A/N: Last chapter na ang susunod! Sorry talaga at ngayon lang nakapag-update. Nabusy po at dahil excited na ako, here is it. Sorry sa mga typo.

***
Chapter 49: Raji's place

Agon's POV

"Let's go."

"Where?"

"Underground battle."

"Hmm." Tinitigan niya ako. "Is there something bothering you?"

"Wala."

"Talaga lang, ha?" He smirked.

"Tsk."

"What do you think about her?"

"Ordinary."

Tumawa bigla ni Raji. "Wala pa akong sinasabing pangalan pero sumagot ka agad. You know what? There's no denying, halatang-halata ka naman." Tawa pa niya. "You love Jeyk the moment your eyes met."

"Shut up!"

"Better confess or die virgin bro!" He laighed hard.

"Says the one who can't even confess his feelings towards a woman."

"Hey! That's. . .that's partly true."

I smirked. "Wala pa akong sinabing pangalan pero sumagot ka agad," gaya ko sa sinabi niya.

Sinuntok niya ako sa tyan pero hindi naman malakas. "Fuck you! Dapat hindi na kita pipapatapak sa hacienda. Tsk."

I laughed. "Even if you won't talk, I will know."

I heard Raji scoff.

Underground battles have been our pastime these days, or maybe I am? Dinamay ko lang si Raji.

We are welcomed with the heavy scent of smoke mixed with sweat and blood. Humawi ang dinaraanan namin ni Raji ng makilala kami ng iba.

"Who's in the rink?" Raji asked randomly.

"Keeven the one-eyed and Tayler from the Blacks."

Raji nodded. "I think this will be an exciting match."

"From Blacks, huh?" I observe how that Black moves. It was precise and sharp, one wrong move and you will be dead.

Blacks are well-trained, huh? Romanov surely picks men with abilities.

Tsk. Matagal-tagal ko na rinig liniligawan ang grupong 'yon pero napakahirap pasukin. Pinaninindigan talaga ni Romanov na walang kakampi o kakampihan ang grupo nila.

What a hard fish to catch.

In the end, Tayler from Black's won.

"Who's next? Who's next? Who will challenge Tayler?" sigaw ng mc at humiyaw ang lahat. "Will someone challenge a Black today?"

Raji raised his hand. Tinuro ako nito. The MC recognized me when his eyes widened.

"Woah! The famous Del Vecho is in the house!" he excitedly shouted as the crowd erupted. "Who is your bet?!"

The crowd cheered for their bets as I got into the rink. Well, this will fill my mind for a moment, and no Jeykcil will appear in my mind. Tsk. I'm hopeless.

We exchange heavy blows, and I like how he fights. Blacks indeed.

"Let's bet."

"Now you're betting, huh? What is it? I'm all ears."

"If you won, you can take anything from me, and if I won, negotiate with your boss to have an alliance with us."

Tayler smirked.

"Call."

Tayler moves like thin air, precise and fast. Napapahid ako sa dugong dumaloy sa gilid ng labi ko. I didn't saw that uppercut.

Napangisi ako. "You're good. I think you're suitable for my group," I joked.

Natawa siya. "You're good in jokes, but, sorry I'm turning down your offer, Del Vecho. I'm loyal to Romanov."

"Tingnan natin kung sino ang mananalo."

In the end, Tayler left unconscious. After a moment of silence, cheers and yells filled the arena shouting for another fight.

***

"Sumusunod lang po ako sa utos, maawa po kayo." He kneeled in front of us—Me, Raji, Nick, and Ardeen.

"Ngayon mo pa talaga naisipang magmakaawa?" Nick gives him a a blow in his stomach. "Are you nuts, baby boy?"

"Hindi mo ba iniisip kung sino ang kinakalaban mo?" Ardeen punched him.

"Hey, huwag niyong puruhan masyado. Tinatanong pa natin, we need information." Raji grabbed his hair while kneeling in front of him. "Jandron sent you? Or that Jogo the traitor?"

"W-wala po akong alam—"

Hindi nito natapos ang sasabihin ng sinapak at tinadyakan siya ni Raji.

Great. Now, he's unconscious. Napailing ako kay Raji.

"Paaminin niyo hanggang sa magmakaawa," I said as I left them.

***

"Magandang hapon po, Sir Agon," bati ng isang kasambahay.

"Where's Raji Manang Ester?" I asked the moment I stepped in on Raji's place.

