Gwynne's Point of View

All of us were sitting inside the secret room, our security control system while watching Jazz seriously manipulating the computer in front of him, hacking something. This guy can easily gain backdoor access. He wouldn't be the Genius Hunter for nothing anyway.

He once clicked the enter button then leaned on the backrest of his chair while waiting for the screen progress bar to completely finish. Nang matapos iyon, muli siyang lumapit sa computer.

"There's this guy who always visits them in the prison." May kung anu-ano ulit siyang kinalikot sa monitor. "That guy, labas-masok siya sa Earl Holdings Company." Nagkatinginan kami ni Keegan sa impormasyong narinig.

He's right. That company wouldn't lost its 50 million fund for nothing. It was definitely Dennis and Vanessa's doing again.

Evil people will always have their ways. Tsk.

Iniharap ni Jazz ang computer sa amin habang isa-isa niyang ipinapakita iyong mga picture nung lalaki. That guy is always wearing a formal attire with his shades on.

Saglit akong lumabas at kinuha iyong laptop sa kwarto ko bago bumalik sa loob ng secret room. I logged in from my account and since I have the access in the Earl Holdings Company, isa-isa kong chineck iyong background information ng mga employees.

My eyes narrowed. Even if that guy was using a shades, I can easily figure out the bottom part of his face. I clicked the last employee background and I was right.

"He's not an employee in the company." Saad ko sa kanila.

I looked at the monitor and studied his face. This guy is definitely the one working for them but he should have known first that he's messing with the wrong person.

The next morning, nagising ako ng maaga. I have to go in the company today.

"Should I drive you in the company?" Keegan followed me on the garage. His hands were inside of his pocket. I opened the car door and put my bag inside before facing him.

"I gave you task. 'Yun ang asikasuhin mo." Seryoso kong saad sa kanya bago ako pumasok sa kotse at pinaharurot iyon paalis.

Nang makarating ako sa office, sumunod si Faye sa akin at sinabi nito ang mga bagay na dapat kong gawin at meetings na dapat kong puntahan sa araw na ito.

I am checking the progress of this month's increase sales when I heard my secretary's voice on the intercom saying that President Villamin is outside my office. Sinabihan ko lang na papasukin na niya ito.

When he entered, he told me we needed to attend an event sponsored by the company in Children's Care Center Foundation-the foundation about abandoned children BFC has been sponsoring even before.

Nang makarating kami roon, the party was then started and Mr. Villamin was their guest. He wanted to introduce me to everybody pero tumanggi ako. I don't want to be recognize. Okay na akong nakakatulong iyong kompanya sa kanila. He just had his short speech in front pagkatapos 'non ay nagsimula na ang mga parlor games para sa mga bata.

I stayed there for almost an hour and decided to go back in the company because Faye informed me that Mrs. Arvo was in my office right now for the pre-release of the magazine. Sinabihan ko na lang na mauuna na ako kay Mr. Villamin.

As soon as I parked my car on the basement of the company building, I felt like someone's following me. I just shrugged. They're starting the game now.

"Someone's following you." My forehead creased when I heard Jazz say that. We always wear our wireless covert earpieces just in case.

"I know."

"Malakas talaga ang pandama mo." He said.

"How did you know that someone's following me?" Tanong ko habang patuloy pa rin akong naglalakad, pinakapakiramdaman iyong sumusunod sa akin.

"Nandito ako sa CCTV room." That's why he knew. Napailing na lamang ako.

I stepped once and quickly hide on the post near me. I immediately took the gun out of my bag. Sumilip ako sa posteng pinagtataguan ko and I saw this guy standing not far from me, obviously he's looking where I am now. He's the guy on the picture Jazz has shown us yesterday.

Umalis ako roon sa posteng pinagtataguan ko at pinaputukan iyong kamay niyang nakahawak ng baril. He almost jumped out of shock. Tumalsik pa iyong baril pero mabilis niya rin namang dinampot ulit iyon. Panay ang lingon nito sa kanyang paligid and when he saw me, pinaputukan niya rin ako. I just stepped sideways to avoid that gunshot. He's also using a silencer on his gun.

I walked towards his direction but he suddenly disappeared from my sight. I run after him, he's now hiding. I continued walking and I saw half of his body leaning on the car he's hiding. I went nearer and aimed him on his left foot. He cursed when he was shot and I even heard him groaned.

He stood up and fired me back pero mabilis akong nagtago sa isang poste at doon dumaplis ang bala ng kanyang baril. I leaned on that post, playing the gun on my hand while waiting for him to come near me.

