CHAPTER 00

"I'm not going to die, Elyse. Just because I left the band so I can be more focused on being the commander of VS, I will never die." I assured her while I was happily eating my food.

We have been together for almost 10 years now as Band, we were composed of a 5-member group. 2 guitarists, one bassist, a pianist, and a drummer. We all know how to sing, so all of us are considered as one.

On this day, I'll be signing off as the lead guitarist and Vocalist of Oktubre. It's hard to admit that it hurts to be taken away from them, we were like a family na kasi eh, kaya mahirap talagang e let go ang banda.

It was my great escape in life, I have never been this happy when I was with them; creating music together makes me feel relieved.

Music was the only way I could cope with my stress and problems. At the age of 18, my mother and father passed the title on to me at such a young age, that I was trained to be the commander.

Was trained how to kill. To do business. To be strong and fierce. To be a perfect Yapchengco.

And now I'm 24, I finished college last year; Majoring in Music and Fine Arts. In return taking control of Vaisseaux Sanguins. A mafia organization that even the government couldn't make a move because they'll die if they do.

The organization's doings are even. It depends on how they decided on every case we handle because we know how fucked up the law system is in the Philippines. Rich people could easily get away from it, especially those fucking bastards' politicians.

God, I really hate them.

There are a lot of things that people should know about my organization. I do not even know if I'm the only Commander in this one. The members are very hideous and I can't blame them anyways.

Even the high rankings are always wearing their mask during conferences, so it's really hard to recognize and to tell who the fuck on earth are they.

"Your contract with us will end in 8 months, you're still going to fucking perform with us you witch," she chuckled and glared at me.

"I know that, hindi ko naman tatakbuhan. I love music," ngumisi ako para mas lalong kumulo ang dugo niya sa 'kin.

Si Elyse ang tumatayong leader ng Banda, dahil siya lang naman ang nasa tamang huwisyo. Lahat kasi kami ay matitigas ang ulo, lalo na yung isa pang gitarista.

"I called them already, we need to practice for tomorrow's Event." My brows furrowed. "An event?" she nodded her head and she even winked at me.

"A not-so-normal Party, it's a masquerade party." I almost choked the food I was eating when she mentioned the masquerade.

"Like, we're going to wear masks right?" I asked again even though I already know that we are.

"Stop fooling around, you're just making excuses not to attend." She rolled her eyes. "I'm not kaya!" depensa ko kahit totoo naman.

Hindi niya na ako pinansin after that. Later on, the members arrived right away. All of them are finally seating on the couch with their phone in their hands.

Syre, the rhythmic guitarist was laying on the couch while his foot was on Red's drums. I can see our drummer glaring at him murderously. Samantha, the pianist of the band was doing the same thing as Syre. Laying on the bend while her foot was leaning on the keyboard.

"What a chaotic Band. I wonder how the media would react if they saw us like this," bumuntong hininga ako at napa-upo na lang sa tabi ni Syre.

Kaagad naman siyang napatayo sa kinahihigaan niya at umiling na pumapalayo sa 'kin. I glared at him and threw the pillow on his face.

"You're a fucking asshole! I don't have a disease!" I yelled out my anger and got Samantha's pillow where she was leaning her head and threw it on Syre's face again.

"Hey! Chloe, masakit iyon ah!" I heard Samantha yell at me but I just ignored her, mas focused ako sa gagong 'to.

"Ouch!" napahiyaw siya sa sakit ng pagkurot ko sa kanyang tagiliran, I smirked in success. "Pay your debts, SJ. Not because we're bandmates you are going to get away with it." I sounded serious this time.

I'm broke.

Sisingilin ko na ang lahat ng mga taong nangutang sa 'kin. Mostly, they are my friends because they don't to be get tracked by their parents who is a former member of VS.

Sa akin sila lumalapit dahil alam nilang marami akong pera, little did they know I stole the money from their parents. All of the money they've borrowed is still from them.

