Mad Bloods

Chapter 2 - Jade

I tried not to think about what I left behind as we greeted guests. No one's going to know. I've been here my whole life. Repeat it so many times it may actually be true.

"Rome, this is Mr. Alfredo, co-founder of Intellecut" Elle brought me back, introducing yet another man whom I wouldn't encounter again after this.

I shook hands with him and said my greetings that I've been repeating to every single businessman Elle wants me to meet. I'm guessing Jade refused to be her representative for today, that's why I'm the sacrificial lamb who's only job is smile to people and act nice to them as if I wouldn't rip their throats once they do one wrong move in the game.

I've been their hitman for the longest time, assigned to kill people whose purposes had been fulfilled, those who no longer serve to Elle's benefit, and those who...well, I don't really ask the whys, I just do what I do. Although sometimes I prefer to ask the how, Elle has got a taste of specific ways of death she'd like. Some are rewarded with a quick gunshot to their head, and others, slow painful death through leaving out to bleed while being hanged, or something similar. Sometimes though, I get to have my choice, methods of death or torture.

This man in front of me kept babbling about how he'll make a fortune after he had launch his new product, while I think about a thousand ways I'm going to kill him with the pen he's holding in his hand. Reading Elle's gestures, she doesn't like this man either. I wondered how long he has to live until he had finally finished talking.

"He'll last a week." she finally declared after he left. "That product is doomed to bankrupt him, same with all his three wives."

I tried not to flinch at the thought. I've heard businessmen liked women, but all I ever anticipated were one with legal wife and sidechicks here and there. But this man who's talking to Trina right now apparently has three wives who hadn't met each other. Man has the special skill in clandestine meetings and enough connection with the church to be wedded three times without anyone noticing, such dirty game definitely required buttload of dollars. I could vomit.

"Make it quick, I don't want him lurking this town any longer than a week after this" she whispered.

Watching his saliva shower as he speaks, I resisted the urge to strangle him using his tie. I looked around to see if anyone else is familiar in this place. So far, I hadn't seen anyone I recognize, not dearly anyway.

Trina's sound of laughter echoed in my ear. I looked back to see them talking as I can see her facade character playing but I didn't miss the way he looked down when talking to Trina. I'd enjoy killing him next week.

Looking away from them, something green caught my eye and immediately I recognized that specific shade. Calming, mesmerizing and yet strong. Just like nature.

Jade.

I almost dropped my mask and ran as fast as I can to get to her when Trina called me. My dearest mother whom I love and cherish, here to ruin my moment.

"The reception area seems to need your presence on Elle's side," she says.

At the reception, Elle seemed to be doing just fine alone, in fact, she's doing better than earlier when I was beside her. She doesn't need to re-introduce me from time to time, she gets to have her way to communicate with her network. No, she doesn't need my help.

"Now, Rome." Trina insisted.

Without any sign of complaint, I walked to the reception with a quick glance to see her once more. Has she seen me? What would she think of me? After all these years, would she be happy that I returned? I tried to pushed those thoughts at the back of my head as I regained my position on Elle's side. Their golden child.

The role model to teenage boys, the presentable, perfect son who's worth the flex everytime a mother and son comes through. One had even told his son to look up at me and follow my footsteps as I'm such a good son. Or so they thought.

I smiled to the young boy as they walked to enter the main lobby.

Don't do it, kid. Don't be like me.

His innocent eyes were glued to me while his mother practically dragged him until he was out of sight. Poor boy, presented with the perfect painting of the image of Elle's golden child, must be overwhelming to be told to be just like him. Such pressure.

Even I couldn't reach that. I'm not.

That painting was, as it is, painted. Commanded by power, kept sacredly clean and prestige. Just like Elle wanted. She had kept it that way. Kept me that way. Presentable.

Little do people know the real me, the beast from within, the parts of me I try to hide, as there is only one person here whom I'd gladly share that part with. If I could only reach her right now.

I allowed myself another glimpse of her only to see her staring right at me.

Just like that. Butterflies. They're everywhere.

But no one else can see it, just me.

Until I realized she wasn't staring out of love. Then the thousand tiny butterflies turned into sharp dart weapons and aimed right at me. Piercing me multiple times until another one of Elle's visitors came to the gates, pulling me back to reality.

After a few exchange of small talk, they finally left. A few people came through, and it all blurred past me, if only I could drown out of boredom.

I stretched ever so lightly and Elle was quick to notice. I don't like this s**t. She clearly knows that.

"Go ahead and help with the preparations like a good boy you are" she teased.

I was about to let out another sigh when I saw a light bulb. The kitchen. That would be perfect.

I nodded to respond to Elle and walked kindly through the crowd, not glancing back at Jade but feeling surely she's watching.

This clandestine meeting is so dangerous and yet it brings energy back to my veins after that long list of people pleasing. No one would suspect it, I was tasked to help. Besides, it's not exactly a room, but I guess private enough to be real.