"Easy Gwynne. Don't kill that guy, just yet." Saad ni Jazz, tumatawa. That guy is definitely watching us on the CCTV room. Tsk.

Muli akong humakbang upang harapin iyong lalaki nang maramdaman ko ang isang kamay na humila sa akin. I was pinned on that post with his hand on me, holding me so tight.

Hinablot nito ang baril sa isa kong kamay at pinaputukan iyong lalaking sumusunod sa akin. When he's done, he faced me. His eyes darkened when I met his gaze.

"What the fuck is happening?" His Adam's apple moved and his jaw tightened. I could say his teeth were secretly gritted.

"And what the hell are you thinking? Paano kung ikaw 'yung nabaril?" I shot back, getting mad.

How can he just show up in this kind of scenario? Is he even thinking? Paano kung may mangyari sa kanya? Nababaliw na ba siya?

"Paano ka kung hindi ako dumating?" Mas lalong tumaas ang tono nito, sobrang seryoso. "You called me to get that fucking copies of magazine and this is not what I'm expecting! Fuck!" Mas lalong nandilim ang mga mata nito. His jaw aggressively moved.

Yes, I called him earlier for the pre-release of the magazine on my way back here but I didn't know he would arrived this fast.

"Why do you sound so mad now?"

"Because I am worried! I was fucking worried! I always am!" He furiously shot back.

Inis itong napahilamos sa kanyang mukha at tumalikod sa akin. He kept cursing. Napatingin na lang ako sa kanya, pinagmamasdan ang mga ikinikilos niya.

I was... I was lost for words because of what he said. I pursed my lips. Damn it. Why am I getting affected with his words? With the way he talks? Napailing ako.

Nabaling lang ang atensyon ko nang may dumating na dalawang pulis. I didn't know he called the cops. The police officers checked the whole basement. For sure, that guy already escaped. I didn't plan to kill him anyway. I just wanted to play with him... until he came. Tsk.

They took the gun on him. I told the police officers it's mine. They asked me why I have it. I just told them it's for security purposes though the gun was legally registered. May mga tinanong pa ang mga ito sa akin tungkol sa insidente. All they knew it's business related.

"What happened, love?" Nakangunot ang noo ko nang makita si Keegan dito.

He looks so worried and I wanted to hit him hard. He's obviously making an act. Our earpieces were connected to each other. Of course he knew what happened. Tinanong pa nito ang mga pulis kung anong nangyari, acting cluelessly like fuck.

"Someone tried to kill her. Thanks to Mr. Jimenez because he immediately called us." The police said.

Keegan faced Mr. Jimenez and thanked him, umakto pa talaga itong alalang-alala siya sa akin. I just made a face. If they only knew that this dumbass is making an act. Tsk.

The police officers told us that they will investigate it but I declined, telling them na huwag na itong isapubliko because it might worsen the situation. Partly yes, but the truth is, I don't want them to deal with it. I want to deal it myself. Sa huli ay pumayag naman sila sa desisyon ko.

"You should be careful next time Miss Blevins." Saad ng mga pulis sa akin. Tumango lang ako.

"No. They should be careful with her next time, right love?" Keegan smirked, inakbayan pa ako nito, halatang nang-aasar.

I elbowed him secretly. Napayuko pa ito ng bahagya but since the police officers were facing us, he acted normally, trying to handle the pain I gave him.

"Fuck. You've hurt my abs." Reklamo nito sa akin nang makaalis iyong mga pulis. Sinamaan ko lang siya ng tingin.

Hindi nagtagal ay nagpaalam na rin naman siya, leaving me with Mr. Jimenez alone.

I looked at him and he's looking at me too.

"What?" I asked. He just shook his head out of frustration.

Tahimik lang kaming naglalakad hanggang sa makapasok kami sa elevator. No one's talking until we reached my office. Sumunod naman ito sa akin.

"Where's Mrs. Arvo?" I asked Faye.

"She went out to take a call Miss Blevins." Tumango ako. Lumabas din siya when I told her to get us something to drink. When she left, I went on my swivel chair and even before I could sit on it, he talked.

"Tell me, who's that guy?" Ngunot-noong tinignan ko siya. Why is he bringing that up again?

"It's nothing."

"Nothing? Someone tried to kill you yet you're telling me it's nothing?!" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong nito sa akin. His eyes darkened again.

Ano bang problema niya?