My mom is currently scolding me through texts, even my twins are ready to cut me into pieces. They said they are willing to pay for me, but I insisted.

Ginawa ko 'to, kaya ako rin ang tatapos.

Hindi naman mahigpit ang mga pamilya ng kaibigan ko, they are a good family friend to us. It's just my whole fucking family who's afraid na baka gamitin ang ginawa kong kagagohang sa mga naging kalaban na 'min.

"How much is it again?" pakipot pa siyang nag kunwaring hindi niya alam magkano. "10 Million, plus a 10 Million also for your interest." I smiled and tapped his back.

I went back to my friend Samantha to hugged her as my apology of what I did. I suddenly feel bad for doing that. Hindi naman siguro bumagsak ang ulo niya sa sahig kaya okay pa naman siguro siya hindi ba?

"Fuck you! Don't get near me!" she kept on glaring at me and moving away while I'm moving near.

"Your debts," nahihiyang sabi ko na pinanlakihan niya ng mga mata.

"I already paid you Chloe! Singilin mo silang lahat lalo na iyang si SJ na kakabili lang ng sasakyan!" Sigaw ng drummer na 'min nan aka-thumbs up sa 'kin, nagiwas naman ng tingin si SJ dahil sa sinabi ni Red.

"Next month I'll pay," I nodded, wala namang problema kung madedelay as long as they pay I'm fine with it.

"Fine! Fine! Fine! I'll pay just don't get near to me," there's fear in his eyes on me.

It made me wonder why. But I hope I just had to keep wondering. I hate to accept the fact that I am a danger to everyone.

"I feel like I'm going to die, Chloe, I love you for being my friend. But I can't just risk my life," my grip on the floor loosened a bit.

Everyone went silent because of that. Maging si Samantha at Red ay hindi man lang lumingon sa 'kin.

Everyone in this room didn't even look at me back. I bitterly smiled and bit my lower lip in pain.

This is the reason.

"Okay, let's get the job done! We need to practice at least 15 songs!" Elyse broke the silence as she proceeded to her space, the same with everyone.

The practice was pretty serious, no one even dared to joke around. So right after it finished, I did not say anything to them or even bid them goodbye. I drove off to our main house in Makati, another night with who I really am.

"Good evening Commander," the guard welcomed me as soon as the gate opened.

I didn't bother to look back at who greeted me. I don't care. I'm frustrated, offended, and tired after a long tiring day. I wanted to take a warm bath.

I went out of my car and I saw my twin brother right away who was currently crossing his arms as he leaned on the staircase entrance while inhaling his cigarettes. I leaned on my car as well and crossed my arms while we looked at each other like we are talking through our minds.

"A Treasurer might help you with that," he stopped inhaling for a bit as he took one piece of a cigar out of the box from his pockets, I took it out of his hands right away.

"You're really the best brother dear," I said before placing the cigars in between my lips as I fired them.

"Alyona died," the moment I inhaled my first sip, I felt like my soul was taken away from me.

"W-what did you say?" I unbelievingly spoke.

Hindi pwede... she can't die.

"She committed suicide when she find out about Avo," nanginginig akong humithit sa sigarilyo at nagiwas ng tingin.

"I know you wanted her to replace you, but her life is at stake; that's why we faked a mission to save her and built herself again. She has already died inside, but barely alive." He cleared his throat as he sip on his cigars again while looking at the skies. "Your position is bigger than everyone in VS, you can't get away with it; the title was already engraved in your whole existence."

"Oh, what a nice talk." We both looked at the person who suddenly barged in. "Hi, dear twins!" she was also holding a cigar in between her fingers.

"Why not we switch our profiles? Since we look alike a lot naman, I can probably replace you while you escape." Nakangising sabi niya at humithit ulit.

"Are you in trouble?" nagkatinginan kami ni Clint na parehong salita ang lumabas galing sa 'min.

"Oh... kinda like that." she winked and then laughed.

