My cheek burned in pain when Tita Salvia's palm met my face.

"Mama!" I heard Calvin stopping her mom but I'm too focused on my father who's wearing his cold eyes, standing behind his-- I don't even know how to address her. Salvia's not his wife. Girlfriend? Napangiwi ako sa naisip na iyon. They're too old for that title. One thing I know, my mother will always be the only wife.

"Mama, pananagutan ko si Auriese. Aakuin ko ang bata."

Salvia sarcastically looked at his son. Iritadong umiling bago muling bumaling sa akin.

"Hindi kita ipakakasal sa anak ko kung ganyan ang sitwasyon mo!" Who says I want to marry your son? Kayo lang namang mag-ina ang may gusto noon.

"Ipalaglag mo ang bata!"

Mariin akong napapikit, tila naubos ang lahat ng aking pasensya dahil sa narinig. Ipalaglag ang bata? Hindi ko naisip na gawin 'yon. I planned this. Ito na 'yung gusto ko, bakit ko ipapalaglag?

She's a mother, how can she say those things?

I heaved a deep breath and looked directly at Tita Salvia's eyes. "Why do you even want me to marry your son? Hindi ba sapat ang perang nakukuha mo kay daddy?"

"Priscilla Auriese." I heard dad's warning tone but I continued like I didn't hear anything.

"Why don't you marry dad instead? O baka naman ayaw kang pakasalan kaya ako ang itinutulak mo sa anak mo?" I saw dad from the side of my eyes, massaging his temples.

Tita Salvia's eyes widened in rage. "Wala kang modo. Disgrasyada ka, lumayas ka rito!" The veins on the woman's neck's visible as she pointed the door of our mansion.

"Mama, 'wag naman gano'n. We can still fix this."

"What's happening?" A familiar voice hoarse. I glanced at the door and saw my twin entered. Para akong nabunutan ng tinik sa lalamunan nang makita siya ngunit agad akong nanlamig nang maalala ang sitwasyon.

He always got my back but right now, after what happened, I don't know. I doubt it.

"Palayasin mo 'yang kakambal mo!"

"This is her house, you have no right to tell her that." I almost shiver at the coldness of Prestin's tone. Matapos ay kunot noo niya akong nilapitan. "What happened?"

"Auriese's pregnant." Si Calvin ang sumagot para sa akin. I almost growled at him. Prestin slowly turned to me with eyes full of confusion, I let our eyes talk. At mariin akong napapikit nang marinig ang mura ni Prestin. "Fuck!" My chest tightened as I looked at him.

"Who's the father? Pananagutan ka ng kung sino man ang ama ng dinadala mo." I shook my head at Prestin. It can't be.

"H-hindi ko alam," I lowered my head. I don't want to see his reaction. I can stand my dad's cold eyes but not Prestin. He's the closest person I have. His opinion is important. At masakit para sa akin na malaman na dismayado siya sa akin. Well, I expected it already.

"See? I can't stand living with a woman like you! Lumayas ka rito!"

Nahihiwagaan kong tinignan si Tita Salvia. "You can't do that," sarkastikong sambit ko bago bumaling kay dad. "Dad, do something."

Dismayado niya akong tinignan bago umiling at bumaling kay Prestin. My lips parted as I felt my tears as the side of my eyes.

"I don't want to see any trace of your sister from this mansion. I don't want a disgrace in our family!"

My eyes widened. "Daddy!" I hopelessly turned to Prestin but he's intently looking at dad. I immediately wiped the tears on my cheeks.

"You can't do that to your own daughter." A small smile formed on my lips when I heard Prestin but dad already gave his decision.

"I can, Preston Austin. At wala akong anak na disgrasyada," dad muttered in an authoritive tone. I almost clutched my chest when I felt it stung in pain. "Now, send her out, then go to my office, we need to talk," pinal na sambit ni dad. Kahit anong pigil ko ay pilit na kumawala ang aking mga luha. Even though how strong I am, I can't control my tears right now.

"Really, dad? You're doing this to your daughter?"

I walked near my brother as I held his his arm and whispered. "Prestin, stop it. Baka sa'yo pa magalit si Dad."

Tinignan lang siya ni dad at agad kaming tinalikuran ngunit napahinto rin nang muling magsalita si Prestin. "You also lose your son the moment you call my sister a disgrace."

I gasped. "Prestin!"

"Leave then," daddy muttered in a warning tone but my brother being the usual Prestin obliged. Namilog ang aking mga mata sa tinuran ni Daddy.

