilalim ng kotse. Kung minamalas ka nga naman talaga...buti naka-silencer sila at hindi narinig ng iba yung putok ng baril.

"3X are you okay?" Lumabas si Reaper mula sa sasakyan at dinaluhan ako. Hinablot ko siya pababa habang minamadali ko ang pagkabit sa susunod na bolt.

"Okay lang ako, kunin mo yung isa pang bolt para matapos na yung installation. " He nodded at dumukwang sa ilalim para abutin yung huling turnilyo.

"Grabe ang sikip naman," he grumbled, "Aha!" he smiled widely when his hand found what he was looking for. He handed the bolt to me.

"Take that, sweetbuns!" Napatingin ako at nakita kong na-disarm na ni Jem ang isa sa mga tauhan na pinadala ni XH32. Kaso may dalawa pang alipores ang buhay, bagamat yung isa ay wala ng baril.

"Reaper, ikaw na magkabit nung huling bolt," sabi ko at tumango naman siya. Inabot ko yung mabigat na wrench at ibinato ko sa batok nung may hawak ng baril. Parang punong tinibag siya at napahandusay.

"Yes! Great aim Trix!"

Mabilis na nadampot ni Jem ang baril at pinaputukan ang tuhod ng huling tauhan ni XH32. Napasigaw siya sa sakit at napahiga na rin sa malamig na floor ng parking lot. Andaming dugong nagkalat at napailing ako. Oh shit, papagalitan talaga kami nito kapag di agad nakapagpadala ng clean up squad. Agad kong binuksan yung linya at tumawag ng back-up sa HQ. Buti na lang si Icen ang sumagot at sinabi niyang darating ang back-up in two minutes.

Tinakpan ni Jem ang bunganga nung umaatungal na counter agent at itinali naman yung dalawang agent pa gamit ang duct tape na nakuha namin sa loob ng kotse ni A3. So far, so good.

"3X okay na yung bagong engine. Gusto mong i-test?" Tumango ako kay Reaper at umikot papunta sa driver's side nang biglang nanlaki ang mga mata ko.

"What the hell is this?!" Narinig ko ang malakas na mura at napalingon ako sa nagpupuyos na mga mata ni A3.

Uh-oh.

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"Sorry," Nakita kong napakagat-labi si Aya nang lagyan ko ng yelo ang mga pasa niya, "gusto mo dalhin kita sa doctor? Baka masama yung pagbangga mo kanina sa mesa." She shook her head.

"Hindi naman. Okay lang ako," she tried to smile at me.

"Aya di ba sabi ko magsabi ka pag nasasaktan ka?" I narrowed my eyes at her. She turned and faced me.

"Okay lang talaga ako," she put her arms on my shoulders and kissed me softly. "Hug mo ko, Prince." Hindi ko mapigilang mapa-buntong-hininga pero pinagbigyan ko siya.

"Para ka talagang baby," I murmured softly as I rubbed my cheek against hers. She made a soft sound of contentment and I pulled her onto my lap to better hug her. I was careful not to touch her lower back. "Aya please naman, wag mo namang ipahamak yung sarili mo. Mababaliw ako pag may nangyari ulit sa'yo."

"Ako din naman eh, mababaliw ako pag may nangyari sa mahal ko," she sighed. "Prince, gusto ko matapos na 'tong gulong 'to. Parang parati na lang may mga sumusulpot na pumipigil sa 'tin."

"Baby magagawa lang nila 'yon pag nagpa-apekto ka. Di ba sabi ko sa'yo ikaw lang pakakasalan ko at mamahalin ko kaya wag ka ng mag-alala," I laid back on the bed and pulled her on a more comfortable position on top of me.

On any other circumstance, I'd tease her, pero sa ngayon hindi ko makuhang magbiro. I want her safe in my arms forever. For a sexually-active guy at my age nagugulat din ako sa feelings ko para kay Aya. Hindi kagaya dati na parang ang dali lang ng sex, kay Aya I want it to be really special. Kahit hindi kami maging pisikal, okay na sa akin na mayakap ko lang siya o maka-usap. Yung alam ko na safe siya at masaya okay na 'ko. I guess I've grown and learned a lot in the past year.

