The b***h Mafia

Chapter 10: The Event

10

The Event

We've been preparing for this. Today is the start of our participation in the said event. 

It's five thirty in the morning and I'm already here in Nicole's office with Xian.

Nicole taught us how to use her stuffs. 

"I've already prepared the songs, here kayo pipili." She said. Tinignan ko ang monitor ng kanyang computer and it has thousands of songs. Hindi ko naman alam ang marami. 

"Here," tinuro naman niya ang phone. "This phone is connected to our booth sa field. Jasmine and others will call you if someone wanted to dedicate a song to someone. While these microphones," pumunta sya sa harap ng mikropono. "these are connected to every speakers inside the academy. Tumango tango lang ako sa kanya, pilit na iniintindi lahat ng sinasabi niya samin ni Xian. 

"Is there anything we need to learn?" Xian asked while browsing the songs

"Hmmm, parang wala naman na.  We should start at exactly seven am. Pero I think, we should wake the students first. Around six thirty am?" She asked us. Umiling naman ako at bahagyang lumingon kay Xian. He seems familiarizing himself kaya naman nagpaalam na rin samin si Nicole. She has something to do with the councils.

I also tried to familiarize myself with everything. Tanging pagclick lang ni Xian ang naririnig ko until he played a song.

♪♪ Guess it's true, I'm not good at a one-night stand

But I still need love 'cause I'm just a man

These nights never seem to go to plan

I don't want you to leave, will you hold my hand?

Oh, won't you stay with me?

'Cause you're all I need

This ain't love it's clear to see

But darling, stay with me

~~He started humming with the song

Why am I so emotional?

No it's not a good look, gain some self control

And deep down I know this never works

But you can lay with me so it doesn't hurt

With this part, he started singing the lyrics with a tiny voice, almost humming. 

Oh, won't you stay with me?

'Cause you're all I need

This ain't love it's clear to see

But darling, stay with me

I also started humming, it's a good song naman kasi. 

Oh, won't you stay with me?

'Cause you're all I need

This ain't love it's clear to see

But darling, stay with me

Oh, won't you stay with me?

'Cause you're all I need

This ain't love it's clear to see

But darling, stay with m♪♪

After the song ended, Xian played another song. This time, he chose a lively song. 

It's around six thirty when we decided to greet everyone.

"Hello! Goodmorning everyone! This is the dedication booth where you can-- of course-- dedicate a song to someone." Pagbasa ko sa script na binigay samin ni Nicole kanina. 

"Goodmorning! This is Xian Hartford and I'm your DJ for this morning. I have here my partner," he paused and glanced at me.

"Hello partner, I am Angel Hamilton for this morning session." We paused a bit and started introducing our booth. 

"Our booth is called Your Radio. We have a stall at the soccer field where our teammates are waiting for you. The mechanics for Your Radio will be furtherly discussed by our teammates in the stall." Dire-diretso kong basa sa script. Yes everything is scripted. Okay daw 'yon, para hindi naman kami magkaroon ng dead air. 

"If you happen to have any question, kindly visit our stall. What are you waiting for? Come and dedicate." 

Hindi pa seven am, so hindi pa kami tatanggap ng customer. Xian and I decided to play some songs while waiting for our stall to open. 

We stayed silent while listening to random songs. 

It was almost eight when received the first call. 

Xian stared at it and so, I decided to accept the call. A thin line formed on his lips. He must be shy accepting the call. 

"Hello, goodmorning to our first caller." I greeted. "Can you kindly state your name?" I asked with a cheerful voice. 

Ugh, it's hard huh?

[Hello goodmorning Miss Angel.] She greeted me. I almost chuckled, she called me miss. [I'm Cassandra and I wanted to dedicate a song for uh-- someone.] Mahinhin ang boses niya and I can tell she's shy. 

"Of course, uhm, can you tell us what would you like to dedicate this song to uh-- someone?" I said almost sounding awkward. God! Hindi talaga ako pwede sa ganito! "Of course, if that's okay with you." Pagpapahabol ko pa. 

"Cassandra she's curious." Xian suddenly butt in. I rolled my eyes. Natawa naman ang caller sa sinabi niya. Anong nakakatawa? 

