Chapter 20: ruthless and brutal

JAJA

She looked so surprised when she opened the gate for me.

"Hi?" I greeted, handing her a large basket of flowers.

She smiled shyly and hugged me lightly. "T-thank you," she said, looking down.

I removed my sunglasses and looked at her. "What's wrong? It's not a grand bouquet."

Every time I came over, I bring her flowers. At first, she was so happy about it, but eventually, I noticed she felt uncomfortable. When I asked her, she said she felt burdened because she had nothing to give me in return. I didn't mind, but knowing her, she would end up unhappy. We talked about it, and I told her she gave me happiness whenever she accepted the flowers. It didn't work, of course, until I told her she was helping small entrepreneurs and florists. Since then, I stopped buying from big, well-known flower shops. I either dropped by a small shop or the public market.

Next, she mentioned that the bouquets were too grand, so I ended up picking a basket.

"I know, and I like it," she said shyly. "I'm just not used to this. You're the first one to ever give me flowers."

Well, she has to get used to it because I'm not planning on stopping.

"You look so...good," tila nahihiyang sabi niya.

I smiled and looked at myself. "Well, you said I'm always in my corporate clothes so..." I gestured to my outfit. "Did I overdo it?"

I simply put on khaki pants and a black shirt, paired with white shoes and a black ball cap. I made a note to be in casual clothes since if I came straight from work, I wouldn't have time to change.

"How do you always pay attention to the tiny details?" she asked, pulling me inside the house. "Pero oo, ang pogi mo po. Para kang artista na umiiwas na makita ng mga paparazzi sa airport."

I laughed at her comment. We had movies planned out for today. She said she wanted to watch "Romeo + Juliet," a very old film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. She said she'd watched it several times, but she loved watching it again and again because Leonardo was so handsome in it. She also liked the actor who played Mercutio and couldn't stop praising how it was a good take on the classic tragedy. She would also ask me from time to time if mafia transactions were actually like that, except for the poetic lines and all, which I always answered with a shrug, and she wouldn't press further.

As much as I wanted to bring Rustia to a proper date, I couldn't risk her safety. The commission was probably plotting something to make me fail, rivals were surely planning things too, and we still had suspicions about the real Brusca. I had to be careful and not risk her.

She was so engrossed with the film that I volunteered to make the popcorn. She just nodded, her attention still on the laptop. I got up from the sofa and grabbed some microwave popcorn. I kept stealing glances, smiling at her excitement over an old film she'd watched so many times.

I tossed the popcorn into the microwave and closed the lid. Leaning back on the counter, I could still see Rustia from the living room. My phone vibrated continuously in my pocket, so I checked it immediately.

Lennon Pi B. Morisson:

Cooleeeer?

Cooler?

Yuhooooo?

Are u seriously ignoring me?

Wtf?!

Incoming call from Lennon Pi B. Morisson.

I took another glance at Rustia before answering the call.

"Pi? May problema ba?"

I heard her snort. "Hello, Cooler—" She suddenly giggled like she was being tickled. Then I heard a smooching sound before she spoke. "Stop it, Rocket, I need a minute—" Another giggle.

I frowned at the phone. What, are they seriously calling me while doing the nasty?

Respeto naman!

"Cooler, I heard from Poseidon that you're... Uhm, friends with Jaja," Pi said. I sighed, making a mental note to duct tape Poseidon's mouth sometime. "Whatever you two have, I need to ask you a favor."

"Pi, I'm busy," I replied.

"But this is for Jaja! Be the gentleman we know you always are, and bring her to my spa appointment sa Four Seasons?"

"But Pi..."

"No buts, Cooler. Rocket tied me to the bed, and we're pretty much going to be making love for the next six hours kaya malabong makapunta ako sa appointment ko."

I almost rolled my eyes. Sure, rub it in my face. "Just pay for it—"

"And what, hassle the people who are supposed to receive a huge tip from me?" I know for sure she's pouting right now.

Or she could just pay them, but knowing Pi, I knew I was wasting my time arguing with her. In the end, Pi always wins. She would just argue that in that way, I am encouraging people to be lazy or whatever. The thing about her is she's lunatic at some point, but she has a soft heart—a combination I cannot think could possibly exist.

I glanced at Rustia again. And it's not like we're doing much other than being at her place. She was looking at me, silently mouthing something. Well, Pi's spa appointment is actually not a bad idea. I don't want her to feel like I'm keeping her as my little secret by not taking her out.

