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Ulterior Motive

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WARNING: This chapter may be an inappropriate read for younger readers. It contains physical and verbal harassment; and foul language is more prominent in this chapter compared to past chapters. If you are under the age of 13 or is uncomfortable with such scenes, you are warned to skip this part. Reader discretion and parental guidance is advised.

DESPITE BEING rivals and opposites at almost everything they do, Ann and Rein's fight-or-flight response at that very moment was very much the same: throw their selves on each opposite direction.

Ann immediately swerved to the left as Rein raced to the right, with Milo almost grabbing the former by the arm.

Mabilis ang tibok ng puso ng dalaga as she clutched the evidences in her arms, her eyes darting rapidly from Rein and Mayer as she hesitantly stepped further away from the young Cortez boy who was sneering at them like a wild animal that had been let out from his cage.

"The jig is up, Milo." Sambit ni Rein, eyeing him carefully. "We've found the evidence exposing you and your brother's crimes."

"So you were an accomplice," Ann mumbled under her breath, the two of them circling the lone Cortez twin who was continuously preying on them like a hawk. "Did you do it voluntarily or did your brother coerce you into doing it?"

Milo let out a snort. "Sa tingin niyo ba wala akong sariling pag-iisip? Mayer might be the older and more popular twin, but anything he can do, I can too." The edge of his lips then curved into a devilish grin. "And maybe even better."

"You're not going to get away with this." Ann shot back, gauging his next move — the gears of her mind working at clockwork.

Napakibit-balikat ang binata. "Sa tingin niyo ba may epekto 'yang pagbabanta niyo s'akin? We've come this far. In fact, we're so close to winning the Schism if not for your pesky little group." He growled, his grin slowly vanishing.

'Kayo lang naman talaga ang balakid sa mga plano namin. What more can I expect from a Lobris and a Maccio?" Milo then scoffed, his eyes flashing angrily — as if may tinatago itong sama ng loob sa dalawa.

"But we've exposed you now." Rein said slowly. Naka-extend ang dalawang palad nito na tila bang nagpapakalma ng isang hayop. "So I'm sorry to say Milo, but this is the end of the line." Matigas na sambit ni Rein bago napaangat ng tingin kay Ann.

"You make a run for the door," Rein muttered, avoiding Milo's threatening gaze that pierced him. "And I knock him out."

Ann pursed her lips. With a tight nod to her rival, Rein slowly counted from one to three under his breath -- with Milo cocking his head at both sides to make sure neither of them leaves his sight. When Rein finally reached the number three, Ann immediately had a headstart -- running towards the doorway to escape as Rein tackled Milo on the ground, strangling him.

Dahil sa malakas na pagbagsak ng dalawa sa sahig ay napatigil ang dalaga sa pagtakbo at gad na napalingon ito sa likod, her eyes widening at the two boys' combat. She was just about to rush towards the scene and help Rein when her rival shook his head, gripping Mayer by the throat.

"GO!" Rein shouted amidst their struggle, sweat dripping down his forehead.

"BUT—"

"GO NOW!" Sigaw muli ng binata, nahihirapan na ibalakid si Milo.

With gritted teeth, Ann hesitantly turned around once more, finally running towards the dormitory room's one and only exit when the door suddenly bursted open, causing Ann to stagger backwards in surprise and alarm.

"ANN!" Sera gasped as she and Jarrell were pushed inside the room. Agad na napakurap ang dalaga habang mabilis at malalim na humihingal.

"What—" She stuttered in confusion as Sera clung to her in fear. With her heart in her throat, Ann looked up to see the third figure that had arrived with Sera and Jarrell.

Right behind her two friends, Mayer Cortez revealed himself, a wicked expression etched across his face.

"Where do you think you're going my sweet Annaliese?" My captive asked in a whispery taunt, stepping forward as he closed the door behind him.

A fumble and a click was all Ann needed to know that Mayer had locked the door as she, Sera and Jarrell slowly backed further into the room with every step that Mayer took. Hearing it shut to a close sent a shiver down Ann's spine as she felt Sera huddle even closer to her, tears streaming down her face.