"Baby, gutom ka na ba? Gusto mo na mag-dinner?" I asked her.

"Hmmm... gusto ko kaya lang, pano mo ko i-hu-hug?" She pouted cutely and I chuckled softly at her expression.

"Grabe naman yung baby ko," Hay ang sarap ng feeling. Ewan ko ba, yung ibang girlfriends ko nakakaasar yung pagiging clingy pero si Aya mas natatakot ako pag hindi siya magiging ganito kalambing. "Pagkaluto ng food unli-hugs ka sa'kin," I kissed her forehead and she sighed before getting up. Nakita kong napangiwi siya pagtayo.

"Sigurado kang ayaw mong magpadala sa doctor?" Nag-aalala talaga ako kay Aya. Napakasensitibo ng lower back dahil baka tinamaan ang vertebrae niya.

"Okay lang talaga ako. 'Lika luto na tayo. Tulungan kita para mabilis."

Tumunog ang transceiver ko and Kuya Ali's voice sounded over the monitor clipped over my ear.

"PC meet up at Eastwood," he ordered at napatingin ako kay Aya. Fvck anong excuse ko?

"I repeat, meet us at Eastwood." Naghihintay ng sagot si Kuya Ali sa kabilang linya.

"Aya, wait lang ha, may kailangan nga pala akong puntahan sandali," My mind is racing for excuses. "Yung classmate ko kasi may ibibigay na material para dun sa report namin. Diyan lang ako sa Vinzon's pupunta." Napalunok ako when she frowned. Please buy it baby!

"Ngayon na? Akala ko magluluto tayo?" I could see the disappointment in her eyes. Shet, na-gui-guilty ako. Ayokong magsinungaling sa baby ko. I remember nung nililigawan ko pa lang siya, ang kabilin-bilinan niya ay wag akong magsisinungaling.

I approached her and hugged her, "Aya, mahal kita okay? So trust me." There's a sharp pain that lanced in my chest when I saw that flicker of disappointment. Bumitiw ako agad at tumalikod dahil baka mamaya sabihin ko na ang lahat sa kanya at masira ang mga plano namin. Gahd, gusto ko na ring matapos 'to!

"Prince saan ka ba talaga pupunta?" Aya, tama na, please? I can't stand the sound of your voice when it hints on suspicion.   

"I'll meet someone. Dito ka na lang mag-stay. May ingredients sa ref, ikaw na bahala kung anong gusto mong lutuin. Or magpa-deliver na lang kayo nila Sab," I went to my closet and got a jacket. Medyo umaambon ngayong gabi. When I turned, nakaharang si Aya sa pintuan ng kwarto.

"Tell me the truth," she looked really serious. Fvck, this is getting complicated. "Prince alam kong may tinatago ka. Wag kang magsinungaling, please?"

"Goddess, please ngayon lang. Don't ask me anymore questions. I'm doing this for us." I pulled her close and hugged her, "promise babalik ako. Walang mangyayaring masama sa akin."

She pushed me away. "Bakit ka ganyan? Ano ba talagang nangyayari?"

"Aya, please?" I heard Kuya Ali's voice over the transceiver and I couldn't take it anymore.

"PC with A7. I'll be there in 15 tops." Sagot ko and Aya stared wide-eyed at me.

"Sino yun? Prince...?"

"Si Kuya Ali. Now Aya, please move away from the door."

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"Lex what the hell is this?! Ang pangako mo sa'kin I'll get my Prince back! Bakit hanggang ngayon buhay pa 'yang bitch na Ayang yan?!" I punched his chest but he didn't budge. He took a hold of my wrists tightly.