[It's fine. Uh, the song I wanted you guys to play is Bestfriend by Jason Chen. Uh--] she stopped for a moment. Probably thinking if she should tell us her reason. Although with the choice of song, I already have an idea why. [Uh-- we've been besttfriends for almost three years. I wanted him to hear me out,] 

Xian suddenly played the song. Mahina lang 'to, enough for us to hear Cassandra's voice.

[It's me Cassie, it's been three years Jones and I haven't told you that I actually like you.] After she said that, she immediately cut the call. Hindi kami makapag react ni Xian. She suddenly confessed her feelings. 

Nagkatinginan kami ni Xian but we immediately shifted our gaze.

Tumingin ako sa script and sabi, just comment. 

I cleared my throat and waited for the song to end. Air-conditioned Ang office ni Nicole, yet I feel suffocated and hot. 

Ang aga naman kasi.

As soon as the song ended, 

"It was nice hearing your confession Cassandra," I commented. Trying to ease the awkward feeling. 

"I hope you two would end up happy," Xian also commented.

We played another song until we accepted the second caller. 

"Goodmorning," Xian simply greeted.

[Hello and goodmorning] this time it's a man. [Uh-- I would just like to answer the first caller.] My jaw dropped. Ang pagkakaalam ko, this is a radio station not a confession station. Oh gosh! 

"Oh sure sure. Do you have a song you wanted us to play?" I asked. 

[No need, I just really wanted to tell her to meet me in our usual spot.] Huh? Akala ko naman, [uhh-- and that I also feel the same. Thank you,] the call ended. 

Did he just confessed as well? O my,  

"That was so romantic of you Me second caller. I wish you and the first caller all the best." Xian

"For Cassandra and Jones, I hope a best love story for the both of you. You both deserves that." I saw Xi'an glancing at me

"Do you want something like that?" He suddenly asked. 

Tinignan ko ang script. Wala naman nakalagay doon na tatanungin niya ako. 

"Who doesn't?" Simpleng sagot ko na lang sa kanya.

Nagpaalam kami saglit at nagplay na lang ng song. Super random songs lang talaga. 

I removed the headphone I'm wearing and leaned on the swivel chair. 

♪♪ I'm standing on a bridge

I'm waitin' in the dark

I thought that you'd be here by now

There's nothing but the rain

No footsteps on the ground

I'm listening but there's no sound

Isn't anyone tryin' to find me?

Won't somebody come take me home

It's a damn cold night

Trying to figure out this life

Won't you take me by the hand

Take me somewhere new

I don't know who you are

But I, I'm with you

I'm looking for a place

I'm searching for a face

Is anybody here I know

Cause nothings going right

And everything's a mess

And no one likes to be alone

Isn't anyone tryin' to find me?

Won't somebody come take me home

It's a damn cold night

Trying to figure out this life

Won't you take me by the hand

Take me somewhere new

I don't know who you are

But I, I'm with you

Oh why is everything so confusing

Maybe I'm just out of my mind

Yea yea yea

It's a damn cold night

Trying to figure out this life

Won't you take me by the hand

Take me somewhere new

I don't know who you are

But I, I'm with you

Take me by the hand

Take me somewhere new

I don't know who you are

But I, I'm with you

I'm with you

Take me by the hand

Take me somewhere new

I don't know who you are

But I, I'm with you

I'm with you

I'm with yo ♪♪

Natapos ang kanta and once again the room filled with silence until another song played.

Deep breath Angel, just deep breath. 

"I'm sorry," That made me look at him. He isn't looking and just playing the pen he's holding. 

"For what?" I played like I didn't know why. He tilt his head and for a moment, we had a short momentum until I broke the gaze. Hindi ko pa kaya syang tignan sa mga mata. 

"For everything, from asking you to stay away," he chuckled "to act like I didn't exist. I'm sorry that I had to avoid you," his voice almost cracked when he said that. I felt my eyes getting hot. 

"I just did what you asked." malamunay na sabi ko. Tama naman ako. Naging masunurin lang. Tumingin ako sa kanya, and he's already looking at me.

"There are things that I need to avoided or else," he broke the eye contact and I saw him swallowing hard. "... or else I'll put you in danger."

"I'm not afraid to die Xian." 

The thing that makes me strong is that, I'm not afraid to lose my own life. The thing that makes me weak, losing someone important else.

