Since childhood, fate has shown me that not all children have happy families. To me, it feels like a lie because I believe there are no genuinely happy families in this world, not even a single one. If there is one, why don't I have one?
The family I have cannot be described as a family, let alone a happy one. I have a mother who is constantly subjected to abuse by her husband, a mother who has been cheated on multiple times, yet chooses to remain trapped in the cycle of love.Every night, I could hear her cries and pleas as she endured abuse from her husband. In the morning, I would see her covered in bruises and scars all over her body. Despite the evident fatigue, sadness, and pain, both emotional and physical, she managed to put on a smile.My mother loved my father so deeply that she reached a breaking point when she discovered he had another woman in his life. What she couldn't bear even more was the fact that my father had a child with that woman. This incident had a profound impact on my mother's mental state, causing her to experience extreme distress and behave in a manner that could be described as erratic or crazy.I'm not sure how deeply I was immersed in my thoughts, but the sight of five extinguished cigarettes in the ashtray I held was sufficient evidence of my contemplative state.In that moment, I caught sight of the woman I had personally hired to look after my mother, who was now in a state of severe mental instability. To my surprise, this woman began approaching me where I stood. As I placed the last cigarette in the ashtray I held, I handed it to my secretary, who also served as my personal bodyguard, and had been silently observing from behind me.The woman wore a smile on her face as she halted two steps away from me, but I responded with a cold gaze, silently urging her to speak. “Nasa garden na si, Madam pwede mo na syang puntahan, Mr. Levine.”After she spoke, she swiftly departed from my presence. I turned to my secretary, who had remained silent throughout the encounter, waiting for my response.“I won't be long. Wait here,” I instructed him.In the garden, I caught sight of my mother's back as she sat motionless in her wheelchair. As I approached her, I noticed her distant gaze, as if she were lost in deep contemplation, seemingly oblivious to my presence.“Nasaan ako? Anong lugar ito? Sino ba ako? Pangalan, anong pangalan ko?” She continued to mumble the same words repeatedly, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon.“Masaya ba maging isang baliw? Nag e-enjoy ka ba?” I asked devoid of any emotional expression. Instead of sadness, I felt a sense of pity for her state. With a smirk on my lips, I gazed at her intently. “You're here because you willingly chose to be with someone who neither valued nor loved you. It must be painful, isn't it?”“Ayaw niya ba akong makita? Hindi niya ba ako mahal? Pero mahal ko sya...mahal ko siya e,” she whispered through sobs, her gaze still averted and fixed elsewhere.You've completely lost your mind.I embraced her tightly, gently running my fingers through her once-stress-laden, now dry and tangled hair.“Do you yearn to see your husband that much?” I whispered softly, my voice filled with a mix of sympathy and intrigue. “Don't worry, for it's only a matter of time before you reunite with him. That day will bring us happiness, while others will mourn.”“Ano ba ang sinasabi mo? Sino ka ba?” she asked, her brow furrowing with a mix of confusion and concern. I smiled in response.“Believe me, I know that person very well.” I replied, with a hint of bitterness in my voice. “He is the kind of person who opened my eyes to the harsh reality of how terrible the world can be.”She smiled, her expression resembling that of a child filled with innocence and joy. “Pupuntahan niya ba ako?”“Soon, kapag nagkita ulit kayo sinisigurado kong hindi ka na niya magagawa pa ang saktan sa kahit anong paraan at dahilan.” I stood up straight and turned to Ashlee, the woman who was taking care of my mother here in the mental hospital.“Tapos na ang oras nang pagbisita, Mr. Levine kailangan ko nang dalhin si Madam sa kanyang kwarto para pakainin at painumin ng gamot, at para makapagpahinga na rin siya,” Ashlee said.I nodded and allowed Ashlee to leave with my mother. Meanwhile, I returned to where I had left my secretary. My secretary approached me immediately after I left the mental hospital and handed me a stick of Treasurer Luxury Black, but I refused it.“I spoke to Mom, and do you know that she has become even more mentally unstable? It's ironic to think that the person who gave me life now resides in a mental hospital, unaware of her own identity or her son's name.” I uttered. “Tungkol sa pinapagawa ko sa'yo, ayos na ba ang lahat?”He looked directly at me. “About that matter... can't you reconsider? I mean, Sir Levine is still your father.”I watched as people walked in various directions, and everything I saw seemed like mere replicas of human beings.I looked up at the cloudy sky and asked, “Do you still believe that I treated my father as my own flesh and blood? Who do you think I am? Am I just a piece of sh*t to you?”“Who am I to treat you like that?” he calmly replied. “I am just a dependable individual who is content with safeguarding what I know holds power and possesses the ability to manipulate those beneath him.”I smiled briefly. "...at pinili mo akong pagsilbihan kaysa sa aking walang kwentang Ama? Well, you've made a good observation there.”***My secretary and I left the mental hospital, and during the journey, I pondered how many people would stay loyal and reveal the truth to my father until the end.“Kahit anong mangyari mamaya mananatili akong tapat sa'yo, papatayin ko lahat nang humahadlang sa'yo kailangan mo lang maniwala at magtiwala sa akin.” he said, keeping his gaze fixed on the road while driving.I crossed my legs and arms. I crossed my legs and arms. “Don't worry about me. I'm not as fragile as before. Just like my father, I'm capable of taking lives.”He nodded. “Our other associates are prepared. They are waiting for you and your instructions. We are all on your side and we sincerely hope for your success in this plan of yours.”I'm confident that my plan tonight will lead to victory...