Kabanata 1
TAHIMIK ang kalangitang pinagmamasdan ni Emeraudo mula sa bintana ng silid. Walang ulang paparating at tila nais niyang dumungaw ngunit hindi niya maaaring itulak ang salaming bintana. He needed the reminder that he is trapped here, so he will master controlling his mind even more.
"Emeraudo, I want to go out. Papa is not home."
Napabaling siya sa kapatid na nakatingin din sa bintana at may hawak na hawla ng ibong nahuli niya noong nakaraang linggo. The pigeon seemed lonely and sick, as if it's mourning for its freedom.
Inilipat niya ang tingin sa mga mata ng kapatid na kamukhang-kamukha niya. Ang siyang dahilan kung bakit kinailangan niyang patayin ang kanyang ina upang mailigtas ito mula sa kanilang ama.
The twins were separated when they were newly born. Nais silang itago ng kanilang ina mula sa kanilang ama ngunit siya lamang ang nagawang itakas. His twin was left in the hands of his father, but he grew up tougher compared to his twin.
Mas matibay ang kanyang dibdib na kumalabit ng gatilyo at pumatay, hindi gaya ni Tejano na nasa mga mata pa rin ang pag-asa sa tuwing natititigan niya.
He sighed silently as he placed both his hands in his hoodie's pockets. "If you will just want to go out to free the bird, you better—"
"I wanted to see a girl."
Natigilan siya at ang mga kilay ay nangunot. "A girl?"
Tejano's eyes looked away, but Emeraudo was able to see the loneliness in his twin's green pools.
"I wanted to give her the bird, in case Papa will soon find out we are switching whenever I'm sneaking out."
Napaigting ng panga si Emeraudo. "I didn't let you wander outside as me just to date some woman, Tejano. I told you how vulnerable a heart is. And what if Papa will find out about her? Can you handle the pain of losing her forever?"
Bumuntong hininga ang kanyang kapatid. Tumayo ito at inilapag ang hawla sa bedside table bago nagtungo sa kanya. Their built, it's really the same. Tila kapag nakaharap siya rito, para siyang nananalamin.
And he is seeing the alter version of himself. The hopeful one...
"I can get us out of this life. I just need to accept an offer." Pabulong ngunit seryosong ani ni Tejano.
Lalong nalukot ang noo ni Emeraudo. "What offer?"
Hinawakan nito ang kanyang balikat. "A spy wanted me to work with them. Both of us can. Mama used to be an asset, right? That's why Papa was so mad at her. If we will join them—"
"We cannot trust anyone, Tejano. You know that. How could you be so naive?" Dumilim ang tingin niya rito at inis niyang inalis ang kamay na nakahawak sa kanyang balikat. Tinalikuran niya ito dala ng sama ng loob. Nakalimutan na ba nito ang kanilang plano?
"But brother, this might be our shot in life." Tejano sighed. "Sometimes we must have a little faith in someone..."
Inis siyang natawa. Faith? Saan na naman ba napulot ng kanyang kapatid ang bagay na iyon?
Nilingon niya ito at matalim ba tinitigan. "Faith is for the weak, for those who cannot live by themselves."
Lumambot ang ekspresyong nakapinta sa mukha ni Tejano. "But we have faith in each other, Emeraudo."
"That's only because you are me, and I am you."
"But we both know we aren't the same. Even our eyes show our differences."
Gumalaw ang kanyang panga. Tama naman ang kanyang kapatid. Tejano can never beat his skills in deceiving people around them. Kung siya ang nananatili kapag dumarating ang kanilang ama, hindi nito napapansing siya ang kasama at hindi ang paboritong si Tejano.
Their Papa went to Germany for a transaction. Illegal transaction. Sigurado silang sa makalawa pa ang uwi nito. Tanging mga tauhan lamang ang kanilang kasama ngayon.
Muli niyang nilingon si Tejano. Malamlam na ang mga mata nito na tila nakikiusap na pagbigyan niya. Hindi tuloy niya napigilan ang paghugot niya ng hininga saka ito marahas na pinakawalan.
"What's this woman's name?"
Umaliwalas ang mukha nito at ang mga mata ay kumislap. "Veronica." His lips curved upward and his face flashed a different glow. "Veronica Medesa."
"Where did you meet her?"
"At a Cafe in the downtown of Mesidoni. She is a very beautiful woman, Emeraudo."
Tiniklop ni Emeraudo ang kanyang hulmadong braso sa tapat ng kanyang dibdib. "For a twenty two year-old man, you look like someone who caught a lovebug."
Tejano chuckled, a lively one. The kind of sound Emeraudo can never do. Kayang pekein ngunit hindi kailanman madarama ng kanyang puso ang sinseridad kung sa kanya manggagaling.
