Chapter 11: with all your might

COOLER

I walked around the room, pacing back and forth. I have a headache to deal with, a business to take over, and a high woman in my bed. Ilang beses ko nang tinawagan si Poseidon but he was determined not to help me. He even dared to turn off his phone!

Rustia did all sorts of stupid things. From sliding down the stairs to swinging off the curtains around the house, she did all that while singing a freaking Disney song. Napagod na siguro siya kaya't nakatulog na siya. Sana lang ay mawala na ang epekto ng anumang droga sa kanya paggising niya.

It's already six in the morning, and I'm on my third cup of coffee. Alam kong hindi magiging madali ang unang araw ko bilang kapalit ni Cronus, but there is nothing I can do about it. I just have to do what I need to do and make sure Cronus gets the results he wants.

It's not easy being Zeus. Being born a Vander is not as glamorous as it seems. The burden of being me is heavy. There is an enormous expectation that I will be as capable as my father. Cronus is probably the best when it comes to managing things, but unfortunately, I, the mediocre son, got none of that. Not even the wits, the values, or the strategies. Upholding the family legacy is an honor, but at the same time, a heavy burden.

Vander Mafia... The crime family has been around for a while and is probably one of the biggest players in this business.

Ginusto ko ba ang ganitong buhay?

Maybe I did. I did enjoy the fruits of this evil lifestyle. I benefited from all of it. But couldn't I just enjoy it without taking over? Bakit kailangan kong pangunahan ang negosyong ito? I have so many questions, but in the end, wala akong magagawa. This is the life of Cooler Vander. This is what it takes to be a Vander.

Maaga pa lamang ay tatlong negosasyon na ang inatupag ko. I do not expect a 100% participation from everyone, lalo na at hindi maganda ang pagtanggap ng ilang miyembro sa anunsiyo ni Cronus.

Napahinga ako nang malalim at itinakip ang mga palad sa mukha.

Can I really do this?

My thoughts were interrupted by my ringing phone. Agad ko iyong sinagot nang rumehistro ang pangalan ng isa sa mga miyembro.

"Zeus."

"Zeus, tuloy ngayong gabi ang transaksiyon," sabi ng miyembro sa kabilang linya. "Nakahanda na ang lahat."

"Good," sagot ko. "Just make sure everything is in order."

"Areglado."

Nang pinatay ko ang tawag ay napansin ko ang mahinang paggalaw ni Rustia mula sa kama. She purred while stretching at ilang sandali lamang ay iminulat niya ang mga mata. She was still adjusting when she suddenly saw me, making her eyes widen.

"C-cooler?!"

She freaked out, almost leaping out of bed ngunit tila may kung anong kirot sa kanyang ulo, dahilan upang mapatigil siya.

"Uh, don't freak out," panimula ko at binuksan ang lahat ng ilaw sa silid. The room illuminated, and she looked around. Rumehistro sa mukha niya ang pagkamangha at pagkabahala.

"A-anong nangyari? B-bakit ako nandito?" Sinilip niya ang sarili sa ilalim ng kumot, saglit na pinakiramdaman ang sarili at muling napatingin nang masama sa akin.

"Nothing of that sort happened," sabi ko sa kanya.

Napalabi siya at niyakap ang sarili. "Anong ibig mong sabihin? I'm... I'm not thinking what you're thinking, okay?"

Saglit akong natawa bago tumayo at tinungo ang coffeemaker. I grabbed a cup at sinalinan siya bago iyon inabot sa akin. "Can you remember what happened yesterday, after the dinner?"

Mababakas sa mukha niya ang takot at pagkabahala, but what can I do? "Anong gulo ba 'tong napasok ko?"

"Sorry," iyon lamang ang nasambit ko. Iyon lamang ang nasabi ko. I can't assure her that she'll be safe, I cannot assure her she's not in this mess. Hindi ko rin kailangang idetalye sa kanya ang lahat.

No matter how she refused it, she's in this mess. Sa katunayan ay malaki ang papel niya sa gulong ito. But can I let her be a part of this? She doesn't want to be involved or anything in this mess. Her fragmented memories of what happened five years ago should be left as they are. Handa ba siyang balikan ang mga alaala na ang utak na niya mismo ang lumimot?

"Sorry, dinala kita sa dinner na 'yon," nakayuko kong sinabi. I am truly sorry. Ngayon ay nanganganib na ang buhay niya. "Sorry because I brought you into this mess."

Huminga siya nang malalim. "Hindi ko sasabihing wala kang kasalanan, but I cannot even say everything will be alright."