"Fine, text me the address," I said before ending the call. The microwave beeped, so I took out the popcorn. Nang bumalik ako sa tabi ni Rustia, she was smiling at me.

"May problema ba?" she asked, taking the popcorn and tossing two pieces into her mouth.

"It's Pi," I replied. "Do you want to get your nails done?"

She looked at her nails, puzzled. "Why, what's wrong with my nails?"

I giggled before pulling her hand with the popcorn and bringing it to my mouth to eat. My lips lingered a little longer on her fingers before I planted tiny kisses on her knuckles. Blush crept up her face, but she didn't pull her hand away.

"No, nothing's wrong with them, but you know, maybe we can have a spa day."

She laughed a bit. "I think you look cute in a robe with cucumber slices on your eyes."

I nodded. "Sure, we can do that."

She sat up straight and looked at me. "Seryoso?"

I nodded with a smile. "Yup, that is why Pi called. She can't make it to her appointment due to..." I frowned. "...due to personal reasons, so you're going."

"...pero, I'm sure it's expensive," she said, worried.

Saying it's not expensive is lying, so I gave her the half-truth. "It's a reasonable amount for the services you will be receiving. The thing is, Pi will pay if she goes and will still pay if she doesn't. So she wants you to come in her stead."

She was still hesitant, but in the end, I convinced her. I knew she was excited, and she couldn't stop talking about lavender-scented candles and cucumber-infused water. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation, and I knew this spa day would be a delightful experience for her.

***

JAJA

Ilang beses kong tinapik ang mukha ko sa salamin. Hindi ako makapaniwalang nakakagaan nga ng pakiramdam ang pagbababad sa spa. My skin felt so soft, and I had never felt this relaxed before.

Hinigpitan ko ang pagkabuhol ng suot kong roba. Cooler and I just finished our back massages and facial. Nakapag-manicure at pedicure na rin ako, and it felt so nice, lalo na't may kasama pang hand massage at foot spa.

Four Seasons, this place is perfect. They have the latest equipment, gadgets, and amenities. Nang pumasok kami roon at nakita nila si Cooler, mainit ang pagtanggap nila. They were also being extra nice when they learned I was coming for Pi's appointment. Malamang, madalas doon si Pi kaya kilala na siya ng mga naroon.

We even have rooms for ourselves, at mabango ang aroma candles na nasa paligid. Panghuli ay ang buhok ko, and Cooler, already dressed, said he would wait for me in one of their plush chairs in the lobby while I got my hair done.

Nang lumabas ako ng silid, napatigil ako nang marinig ko ang usapan ng tatlong babae sa gilid. Two of them wore the same robe I was wearing, so I figured they were clients as well, samantalang staff ng spa naman ang isa. They were the girls who were here nang dumating kami. Malamang magkakilala sila dahil binati nila si Cooler.

"Sa tingin niyo ba girlfriend siya ni Cooler?" pabulong na sabi ng isa.

"Naku, malabo. Magugustuhan ba ni Sir Cooler 'yon? Ang gaspang-gaspang ng kamay!" sagot naman ng staff na kasama nila. She was the one attending to my nails kanina.

Nagtawanan pa silang tatlo at patuloy akong pinag-usapan. They also talked about how I have no knowledge of luxurious brands for nail care at kung anu-ano pa.

"Baka katulong nila, tapos ito na ang pasweldo?" sabi pa ng isa at muli silang nagtawanan.

My heart sank and I felt the sting of tears behind my eyes. Of course, makalyo ang kamay ko dahil sanay naman ako sa gawaing bahay, but she didn't have to make it sound like it's as rough as tree bark.

Napatingin ako sa kuko ko. My nails were done beautifully, at parang hindi ko nga kamay iyon. Masyado akong natuwa sa mga bagay na ginamit nila, so I kept on asking about those things. Kanina ay magiliw nila akong sinagot, ngunit ngayon ay pinagtatawanan nila ang pagiging ignorante ko.

Kinagat ko ang pang-ibabang labi. I couldn't understand why there are so many mean people. Anong nakakatawa sa mga taong hindi alam ang mga luxury brand? Anong nakakatawa sa taong makalyo? Anong nakakatawa sa pagiging mahirap?

