Chapter 23: Tricky Plan

We all have a creative brain, we just have to use it and let it function. Thankfully, these kids help me a lot.

#23: Tricky Plan

VICTORIA's wearing an elegant white traditional Filipina dress but of course, I am prettier than her. In fairness, her necklace whose design is pearl suits her well. Still, I am the most famous Filipina model!

Victoria smiled at Crisostomo but it faded when she saw me. The uneasiness was evident on her face. She bowed her head and avoided my gaze.

Yes, Victoria. You should be ashamed!

"Hi! Vicky!" I sarcastically smiled. Marites behind me and I can also feel that she arched her eyebrows. Marites is holding the books I chose.

"Oh, uhm..." she is finding her words. She bit her lips and she looks straight into my eyes. "How are you, Maria Clara?"

"Oh, what a hypocrite!" I sarcastically laughed.

"You're right, Miss!" Marites agreed.

"Maria Clara!" Crisostomo gave me a warning look. I arched my eyebrow at him. "Don't start now."

His voice was calm but I hate it! I dropped my jaw. How dare he chose Victoria over me? I hate him and his whole personality. He is not the same Crisostomo that I love-- no, I mean met!

"If not now, then when?" Even if I am so pissed, I chose to be sarcastic.

"What do you mean by that, Miss?" Marites whispered but I raised my right hand to shut her up.

"You are being immature, Maria. You are no longer a kid, so I advise you to grow up. As I have told you before, you are being inconsistent with your attitude. You already changed, Maria Clara, and it becomes worst--"

"Stop!" I said. "You, with your words like knives

And swords and weapons that you use against me

You have knocked me off my feet again

Got me feeling like I'm nothing You, with your voice like nails on a chalkboard,

Calling me out when I'm wounded

You, pickin' on the weaker man~."

I sing the song of Taylor Swift, titled Mean.

All of them furrowed and Victoria and Crisostomo look at each other's eyes. So sweet huh? It makes me cringe.

"Well, you can take me down~

With just one single blow~

But you don't know what you don't know~"

I continue singing and other people starting to look at me and whisper to each other. Well, I don't care if they think that I am crazy. I am feeling my friend's song.

Yes, you read it right! I am Taylor's friend.

"Someday, I'll be living in a big old city

And all you're ever gonna be is mean

Someday, I'll be big enough so you can't hit me

And all you're ever gonna be is mean

Why you gotta be so mean?"

I saw the pain in Crisostomo's eyes. Why is he hurting when he's the one who says mean things?

"Kindly shut your mouth, Miss Maria Clara, this is a library, not a theater room," I rolled my eyes before looking at the person who said it.

Surprisingly, it was Simon. I narrowed my eyes at him. Why would I be startled? He's Mr. Librarian after all.

I walked out of the Library because I hate to see all of them.

WHILE on my way home, many things are bothering me in my beautiful mind and it turns out to be ugly things.

Like, why is Crisostomo saying those words towards me? Is he comparing me to the old Maria Clara? To the original Maria Clara? Ha! I am what I am, and how dare he compared me to a fictional character!

"Of course, Maria Clara was a standard girl! She's a portrayer of prim and proper Filipina! Jose Rizal made her!"

I am talking to myself while walking on the road. Neverminding those people who are looking at me. Why do they care? It's just that they are jealous because they are not beautiful as I am.

"Sissy Emcee!" I heard the voice of Basilio from the back so I looked back. He is with Crispin, Mateo, and their friend, Julius. That annoying kid!

"Hey!" I said and unconsciously rolled my eyes without any reason. I just can't get over that Crisostomo

compared me to a fictional character?

They run so fast to reach me the reason why they are panting when they reach me. So gross!

"We have a plan and for sure this will certainly work!" Crispin exclaimed.

My eyes widened and I can't help but smile. I knew it! These kids will help me and they have a hidden brain! Thankfully, they found it now.

"Really? What is it? Who planned it?"

"Actually, it wasn't our plan. It was Julius' brother's plan," Mateo said. In fairness to him, his skin is getting better. I wonder what's the reason.

I mean, yes, I want him to be cured, but in the real world, for you to be cured of leprosy, you should be treated multidrug.

"His brother? How did he knew it and..." I raised my eyebrow at Julius. "I thought that it is my mission to fulfill? Why are you intruding now?"

LOL, I am the intruder one.

"Tss, a simple thank you will do," Julius said with a bored tone.

THIS KID! REALLY!

"Hey! I am older than you so it is a must that you respect me. Don't you have parents?"

"Enough of that, Miss Maria Clara, you might hurt him with your words," Mateo stopped me. Well, that's the point.

"Let's go to a hidden place so no one can hear our plans. I must say that this one is dangerous," Basilio whispered and I can feel his nervousness.

"Why is it dangerous? Are we killing Doña Consolacion?" I asked thinking that it's the real idea.