Kahit saang anggulo tingnan, I am at fault. But the good thing is Rustia is sensible. "If there's anything I can do to make up for it—not that there is. Alam kong hindi kayang tumbasan ng kung ano ang nangyari. But if there is something I can help you with."

Saglit niya akong tinitigan. "There is something you can do."

"Great. What is it?"

She heaved a sigh. "Protect me. With all your might."

***

"Zeus."

I shook my head to clear my mind. Ilang beses na bumabalik sa isipan ko ang sinabi ni Rustia. Her request to protect her. Hindi lamang iyon, bumabalik din sa isipan ko ang kanyang hitsura. She looked truly scared but she somewhat see me as someone who can protect her.

I may be Zeus, but I am not that great and mighty. Kahit sariling kaligtasan ay hindi ko masiguro, why am I taking oath to protect someone?

"Are you okay?" Poseidon asked. "Kanina ka pa wala sa sarili. We arrived earlier than expected pero tiyak kong mayamaya ay darating na rin sina Hechanova."

"I'm...good."

Truth be told, I am nervous. Hindi ito ang unang beses na nagkatransaksyon ako. I've done it like a hundred times, but this is the first deal I had since taking over. Napakabilis lang ng mga pangyayari. I remembered almost begging on my knees with Cronus to not let me take over, yet here I am, with a hundred million transaction.

"Are the goods ready?" Tanong ko.

Napakamot sa ulo si Poseidon. "You've asked that ten times already, and for the tenth time, yes, everything's ready."

Inayos ko ang suot maskara. I can't get Rustia out of my mind.""

I heard him chuckle slightly. "You got it that bad?" He asked teasingly.

"It's not like that," sagot ko. "I'm just worried that I gave her false promises."

"False promises? Are you not going to protect her? With all you might?" Diin pa niya.

He got it wrong. Poseidon was playing Cupid. I couldn't explain to him that I didn't have that kind of power. Because despite bearing the name Vander, I am basically no one.

"It's a false promise if I cannot protect her. Sino ba ako?" Tanong ko, but it sounded more like a question to myself.

Poseidon suddenly slapped me on the back so hard I almost gagged. "What the hell, dude?!"

"Just making sure you get back to your senses, and oh, watch your words," sagot niya. Ilang sandali lamang ay naging mapagmatyag siya. "They're here."

Hechanova's crew came in, looking like regular folks except for the guns they had tucked away. They were dressed like ordinary people, except for the guns they carried. Kasunod niyon ay ang lalaking may puting balbas.

"Zeus."

Inayos ko ang suot na coat. "Hechanova."

Ngumisi siya at nilingon ang mga tauhan namin na lahat ay nakamaskara. "Wow, looking good."

"Salamat. But we're not here to give compliment. Everything is ready," sabi ko at tinanguan ang ilan sa mga tauhan ko. Agad nilang naintindihan iyon, and proceeded to open the merchandise.

Dahan-dahang lumapit si Hechanova sa mga kahon ng sardinas. He threw away a few cans, before smiling at the sight of guns beneath the cans. Tumawa siya nang malakas na tila ba tuwang-tuwa sa nakita.

"Gaya ng inaasahan ko," nakatawa pa ring sabi niya sabay hawak sa aking balikat. "How's Cronus? Balita ko—"

I cut him off. "You have your thing, Hechanova. Now give me the money."

Napalis ang ngiti sa kanyang mukha. "Manang-mana ka kay Cronus, alam mo ba? You always get down to business." Sumenyas siya sa kanyang tauhan, and I was expecting the money ngunit naglabas ito ng bote ng whiskey. "Why don't we celebrate your taking over?"

Poseidon moved swiftly, aiming his gun at Hechanova's head. One false move, and the reaper would surely blow his brains out. Hechanova's men hesitated, and now all guns were pointed at my reaper whose gun was pointed at their boss.

Umalingawngaw ang malakas na tawa ni Hechanova. "Is that a confirmation? So, the rumors are true that you're in charge now?" He gestured again to his men, and three men carrying attache cases approached. They laid down what they brought on the table and opened them one by one, revealing the money inside. "The money is here. Can we have a drink?"

I loosened my tie. "Hindi ko alam kung anong maling balita ang pinagkakalat mo. Just give me the money, and let's get this done. And no, I don't drink at work."

May pakpak ang balita, but the news of me taking over and Cronus taking a leave is supposed to be unknown to others. Now that Hechanova was so sure, someone from the Vanders must have leaked the information.