We looked at each other for a moment but was interrupted by a call. 

I immediately accepted the call. 

"Hello good morning," my voice were shaking as I said that. Ugh, so hirap naman.

[Hi I'm Travis,] he introduced

"Goodmorning Travis, what can we do for you?"

[Uh-- I just wanted to say hi to you Miss Angel.]

"Then Hi Travis." I greeted back. "Do you have any other request?" I politely asked

[How about a date?] Kumunot ang noo ko at napangisi. [Uh-- I really like you.] 

"I'm sorry Mr. Travis but this is Your Radio where we only accept request such dedicating songs. If you have any other inquiries kindly visit again our stall." My eyes widened when Xian said that. My jaw dropped when he ended tha call. 

"Hey, what are you doing? He's a caller." Natataranta na sabi ko. 

"And so?" Tumaas ang kilay niya, as if I said something intolerant. Inirapan ko na lang siya,

"Thank you Mr. Travis, the third caller. You must be one of my admirers. But just like what my partner said, we're not accepting request like that. Still, I wish you a good day." Pampalubag loob na sabi ko. 

We played another song again. Ganon ang routine namin, we play songs kapag walang caller. 

"Bakit?" I asked Xian. Nahuli ko kasi syang nakatingin sa akin. Umiling lang naman sya. 

There's something different about Xian. 

To be honest, I've never been this so interested to a guy. I admit, I dated many times. Those weren't exclusive, my brother said never to date exclusively, if the thing you only wanted out of dating is a companion. 

He's right, kahit saan naman pwede mo makuha ang 'companion'. 

So I never dated exclusively.

But with Xian, There's something about him that makes me wanted to keep him, exclusively. Which I obviously never felt before.

It's a flaw, to want someone stayed by your side for life. In our world, loving and caring can put someone's life in great danger, lalo na sakin. 

Naputol ang iniisip ko nang biglang nagsalita si Xian.

"It's almost nine am. We have two and half hours left until our teammates would take over." He said. What is he trying to say? 

The phone rang and he answered that.

"Oh hello there?" 

[Hi Xian,]

"Hi There! So what's your name??"

[Michelle, I just want to say Hi..] 

"Oh Then Hi to you" 

[Uhhh Thanks Bye....] 

Binaba na nya. Kumunot ang noo namin ni Xian bago sabay na natawa. 

"She just wanted to caught your attention." Pagkumento ko. 

"Oh Hi Michelle, I hope you're doing well." 

Nag-ring ulit ang phone sa tabi ni Xian kaya sinagot niya yon.

"Go--"

[Hi Xian I just wanted to say you're so famn hot and handsome.Bye!] Diretsong salita ng babae. 

Hindi man lang sya binigyan ng oras para makapagsalita.

"Uhm, whoever you are, thanks." The he chuckled. 

It's true naman kasi, Xian is handsome and hot. 

No one dared to say otherwise.

"Hello good morning again, we have here named to specially mentioned. Uh-- for Kevin Sy, shoot a ball for me darling. Uh--, for Lance,  Asher,  Miguel, Steven, Johan, Mark , Chase, Jonathan , Kyle, Sky, Kyler, Skyler, are these men brothers? Hi daw po! Walang name kung sino gusto magsabi ng hi." Natatawang sabi ko. Literal na binigay lang ang names with message: hi. 

"Uhm for ladies out there, Hi to Laura, Miguel said. To Julia, hi rin daw sabi ni Kier." 

After mentioning those messages our shift ended. Margaret and Michael took our seats over.

I immediately went to cafeteria to eat. Im busy eating when I heard Margaret's and Michael's voice over the speakers.

There is no class for today. Lahat ay busy with their own stalls. 

The academy suddenly became a highschool set up. There are stalls for highschool kids. Pero mukhang fun din naman. 

After eating I went to the soccer field to check out some stalls. I even saw jail booth. How is that stall works again? 

"Miss you stepped on the tape." Napalingon ako sa lalaki. Nakaturo siya sa paa ko. Napatingin ako doon, there it is. A scotch tape beneath my shoe.  

Kumunot naman ang noo ko. 

"Uh-- what should I do?" I asked. Not really knowing what should I do. 

"Sir you also stepped on our tape," napatingin naman ako sa sinabihan niya. 

