Heiress (Hanazono Series #2)

Heiress 6: Unusual

Chelsea’s POV

I went down and I saw Lavalee pacing back and forth speaking in a distinct language.

Weird.

Madalas kasi naiintindihan naman namin ang sinasabi niya kahit ibang language.

“What’s up?” I asked and walked towards her.

Tinakpan niya yung phone niya tapos nginitian ako.

“Morning, Chels.” She said and went back to the phone.

“Va bene allora, signore.” She said and placed her phone on her table

“What was that, Lav?” tanong ni Jess na inilingan lang ni Lavalee

“Family busines matters.” She said and the guards went in.

“Kain na.” she said and I sat down beside Irene

Jace and Lavalee were talking about their project.

“Bianca.” Sabi ni Jess kaya binato siya ni Irene ng tinidor na naiwasan naman niya.

“Don’t call me that, BRYLEA?” Irene even emphasized that name

“Eew. Don’t speak bad words.” Jess acted disgusted

“It isn’t, Jess. Alam mo yan.” Sabi ko at sabay sabay kaming kumain

Pagkakain namin pumunta na kami sa kanya kanyang kwarto para magbihis.

My phone rang so I answered it.

“Anyeonghasseoyo, Chelsea-nee.” She cheerfully said from the other line

“Hi, baby girl.” I greeted her and I heard her chuckle

Kinuha ko na yung bag ko at yung activity namin nina Irene.

“You’re going to school, right?” she asked habang pababa ako ng hagdan

“Yes, baby.” sagot ko at iniabot kay Jess yung papel.

Hawak ni Irene yung building model tinaasan ako ni Jess ng kilay. ‘Who’s that?’ she mouthed

“Why did you ask?” tanong ko at bumaling kay Jess

I mouthed ‘Freia’ and she pointed at Lavalee and I shook my head.

“Does Eonnie have a boyfriend?” She asked making me chuckle and glance at Lavalee who’s still discussing something with Jace as we went to the garage.

“Boyfriend? I don’t know. Why?” sagot ko at pumunta na sa kotse ko.

Unsurprisingly, Delta Ethan is already there.

“I called her earlier before I called you, I heard a guy’s voice in the background. Chelsea-nee, I’m worried. What if eonnie gets hurt? I don’t want that.” Nakakapanglambot ng puso marinig yun mula sa kanya

Bata pa nga talaga siya kahit na anong mangyari. She still has a child’s mind.

“Don’t worry, Frei. Trust your sister besides that guy earlier is her body guard kaya wala kang dapat ipag-alala.” Sabi ko nalang para bigyan siya ng kasiguraduhan.

“Okay, will you visit us again?” she asked hopefully

“Baka sa bakasyon na. Though, hindi ako sure kasi baka may family gathering kami.” Sabi ko

“So’ka. Sayonara, Chelsea-nee.” Sabi niya

“Sayonara, Baby.” Sabi ko at itinabi na ang phone ko

I opened my bag and took out my binder.

“Nakakalabo ng mata magbasa habang nasa sasakyan.” Sabi ni Ethan kaya ibinaba ko na yung binder ko at itinabi sa bag.

“How long have you been a police officer?” I asked him just to open up a topic

“Going 2 years na.” Sabi niya

“How old are you again? 23?” tanong ko

“Grabe ka naman sakin, miss Chelsea. 21 palang ako.” Sabi niya that made me silent

I thought he’s 4 or 5 years older than I am.

Pagdating namin sa school, ipinagbukas niya ako ng pinto. The classes went on and on hanggang samag present na kami ng mga company building namin.

“The company we’re planning to build is a company where the people who have record from the police can work. We thought that having criminal record is a big reason why they can’t be accepted permanently in a work or job.” Si Ethan ang naunang magsalita

“Isn’t it risky? No offense meant but they’re exconvicts, they might be tempted commit crime again.” Jess said

Buti nalang talaga at kagrupo ko sila. Nagtatanong sila ng mga tricky and risky question that when I wasn’t use at was nervousing and will make you question yourself real bad.