"I think I did." Tejano smiled genuinely. "I think I did."
Emeraudo sighed hopelessly. "Does she know you as Tejano or as me?"
Unti-unting napawi ang kurba sa mga labi ni Tejano. Napaiwas ito ng tingin na tila nahiya at nabalot ng lungkot. Napaismid si Emeraudo. He knows that look already.
"So she is actually dating me?" He teased.
Lumunok si Tejano. "I'm sorry. I cannot tell her the truth because someone might be following me. If they will find out I was the one exploring the city, we're both dead."
"I know." He nodded. "I know."
"Brother, please. I just wanted to see her tonight."
Nanatiling tikom ang mga labi ni Emeraudo, binabasa ang kapatid. Pinagmamasdan niya ang mga mata nitong nagsisinungaling at ang mga labing pilit sinasara upang hindi mabuking.
You can never deceive a deceiver, Tejano.
He pushed the corner of his lips upward. Alam na niya ang tunay na plano nito kahit hindi nito sabihin, at sisiguraduhin niyang mapipigilan niya ito sa sarili niyang paraan.
"I really got no choice but to let you, right?" He asked, his deceptive smile flashed at his own brother for the first time.
Nabuhayan ito ng loob. "You'll let me go?"
"Of course." He smirked and patted his brother's shoulder. "Everything for you..."
MULA sa madilim na bahagi ng second floor ng bar, pinagmasdan ni Emeraudo ang kanyang kapatid na nakaupo sa isang stool kasama ang babaeng tinutukoy nito. Unfortunately, Tejano's plans of just meeting her didn't go as it was supposed to be. Hinatak kasi ito ng babae sa isang bar upang uminom.
Emeraudo actually likes it better here. Maingay. Madilim. Walang makakapansin kaagad oras na gawin niya ang plano niya.
With his glass of favorite whiskey, he leaned on the railing and watched his brother carefully. He doesn't trust the woman he's seeing. May kakaiba rito at hindi iyon gusto ni Emeraudo. Tejano has the tendency to be so naive when his heart is already working. That's the thing Emeraudo hates the most about his twin.
Tanga.
Sumimsim siya sa kanyang baso habang kinakapa ang kanyang pocket knife sa bulsa. He is here for one thing. Not to watch over his twin but to eliminate the woman who's occupying his mind.
That's the plan, ngunit nang may biglang yumapos sa kanyang braso saka siniksik ang sarili sa kanya, nabaling ang tingin niya rito.
Her sweet perfume filled his nose, it almost suffocated him in a beautiful way. When their eyes locked, his heart suddenly gone wild inside his chest in a way he never felt before.
Umawang ang mapula nitong mga labi habang malikot ang galaw ng matang tila may iniiwasan.
"Sorry to bother you but," she looked behind him. Nanlaki ang mga mata nito.
Nagtaka si Emeraudo. Lilingunin sana niya ang tinitignan ng babae ngunit hinatak nito bigla ang kanyang ulo at walang anu-anong diniin ang malambot na mga labi sa kanyang mga labi.
His heart pounded loudly as the foreign sensation suddenly thrummed all over his body. Heat built up inside him and as the woman began kissing him deeper, he felt lost in the wild side for the first time.
Their lips parted only an inch away. Humigop ng hangin ang babae saka inikot ang mga braso sa kanyang leeg.
"Kiss me more...please." She whispered in a tensed manner.
Parang nalasing si Emeraudo sa kakaibang init na bumalot sa kanyang sistema. Hinapit niya ang babae at sinubunutan ang mahaba nitong buhok.
Their lips crashed against each other in a wilder and deeper way. Umalpas ang ungol ng babae sa kanyang bibig nang humigpit ang kanyang hawak sa buhok nito. Her lips opened and he took advantage of the chance to explore her mouth.
His tongue licked hers before he sucked her bottom lip. She groaned sensually and her body grinded against his, turning him on in a fiery way he cannot escape from anymore.
Nadinig niya ang ilang dumaan hanggang sa tuluyan na silang nalampasan, ngunit dala yata ng kalasingan sa mapusok na halik na iginagawad niya, halos hindi rin napansin ng babae.
They were both gasping for air when their lips finally parted. Her eyes were twinkling with the same desire she tried to hide as she looked around.
Bigla itong napabuga ng hangin nang makita ang grupo ng mga lalakeng lumabas ng bar. Ngumiti ito sa kanya saka bumitaw upang lumayo habang siya ay pinanonood kung paano nitong sinusubukang pigilan ang sariling pawiin ang nadaramang init.