It's Xian. Like me, kumunot din ang kanyang noo. Hindi rin siguro alam ang gagawin.

Napalingon siya sakin, his eyes were asking what to do. I just shrugged. Malay ko ba!

"What should I do?" I asked again. Lumapit ang isa pang guy with a fish bowl. There are folded papers inside it.

"The rule is, you need to do something or pay us." 

Ha? 

"Easy money," i can't help but to say that. Tumango tango naman sakin yung guy with fish bowl habang the other guy is just scratching his head. 

Lumapit ako at bumunot ng isang paper. 

"Kiss someone on the lips or pay 250." 

What kind of dare is this? "Ang mahal naman." Bulong ko. 

Xian also got a paper from the bowl.

"Hold the hand of the person beside you for 1 minute or 150" basa ni Xian tinignan ko yung gilid nya wala syang katabi. Kinapkap nya yung bulsa nya,

"s**t hindi ko dala yung wallet ko. Paano ba to pwedeng bumalik na lang?"Sabi nya

"Sorry kuya hindi pwede" tinaas ko ang kamay ko.

"What?" Sya 

"Hold it. Your dare. Parang may katabi ka bukod sakin" Inirapan ko siya. 

He lifted his hand and hold mine. Umiwas kami ng tingin sa isa't-isa.

"Ayos! Time starts now." He started the timer. Nakangisi pa siya habang pinapanood kami.

"Swerte nyo po! You know each other," sabi noong guy na May hawak na fishbowl.

"Bagay nga sila e," kumento noong may hawak na timer. 

Just like what the dare said, we stayed holding hands for a minute.

"Yes, nagawa mo po ang dare kuya." Sabi noong isa. Lumingon naman siya sakin. "Ikaw po Miss?" 

Huh? Oh right. I have to kiss someone. s**t Angel. Just kiss someone else. What so big deal on kissing someone? 

I secretly glanced at Xian. Should I kiss him? No. 

Hinawakan ko ang kamay ng lalaking may hawak na fishbowl and immediately gave him a kiss.  His eyes widened and I immediately pulled myself away. Hindi ko nga naramdaman na lumapag ang labi ko sa kanya.   

"There. Done." Nakatingin lang sakin yung lalaki May hawak na timer while Xian was just looking away. 

We heard a loud siren and the guy with the timer looked around. 

"Uh-- takbo na po kayo. The jail booth is here. I think those  wearing white po ang hinuhuli." Nahihiya niyang sabi samin. The guy with fishbowl isn't talking and can't look at me. 

Hinawakan ko sa braso

"Sorry," 

I couldn't finish my word and Xian grabbed my hand and pulled me away. 

We tried our very best Para hindi mahuli. Since super crowded ang academy, sobrang hirap tumakbo. 

"What the f**k again?" Sabi ni Xian doon sa babae na may hawak na white long necklace. 

"Jail booth?" I asked. 

"No po. It's marriage booth." 

Xian and I weren't able to run away. We took the take wedding. 

Habang ceremony, I can feel my heart beating fast. This is just fake, but for someone who has a crush to the groom, I guess sobrang dali na intindihin kung bakit mabilis ang t***k ng puso ko. 

"You may now kiss the bride," the officiating said. 

Uh-- now what?

Xian faced me and I did. His eyes are on me and my eyes are on him. He slowly cupped my face and leaned forward. 

Ito na, he's about to kiss me. But he wiped my lips using his thumb and kissed the bridge of my nose. 

I couldn't move for a second.

Uhm,

"O my gosh!" napatayo ang mga tao sa marriage booth. 

The girl who caught us earlier is now lying on the ground, lifeless. 

She was beside me. It could have been me. I can feel my jaw moving aggressively.

I tried to remain calm and scanned the whole f*****g place. Who would f*****g dare to this kind of stunt at f*****g daylight?

Archery, motherfucker. 

Tinignan ko ang katawan ng babae na May arrow sa likod. It has paper on it. Tinignan ko ang batok ng babae. She has our symbol,

She's one of us. 

"Accept my gift for your wedding," 

Ayan ang nakasulat doon. Binasa rin yon ni Xian. 

"f**k" Xian said. Agad akong lumingon sa mga building. If she standing beside me face front and the arrow exactly hit the left side of her back then the one who shot this arrow was from Science and Technology building. 