"Oh, God. No!" Basilio did the sign of the cross. "Father, forgive Sissy Emcee for what she's been thought."

I unconsciously hit Basilio's head. I didn't mean to be a child abuser, but I hate what he said.

"You punk! What do you think of me? Do you think I am willing to kill Doña Consolacion? Ha! I won't let my hands--"

"Oh God, Miss Emcee stop with your words," Mateo interrupted. "Let's just go somewhere in a private place and let's do this plan properly."

-

I am at the front of Doña Consolacion's mansion. Yes, that's right. I will confront her. No, I am not losing my mind. I know what to do and I have a bullet in my pocket.

"My brother told me that every four in the afternoon, Doña Consolacion is in outdoor, in that time, we can do our plan," Julius seriously said, yesterday when we were planning.

"But what if she has her bodyguards? How can we come to her closer?" Mateo added while scratching his skin. He's a meter away from us, still scared that we might get affected by his disease even if it was somehow fine than before.

"Well, I've got a plan on that. You've gotta help me, Grandpa Mateo," Crispin confidently said and grinned.

"And Julius and I have a plan," Basilio said and cleared his throat. "All you have to do is your part, Sissy Emcee. And for sure, we'll accomplish this."

So that's what I will do. I am hiding behind the tree, in front of Doña Consolacion's mansion, waiting for her to come out. Minutes had passed, and here she is. Great!

But bad news: There are three bodyguards around her.

Good news: Crispin has a plan for it.

I will focus on my part, but whatever his plan is, I trust him.

After a while, Crispin showed up in front of them. Doña Consolacion's mansion. Doña Consolacion immediately furrowed his brows and groaned.

"What are you doing here?" Asked the Doña.

Even me, I don't know what is Crispin's plan that's why I can't help but furrow my eyebrows too. My jaw dropped when I saw Crispin... Dancing!

Yes, he's dancing I'm not kidding. And guess what he's dancing! It is the 'into the thick of it' challenge! I don't know where and when he learned it but definitely, I didn't teach him!

"What an ogre and illuminati!" Doña shouts. "And what are you standing there? Catch that young ogre!"

Why do I keep calling her Doña? I am richer than her in the real world! My net worth is way multiple bigger than her husband and her wealth!

The two bodyguards started to catch Crispin but he immediately run so fast. That's my boy! Let them suffer. HAHAHA!

I glanced at Basilio and Julius but they are still hesitant because there's still a bodyguard. Thankfully, Consolacion's made it easy for us.

"What are you standing up there? Go and help your colleagues and catch that young boy!"

"But Doña--"

"No more buts. Do your job, idiot!" She shouted. I grimaced because of her f*cking loud unpleasant voice.

Because of that, Doña Consolacion was left alone. I glanced at Julius and Basilio and I nodded to them which means it's their time to shine.

Basilio and Julius showed up after I signaled them. Doña Consolacion speaks in Spanish that I don't understand but it seems like a curse.

"What now? Are you going to annoy me? Don't you know who I am? Don't you know who my husband is?" She shouted while her eyebrows are furrowed.

Basilio is shaking a bit, obviously scared of the Doña. Thankfully, Julius is on his senses and he knows what to do.

He pulled the Doña closer to him and he locked the doña's neck as if he's going to kill the doña through his arms. Julius is taller than the doña so the height is not a problem. Even if he's just a teenager, he's tall. Maybe using some vitamins.

And why do I keep calling Consolacion 'doña' arghh!

"Give us all your money and golds, if not, it's the end of your life," Julius monotonic said.

"Y-yes!" Basilio seconded and he pulled a knife from his mini bag. I didn't know that they'll use harmful things.

Basilio pointed the knife into Consolacion's neck, but it's a meter away.

"Help! Somebody help me!" Consolacion's cried out.

Ha! It's your time to shine, Manuela Carie.

[The Man by: Taylor Swift]

I waved my red cape behind me. Yes, I have a cape like Superman. Because I am here to save Consolacion's day.

[I would be complex

I would be cool

They'd say I played the field before I found someone to commit to

And that would be ok

For me to do

Every conquest I had made would make me more of a boss to you]

"Let her go!" I said with an authoritative voice. Basilio pretended that he was shocked. He even put his right hand to his chest. He fakely shook off and he let go of the knife.

[I'd be a fearless leader

I'd be an alpha type

When everyone believes ya

What's that like?]

But we pretended that Julius is braver and powerful than Basilio. He picked up the knife and he fakely attacked me but I hold his hand and kick his stomach. Doña Consolacion shouted

[I'm so sick of running as fast I can

Wondering if I'd get there quicker

If I was a man

And I'm so sick of them coming at me again

'Cause if I was a man

Then I'd be the man

I'd be the man

I'd be the man]

"Billy, puch her face," Julius said while holding his stomach. Maybe I hurt him a little. I didn't mean to, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)

Before Basilio could reach my face I hold his whole face, yes I can, using my bare hand because his face is too small.

