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 hopeless." Naigting niya ang kanyang panga. "Dude I just told that woman that I am Tejano."
Nalukot ang noo ni Tejano. "Why did you do that?! What if Veronica finds out—oh wait," napakamot ito ng ulo nang biglang may naalala. Mayamaya'y natatawa nitong ginulo ang buhok. "I almost forgot that Veronica knows me as Emeraudo so looks like you just saved me in case she knows that woman."
Umismid si Emeraudo. "What is she? Miss popular? Is she friends everyone in the city?"
"No but, she kinda know a lot of people." Bumuntong hininga ito saka tiniklop ang mga braso sa tapat ng dibdib. "What does the woman look like anyway? Did you even ask her name or you just fucked someone again without knowing her?"
Tumalim ang tingin ni Emeraudo sa kapatid. "Okay, I don't know why, but that sounded like an insult to me as a man."
"It is an insult." Wala man lang balak mag-deny na sagot ni Tejano.
"Why are we having this conversation again?"
Tejano laughed. "We only have this kind of conversation when your mood is good."
"And what do you mean by that?"
"When you just got laid." Tumawa ito nang malakas kaya mangani-ngani niyang hambalusin.
Kinalma nito ang sarili nang mapansing nabibwisit na naman siya. Humugot ito ng malalim na hininga at nang tuluyan nang tumigil sa paghalakhak, matipid siyang nginitian.
"Tell me how she looks like. I ain't gonna ask anymore about her name because I know you didn't bother to ask her anyway."
Napaiwas ng tingin si Emeraudo. Bakit ba kasi niya tatanungin? He fucks strangers for pleasure not to get to know them. Sa sistema ng kanyang buhay, lahat ay estranghero. Wala siyang balak na magtabi ng espasyo para kanino sa kanyang isip.
Ngunit nang tanungin ni Tejano ang tungkol sa babaeng nakasama niya sa kama kagabi, hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit parang may kumurot sa kanyang puso. Tila ba nakakaramdam siya ng kaunting pagsisisi na hindi niya natanong ang pangalan nito.
He sighed and remembered her beautiful face. No. Actually she's beyond that word. If only he won't sound exaggerated, he'd say that woman is an angel. A fucking hot angel in her sexy dress.
"Deep-set blue eyes. Prominent nose. Red haired. She's got a tiny scar above her left brow. I ain't gonna tell you how her body looks like."
"Possessive." Tejano piffed. "Okay, let's see." Hinaplos nito ang baba na tila nag-iisip. "Hmm, the only red haired and blue-eyed girl I've met before is..."
Napakurap ito at tila biglang may naalala. Nagtaka tuloy si Emeraudo sa nakitang pagbabago ng ekspresyon ng kanyang kakambal.
Bakit parang namutla ito bigla?
"Tejano. Who is it?"
Napalunok ito at ang mga kilay ay bahagyang nagsalubong. "I uh, I kinda did something before, several years ago. D—Do you remember when I was planning to sneak out as you but when I went out of the room, Papa called me Emeraudo because I was wearing your clothes?"
Tumango siya. "What about it?"
"I told you before right that he took me hunting."
Hunting, ang term na ginagamit ng kanilang ama kapag may papataying tao, pinatrabaho man o sa kanilang ama mismo nagkaroon ng atraso.
"Why?"
Sinangkal ni Tejano ang kanyang magkabilang siko sa hita nito bago hinagod ang mga palad sa mukha. "Bro, I let the targets' daughter live. I told Papa that she escaped. He uh, he called me Emeraudo while we're still in the girl's room. Maybe she heard it that's why she thought you were me. I swear she's the only blue eyed red haired girl I know so far."
"What the hell, Tejano?"
"I told you, I don't want to be like Papa."
"And what do you want to be? A spy?"
Natigilan ito at bumagsak ang tingin sa magkasalikop na palad. "I actually made up my mind already, brother."
