HIDEOUS

CHAPTER 8

The sound of agony filled the dark and silent room. A body was tied and hung on each side of the wall.

"Dinos. ¿Donde esta ella? Sé que todavía está viva. La dejaste vivir a propósito ese día, ¿verdad? Si no, no hay forma de que todavía esté viva ahora." (Tell us. Where is she? I know that she is still alive. You purposely let her live that day, right? If not, there's no way she's still alive now.) Asked the man in black.

"Vete a la mierda. Ni siquiera sé qué diablos estás diciendo. Bastardo." (f**k off. I don't even know what the hell you're saying. Bastard)

Good grief. Even when I'm held captive I still have the energy to curse this ugly s**t. Ah. Taz will be very happy seeing me wrecked.

"Golpearlo hasta la muerte. No me importa si el jefe nos dijo que lo dejáramos vivir." (Beat him to death. I don't care if the boss told us to let him live.) The man angrily said and walked out of the room.

The other people inside the room remain in their position. Even when he leave and walked out of the room they didn't move an inch.

The man being held captive looked up and saw a cold and unfazed green eyes in the dark staring straight at him. He grunted at the sight of her eyes.

"You just told me to act like the man who killed that 'girl' but looked at the state I'm in. Beaten up and full of bruises and wounds. Now what? You happy now?"

The girl hiding behind the shadows slowly walked towards him and stopped a few meters from him.

"Be thankful that my brother is on your side. If not, you're body should be lying there, lifeless and full of blood." She said and stared at him. "Go to Sanford's hospital. I already contacted him to treat you. Come back here when you're wounds and bruises are all healed up." Aniya at umalis.

Rie scoffed. What a two-face. I can see through your lies, Kianna. You can't fool me. He tried to stand-up but then he grunted. That s**t. He really did beat me up real time.

Dahan-dahan siyang tumayo at naglakad. He walked slowly outside the building. Lagot talaga sa'kin ang pangit na 'yon. I'm gonna take my revenge and beat that ugly piece of s**t to death.

•~•~•~•~•

"Ang bilis lang ng panahon. It just felt like yesterday since we picked you up. You should have stayed here for 1 week, Sieraj."

Niyakap ni Elyse ang kapatid niya. Sieraj hugged her back and patted her.

"No need to feel sad Ate. May training kasi kami so I can't stay here for so long. Don't worry. I'll keep in touch with you."

Elyse tightly hugged her. "Promise?"

Ngumiti si Sieraj. "Of course. It's a promise. But please understand that when I can't answer your call or text I have a training and probably, I feel asleep after that. Don't worry. Kuya Aki and the others are there to update all of you."

Pinakawalan ni Elyse ang kapatid niya at tiningnan ito. She smiled at her like it's not a big deal. It IS a big deal. Ang kapatid niyang ngayon lang niya nakita sa buong buhay niya ay aalis na naman at ilang taon na naman niyang hindi makikita.

"Update us, okay? Kahit hi or tuldok lang sa gc natin." She said and pouted. She can't help but to shed tears.

"Aww. Come on Ate. You shouldn't be crying right now. Para namang hindi ulit kita makikita sa iyak mong 'yan. Ngayon ang balik ko sa Japan. You should send me off with a smile. May darating pa naman akong match."

Ngumuso lang si Elyse sa kanya at pinahidan ang luha. Meanwhile their cousins are watching them from afar.

"Kailan nga ulit ang volley match ni Sieraj? Baka makapunta kami do'n."

Lumingon si Akihito kay Yuriel na nakatingin sa dalawang prinsesa nila.

"This upcoming Wednesday. I'll text you the location. Nakalimutan ko kung saan i-he-held."

"Baka hindi tayong lahat ang makapunta do'n. We still have another matters to take care of. Like the Melfiore. Kael told me that they already made their move."

Napabaling ang dalawa kay Adí na nakapamulsang naglakad papalapit sa kanilang dalawa. He had this scary smile painted on his face.

"Stop smiling like that, will you? Katakot 'yang mukha mo." Reklamo ni Yuriel sa kanya.

"What? What do you mean 'scary'? Ngumiti lang naman ako ah." Sabi ni Adí. Hindi makapaniwalang napatitig ang dalawa sa kanya. They just shook their head.

"The plane is ready Sir Akihito."

Lumingon si Akihito sa tauhan nila. Tumango siya at tinawag ang mga kapatid niya at si Sieraj.

Napatingin si Sieraj kay Akihito pagkatapos ay kay Elyse. She smiled at her sister.

"Bye Ate." She said and ran towards Akihito. Sieraj looked back and waved at them. 'Bye.' she mouthed. They waved back at her with a smile.

