-Flashback-

It was late in the evening when we reached Russia. As the jet airplane landed safely, two men escorted me as I step down on the ladder. There's already a white car waiting for us down there. Habang nasa byahe kami, ipinikit ko na lang muna ang aking mga mata. There, things just flashed back on my mind again.

My heart started feeling heavy just by remembering what had happened to me. In my whole life, I was played and betrayed by the people I considered as my family. I was stab in the back by the people I trusted the most.

I agreed leaving that country because I'm slowly losing myself. From everything that had happened, I was all fucked up. I just lost all the people I loved and I don't want to lose myself too. Sarili ko na lang ang meron ako. Sarili kong kailangan ko pang hanapin, sarili kong kailangan ko pang kilalanin dahil hindi ko na alam kung sino talaga ako.

I left because that's the only way to save myself.

I opened my eyes when the car stopped. I cocked my head to the side and there's this large building standing in front of us. Mansion is understatement for the whole place. I wonder where are we now.

"We are here at Spade Castle." Yaya Melds stated as if she heard what I'm thinking. Sinabihan nila akong kailangan na naming bumaba. I just nodded.

There are butlers standing in front of the gate waiting for us. Nang makapasok kami, I roamed my eyes inside the whole place. Butlers, servers and guards are everywhere. It was uncomfortable knowing that they always bow down whenever they see me pero sa huli, hinayaan ko na lang ang mga ito.

"Who owns this place?" I asked Yaya Melds when we headed our way on the living room but I was stopped.

Just by seeing the biggest portrait displayed in the middle of the living room already answered my question. It was us, my parents and I. My Mom carried me while my Dad held my Mom on her shoulder. All of us were smiling on that portrait.

I smiled a bit but my heart is aching. If things didn't happen the other way around, I should have seen them smiling like that again.

"This was your parents' haven and this will definitely be your home, Gwynne." I looked at Yaya Melds when she called me by that name.

Gwynne. Yeah, I am Gwynne Heather Blevins.

That night, someone led me upstairs. This would be my first night here but I can feel the warmth. Maybe, this is really my true home.

The next morning, nagising ako ng maaga pero nanatili akong nagkulong sa kwartong tinuluyan ko. One week of doing nothing but locking myself inside that room quickly passed by. Around 1 PM nung lumabas ako sa kwartong iyon.

"Anak!" I wasn't surprised when Yaya Melds seemed happy when I finally went out of that room. Nanay Agnes was on her side.

They led me on the dining room and they let me eat my lunch. Pinanonood lang nila ako. Pagkatapos kong kumain, dumiretso kami sa living room. As I sat there, I settled my eyes on that portrait again.

Ano kayang pakiramdam kapag nandito pa rin sa tabi ko ang mga magulang ko? Would it feel different? Won't I be hurt this much?  Would I feel better and happy? Would I feel complete? I had so much what ifs but things already happened.

Nalipat lang ang atensyon ko nang may dalawang babaeng lumapit sa amin at bahagyang yumuko ang mga ito.

"The consiglieres are here, Lady Meldyn." The other girl informed. They were wearing a formal attire. They seemed intimidating because of how they dressed.

"Let them in." Saad ni Yaya Melds sa kanila.

Maya-maya pa ay narinig ko ang mga yabag papalapit sa amin hanggang sa may sampung kalalakihan ang ngayon ay nakatayo sa harapan namin. They also bowed down in front of us.

"You're finally back Lady Meldyn and Lady Agnes." As I'm watching them, I narrowed my eyes a bit. Yaya Melds and Nanay Agnes seemed to be very respectable persons here. Now I'm wondering why.

Those men turned their gaze on me as if they are checking me. I looked back at them. Who are these people anyway? Napansin ko ring napatingin si Yaya Melds sa akin. She even smiled when our eyes met.

"Tell everyone to expect our presence together with the Empress tonight." Saad lang nito sa kanila. Bahagya silang nagulat sa narinig. I just shrugged. I don't know what's happening though.

Those men step backward and they once bowed before leaving us.

"You need to prepare." Yaya Melds stated. Napatango na lang ako kahit wala akong ideya sa kung anong mga nangyayari.

That night came. I can see all of them waiting for me as I went downstairs. Yaya Melds called me so I followed her hanggang sa makalabas kami ng bahay. Numbers of butlers doubled. Nagkalat sila sa paligid ng Spade Castle.

They led us to a luxury car. Habang nasa byahe kami, hindi ko mabilang kung ilang mga sasakyan ang nakasunod sa amin.

