Chapter 10

The sun had set and the time has come, the ominous and brutish photographs of tonight's gala are about to become reality in a quarter. I gulp the last drop of Camus and lead myself outside the room. The glimpse of Celestine seated on the couch with her white suit accommodated by a plunging neckline with nothing inside except her firm mounds, defiantly taking control of my psyche made me stop.

There is nothing I feel about her rather than anger and there will never be a time for me to stop feuding her with the collateral damage she'd brought and will bring to my life.

The triplets were romping and having their squabbles in the living room. Paxton whose extremely reticent about his intentions was skulking in the kitchen while on his phone.

To be here without having final desultory, it could be of how parched he is for wealth and fame; the visibility and transparency of Vendetta's scarcity could justify him swimming in debt and of need in help but instead of just asking, his ego raking through his lungs and so he would surmise the crown as the answer.

Celestine sprang to her feet, bid her kids her farewell and got outside the mansion to light a cigarette. Walking behind her, all I could think of is what is it going to happen after this. I know for sure this would cause tremendous damage and as sure as with that, the atramentous past would turn darker as it ever was.

"Over four-thousand chemicals including forty-three known cancer-causing compound and other toxins, sure, it is good for you." Sinamaan n'ya 'kong tingin nang inagaw ang sigarilyo sa kan'ya.

She leered at me, her petty game is back on track but I've got bigger business to handle than lechery.

Ignoring her lascivious acts, I walked passed her and made my way to my car placing the guns into the compartment, fishing for the tranquilizer I've sneaked out from the hospital earlier today and slid it to my coat.

"As pasty as a scared cat, you should just stay and look after the kids." There was nothing to be seen in her catatonic countenance.

She must have thought I'm still contemplating to either run against Manuel or do as I am told. They asked for brutality, then I will give them what they want.

Lumabas si Paxton mula sa mansyon. Our gazes met and he already knows what to do. On the other hand, I closed the distance between me and Celestine and tuck the strands of her hair behind her ears, looking furtively to her dazzling eyes as I captured her lips and prodded the syringe on her neck.

I may hate her but I am afraid she'd be hurt. It's better if she stays home.

"Have your slumber and worry not about me, wife," I whispered before losing her complete consciousness.

Paxton carried her back inside the mansion. I went after them. I had the opportunity to get rid of Paxton and make him fall into a deep sleep as well when we were in the hallway. I jab the syringe on his arm making him fall to the ground.

I work things on my own and I need no sidekick or assistant who would only ruin my plan.

I have sealed myself with a promise of peace, no bloodshed and no more making alliances with maniacal demons only to have treachery in return in ways to stop a war that wasn't mine to finish but here I am to deal with the devil and it takes another chap, primarily a clone of his own kind to downgrade him and my gambit tonight would definitely put him in his place.

And in terms of life and death situation, no scruples must intervene.

I arrived at De Leroux an hour late. I parked my car in the free space. All I could think of is to wage war against Manuel and dispute over him. And speaking of the devil, he was waiting for me outside to remind me of what I came for.

"My palette will stay clean not until the event is over. Violence won't tame a vigorous and evil lad." He didn't say anything and left the venue.

I entered the elegant hall, the leaders of Alpha Creta, Soli Deo Gloria, Pompeius Magnus and my very own father's secret group gathered in one table caught my attention and each and one of them hiding a secret agenda of killing one other but only taming their anger and plotting a better plan for revenge.

From the corner, I could smell their aroma of the sophistication, the unexpected political and business talks, alliances, danger, war, and shedding of blood.

Ambling my way to the nearest table and mingling with guests, the anatomy of the person I wanted to see is walking his path towards me. May sumilay na ngiti sa labi nito nang makita ako.

"I'm glad that you're here."

I felt the longing for a warm embrace of a father to his child that takes away the ominous feeling cloaked around a trembling and aghast boy. It all replenished the empty holes but I'm afraid, this might be the last.

"It's good to see you after years. Are you with your father?" I shook my head sideways and drank the champagne.

I've missed him.

The man behind him, the domineering eyes of Deus clutched to my soul disturbed my bearing. He walks himself towards us. The violence etched on his skin pushed him to punch me on my face. Losing my balance, the glass falling on the ground, catching the attention of everybody.

Standing on my feet, I wiggled my head sideways and wiped the blood off my lips. Lumapit ako sa crew na may dalang alak at kumuha ng isa. Gulping the liquor, I went beside Thaddeus with empathy and patted him on his shoulders.

"Quite a feat but still needs an improvement," Fixing my tuxedo, I fixated my eyes on his, my lips twisted into a grin.

"If this is about your wife, hold on her tight before I could make you kill her yourself. You know how your system works." Akmang susuntok na nang pigilan siya ni Fuecko.

Malamlam ang mga mata at pinisil ang balikat nito at pinilit ngumiti.