Ang kaninang tila magaan na pakiramdam ay tila mas trumiple lamang ang bigat. We're supposed to enjoy here, pero bakit parang nahapo lamang ako?

I stepped forward at lumapit sa kanila. Namilog ang mga mata nila at palihim na nagsikuhan.

"Hello," nakangiting bati ko. "Ako ba ang pinag-uusapan ninyo?"

Tila nawala ang kulay sa mukha nila at nagtinginan. The spa staff who was with them stepped forward. "Naku, hindi po ma'am. Ibang tao po ang pinag-uusapan namin."

I nodded slowly, taking her words carefully. "So, pinag-uusapan ninyo ang buhay ng ibang tao?"

Ang kaninang walang kulay nilang mukha ay mas lalo lamang namutla. It seemed like they lost all their blood on their faces. Whether ako o ibang tao ang pinag-uusapan nila, it's still not good to talk about the lives of other people.

Iginala ko ang tingin sa paligid. "I'll just pretend na hindi ko kayo narinig." Muli ko silang nginitian bago tuluyang tinalikuran, ngunit hindi pa man ako nakakahakbang palayo ay narinig ko ang isa sa kanila.

"Bitch! Sino bang pinagyayabang mo?" Her lips formed a thin line. "Si Cooler? As if ikaw ang unang babaeng dinala niya rito."

Nilingon ko sila. "Wala naman, ayaw ko lang pag-usapan ninyo ako." My heart further sank at the thought na marami ng babaeng dinala rito si Cooler. I reminded myself I am not in the place to feel jealous about it.

"Kung umasta ka akala mo kung sino ka ha?" Matapang na saad ng isa sa kanila.

Ha? Saang banda ba ako umasta na parang may pinagyayabang? Inawat siya ng mga kasama niya, but the girl was determined to fight.

"Masyadong mabait si Cooler kaya kung sa tingin mo ay espesyal ka dahil dinala ka niya rito, think twice." She looked at me from head to foot, sabay simangot. "You don't look like someone who can afford this place. Anong balak mong ibayad kay Cooler?"

Huminga ako nang malalim. Alam kong mabait si Cooler, and the way the staff here knew that is good. Pero saang banda ba ako naging mayabang dahil dinala ako ni Cooler rito? As much as I want to defend myself, ayaw kong gumawa ng eksena, lalo na at hindi lamang kami ang naroon. And the best thing to do right now is apologize to them kung na-offend man sila sa inasta ko.

"Pasensiya na kung sa tingin mo ay may pinagyayabang ako. It's not my intention."

"Matuto kang lumugar," she said before rolling her eyes and walking away. Siya pa ang may ganang mag-walkout.

I sighed before walking back to the room to get my stuff at nagbihis. Wala na akong ganang gawin pa ang natitirang mga sessions. Gusto ko na lamang umuwi.

May kausap na babaeng may edad si Cooler nang makalabas ako. As much as I want to leave the place, ayaw kong sumingit sa usapan nila. Humigpit ang hawak ko sa bag at humanap ng mauupuan sa sulok. The mean girls were rolling her eyes at me discreetly.

Tahimik na pinanood ko si Cooler. He was all smiles as he talked with the lady. By the way everyone tiptoed around them, sigurado akong respetadong tao ang babae, like an owner or something.

His smile suddenly fell when his eyes caught me. The thing about Cooler is I observed that he could be all sunny smiles, ngunit may kung ano sa kanya na nagsasabing never mess with him. Pakiramdam ko ay napakadelikado niyang tao behind his smiley facade. It was a major red flag for me— despite him showing nothing but green. I don't know, he seemed like a calm before a storm or maybe I was just overthinking.

When he noticed me, bigla na lamang niyang iniwan ang kausap as he stormed his way towards me.

***

COOLER

I knew something was wrong the moment I saw Rustia on the couch, dressed in the same clothes we had on the way here. I could feel her gaze from the corner, silently observing me. She was smiling, but I knew immediately that something wasn't right.

Wala na akong narinig sa mga sinabi ni Ms. Julie, the owner of the spa. When she heard I was here, agad siyang pumunta rito. Malaki ang utang na loob niya kay Cronus, so she thinks the least she can do is be nice to me while I am here. Most of the improvements and amenities here ay utang na loob niya rin sa pinsan kong si Ryu. Since his wife loved the place so much, he partnered with Ms. Julie to improve the place according to Pi's wants. So basically, my cousin owned this place—but why do I get the feeling I am about to blow up this place?