"Your little investigation ends now." Mayer said, his voice now serious and threatening instead of playful.

At that very moment, before anyone could even respond, there was a loud crash that echoed throughout the whole space — the nerve-wracking sound of bone hitting against flesh.

Agad na napalingon ang tatlo sa kanilang likuran kung saan nanggaling ang tunog. Immediately, the rush of blood surged through Ann as she saw the scene behind them.

Instead of Milo down on the floor just as she had seen a few moments ago, it was Rein who was now sprawled on the ground — his face evidently bleeding.

Sera let out a wrangled cry at the sight. Agad na binitawan ni Ann ang hawak-hawak na mga papeles at flash drive sa kaniyang kamay, the three of them rushing towards Rein in horror.

Ann scrambled and knelt down on the floor, placing a hand on Rein's chest and checking his pulse.

"Oh my God..." She muttered, hands shaking and tears forming in the corner of her eyes as she held Rein's face. The bruise on his cheek was a gory sight.

Sera was sobbing hysterically now by Rein's legs, and Mayer had gotten ahold of Jarrell, pinning his arms behind his back before the young Marquez could even reach his best friend.

"May lubid ba tayo sa kusina?" Mayer demanded, raising an eyebrow at his twin who looked down on the quartet victoriously, wiping the blood on his lower lip using the back of his hand before glancing up at his brother.

"There's a spare." Milo grinned in response as he pulled Sera up from the ground, pinning the crying girl as well in his tight hold.

"Good." Mayer nodded. "Get it."

Ann, the only one that the twins weren't physically holding as captive — glanced up to look at Mayer in the eye — her expression nothing less of rage as she gritted her teeth, eyes watering in anger.

Mayer merely looked at her with an evil glint in his eyes.

"We'll tie them up." Ngisi nito.

"Hopefully by the time they're tied up, they'll realize not to cross the Cortez twins next time." He told his brother with a chuckle. The other Cortez twin let out a scoff in agreement, standing smugly next to him whilst pinning Sera's wrists, and with no remorse to what he did to Rein.

And as Ann desperately wondered whether Queenie and Quinn were now running against time, she had also just realized what Milo had meant earlier with his statement.

The symbol and entire theme of the zodiac sign "Gemini" was none other than twins — always together, never apart.

And as she stared back at the two, brothers sharing the same smile with features that are eerily similar to one another — but not so much that it wasn't difficult to tell them apart — she wished that they hadn't ignored the other half of the Cortez twins.

---

PLAY: "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Lorde

https://youtu.be/l9T-2Fb_ZlY

"You know, the tricky thing is, hindi talaga namin ma-gets na magkapatid kung bakit hanggang ngayon eh hindi parin kayo nag-gi-give up." Mahinang tawa ni Mayer habang nakaismid, glancing down upon the four whose legs and arms were tightly tied up using the rope that Milo had fetched from the kitchen.

As the four sat there on the living room's floor, Mayer was encircling them — his hands behind his back as he gawked endlessly, triumphant that their very own enemies were finally at their mercy.

For good measure, Mayer had also taped their mouths shut with duct tape to avoid the four from screaming for help.

"Say bye bye to all your contacts." Milo said mockingly, placing Sera's phone on top of the coffee table, where the phones and earpieces of the others also sat — devices that Milo had confiscated from all of them.

Sinundan ni Sera ng tingin ang kaniyang cellphone, wishing that she had did what she was supposed to do.

Ann on the other hand, was glaring at Mayer from the spot where she was sitting, her arms tied from behind her. Si Rein naman ay tila walang malay pa rin — his head leaning on the seat of the nearby sofa. Despite this, the twins had still tied his limbs as well, just in case he would become conscious. Meanwhile Jarrell was trying to struggle out of his bonds; his sharp eyes piercing at Mayer specifically.

It's like... You six are either too brave, or too stupid." Mayer grinned, habang sumandal naman sa dingding si Milo — pinaglalaruan ang isang matalim na kutsilyo na tila bang nagbabanta sa apat.

