***

"AND when she turns eighteen, you'll get married to the young Imperial," sabi ni Dad kay Kuya Damian.

"But, Dad . . . " I could hear the defiance in my brother's voice.

"No buts, Damian. Do as I say."

"Dad—!"

Napabuntonghinga ako habang nakasandal sa pader na may kalayuan sa kanila. Alam kong kokontra si Kuya dahil alam niya na may gusto ako kay Alexa. Parang nakababatang kapatid ang turing ni Kuya Damian kay Alexa. But for me, I would and could never look at Alexa that way. She was too special for me.

Alam ko rin na tinatago nina Kuya Damian at Kuya Alessandro ang relasyon nila mula sa lahat. They were using their front as best friends, but had been lovers for a long time. Hindi ko alam kung kailan pero nasisigurado ko na taon na. I didn't have any issues with that and I was happy they were together. Masaya ako kung saan masaya ang kapatid ko.

Iyon nga lang, mga magulang namin ang kontra nang malaman nila. Ilang beses ko nang narinig sila ang mga katagang, 'it's Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.'

I was disgusted how they just couldn't leave them alone to be happy and free. Kung hindi nga sila matanggap ng sarili nilang pamilya, paano pa kaya kung galing sa ibang tao?

Simula nang namatay si Mom, nag-iba si Daddy. Madalas niya ka-meeting ang mga magulang ni Alexa para sa mana na may kinalaman sa mga mas matatanda sa amin. We weren't even born yet when that freaking will from the elders of both our families agreed to.

Kung puwede lang baguhin ang will para ako na lang ang makakasama ni Alexa at si Kuya Damian naman ang magmamana ng mafia group ni Dad, mas masaya na sana ang lahat. It was unfair that we had no choice no voice on the matter.

Nilisan ko ang bahay dala ang susi ng sasakyan ko. I had just turned eighteen and got my own car.

Nag-send ako ng message kay Alexa na papunta na 'ko sa bahay nila kahit wala naman kaming usapan ngayon. Nilapag ko ang smartphone ko sa upuan at nagpokus na lang sa pagmamaneho.

I didn't want to disappoint our parents, but I also didn't want just to let Alexa go to my brother because of a damn will. Kuya had always known that he was going to be the next mafia boss since he was little . . . so I couldn't just snatch that away from him.

He grew up knowing he would lead the group. He grew up learning to fight. He grew up punishing people against him—just like dad. But he could not teach his heart to love someone else.

After fifteen minutes, I stopped in front of Alexa's house. I wanted to make sure I was calm before I knock and see her. Dapat walang palatandaan na may iniisip ako o pinoproblema. Gusto kong makita ni Alexa na okay ako . . . na okay ang lahat.

Pero sa pag-iisip ko, sakto naman na umaatras ang sasakyan ni Kuya Alessandro mula sa malawak nilang garahe.

Bumaba ako ng aking sasakyan at huminto rin si Kuya sa tapat ko. Binaba niya ang bintana at kumaway sa 'kin. I have him a nod.

"O, tol! May gala ba kayo ni Lex? Parang wala siyang nabanggit sa 'kin," aniya nang makalapit ako at dumungaw sa bintana niya.

"Wala, Kuya. Sosorpresahin ko lang."

Natatawa na nailing si Kuya. "You, guys, are too in love. Keep it up!" He formed his hand into a fist as he cheered me.

"Salamat, Kuya. Saan ka pala?"

"Work," he replied dryly. "Malapit na 'kong maging boss kaya ginigisa na 'ko nina Dad."

"Ah . . . Congrats nga pala ulit, Kuya!"

Kuya Alessandro will be taking over as the CEO of their company. Masasabi ko na the board had taken his side. He had a way with his words and actions. Talagang nagpursigi siya upang maboto bilang sunod na pinuno kasunod ni Tito Albert.

"Salamat! Ang Kuya Dam mo ba? Nasa bahay pa?"

I stiffened. Ayoko pa sana na mapag-usapan si Kuya dahil naaalala ko ang pinag-uusapan nila ni Dad kanina but I didn't want to hide my brother's whereabouts to his lover. Ayokong pagtaguan din nila ako sa hinaharap kung hanapin ko man si Alexa. I won't have it go wrong.

"Oo, Kuya. Kausap si Dad noong umalis ako. I think he should still be there."