Tumayo si Rustia nang tuluyan akong makalapit. Kahit nakangiti, I knew something was wrong. Her eyes don't lie. Something here upset her—if not someone.

"What's wrong?" tanong ko sa kanya.

She shook her head and smiled even more. "Wala naman. Uwi na tayo?"

My jaw clenched. I knew when she's a little disappointed sa tuwing uupo ako sa tabi niya but I would not drape an arm around her. I knew when she's a little sad sa tuwing hindi ko napagtutuonan ng pansin ang paborito niyang eksena, and I know when she's a little frustrated when the food she microwaved is still cold inside. I knew all these tiny details about her, which means I knew very well she is upset right now.

Nag-aalalang sumunod sa akin si Miss Julie. She had that worried expression on her face. She knows very well not to upset the people I am with, because that would mean they also upset me.

I lifted her head with my fingers. "Anong nangyari?"

Nag-iwas siya ng tingin. "Nothing."

I don't think it's nothing. She was so happy that she couldn't stop saying how her body felt lighter. She was so happy she couldn't stop talking about lavender-scented candles and hydrotherapy pools. She was so happy she couldn't stop sipping on her herbal tea and cucumber-infused water.

Pero mukhang wala siyang balak sabihin sa akin kaya tumayo ako at inilibot ang tingin sa paligid. "Never mind, I'll just ask questions around."

She smiled at me again at humawak sa braso ko. "Please?"

Her soft expression somewhat made me want to hug her that very moment. Sa huli ay pumayag ako at natuwa naman siya.

I handed her the car keys. "Alright,.we'll go. Mauna ka na sa sasakyan, I will arrange the bill to make sure it will be under Pi's appointment."

She happily complied. Sinundan ko siya sa pinto hanggang sa tuluyan siyang makalabas roon.

Nang masiguradong nakasakay na siya sa sasakyan, sinarado ko ang pinto. I flipped the sign that says "come in, we're open" at hinarap ang mga naroon. There were a total of nine people inside—including Miss Julie, three clients, and five staff.

"Now who of you here upset my company?" I asked in a loud voice.

Two staff who were piling the shampoo bottles dropped them on the floor. Ang isa namang kliyente na umiinom ng tsaa ay nabulunan.

Horror crossed Miss Julie's face. "Cooler, hindi ko alam kung ano ang nangyari... I will just check the CCTVs and maybe reprimand—"

I pulled the gun I always had wherever I go at pinagbabaril ang tatlong CCTV camera na nasa mga sulok. Everyone inside panicked and dropped on the floor.

I told Rustia I would be asking questions, but I failed to mention we had different ways of asking questions. Sometimes we cut off fingers, sometimes a blowtorch to the eye, sometimes we let them swallow bullets, but most of the time it includes nail-pulling techniques.

Shit, Rustia is waiting in the car. Ibinalik ko baiwang ang baril at inayos ang suot na ball cap.

Glancing at my wristwatch, I turned to Miss Julie. "I need the name in thirty minutes. You know how to contact me."

Nagkukumahog na tumango si Miss Julie at yumuko. I walked out of the spa, fishing my phone from my pocket. Flipping through my call logs, I clicked Poseidon's name.

He always answers on the third ring.

"Zeus."

"Burn down Four Seasons."

I heard him gasp. "What? Why?"

"Since when do you ask questions?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"Hmm, I'm just curious."

And I am mad. "Just fucking burn it down."

"No," matigas na tanggi niya.

I mentally rolled my eyes. The "no" is because of the f-word. Napabuga ako ng hangin at hininaan ang boses lalo na't nasa malapit na ako sa sasakyan kung nasaan si Rustia.

"Just burn it down."

Another sigh. "Okay."

See, ganoon siya kadaling kausap. Ibinalik ko ang cellphone sa bulsa at tuluyang pumasok sa sasakyan. At moments like this, people would say na anak talaga ako ni Cronus—because I got my temper from him.

He might be a prankster and all, but once you upset him, you will regret it.

And that's just what exactly I am. While everyone was fearing my cousin Ryu and belittling the jock me, they know nothing about my remorseless murderous tendencies and bad temper.

Guess you could say I am the most ruthless and brutal Vander.

#

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