DANCING WITH THE VILLAIN

XXVII | Rain of Chaos

Adriene Constance

Apartment de Siena

"This dress is f*****g killing me," reklamo ni Auroa habang nagbibihis ito sa kwarto niya. Nagulat nalang siya kagabi nang kumatok ito sa apartment niya kaya agad naman niya itong pinapasok. Akala niya ay umuwi na ito ngunit nagulat na lamang siya nang makita ang sugat nito sa tuhod.

Rory did not fully tell her what caused the wound but she could tell the woman had a rather adventurous night with her slightly disheveled hair and the flush on her cheeks.

"Because you are not supposed to make it that tight." Adriene sighed as she walked towards Rory who was standing in front of the mirror. Bukas na ang kasal ang they chose a simple dress for Rory to wear at her secret wedding.

Tumalikod naman ang babae and let her untie the laces on the back. Niluwagan niya ito and Rory let out a relieved sigh.

"That's much better," saad nito at nagpasalamat sa kanya.

Agad naman niyang sinukat ang damit na nakuha niya. It was a simple flowy baby blue dress. She wanted to wear something with a cool color kaya iyon ang napili niya. Silence filled her room habang abala sila sa pagsusukat. And then they heard someone knocking on the door.

Adriene immediately went to get it was surprising to see Rhysand Marfori standing in front of it. The same bored expression is on his face and she couldn't help but swallow hard as she saw how his eyes traveled down to her bare legs.

Ngunit agad naman siyang nakabawi at tumikhim bago niya tawagin si Rory.

But then he said, "I am actually here to talk to you."

She blinked and then felt relieved. Because she wanted to talk to him too. Nawala na ang galit niya sa lalaki but that doesnt mean she has forgiven him. Kailangan lang talaga niyang tanggapin na ganoon na ang lalaki sa kahit sino. As long as it will serve him purpose, hindi ito magdadalawang-isip na gawin amg kahit ano makuha lang ang gusto nitong mangyari.

Lumabas naman siya doon at isinara ang pinto sa likuran niya. He lookes at her and she did the same na para bang naghihintay silang dalawa sa kung sino man ang mauunang magsasalita.

Rhysand was about to open his mouth when the door next to hers opened and out came the woman whom Rhysand casually sleeps with.

"Rhysand!" tawag ng babae. Agad naman siya nitong nakita at lumapit. She groaned inwardly with thr bad timing.

Hindi na siya nagulat nang hawakan ng babae ang braso ni Rhysand at isandal ang ulo nito sa balikat ng lalaki. She then looked at him with those doe eyes and said, "It's been a while since you last called me." The woman pouted and then looked at her with a grin as she continued, "But seeing you here talking with her means you have found a new toy. You know I am always down if you wanted to do two women at the same time." Hinaplos pa nito ang braso ni Rhysand at saka nginitian siya.

The woman waa taunting her. Sigurado siya doon. And she will not fall for it. Kaya naman nginitian niya din iyon.

"You two can f**k yourselves out of your minds and leave me out of it," she said at tiningnan si Rhysand. "I'm going tomorrow. Pick me tomorrow. We're going together." Nginitian niya ang lalaki na halatang nagulat sa biglaang pag-iba ng aura niya.

She just figured it would do her no good kung magagalit siya because these people are not going to go after her. She has to go after them. Dahil iyon ang misyon niya. There is no room for anything other than that.

Hindi na niya ito hinintay na makasagot at agad pumasok sa loob. Naabutan niya naman si Rory na nasa sala na at base sa mukha nito ay alam niyang narinig ng babae ang naging usapan sa labas ng apartment niya.

"So you and my brother are on speaking terms now?" tanong nito sa kanya ngunit base sa tono ng boses nito ay alam niyang nang-aasar ang babae.

"I actually did the speaking and yes, we're fine. I'm not mad anymore." Because I can't be mad. I can't afford to be mad or else wala akong makukuhang impormasyon. She had to play nice.