Silently, Ann watched the knife's tip gleam as Mayer played its handle with his fingers. It was as if the mere action was the very epitome of the phrase, "behave, or else."

"Must be the latter." Milo remarked, earning a chuckle from his twin brother.

Napatigil ito sa pag-iikot at naglakad papunta kay Ann nang may pamilyar na ngisi. He then slowly crouched down, reaching out to slowly caress Ann's face, much to her disgust.

"It's a shame, really." Sambit ng binata, stroking her cheek. Ann glared back at him, her eyes flashing angrily as she tried to flinch her body away from Mayer. "We would have been a power couple, Ann. A Lobris and a Cortez? We would have been... invincible."

"Kaso ang kulit mo eh." He clicked his tongue in disappointment whilst shaking his head. "Kinidnap ka na nga, 'di ka pa rin natuto. Very stubborn behavior... Tsk, tsk. And you should know: I don't like a stubborn wife, Annaliese."

He then stood up again, pushing his hands inside the pockets of his pants as he looked down upon them in a condescending manner.

"But I guess stubbornness runs in this pesky group of yours," He said sarcastically. "Despite our many threats, your little band of misfits still chose to poke their noses in other people's business." Iling nito.

"But now, it all ends here." He grinned. "As we speak right now, Tyra herself is out to get Queenie and Quinn — and your group will be, let's say... no more. In time, one of our connections will arrive with a car, and we will bring you six to a place that would be the last location you'll ever see in your life." He smacked his lips in satisfaction, with Milo smirking at the background.

But just as Mayer was about to turn his back on the group, Sera let out a frantic, unintelligible sound.

"Mhhmafskgercgrlescmmhm?" Sera mumbled from behind the duct tape on her mouth. Dahil dito ay walang nakakaintindi sa kaniya. Even Ann and Jarrell were frowning at their own friend. Mayer raised an eyebrow before heading towards Sera and ripping the tape out from her mouth.

"Ano ulit yun, babe? " He asked mockingly. To everyone's surprise, Sera spat into his face — dahilan para mag-iba ang awra ng mukha nito.

Muntik nang sumugod si Milo habang hawak-hawak ang kutsilyo, ngunit itinaas ni Mayer ang kaniyang isang kamay; signaling his brother to halt as he let out a dark chuckle.

"Babe mo mukha mo." Sera snarked in disgust. "Pagkatapos mong ligawan si Ann?!"

"Ah, rumors did say you were feisty in bed." Mayer muttered dangerously, wiping away Sera's spit with a flick of his finger. "I didn't know you were feisty in real life too."

"Where will you be taking us?" Sera demanded once more, her tone fiercer than any of them have ever heard from her.

"Well that'll be a secret, sweet Seraphim." Mayer responded, his eyes flashing deviously. "But if you're curious as to what you'll be doing there, then you should know: all's well that ends well. Masyado na kayong maraming alam at ebidensya. You wouldn't think we'd let you go after all this? We gave you multiple warnings, and you didn't heed it. Now my fellow colleagues — it's time you all pay the price."

"Mdnfjakdkskd!" Ann's unintelligible shrikes interjected, making Mayer roll his eyes before he ripped the tape out of her mouth.

Agad na napaiyak ang dalaga sa sakit, her jaw clenching as she glared at Mayer haughtily.

"Cut it out with your low-grade riddles and get straight to the point you asshole." Ann spat out. "Are you saying na papatayin mo kami?"

"Yes future wife, that's exactly what I'm saying." He grinned, pushing a few strands of Ann's short, dark hair out of her face.

"That's an ambitious crime, Mayer." Ann muttered grimly, unafraid to meet his gaze. "You're going to kill a Maccio, a Lobris, a Madrigal, and a Marquez? Especially a Marquez??" She asked, scoffing sarcastically in disbelief.

"What?" Mayer said, his expression darkening. "Sa tingin mo ba 'di namin kayo kayang patayin ngayon na?? Be careful — we can do it if we want to. In fact, I could kill you... with my own bare hands..." He said angrily. In a flash, he reached out to her neck, choking Ann who immediately gasped at his tight grip.