Looks like si Irene ang sunod na magtatanong. They’ve been doing this since earlier.

Nakita kong kinabahan si Ethan dahil sa question ni Jess kaya si Lieutenant at si Alpha na ang sumagot sa tanong.

Di na ako magugulat kung pag kami na ang nag present ay pahirapan kami ng mga kaklase namin sa mga tanong nila. I mean ganun kasi ang ginagawa nitong dalawa.

Being 3rd year college is somehow stressing and these two aren’t helping.

Pagkatapos magpresent ng mga kaklase namin kami naman ang magpe-present.

“Our plan is a about a company that handles the travels and leisure of people. Bar, clubbing, out of town and out of the country trips kind.” Sabi ni Jess habang ipinapakita ang company model namin

“How?” Lavalee’s voice echoed dahil sa coldness and seriousness ng boses niya.

Geez. Businesswoman talaga.

‘Para talagang board meeting.’

‘Ako yung kinakabahan eh.’

I think we’re like her subordintes presenting a proposal infront of our CEO.

Irene cleared her throat making Lavalee’s attention shift to her.

“Our backgrounds in leisure and luxury gave us a heads up. We earned a lot of back ups and researches. We know many resort owners, airline managers and tour companies from different states or cities from different countries.” Irene answered

Mariing napapikit sina Irene at Jess dahil nagtaas na naman ng kamay si Lavalee.

“How about the client’s security? Isn’t it risky that they don’t know the background of those assets that you are talking about? How can they be sure that what you are saying are legit?” tanong ni Lavalee

‘May point.’

‘Ang bilis naman niya makaisip ng tanong.’

‘Studyante ba talaga yan?’

“We’re going to discuss and show pictures. Regarding the client’s security we won’t require them to give us access to their personal information, only those that are crucial. We will only ask for the details of the travel they like.” Sagot ko

“What if they back out? I mean what if you’re tricked, how will you deal with the wasted money and resources?” tanong ulit niya

I think she’s doing this para ilabas ang alam namin. She doesn’t want us to settle in just one simple introduction and discussion. She wants us to show how far we can bring this thing on and she want us to raise the criteria for her.

“We will also run a background check of course but we will make sure we doesn’t invade their privacy.” Sabi ni Jess at nagtaas ulit ng kamay si Lavalee

“Running a background check on a person without their permission is an invasion of privacy, Ms. Han.” Nakataas kilay na sabi ni Lavalee sa kanya

“As I’ve said we’ll only require them to give us access to their personal information that are crucial to the travel and the safety of our company.” I said as a matter of factly

“That’s enough questions, Ms. Kan. Great presentation, Ms. Han, Ms. Jang, Ms. Go.” Our professor said which made us exhale heavily.

Geez this really is hard whenever Lavalee is here.

“Let’s continue tomorrow.” She said and dismissed our class

“b***h! Pahirap ka.” Sabi ni Jess at hinigit ang buhok ni Lavalee

“Take a taste of your own med, bitch.” Natatawang sabi ni Lavalee

“Yeah. Good thing siya lang ang nagatanong. Hindi sumali yung mga pinahirapan niyo kanina.” Sabi ko

“Good? Tal, baliw ka ba? Naiimagine ko kayang kaharap ko si Kuya Frost kanina sa paraan ng pagsasalita niyan.” Sabi ni Irene

“Sobra. The coldness.” Pagsang-ayon ko

“Yung totoo, b***h? Iniimpersonate mo yung mga yelo mong kapatid kapag bored ka noh?” nakataas kila na sabi ni Jess at inirapan si Lavalee

Napa facepalm ako nung mapansin kong kuminang ang mata ni Lavalee.

I almost forgot, Lavalee wanted to be like them kaso masyado siyang madaldal.

“JINJJA?! OMG!” tuwang tuwang sabi ni Lav kaya napailing kami

“I’ll tell Nii-sama!” sabi niya at naunang maglakad kaya binilisan rin namin ang paglalakad para masabayan siya

Biglang may apat na dagger na papunta samin pero nasalo namin yun.

