AVIATRICE

"You went to the Philippines to rest after the accident and got married without telling us?" Hindi makapaniwalang atugal ni Natlan sa kabilang linya.

"Dio mio! So all this time, the reason why you kept on ignoring suitors is because you actually have someone in your heart?!" Kahit si Greece ay hindi rin lubos akalain na ikinasal na nga ako.

Well, their reactions are valid. May mga ilang piloto at marshalls na sinubukan akong lapitan at landiin pero hindi ko sila pinapansin dahil una sa lahat, hindi ako interesado. Second, I dislike the idea of being in a relationship with someone in the same workplace. I believe it could affect my profession.

"What are you both talking about?" Rinig kong boses ng isa pang lalaki.

"Kato! You will never believe this!"

"Chill, Nat. What happened?"

"Our captain is a married woman now!"

"So? What if she's—she's what?!"

Napangiwi ako habang inaayos ang kwelyo ng uniform ko. "Let me tell you, I wouldn't even know she's already married if I haven't checked the Flight Boards! It says the captain of the flight is Captain Salvatore instead of Captain Coronia!" Patuloy na paghihimutok ni Natlan.

"Salvatore? Why does that surname sound familiar?" Kunot noong bulong ni Greece sa sarili.

"It doesn't matter! But I am deeply hurt! I am your first officer! Greece is your second officer! Kato is your aircraft mechanic! Aside from your family and close friends, we should be important enough to be informed!" Hindi ko maiwasang mapailing lalo na at naririnig ko ang tono ng pagdadabog sa boses niya.

"Stop yapping. I will expalain later. I'll see you all at work." Akmang aapila pa ang mga ito nang patayin ko na ang tawag.

I look at myself in front of the mirror. I was wearing my pilot uniform. An elbow-length white corporate shirt with four-bar epaulettes on the shoulder, black necktie, and black slacks.

Napatingin ako sa relo ko bago damputin ang itim na blazer sa upuan. I only have two hours before my scheduled flight going to Somalia.

Paglabas ko ng guest room ay nakasalubong ko si Clevan. And yes, I was staying in the guest room. Hanggang hindi pa na a-abolish ni Kage ang walang kwenta nilang family tradition ay hindi ako matutulog sa kwarto naming dalawa.

And a sudden flashback made me bite my lips.

"What are you doing?" I asked as I gasped. He looks up, his lips a little wet in between my legs.

"Sincerely apologizing." He hummed as he added another finger.

"Aunt Trice, are you okay?" Nabalik ako sa realidad nang tawagin ako ni Clevan.

And what did he just call me? Aunt Trice? Another nickname?

"Your face looks like it's about to explode," he added as he held my left hand. "Stop daydreaming. Keep it up, and you might just trip and take a nasty fall down the stairs. Don't say I didn't warn you."

I tilt my head. He was smiling. At this point, he only looks like a sweet and caring little kid—a very different version of what I heard about him the first time I set foot here.

"Where is your uncle?"

"In his office! He's having a meeting with the QF!" Masigla niyang sagot. I just nodded my head and went downstairs.

Nakakatatlong hakbang pa lang ako ay napalingon ako nang tawagin ako ni Clevan. "Be careful on your flight today, Aunt Trice!" Natigilan ako nang makita ko ang klase ng ngiti na binibigay niya sa akin.

"Take care!" Pero kaagad din naman naglaho iyon na parang bula kaya hindi ko na lang pinagbigyan ng pansin at nag tungo na sa office ni Kage.

ೃ⁀✈.ೃ⁀✈.ೃ⁀✈.

Meanwhile, Kage sat firmly on his swivel chair while patiently waiting for Zeeshan to enter the video call. Yulan was already there, at mukhang nasa gitna pa ito ng disyerto dahil sa sobrang hangin ng background niya. On the other hand, Geometry looks like he was in a bunker.

Look at these fools. They sure have plenty of time to waste.

"If that piece of shit won't appear a few minutes, I will die in a sandstorm." Pagtakapos iyon sabihin ni Yulan ay kaagad itong nag-mute ng mic.

"Where the hell are you right now?" Hindi maiwasang tanong ni Kage habang nakakunot ang noo.

"Sahara Desert."

"What are you doing there?" Geometry asked after unmuting his mic. Mabilis na hininaan ni Kage at Yulan ang volume dahil sa narinig na sunod-sunod na putukan ng baril at pagsabog ng bomba sa background ni Geometry.

"You know living with camels," sarkastikong sagot nito sa kanya.

"And where the fuck are you, Geometry?" Mariin na tanong ni Kage. He couldn't control himself. He couldn't help but stress over the fact that he asked for a meeting, and they were not even in an inappropriate place.

"I'm in Area 51's secret bunker," he replied. May kung ano itong kinakalikot kaya hindi ito nakatingin sa camera. "I was trying to crack a code in their vault. I heard the remains of aliens are hidden here." This time, Yulan opened his mic.