"I said it's nothing! Ano bang hindi mo maintindihan sa sinabi ko---"

"Ikaw ang hindi ko maintindihan!"

"Shut up! It's my own business!"

"And you know you are my fucking business!"

Pareho kaming natigilan nang biglang bumukas ang pintuan. Palipat-lipat ang tingin ni Mrs. Arvo sa aming dalawa, para niya kaming inaalisa.

"Are you two fighting?" She asked but no one answered her.

Nakita ko pang napakibit balikat ito. Napabuntong-hininga na lamang ako bago lumapit sa kanila.

Muli kaming pinakatitigan ni Mrs. Arvo before she explained us something about the magazine. At the end of this month, tsaka ilalabas ng tuluyan iyong set ng magazine. She gave us limited copies since it was only for its pre-release.

"I'll be back here week after next." Paalam nito sa amin. I walked her on the doorway.

Nang makaalis si Mrs. Arvo, Mr. Jimenez also stood up. Since I was standing on the doorway, he stopped in front of me. Hinuli nito ang mga tingin ko.

"For fuck's sake, don't make me worry." Mahina nitong saad bago siya tuluyang lumabas.

I inhaled a large amount of air when he finally disappeared from my sight.

I went back on my table and continued working like nothing happened. Bandang alas sais ng gabi noong umuwi ako sa mansion. Inusisa ako ni Yaya Melds tungkol sa nangyari sa basement but I didn't say that much.

After eating our dinner, all of us went to the secret room and continued working with our own tasks.

"That guy's name is Rafael Simon, a retired military who's now working as a hitman, had two daughters and a son. His wife owns a small restaurant." Jazz stated. I nodded.

He also added na bihira lang ito kung umuwi sa bahay nila. His wife didn't know the kind of job he has. All she knew is that Rafael has a decent job away from them.

"Manmanan niyo ang bawat galaw niya. Don't try to touch him." I ordered.

Week after that, Jazz had his team secretly spying Rafael Simon. And just today, he visited Dennis and Vanessa in the prison. The side of my lips rose, ordering Jazz to corner him.

Night came, I went on the dug out basement of the mansion. There, Rafael Simon is sitting on the chair. I didn't let them tie him though. I just want to talk to him.

Naglakad ako papalapit sa kanya. Jazz and Keegan were just standing nearby. Nang maupo ako sa harap nitong upuan, bahagya siyang napalayo sa akin. I smiled, telling him I won't hurt him. We'll just have a small talk.

"Rafael Simon, husband of Elissa Simon and a father of two daughters—Cindy and Aleah and had a son named Nathaniel---"

"Huwag na huwag mong gagalawin ang pamilya ko!" He cut me off, sounded so mad.

I smirked. I'm just telling him what I know. I don't have the plan to hurt his family though. I know how to play fair but I can also play as dirty as they can. Huwag lang nila akong subukan.

I crossed my legs and lazily leaned on the backrest. There's only one reason why he's doing this for sure. That is for money—to sustain what his family needs.

"You're working for them because of money." I surely said. Natawa ako ng mahina nung makita ko kung paano kumuyom ang mga kamao nito.

"Work for me instead and your family will be safe or continue to work for them and your family will be dead." I added, giving him a good option. I can see he's just stopping himself from hurting me.

Tumayo na ako at tinignan siya ulit.

"Pagkalabas mo ng kwartong 'to, take the back door. Just open the gate on the backyard. Now, go home and see your family. Your eldest is celebrating her birthday two days from now. Be with them, make them feel complete and happy." Saad ko bago ko siya tinalikuran.

Keegan and Jazz followed me. Pareho lang na nakasuksok ang mga kamay nila sa bulsa ng kanilang pantalon.

"How can you act so demonic and angelic at the same time?" Keegan smirked at me, hinahabol nito ang mga hakbang ko.

"Try me and you'll see." Walang gana kong sagot sa kanya before taking big steps away from them.

I mentally shook my head. Napakawalang kwenta niya talagang kausap. His questions are always out of the blue. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ko naging pinsan iyon.

Weekend came, I was able to visit Keizer, Denver especially my parents on their grave. I lit the candle I brought and took the flowers beside it. I slowly touch their headstones.

"It's been awhile Mom, Dad." Since the ambiance is giving me fresh air, I lay down on the grass as I closed my eyes.

Nung malaman ko kung sino talaga ako, I had so much what ifs inside my mind but I know I can't change what had already happened.