"Calm down baby, mapapasayo si Prince," he tried to soothe me but I'm not buying it. After years of growing up with this devil, alam kong may iba siyang binabalak. "Why don't you sit here and I'll make you feel better?" He gestured to the sofa and I inwardly cringed. Shit, hindi siya ang gusto kong makasama sa ikapitong glorya kundi si Prince. Shit, akala ko magiging masaya na ako pero ngayon kinailangan ko pang tawagin ang demonyong 'to para kalabanin ang hayop na kapatid ng babaeng 'yon.

Curse you Alistair Zabala.

He started caressing my body as soon as we reached the sofa and I could help the full body shiver that passed through me when he started to rip my clothes off.

" 'Tangina Lex, dahan-dahan naman. These are expensive clothes," I hissed at him and he chuckled darkly. His hands were rough on my skin and I had to close my eyes as they roamed in places that made heat pool at the pit of my stomach. Shit, hindi ko talaga maisip na gagawin niya ito sa akin noon. He was my kuya, my protector... pero siya rin ang personal devil ko. The man who took my virginity at twelve and wrecked my idea of an ideal family and an ideal man.

"Puta, bibili ako kahit ilan. I earn enough now to buy you hundreds of these! 'Tangina ka Mel, ang arte mo pero gusto mo naman lahat ng ginagawa ko... damn you, hindi kita makalimutan kahit nasa US ako," he started kissing me at hindi ko mapigilang itulak siya. Masakit ang halik niya, parang gusto niya akong kainin ng buhay.

"Shit ka Lex, hayop ka," Minura ko siya. Siya ang nagturo sa akin ng lahat ng ito, magmura, mag-drugs, mahumaling sa laman... Our parents were too busy for us at kami lang lagi ang nasa bahay na dalawa. I thought he was my protector pero siya ang unang bumaboy sa akin. I kept silent for four long years dahil takot akong mawala siya...siya lang ang kakampi ko... until mahuli kami ng parents namin and all hell broke loose.

 "Alam mo ba kung gaano kita na-miss?" he pulled me back roughly by the hair and I felt him wrap it around his hands tightly.

"Nasasaktan ako ano ba!"  I tried to pry his hands off pero mas malakas siya, "Hayop ka talaga, gawin mo kaya yung pinapagawa ko! Gusto ko si Prince!"

"PUTANGINA PAG MAGKASAMA TAYO WAG MONG BABANGGITIN ANG PANGALAN NIYA!"

He backhanded me and I was stunned. I could taste the blood inside my mouth. I felt him pull me up by my arms and he threw me on the sofa. His eyes had the look of madness. I know that look. I see it every morning reflected at me by my mirror.

"Fvck you Mel, I'll make you forget that son of a bitch... akin ka lang!" I was too shocked to do anything when he drove into me furiously. I felt like part of myself is dying with each of his brutal thrusts.

Shit ka Aya, ikaw ang may kasalanan nang lahat ng ito. Papatayin kita. Tatanggapin ko ang demonyong 'to pero hindi mapapasayo ang Prince ko.

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"Fvck," I cursed softly as I scanned the monitors and followed where he took her. Maria looked bewildered as her fiancee's bodyguards ushered her into Tiu's bulletproof Hummer.

Fvcking son of a bitch. Lana probably leaked my connection to Maria and he's using all he can to stop me from getting at him and his organization.

"Boss I got a line on all the security cameras from MMDA and BGC. He can't escape," Icen informed me and I nodded.

"Keep at it. Are all units deployed in position?" I saw her swallow hard.

"Uh, Trixie and Jem requested for back-up," nakita kong namutla si Icen, "There's one casualty from the other side and we have two prisoners and uh..."

Hindi niya natapos ang sasabihin niya dahil nakita kong tumatawag sa personal line ko si Kuya Alfredo. I held up a hand and Icen wisely shut her mouth and returned her gaze to the monitors.

"Fvck you Ali, who told you to touch my Lady?" he growled and I laughed, "and what the hell is Chris doing here?"

"New recruit?" I heard Chris over the line. I must be in loud speaker. I heard a thump and "Okay, sorry po!"

"He's a freakin' minor!" Kuya bellowed at me and I sighed.