"Take part in the revel, son. Don't make a scene." Patting his shoulder-blade, Fuecko turns his back and boosting the tension out of the atmosphere.

Ngumisi si Thaddeus at lumabas ng venue. Felicity should put boundaries and stick to her husband.

"Eliot, son, come and I will show you something." Feucko and I went to the second floor and got inside one of the private rooms.

The first thing to catch my attention was the glass box on the far east corner, the crown itself lying gloriously on top of a box covered in red gamuza fabric. Through the thickness of the glass, I could tell it's bulletproof. Lumapit ako 'ron at sinuri.

It consists of three thousand-seventy-four diamonds as I've read from Queen Harriet's history site with a hundred carat big pink star diamond at the top center; no wonder why everybody's after the crown.

Pouring Bourbon on the glass, Fuecko jerked his head and looked at me. Inabot nito ang alak sa akin at ininom ang kan'ya. I sat on one of the Italian made couch and gulp the alcohol.

"How are you? I heard you married Manuel's daughter. I hope you know the path you're walking." Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya.

"Your wife is dangerous. She's the head of Alpha Creta with four-two-twelve criminal records." There was a glum in my eyes.

I rarely know the group but Alpha Creta has the biggest connections across the globe. And being the head says how respected she must be.

"With two-hundred homicide, six successful terrorist attacks in Europe and South America with the biggest drug den and the richest around the world. Are you aware of this?" Not to mention, they are the core of drug transaction all over the world.

And Adventos, being lead by Manuel, comes second on the list.

"She'll kill you in the end after she's done with you."

"Not on my watch," I don't understand but I'm having jitters.

I'm nervous that one day Celestine might be gone too like what's going to happen with Fuecko tonight.

"I have better plans for her."

Loving her would be the least I'd do but who knows... love can change everything.

Wait, what? That's the best you've got?

"This is madness and chaos combined if ever one tries to kill the other. You're setting World War III on the loose."

I've missed dodging a bullet but the train had arrived. Might as well take the trip and we'll see where it'll bring me.

"You've taught me well, Fuecko. I know what I am doing. Why'd you call me here?" Tumayo si Fuecko at lumapit do'n sa korona.

He pulled the security button and pressed the code making the glass slide upwards. He wore white gloves and took it out of the glass box, the crown still lying on top of the gamuza ring.

"I know you're here for this." Nilapag niya sa center table ang korona. Matamang nakatitig sa akin si Fuecko.

Tumayo s'ya mula sa one seater couch, lumapit sa fireplace at kinuha ang isang maliit na box. Nilabas n'ya roon ang Golden Wyatt .45 caliber revolver, the only left of General Hilton Wyatt's creation.

"I'll offer you a deal." Pinunas n'ya ang baril gamit ang isang maliit na tela. "I'll give you the crown so long as you'll let me kill Mr. Brocoña." Nangunot noo ko sa sinabi niya.

"It's a win-win situation, Edward."

"Why would you kill Mr. Brocoña being said that her daughter's the most powerful person in the world?" It's either this is a revenge or he's no longer the Fuecko I've always known.

"You know, you don't always have to have a certain reason when you kill, Edward," Fuecko's eyes were dark.

His pockmarked face sagged because of old aged. This isn't him, he kills for nothing. "It's feeding the veins, the demons and urges that makes you different and powerful than others."

"It's now or never. Take it, we will remain pals; leave it, then I'll kill you." Tinutok niya ang baril sa akin at inasinta iyon.

I didn't flinch. I know he wouldn't do it. He's not the animal that he thinks he is but I got it all wrong when I shook my head and he shots the gun. I dodge the bullet only because Fuecko landed on the wooden floor.

May tama siya sa binti. Napalingon ako sa isang glass door nang iluwa no'n si Celestine. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. An ample amount of danger and chaos is enough to scare my fucking nerves. Sumunod na pumasok sa kwarto ay iilang tauhan niya. Agad nila kong tinutukan ng armalight at handang-handa nang patayin.

"You imbecile little bastard!"

Celestine snapped her fingers, making her members step out and leaving us both alone in the room. She stepped her foot forward. Madilim ang mga mata niya at kuyom ang kamay. Napaatras ako nang itaas niya ang baril.

My calf rested on the center table detaining me. Namilog mata ko nang ipukpok n'ya ang baril sa ulo ko. It felt like my head is pounded by a gavel. She even punched me in my stomach. Napangiwi ako sa sakit.

"Aray!"

"Are you really going to kill yourself?"

"This is not my plan—"

"Get the fuck out! Get the crown and call—" She wasn't able to finish what she's saying when I covered her mouth with an inhaler.

"Tado ka talaga. Ikaw patutulugin ko sa kama mamaya. If you think I've forgotten about that—" Nawalan na s'yang malay at bumagsak sa carpeted floor.