"Hm . . . " He slowly nodded his head as he looked away.  Mukhang ang lalim ng iniisip. "I see . . . "

"M-may problema ba, Kuya?"

Muli akong hinarap ni Kuya at ngumiti. "Wala pa naman . . . sa ngayon. Basta ligawan mo nang maayos si Lex, ha? 'Pag 'yon nagsumbong sa 'kin na may ginawa kang kalokohan . . . "

I was sure I heard him say 'sa ngayon', pero mukhang ayaw niyang pag-usapan. Recently, naririnig ko sina Kuya Alessandro at Kuya Damian na nag-uusal tungkol sa will. Malakas ang kutob ko na may pinaplano sila. Pero kung ano man 'yon, wala na 'kong ideya.

"Oo naman, Kuya. Sigurado na 'yan."

Nagpaalam na si Kuya at tumuloy na ako sa mansiyon nila. Pinatuloy naman ako agad ng guwardiya dahil kilala naman ako.

At saktong pagpasok ko sa bakod nakita ko si Alexa na nakaupo sa hammock sa may garden nila. She had a book in her hand as the soft breeze tried interrupting her.

Napangiti ako habang pinagmamasdan siya. Nakasuot lang siya ng simpleng t-shirt at maong shorts. Nakapatong naman ang shoal niya sa kaniyang hita at naka-braid ang mahaba niyang buhok. Suot niya ang salamin niya habang seryoso sa pagbabasa ng pocketbook.

She was too beautiful and precious that I didn't want to lose her or hand her to anyone. Kapag naging kami, sisiguraduhin kong sa altar na ang tuloy nito.

"Lex!" I called, and she lowered the book to face my direction.

Bumangon siya mula sa pagkahihiga sa hammock at binigyan ako ng isang matamis na ngiti. Walang kahit anong makeup sa mukha niya pero sobrang ganda niya talaga.

"KD!" she sweetly called out.

I swear, she was not just an angel but a goddess. She's perfect.

***

"KUYA ALES, bakit pinatawag mo 'ko?" tanong ko kay Kuya nang makarating sa shooting range.

I had just been from a crazy long meeting with the Board when he sent me the SOS message to meet here. It was not a pleasant meeting at all so I was a tad thankful I cod divert my attention elsewhere.

"Gear up. Paramihan tayo ng matatamaan," aniya habang tinutupi ang long sleeves ng kaniyang puting Polo. That confused me.

"Kuya, I have a meeting after this, so I won't be able to stay long. What's with the SOS?"

"I'm sure you'll change your mind since it's about my sister." Kuya Alessandro was counting the bullets as he slipped them into the cylinder.

Natigilan ako nang marinig iyon. That mere mention about Alexa made me worried and nervous. I could forget anything else basta si Alexa na ang pinag-uusapan.

That was when I saw that he had a cigarette between his fingers. Hindi naman talaga mahilig manigarilyo si kuya pero mukhang problemado siya. Ginagawa niya lang 'to kapag sobrang stressed na niya.

Nangunot ang noo ko at tiningnan niya ang baril bago muling sinalubong ang tingin ko. This became our past time, but it's better to say that it's also our excuse to meet and talk about all things about the group.

I heaved a sigh then took out my coat. Binaba ko 'yon sa mesa at saka tinupi ang sleeves ng suot kong damit.

Doon ko napansin na ube pa rin ang kulay ng braso ko. Mula iyon sa training ko noong nakalaban ko ang ilang tauhan ni dad para makuha ang posisyon ng sunod na mafia boss. It became an unnecessary competition. I was at a battle with Kuya Damian to take the reign.

Ang mga magulang na lang ng mga Imperial ang kailangan makausap. Mukhang tatanggi pa sila dahil ayon sa lumang will, kinakailangan na ang panganay ang ikasal — panganay na lalaki at babae — at walang ibang pagpipilian wa mga pamilya namin dahil si Kuya Damian ang panganay na lalaki at si Alexa ang nag-iisang babae.

Nanakit pa ang katawan ko ngayon pero ang dami ko rin kailangan pag-aralan sa kompanya. I know he won't be pleased when he finds out that I am now the new heir — the new boss.

Hindi ko naman tinago kay kuya ang intensiyon ko na agawin ang pagiging mafia boss sa kaniya para sa akin ikasal si Alexa sa hinaharap. And in the future, when things go better, his relationship with Kuya Alessandro would be openly accepted and blessed.