"Great," ngisi ng babae at saka tiningnna ulit ang damit na suot. Nakita niya namang nag-iba ang ekspresyon nito at napaupo sa couch na naroon.

"Do you think hindi sila magpapatayan bukas?" tanong ng babae at alam niyang nag-aalala ito sa maaaring mangyari. The Marfori brothers arw quite protective when it comes to Rory and seeing her marry tomorrow to Alexander without them knowing beforehand would probably be chaotic.

Ngunit nginitian niya ang babae. "I'm sure it will be fine."

Rory looked at her with worried eyes bago ito nagbuntong-hininga.

"It still feels surreal. All these I did because of the man I love. Kung malapit ako sa kanya, he will only be hunted by the same people who want me dead. And I don't want Marcus to be marrying someone he doesn't and will not learn to love."

"And you think you will learn to love Alexander?"

Napangiwi naman ang babae habang nakatingin sa kanya. As if saying that what she's suggesting is absurd.

"I don't think I will but it's better. After all, I am not doing this only for Marcus. I am also doing it for myself."

It seemed fair. On the outside, the Marforis looked like a family who only knows violence. They are surrounded by violence. But as she got to know about them more, she realized violence is the only thing they know to protect people who are dear to them--their family, the Skulls in general.

"Everything will turn out fine tomorrow, Rory," she assured her and the woman smiled before she stood in front of the mirror again.

"Alexander said we would need to have an heir at some point."

Muntikan na aiyang matalisod sa sinabi ng babae. "I'm sorry, what?"

Rory looked at her and said, "We would have an heir to strengthen the Marfori and Corocan connection."

Somehow she feela sorry for the baby. Hindi pa nga ito pinanganak ay may gagampanan na agad ito. She went to the table and handed Rory a glass of tea.

"So we f****d last night."

She spat the tea back to her cup. Napatingin siya sa babaw at nakatingin pa rin ito sa sariling repleksyon sa salamin. Hindi niya alam kung saan siya mas masusurpresa: kung sa sinabi nito o sa paraan ng pagkakasabi mg babae. Because she sounded like she just told her she went on a stroll in the park.

"You did what?" tanong niya ulit sa babae at humarap ito sa kanya.

"We did it in his car," saad ng babae. Her face heated as the scenario played inside her mind. She shook her head to brush away the thought.

"Are you serious?" she asked.

Rory nodded. "It was a spur of the moment. I only realized how stupid it was after it happened."

She couldn't say it was stupid but she just couldn't get over the fact that something like that happened between Rory and Alexander. Dahil sa huling pagkakatanda niya, kulang nalang ay patayin ni Rory si Alexander sa sobrang galit nito. Tapos malalaman na lang niya na iyon ang nangyari sa dalawa.

"Your cheeks are flushed," Rory commented while lookig at her. Agad naman siyang tumikhim at ibinalik ang tasa sa mesa.

"I...was not expecting that."

"I wasn't expecting it either. But it happened."

"Why were you two together last night, anyway?"

Bigla namang natahimik ang babae saka sinabing, "Muntik na akong mapatay kagabi. Kung hindi siya dumating, I would have become a cold corpse by today."

"I'm sorry, what? This story just keeps on escalating."

"Gulliver Wood's men attempted to assassinate me last night as soon as I left your apartment-"

"How can you sound so casual while saying that?" And she realized it was a a stupid question. Kahit ba ilang taon nang lumayo si Rory sa pamilya niya, she is still a Marfori. Mas magugulat siguro ang mha ito kung walang nangyayaring gulo sa araw nila.

"Because it wasn't that important. And Gulliver wanted me dead because he knew the Marforis and the Corocans are going to get wedded soon. And since he still treats me as his sister, he let other people do it. Just so my death wont is in his hands."

Mas lalo naman siyang napanganga. She felt like habang nagkukkwento amg babae ay mas lalong dumadami ang nagiging rebelasyon nito. Each one bigger than the last.

"You and Gulliver Woods-you're his sister? Wait, how?"

