Queens

Chapter 4

Davdream POV:

"May I caught your attention?" Agaw pansin ko sa tatlo na masinsinang nagbubulungan pero ng marinig nila yung boses ko agad din silang nagsi-ayos at pormal na humarap sakin. "The Taogama gang has accomplished to negotiate with other gangs. While we are fighting with them, the other gangs are hiding somewhere and when the signal comes they will gang on us because they knew that they outnumber us and what I want you to do is..."

"WELL, well, well,The queen is here! Should I bend my knees and great you? you damn highness." If I wasn't wrong this woman's name is cronkou— krokyo? Well, her name doesn't matter. She'll die so why bother? "Cat got your tongue? YOUR HIGHNESS!" She said, mocking me.

"I just don't want to waste my saliva with someone who will die today." I said looking at her with my cold stare and it's really fun to watch her face being triggered to what I just said. Ahh... so she's a bad tempered.

"You talk big b***h. I'll praise you— for someone who's facing her own death. Really? fighting us when we outnumber you? You f*****g blockheads!" Blockheads? Is she referring to herself? Nah nevermind. I gave her my most beautiful smirk because today is her last breath to see such beauty.

Nangsimula na silang pagkakasahin ang mga baril nila saka nag-silabasan ang ibang gang at pinalibutan kami. 

Just like I thought, hindi lahat ng gang naka tago lang. they must be really threaten on my sister's existence and to make sure that my sister will be dead tonight this b***h showed her plan B and She's hiding her last resort if they failed which I also knew. Duh b***h, I got you first. You're dead.

"Kill her." The b***h said with a triumph face but no one move on their positions. "I said move!" Pero wala pa ding gumalaw at sumunod sa utos niya. "Why aren't you following my orders—" Her words were cut off when she saw the lasers in the head of her subordinates. "What the fuck..." She mumbled then shoot daggers at me. "You b***h!"

I smiled and then I said... "Thank you." And the moment I said those words her people drop onto the ground. Unmoving and bathing on their own blood.

"You demon!" Galit na galit na sigaw niya saka kinasa ang baril na hawak niya and the moment she pointed her gun at me. Lots of lasers from my snipers are pointing directly on her head and she just dropped onto the ground just like her subordinates.

"Queen, natapos na namin ang pinapagawa—" Nilingon ko silang tatlo na natigalgal sa nakita nila.

"I used our family's snipers to finish them." Ani ko saka kinuha ang cellphone sa bulsa ko at tinawagan si Butler Jim. "Sent here the cleaning crew. Tell them to clean every side of this street because if they failed tell them that they knew what will happen."

"You're wish is my command... master." I ended the call and then faced my sister's gang.

"What happened queen? You've become more heartless." I smiled mischievously at them.

"It's for me to know... and for you to find out." Naglakad ako papunta sa likod kung saan naka-tago ang ibang gang and they were not dead. Alice gang is so soft. I have no space for soft people. This is not a fantasy. This is the reality where our lives is at stake but they did not kill all this bastards? When this people woke up they will take a revenge on us. They will be more desperate because a killed their people. And the only thing to lessen my enemy is to dispose people like them.

Itinaas ko ang kamay ko at tinuro ang mga walang malay na mga taong naka-bulagta sa sahig at wala pang isang minuto naliligo na din sila sa sarili nilang mga dugo.

"Alice!! What do you think you're doing?!" Max shouted furiously.

"Disposing hindrance." I replied. Namumula siya sa galit pero wala na siyang sinabi pa. Basta umalis na lang siya ng walang paalam.

"Ano bang nangyayari sayo Alice? Hindi ka naman ganito." Tila dismayadong sabi ni Charls pero wala akong maramdamang sakit sa emosiyong pinapakita niya. Deep inside my heart I felt happy. After all I am not Alice. I AM DAVDREAM.

"Master, here's the blueprint of Krich University." Tinaggap ko ang blueprint at hinarap si Butler Jim.

"You may do what you want but always stay alert. When I say I need you right here or right now you need to obey me. Understood?"

"Duly noted, master." Yumukod siya at umalis na sa harap ko.

"Master?" Napa-lingon ako sa likod ko ng may mag-salita. "Miss Alice ang tawag sayo ni Butler Jim how come na Master na? Are you acting like real highness now?" Trenz tsked. "Ilang linggo ka lang nawala Alice nag-bago ka na agad." And just like what Maximo and Charls did, Trenz leave without saying goodbye. 