“Sinong nagbato nun?!” gulat na sabi ni Ethan

We gave it to Irene at siya na ang nagbato. She hit four guys in the hand with the dagger but it’s quite dangerous because it was near the pulse.

“Ako.” Pairap na sabi ni Irene

“Ire.” Banta ni Lavalee at pumunta na kami sa cafeteria.

Habang kumakain kami may mga nagbabatuhan ng daggers, shurikens, at kunai sa paligid namin at kanina parin tunog ng tunog ang phone ni Lavalee.

Suddenly, a voice echoed from the speakers. Not just any voice.

A voice taht is full of authority and is very cold and intimidating.

“Hime.” The cold and terrifying voice of Frost echoed

Uh oh. Napatingin kami kay Lavalee na napapikit ng mariin. Kasabay nun ay ang muling pagtunog ng phone niya.

“Uh hi?” parang alanganing sabi ni Lavalee sa kabilang linya

“Eh? Nii-sama... Fine. Ihae hasseoyo, Nii-sama. As if. Yeah. Whatever.” She said and hanged up before puffing hardly

“Ano na naman ang ginawa mo?” tanong ni Irene

“Sumali ako sa camp. HA Empire camp.” Sabi niya at kumain na ulit na parang walang nangyari

“Nakakatakot naman yun.” Sabi ni Caspian

“Sabihin mo yan kay Lav.” Sabi ni Jess na naiiling

Lavalee really likes messing up with Frost and testing her elder brother temper.

We went out of the cafeteria and we’re about to go to our next class when a group of guys blocked our way.

“Anong kailangan niyo?” tanong ni Alpha Elijah

“Yang mga babaeng kasama niyo. Chix eh.” He said and smiled like a maniac while looking at Jess from toe upwards

“Eew. So disgusting.” Sabi ni Jess at nag-cross arms

“Sasama kayo o hindi?” sabi ni nung lalaki at itinaas nung mga kasama niya yung mga b***l nila.

Naman oh! Wag niyong sabihing tatakutin nila kami gamit yan dahil sakin palang wala na yang epekto.

Nakikipaghabulan pa nga yang mga yan sa mga bala eh. Ako lang ang matino samin.

“No.” Sagot nina Lavalee at Irene

“Hindi.” Sabi ko

“Duh! Obviously no. You’re so disgusting.” Sabi ni Jess kaya nagkasa ng b***l yung mga kasama niya.

“Ba’t may b***l kayo? Bawal yan ah?” sabi ni Ethan kaya napatingin yung mga lalaki sa kaniya

“Anong bawal? Adik ka ba?” nagtawanan yung mga lalaki

“Unauthorized guns.” Sabi ng lalaking dumating

“Huwag kang makialam dito, Mr. President.” Sabi nung parang leader

“Ikaw na bahala dito ah.” Sabi ni Lavalee dun sa bagong dating at akmang lalampas nung bigla siyang hinarang.

“Seriously? President ka pala. Di bagay.” Lavalee said and the guy laughed

“Ano bang pakialam mo, Pres?” nag-aangas na tanong nung parang leader

“You’re bothering my girlfriend.” Sabi nung lalaki

Wait. What?

Girlfriend?

WTH?!

“Pahiram kami, Pres.” A guy said smirking

“Get out of the way. Don’t anger her.” The unknown and Lavalee’s self proclaimed boyfriend said

We walked next to Lavalee and when they tried to block us. Lavalee, Jess and Irene kicked the guys on their most sensitive part aand I took their guns swiftly and handed some to them.

“Papadaanin niyo kami o papuputukin ko toh?” sabi ni Irene

The guys trembled when we removed the safety lock of the g*n.

“Chelsea, delikado yan.” Sabi ni Ethan making the unknown guy laugh

“Seriously? Lavalee. You have body guards? Police body guards?” the guy said sarcastically like he read a corny joke.

“Shut up, Icarus.” Lavalee rolled her eyes

We walked pass and Lavalee handed her g*n to the guy.

She signalled us to hand our guns to the guy so we did.