Aliens? What is he, a five-year-old child who believes fellas like Stitch exists?

"Area 51? Nevada? What are you doing in my turf?" Napahilot ng sentido si Kage. Hindi niya alam kung makikinig siya sa ingay ng background ni Geometry o sa mahangin na background ni Yulan.

"Come on! I'm not trying to mess around here. I'm just trying my luck to crack the code! I promise to leave when done." Akmang mambubulyaw pa si Kage nang mag pop-up ang profile ni Zeeshan sa group call.

"As-salaam 'alykum my friends!" Pagbati na pagbati niya ay nakita nilang biglang hinablot ng magnanakaw ang cellphone nito. The last thing they heard was Zeeshan cursing in arabic while running with the thief.

Sino ba naman kasing tanga magwawagayway ng mamahalin niyang phone sa gitna ng Tondo.

"Do him a favor and shut down his phone before informations leak, Geometry." Tila ba'y nawawalang pag-asa na pakiusap ni Kage.

"No worries, his phone will detonate the moment the thief forces to open it." Napasandal na lang siya sa upuan, hindi alam kung ilang oras pa ang hihintayin niya para makompleto silang apat.

"Zee will carry on, let's hear what you wanted to say," panimula ni Geometry.

Kage leaned his arms on the table and clasped his hands. "I'm here to address the abolishment of the Mafia's Family Tradition of taking in a Mistress of the House." Napatigil sa ginagawa si Geometry, samantalang si Yulan naman ay kaagad na napatingin kay Kage.

"Have you forgotten how the Selassie Family got wiped out?" Yulan's voice pierced the tension, sharp and firm. Kage remained calm. Of course, he remembers.

The Selassie Family, the former Crown of Africa, was a prominent member of the Quartet Federation. However, after Don falls helplessly in love and is manipulated by a spy from the rival group, the Five Rings, the whole family is tragically murdered.

"The Family Tradition keeps us all safe and at peace," Geometry interjected, his tone serious. "We cannot afford to be handicapped now that the Five Rings are starting to wage war again."

"You are not getting any younger, Yulan. Sooner or later, you must find a wife to carry your bloodline. What woman would be daring enough to be with us in the kind of life we have?" Yulan's brows furrowed. Is he saying he's getting older? How insulting!

"Your point is?" He shot back.

"To love and be loved in return is at the core of our existence," Kage replied, his voice dropping to a softer, more sincere tone. "But can you truly bear to watch your beloved face danger just for the privilege of being part of your family? Should she have to endure such trials simply because of your love?" Upon hearing him, they were silent for two reasons.

First, it was the first time the cold and calculating consigliere ever talked about love sincerely. Second, he never questioned any rules set up since the founding of the Quartet Federation.

"You speak of love and loyalty," Yulan countered once again. "But love can breed hate, and loyalty can turn to betrayal. The abolishment of this tradition could cost thousands of lives." The tension grew thick like a smoke bomb in the air.

Kage's lips pursed. He knew it wasn't that easy to convince them. "Hate and betrayal are common in love and camaraderie, Yulan," Kage responded in a condensing manner. "That is why trust must be the foundation of every relationship." Wherever this conversation goes, Yulan couldn't find a reason to agree with him.

"Are you perhaps trying to abolish this tradition for the sake of your wife?" Ang kaninang nananahimik na si Geometry ay muling napatingin sa screen dahil sa naging tanong ni Yulan.

"Your wife passed the Salvatore's Ancestral Mansion. What's the need for you to propose this?" He scoffed. "It proves how versatile she is in fighting," he paused and gave Kage a suspicious look. "Who knows she's just another spy planted by your enemy to seduce you?" Sakto namang pagsabi ni Yulan ay ang pagbukas ni Sachal ng pinto, pero hindi iyon napansin ni Kage dahil sa inis na naramdaman niya sa sinabi ni Yulan.

"Do not disrespect my wife in front of me, Torrence or I will make your whole family regret it," he warned. Nagtitigan lang ang mga ito.

"As-salaam 'alykum, I'm back!" Zeeshan's voice echoed in the group call as his goofy face emerged from the screen. "People in Tondo are scary as fuck! But I got my phone back after beating them!" Tatawa-tawa nitong atugal nang hindi pinapansin ang tensyon na namumuo kay Kage at Yulan.

"Uh, what did I miss? Hehe!" He awkwardly laughs while scratching his nape. Geometry just shakes his head because of how Zeeshan ruined the tension in a timely manner, making things slightly lighter.

So, to help him cope, Geometry explained everything. "That's it?" Zeeshan exclaimed in disbelief. "I'm with Salsal this time." Kapwa naman naubo si Kage at Geometry sa naging sagot niya.

"Salsal?" Pag-uulit ni Kage.

"Uh, yes? Sal from Salvatore and Salsal is a good nickname." Kage massaged the bridge of his nose. Now everything is unserious.