Sumingkit ang mata ko. The man on the third floor of the building just f*****g waved bow at me. 

Tinanggal ko ang suot kong veil at agad na tumakbo. Xian immediately went after me and grabbed my arm.

"Where are you going?" Nagtatakang tanong niya. 

"Let me go Xian. I'm going to chase the motherfucker who killed that woman." Hindi niya ako binibitawan. "

"No. What the f**k are you talking about? We should report this." He said almost yelling at me.

"No. The woman who just died is a f*****g mafia. A f*****g mafia Xian. Can't you understand?" He narrowed his eyes and still looking calm.

I have no choice. I have to release myself. Hinatak ko ang braso ko, as expected hahawakan niya iyon ng mahigpit at ang isang kamay nya ay hahawak sa kabilang kamay ko. 

I turned around to turn my arm and used my other hand to pushed him. 

He stepped back as I pushed him, releasing myself. 

"I'm sorry but I have to do this." Agad akong tumalikod at handa na umalis. 

"How did you know that the woman who was assassinated is a mafia?" Bigla nyang tanong

I did not answer him and run away.

Tumakbo ako hanggang sa building kung saan ko nakita ang lalaking pumana sa mafia ko. Nang makarating ako doon ay wala na sya. 

"Tangina." I cursed with a heavy breathing. 

There's no time to f****d up. I need to think. Right. Red Swansea. 

I immediately left the building and went to our dorm. Xian was already there, in front of our door. 

"Angel what's happening?" He asked me

Hindi ko sya pinansin at binuksan agad ang pinto ng aming kwarto.

I immediately opened my cabinet changed my clothes in front of him. He turned around as he saw me removing my top. 

I wore a red spaghetti strap top and a pair of white jeans. I tucked the top in and wore a pair  of white sneakers. 

Kinuha ko rin sa cabinet ang maliit kong Duffel bag. I put my phone, car keys, and wallet inside it. 

Inside the duffel bag is a gun. Nilabas ko ang isa at ang isa ay nilagay sa aking likuran.

"Why do you have a gun?" He asked me. "And where are you going?" Tanong sakin ni Xian nang makita nyang sinuot ko ng Duffel bag.

"To your ruler" I simply said

"Why do you have to meet Red? What the f**k is happening Angel?" 

I sighed. Kinasa ko ang baril na hawak ko. 

"Right now what I want you to do is to gather everyone. I'll bring Swansea here." 

"How can you bring Swansae here?" He asked. He tried to calm himself. But his jaw is moving aggressively.

Marahan syang lumapit, in one swift move he pulled me and and unarmed me. 

As soon as he did that, I immediately reached for the gun behind me and pointed the gun to him. 

"You're still slow." I muttered. The gun is pointing on the ground. "Drop the f*****g gun," nakatingin lang siya sakin. "Let's not kill each other Xian. We wouldn't like that." Binitiwan nya ang baril kaya naman sinipa ko iyon palayo. 

"Just trust me," 

Then I left. Agad akong tumakbo sa parking lot at binuksan ang sasakyan ko. 

I started the engine and immediately went out of the academy. 

I dialed my cousin's number. 

"Hey," 

[Hey, I heard what happened,]

"I know. Please fix the cameras on my way." Malumanay na sabi ko.

[Send me your location.]

I dropped the call and sent him the location he asked for. 

I did not bother to stop. Kahit sa stoplight, hindi ako huminto. Dire-diretso ang byahe ko. 

I stopped in front of Swansea's house. 

I parked my car and dialed his number.

[Queen] he said as he answered my phone call.

"Im here outside your house. Be here in one minute."  I said after of couple of minutes I'm inside his house.

"What brings you here?" he asked as we enter his house. He lead the way until we reach his sofa. Naupo kami roon. "It's been a while since the last time you dropped by. Is there any problem?" He said. I opened my pouch and I heard guns. I Chuckled and handed him the envelope. 

"You know the meaning of this right," i stopped for a while. "Can you ask your men to leave." Malumanay kong sabi. I leaned back and crossed my legs. 

"Dismiss."

Nakita kong magrereklamo pa sana yung babae pero hindi siya pinansin ni Red. 

