Chapter 02

Andree PoV

"IS EVERYTHING ALL RIGHT?" Tanong ko sa mga models na naka-stand by muna.

Kanina kasi parang may naririnig akong nag-aaway. When I saw Ashein and Flaire I confirm it right. These two in one place is indeed a war zone. Di mabubuo ang araw nila ng di nag-aaway.

"Yes, everything is all right." Sagot ni Ashein habang nakatiim ang bagang at nakatingin ng masama kay Flaire.

"Don't worry about us." Dagdag ni Flaire na nakatingin din ng masama kay Ashein.

I know these two have their own personal issues--rivalry to be exact and I don't care as long as they won't ruin my show.

I cross my arms and look at them boredly. I honestly can't understand why they have to fight over a single guy who doesn't care about them. Who doesn't even know that they're fighting and most of all, who doesn't even know that they exist.

"I don't care kung gusto nyong magpatayan, it's your choice. Just please do your job properly. Hindi kayo binabayaran para magbangayan sa oras ng trabaho."

I saw them gritted their teeth. Oh, I know it's for me alright, but I ignore that. Alam ko namang hindi sila magtatangkang awayin ako. I am the boss here and no one will dare to mess up with me left unscatch.

"Okay, move and do your routines. Ayokong may magkamali kahit isa sa big day natin." Matigas na bilin ko.

Agad na nagsikilos na sila. They also know I hated to repeat myself.

I just watch them doing their routine and some were talking photos for the next features on the fashion magazine. It took me a long while when I noticed Axel has been flirting with some of my female model.

Mabilis na tumayo ako para sawayin si Axel. Pero mabilis din siyang tumayo at binati ako. He know I was watching him.

"Andree! Oh, my baby. How are you?" Masayang bati niya at niyakap pa ako.

I just push him and cross my arms. I want to make him feel that he's not welcome here.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him boredly. Alam ko naman ang rason kung bakit nandito siya, but I want to make him his alibi convincing to hear.

"Checking my perfect cousin." He replied with a smile and he even got a nerve to wink at me.

I silently rolled my eyes. "Don't give me that reason, Kuya Axel. You know I already banned you."

Biglang nawala ang kulay sa mukha niya sa sinabi ko. Oh, he doesn't know about that?

"Ban me?!" Gulat na tanong niya na parang hindi makapaniwala na kaya ko ring gawin yun sa kanya. "Why?"

"Because you ruined my day last month?" Patanong na sagot ko. How dare him forget his offense. Tsk. "Naalala mo yung dalawang models na niloloko mo? Ginawa nilang battlefield ang photoshoot." I continued glaring at him.

Mas lalo siyang namutla sa sinabi ko. I know he remember that.

"I never complain about your womanizing skills, Kuya Axel, but I did warn you not to mess with my art. Now go away. Bago pa kita itulak palabas." Taboy ko sa kanya.

"A-Andree, how could you be so heartless?"

"Am I really hearing that from a heartbreaker? Lumabas ka na Kuya Axel. Alam mong hindi gagana sa akin yang mga drama mo."

"But--"

"Do you really want me to change my mind?"

"C-Can you?" Nagliwanag bigla ang mukha niya.

Tumango ako. "Yeah. Instead of sending you out, what if I let Kitty chase you out?"

"No, need. I'm leaving." He said and didn't even glance on to those women he's been flirting with.

Nagmamadaling umalis siya.

Tsk. Si Kitty lang pala ang katapat nun. If you ask who's Kitty, she's my white lioness pet. If having a lioness as a pet is legal and possible? Well, I am Andree Castelle.

The day went well as planned. When the time strikes at 6 pm, my siblings came with a wide smile.

"Ateeee!" Masayang bati nila at niyakap ako ng mahigpit.

"Hello kiddos!" Masayang bati ko din at hinalikan sila sa pisngi isa-isa.

"Whoa. Sisikat din ba ako pag sumali ako sa kanila, Ate?" Tanong ni Vinn na nakatingin sa mga models.

"Did you see them on the television?" Bored na tanong ni Jade habang nakatayo sa tabi ko.

"Nope." Mabilis na sagot ni Vinn na umiiling pa.

"They're not that famous, Vincent." Ani ni Jarren na lihim na ikinailing ko. My brothers and their smart mouthes. "Anyway, Mom says we're eating dinner at home."

I can hear my models saying:

"Sino ba yang mga hambog na bulinggit na yan?"

I shrugged those rumors, my brothers doesn't have to know about those nonsense comments. Also, I don't want my brothers to be known by public at this age, they're too young and fragile to know public hostility. I turn to my siblings.