"What's wrong? May nangyari ba kay Alexa?"

Kinalabit ni Kuya ang gatilyo at inasinta ang target. At dahil sanay kami sa tunog ng putok ng baril, hindi kami gumagamit ng pantakip sa tainga. Inayos ko rin ang baril ko at tumindig sa katabing stall.

Inasinta ko ang target na malayo-layo rin mula sa aming kinatatayuan. I closed one eye before pulling the trigger.

"Akala mo naman may makalulusot sa 'yo kapag may nangyari sa kapatid ko," he mockingly replied.

"Kuya Les . . . "

Tama siya. I would always know if something were to happen to Alexa.

Ilang beses kong pinaputok ang baril at dumederetso lang sa gitna ng target. I took a deep breath before putting the gun down.

"Mukhang 'di pa rin panatag sina Dad na sa 'yo ikasal si Lex."

Natigilan ako at hindi pa rin nawawala ang kunot sa noo ko. "Kahit na nakuha ko na ang titulo bilang sunod na mafia boss?" Tumango si Kuya. "Bakit? Why are they so against me marrying Alexa? E ako na nga ang sunod na mafia boss."

"Dahil pa rin sa tangina na will na 'yan." He took a deep breath before he slammed the cigarette butt to the ground. Mabilis niyang tinapakan ang munting sindi. "Mukhang hindi nga makikinig o magpapatinag dahil kung magawan man namg paraan na tanggapin ka, may posibilidad na mabawasan nang malaking halaga ang makukuha nila kung ipipilit ang mga gusto natin."

That was infuriating. Because of the wealth and prestige they could gain, they were willing to sacrifice their children's happiness for their greed and pride. Ayos lang sa kanila na matapakan ang damdamin ng sarili nilang mga a ak basta perpekto pa rin sila sa labas.

"Hindi mo sasabihin kay Kuya?" 

"It will be a bloodbath, KD," usal ni Kuya Alessandro habang nananatiling nakapako ang mata sa target. "I can assure you about that."

***

"HANGGANG kailan mo naman plano magtago, boss?" tanong ni Zeus habang nagbabasa ako ng mga papeles.

It was one of those peaceful days when I was buried with company work. Zeus was standing in front of my desk like the nutcracker that he was.

Binaba ko ang dokumento at hinarap siya. "What do you mean?"

"Boss, I mean . . . sa asawa mo. Ang tagal mo siyang minamanmanan pero 'di mo pa rin nilalapitan. Hindi ba lalo ka niyang hindi maaalala kung patuloy kang magtatago? Paiwan-iwan ka pa ng sulat, 'di mo nga sigurado kung siya ang nakakakuha."

It had been almost a year since the Imperials hid Alexa, my wife, from me. Akala nila maitatago nila nang matagal si Alexa sa akin dahil sa paiba-iba nilang lokasyon. Pero hindi sila naging handa nang kinompronta ko na sila.

It was devastating that my wife had forgotten about me. Her parents had fed her with all these imaginary events in her life. And from what I have gathered, she couldn't remember herself, that horrid night, and not even her Kuya Alessandro. Parang naging musmos niyang nakalimutan ang lahat.

And to guarantee her safety, I made a deal with her parents — kung sakali na maalala niya ako sa loob ng dalawang taon na hindi ako lumalapit sa kaniya, kusa nilang ibabalik si Alexa sa 'kin. Pero kung hindi, I had to divorce my wife and not show my face before her ever again.

Pumayag ako sa gusto nila dahil nakita kong masaya si Alexa sa bagong buhay niya — sa ikalawang pagkakataon na natanggap niya.

I smirked at him. "Alam ko na siya ang nakakakuha n'on."

"How so?"

"Alam ko lang." Binalik ko ang tingin sa aking papeles.

This moron laughed at me, at wala akong pake sa gagawin niya. Basta nasisigurado ko na si Alexa ang umuupo at nakakakuha ng mga iniiwan kong noted at rosas.

I wanted to take it slow and get my wife to remember who I was and what I was in her life.

Slowly but surely.

***

Sobrang haba pala nitong last chapter kaya lemme split it into two parts. Owemji! Kung naabot niyo na 'tong chapter, tweet naman kayo by adding: #KDLexMagicOnWattpad

And you can tag me, too: @jouliyse ❤

Thank you!

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