"UUGRKKHH—!" Ann choked, with Sera letting out a high-pitched scream that was cut off as Milo slapped her duct tape back into place; pointing the knife on the young Madrigal's neck.

But just as quickly as he had wrapped his hand around her neck, Mayer's expression immediately faded — letting go as if he had a split personality. "But I know what you're doing." He muttered darkly. "You're trying to psychologize me so that I'd kill you myself. Oh no no no no. I'm not falling for your games, Annaliese. Someone else will be killing the six of you for us, and we will be innocent. Your deaths will appear on the front news page, and we will merely be its readers — never to be associated to any of you."

"Mhmasdfghjklmmhmm!!" Jarrell mumbled distinctly in response kaya naman tinanggal rin ni Mayer ang tape na nakatakip sa bibig ni Jarrell.

"WHAT?!" Mayer demanded in irritation.

"Are you both really stupid to think that my father won't be executing a complete and thorough investigation of our deaths if in the case you do... succeed?" Jarrell spat out to both girls' surprise. This was the only time that he had used the "Marquez" card, and one of the rare instances where he had spoken in straight, direct English.

"Kahit na sa pagkakataong hindi kami makakaalis sa kwartong ito ng buhay, tama si Ann. Hindi mo alam ang magiging hinatnang pag nagsama-sama ang mga pamilya namin pag nasa balita na ang pagkamatay namin." Jarrell muttered grimly. "Killing us will be your prison sentence."

"How threatening," Milo remarked sarcastically, wiping fake tears.

"At saka ang bobo niyo naman sa akala na matatakot kami sa mga binabato niyong banta." Jarrell snickered, prompting Mayer's face turning red and sour. "If anything, mas na-motivate nga kami na i-solve 'tong kaso na 'to kasi mga tanga kay—" Hindi na pinatapos ni Milo ang sasabihin ni Jarrell at agad na isinalpak muli sa kaniyang bunganga ang duct tape, with Mayer shaking his head in disgust.

Sera internally facepalmed herself. He was really being admirable for once but then threw that all away. She thought dryly.

"Magsalita ka pa ulit at puputulin ko 'yang dila mo, huwag mo 'kong hinahamon." Milo threatened him, the blade of his knife against as his throat.

He then slowly pointed the knife at Rein who was still unconscious. "You don't want to end up like your best friend over there Marquez... Mark my words."

He then slapped the back of Jarrell's head, finally standing up as Jarrell groaned out in pain.

"Last chance, Ann." Mayer sighed, moving from Jarrell and turning to Ann, kneeling down to be at the same eye level as her who was watching him quietly, noting his every move. "You can choose to let go of these idiots, and maybe... I'll contemplate whether we'll continue our little coffee date... Or maybe something even more?" He winked playfully.

"Over my dead body." Ann gritted her teeth.

Mayer shrugged. "Suit yourself." He said, and was about to return Ann's duct tape as well when the young girl yelled, "WAIT!", inciting Mayer to pause who raised an eyebrow at her.

"I want to know." Tahimik na sabi ng dalaga. "I want to know why. Why are you doing this? Why is winning the Writer's Schism so important to the both of you when your family is rich and privileged enough to secure you both a good future?"

Mayer's calm but intimidating demeanor suddenly changed into something even more dangerous. Milo too, seemed unnerved with the question that rolled out of Ann's tongue.

Sa gulat ng dalaga ay biglang hinawakan muli ni Mayer ang kaniyang leeg — gripping it even tighter than earlier as his face contorted into one of deep-seated rage that terrified the three.

Ann let out a pleading whine as she struggled to breathe, gasping for air and shaking her body. Her face was becoming pale, and both Sera and Jarrell's muffled screams of panic could be hear under their duct tapes as they watched Mayer slowly suck out the air from Ann.

"ASJFKSJ!!" Sera cried and kicked ferociously. Dahil dito ay agad na hinila ni Milo si Sera sa buhok, forcefully pulling her away from the others and throwing the young Madrigal girl towards the far corner of the room.