"Thanks and sorry for that."
Her sweet voice echoed inside his head. Bigla niyang nalimutan ang pakay sa lugar nang akmang aalis na ang babae. Hinawakan niya ito sa braso at hinatak pabalik sa kanyang harap saka niya ito kinulong sa magkabilang brasong nakasankal sa railing.
The woman looked shock with his move but her eyes seemed to understand why he did it.
Umarko pataas ang sulok ng kanyang labi nang makitang lumunok ito, ang asul na mga mata ay matamang nakamasid sa kanyang mga labing namantyahan ng pulang lipstick nito.
"I'm sorry, darling but I don't trade kisses for a thank you." He declared.
She blinked and gulped again. "H—How do you want me to pay you back then? Drinks?"
Lumawak ang kurba sa mga labi ni Emeraudo. Napadpad ang isa niyang kamay sa baywang nito. She's wearing a tight white dress with low neckline and backless design. Naging madali sa kanyang hagurin ng kanyang palad ang exposed nitong likod.
He watched her gasp as her eyelids went heavy with the friction his hand caused to her body. "I think we both know what I'm talking about."
Desire flickered in her eyes. Umawang ang mga labi nito at ang tingin ay muling bumaba sa kanyang mantsa ng lipstick sa kanyang mga labi.
"Y—You wanna take me to bed?" Her voice sounded raspy, but Emeraudo didn't feel fear, but excitement rather.
He licked his lips and held her waist to give it a warning squeeze before he leaned his head to the side of her face and whispered.
"Yes, Miss. I'm gonna need to fuck you."
Kabanata 2INSANITY. Stelle knew getting to the suite with the man is pure insanity but her mind no longer worked when he started kissing her roughly again. Bumigay ang kanyang mga tuhod at nalasing ang kanyang isip nang balutin siya ng kakaibang init sa katawan.She lit that flame, and now he's turning it into a massive wildfire with his touches and sultry trails of kisses.Napasinghap siya nang sa paglapat ng pinto ay diniin nito ang kanyang katawan sa pader. His hands immediately held the thin straps of her dress and pulled it down to her arm. Wala siyang suot na bra dahil sa disenyo ng damit kaya nang malaglag ang damit sa kanyang baywang, nagkaroon ito agad ng layang hagurin ng palad ang kanyang dibdib.She moaned inside his mouth as he ravage her lips, rough and so so wet like a hungry beast. He palmed her mound and gave it a squeeze she knew she'll never forget. Ang gaspang ng palad nito ay nagdala
Kabanata 3"I JUST FUCKED someone. And guess what? She called me Emeraudo." Naniningkit ang mga matang ani ni Emeraudo sa kapatid habang nasa silid sila."Uh, brother, you are Emeraudo." Halatang naguguluhan nitong sagot."Exactly. And you know what's funny? I never met her yet she knows my name." Tumaas ang kanyang kilay. "Are you going around the city sticking your dick in every woman you meet?""Of course not. I ain't like you."He snapped, kinagulat ang tugon ng kapatid. "Oh wow. So I'm the dickhead here? Is that what you're saying?"Natatawang umiling si Tejano. "All I'm saying is I never fucked anyone."Napakurap si Emeraudo. "Y—You never did it with Veronica or anyone else?""Nah. I'm saving myself for someone but I wanna sleep with Veronica once we're married."Nasapo ni Emeraudo ang kanyang noo. "Oh you're hopele
Kabanata 4"EMERAUDO Romani, one of the secret agents assigned to take down Cinco Mortales, died in his last assignment." Paliwanag ng babaeng agent habang nasa isang silid sila kasama ang matandang lalakeng nagngangalang Manuel.Kumuyom ang mga kamao ni Emeraudo nang matitigan ang itsura ng kapatid sa projector. He was badly wounded by multiple gun shots but what killed him was the gunshot in his chest."Gresso Lindstrom, the leader of Albana syndicate who's on the top list of human traffickers in the world, is behind your brother's death. Lindstrom has been a candidate for the Cinco Mortales leaders' circle for two years now but we don't know why he was refusing the offer."Nagflash sa screen ang mukha ng lalakeng nagpautos ng pagpatay ng kanyang kapatid. Dumilim ang mukha ni Emeraudo. Tinandaan niya ang bawat detalye ng mukha nito, sinisigurong sa oras na makaharap niya ay makikilala niya.