"Come on, let's go to my office." Aya ko sa kanila.

Mabilis na sumama agad sila sakin sa office ko at dun na kami nagkulitan.

"Ate, are we working here too?" Tanong ni Jarren habang iniikot yung buong office.

"Yup, but not now. I'll tell you when." Sagot ko sa kanya at inalok ng cookies sina Vinn at Jade na agad namang kumuha at kumain. "Ren, cookies?"

Mabilis na lumingon si Jarren at tumakbo palapit sa amin. "Sure!"

. . . . .

"SCHOOL STUFF." Mathieu muttered as he look at my things. Kadarating niya lang yata sa school at naabutan akong nakatambay sa isa sa mga study area.

"Hi." Bati ko sa kanya at tinuloy ang pag-aaral. "I'm a bit busy."

"You don't need to study that much." Aniya at naupo sa tabi ko.

"I wasn't born holding a diploma with me."

"Ha. Ha. Funny." Binuksan na rin niya ang bag na dala at inumpisan ang pag-aaral. He didn't slack during these periods.

Exam is fast approaching. How fast? Well, bukas na ang exam namin kaya kailangan na naming mag-aral ng mabuti. I was actually studying for a week and he knows that very well. May tutorial session din kasi kaming dalawa.

We just sat there focusing on reviewing our lessons. Pareho kaming tahimik kaya medyo nabigla ako ng may lumapit sa amin.

"Andree, kailangan nating mag-usap." Her voice were coated with urgency. What's so urgent during examination periods? What's so important other than exams?

I made a quick scan on my memory and found out what is it all about. Something or someone so urgent.

And oh, this is about Light Mathieu.

Napatingin ako kay Light na abala pa ring nagre-review sa tabi ko. Halatang walang pakialam sa paligid niya. This is him, alright but I know he's observing his surrounding. He can't be Light Mathieu Vittori if he's oblivious of everything around him.

"Fire away." Sagot ko na di man lang nag-abalang tumayo. This is all about Light anyway, he can give his comments.

"Private talk." Giit niya.

I sighed and motion her my reviewer. "I'm busy. Saka I know it's about Light, he's here to listen."

Natigilan siya dun at napatitig sa akin. Hindi niya siguro ini-expect na alam ko yung dahilan ng paglapit niya. Sometimes it bores me to play along with their dramas and we need to study.

"Fire away." Ani ni Light na di man lang nag-abalang tingnan ang babae.

I look at the girl staring at Light. She's completely tongue-tied. She's also clearly smitten by his beauty. This is after all the first time Light ever talked to her.

"We don't have whole day for that, woman." Light continued without looking at her when she didn't speak any word.

"I-ah..." She shook her head like she's searching for the right words to say. "I-ah--"

"Am I hearing you telling Andree to stay away?" Putol niya sa sasabihin ng babae. "To stay away from me, really?" He smirked on his notes and I can feel contempt in his voice.

Napakurap yung babae at naramdaman ko na yung takot niya.

"She might do that, but I won't allow her to do that. Ako ang lalapit at lalapit sa kanya." He smirk at her. "You should have said that to me."

I can feel venom in every word he said.

"Light, we need to go." Aya ko kay Light ng tumunog ang bell. I don't want to witness how this girl break down.

I know someone must face their own consequences but I don't want to witness this one.

"You won't talk to her? You will do as she says?" Tanong niya sa'kin. "Is this why you're avoiding me?" He frown at me.

At ngayon nya pa talaga naisipang ungkatin yan?

"Mathieu, we already talked about that, remember?" Paalala ko sa kanya. "We don't have time to discuss that, actually. Kailangan na nating umalis."

The second bell rings and I took my leave immediately. Mabilis na sumabay naman si Light sa'kin.

"Andree, are they part of--"

"My concern about our deal doesn't concern any of them." Putol ko sa sasabihin.

"Did you just cut me?"

"I did." Sagot ko. I know how he hates cutting off his words but I've done that over and over again and I'm not scared of him. "Mathieu, you know how silly her request was. Let it go."

"Andree, you can't blame me for thinking about it."

"Are we fighting over that girl?" Tanong ko ng tumigil ako sa paglalakad at humarap sa kanya.

Tumigil din siya sa harap ko. "Andree, alam mong ayokong makipagtalo sa'yo."

"Then what do you call this?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

Natahimik siya dun. I sighed.

"Light, we have more things to deal with. Let it pass. Saka na natin yan pag-uusapan." Malumanay sa sabi ko at tinapik siya sa braso. "You need to pass your exams."

Tumango lang siya.