"The rules were created by the founder of the Quartet Federation, and the former Dons agreed to them as they saw no other alternatives. But what did it cause them?" Zeeshan shrugged his shoulders. "Because they couldn't risk making their women the Mistress of the family, their children became bastards and had no legitimate rights to the family inheritance," he stated.

"I want the best life for my future sons and daughters, so abolishing the family tradition is just right. Besides, I don't want to marry someone just to keep the family stable—I want someone who will love and accept me for who I am." Napansin ni Zeeshan ang pagtirik ng mata ni Yulan kaya napairap din ito.

"But of course, that's my opinion regarding this proposition." Napahinga nang maluwag si Kage. At least Zeeshan is on his side. If Yulan disagrees, he only needs Geometry to mediate.

"Don't tell me you will agree with them too?" Patutsada ni Yulan kay Geometry.

Habang nagpapalitan sila ng diskusyon ay napaigtad si Kage nang maramdamang may kamay na humawak sa hita niya. When he looked down, he saw his wife undeneath the table—kneeling on her captain uniform.

"What are you—" She hushed him by trying to unbuckle his belt. Mabilis na napa-mute ng mic si Kage.

"I am in the middle of—" Hindi na naman niya natuloy ang sasabihin niya nang bigla dakmain ni Sachal ang pagkalalaki niya. He almost gagged in shock if not for a fact that he was in front of the camera.

Why is she doing such a thing? Well, an act of revenge. He did her on the table, so she would do him underneath the table while he was in the meeting.

His hands gripped the edge of the table when her warm hands wrapped around his length. Wala sarili nitong niluwagan ang necktie bago tanggalin ang unang tatlong butones ng white polo na suot niya. And his breathings became heavy when her sinful hand began moving up and down.

"Sweetheart, this is hngh—" He bit his lower lip to prevent himself from groaning. Napatingin siya sa laptop niya at abala naman sa diskusyon sila Geometry kaya napayuko siya upang silipin ang asawa niya.

With her eyes still locked on him, she pulled the swivel chair and fully yanked his pants on the floor. "Fanculo. . ." he cursed as her lips touched the tip of his manhood.

He tried reaching out to his laptop to turn off the camera, but his hands suddenly felt weak. Flashes of memories from how she tied him and dragged him onto the bed started messing in his head. He's slowly losing his mind.

"Didn't you say... you have a job?" He managed to whisper under a ragged breath. "This is also a job." She popped before sticking her tongue out.

"A blowjob." She smirked before taking him in her mouth.

His lips parted slowly, a silent gasp escaping from his mouth as his head tilted upwards. His left hand went to her head, fingers intertwining in her hair.

"Kage? Are you there?" Zeeshan beamed when he noticed him sweating. Lahat ng mura ay isa-isa ng tinawag ng binata sa isip niya nang mapatitig sa kanya ang tatlong nasa video call.

Act fool, Kage. Act fool.

"Yes, so have you all c-come to a conclusion?" Zeeshan waved his hand.

"Aren't you listening?" Nakangusong ngiwi nito. "Geometry said your proposition will depend on your wife's behaviour. Suppose you remained happily married without signs of her being a traitor or a spy; he will approve the abolishment of the tradition."

"But if she betrays you, we will no longer speak of abolishing this tradition," dugtong ni Yulan.

Napakunot naman ang kanilang noo nang mapansin ang pagtataas-baba ng balikat ni Kage na para bang ang lalim ng bawat hiningang binubuga niya. Is he mad? iyon lang ang tanging nasa isipan nila.

Suck after suck. Lick after lick. She took him whole. Deep and hard. And he is losing it.

"Uh, Kage?"

"I-I'm coming." He hissed.

"What?" They chorused.

"I said come again?" His grip on her hair tightened. "I... cannot hear you clear...ly."

"But in line with that rule abolishment. . ." Kinakapos hininga nitong pinilit magsalita kahit ilang segundo na lang ay papunta na ito sa rurok ng kaligayahan. "I will add a new rule."

"If the Mistress of the certain family is divorced, no Don from the other families can remarry her." Pagkatapos niya iyong sabihin ay nanghihina siyang bumagsak sa mesa. He just exploded in her mouth.

At hindi alam ni Sachal kung ano ang magiging reaksyon niya dahil sa narinig. Wala sa sarili niyang nilunok ang mga anak ni Kage na malamang nag s-slide na sa lalamunan niya.

Just look how petty this man is!

She talked about divorce to threaten him to abolish the rule—which, by the way, according to him, was impossible. But as soon as he caught her browsing the private information about the Dons from the Quartet Federation, he declared to abolish the tradition only to add a new rule: once a mistress is divorced, no Don from other families can remarry her.

He obviously did that thinking I will remarry someone from the Quartet Federation! Cheeky bastard! 

𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐎 𝐀 𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐄
ᴮʸ ᴳᵒˡᵘᶜᵏʸᶜʰᵃʳᵐ