Kabanata 5NAAALIW si Agent Romani na pagmasdan kung papaanong namungay ang mga mata ng babae. Ni hindi nito magawang alisin ang titig sa kanya na para bang hinihigop niya ang lakas nito.To be honest, the feeling is mutual. It's being hard for him to step back already and keep his hands off her body as if his palm just got glued on her back. Her sweet perfume filled his nose, and now he's being tempted to bury his face on her neck to sniff all her scent."T—Tejano?" She asked, her voice a little shaky.Parang nagbunyi ang kanyang puso. So she remembers him pretty well? Hindi niya alam kung magandang senyales ba iyon, considering who he is now.Suminghap ito at hindi napigilang mapakapit sa kanyang coat nang humagod pataas ng batok nito ang kanyang palad. Lalong bumigat ang mga talukap nito at sa paraan ng pag-awang ng mga labi, alam niyang nabuhay niya ang parehong init sa kat
Kabanata 6MATAPOS maidala ni Ramirez si Veronica sa banyo at nasigurong wala nang ibang papasok, doon lamang pumunta si Agent Romani. Ayaw na ayaw niya sa lahat ay iyong biglang sumusulpot si Veronica kapag nasa ganitong sitwasyon siya lalo at dalawang lider ang naririto.Who knows if Chrome is inside the place, too? Malilintikan sila ni Ramirez. Idagdag pang may mga Wildflower agents na maaaring nakakakilala kay Veronica. They'd be in big trouble! Kahit naman sabihing sinisisi niya ito sa pagdedesisyon ni Tejano na sumapi sa MI6, hindi niya ito pwedeng hayaan na lamang na mapahamak.He made a promise to his brother's grave that he will keep her safe as much as he can, kaya lang minsan ay matigas ang ulo at nais talaga siyang puntahan. Gumagamit ito ng koneksyon para malaman kung nasaang lupalop siya ng mundo.Pinuno niya ng hangin ang kanyang dibdib. He needs to deceive her. Of all people, s
Kabanata 7NAKASARA ang mga mata ni Stelle habang ang kanyang mga daliri ay tinitipa ang mga nota ng piano. She's playing the Supreme's favorite classic song, while the Supreme is seated on her throne, her face covered with a thick red veil that's preventing everyone from seeing her.Sampung taon na rin mula nang mapunta siya sa poder ng Suprema. She was taken from a foster home by a couple, only to find out she'll be sold to the Supreme. Ilang taon din muna siyang nagpalipat-lipat ng tinitirahang pamilya hanggang sa mapunta siya sa Suprema na siyang naging permanenteng kumupkop sa kanya.She was spoiled by the Supreme with all the luxury in life every woman would envy, except for a mother-daughter bonding. Malamyos ang tinig ng Suprema ngunit tila laging may hagod ng pagbabanta sa boses nito tuwing nagsasalita. Tila ba isang maling galaw, magagalit ito. Iyon ang iniiwasan ni Stelle. Her journey of finding her new home was rough, an
Kabanata 8NANGINGINIG na naman ang mga kamay ni Stelle pagkagising mula sa kanyang bangungot. Hindi niya makalimutan ang nagawa niya sa dating anak-anakan ng Suprema at hanggang panaginip, dinadalaw siya nito.That was her first time to kill someone, but the Supreme had trained her to do such thing in a very long time. Dati ay mga cardboard targets at hayop lamang ang pinagpa-practice-san niya kaya hindi niya talaga akalaing magagawa niya talagang kalabitin ang gatilyo pagkabigay ng Suprema ng senyales sa kanya.It's already been three days, but the chills of killing someone still wakes her up in the middle of the night. Hindi niya napigilang hagurin ng kanyang palad ang kanyang buhok saka ito sinabunutan. She needs to calm down. Kung hindi, wala na naman siyang tulog panigurado.Bumaba siya ng kama at nagpasyang lumabas upang kumuha ng inumin sa kanilang kusina. Sinuot niya ang kanyang roba at lumabas n
Kabanata 9ANOTHER long erotic moan left Stelle's lips as her back arched when she felt the tingling sensation between her thighs. Humahagod ang kiliti sa buong katawan niya, sinasabayan ng init na pumipigtas sa kanyang hininga.Too much. The sultry feeling is just too much for her to handle yet she doesn't want his mouth to stop from ravishing her sensitive flesh.Kusang kumilos ang kanyang kamay. Dinama niya ang init ng braso nitong nakakapit sa kanyang hita, hinahaplos ito at kapagkuwa'y pinipiga kapag humahagod ang dila sa mga bahaging pinakasensitibo."Stelle..." He called in his sexy bedroom voice against her aching sex.Gumalaw ang kanyang balakang nang tumama ang mainit nitong hininga sa pagitan ng kanyang mga hita. Liquid fire built up inside her core as he flicked her bud with his tongue. Umalpas ang kanyang ungol at ang mga kamay niya ay sumabunot sa buhok nito.