"Tell me," Mayer muttered to wide-eyed Ann who was looking at him pleadingly. "Tell ME. Who is the richest family in this entire city?"

Tears started rolling down Ann's cheeks as she felt weaker by the minute, Mayer's grip tightening around her neck. "I-I..." She gasped. "I d-don't—gasps—know-w..."

Mayer scoffed, finally letting her go.

Agad na huminga ng malakas at malalim ang dalaga, heaving her breaths as her shoulders shook heavily. Nakabukas lamang ang kaniyang bunganga as she gasped out for air.

Agad na tumayo si Mayer at saka pinuntahan si Rein malapit sa may sofa.

With one harsh pull, Mayer grabbed Rein by the hair, making the young boy stir and groan a little. "Maccio." He chuckled darkly. "What a funny name, isn't it? The family name of your own rival??" Giit nito sa dalaga who was still gasping loudly and heavily, her shoulders shaking and her chest heaving up and down.

"Look at me!" Mayer roared, and Ann, despite feeling weak, was forced to glance up at Mayer who was still grabbing Rein by the hair. "Hindi mo ba alam na ang kalaban ng pamilya mo sa pagiging pinaka-mayaman sa siyudad na ito ay walang iba kundi ang mga Maccio? Are you too ignorant or is money just not important to you, you privileged bi—"

Hindi na niya pinatapos ang sarili niya as he slammed Rein back on the ground, shaking his head. "All these years, tatlo lang naman ang naglalaban-laban sa posisyon ng pagiging pinaka-mayaman sa buong Ylando City." He said darkly.

"Ang mga Maccio," sambit nito habang pabalik na naglalakad papunta sa dalaga.

"Ang mga Lobris," He then grabbed Ann by the hair, causing her to cry out loud again in pain.

"At ang mga Marquez." He muttered, striking Jarrell across the face.

"Paulit-ulit na doon lang umiikot. Maccio, Lobris, Marquez — Maccio, Lobris, Marquez. Guess where our family is? Yeah, that's right... Number four — always consistently on the fourth spot, never even making it at the third."

"And so?" Ann asked weakly. "Anong kinalaman niyan sa Writers' Schism?"

Mayer turned to her sharply.

"We aren't just lagging behind in terms of wealth, you pathetic little thing. Here in Castillo High, you and Maccio have always reigned the academe ever since our freshman years. You didn't even give us a chance. Never mind Jarrell — he wasn't much of an academic competition anyway—" he snickered, with Jarrell clencing his jaw, enduring the pain of Mayer's hit.

"But you and Rein. God. Always competing for that top spot — and always leaving us lagging behind the both of you." Galit nitong sabi, a memory flashing across his eyes.

"Our father has constantly berated us for it —for not being able to outshine the two of you." This time, it was Milo who spoke; with the same bitterness in his tone as Mayer's. "Kami ang sinisisi niya sa lahat ng bagay. He'll tell us that we aren't doing enough to bring the Cortez name to glory, not doing enough to make our family known."

Mapait na natawa ang binata. "He said I was too quiet as a kid... To silent to stand out and be acknowledged by our professors." Milo muttered bitterly. "Ano pa ba daw pag nagtrabaho na 'ko bilang journalist sa Bulletin?"

"As for me, he said I was a bad writer." Mayer grimaced. "That despite years of training under his wing — I was showing no signs of being as great as a writer as he is." He then shook his head, as if he was burdened to even talk about it.

"He keep blaming us for his own shit, eh siya nga 'tong ginagastos lahat ng pera ng pamilya sa Cortezinc na yan." Mayer said bitterly.

"Cortezinc??" Ann frowned, glancing at Sera and Jarrell.

"A printing ink that he's been developing and perfecting for four years now, in the hopes to sell a formula that would pioneer the Bulletin to even more success." Mayer grumbled inwardly.

"Dahan-dahan, Mayer." Milo said suspiciously, eyeing Ann. "That's not something you should be blurting out loud—"

"It won't matter now, Milo." Mayer snapped in response, his twin opening his mouth before shutting it in vain. "They'll be dead anyways." He then turned around, angrily facing Ann.