"So its official? They unite." Swansae

"And we are the target." Humarap ako sa kanya. "They assassinated my Mafias, Red. That isn't right." Tumaas ang kilay ko. 

"So what is your plan?" Red asked. I cannot give him an answer. I knew to myself that my plan is flawed. 

"Let's go first to my academy, they are waiting." he nodded and we immediately left his house.  

The thing about Red, he never disobeyed me. 

We entered the academy but no one tried to stop Re from entering since it's foundation week. Open gates for not students as long as you were invited by a student.

Margaret texted me earlier that Xian suddenly gathered them in Nicole's office because I asked them. So I did not bother to look for them and went straight to Nicole's office. 

As expected, they were all there. 

"Swansea/Red " they said except Xian ,Jasmine, and Nicole as we entered her office.

Since I came, Xian just kept on watching me. 

I actually didn't know what to do. Jasmine and Nicole suddenly went to me. 

"We need to talk," bulong niya

"Privately." Nicole said. Tinuro niya ang bathroom at naglakad na ako doon. Hindi na ako nagreklamo o kung ano pa. They just want my identity.

Nang  makapasok kami ay agad akong sinandal ni Jasmine sa pinto. I felt a slight sting on my head, tumama iyon sa pinto.

"Go on, check it out" she said, Jasmine raised my top.

"Wala," Jasmine and Nicole take their hands off. So I faced them. 

"Bakit mo kilala si Red?"Jasmine asked. Naningkit ang kanyang mata habang hinihintay ang sagot ko.

"Bakit nyo rin sya kilala?" I smirked. Jasmine took a gun from her back. Kinasa niya ang baril at tinutok sakin. I scoffed and rolled my eyes. 

"Bakit mo kilala si Red?" Muling tanong ni Nicole. 

"I'm afraid but it's here..." I raised my top to see what they are looking for. They were expecting a tattoo on my shoulder. But no, the tattoo they were looking for is in my left iliac region, my waist.

Obviously, their eyes widened. Unti unting binaba ni Jasmine ang hawak nyang baril at yumuko. 

"You're the Queen," putol putol na sabi niya sakin. Seems like she didn't know what to say.

"Queen," Nicole did the reaper's gesture to a queen. 

"Stop. We're not in the hall," I said. STopping her from kneeling.

Napalingon kami sa pinto dahil may kumatok doon.

"We should go out," tumango lang silang dalawa sakin. Jasmine hid her gun again.

I walked out from the bathroom not looking down. It was Michael who knocked earlier.

Umupo ako sa single couch, waiting for someone to break the silence. 

"Angel what is happening?" Margaret asked. Nilingon siya ni Red at bago pa ako makasagot ay nagsalita na si Red.

"Margaret, you should not call her by her name." Kumunot ang noo ni Margaret. She must be wondering why Red said that. 

"Red, they don't know. I didn't tell them." Hinawakan ko ang kamay ni Red. 

"Who really are you?" Instead of answering Xian, ako ang nagtanong kay Red

"Would you like to introduce your," I paused a bit and glanced at them, "your assassins." pagkumpleto ko sa aking tanong. 

"As you wished, I know you're familiar with the Three H." Tumango naman ako. I actually didn't knew their real identity and I actually met them years ago but didn't had a chance to introduce ourselves, "The Three H's real identity, Hartford, Hilton, and Hampshire. They were the three assassins you saved back then." He said, referring to what I just mentioned. Mukhang naguguluhan si Michael at Margaret dahil nakakunot ang kanilang mga noo, habang si Xian ay nakatingin pa rin sa akin.

"The Triple Red, Ryan, Matthew, and John. You haven't met them years ago." We actually forbid ourselves to recall the war that happened years ago, kaya hindi rin mabanggit iyon ni Red. "The Red Ballerina, Shyna." 

I actually know The Red Ballerina. I just didn't know who she really was. She's known for her flexibility, kaya she was called the red ballerina. Para syang nagsasayaw ng ballet sa tuwing nakikpaglaban siya. I actually find her elegant.

Margaret P.O.V

While Red was introducing us, Angel was just calm and looking at us one by one. I still can't believe that she knows Red Swansea, our ruler. 

"Why aren't you answering my goddamn question?" hindi napigilan ni Xian. 