"There, there kuya, para namang I didn't start working as an agent at that age. It runs in the blood you know," I could almost imagine his red face as he blew a gasket. Damn, ang lakas talaga ng boses ni Kuya.

"I repeat, who the hell gave you the authority to touch my Lady?" Hay si Kuya Alfred talaga. Alam naman namin na kaya walang makatagal kasi halatang ang tunay na girlfriend niya ay yung kotse niya.

"The latest state-of-the-art technology from MIT. Advanced wheel set-up, an upgrade on the engine for higher power output, space technology on your new spoilers for a better aerodynamic ride... and I even asked them to lower it another inch para hindi ka lumipad sa corner." I smirked evilly. I know he can't resist that. Fvck, I'm such a genius.

"You asshole, you know how to play me," he snorted at the other end of the line. I could hear the engine roaring to life and can almost taste his excitement. Time to test my theories.

"Tell me you don't like it Kuya?"

"Yeah right, whatever..." he muttered before I heard a click and the line disconnected.

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"Okay ka lang?" I must have blushed a thousand shades of red when he gave me his hanky to wipe my sweat.

"Y-yes," My Gahd Trixie, what is it with Zabala men that makes your knees weak?

"Sure ka?" His eyes narrowed at me and he gently pushed my hair away from my shoulder. His fingers came away sticky with blood.

"What the fvck?! Sabi mo okay ka lang?! Tangina!" he muttered, "Shit, I'll bring you to the hospital..."

"No, okay lang ako!" Oh shit, sa sobrang adrenaline rush hindi ko naramdaman yung daplis kanina. Or nakalimutan ko lang. Sheesh. Aasarin na naman nila ako sa HQ. "Gasgas lang 'to."

"O, lagay mo," inabutan ako ni Jem ng antiseptic patches at duct tape.

"Seriously, yan ang ilalagay niyo?" A3 muttered incredelously, "Hindi ba kayo ma-te-tetano?"

"May shots kami ng anti-tetanus," Jem replied with a smile as she leaned casually by his car's door. "Gusto mo Trix?" she offered me some strawberry Pocky. Parang kanina lang napatay niya yung isang counter agent and the other one almost bled to death when she hit a vein, pero ngayon relaxed na relaxed siya habang ngumunguya. I shook my head and started cleaning my wound.

I hissed when the antiseptic made contact with my skin. Gahd, hindi kasing-taas nila Rika, Red or Edge ang  pain tolerance ko. Sila kahit ilang tama na ng baril iniinda lang.

"Ako na," A3 took the patch from my hand and I swallowed nervously at how close he is. Nyaah! Ano 'to? I watched as he cleaned the wound as gentle as he could and blew a bit of warm air on it. Shit, I need at least six stitches. "Tsk. Ano bang pinag-gagagawa ni Ali at kayo pa inuutusan sa ganitong bagay?"

That snapped me out of my daze. Shit, I need to contact HQ. I quickly sent a message to Icen informing her of our latest development.

"Duct tape?" A frown crossed his brow. Hmm... he resembles Ali a lot pero he's much more cleaner at maingay. Grabe. Naalala ko kanina nang dri-ness-down niya si Reaper sa kotse for being a minor and for, uhm, installing Vocaloid songs on his car's player.

"Yes. It's much more effective para ma-hold closed yung wound until I can have it stitched properly."

We were interrupted when the rest of the group arrived. A5 with Red and Edge on his black Nissan Navara and minutes later, A6 arrived with Yhona on his cute blue Honda Jazz—grabe nakakatuwa yung personalities nila parang yung mga sasakyan nila.  

"Hey Kuya, sino pa kulang?" A6 asked when he got out of his car.

"Si Ali at si Prince."

"Sheesh, baka hindi makaalis si Prince. Tumawag sa akin kanina, andun si Aya sa apartment niya and apparently sinugod siya ni Mel kanina sa Chocolate Kiss," Sabi ni A6 and I saw A3's face darken.