[They'd say I hustled

Put in the work

They wouldn't shake their heads and question how much of this I deserve

What I was wearing

If I was rude

Could all be separated from my good ideas and power moves?]

"Ouch!" Basilio was super duper OA. He groaned so loud! I spike the top of his head as if I am a volleyball player. This time, he groaned louder and it's real. "OH, MY-- OUCH!"

[And they would toast to me, oh

Let the players play

I'd be just like Leo

In Saint-Tropez]

Because of my 'strength' and ability to fight them back, Julius attacked Doña Consolacion instead of me using the kitchen knife.

But because I am a supergirl with a cape, I kicked his hand and he pretended that he accidentally let go of the knife.

[I'm so sick of running as fast I can

Wondering if I'd get there quicker

If I was a man

And I'm so sick of them coming at me again

'Cause if I was a man

Then I'd be the man

I'd be the man

I'd be the man]

"Oh, my gold! I would like to thank you for saving me, my amiga! Thank you for--- ahhh! Oh, my gold!" Doña Consolacion wasn't able to continue her words because Basilio was pointing the knife at her.

[What's it like to brag about

Raking in dollars

And getting bitches and models

And it's all good if you're bad

And it's okay if you're mad

If I was out flashing my dollars

I'd be a bitch, not a baller

They paint me out to be bad

So it's okay that I'm mad]

"Hey boy!" I whispered to Basilio. "Make 'em whistle like a missile bomb bomb!" After I said it, I punch Basilio's eyes caused him to have a black eye.

[I'm so sick of running as fast as I can

Wondering if I'd get there quicker if I was a man (You know that)

And I'm so sick of them coming at me again (Coming at me again)

'Cause if I was a man (If I was a man)

Then I'd be the man (Then I'd be the man)

I'm so sick of running as fast as I can (As fast as I can)

Wondering if I'd get there quicker if I was a man (Hey)

And I'm so sick of them coming at me again (Coming at me again)

'Cause if I was a man (If I was a man), then I'd be the man]

"Jollie, let's go!" Basilio said to Julius and they run as fast as they can.

[I'd be the man

I'd be the man (Oh)

I'd be the man (Yeah)

I'd be the man (I'd be the man)]

"Hey! You chickening now?!" I shouted and pretended that I was going to run after them but Doña Consolacion hold my wrist.

[If I was a man

Then I'd be the man]

"I think it's enough, Young Lady. Tell me how I should pay back to you."

-

"USELESS bodyguards! What's the use of your life if you can't do your work?! You are all useless! I should fire all of you!"

"But Doña, you commanded us to follow the young boy--" Consolacion cut the bodyguard who has fitted body and moreno skin.

"And where is the young boy? Have you catch him?"

"No, Doña. He is with the leprosy man. We can't sacrifice our lives. We don't want to die because of leprosy," the picky man said-- I mean the man who is tall and dark, but not handsome. Hmp!

I mugged at that man! He's mean to Mateo. The rock is way better than his personality.

"And so? You are not royal bloods! You all are just poor like the rats!" Doña Consolacion shouted. Wow! She's judgmental and toxic. "I believe I don't need you all!"

"But Doña, we families to feed," the Spanish man said.

"And so? It's not my problem anymore!"

The Doña's face frowned but the moment she looked at me, she smiled so widely as if she has no problem and she's not furious earlier.

"Thanks to this young lady who seems familiar. She help me even she's not my bodyguard unlike you poors--- oh my gold!"

She covered her mouth as if she remembered something disastrous. Oh my goodness, what's wrong? Did she realize that we planned all of this? Hope not.

"You! You are the lady who I whipped, right?" She gave me an apologetic look and smiled. Oh, that. I slowly nodded, being careful of what she's about to say. "I am so sorry!"

I enlarged my eyes when she kneeled in front of me. Yeah, you read it right. She kneeled. I am stunned too.

"Forgive me, Young Lady, for I have sinned," she pleaded.

"Oh c'mon, don't be like that," I smiled fakely. Yeah, do it b*tch! I hate you so much! "I forgave you already. Stand up!"

I hold her hand to help her to stand up. Her eyes are now teary, her cheeks are full of tears, eew!

"Please tell me how should I pay you for your kindness--"

"Oh, no!" I cut her off and I swayed my hands in front of me. "Don't mention it, it's totally fine!" I said and sweetly smiled but y'know, it's fake!

"No! Please say something. Please? Anything you want, I can give you that because I want to and you deserve it. Please?" She gave me puppy eyes.

"Fine!" I rolled my eyes and smiled. It's the real plan. I look at her neck where the necklace of mine is there. She is wearing it right now. "Can I have your precious golden heart-shaped necklace?"

Hope it works... Please...

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