"Don't let something bother you. You know the truth." Ngumiti ako sa kanya. "I have to go." Paalam ko at nauna ng umalis sa kanya.

We have different subjects and rooms to go now.

I know Light when he's bothered, sana pumasa siya.

.. .. ...

THE ROOM is dark but not dark enough not to see where they were going. Dark is good. For me.

"It's time." I said quietly but loud enough for them to hear me.

They stood up and get my cloak and put it on me then I stood up and walk down to meet my new members.

From where I stand I can feel the fear of all the new members for being a part of this. Ginusto nilang sumali at alam kong desidido na ng ilan sa kanila. If this is what they want, I will give it to them.

"Welcome to Aeon's Circle Lair." I greeted them coldly.

They all bowed their head down and I smirk. Is this all they could do? Bowing their heads?

"Congratulation, you passed those series of test. But I still have one more test for you." I said coldly that made them all shiver. I will certainly enjoy this.

Without leaving my eyes to them, I called out someone. "Era dear, kindly get up."

We heard a loud yawn from the darkest corner of this room and a rumbling sound. I shook my head lightly when I saw how the newbies react. They're scared.

Then out of the darkness, someone showed up. She's wearing an evil smile and her eyes were bloody red. Her black cloak was completely disheveled on her shoulder. Her untidy get up made her look wild and dangerous.

"You're calling me, Aeon?" She asked playfully while holding a piece of apple on her left hand.

"Yes and give them the last test."

"With pleasure!" She replied gladly and faced them.

I can feel them shiver under her stare. I step back and let her do what she wants.

"Can someone send me a knife?" Era asked and the newbies took a step away from her.

Out of the darkness again, someone showed up holding a knife that shone brightly.

I shook my head and take my leave. Just as the lights turn on, the door closes behind me shutting the light.

.. . ..

Era PoV

"CAN SOMEONE send me a knife?" Tanong ko sa kanila.

I know Aeon already take her leave. Ganun naman palagi. She just welcomed them and I'll do the rest.

One of the members hurriedly get and give me one sharp knife while the newbies were shivering in fear. Tumaas ang isang kilay ko pero di na ako nagkomento.

"I will be giving the last questions and you are free to run away if you want. The doors were open for you to get out." I motion them the door in front.

"In this game, I will be peeling off all your skins like this." I showed them how I peel the apple. "Can you bear it? If you don't you may start leaving now."

Ilan ang nagmamadaling umalis. The lesser newbie the better. Ayoko ng madaming tini-train.

"Oh, so you must be more courageous than them." Sabi ko dun sa naiwan. "Anyone, those who's willing to lay their lives to every Aeonian can stay."

Walang kumilos.

"You know girls, we can't be Aeonian without enemies. Yung ilan member pa ng mafia. So, can you take a risk? If no, please get out."

May ilang nagmamadaling lumabas.

It's just questions and they're so scared. How much more if it happens?

"Okay, so who wants to leave? We are about to start that peeling ceremony."

Halos kalahati ng naiwan ng umalis.

"I'm getting impatient."

May ilang nagmamadaling umalis ulit. Until I saw three women left.

"Shall I start--oh, good." Bigla kasing umalis yung dalawa kaya isa na lang ang naiwan. "You." Turo ko dun sa naiwan. Hindi niya rin kasi alam na siya na lang ang naiwan. "I'll start peeling your skin now. What would be your last words to your dear skin?"

Kinakabahang tumayo siya ng maayos.

"If I am to have a family in exchange of my skin, I'd do it in a heartbeat. And you said being a part of this circle would also mean laying down your life for your sister and it only mean you won't let me suffer until I die."

"Aren't you scared?" I asked coldly.

"Fear is a part of humanity." She replied. "But I am more scared to be alone. I don't want to be alone anymore."

Saglit na natahimik kami dahil sa sagot niya. So honest and sincere. I know she mean every word.

"Very well, Keira, welcome to the Aeon Circle." I greeted her and the light slowly lit up showing our faces.

Our newbie is gorgeous.

"So, ahm.. When will you peel my skin?" Nag-aalalangan na tanong niya.

"Why? Gusto mong gawin ko?"

"N-No, of course I don't want that.. Pero kasi..."

"Who says I'm actually doing it? Like I said I was just asking questions." Sagot ko at ibinaba ang hawak na kutsilyo. "Do you think we do that?"

"You said we will be like sisters and siblings help each other not hurting one another.. But this is an initiation." Naguguluhang aniya.

I know what she meant.

"You know, Keira, you defined our secret code correctly. Our test were just words, honey. You don't need to scratch your beauty, it's our assets."