If some people doesn't want the word 'goodbye' 'cause they knew they will never see them I again ako gusto ko. I always wanted to hear people saying 'goodbye' when they're going to leave me temporarily or permanently. Kasi yung mga taong hinihiling ko na sana nagpaalam sakin ng ganun hindi ginawa. There's no 'goodbye' nor 'I'll be back' I am not being a dramatic b***h. I just want to hear the words I always wanted to hear but I never heard. Yung dalawang salita na yun hindi naman mahirap banggitin pero ang hirap naman hingin. Halos lahat ng gusto ko nagagawa ko dahil sa kapangyarihang mayroon ako ngayon and that power is my position in this world I never choose. At ayokong hingin ang mga salitang gusto kong marinig. Gusto kong sila mismo ang magsabi. Malapit man sila sakin o hindi because I felt respected and cared when I heared those two words to someone I barely know. And it's all in the past.

I look at my wrist watch and it's already 11:07 pm doon lang din ako naka-ramdam ng gutom and since iniwan ako ng gang ni Alice binili ko na lang ang motor ng isa sa miyembro ng cleaning crew para makapunta ako sa sariling bahay ko na walang nakakaalam maliban sa mga alpha ko na kasama katulong kong bumuo ng bahay ko. And those families under me. Since tapos na ako sa pag-aaral na naka-tapos ng Architect at may license at sa tulong na din ng malaking pera galing sa inheritance ko. Naka-pagpatayo ako ng bahay bakasiyunan malapit sa dalampasigan at wala masyadong tao dito. Malaking lupain din ang binili ko dito at malayo layo bago ka maka-punta sa bahay ko at talagang pinahigpitan ko ang siguridad dito. It's my private property after all.

"Ma'am Davdream, magandang gabi po." Ginantihan ko ng ngiti si Manong Khalid he's been guarding my private property for years I guess at kahit na may mga ilang beses nang nangyari hindi niya ako kinuwesiyon. Alam kong marami na siyang nalalaman tungkol sakin— hindi lang siya lahat ng taong nagbabantay nitong teritoryo ko at alam ko na alam nila kung saan sila lulugar. His family is my first client when I became the mafia queen. Hindi ko sila pinagbayad ng pera. Instead of money I made they to pay me their loyalty same as with other families that are guarding this property. "Reporting ma'am." Natigilan ako at hinarap siya saka ko hinintay ang sasabihin niya. "May taong umaaligid sa first gate. Noong una tumigil lang siya pero nang sumunod na araw tinanong niya ang mga nagbabantay na naka-bantay sa first gate at ng wala siyang makuha umakto siyang galit na galit at gustong alamin ang pangalan ng kapatid at pinsan ko sa first gate pero nabigo din siya. We don't know that person but he's really persistent. He even tried every corner of this village kaya hindi na kataka taka kung kilala na ng mga bantay sa 1st, 4th, 7th, 10th and 13th gate ang mukha ng taong yun." Tumanggo tango ako. "Here's the files about that guy. Since every gates has hidden CCTV Camera and you gave me an authorization to access the site made by the higher ups about the personal data or the personally identifiable information (PII) I dig about that man and here's the files. Hindi lahat ng tungkol sakanya ay nakalagay sa PII kaya inutusan ko ang Third Family na alamin ang lahat tungkol sa lalaking yun kahit maliit na bagay." Napa-ngiti ako at tinaggap ang files na maayos na nakalagay sa loob ng envelope.

"Nice. Malaking tulong to."

"But not as big like you did. The Fifteen Families will never betray you. We will always be loyal with you. Alam naming hindi hundred percent ang tiwala mo samin but that's our problem and we will work it out to be a hundred percent." Titig na titig ako sakanya habang nagli-litanya siya.

"I appreciate it but I still have trust issue so bare with me. And... are you going to accept my payment then?" Ngumiti si Manong Khalid kaya akala ko tatanggapin na nila ang bayad ko sa serbisiyo nila. I have fifteen families on my side. Lahat yun pinagbayad ko ng loyalty nila and when I say 'loyalty' it means 'everything' everything I say is the law and they have to obey me whether they like it or not. Hindi ko alam kung may napipilitan sakanila dahil ang kinseng pamilyang tinulungan ko ay yung talagang magiging malaki ang utang na loob sakin. They all knew that. That I helped them because there's no one will help them but me. Kaya kung may pamilya mang sisira ng plano ko at ng mga pinaka-iingatan ko then I have no choice but to kill them. They also knew that.