"Naku, umalis po si Sir Raji. Namili po ng supply namin dito. Hindi naman ho iyon magtatagal, Sir Agon. Halika po, kumain po muna kayo, o hindi kaya ay maglibot-libot rito."

Napatango ako kay Manang Ester hanggang sa makilala ko ang nagbubunot ng damo sa hindi kalayuan. Agad niya akong napansin at tumigil.  Humangos na lumapit ito kung saan ako nakatayo.

"Sir," tawag niya. Nagkukumahog iyong lumapit habang ang kamay ay may mga bahid ng lupa. "Sir Agon!" aniya.

I look at her from head to foot. She deserve all of this after what she did to my wife.

"P-patawad po. . ."

She kneel in front of me, a very unusual and far for her attitude when we first met.

"What are you apologizing?" I raised my brows.

"Sa. . . sa lahat po. Alam kong asawa ka po ng pamangkin ko at bi‐binenta ko siya rati sa inyo, sir. Patawad po!" nagsusumamong aniya. "Hindi ko na po uulitin 'yon! Nabulag ako sa pera at yaman na meron sa pamilya!"

After what she did to my wife!

Raji's right, she deserve to suffer.

Napakuyom ako.

"You get what you deserve. Now, you know the feeling to take away your money and own nothing," I coldly say and walk out but I stop. Nilingon ko siya na patuloy pa rin sa pag-iyak. "Go to my wife and apologize for what you did. I want you to kneel before her."

Hindi na naghabol pa ang tiyahin ni Jeykcil. How she ended up here? Dahil sa sugal. Since she didn't know Raji, I let Raji gambled. Natalo nang natalo siya kay Raji hanggang sa mabaon sa utang. She bet all she had and ended up nothing.

As I walked biglang may bumangga sa 'kin at nagsihulog ang mga dala-dala niyang gamit.

"Hala! Pasensya na po, sir! Hindi po kita nakita!" aniya at isa-isang kinuha ang mga gamit. . . pang pintura?

Doon ko lang napansin ang mga tilamsik ng pintura sa kamay niya at mukha. She has a thin layer of her hair and can be notice immediately. May mga parte sa ulo niya na nakikita na masyado ang balat dahil sa nipis ng buhok niya.

So this is her.

I smiled. "It's okay. Okay ka lang ba?" Inalalayan ko siyang tumayo. "Ako na," sabi ko at isa-isang kinuha ang mga pintura at paint brush na nahulog sa lagayan.

"Salamat po," aniya at nahihiyang inayos ang manipis na buhok.

"Here. Na saan ni Raji?" I asked even I know where he is just to start a conversation.

"Umalis po, sir, pero babalik naman 'yon agad."

"Do you love—"

"Po?"

Napailing ako. What I'm even thinking? Bahala ka Raji! This is your girl. Tsk.

***

"H-hindi po namin kasalanan 'yon! Black Box is for everybody," he reasoned out while kneeling in front of us. He's Andre, leader of a nameless group.

I raised my brow ang pointed my gun to his forehead. Agad siyang naginig sa takot at niyakap ang paa ko.  "N-nagkamali ako! P-patawad! Please, spare me. I can do anything, h-huwag mo lang akong patayin," he freaked out.

Napangisi ako. It's a good offer after all. Napadapo ang tingin ko sa mga nakaluhod niyang tauhan. I can use them. Marami siyang tauhan at magagamit ko sila without using our men.

"Get up," I ordered. Halos sabay silang lahat na tumayo. "All I want is loyalty. Traitor is not welcome in our family. Kung nasa isip mo pa ang traidorin ako. . ." Pinaikot-ikot ko ang baril na hawak at tinutok ulit sa kaniya. "bury yourself on the ground."

"Pangako! Walang tatraidor sa'min," agap niya.

***

"Flowers." I smiled and give my wife a kiss after seeing her sitting on our garden. "What are you doing here? Mainit ang panahon."

Napaangat siya ng tingin. Her eyes is so happy but her tears are gliding on her cheeks. Nagulat ako sa nadatnan kong reaksyon niya.

Agad akong naalarma. "Hey, what's wrong? You don't like the flowers? Bibili ako ng bago," agap ko.

Napailing siya. "I'm so happy. The day after tomorrow, we will be getting married. . . again. Sobrang saya ko lang. Hindi ko lang akalain na matapos ang lahat ng problema, ganito ang pagmamahal na matatanggap ko. I'm really grateful, hon."

My heart calm down and kiss her on her lips. "You deserve every happiness and everything I have. Kahit na pakasalan pa kita sa bawat yugto ng buhay natin, gagawin ko."