"Let's get out of this house, Auriese."

Without any strength left in me, I let him pulled me out of our mansion.

Prestin let me sat on the couch. Agad siyang tumabi sa akin. "Hindi mo dapat ginawa 'yon. I don't want you to suffer because of the mess I made."

"Do you expect me to let you leave alone? In that situation of yours?" He shook his head as he sat beside me. "I won't, Rie. We're in this together," he smiled at me and that's enough for me to feel assured.

"Before mom went missing and died, I heard the two of you talking. She told you to take care of me. You're a minute older, that's why."

A smile formed in my lips as I reminisced what Prestin said. "Hmm, I can still clearly remember it."

"But from now on, I'll take care of you."

I nodded my head. "I'm sorry and thank you."

His eyes narrowed. "For what?"

I shrugged. "For everything." I'm thankful that he's still with me. He's still supporting me and I'm sorry because I know he's disappointed that I got pregnant.

His eyes darted at my bump. "Who's the father? Ilang buwan na 'yan?"

I caressed my bump as a smile formed on my lips. "Four months."

"Fou--" My brow raised when Prestin stilled. "Fuck! Four months? Four fucking months, Auriese. Are you kidding me?"

"Hmm."

Napatawa ako nang napahilot siya sa kanyang sentido."Yet last week, you're on a mission? When are you planning to leave Cosmos?"

Napapikit ako at napasandal sa couch nang marinig ang Cosmos.

"You can talk to the Universe about what you want instead of running away," suhestyon niya na agad kong tinanggihan. That's impossible. The Universe, will kill me instead, Prestin. If you only know her, brother, you won't suggest me that.

"Talking only makes things complicated. The Dellany they know will vanished, that's it. Besides, I have no plan to be a traitor, kaya wala silang dapat na ipagalala. Siguro ay kakalimutan ko na lang ang mga nalaman ko at na naging parte ako ng Cosmos."

"How about them? After a capo suddenly vanished, what do you think will be their response? Hahanapin ka nila!" He said in a matter-of-fact tone.

I became part of it just a few months ago, Prestin's right but I already planned everything, even before I joined Cosmos.

"They will try to find Dellany but not Priscilla Auriese." Matamis ko siyang nginitian. You don't have you worry about me. I carefully thought about the consequences, I perfectly planned everything in mind.

"Alright. But from now on, you'll stay here." He leaned and rested his palm on my tummy. "This little buddy inside's--"

I looked at him when he stopped.

Agad akong napamaang nang pinanliitan niya ako ng mga mata. "You didn't answer me awhile ago. Who's the father?"

I bit my lower lip. "You know who."

"What?" He exaggerately asked, frowning. "Seriously, are you insane?"

"Well, I--" Agad akong napahinto at napangiwi. "Maybe," I shrugged.

Naeeskandalo niya akong tinitigan. "You raped him?"

Namilog ang aking mga mata dahil sa kanyang tinuran. Naeeskandalo ko siyang tinignan. "Prestin! I won't do that!" No way, I want a child with him but I won't do such things like that. 'Cause one day, if he'll be given a chance and they'll meet, I don't want him to hate our little kid.

I smirked at Prestin. Mapaglaro akong tumingin sa kanya. "Even though he's drunk, he's more than willing when we did it."

"Of course, he is," makahulugang sambit niya na agad ko namang nakuha kaya ako'y napangiwi.

"That's why you're hiding that you're-"

I immediately cutted his words. "I just want a child with him. That's it-"

I stopped when my spare phone started ringing. Sumulyap ako kay Prestin, kasabay ng panlalamig ng aking kamay nang matanto kung sino ang tumatawag.

I cleared my throat as I answered it. "Universe-"

"We need back up, I'll send you our location. Call the others and be here in five minutes." Napapikit na lamang ako sa maawtoridad na sambit nito at naalerto sa kanyang sinabi.

"Alrig-" I stopped and heaved a deep sighed when the call ended while I'm still speaking. Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili na hindi mapahilot sa aking sentido.

I glanced at my phone and rose from my seat. Agad namang naalerto si Prestin.

"They need back up," kaswal na sambit ko bago nagtungo sa aking silid sa loob ng kanyang condo.

That brat who's full of pride, the Universe, won't call for help until it's obvious that they're losing. Hindi siya hihingi ng tulong hanggang walang nagaagaw buhay sa mga kaibigan niya.

"You're not leaving," maawtoridad na sambit siya ngunit hindi ko iyon binigyang pansin.