Gumapang ang kaba sa sistema ni Emeraudo. Hindi niya gusto ang tono ng pananalita ng kapatid dahil alam niya na kapag ganito na ito, hindi na niya mababago pa ang isip ni Tejano.
Tejano breathed in and looked at him with his soft eyes. "If you will not join me, I will understand. You said it yourself that mother wanted us to end Papa's wrongdoings. If staying by his side is your way of fulfilling that promise, I won't judge you, but I hope you will respect my chosen way of doing it."
Napailing si Emeraudo. Hindi niya nagugustuhan ang nagiging takbo ng kanilang usapan pati na ang ekspresyong nakapinta sa mga mata ni Tejano.
"Please tell me you ain't gonna—"
"I am joining the MI6 Europe. I was supposed to go last night but I can't afford to leave without a proper goodbye."
Napasara ng mata ni Emeraudo. Kumuyom ang kanyang mga kamao at ang kanyang panga at mahigpit na umigting. He can't believe his brother is risking his life for this nonsense! Hindi nga nila sigurado kung magiging ligtas ito sa kampo ng MI6? Their mother was a former CIA asset. Hindi naging maganda ang kapalaran nito kaya paano siya makasisiguro na ligtas si Tejano sa kamay ng mga alagad ng batas?
"That's insanity." He said in gritted teeth.
"Emeraudo, just try to understand. We are still going to be pursuing the same plan, just different approach this time. Besides...I want a life with Veronica. I've never felt this way before and I wanna be with her."
Inis na natawa si Emeraudo kasabay ng pagmulat ng kanyang mga mata. "Are you saying you will throw away my sacrifices to be here just to protect you, for some woman you barely know?"
Tuluyan itong tumayo. "It's not like that, brother. I am doing this for the both of us. You don't have to suffer, too. We can both go—"
"No. I don't trust those people—"
"It's because you can't even trust yourself..." Malamig ang tinig nitong sabi.
Umigting ang panga ni Emeraudo at ang kanyang ekspresyon ay dumilim. Now what? They're going to fight about his attitude just because he finds Tejano's reasons lame?Tinalikuran niya ito ngumit muling nagsalita.
"If I will be part of them, it would be easier for us to know who really ruined mother's career. It's your choice if you will stay here and find out Papa's connection to everything."
Lalong humigpit ang pagkakakuyom ng kanyang mga kamao. Gusto niyang magalit dahil delikado ang papasuking mundo ni Tejano, ngunit ano nga bang pinagkaiba ng mundong iyon sa ginagalawan nila ngayon? Their father can kill them easily once they get him angry. Mali. Siya lamang dahil si Tejano ay paborito. He will never want his favorite son dead.
Magkakaproblema oras na malaman ng kanilang ama na magiging bahagi ito ng MI6. They must avoid that at all cost or else...
Napabuga na lamang ng hangin si Emeraudo. Mayamaya'y wala na rin siyang nagawa kung hindi ang humarao muli sa kapatid. May katigasan ang ulo nito at alam niyang hindi na rin magpapapigil pa. Tutal hindi niya rin natuloy ang plano kagabi, wala na siyang panahon para baguhin ang isip nito. The least he could do is protect the both of them.
Hinawakan niya ito sa balikat at seryosong tinitigan sa mga mata. "From now on, you are Emeraudo Romani while I will be Tejano Romani. Do you understand?"
"But—"
"If Papa will find out it's me who stayed, he could easily kill me. We both know he has his favorite. Carrying your name will spare my life. On the other hand, I'm sure mother's bosses kept an eye on her before. Maybe that's why they approached you because they thought you are Emeraudo, the one mother had raised. It will be best for us to switch identity. This is for the both of us, Tejano."
Tumango ito. "I understand, but if ever you will need my help—"
"If you will need my help, you know where to find me."
TAHIMIK na binabatuhan ni Emeraudo ng pagkain ang mga kalapati sa parke. Nakaupo siya sa isang bakanteng bench habang nagbabakasakali kung darating ba ang kanyang kapatid ngayon.