My life is not normal and it will never be but I'm still looking forward to at least feel what happiness mean is. To feel complete, to feel at ease. But with the kind of life I have, it's impossible to chase those things. I guess I'll just let things work for it.

Nang magsimula ng sakupin ng dilim ang buong kalangitan, tumayo na ako at pinagpagan ang pantalon ko.

"I'll be back soon. I love you." Muli kong hinaplos iyong headstones nila and I once glanced before turning my back on them.

On my way to where I parked the car, my phone rings. I took it and as the call ended, my teeth clenched. I went inside the car and maneuvered it in a fast pace. Nang makarating ako sa mansion, I saw all of them in the living room. They all looked tense.

"Prepare the private jet plane. We'll fly to Russia at 10 PM." Seryosong saad ko kay Keegan bago ako pumanhik sa aking kwarto. I let the soft mattress caught me. I closed my eyes. I wanted to kill. Damn.

Like what I said, umalis kami ni Keegan alas dyes ng gabi. Since Philippines is five hours ahead in Russia, having almost 11 hours of flight, nakarating kami roon around 4 AM, Russia time.

As the plane landed safely on the helipad, unlike the Mercedes Benz Maybach Exelero that picked us up when I first set my feet on the ground in this country, Lincoln Town Car was the one waiting for us this time.

"It's too early here. We'll go straight first in the Spade Castle---"

"Headquarters." Pagpuputol ko sa dapat ay sasabihin niya. Kumontra pa ito, pinipilit niyang doon muna kami dumiretso.

I, being silent, I heard him heave a deep sigh.

Nang makarating kami sa Headquarters, I aggressively went inside and I saw all the members including the high ranking officials. They all bowed down when they saw me but I walked straight on my table.

"Where is he?" That moment, two members went inside holding him on his both hands. Pabagsak nila itong binitawan sa harapan ko.

While looking at him, I took the documents on top of my table and scan it a bit. I pursed my lips to control myself after reading it.

"Jaeson DeFeo, Secret Agent." Napatango-tango ako, pilit pa ring kinokontrol ang sarili ko. "So, you're working as a spy for fucking three years now. Didn't you know that you're fucking digging your own grave because of what you did?" I said in a low voice but with great emphasis. Yumuko ito sa harapan ko.

"I'm so sick of being betrayed by the people I trust, aren't you aware of that?" I stressed.

Seeing him makes me want to kill him right away. I trusted him. I even appointed him as one of the newly high ranking officials. I just left for awhile only to received a call telling me that he's a spy from Leonetti Family in Italy. He even used another name just to be part of the organization.

"When you joined the initiation, you already sacrificed your life. Now, I will let you sacrifice it for real." I even saw how he struggled from that fucking initiation process but damn it, he just betrayed me and the whole Spade Organization family.

Seriously, is he trying me?

Tumayo ako. Akmang lalampasan ko siya nang hawakan ako nito sa kamay, nagmamakaawa.

"Empress---" I gazed him fiercely. I stared his hand on mine until he slowly let go of me. "Forgive me Empress." He already got on his knees, crying and pleading in front of me.

"No. Forgive me, I don't do mercy." Matigas kong usal dito. "Punish him... to death." I finally ordered. I heard the members gasped.

When I looked at them, bahagyang napaatras ang mga ito at umiwas sila ng tingin sa akin.

"Please..." Napailing lang ako.

Why is he asking for forgiveness if he had done it already? Muli ko siyang tinignan nang hawakan niya ulit ako sa kamay, patuloy na nagmamakaawa.

"You don't like it if I'm the one to kill you." I warned.

Binawi ko ang kamay ko sa kanya. Nang humarap ako sa ibang miyembro ay muling nagsiyukuan ang mga ito sa akin.

"Take that as a lesson from him. Don't fucking mess with me." I enunciated before storming out of that room, infuriated.

Nang makababa ako sa building na iyon, dumiretso ako kaagad sa kotse. Keegan followed me quietly. Sa buong duration ng byahe, nanahimik ako pero panay ang pagbuntong hininga ko. I'm trying to calm my insides.

"From the little girl I knew, you are really different now." Mula sa pananahimik nito kanina pa, hindi ko aakalaing magsasalita pa siya.

I lazily leaned my head on the window, pinagmamasdan iyong mga nakikita ko.

"If you've experienced what I've been through, you'll understand why." Seryoso kong saad sa kanya.

Hindi ako binago ng pagkakataon, binago ako ng sitwasyon. And I won't let any situation ruin me again.