Sumunod siya sa akin hanggang sa makapasok ako sa aking silid. "What were you thinking? You're pregnant, Auriese!"

I faced him. "This will be the last, I promise," I said to assure him. But really, it will be. I don't want to risk this little buddy inside me. I'll leave Cosmos. I'll vanished and leave no trace, like Dellany didn't exists. Dahil iyon naman talaga ang totoo.

I wear a tight shirt and a black bulky sweater to cover my bump. Apat na buwan na ngunit hindi pa gaanong malaki ang aking tiyan kaya naman sapat iyon upang maitago ito.

I tied my hair in a bun as I wear my mask on. Lumabas ako ng aking kotse dala ang aking baril.

I immediately run towards the abandoned building. Sa labas pa lang ay rinig na ang mga putok ng baril mula sa loob.

Agad akong nagkubli nang may dumaang bala sa aking direksyon. I looked around the place and my eyes widened when I saw Archer. He's wearing a mask but I know he's Light. Inaakay niya ang isa sa aming mga tauhang may tama ng bala ng baril. Patungo sila sa aking direksyon upang magkubli habang siya ay nakikipagbarilan.

Why is he even here? He should be at the rooftop of the nearest building. He should be the sniper.

I annoyingly rolled my eyes as I walked near them like no one's firing a gun. Nagtungo ako sa harapan nila at pinatamaan ang mga bumabaril sa kanila.

"The hell are you thinking?" Hinarap ako ni Archer matapos kaming makapagkubli.

Nahihiwagaan ko siyang tinignan. Ako pa ang tinanong niya noon? Siya nga ang bigla na lang naglakad sa gitna na para bang walang nagbabarilan.

"What happened?" Tanong ko kaysa sagutin pa siya.

"Rozelli. Night's shot, he needs to be treated as soon as possible."

I rolled my eyes. Rozelli again. "Where is he?"

"Second floor. We need to get him."

Napatingin ako sa tauhan namin. He's seating on the floor while holding the side of his stomach, sa parte kung saan tumama ang bala ng baril.

"Don't leave him, I'll find Night."

"You can't-"

Tinalikuran ko siya ngunit agad niya akong hinila pabalik, kasabay noon ang pagdaan ng bala ng baril sa gilid ng aking ulo.

He tsked. Even with his mask on, I can imagine him frowning. "Careful," he muttered as he pulled the trigger while pointing it to the direction where the bullet who almost killed me came.

He glanced at the man seating on the floor. "Don't leave him, I'll get Night then you'll leave with them."

Hindi niya hinintay ang aking sagot at basta na lamang akong iniwan kasama ang duguang tauhan namin.

Akala niya ba susundin ko siya? I won't. He should already know that.

Bumaling ako sa tauhan namin. I saw him still holding his gun. "K-kaya ko pa, follow Light."

I nodded at him. "I'll be back."

Tinalikuran ko siya ngunit agad ring nilingon. "Don't die."

Tinanguan niya 'ko. "Hindi 'yan."

Tuluyan ko siyang iniwan at nagsimulang maglakad patungo sa direksyon kung saan nagpunta si Archer.

Nahagip ng aking mata si Mirae at si Dasher na nakikipagpalitan pa rin ng putok ng baril sa mga kalaban. Ganoon din si Astrid ngunit malayo sa kinalalagyan ng naunang dalawa.

Agad akong nagtungo sa ikalawang palapag ng gusali, habang pinapaputukan ang mga nagtatanggang bumaril sa akin.

I started running when I reached the stairs. I can feel my sweat on my face because of the mask. Nang makarating sa ikalawang palapag ay agad akong napahinto nang sumalubong sa akin ang dulo ng baril na nakatutok sa aking noo.

"Fuck! Dellany!" Archer cursed as he called me on my name and not on my codename. He lowered down his gun, habang ang isang kamay niya ay nakaalalay kay Creed. "I almost pulled the trigger!"

Hindi ko iyon pinansin at agad na siyang tinulungan sa pagakay kay Night. I almost frowned when I caught Archer staring at me. My heart beat started racing. I don't know if it's because of our situation or because of Arch.

"You're wearing contacts."

"Contacts?" Tanong ko habang inilagay ang ang braso ni Creed sa aking balikat.

"Hmm, I thought you don't like wearing one?"

"I'm not wearing-" Agad akong napahinto at natulos sa kinatatayuan nang may matanto. I cleared my throat. "I mean, yes. For a change!" Fuck, I'm not wearing one!

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