"The point is Lobris, we were always compared to others — but most especially to you both. And this year, we've decided that all of that bullshit, ends right here."

"The Writers' Schism was the perfect avenue for us twins to show our parents that what you two can do — we can do better."

"But we have to make a backup plan." Milo muttered from where he was standing, with Mayer nodding discreetly. "We need to make sure that in whatever angle, we will be the one winning in this writing contest. Because the moment our father finds out we joined the Writers' Schism and came out empty-handed, is the day we disgrace the Cortez name and be banished from our home." Mapait na ngiti ulit nito, gliding the flat blade of the knife across his index finger.

"I can just hear his voice once we lose," Mayer scoffed in disdain. 

"You are the sons of the owners of Ylando Bulletin! The heirs to the number one media network in the city — home of the greatest writers and journalists... And you LOST?! Nakakahiya kayo!" Mayer mimicked their father's tone mockingly, before descending into a pit of high-pitched laughter that made all the hair on Ann, Sera and Jarrell's skin, rise.

"It didn't help that our father was an alumni of Castillo High." Milo added as Mayer tried to compose himself. "He was also the Schism winner of the year 1976. So as you can see — losing is not an option of ours." The silent twin muttered.

"And so here we arem" Mayer said. "Numerous flash drives and drafts stolen, numerous novel entries sabotaged, and numerous participants disheartened until they back out — until we'll have less competition, and higher chances of winning." He grinned, and Ann was slowly starting to realize that Mayer was becoming unhinged more and more as they revealed their motive.

"It's a shame." Mayer then shook his head. "Kasi kung 'di sana kayo sumali sa Writers' Schism this year, you wouldn't have intervened, our plan would've sailed smoothly with no creases, AND we wouldn't be here in this room, letting you guys say your last goodbyes before we finish you off."

He then met Ann's gaze once more. "Once we kill the six of you, we'll also be anonymously publishing all the materials that we have threatened against you... We'll publish this photo," Sambit nito, raising his phone to show the photo of the four sneaking out during the socialite party.

"And we will tell the world of your fondness for breaking the rules: sneaking out to meet each other and making decisions behind your parents' backs." Mayer said wickedly. "Until the reputation of your families will all be ruined — and the Cortez name will have no choice but to rise above all."

"And maybe just maybe, our father will finally see us for what we can... And not what we lack of." Milo said angrily, finishing his brother's sentence as he balled his fists in rage.

"So that's it?" Ann said quietly, and the twins immediately flared in anger.

"What do you mean 'that's it'?!" Mayer roared, pinching her face together like a pig.

"You think we have it easy??" Ann rebutted angrily, snapping her head away from his hold. "You think our status doesn't have a price? Hindi sa inyo umiikot ang mund—MMGNHGH!!!"

Agad na isinalpak muli ng binata ang duct tape sa bibig ni Ann at saka hinila ang kaniyang buhok mula sa likod. This caused the young girl to grunt out in pain.

"Don't you dare invalidate what we're going through, Lobris." Gigil na sabi ng binata. "Especially coming from someone as privileged as you."

Ngunit hindi tumigil ang dalaga at pilit pa rin itong nagwawala — her cries muffled as she shook her body left and right, trying to strangle her way out of her bonds and Mayer's hold.

"WHAT?!" He roared, ripping the tape away from her mouth.

"I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS!" She gasped, her hair all disheveled, and her face red from all the shouting and struggling.

"Since you're going to kill us anyway," she spat out. "We deserve to know a few things."

"Well spit it out before we get annoyed and I accidentally drop this knife on you." Milo threatened, pointing the weapon at her.

"I want to know," she muttered. "How did you find out that Rein and I were partners?"

"Easy," Mayer shrugged ignorantly. "You guys were communicating through the The Daily Ledger." Ngisi nito sa dalaga na biglang namutla, the realization drawning upon Ann.