"Everyone deserves a break" I mumbled as I entered. "Like, right now." I commanded and as the chef recognized me, his staff followed, leaving away their tasks and taking their long-desired break. It wouldn't be long before Elle notice their absence, but that time would be enough. For now.

I waited. Hopefully, she saw me enter. She should be here anytime now. I held on to that hope as I observed the layout of the expensive kitchen and noted another entrance aside from where I came from.

The door opened and one angry woman came in. She's mad at me. I'd hate to say that he has every right to. Her dress moved beautifully as she walked and I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't stare at that sight all day.

"Where. have. you. been." she mumbled as she walked nonchalantly to me.

I couldn't exactly say that I was expecting her to run as fast as she can to hug me but, this still wasn't what I was expecting. Or is it?

She glared holes unto me as I hadn't said anything. I couldn't think of any short response that she'd accept, I didn't want to lie, nor do I have the time to tell her the truth right now. I remained silent.

And I quickly regretted that when she grabbed the knife from the table and pointed it to my chin. "Don't make me ask again" whose a great idea it was it again to meet in the kitchen? Great.

She looked up at me with those brown eyes, I could melt if only I wasn't being threatened.

I took my time to think. Relax.

And then I remembered my strengths, my training, my ego, I'm a man and I could easily defeat this tiny woman in front of me if I tried to. Except I wouldn't. I would never.

I flipped the knife away and it fell to the floor, making sure it was safe enough and away from the both of us before I speak. "Look, darling, I wish I could explain but-" I was cut off when she stepped forward to hug me. It took me a moment to process that, this may be a trick. Does she have another knife pointed at my back right now?

Let's be honest, even if she does, I'd gladly accept it.

I wrapped my hands around her shoulders as I inhaled her old familiar scent that I've grown with. Look at her all grown up.

"Don't ever leave like that again." she said beneath my clothes. Even when her voice was muffled against my chest, I could hear exactly how sincere she is, literally, in her heartbeat. Her hands pressed on my back, and all I could think is how much has she really changed.

We didn't say anything for a few seconds, hoping we could last a little longer than this, but we both know the truth.

I waited for her to pull away first. It definitely hadn't been 5 minutes but it felt timeless. I couldn't help but smile. This girl and her special ability to twist time whenever she's with me.

She looked up at me but this time without hatred. But I know she's still angry with me, her loving eyes aren't enough to distract me away from reality. Not just yet, at least.

She sniffed ever so prettily and took a step back. "I'm sorry." was all I could say.

Leaving like that, and returning like this, there's a lot of things wrong here and there but all I ask is for her to accept me, not to forgive me, no. I wouldn't ask too much. All I ever wanted was her acceptance.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm still mad at you." she pats invisible dusts from her dress, I can feel her slowly putting up her character once again.

I nodded. Unable to think anything a worthy enough would say.

She just nodded slowly too.

Then I could see her lips moving as if she'd like to say something, but I don't make it obvious that I'm waiting.

She exhaled and turned back.

I blinked and suddenly, everything around me doesn't matter anymore. I'm in a whole new universe where it's just me and her, away from everything happening around us.

And then there's footsteps. They can't be any longer than a hundred meters away.

Jade turned to look at me and was quick to read me. She turned to walk away and the sound of the door closing echoed to me. Was that how it felt to be left behind?

Standing, frozen, speechless.

That didn't felt good.

"Sorry, kid. We have work to do." the chef got back along with his men.

"No, please, proceed. I was just leaving."

They all bowed slightly and returned to work.

After that, the launching party continued, I resumed to being the perfect picture child and Jade didn't look back at me again.

"Umulan kasi kahapon eh, tapos na nga dapat 'yan"

The local construction worker explained why they hadn't finished a bridge inside the campus. It's supposed to lead the way pass the river and to the other parts of the school. If it hadn't rained yesterday, they would've finished this bridge already, I wouldnt've been able to do what they asked.

I asked for them kindly to go home early today, and even gave them money as bribery.

After they left, I pulled out the dead bunny in my bag and let its blood flow through the metals standing.

We never ask why, we just do. That's just how rituals work. But then again, that's just how culture happens. We don't really know why, but we do it anyway.

I tried to remind myself of Jade's scent that I had just smelled earlier, resisting the scent of the dead animal blood on my nose. Focus. Her voice. Her eyes. Her ridiculously ravishing dress and how it moved when she walked.

Before I lose myself in a daydream, I became aware of the presence of men walking. Quickly, I hid the bunny back in my bag and stood up.

I could hear them talking about how lucky they were to be assigned to a project like this and how the pay was much higher than their normal. Glad to hear that they weren't abusing workers here. They deserve it so much after staying too long in the sun working, even when their food is already provided, they still deserve to get so much extra in the way.

Unable to resist, I gave them few bills one last time before I left. The smiles on their faces almost made me forget not to pity them.

Finally walking, watching at the sunset almost at its end, I sighed in relief knowing I'll be sleeping in the mansion tonight.