"Long story but to make it short, our father left our mother habang nagbubuntis ito kay Marcus. He went to his mistress. After a few years, bumalik siya sa mama namin and continued to live happily. When I was born, bumalik siya sa kabit niya who already has a son about Rhysand's age and we never saw him again. Gulliver told us one day that he's dying and we never showed up. Eliza, our mom's sister, did not allow us. That asshole ended up giving more than half of the Marfori's assets to Gulliver and his mother. Now they have the Wood Enterprises."

Tumango naman siya. Just when she thought that the family is complicated enough, may mas ikukumplikado pa pala ito. She didnt even realize that Gulliver and Rhysabd are connected. Kaya naman pala ganoon nalang ang galit nila sa isa't-isa.

She remained quiet for the rest of the day as she contemplated all the information she knew. And whether she should tell Ariela about it as soon as that woman calls.

***

Alexander Corocan

Corocan Mansion

A wicked grin escaped his lips as he looked at the piece of flimsy fabric laid on his table.

Tumungo ang telepono niya at agad naman niya itong sinagot.

"Is everything set?" tanong niya sa kabilang linya. Napangisi naman siya nang kumpirmahin ng isa sa mga tauhan niya ang pinapagawa niya.

"Good. Make sure they'll be functional tomorrow." At agad naman niyang ibinaba ang tawag and his gaze went to the fabric again.

He wouldn't let anyone ruin the wedding tomorrow. As much as he tried to avoid it, kinakailangan niyang makipagtulungan sa mga Marfori. And the marriage is the only way to tie their truce. He will be marrying the youngest of the Marforis which he just shared an intimate moment last night. Inside his car.

In all honesty, he wasn't expecting it to happen. With all those stalkings he did on the woman, he already knew she was wild. He also knew she was sad. Alam niya ang tungkol dito pati na rin ang katotohanang may nobyo ito at napilitan lang ang babae na makipaghiwalay. He knew that what happened last night was because the woman was lonely.

And yet he couldn't seem to get it out of his head simula pa kagabi hanggang mag-umaga. Perhaps it was because of her underwear she sneakily inserted on the pocket of his coat. Namalayan niya nala g ito nang makarating siya sa kanyang kwarto and he couldn't stop looking at it.

He would be lying if he didn't feel anything whilst looking at the flimsy fabric. He's a man and Aurora Marfori knows men too well.

With his finger, he traced the fabric. He could still see a splotch of wetness on it and he let out a low chuckle as he realized how wild the woman could get.

"Well played, darling," he said and picked the fabric up saka iyon inilagay sa bulsa ng kanyang coat.

"Well played." He smirked and stood to begin what he needed to do for the day.

***

Marcus Marfori

Some pub in Siena

Hindi niya alam kung lasing ba siya o sadyang nakakahilo lang talaga ang ilaw sa loob ng bar na iyon.

He has been drinking on the counter alone and he wasnt complaining. Ayaw niyang may makausap sa kung sino man sa mga tao doon and the people inside the pub left him alone.

He's Marcus Marfori. One of the notorious Marfori brothers who rule the Ivory Skulls. No one would dare strike a conversation with him lalo pa at alam nilang wala siya sa mood.

He's getting married tomorrow. To a woman. A woman he has never seen. A woman that will suffer just like him. A woman whom he will never learn to love.

Simula nang makilala niya ang tunay niyang pagkatao ay itinago niya ito mula sa kanyang mga kapatid. He knows they wouldnt judge him but the fact that someone like him rules the Ivory Skulls, he's afraid that their enemies would make fun of them. He doesnt want to bring shame to their family. Lalo na kay Rhysand who has worked so hard to gwt the Skulls where they are now.

So, as much as he hated the marriage that's about to happen, it would also be something that would save him. And perhaps will make him someone more suitable to be called one of the leaders of the Ivory Skulls.

Tinungga niya ang natitirang alak sa bote at lumingon sa paligid. The people are dancing to rowdy music at agad naman siyang nagsisi nang makatayo siya at umikot ang paningin niya. Sa isip niya ay sana sa Grande nalang siya tumambay. But then he doesn't want anyone seeing him like that.