"Putangina! Bakit walang nagsabi sa'kin?!"

"Chill Kuya, kaya ka namin ayaw sabihan kasi avenging angel ka na naman eh," A5 patted his shoulder but he shrugged his hand off. 

" 'Tangna Aidan, may nanakit kay baby girl tapos gusto mo mag-chill ako? Sumosobra na yang babae na yan ah. Wala akong pakialam kung sino siya, kahit babae pa siya. Sasagasaan ko siya pag napahamak si Diosa."

We heard the quiet roar of an engine and PC arrived at the meeting place. A6 clapped a hand on his shoulder while A3 glared at him.

" 'Tangna Prince, anong nangyari? Asan na si Diosa?" Nakita kong napakagat-labi si PC.

"I left her in my apartment with Sab and Kiko. Pinipilit niyang sumama," he swallowed hard. "Galit sa'kin si Aya."

" 'Tol okay lang yan. You have a whole lifetime na suyuin siya once this is over," A6 smiled at him. Ohmygash, bakit ganito ang epekto ng mga nilalang na ito? Hindi makatarungan.

A few seconds later, Boss Ali made an entrance with Icen in tow.

"Good, it looks like we're all here..." he started to say pero bigla siyang napakunot-noo at hinawakan ang tenga niya para masinsinang mapakinggan ang report sa transceiver. Nakita kong may pinindot si Icen sa tablet niya habang nakatitig sa akin at nagbukas ang linya.

"...XH32 is on the move. 43 is enroute to Grid 42, requesting for immediate back-up. The Dragon is moving much faster than we expected. Unit 3 is out, unit 4 under attack. I repeat, requesting for back-up." I heard Rika's voice through the line. May nagbabarilan at nagsisigawan sa paligid. Oh shit, 1AM pa lang at may mga bukas pang establishments sa BGC.   

I saw Boss' jaw flex and he pinched the bridge of his nose. A sure sign that he's turning into his beast mode. "Icen get the bird ready."

"Yes boss!" She immediately opened her tablet and sent a quick message to HQ requesting authorization for the helicopter.

"Kuya Alfred, change of plans. Sa iyo muna ako sasakay. Kailangan nating salubungin si Tiu at Hernandez. So far nasa BGC sila but they are currently fighting their way out. Icen," Tumango si Icen at lumabas si Yelle at Shan na may dalang arms at ammo.

"Each one of you will be armed. As much as possible avoid fighting and take cues from your partner agent." Yelle and Shan handed out the guns and the extra ammo.

"Walang magpapaka-hero at magpapabaril. Tangina, Zabala kayo kaya bawal ang tatanga-tanga." He looked at Prince,"Ikaw hindi ka Zabala pero balak mong magpakasal sa isa, pag ikaw nagalusan maghuhuramentado si Diosa kaya kung pwede lang alerto. I'm assigning Jem to be with you."

"Edge go with Yhona and A6, Red stay with A5. Ang position niyo would be sa Kalayaan bridge. Icen make sure the cable installations are in place. This is a Hummer we are talking about."

"On it."

"Prince and Jem, sumunod kayo sa amin ni Kuya Alfred. We need you to play bait. Prince, wear a bulletproof vest please. Trixie, you'll play interference for me," I nodded and swallowed hard.

"All units ready?" He looked at each of us.

"Okay, let's roll."

A/N:

Oops, putulin muna natin dito. XD Sorry, if bitin kayo. Thank you to all the reads, votes and follows. Thank you to everyone who left me their comments. 

This chapter is dedicated to the Alfredo shippers: @bluebaiyou, @imbethqui, @strwbrryjem @icenearth XD O ayan, andiyan na kayo lahat. Special thanks to @GingerbreadPrincess and @PrivateHeroine for encouraging me to make a new cover (actually naaliw ako gumawa ng new covers sa stories kaya natagalan ang update. Ipagpatawad.)

P.S. O ayan @LifeIsRed magkasama na kayo ni Aidan ha.

I might get busier next week because we have a big project coming up in the office. XD