"I'm sorry but I really have to stick to my plan."

Iisa-isahin ko sana ang mga tauhan niya but they're too many to handle and it would be time-consuming.

I offered them an unlimited marathon of Pickles on Fishes in downtown cinema with three strippers for an all-night service.

Bahala na sila sa buhay nila. Things need to be settled by tonight.

"Siguraduhin mong hindi kami aasintahin ni boss. Pota, lagot ka talaga sa amin kapag nagalusan gwapo kong mukha." Takte, magkamukha nga lang sila ni Celestine na halimaw. Mag-amo talaga.

Kinuha ko ang telepono. I dialed Tydus' number.

"Departure time, eleven-thirty."

The lost mislaid and abandoned property near East Coast Havana needs accommodations to light up the place.

"He'll be there in two." I got the crown and secured it inside a box.

We sneaked out of the back exit. Fuecko's already handcuffed. Nakatutok din ang baril sa ulo habang palabas. We were on the lawn when Fuecko jabbed both his hand on me and tried to run. Pinaputukan ko ang kabilang paa nito. Buti may silencer ang baril at hindi naalarma ang paligid.

I got him in my car, inside the compartment and drove off. He was almost lifeless. Namamalipit sa sakit at umaagos ang dugo sa magkabilaang paa. Pagdating sa lumang bahay na binigay ni Amang, sumalubong si Tydus. Medical apparatuses were lying on top of a metal top. Dad and Tito Howell were already tied up on the chair and out of consciousn. Nilabas ko mula sa compartment si Fuecko at itinabi kay Tito and tied him up.

"Are you really going to do this?" Alangan si Tydus. I am not going to have a killing-spree tonight but one is about to die.

"You need to boil the meat before you could serve it in a diner."

Tydus helped me untie my father. Inihiga siya sa isang mortuary bed. Dad was trying to scream but his mouth taped. I washed my hands and wore my operating attire. Tinurukan kong pampatulog si dad. I got the scalpel on my hand and made an incision on his left side, about seven to eleven inches long.

His liver and kidneys will make a lot of money. Inassist ako ni Tydus at inabot ang surgical scissors. I am about to cut my father's long intestine when I heard the engine of a car.

Don Manuel got out of his limo, dark smog covering his eyes. Bumalatay ang takot at kaba sa mukha niya. Sinipat niya ang walang malay na si Fuecko at si Tito Howell. He motioned his members to get inside and ready themselves.

"Where is the fucking crown," Hindi halos makatingin si Manuel.

I've got him. This is not what how he pictured the game. Sometimes, hitting them right on their weakest spot even without killing your opponent would still be a victory.

Tinanggal ko ang gloves, inabot ni Tydus ang isang tela at pinunasa ang kamay. I ordered Tydus to bring Brocoña and place him next to my father.

"For your ego aggrandizement, go, have it, Manuel. It's your trophy for setting yourself on fire." Humalakhak ito ngunit bakas ang pangamba.

"Isn't this a fine art?" Tumango siya.

He knows I am talking about him being once a reaper; he isn't just killing and dissecting his victims but he's eating them as well.

"What could be the perfect dish for father?"

"Osso buco alla Milanese,"

"Great," Inilabas ko ang intestines ni dad at humarap kay Manuel. "I've seen Soli Deo Gloria, they seemed quite fine." Tigagal si Manuel.

Soli Deo Gloria is one of Alpha Creta's daughter clans who happens to have a secret connection with Don Manuel and his group Adventos. I have no further information about why they wanted to stop Celestine but I am sure it's all for money and power. He literally used and threaten us.

The said group found something, a loophole, that could crash and turn down Alpha Creta and that is my father, Fuecko, and Brocoña. I don't see the connection between the three except Celestine and the crown. But it seemed very important Manuel kept them alive after a dreadful war back in the past.

They are cooking something. At hanggat may makukuha siya sa amin, he will keep them alive.

Agad nilabas ni Don Manuel ang baril niya at tinutok ang baril sa akin. Before he could pull the trigger, Tydus shot Fuecko on his head. Umagos ang dugo nito. Agad na tinutukan kami ng baril ng mga kasamahan niya. Nanlumo ako. Seeing him dead on the spot tore my heart.

"Bullseye. I'm gobsmacked but I've got my back up." Pinasok si Remour sa loob.

Takot. Nanginginig at naka tape ang bibig. Marahas siyang pinaluhod sa sahig.

"Tooth for a tooth, blood for blood. You are in big trouble." Pinaputukan niya si Remour at bumalatay ito sa sahig.

Biglaan akong kinabahan at naalala si Celestine. Fuck, what was her connection with Remour again? Shit, he's Columbus' son and we've lost our ace.

Tangina, tinakasan akong dugo.

Susunod na paglalamayan ay ako na.