It's already been a three years since he became Tejano, while his twin lived as Emeraudo, an MI6 Europe special agent.
Walang araw na hindi siya nagbaka-sakaling makikita muli ang kapatid kaya madalas siyang pumwesto sa paborito nilang bahagi ng parke. Whichever place they move to, they will always look for the northwest part of the park and sit on the nearest bench. Naging kaugalian na nila iyon kapag nagkakaroon ng pagkakataong makalabas nang sabay.
Nagbato pa siya ng ilang bread crumbs sa mga kalapati. Maraming turista ngayon sa lugar dahil weekend ngunit ang atensyon niya, nakatutok lamang sa mga malayang ibon.
He wonders when he'll ever earn his wings so he can fly above the clouds and be free? Alam niyang mali na maghangad ng kalayaan ngunit sa tuwing nakikita niya ang mga ibon, hindi pa rin niya maiwasang mainggit.
Lumunok siya at binato ang ilang pang crumbs. Mayamaya'y may isang matandang lalakeng naupo sa kanyang tabi. Nakasuot ito gaya niya ng makapal na trench coat. May salamin sa mga mata at namumuti ang buhok.
"It's a beautiful day, isn't?" The old man suddenly said.
Nilingon niya ito bago tumango. "Every day is beautiful to those who appreciate life." He straightened on his seat and wiped the crumbs off his hands.
Ngumiti ang matanda. "You really are him."
Kumunot ang kanyang noo. "Pardon?"
"Tejano Romani." Tumingin ang matandang lalake sa kanya, makahulugan at tila alam kung sino siya. "Or should I call you by your real name, Emeraudo?"
Bigla siyang kinabahan, ngunit siniguro niyang hindi makikita sa kanyang mga mata ang nararamdaman niya.
His eyes turned called to hide the tension building up inside his chest. "Who are you?"
"I am your twin's boss. I regret to inform you that Agent Romani died in his last assignment...and we need the real Emeraudo to take his place in the Cinco Mortales mission."
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.
Kabanata 10NAPAHAWAK si Stelle sa kanyang ulo habang pilit niyang ikinukurap ang kanyang mga mata. Hindi niya na matandaan ang nangyari. Pagkatapos kasing umalis ng lalakeng nakilala niya sa super club, hinatak siya ni Tejano patungo sa labas. They talked inside his car at dahil may tama na rin siya ay hindi na siya nakaangal.Hindi pa rin napoproseso ng isip niya noong mga oras na iyon na naroroon nga sa Amsterdam si Tejano. Naaalala niyang sinabi nitong may ilang katanungan lamang sa kanya pero wala pang isang minutong nasa loob sila ng kotse ni Tejano, umikot na ang paningin niya.She groaned. Pilit niyang ibinangon ang sarili sa kama, ngunit nang maaninag niya ang lalakeng kalalabas lamang ng banyo at tanging tuwalya lamang ang tanging takip sa katawan, nanlaki ang mga mata ni Stelle."T—Tejano?"He gazed at her in a meaningful way before he flashed the kind of smirk she isn't sure i
Kabanata 11NAPANGISI si Emeraudo nang makita si Stelle sa surveillance video na sinusubukang buksan ang bintana. Tila hinahanap nito ang lock at nang walang makapa, napapadyak ito sa inis.He zoomed the camera to see her face. Lalong lumawak ang kanyang ngisi saka siya napailing habang dinadampot ang kanyang baso ng paborito niyang Whiskey."Ah, sorry darling but no one gets in and leaves my house without my command."He drank his whiskey and licked his lips while staring meaningfully at Stelle. Nasa kanyang surveillance room siyang puno ng monitors na may iba't-ibang imaheng kuha sa mga lugar na inoobserbahan niya.Kung iniisip ni Floyd na tanga rin siya para sabihin nitong kakilala lamang ni Veronica si Stelle, pwes mas tanga ito. He reviewed the system. Walang records si Stelle at maging ang ampunang pinanggalingan nito, burado rin ang records. He knew there's something about her.