"Watch your words Hartford" Swansea said. Pabalik balik ang tingin ko kay Angel at kay Xian. Nagpapalitan sila ng seryosong tingin.

 Different to Angel I used to know, she seems different with her eyes. They were called and...

merciless. 

While Xian looks serious. He's quiet a jerk whenever he's with his co-assassins. 

Hanggang ngayon nagpapalitan pa rin sila ng tingin, hanggang sa nagsalita si Angel.

"Red, can you introduce me? I'm quiet shy to introduce myself," hindi niya inaalis ang tingin kay Xian. Her eyes still looks emotionless. 

"Angel Scarlet Hamilton, the ruler and queen of the Red Mafia." My jaw dropped. She's who? 

She's the Queen? 

"She's the Queen of the Red world. Remember, when we were about to die in a war? Someone saved us. That's the Queen. That's why we had an oath that every Red Assassin are willing to die just save the Queen." Swansea continued. 

Can you believe that? The woman we've been looking up is actually my friend? 

"Why? Bakit ngayon mo lang sinabi?" I asked.  couldn't utter her name and I just couldn't call her, queen. Kind of awkward. 

"Because they have started, by touching a member." she plainly said. 

"Kung hindi pa madadamay ang mafia mo ay hindi mo sasabihin sa amin?" Michael suddenly butt in. He actually almost yelled. 

ANg kaninang mainit na tensyon ay mas lalong umangat dahil biglang naglabas ng baril si Jasmine at Nicole at tinutok iyon kay Michael. 

The assassins also did the same, except for me. I couldn't move. 

Xian pointed his gun on Jasmine's head. But Jasmine did not flinch. Her eyes were different. 

Matthew's gun is now pointing on Nicole's head. Just like Jasmine, Nicole did not flinch. 

Xian told us about the mafia that was assassinated earlier today. It's a strong attempt on a broad daylight. We decided to have ourselves armed in case we find ourselves on a difficult situation. It's better to be ready than to be sorry later.

"Put it down reapers," Jasmine and Nicole are are mafia reapers? Then the rumors are true. They're dangerous.

Mafia Reapers are like assassins. But the thing about mafia reapers, they don't typically hunt like us. They don't typically accept missions like us. 

Assassins are more of political and Mafia Reapers are more of a duty. 

Jasmine and Nicole put down the gun. Noong ilagay iyon ni Jasmine at Nicole sa kanilang likuran, doon lang din binaba nila Xian ang baril.

"Don't be silly Michael. You also didn't tell me that you're one of the Three H," she smirked. 

"They why are you suddenly introducing yourself?" Ryan asked. Right! Bakit nga ba?

"Because the enemy wanted to start another war," she paused, "If the enemy didn't touched us, hindi kami makikialam. It's your war after all." she continued. She'll let us die? 

I couldn't say a word. Everything doesn't make sense kahit nasa harapan ko na.

"Black Assassins and Black mafia unite--" i cut her off

"So mas hahayaan mo talaga kaming mamatay Huh?" i said she looked at me and that gave a chill on my spine. It wasn't the usual, it's very deadly.

"No," she sighed. "We have an alliance and we cannot let you die on your own."

"So now black touched yours kaya ka makikipagtulungan. Wow kakaiba ka naman?" Micheal said and laugh but a bitter one. 

"Assassin, I'm not here to ask for your help," She said as if Michael didn't have name. "I asked Red Swansea here and you assassins, because I wanted to hear your opinion not your sarcasm," she said and glared at Michael. I saw him swallowed hard and avoided her gaze

"So you're here to actually use the alliance, so the enemy won't touch your members but us. I think this is playing safe," pagaakusa ni Michael. 

"You didn't train your assassins properly, Red" tumungo si Red Swansea

"I'm sorry, I'll train them properly." Bumaling si Red kay Michael at tinignan ito sa mata, "You should have not said that. You don't know what you are talking about," aapila pa sana si Michael ngunit seryoso na syang tinignan ni Red.

A sign that he should stop or else he's dead.

"You know what, as a Queen, I should teach you something," biglang sabi ni Angel kay Michael, 

My heart started to beat fast. Anong gusto niyang ituro?

"We are independent and unfortunately, you assassins aren't" she scratched her chin and continued "so technically, whether we use the alliance or not, we could still win the f*****g war." she chuckled. I laugh that gave me goosebumps

"No offense Swansea, but you know that you cannot against the united black organization,"

"Unfortunately, the Queen is right. We cannot win this war without the mafias."