Kumuha naman siya ng pera mula sa kanyang bulsa at iniwan iyon sa counter doon. Akmang maglalakad na siya papunta sa pinto nang may biglang humarang sa kanya. His mind is too clouded and his vision is blurring kaya naman hindi niya makilala kung sino ang mga ito.

He decided to walk the other way at lagpasan ang mga iyon ngunit napahinto naman siya nang bigla siyang hawakan sa balikat ng isa sa mga lalaki.

"Hey," tawag nito sa kanya. He slowly turned and faced them. Saka lang niya nakita ang mga mukha nito. Hindi niya kilala ang mga lalaki and they are certainly not men from Skulls.

He sensed trouble.

"Ano 'yon?" tanong niya sa mga lalaki. Ngunit imbes na sagutin siya nito ay isang suntok sa mukha ang natamo niya, causing him to stagger back hanggang sa matumba siya sa sahig.

He could hear the collective gasps of the people inside the pub and the music stopped. Now everybody is looking at them-at him who was on the floor, wiping the side of his mouth with the back of his hand.

He managed to stand again and somehow his drunkenness had slightly subsided. At doon niya napagtanto ang sitwasyon. The men in front of him are probably holding a grudge against the Skulls and as they saw him drunk and almost defenseless, they took that opportunity to attack him.

He let out a low chuckle as he eyed the men in front of him. He knew they have their weapons hidden somewhere in their body and would be let out once the situation turns dire. But he doesn't want to fight. He wouldn't want to show up in his wedding bruised and wounded. So, he waved his hand dismissively.

"Come at me tomorrow and I would gladly entertain you. One againsts three sounds cowardly pero wala na akong pakialam. You can bring your whole gang if you want," saad niya at tumalikpd na ngunit bigla na namam siyang hinawakan sa balikat ng lalaki. Bago pa man siya nito mapaharap ay siniko na niya ito sa mukha dahilan para mabitiwan nito ang balikat niya at matumba ito sa sahig.

He faced the two men slowly and eyed them one by one. "Wala kong ganang makipag-away ngayon. Like I said, you can come at me tomorrow..." Natigil naman siya sa pagsasalita nang makitang halos lahat ng tao sa bar ay nakatayo na sa likod ng dalawang lalaki sa harapan niya. And he realized hhe iant just facing three men but a whole gang inside an unknown pub.

"Oh f**k me," he mumbled habang nakatingin sa mga lalaki. He ia outnumbered and the only way for hin to get out of thay situation is fight. Ngunit alam niyang wala siyang laban sa lahat nang nandoon. He's wasted and he would surely come out of their either with lost teeth or a broken limb. Either doesnt sound so appealing especially that hia wedding is tomorrow.

But what choice does he have?

Kaya naman agad na nilabas niya ang kanyang kutsilyo na nakatago sa gilid ng kanyang pantalon.

The men looked at him like wolves hungry for their prey. And in an instant, someone from the group came running towards him and attacked him with a knife. With ease, he dodged the attack ngunit may isa na namang sumugod. He managed to avoid it but the enemy's knife managed to cut his skin. He winced in pain at napatingin sa sugat niya sa braso. It was deep enough to cause a lot of bleeding to staining his shirt.

Fuck.

He tore a portion of his shirt at agad na itinali iyon sa kanyang sugat. Nakangisi sa kanya ang mga lalaking unatake sa kanya kanina as if they too knew that he would be f****d up.

He prepared himself for another attack ngunit labis naman ang gulat nilang lahat nang may biglang bumanggang sasakyan sa pintuan ng club. Everyone cowered and staggered back.

Nang lumingon siya ay hindi na siya nagulat nang makita ang pamilyar na sasakyan.

And when the doors opened alam na niya kung sino iyon. Rhysand and Sid have come probably to fetch him and found him being cornered instead.

He grinned at the people inside and said, "In the name of the Ivory Skulls, this pub shall be raided."

Then chaos rained.

* * *