“See you when I see you. Ah before I forgot, we’re even Lavalee.” He said and went out

“Ano yun, Lavalee? Who’s that guy?” Tanong ko

“You didn’t recognize him? The guy who said he’ll be a navy pilot?” she said as if reminding me of somthing

Navy Pilot?

“Icarus Santiago?!” sabay sabay na sabi namin at natawa si Lavalee

“Yeah. I never thought he’d study here though.” She said

Our class flew by in a glimpse. I jotted down the notes while Irene and Jess were teasing and Lavalee’s doodling and sketching.

When we arrived at the mansion Jess and Lavalee we’re still talking about something.

“No. I mean we should use your background as a pillar.” Sabi ni Lavalee

“May I remind you we’re under cover?” pagpapaalala ni Jace

Ah tungkol parin siguro sa presentation nila

“May I remind you that your cover’s busted?” Pairap na sagot ni Lavalee

Napailing lang kami at umakyat sa mga kwarto namin.

---THE NEXT DAY---

Lavalee’s POV

*RING*RING

I sat up confused.

It’s already 4AM, who’s calling this early?

It’s impossible to be Freia because she’s probably having her early training at this time.

I opened and closed my eyes before looking at the caller ID

Jace the gay calling...

“Hello?” I answered confused

What does he want? And why is he calling at this time of the day?

I mean he could just go here instead of calling.

[Get up. We received a report you’re being tailed.] he said which made me stand up

“What? You’re the only one taling us.” I replied and went to my study table and opened my laptop

I run a full scan of any unidentified or strange activities taped from all the CCTVs and electronic devices 2KM around the mansion.

[Apart from us. I advise you not to go to school today.] he said

“But you’re there naman.” And we can handle ourselves

If only I can add that.

[Don’t be stubborn.] he replied coldly and hanged up

The flame-like phone on my mini sala rang so I answered it.

“Hime.” I was startled when I saw Nii-sama

“Nii-sama? Naze denwa shita?” I asked him confused

Is this about what Jace had told me?

“You’ve been traced.” He said and my eyes widened

“Traced? How is that possible? I thought the system can keep us untraced?” I asked getting confused

“The empire. The Council are tracing you.” He said and I looked at him confused

If it’s the Empire’s council tracing us then why is he worried?

“Watch your back.” With that statement I knew something’s wrong

“Traitors, Nii-sama?” I asked and he nodded

“They’re looking for loopholes.” He said and I nodded

“We’ll go back to New Jadecry soon, Nii-sama. I only came here to look for Eomma’s gem. Don’t worry about me.” I assured him

“Johimaeyo, Hime.” He said and the screen turned black

I ran a lockdown sequence on the whole mansion after running the scan.

I went to my bathroom and took a bath and then wore my uniform.

“What’s with the sequence? May problema?” Chelsea asked while holding her iPad

“Emp. Probs.” I replied and she nodded

“Stubborn. I told you not to go to school today.” Jace scolded me the moment I stepped on the living room

“Wala kang magagawa, Jace. Yan ang may pinakamatigas na ulo sa kanila.” Irene said while shaking her head

“Young lady Lavalee, may mga bisita po kayo.” Butler Jin said

A group of men is behind him. I think there’s eight of them in total.

“Signorina, siamo i rappresentanti dell’Impero Hanazaki. Abbiamo giurato la nostra lealtà nei tuoi confronti.” The acting leader said

(Young lady, we are the representatives from the Hanazaki Empire. We swore our loyalty to you.)

“Vedo. E le mie sorelle più giovani? I miei fratelli? Hai inviato i tuoi uomini per proteggerli e proteggerli?” I asked staring at their eyes

(I see. How about my younger sisters? My brothers? Did you send your men to protect and guard them too?)

All of them bowed. I can see that our hereditary eye colors bother them too.

Iba talaga ang epekto nito sa mga nagtatrabaho sa amin.

“Sì, signorina. Fu il signore Snow a ordinarci di sorvegliare te e i tuoi fratelli più piccoli. Abbiamo il compito di seguirti e custodirti ovunque tu sia. Ci viene detto che puoi tracciare la linea fino a dove possiamo andare.” The leader replied

(Yes, young lady. It was lord Snow who ordered us to guard you and your younger siblings. We are tasked to follow you and guard you wherever you are. We are told that you can draw the line to up to where we can go.)