"No ma'am, You don't have to pay us. We're already rich because of you. Being our share holder is enough. We're protecting this property to make it up to you. And we will make sure that our child's and grandchildren and grand grandchildren to protect your future family."

"We don't know that. They have their own mind." Sagot ko.

"We just have to explain it to them and that will be the fifteen families legacy." Nag-kibit balikat na lamang ako at nagpaalam na pupunta na ako sa bahay ko— or mansion? Well I was born with a golden spoon kaya ang mansion o palasiyo ay bahay na sakin. When I entered and step inside I saw him watching TV and when he heard my steps he immediately look at me and a sweet smile crept into his lips.

"I miss you!" A real smile crept into my lips. there's no malicious or mischievous. Just a normal smile. Yung ngiting natutuwa talaga. And a laugh escape from my mouth when he run towards me muntik pa siyang madapa kakamadali para lang sunggaban ako.

"You really missed me, huh." Nangingiting sabi ko habang naka-suporta ang dalawang kamay ko sa likod niya para hindi siya mahulog. Kapit na kapit din ang dalawang binti niya sa bewang ko.

"I really miss you. So much. I want to be with you but it's still not the right time diba?" Another emotion were shown at my face. He's the only one who can bring all the emotions at me. A real emotion. The real me.

"I will do my best to make it fast ok? Just hang thigh. I promise, sooner or later you will never be alone again. Promise. And you know that I always keep my promise right?" Mabilis siyang tumango.

"But why always you? What about at— her... Hindi niya pa din ba ako nakikilala?" Napipilan ako sa sinabi niya. "Guess so."

"She's working it." Malungkot siyang ngumiti.

"I want you to tell her about me but it's not fair. You suffered just to find the truth and everything and it's not just fair to you. I want her to work it and find me herself." Hinaplos ko ang mukhang niya. He's always understanding and a fair person and I want him to have a peaceful life but it's hard. I can't promise him that. I need to solve our major problem— the problem that our family supposed to do but it got them first so I need it to end. It's all on me. 'Cause I'm the successor.

"Kung gugustuhin mo naman pwedeng pwede kong sabihin sakanya ang tungkol sayo." Mabilis siyang umiling.

"No! How about you? It's not fair!" Sigaw niya at nag-uumpisa ng umiyak.

"It's ok. I'm fine." Umiling iling siya at tuluyan na ngang umiyak.

"No, you're not..." Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko ng ngumawa siya ng ngumawa.

"Ako na ang bahala." Napa-lingon ako sa nagsalita at nakita ko si Mrs. Williams ang asawa ni manong Khalid. Manong Khalid is not that old. Halos lahat ng pamilyang nasa side ko ay hindi nalalayo ang edad sa mga pumanaw na magulang ko.

Inabot ko sakanya si Lewis na agad naman niyang pinatahan pero iyak pa din ng iyak hanggang sa lingunin niya ako pero parang nagda-dalawang isip siya kung itutuloy ba niya yung sasabihin niya.

"Spill it Mrs. Williams." Natagalan pa siya bago sabihin.

"Pasensiya kana, yung mga bunso ko kasi isang beses na nakapunta sila dito—" Natigilan siya at nataranta ng makita niyang nagbago ang timpla ng mukha ko. "Sorry... hindi ko lang talaga sila maiwan. Abala kasi si Khalid ng araw na yun. Hindi naman pwedeng pabayaan ko si Lewis. Patawa—" Bumuga ako ng hininga.

"I know what you're trying to say." Sabi ko. "Bring them." Agad siyang napa-ngiti sa sinabi ko. Pina-alam niya kay Lewis na dadalhin niya dito ang triplets niya kaya agad na tumahan si Lewis. Nang maglakad si Mrs. Williams papunta sa pinto sinalubong ko siya. "You all knew that I'm protecting him right? And I will do everything for him kaya siguraduhin niyong walang mangyayaring masama sakanya. If he wants your childs or other families child from fifteen families so he won't feel alone then bring them here. Just make sure that there's no information about Lewis spill outside of Kinse Village, understood?" Naka-ngiting tumango si Mrs. Williams.