As they waved and bid their goodbye to Sieraj, Yuriel and Adí notices a bunch of men in black lining up just before the plane. They looked like new to their eyes.

Must be the new recruits. They both thought.

•~•~•~•~•

"You should have go and send your sister off, Kael. Parehas lang kayo ni Maxx. Tingnan mo, nakanguso at hindi makausap."

What Aries said made Kael looked at his brother, Maxx. Nasa labas sila ng airport ngayon. Kael decided to not send her sister. Ang hindi niya maintindihan ay kung bakit hindi sumama si Maxx sa mga pinsan nila at nanatiling nakasakay kasama siya sa loob ng sasakyan.

He sighed and looked at the airport's entrance. "You should have go Maxx. Bakit ka ba nanatili dito sa sasakyan?"

"I don't want to see my sister leaving the country. Tsk. Bakit pa kasi sa Japan siya nag-aral? Ryouji or Kyouri should stop her."

He looked blankly at him. "Really Maxx? That's so childish of you."

Dali-daling lumingon si Maxx sa kapatid niya. "What? Totoo naman ah. Kung hindi sana siya sa Japan nag-aral edi nandito sana siya ngayon. Tayo sana ang close ni Sieraj at hindi sila."

Si Aires ay nananatiling tahimik at pinakinggan lang ang dalawa. He didn't bother on joining the conversation of the two.

"Are you jealous of them Maxx? Malamang magiging close sila kasi matagal ng nasa puder nila Tita Akira at Tito Alfonzo si Sieraj." Napailing siya sa inakto ng kapatid niya. "Really. You should stop being jealous. Kakakita mo pa lang kay Sieraj pero pinagselosan mo na ang mga pinsan natin."

"Tayo sana 'yon Kuya e. Tayo sana ang nag-aalaga kay Sieraj at hindi sila. Tayo ang pamilya niya Kuya."

Kinutusan ni Kael si Maxx. "Shut up, Maxx. Isa pa at itatapon na kita sa North pole. Kanina ka pa ah. Sa kanila ka magreklamo huwag sa'kin. Nag-drama ka pa talaga. Malamang aalagan din nila si Sieraj kasi pamilya din nila si Sieraj. Buwesit ka din e."

"Kuya naman." Kael glared at him which made him stop on grumbling. "Eto na nga 'di ba? Tatahimik na."

"She had an upcoming match. You should asked Akihito or whoever of them to asked about it." Sabi niya at tumingin sa labas.

Realizing that Kael is correct, he immediately send a messaged to his cousin.

Maxx Tarek Wilson: Kyou kailan ang volleyball match ni Sieraj?

He hit the send and waited for Kyouri to reply. Hindi naman siya naghintay ng ilang minuto kasi nag-reply kaagad si Kyouri.

Kyouri Krycv Hajjar: Ngayong Wednesday. Send ko sa'yo details kapag nakarating na kami sa Japan.

Maxx Tarek Wilson: Alright. Thanks Kyou. Maaasahan ka talaga.

Kyouri just '?' his messaged. Ibinulsa ni Maxx ang cellphone niya.

"Wala pa ba sila Kuya? Ang tagal ah. Kanina pa 'yong mga 'yon." Tumingin si Maxx sa labas.

"They're probably waiting for the plane to take off. Let's wait for them." Maxx just shrugged.

•~•~•~•~•

"Alfonzo." Akira called for her husband worriedly.

May natanggap kasi siyang balita na nalaman na daw ng Melfiore na buhay si Sieraj. Now that they know about her existence of being alive, Sieraj will probably be their target.

"What is it, Akira?" Lumingon si Alfonzo sa asawa niya.

"What do we do? Nakatanggap ako ng mensahe kay Kael kanina. He told me that they already know about Sieraj. I'm sure one of these days Melfiore will attack her. And I'm sure by now they already sent a spy."

Alalang-alala si Akira kay Sieraj. Napamahal na din kasi ito sa kanya at itinuring na din niya itong parang sarili niyang anak. Alfonzo might not show it, but he's actually worried for Sieraj's safety. Para sa pamilya nila, ang kapakanan ni Sieraj ang priority nila. Ang nag-iisa nilang prinsesa.

Alfonzo sighed and looked outside. "If that's the case then, I'll double-up the security. May posibilidad na mapahamak din tayo dahil nasa puder natin si Sieraj. But Sieraj is more important. Hindi niya pa alam na kasali tayo sa isang organisasyon. It's too early for her to know about our world."

"Can we go back to Japan? I'm worried about her. Ngayon ang balik nila, 'di ba?"