"Where are we going?" I asked Yaya Melds. Sa harap lang ito nakatingin, sa tabi niya ay si Nanay Agnes.

"You'll see." I shrugged.

Simula nung dumating kami sa bansang ito, parang ibang tao na ang kaharap ko. Nanay Agnes, especially Yaya Melds were acting different now. The way they talk and command are really different.

Nahinto kami sa harap ng isang mataas na building. Hindi ko alam kung anong klaseng lugar ito. Habang naglalakad kami sa hallway papasok sa loob, marami ang nakabantay at nakasunod sa amin. Who are these people this time?

Lumiko ulit kami hanggang sa tumambad sa harapan namin ang isang malaking pintuan.

"What the hell is this place?" I curiously asked.

"Headquarters of the organization." Nahinto ako. Organization? Headquarters? What the hell?

Gusto ko pang magtanong pero pumasok na sila sa loob. Wala akong nagawa kundi ang sumunod sa kanila.

Yaya Melds is now standing in front. I looked around. There are many people inside this room. The chairs were arranged like inside of that gymnasium. Pataas ang mga iyon pero hiwa-hiwalay.

"My apology for being gone this long." Yaya Melds said and everyone was a bit shocked and surprised.

Hindi ko alam kung anong pinag-uusapan nila pagkatapos noon. Their faces were very serious. Nung ibinalik ko ang tingin ko sa harap, I noticed this big spade symbol in front.

"The Empress is now finally here." Bahagya akong tinapik ni Nanay Agnes at sinenyasan akong pumunta sa harap. When I stood up beside Yaya Melds, all of them stood up and they bowed down.

"It's nice to finally see you here, Empress." Sinundan ko ng tingin iyong nagsalita at nangunot ang noo ko nang mapagsino iyon. Mr. Shikawa, that old man who thought of me as Gwynneth Blevins in the Earl Holdings Company before. Why is he here?

"The empire is waiting for you for so long." I turned my eyes on the woman who spoke. She's very serious.

"Give her enough time. You know what she's been through. She can't take the empire without knowing everything." All of them nodded, agreeing to what Yaya Melds said.

Pumunta si Nanay Agnes sa harap at sinabihan lang nila akong maghintay na lang muna sa kotse. Maybe they are going to discuss something.

For the following days, it became the usual for me not until I saw folders in front of me.

"That's the list of the organization member." Tinignan ko lang iyon saglit bago ko nilipat ang tingin ko kay Yaya Melds.

"What about this organization?" I've been wanting to ask her about that. I was just stopping the urge to. Now that she mentioned it, it's time for me to ask about it. Naupo ito sa tabi ko at ang tingin niya ay nasa akin pa rin.

"Haven't Dennis and Vanessa told you about the Mafia Group?" My forehead creased but yeah, I remembered it. "Your parents ruled the highest rank group in the Mafia World – the Spade Organization." She added. I can't help but nod in disbelief. Natahimik ako saglit.

My parents were mafias. It's not just a mere mafia group but the highest rank group. Spade Organization? No wonder. I can see the spade symbol everywhere. But what does spade symbolizes?

And what about Dennis and Vanessa? What's their part in the organization? What are their relationship with my parents?

I have lot of questions in my mind now. I need to know everything. I can't just be contended knowing the fact that my parents died because of them.

I looked at Yaya Melds, my eyes were asking.

"Gwynneth and Vanessa were best friends." My hands turned into a fist after hearing that. "Your Mom was sent in the Philippines for her mission. I was with her that time." She started. I was all ears to her while she's telling me everything.

I learned that it was Yaya Melds who happened to be an assassin was my Mom's personal consigliere. She was the one who enrolled my Mom in a university in the Philippines so no one would doubt her personality. They were supposed to stay there just for a month but something came up and they noticed that there were eyes watching them causing them to stay longer.

Instead of looking for the boss of the American Mafia organization – Mom's mission, she acted as a normal student in the university she's attending. There, she met Vanessa – the one who's always being bullied in the school, who also happened to be an orphan.

Wala naman daw pakialam ang Mom ko sa mga taong nasa paligid niya pero hindi niya matagalang panoorin ang ginagawa kay Vanessa so she helped her by beating those bullies, they almost died.

While my Mom continued attending school as part of the plan for her mission, Vanessa and her unexpectedly became best friends. After completing her mission, she came back in Russia with Vanessa. It was actually my Mom who invited Vanessa to join the organization which she agreed.