"I heard that you'll be performing with the band for the masquerade party?" napatitig na lang ako sa kanya habang humihithit pa rin at inaantay siyabg matapos.

"I'm good at singing as well, might cover up for you to enjoy."

"Deal," I did not hesitate to say it directly.

Nagbago na ang isip ko sa mga planong dapat magawa.

She told me a lot of things, but not everything that includes her status in life. I know we are born in the same family... but the difference is that she's living on her own. Sustaining her own needs with her own hard work earned money.

The next day came, I woke up early because I had a meeting to discuss with the board. My whole generation of the family will be there so I have to look like a real Yapchengco.

I look at myself in the mirror. I look so haggard, but gladly; my outfit saved me from its imperfections.

Pagkababa ko sa ground floor ng bahay na 'min, I saw my mother and father with my siblings on the table. Nagdadalawang isip ako kung makikisalo ba ako sa kanila. I ended up walking my feet on the way to them, dahil kasama rin naman sila sa board meeting. I can't say that I have to attend a meeting.

"You look sexy today, where are you going?" nakangising bungad sa 'kin Mommy, I rolled my eyes in annoyance and laughed.

"She's awake na pala," Dad smiled at me.

"Hindi naman iyan mukha ng natutulog Daddy," tumawa ng malakas si Chase, Clint couldn't help his laughter kaya nadala rin.

"Chase, you were on a mission last night. Wala ka ring tulog," Mother said, the laughter on her face faded right away-clearing her throat. "At least I looked like-I have a good sleep," tumawa ulit siya at ang sunod na target ay si Clint na nanahimik.

"Right, then the next day you'll wake up in Eden because of the tiredness that you don't even realize." The truth that I have always wanted to tell her because as the eldest sibling— I'm worried as fuck.

Hindi lang siya ang problema ko. "You too Steven, don't wait for me to cut your own throat if you don't take care of yourself. In case you forget that I have eyes everywhere kahit na you have someone to jam my fucking access to check on you!" both didn't respond.

They both got silenced at that. My Mom looks like she wanted to clap her hands loudly while dad just smiled.

I take that as a thanks, hindi kasi nakikinig ang dalawa sa kanila— unless magsasalita ang panganay.

The breakfast went well, we ended up teasing each other. I think that's the way how we cope with the problems that we're currently facing right now. Each one of us drove our Mercedes separately, Clint was the one who arrived last.

As soon as we stepped inside the conference room that doesn't even look like it. Hindi normal na conference room ang pinasok na 'min.

More like a battlefield dahil may the second floor, with a 15 ft. height and a width of 20 meters. Only a few people can fit in. On the ground floor, all of the members are the ones sitting in the assigned seats. People who are of a higher rank like me will sit on the second floor.

"Buenos dias comandante," good morning commander.

The assassins greeted me the moment I stepped on the second floor's stairs. I just gave them a nod because I don't think there was a need to talk back to them. I'm saving up my energy.

"You're the boss here Chloe, show them what can do and more than you can do. We'll solve this problem," Mother held my hands with no emotions on her face, she left and went to her seat where she was assigned to.

I am the boss.

But what can I do? I just know how to fucking cut a human neck, a leg, or any part of a human body. I know how to hack a goddam encrypts and volts—to be opened, I'm a good manipulator, maybe a good sister too.

There is only one thing I do not know how and make to make work.

I do have plans for all of us but I still don't think they will work. I don't want to disappoint everyone here. My plan was too simple that could be easily destroyed by the enemies we're currently facing.

Everyone trusts me but It does not mean they'll always agree with my decisions.

I cleared my throat as I gathered all my strength to talk in front of these powerful people, even though I'm the Commander—it's still scary.

"Buenos dias to everyone who's part of this organization, it was such an honor to see all of you here. I'm glad you all made it here, I know everyone has a life to take care of. VS was just a second priority to all of us, but we couldn't escape from it." Kumawala ako ng isang malalim na hininga.