Sensing his wife's anxiousness, Alfonzo agreed.

"That's right. Call Yakiro. Isa siya sa kanila, hindi ba? Kael probably told them."

"Akira calm down. Yakiro probably know the news by now. Baka nga nasa airport siya para sunduin sila. So calm down, okay?"

Nag-impake nalang si Akira para na rin kumalma siya. Ayaw niyang malayo sa pamangkin niya ngayon. Kailangan ay nasa tabi sila nito. One move on the enemy and it might trigger Sieraj. It might trigger the memory that Sieraj wanted to forget.

•~•~•~•~•

"My neckkkk! Oww!"

Sieraj massaged her neck. Apat na oras siyang naka-upo at ang tanging masasabi niya lang ay: 'Hell'.

"Kahit na palagi akong umaalis hindi pa rin ako nasasanay. Ang sakit sa likod." Akihito grunted and stretched his body.

"Ba't parang ang dami 'atang nakaitim sa labas Kuya? Tingnan mo. Pinalilibutan nila tayo. Anong meron?"

Hearing what Enzo said, tumingin sa labas si Akihito. What's happening?

At that moment, he received a text coming from Yakiro. His cousin from his mother's side.

Yakiro Yuoen Yakuza: Aki, Melfiore already know about Miss Sieraj's existence. Don't be surprised if the security doubled up. Kael and Uncle Alfonzo ordered me to double up the security. Rest assured they're all trusted.

After reading the content of his text, Akihito turned to his brothers.

"Apparently, some weirdos are after us. Yakiro told me to be at ease about the security. Since it's—"

He was cut off by Airo grinning like a Chesire cat. "Since it has come to this my brothers. Why don't we go out and walk confidently? Heh. Para naman maiba. Hahaha."

Blanko lang silang nakatingin kay Airo. They all know the reason behind it. He just wants to show-off.

"Attention seeker."

Airo stopped laughing and looked at Sieraj. He blinked many times.

"Pft."

Airo looked hurt and shocked at what Sieraj said. Dagdagan pa na nagpipigil ng tawa ang mga kapatid niya.

He sarcastically laughed and looked at them with smiling eyes. "Hahaha. Nahiya pa kayo. 'Wag n'yong pigilan. Mga buwesit din kayo. Sige tawa lang kayo. Gusto niyo sabayan ko pa kayo." Tumawa ng malakas ang mga kapatid niya. Napabaling naman siya kay Sieraj at ngumuso. "Grabe ka Sie. Akala ko ba friends tayo? Traydor."

"Oops. Sorry. That was a slip of the tongue." She said and covered her mouth.

Akihito sighed. "Alright. Go carry your stuff. Lalabas na tayo dito."

•~•~•~•~•

"What the hell happened to you man? You're full of wounds and bruises. Marcus told me to fetch you at his hospital. Really? What the f**k happened to you?"

Napalingon si Rie sa lalaking kakadating lang. Wearing an expensive and branded clothes from head to toe, Rie looked like a beggar beside him.

"Shut up Drax." Rie growled at him. Itinaas naman ni Draxien ang kamay niya. Knowing Damien if he says shut up then you should really shut up.

"But really. Why are you in this state?"

"Some f*****g ugly s**t had mistaken me for someone else. So here I am. Looking like shit."

Napailing nalang si Draxien. "Anyway, the 'boss' wants us to gather in the HQ. I heard it involves 'her'."

Napabaling agad si Rie. If 'she' is involve then does that mean. Nope.

Rie shook his head. There's no way. They don't know about it.

"Hey Drax. Don't tell Taz about me. He's really annoying. I'm sure he'll laugh his ass out."

Draxien saluted to him. Rie sighed in relief. Tumayo na siya at nangungunang naglakad papunta sa sasakyan ni Draxien. I should think of an excuse. They will probably asked me about my condition.

•~•~•~•~•

"Wow. It has just been three days but I felt like I've been out for so long. Na-miss ko dito. My room!!"

As soon as they went inside the house, Sieraj immediately ran upstairs. Napailing nalang ang mga pinsan niya sa kanyang inakto. But true to her words, they really miss the house. Iba ang atmosphere sa sarili nilang bahay kaysa doon sa Pilipinas.

"Sie. Unpack your luggage and come downstairs after. We'll have to cook for lunch." Sambit ni Akihito kay Sieraj.

"Nooo!! Don't go near the kitchen Kuya. You'll just burn the entire house. Stay ten meters away from the kitchen. Don't enter unless you want some drinks or snacks. Or you can just tell the maids to do it. Just don't enter the kitchen without me. Aunt Akira is not here to stop you!!"