"Of course, as the EIC, I had to oversee all that goes into the final draft of the newspapers that we publish. I may not defeat you two in academics, but I'm not stupid, Lobris. Napansin kong may kakaiba sa mga sinesend niyo para sa confessions section. It was also suspicious how you and Rein had taken interest of The Daily Ledger at the same time when you had never even once cared for it for the past years. And so I studied your posts and boy, imagine my hefty surprise." He whistled out loud, with Milo chuckling silently under his breath at the carelessness of the duo. "To confirm my suspicions, I made Tyra keep an eye out for the two of you."

"Kaya noong gabi ng leadership training, before she had called the four of you back to the main grounds, narinig niya ang pag-uusap niyong dalawa. And of course she dutifully reported it all to me, like the good girl that she is." He said wickedly, giving Milo a high five.

"So you haven't been stalking us?" Kunot-noong tanong ni Ann, remembering the janitor before that she, Rein, and Sera, had seen on their first clandestine meeting together as a trio in the abandoned Room 414.

"Of course we do." Milo interjected in annoyance. "Well I did specifically. How else did you think we'd steal your notepad and journal?" He scoffed.

"Our parents might say my silence may not do me any good, but it's actually a very dangerous asset. You've never suspected him a thing because I was always overlooked."

"Not going to lie, I'm a bit proud of it." Milo commented smugly, and Jarrell immediately remembered a faint memory: he had seen Milo in the junior high school building after the Ria Vendeya case.

He just didn't put any meaning to it. 

"I see." Ann muttered, also remembering that she had bumped into Milo a few moments before her notepad was stolen in the cafeteria. For her, it was slowly starting to make sense.

"Pero sa araw mo lang naman kami sinusundan diba? You've never used disguises to stalk us?" Ann frowned, turning to Milo.

"Why would I use disguises?" Milo snorted. My own silence is enough of a disguise on its own that nobody would notice me unless I make my presence known. In fact, I'll just grab more attention with a disguise."

"Then it wasn't you then..." Ann muttered under her breath, sharing a glance at Sera who was also frowning now. Initially, the group had thought that the suspicious janitor that Ann, Rein and Sera had seen before was involved in the Writers' Schism case, and the reason why the culprit — well in this case, the culprits — knew about their partnership.

"And Zan Chu?" Ann inquired further. "Tama ba ang hinala namin na i-fr-in-ame niyo siya?"

"Oh it was simple." Mayer laughed. "I guess none of you realized, but I'm part of Castillo High's basketball team. All I had to do was snuck in the boys' locker room, steal his locker key from his duffel bag that was sitting on the benches, wrap it around a small handkerchief to avoid fingerprints, and handed it to Milo who dropped it in Jarrell's room to throw you guys off the path. Pretty great, huh?" Mayabang na sambit nito, much to the trio's irritation.

"Planting red herrings are enjoyable — if I do say so myself."

"And Mr. Ignatio?"

"He was a great asset. Mahirap humagilap ng isang magaling na I.T. mula sa maliit na kompanya. We had to make sure our hacker was someone who has never been affiliated with the Cortez name before, and will never be thought to be affiliated as such in the future. And so, Ignatio was the perfect choice."

"He didn't question what you were trying to make him do??" Kunot-noong tanong ng dalaga.

"Ha! That man would be a fool if he did not accept our offer! Ang laking pera rin ang ibinayad namin sa kaniya just for him to hack into Castillo High's computer systems and corrupt the files of those participants utilizing the academe's provided computers." Mayer muttered. "In fact I'm sure he has no regrets working under us, seeing as he had already used up the money for a..." He mumbled dryly, his voice trailing off before shaking his head. "...Nevermind."

Kahit na hindi nito kinumpleto ang kaniyang sasabihin ay alam na ng grupo na patungkol ito sa bagong Porsche na sasakyan ni Mr. Ignatio — an interesting detail that Sera had reported to the others last Saturday night after their risky stake-out.

"So si Tyra lang talaga ang napilitan sa lahat ng accomplices niyong magkapatid," Ann grimaced, the scandalous photos of Tyra and Mayer's crossing her mind. "How could you?? The poor girl—"

"Oh boohoo!" Mayer remarked snidely. "If anything, nasarapan naman siya nung kami pa." Bastos na komento nito, with the three gaping in horror as the twins gave each other a high five.