"Leave it to us." Aniya saka tuluyan ng umalis. Outside my property is the property of the fifteen families. We bought this place kung saan purong resorts lang dati pero puro tahanan na ngayon ng kinseng pamilyang hawak ko sila ang pumapalibot ng buong lupain sa labas ng lupaing hawak ko kaya bago ka maka-punta dito madadaanan mo muna ang bahay nila. Kahit sabihin na maraming pamilya ang hawak ko masyado pa ding malawak ang lupain na to. Kahit malaki ang lupang sakop ko. They actually bought the land outside my property and I'm still wondering if it's just really to protect what I have. And of course Lewis. I never created such gates. Nasa-kasuluksulukan pa ang bahay ko kahit maka-pasok ka sa lupain ko. And those gates, they made it. There's 15 gates. Limang gate sa unahan ng village na pumapalibot sa property ko. Pag naka-pasok ka sa kahit ano sa limang gate na yun may dalawa pang gate na nag-aabang sa loob bago ka makatapak sa private property ko. (Five rows and 3 columns) I think one kilometer ang layo ng mga gate pag pasok mo pero sa labas hindi ko alam kung gaano kalayo ang limang gates sa isa't isa and every gates has a different family. Dahil fifteen ang pamilyang hawak ko at Fifteen din ang gate na inimbento nila nag-kanya kanya silang lupain di kalayuan sa gate at dahil nagsilaguan uli ang mga kumpanya nila dahil lang sa share ko malalaki din ang lupang binili nila at sakop nun yung gate kung saan may naka-tala pang first family or second family. Yung mga numero naka-base sa kung pang ilan ko silang tinulungan.

"Lewis!!" Sigaw ng isang matinis na boses.

"Samantha! Keep quiet!" Napa-tigil ang bata saka ngumuso. Humingi naman ng dispensa si Mrs. Williams na ilang beses pang yumukod.

"It's fine. They're kids." Sabi ko na lang dahil di naman ganun ka big deal yung problema.

"Kumain kana ba?" Kung di pa nagtanong si Mrs. Williams diko pa maaalala na gutom pala ako.

"No, not yet." Ngumiti siya saka hinila ako papuntang kusina.

"Sit here. Iinitin ko lang ang natirang ulam." Hindi na ako umangal pa. Habang naghihintay binasa ko lahat ang tungkol sa lalaking umaaligid sa village. Just steps ahead and they will made their own way to destroy me. But not so close. I will be the one who will destroy them.

"Dig in." Natigilan ako ng maglapag si Mrs. Lopez ng pagkain sa harap ko. Itinabi ko muna yung blue print na matatapos ko ng kabisaduhin atsaka nag-umpisang kumain. "How's school? Nakatapos kana ng pag-aaral sa murang edad pero pumasok ko ulit diba? Are you enjoying it?"

"No. I entered my mother's Academy hindi lang dahil para mapansin ni Alice na nakatapos na ako kundi para pagtakpan din ako habang tinatapos ko noon ang architecture sa states at ang board exam ko. At ng maka-tapos ako may iba sana akong plano kung hindi lang pumasok ang miyembro ng organisasiyon na yon sa loob ng paaralan ng ina ko para maka-kalap ng impormasiyon mula sakin." Paliwanag ko at saka uminom ng tubig. "You see, I have no time to enjoy such things." Sabi ko at muling sumubo ng pagkain.

"You're mother doesn't want this to happen—"

"I know. But what's done is done. I will end this s**t. Alam kong kahit matapos ko to hindi ibig sabihin wala na sila. But at least I made them silent for years or maybe decade. That's enough. But I felt sorry for my successors 'cause if I die this problem will be passed at them."

"Davdream..."

"I know that you've been very closed to my mother when you and her were in prison and being dirtied by those monsters. And I'm sorry for using the fifteen families weakness to obey me. I just had enough. I need to protect Lewis at any cost."

"Davdream, we were thankful to you. At kahit sabihin mo man o hindi na maging loyal kami magiging loyal pa din kami sayo. So don't shoulder everything—"

"Of course It's all on me." Kinuha ko ang table cloth at binasa ng tubig saka ko pinunasan ang braso ko kaya kitang kita ang paso ko— or should I say our family's crest from my father side and under that crest is another crest made by a tattoo that says 'befall and bow at the new successor' and that's from my mother side. "I'm a successor. It's my job."

"But—"

"Mrs. Williams you're not the boss of me." Napipilan siya sa sinabi ko. "I need to go. Keep Lewis safe. The confrontation is near." Nanigas siya sa huling salitang sinabi ko. "Make sure to protect your triplets. Keep them safe." Bago ako umalis nagpaalam ako kay Lewis kahit mahirap kasi nakikita ko siyang nalulungkot.