Naoatanga naman si Akihito sa sinabi niya. Am I that bad at cooking?

"Oh-ho~~ I didn't know that the mighty Akihito Ry can't cook. Are you really that bad of a cook? That you're even 'banned' to enter the kitchen premises." Yakiro teases his cousin.

Heh. He's really a bad cook, huh?

"Oh, please. Spare me with those Yakiro. I am still processing at what Sieraj said."

"Nah. Sieraj is right Kuya. Just stay away from the kitchen. I can still remember that one time when you almost burned the entire kitchen. I mean really? How can you put the frying pan inside the oven?!" Airo said remembering that incident.

Akihito, being clearly guilty, avoided his brothers and his cousin's judging eyes towards him. "I didn't know, okay?"

They're in the midst of teasing Akihito when they heard screeching sounds outside. Napatingin naman sila sa sa isa't isa pagkatapos ay sa pintuan.

"Did one of you invite someone to our house?"

All of them are looking puzzled while disagreeing to Akihito. Who would come to their house right after they got home? Probably no one.

"They're not one of Melfiore, right? If yes, I should hear gunshots by now."

"Kyaaahhh!!"

All of them immediately looked up at Sieraj running down the staircase. She looked excited as she rushed to the door.

"Aunt Akira!! Uncle Alfonzo!!"

All of them felt relieve when they know it's just their parents.

"And here I thought there's an enemy on our tail. Kaka-inom ko ng kape 'to e. I should stop drinking coffee from now on. Coffee won't do me any good. Aatakehin ako ng puso ng wala sa oras." Airo said and dramatically touched his chest. Napailing nalang silang lahat sa kanya.

They all decided to went out and greeted their parents. Lumabas na rin si Yakiro since it's rude to not greet his Uncle and Aunt.

"Aww~ Sieraj. Na-miss kita. I didn't saw your face for three days. I should have called you."

Akira hugged her niece tightly. Surely, she really missed her.

"Hahaha. Na-miss din kita Aunt Akira. I'm sorry I didn't called you. I slept late each night because I read the books I've brought and then I explore the city with my cousins at day. Gomen'nasai."

"It's okay. It's okay. Naiintindihan ko naman. And Akihito always updated me, so no need to worry. Ang mahalaga ang nag-enjoy ka. I heard close agad kayo ni Maxx."

Humiwalay si Sieraj kay Akira at tumingin sa kanya.

"Yes Aunt Akira. Both me and Kuya Maxx actually exchanged messages before I plan on going there. It's not just actually Kuya Maxx. Pati na din si Kuya Savi."

Akira's shocked. "Really? Sino ang unang nag-message? Ikaw o sila?"

"Them. Kung hindi ko tiningnan ang messages ko baka hindi ko malaman. I actually don't like checking my messages but I just did that day."

Akira smiled at her. "Why don't we go inside? Kanina pa tayo dito." Akira held Sieraj and went inside. "Oh. Kilala mo na si Yakiro? Minsan lang 'yan bumisita dito kaya hindi mo kilala."

"Yakiro? Who's that?"

"It's our cousin Sie. Anak siya ng kapatid ni Mom."

Napabaling si Sieraj kay Enzo. I didn't know that their cousin is here. Is it that man beside Kuya Akita? She thought and looked at the man beside Akita. He smiled at Sieraj so she smiled back at him and bow her head a little.

"Ah." Sieraj stopped at her track which made her aunt looked at her. "Magluluto pa pala ako para sa lunch. Sa kusina muna ako Aunta Akira." She then hurriedly went to the kitchen to prepare their lunch.

Napailing nalang si Akira sa pamangkin niya. She really loves cooking. Namana niya yata ang pagkahilig ni Mama sa pagluluto.

•~•~•~•~•

"That's what he said Uncle. He also ordered the others. Seems like the Melfiore is on the move."

Alfonzo sighed at what his nephew told him. "Ngayong nalaman na nila na buhay si Sieraj they will probably sent someone to spy on us. Akihtio make sure to tighten the security. Hindi natin alam ang mangyayari."

"Already on it Dad. Kael also send ten of them, so there's really no need for us to worry."

Hearing that, Alfonzo's mind is now at ease. "Your mother is really worried at Sieraj. Nagmamadali pa nga iyan kanina makapunta lang agad dito."

"Well. Sieraj is part of the family now. I mean she's basically a family but you know. She's more of a sister rather than a cousin to us."

Napangiti naman sila sa sinabi kay Akihito. After all those years that they have been spending time with Sieraj they definitely saw her as their youngest sister. They may not share the same womb and mother but they definitely treated her like she's one of them.