When Dad learned what my Mom did, nag-away silang dalawa. Spade Organization has rules and Mom just broke the very first rule, that is to never tell anyone about the organization. 

Yaya Melds thought Vanessa agreed on joining the organization because she's so sick of being belittled. Tampulan siya ng mga pambubully and that pushed her to join the organization to show everyone that she's not the old weak Vanessa they knew.

Since she surpassed the initiation, wala na rin silang nagawa. Vanessa was then became close with my Dad. Kinupkop siya ng magulang ko. They supported her while she's studying and they provided everything she needs. They treated her as their family not because they belong in the same organization but because they really considered her as one na para bang kadugo talaga nila siya.

"How could she kill my parents after all the things they did to her?" I gritted my teeth upon hearing those things.

Lahat ng kailangan niya, ibinigay sa kanya. Pati nung nag-asawa siya, my parents didn't leave her. They even supported them. Paano nila nagawang patayin ang mga magulang ko? They even used me! I was just a fucking baby that time!

"Vanessa was thirsty of power. She was the one who plotted to assassinate your parents so she can rule the organization. Masyado siyang nabulag sa kapangyarihan."

"Damn it!" I hissed. I feel like I wanted to go back in the Philippines so I could strangle them to death.

Yaya Melds told me she tried to save me before but she was left without a choice. It's either she'll die or I'll die. Worst, both of us will die but she begged them to spare our lives.

Alam niyang sasang-ayon si Vanessa sa pakiusap niyang iyon because she can easily read what's running on her mind and she's right. Vanessa agreed because she's also planning to use Yaya Melds as her access para makuha ang lahat-lahat sa mga magulang ko.

Tangina nila. Tao pa ba sila?

Napatingin na lang ako kay Yaya Melds nang maramdam ko ang paghawak nito sa kamay ko and she tried to unfold my fist.

"Don't let your anger destroy you." She reminded. "Spade Organization is a Mafia Royalty, therefore you needed to continue the legacy of your parents as the Mafia Empress." I nodded.

I won't let anyone take the legacy my parents left for me. What they did to my parents led me to continue what they've started.

I'm reading the list of the organization's members when a servant came, informing us that the acting boss is here. As soon as the servant left, noon ay naglakad ang lalaki papalapit sa amin.

"Mr. Shikawa."

"You knew him?" Ngunot-noong tanong ni Yaya Melds sa akin. Tumango naman ako. He sat in front of me then he looked at me intently.

"You're really the Empress. I never made a mistake. The first time I saw you, I already knew you're a Blevins." Naalala ko ngang napagkamalan niya akong si Mommy noon. He fakes a cough at tinignan nito ang hawak-hawak ko.

"You're reading the membership file." Tumango ako. Nag-uusap lang silang dalawa ni Yaya Melds habang binabasa ko ang bawat detalyeng nakasaad sa bawat miyembro.

"If you're the acting boss, who's the boss and where is he?" I curiously asked, my eyes are still on the files. I just thought of it though.

"He's in China right now. He'll be back for your initiation."

"Initiation." Napatango-tango.

"You need to undergo initiation process before the actual initiation ritual." Muli akong napatango. I wonder how that initiation ritual works in this organization. "By the way, your personal consigliere is here." Napatingin ito sa may pintuan kaya sinundan ko rin iyon ng tingin. I stood up out of shock when I saw him.

"Jazz?" Kalauna'y nangunot din ang noo ko habang nakatingin ng diretso sa kanya.

Naupo ito sa tabi ni Mr. Shikawa and I learned that he was his grandson. The hell? He's also part of the organization? Like since when? Alam ba niya ang pagkatao ko simula pa lang? Ano pa bang tungkol sa pagkatao ko ang alam ng mga taong nasa paligid ko na hindi ko alam? Am I the only one who's clueless about my own life? Tsk.

Week after that conversation, I went to the Spade Headquarters and had serious discussion with the high-ranking officials of the organization.

For me to be initiated, I needed to undergo six months straight training before the day of the initiation ritual which always happens in the same day as other Empress had initiated before.

That training started. Different weapons were provided on the wide training site. I wonder if this is really a training or what. It was like more of a punishment. I always got cut on my body. Sometimes I bled.

"Fuck!" Napayuko ako nang matamaan ang binti ko. I'm bleeding again. Damn it!

These trainers are killers. Hindi ko nga alam kung tinetraining pa ba nila ako sa lagay na 'to or they are trying to kill me.

I have ten different trainers everyday and it's really hard to undergo on their hands. I rolled my body on the ground, took the daggers hidden on my thigh and threw it one by one on them. Some also bled, others managed to avoid it. There is no way I would be hit alone, pati rin dapat sila.