Everyone's eyes were on me, and it was making me more nervous.

"First, I would love to deliver my gratitude first because the plan I made that we'll be talking about soon would be more complicated, and kinda not easy mission to do. So, I'm doing this to lighten the atmosphere a bit if it's that okay?" I sounded not so sure, I might drop it right now if they'll no.

That's what I thought.

"It's better doing it than saying it without horning," Ethan agreed until everyone murmured the same thing he said.

It made me smile.

"My pleasure," they all gave me a thumbs up.

"To all on-and-off members, you guys made a big impact on all of us in this one. Though, every one of you was given the freedom to be who you are right now. I am happy that all of you lived your life very well, it feels so overwhelming to see people doing things they wanted to do."

I tried so hard to hold back my tears because I suddenly remembered the most skilled assassin of on-and-off, known as the La Vie.

Alyona was the most important piece that should be protected from danger, but we all failed to do because she was a danger to herself.

"And to all our—" I was cut off by a loud noise from outside.

It was a bomb, the sound was recognizable so it wasn't that hard for me to know what the fuck is going on.

I was taken aback and lost my strength, everyone didn't even panic.

Everyone was already in position. The hackers, the mess cleaner (the master of disposing of cold bodies and burning them), the La Vie's are already gone (I know where are they), my whole family even the Yapchengco's who are my relatives are also gone too.

I know they all went out together with the LV, my family loves chaos and I'm not expecting them to stay inside the room. Everyone starts shooting inside and outside when the enemies attack.

I was about to move and shoot, but I couldn't do it because my hands were already in cuffs from the back. I gasped when I felt a warm breath behind my neck, the sharpness of the sword that was nearly on my neckbone was giving me shivers throughout my whole body.

The man behind me leaned his face closer to my ears.

"Finalmente nos conocimos, comandante." We finally met, the commander.

A smirk formed in between his smile. Mas lalo pa niyang inilapit ang spada sa aking leeg, his face was even more much closer, and he was still holding my cuffed hands.

"Fete a la mierda!" Fuck you!

Inis na mura ko sa kanya at iginalaw-galaw ang katawan para makalayo sa kanya. And that's when I knew my neck was bleeding dahil tumama yung espada sa leeg ko.

I bit my lower lip to stop myself from groaning in pain, but this motherfucking handsome man behind me (why did I even say handsome eh naka may takip naman yung kalahati ng mukha niya?) held the wounded cut. He pressed it with his fucking hands—making me shout in pain.

"Tangina," it was almost a whisper dahil hindi ko na kinaya yung sakit, I might die because of this.

"You won't die," oh, so nagtatagalog pala 'tong gagong 'to? "Alam ko," umirap ako.

I got even more frustrated when he just laughed at what I said. But I was taken aback when he pushed me but in the midst of that, he slowly removed my cuffs. I groaned in pain when he pinned me against the wall.

"You will never know who I am, but I know who you are from your soft skin to bone." He leaned his face closer to mine, our noses attached to each other as he held my jaw with both of his hands.

Nawala ako sa tamang pag-iisip dahil nanatili ang mga mata ko sa kanyang pulang mata. It was so beautiful, like the prettiest thing I've ever seen. The hairstyle matches in him and I would probably fall because of that.

And fuck his manly scent! Ang bango-bango niya!

"I want to fucking kiss you right now, but I can't." the smile on my face dropped at what he said.

Magagalit na sana ako ng baliktarin niya ako, I am now facing the wall.

"Can I kiss you right over here?" pointing to my neck.

"Sure, make sure it's worth it."

I felt his lips landed on my neck together with his warm breath, halos mabaliw na ako sa nararamdam ko ngayon. He sucked my neck really hard, and I even moaned because of how skilled he was in sucking which caused a hickey.

I think I know who the fuck he was even though he was covered, the eyes will always remind me of him. The way he asked my permission first. The way how good he was at kissing made me wonder why he come back all of the sudden.

AVRLBNZ