Evidently, the Cortez twins were not only selfish — they were also absolutely insensitive misogynists.

"You monster." was all Ann could muster up in disgust and anger. The twins merely laughed and Mayer crouched down once more, stroking Ann's chin.

"Monster? Really?? Parang nung Sabado pinagpapasalamatan mo pa 'ko kasi tinigil ko yung 'kasal' natin." He grinned. "In fact, it seemed as if you were willing that I court you — going as far as agreeing to my proposed coffee date."

"Hmm, maybe... we can still make it work?" Ngisi nito, at agad na inaklas ni Ann ang kaniyang mukha mula palayo rito, disgusted with his implications.

"Nah, I'm just messing with you." Mayer laughed, patting her left cheek.

"Sa tingin mo ba may lalaking talagang magkakagusto sa'yo, Lobris? No offense, but you trying so hard to be the little miss perfect you make everyone believe kinda makes you boring. I'm sure most of your suitors are just after your money." He shrugged, and Ann felt a different sharp pang of pain course through her chest with Mayer's words.

"Well in my case, courting you was an opportunity for me to earn your trust — in the hopes that I'll be able to learn more your little investigation. But alas, hindi ko na pala kailangang magpanggap na gustuhin ka, kasi kayo na mismo ang nag-surrender ng mga sarili niyo sa amin. What a treat!" He smiled viciously, placing the duct tape back onto Ann's mouth — the young girl now quiet and pondering over his words.

Mayer had struck every insecurity in Ann's mind that she had tried so hard to repress before.

Agad na tumayo na ang binata, placing one hand into his pocket. "Oh, and by the way — just so you know since you'll be finished off later anyway, I didn't reject the arranged marriage because I respect and want you, Lobris." He shrugged, turning his back against her.

"I rejected it because there was no way in hell that I was going to marry a Lobris just to elevate the wealth and status of the Cortez name." Mayer said bitterly. "Hindi kakayanin ng ego ko. My father was stupid to even engage with that deal with your corrupt father." Sambit nito habang nakatalikod; his side profile being the only thing visible to the group's perspective.

He then walked until he was next to Milo who was still stroking the knife threateningly.

"Where's Tyra," Bulong nito sa kaniyang kapatid.

"Hasn't called yet."

"Nagpapakabagal-bagal nanaman ang kilos n'on," he uttered in a heavy breath as he pulled out his phone and started dialing Tyra who wasn't answering.

"The bitch isn't picking up her phone." Mayer said angrily and Milo, who was eyeing the four, clicked his tongue.

"I'm sure Lobris here has something to do with it." Milo told his twin, soon leaving from his post by the wall and walking towards Ann with a dangerous expression.

He then knelt down and pointed the edge of the knife towards Ann who quietly observed her classmate.

"Nasa'n si Quinn at Queenie?" He demanded, and Ann could feel the blade against her skin. "Tell us now or I'll slash this across that pretty face of yours."

But Ann did not flinch at all. She merely stared straight ahead into Milo's eyes, as Mayer kept dialing and dialing Tyra's number, pacing around the room in frustration.

"You're testing my patience, Lobris." Milo muttered threateningly. "You better speak now or—"

Before Mayer could finish, the door suddenly crashed open with a loud THUD! that shook everyone inside the room.

"HANDS UP! THIS ROOM IS NOW UNDER THE INVESTIGATION OF THE OFFICIAL CAMPUS POLICE! YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT!" A heavy-toned voice yelled authoritatively, and that was Ann's signal to bang her head against Milo.

But the young man was too quick for her at biglang inipit ni Milo ang leeg ng dalaga gamit ang kaniyang braso — holding her hostage as he struck the cold, metal blade across her cheek.

---

NOTE: Hi sleuths! This was a pain to write, especially since I had to tie all the narratives and plot holes of this case in just one chapter. Pero anyway, I hope this chapter of 6,000+ words was worth the wait! Last two chapters left.

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