I let out a deep sigh as this session ends. I lay on the ground and closed my eyes. I was panting so hard. Damn. These six months of my life is a fucking hell.

"You're very skilled. A Blevins indeed." I opened my eyes because of that voice.

I just lost all the strength I have earlier but seeing him now with that mask covering his face, parang nanumbalik ulit ang lakas sa katawan ko.

What the fuck is this scumbag doing here?

I got up quickly and with the daggers I still have in me, I aimed him but he avoided it and smirked. I went near the rack and took whatever sharp weapons I see. From our distance, I calculated my every move but he's so quick he managed to avoid it.

"Empress---"

"Don't stop them." I heard Jazz say. I can feel them watching us.

This time, I took the nearest sword and he also took his until we're dueling with swords now. When I saw him bend a little, I took that chance to flew towards him and strike him with my sword until I heard how the cloak his wearing ripped then blood dripped on his right shoulder — the part where I first hit him before.

I once rolled on the ground. With one bended knee, I stood up and smirked at him.

"Death Shadow."

"You're still badass." He also smirked at me hanggang sa may lumapit sa kanya para linisin iyong sugat niya. Tsk.

Lumapit din si Jazz sa amin. I threw the sword away and crossed my arms while looking at Death Shadow. Ano ba talagang ginagawa niya rito?

"He's the Boss." Jazz said.

"What the fuck?"

I was glaring at Death Shadow the whole time he's sitting in front of me. We just got home from training site and he came with us. Some of the high ranking officials came by when they learned he was here. Boss, huh?

"Your stare says you wanted to kill me."

"If only I could." I mocked. Noon pa kita gustong patayin kung alam mo lang.

Some faked a cough to stop the tension between us. They might curious on what's going on. Tsk. They just talked about the initiation that will happen week from now. Umalis na rin naman sila pagkatapos no'n.

"What the hell are you really doing here Death Shadow?"

"He's Keegan Veraces, your cousin." Si Yaya Melds ang sumagot at isa yata iyon sa mga katotohanang ayaw kong tanggapin. Ngumisi lang ito sa akin.

"I'm glad to finally see you safe and sound, Gwynne Heather Blevins." The side of my lips rose up.

Death Shadow was my cousin? Tsk.

For the remaining days before the initiation ritual, Death Shadow — Keegan stayed in the Spade Castle.

"Can't you be mad at me?" I tsk-ed when he spoke. Nakasunod lang ito sa akin. When we stopped on the railings, I faced him and glared.

"Will you please stop following me?"

"Come on! I just want to catch things up with you." Napailing ako.

I actually have lot of questions to ask him. Sa simula pa lang alam niyang magpinsan kami yet I was like a fool for knowing nothing.

The moment I kept silent, he started talking. He just told me he knew I was a Blevins when he first saw me in the Underground Empire. Hinayaan niya akong sumali sa Black Gang para masubaybayan ako. Definitely, he's always watching me from afar.

"When you first met Keizer, it was already planned. Everything that happened in your life was all planned." Napapikit ako.

That Earl family, mas malala pa sila sa demonyo. I wasn't a book but they became the author of my life. Lahat ng galaw ko ay planado. I was fucking controlled by them.

"What's the reason why they killed him?"

"Everyone thought you're dead and Keizer learned their secret about your personality. They killed him to stop him from exposing your real identity because if that happens, that would be their dead end." Napabuga ako ng malalim.

That's why he kept on telling me not to trust them when he was shot. Inisip pa rin niya yung kapakanan ko kahit sa kahuli-hulihan niyang hininga.

"I'm always there in your fights but I didn't intervene because that's your fight alone. You can get mad at me all you want but I did those things to save you Gwynne." He breath heavily, ramdam kong nakatingin lang siya sa akin.

Mula sa mga pinagdaanan ko, hindi ko inaasahang may natitira pa pala akong pamilya.

"You can sleep for the mean time. Today's gonna be a long journey for you love---"

"Stop calling me love, you scumbag!" Natawa lang ito.

We were here at a yacht and we're going to the secret chamber for the initiation ritual. It's already 10 PM and the ritual happens at 12 midnight so here we are, still sailing on the sea.

"Boss, mobsters from Italy and United States are attacking us." An armed man reported then he looked at me, implying that it's me whom they wanted to take down.

"Shit!" Keegan cursed when we heard helicopter surrounding us.