“Questo è venuto da tua sorella minore, la giovane donna Winter.” The other one said and handed me a paper

(This came from your younger sister, the young lady Winter.)

I opened it and read what is written inside it.

「언니

  나는 언니 동생에게 이것을 보내달라고 부탁했다. 언니, 너에게 나쁜 일이      없었 으면 좋겠다. 난 당신이 곤경에 처한 사람이 아니길 바래요. 큰 형 스노우가 우리 보안을 강화하고 싶어하길 바랍니다

사랑해, 스스로 돌 봐줘 언니 불꽃

어느 날 나는 당신과 우리 가족을 도울 수있을 것입니다. 때때로, 나는 막내가 싫어. 나는 당신과 우리 가족을 사랑합니다.

 사랑,

여름 프레이 아 하나 조노 」

My heart sank when I read the last line.

Freia...

Too pure and innocent.

“Anong pinag-uusapan niyo, Lav?” tanong ni Irene

“Questi sono Irene, Jess e Chelsea, sono i miei migliori amici e queste sono le nostre guardie del corpo; Jace, Elijah, Ethan, Caspian. Ci accompagneranno nella mia Accademia mentre ci guarderai mentre siamo fuori dalla scuola. Dirò a Jace di contattarti quando saremo fuori dalla scuola.” I said with finality

(These are Irene, Jess and Chelsea, they are my best friends and these are our body guards; Jace, Elijah, Ethan, Caspian. They will accompany us inside my Academy while you will guard us while we’re out of the school. I will just tell Jace to contact you when we’re out of school.)

I can see that they are hesitating but they have no choice.

“Abbiamo capito, signorina.” Their leader said and gave a calling card to Jace

“What should I do with these?” he asked so I faced him

“These are the body guards that my brother sent. And dahil kayo naman ang kasama namin sa loob ng campus I told him that I’ll just tell you to contact him once we’re out.” Sagot ko sa kanya at tumango siya

“Per quanto possibile, parla in inglese. Non capiscono l’italiano.” I said and they nodded

(As much as possible, speak in english. They don’t understand italian.)

Itinago ko na yung papel at lumabas na kami ng bahay.

Like I told them to do, they began guarding the mansion.

Pagkapasok ko sa loob ng kotse I quickly slouched.

“Too formal.” Jace snickered at me

“Sang-gwan eobs-eoyo. Just drive.” Pagtataray ko sa kanya

He began driving kaya umayos ako ng upo at sumandal sa upuan.

I looked out on the window and saw a happy family.

Tinutulungan nung batang lalaki yung tatay nila magbaba ng gamit habang hawak hawak naman nung batang babae sa kamay yung nakababatang kapatid niya.

“Here.” Jace handed a handkerchief.

Napakapa ako sa mata ko. May tumulong luha.

I smiled bitterly thinking of how pathetic I look.

Get a grip, Lavalee.

Pagdating namin sa school, nauna na pala sina Chelsea sa loob.

“Bakit sila magkasabay?”

“Sila kaya?”

“Sweet.”

“Di sila bagay.”

“Sus maputi lang yung babae.”

I ignored them and walked to our classroom.

Tahimik akong nakinig sa klase namin. Nagre-recite parin naman ako syempre.

I’m not just all beauty. I should also have brains, that’s what Eomma told us before.

Mind over everything but never let it decide for your happiness, learn to balance and know priorities.

Next week we’ll start studying what we really should study at 3rd year college. Well we’re technically enrolled at catching up or also called as make up classes to prove our crediblities.   

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Freia's letter to Lavalee:

Eonnie

I asked elder brother to send this. Eonnie, I wish there was nothing bad about you. I hope you are not the one in trouble. I hope my big brother Snow just want to strengthen our security.

I love you, take care of yourself, Flamelinne Eonnie

One day I will be able to help you and my family. Sometimes, I hate being the youngest. I love you and my family.

love,

Summer Freia Hanazono