Hechanova just laughed as if amused. He popped the whiskey open and took a swig in front of me. "I hope he gets well soon because what will happen to the Vander mafia now?" He looked me up and down. "You don't look that capable."

I clenched my fist and let his comment slide. "You got your merchandise, I have the money. Business is done."

I turned away, but I stopped abruptly at what he said.

"I hope Cronus's condition improves, or else..." He deliberately didn't finish his sentence. "But I heard he has a capable son..."

Fuck.

They knew about my brother.

Hinablot ko siya sa leeg,  my fingers trembling around the collar of his shirt. Tila baliw na tumawa lamang siya. "Why, is this son supposed to be a secret?"

Like Cronus, I also protect my brother Gray. He's my half-brother from our father's side, and he didn't grow up as a Vander. Cronus did everything he could to keep my brother safe, so it's infuriating that news about him leaked, especially to someone like Hechanova.

"It looks like a lot of things are leaking from your side. I suggest keeping an eye on your people," nakangising saad niya.

"Our business here is done," I replied and let go of him. I was about to turn my back when he spoke again.

"But I guess he's the kind who will run crying to his lawyer mom when shit—"

Biglang umalingawngaw ang putok ng baril.

And oh, it was me who shot him in the leg.

Time seemed to freeze for a second, until Poseidon instinctively dove behind a pile of crates, pulling me with him. We both hit the ground as chaos erupted and bullets flew.

Mabilis na hinablot ni Poseidon ang mga maletang naglalaman ng pera, threw two at me before grabbing another. Nagkagulo ang paligid but the reaper was determined to get me out of here alive with the money.

"What was that, Cooler?!" Naiinis na sabi ni Poseidon. He called me by my name, a sign that he's mad, work relationship aside. Tumakas kami mula sa kaguluhan at naging mapagmatyag siya sa paligid, shooting everyone who comes our way.

"What, I can't let him talk shit about my brother!" Sagot ko sa kanya.

Narinig ko ang kanyang pagtutol pero hindi na siya nakipagtalo pa. Ilang sandali ay may humampas sa kanya ng kung anong matigas na bagay. Napaungol siya sa sakit ngunit agad ding nakahuma. In a swift movement, the guy was on the ground, dead.

Poseidon gripped on his gun tightly, at nakasunod ako sa kanya, carefully scanning the place for possible threats. Nagpalitan ng putok ang bawat kampo, sending sparks and smoke everywhere. Poseidon made use of the no visibility caused by the smoke to flee.

May mga nakasunod na rin sa amin but Poseidon took care of it. Napaligiran kami ng mga tauhan ni Hechanova, but the fight ended earlier than I expected. Nang makalabas kami ay agad na tinungo namin ang sasakyan at umalis sa lugar.

I drove the car away from the place. Panay naman ang monitor ni Poseidon kung may nakasunod ba sa amin. Nang matiyak na walang nakabuntot ay saka lamang siya tila pagod na napasandal.

"Hindi kita maintindihan, Zeus," komento niya. He pulled his mask off his face and tossed the gun somewhere as he wiped the sweat off his brow.

Saglit ko siyang tinapunan ng tingin. "What do you mean?"

"You blow a fuse when he started talking about your brother, pero wala ka man lamang reaksiyon nang kinuwestiyon niya ang kapasidad mo?" Tila frustrated na tanong niya.

I raised a brow. "He did?"

Napailing na lamang siya at bahagyang binuksan ang mga attache case na naglalaman ng pera. "At least we got the money." He tossed the cases at the backseat bago ako tinitigan nang matagal.

I pretended to focus on the road ngunit nakakailang ang tingin niya. "Alright, Poseidon. Just spill it."

Huminga siya nang malalim. "Why do you always put others first, at the expense of your well-being?"

"Nainis lang ako kay Hechanova kanina."

He shook his head. "Hindi lang ito tungkol kanina. Come to think of it, you are always like that. You were undermined, unappreciated, compared yet ayos lang? But if it's the people you care about..."

Tumawa ako nang mahina. "You said it yourself, Red. It's the people I care about."

He looked outside the window, ignoring what I just replied. "I hope you look out for yourself too, Cooler. You know what they say, you can't pour out from an empty cup."

"Am I a cup now?" Biro ko ngunit hindi niya iyon pinatulan.

"Mahirap kang kausapin sa ganyang bagay. It's like you breathe for the sake of another people to live." Tiningnan niya ako nang matiim. "I hope you find someone who cares for you as much as you care for others."

"That would be nice," mahinang usal ko.

Ibinalik ko ang paningin sa daan, and pondered on what he said. Someone who will be looking out for me?

Do I deserve that?

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