"Your individual strength is good, but as an organization, the unity of the two organization can blew you off easily. They are strong, smart, and cunning. Typical trait of black organization,"

We all remained silent. Trying to understand how can we win the war against the black organization. 

"I guess the assassins' doesn't have a choice but to not cut the ties with us," Jasmine said. Breaking the silence. 

"So what's the plan Queen?" Nicole asked. Plano agad? 

Hindi ba kami pwedeng bigyan ng oras para makapaplano.

"I have a plan, but we need to remove your problem internally," tumingin si ANgel kay Red.

"What problem?" Xian

"We have spy. We need to clean that first" Swansea

"May spy tayo? Pano at sino??" John

"It's either gadgets or human. Kung tao, dalawa lang yan. Masyadong magaling magtago ng identity kaya nakapasok sa inyo or ipinasok muna sa inyo bago sya naging spy, " 

"How did you know about it?" I ask

"We have spy too" she said

"We have?" Jasmine and Nicole asked, Angel nodded.

"Yes we have. But Im letting him alive so I can play well on him. Im going to get rid of him soon since we need to be more careful. " pero bakit siya kalmado? gusto ko na ngang magsisigaw dahil hindi ko talaga alam ang dapat kong gawin.

Hanggang ngayon ay pinapanood ko pa rin ang kilos ni Angel

"Jasmine and Nicole, I'll give you a seal later then present it to Samuel and he knows what to do," Angel ordered.

"Yes Queen " they said

"As of now, I want everyone to act like nothing happens,""

"You mean you saw them" I ask

"Yes, during our welcome ceremony. I asked you that I'll go up 'cause Im really tired. While Im on the hallway I felt his presence. Buti na lang dala ko yung septer." natawa la sya habang nagkekwento. " I fixed my self cause I saw the reflection of B.A on the glass wall. I activated my Venom Spike which was on my heels. We had a short battle but he just warned me. Black boss asked him to warn me. I let him go 'cause I know, two more hours or less he's going to die. And kanina, I was damn frustrated. Yung feeling na kayong Assassin nagawa kong bantaan, nagawa kong protektahan, for just a short time kayong hindi ko kagrupo pero yung akin hindi ko nagawang ingatan. Do you know how it feels? Its damn annoying" she said. She's protecting us in the first place at sya ang nagbabanta about sa black.

"So now kailangan natin is more weapons to use on war" Angel said

"What weapons?" Michael asked. "We have a good dealer of guns and ammos," pagmamalaki ni Michael

"No, I don't use a simple gun to hunt." sabi niya na parang nandidiri pa. "We're inventing them," 

Ha? Ano daw? Anong gagawin daw? Invent the what?

"We have experiment lab, we can use that" Matthew suggested

"No we cant. Remember you have spy and we cant afford na malaman nila ang moves natin. Now tayo ang magiinvent kapag wala ng spy, we will clone it as many as we can" Angel said bago bumaling kay Red.

"Swansea use my car, its waiting. Don't tell anyone what we have talk about. Lalo na doon sa babae kanina, I don't like her.

"Yes Queen" 

Red immediately left. Hindi daw kasi namin afford na may makaalam about this meeting.

"I still can't believe you're a Mafia" i said

"You need to." she simply said

Angel P.o.V

I felt my back aching. I just got inside the dorm and Margaret couldn't approach me. Hindi ko naman siya masisi. 

She kept on glancing to my direction

"If you wanted to tell me something, just do it," naupo ako sa edge ng kama ko. Hinihintay siyang magsalita.

"Sorry, I just don't know how to act around you."

This is the struggle of telling them who I really am. They would feel the superiority. 

"Just like how you usually do," naglakad siya papunta sa harap ko. I can see her worries on her eyes.

"How can I do that? You're the Queen. You're the one who saved us years ago. If it's not for you, I am probably dead by now." Tumayo ako at hinawakan siya sa magkabilang braso

"Margaret, it's just a title. Just like yours, last time you were the room mate and a friend and now you're actually an assassin." 

I tried to calm her down. I tried to tell her that nothing will change. 

Hopefully,

♥♥♥♥♥♥