Hindi nagtagal, they are already firing us. Our men armed with guns come out to fired them back. Tahimik lang kanina ang karagatan pati ang himpapawid, but now, it's as if there are fireworks display.

"Your name is a real deal in Mafia World. You haven't initiated yet but they are attacking you now." I just shrugged while watching him fixed the magazine of his gun. Some of our people already had their rifles and bombs.

"Go inside the cabin Gwynne." He ordered at nagsimula na rin itong umatake sa kalaban.

Ten helicopters are surrounding us. Naglakad na lang ako patungo sa deck and I leaned on the railings while watching them. Nung tumingin ako sa itaas, dalawang magkalapit na helicopter ang sumabog.

Humarap ako sa karagatan at ipinikit ko ang aking mga mata habang pinapakiramdaman ang lamig ng hanging tumatama sa aking balat. Naririnig ko pa rin naman ang putukan at mga pagsabog sa aking paligid but I was here, standing like nothing's happening around me.

These people who are protecting me, of course they won't let me die and I won't definitely die.

"Gwynne, shit! I told you to stay inside the cabin!" Pagalit na saad ni Keegan nang makalapit ito sa akin.

Lumapit din 'yung mga tauhan sa amin, maybe to check on me. I looked around and I saw those helicopters slowly sinking until the surface of the water is the only thing I can see. Tsaka ko ibinalik ang tingin ko sa kanya.

"I won't die." I tapped his back before passing him by. "Thanks for the show. It's nice." Dugtong ko bago ko siya tuluyang lampasan.

I just stayed inside the cabin while waiting for us to arrive in the secret chamber. After almost six hours, tsaka lang tumigil iyong yate. Naroon ulit ang mga sasakyang nag-aabang sa amin. Bago iyon paandarin, I saw the spade symbol on the tip of that ship before we finally drove off.

We finally reached the secret chamber. The place is quite dark. Ang mga kandilang nakapalibot sa paligid ang tanging nagbibigay ng liwanag sa buong lugar. They led me on the table then I saw all the high ranking officials standing in front of me.

It was Mr. Shikawa — the acting boss who presided the ritual. He explained the organization including its basic rules until he told me to stand up.

From the candle and a spade card in front of me, Keegan took my right hand, pricked my finger with a needle then few drops of my blood were spilled on that card.

"This blood means we are now one family. We are one until death." We both set the card on fire hanggang sa unti-unti itong masunog.

"I, Gwynne Heather Blevins, will take all the responsibility and I will protect the Spade Organization until my very last breath." After taking my oath, Keegan went near me.

With the box he's holding, he took out the long black cloak. May nakaukit na simbolo ng spade roon at marahan niya iyong isinuot sa akin. All the mafiosi bowed down on me.

"Accept the power to take over the whole organization and never expose your identity to anyone. You were born as the Mafia Empress, you'll die as it is." I also bowed down on them, accepting the power to rule the Spade Organization.

-End of Flashback-

It was five years ago when I left to find myself and here I am now, living my life as the Mafia Empress. I shouldn't be here in this country. I didn't plan on going back here but I have to. I have a mission.

Months ago, I went back in Russia after completing my mission in Europe and Keegan welcomed me with a news saying that Earl Holdings Company lost 50 million of its fund. I don't actually give it a damn. I don't care if that company would face bankruptcy but Keegan told me there's something behind it.

"Don't you find it suspicious? Dennis and Vanessa were the only ones who have access on that." I arched my brows on him. That moment, I ordered Jazz to secretly investigate and something's really going on.

Kaya kong trabahuhin sina Dennis at Vanessa kahit nasa Russia ako but I won't let them succeed on whatever they are planning so we came back here. I'll kill them this time.

"Someone's working for them." I curled my hand when Jazz said that.

Five fucking years had passed. They were already behind bars but they're still able to plan something against me. Someone's working for them, huh?

I stood up and stormed out of that secret room. I didn't notice that Yaya Melds followed me.

"After finishing them, what's your plan?"

"I'll go back in Russia."

"You're leaving them again." It wasn't a question but a statement. Noon ay hinarap ko siya at alam ko kung sinong mga tinutukoy niya.

"I don't belong here. I'll go back in a place where I belong." Sagot ko.

Napatingin ulit ako sa harapan at ramdam kong nakatingin siya sa akin. I know what she's trying to point out but the empire needs me. The whole organization relies on me. Hindi ko iiwan ang organisasyong nagparamdam sa akin ng tunay na kahulugan ng pamilya.

"I was born as the Mafia Empress. I'll die as it is."