“Everything appears to be in order for your father's birthday, which is happening today,” my secretary said as we entered through the gate.I glanced through the window to see all of Father's guests.“How many have arrived?” I asked.“My men informed me that we were expecting over a hundred guests or even more, but only the important individuals showed up,” he replied.“...and they are all my Father's faithful dogs?” I asked with a grin.“Yes,” he replied succinctly.After parking the car, I stepped out with authority and entered the fortress alongside my secretary. As I looked around every corner, I noticed prominent individuals engaged in cheerful conversations. Meanwhile, the guards, gathered together, remained vigilant.Sakim sa kapangyarihan at yaman, bahid nang dugo sa kanilang mga kamay, lahat sila ay nakasuot ng disenteng kasuotan na para bang tinatakpan ng kasuotang iyon ang kanilang marumi at hindi makataong gawain.“Dumating na ang anak ng baliw, hindi ko namalayan na dumati
Knox gingerly positioned the ice bucket, which held the exquisite brand of wine I had selected, on the marble table. With precision, he extracted the wine from the ice bucket and uncorked it using a corkscrew. Then, he attentively poured the crimson liquid into two wine glasses, one after the other, right before my contemptible father and me. Once Knox finished, my father took the glass, lifting it to his lips and sipping from it.“This is the gift you mentioned?” he inquired, delicately swirling the wine glass between his thumb and forefinger.“Vinot Loir, one of the world's most renowned red wines,” I began, keeping my gaze fixed on the wine he was enjoying. “It is crafted from black-skinned grapes that flourish in a limited range of cooler climates. These grapes are notoriously challenging to cultivate. However, when handled with expertise, they yield lighter-bodied wines known for their elegance, complexity, and ability to age gracefully.”“Hindi na masama para sa isang bote ng ala
The mansion was filled with screams, curses, gunfire, and pleas for another chance at life. It felt as though the floor was soaked in blood. However, these situations are commonplace for us because everyone here is accustomed to this type of society. Regarding those who stood by my side, they remained composed, calmly observing the shootings without a trace of fear. They appeared relaxed, displaying no signs of being intimidated.“What do you think you’re doing, Zion?! Nababaliw kana talaga!” my stepmother exclaimed at me while my associates carried out my instructions on the individuals who raised their hands in disagreement, one by one.“I simply discard the individuals who are of no use to me,” I replied with a shrug, casting a glance at the person standing next to my stepmother. “You and my stepmother are the only ones remaining... any final requests?”Govert shot me a disdainful glance. “By killing someone like me, you've only shown that you're no different from the father you des
“Tell me about Dante Monroe's background.” My authoritative command.“Dante Monroe, 47 years old, has a history of abusing his wife and has two sons. They were once wealthy, but they also experienced hardship because all of their wealth was lost due to Mr. Monroe's gambling. His wife committed suicide, leaving their two kids in his care. In debt, addicted to drugs, gambling, and alcoholic, he fled from all his creditors,” he said while looking at the iPad tablet where he was reviewing the background information on the robber. “As for the names of his two sons, I believe I mentioned them to you earlier, Mr. Levine.”“Naririto na tayo, Boss,” Rifftan said, glancing at the rearview mirror.I looked outside; it was late at night, and no one was wandering. Then I turned to Rifftan, “You wait here.”“Yes, boss,” Rifftan replied briefly.Before getting out of the car, Knox took two pistols from the glove compartment and handed one to me. I looked around the dark alley. There were many stray d
GAEL’S POV“A-ano?” parang binging tanong ko.“I don't appreciate repeated questions, have you forgotten?” maawtoridad at malamig nyang sagot sa tanong ko.How did it come to this? I have no idea what my wretched father is up to. Why is it that every time something goes wrong, I'm the one who gets blamed?Parang kanina lang nasa empyerno ang buhay ko, pero ngayon mas may ikalalala pa pala...“Hoy! Buksan mo ang pinto, Dante! Alam namin na nagtatago ka lang dyan sa loob nang bahay niyo!” malakas na katok at sigaw ng lalaki sa pinto na ikinarindi ng aking tenga.Naghahanda na sana akong pumasok sa trabaho ko bilang night shift cashier sa isang Convenience Store hindi kalayuan sa lugar namin, pero dahil gabi na at may mga taong maiingayan sa ginagawa nang lalaking iyon ngayon, napilitan akong itigil ang pagpapatuyo ng aking basang buhok.“Ano ba ang problema mo?! Wala dito ang hinahanap mo kaya kung pwede umalis ka na lang kasama iyang kasama mo dahil ang ingay mo!” naiinis k
After they finished what they did, they simply left me behind with insulting laughter, carrying my s*x video that I suspect they will sell.I clench my fists, tears welling up in anger, angry at everything. Though my entire body, especially my back, is in pain, I still force myself to stand, even if my legs are trembling.Dala ang mga damit na nagkalat sa sahig, tahimik akong nagpunta pabalik sa banyo, hindi pinansin ang nag iingay kong cellphone. Isang oras akong nagkulong sa banyo, iniinda ang sakit at hapdi na natamo ko mula sa kamay nina Mang Deigo, at Mang Bernie.“Ano na naman kaya ang idadahilan ko kapag nagtanong sa akin ang kapatid ko sa oras na makita niya na naman ang itsura ko ngayon?” tanong ko sa aking sarili.“Kuya!” sigaw nang isang pamilyar na boses ang aking narinig.“Sandali!” In response, I screamed back and hurriedly cleaned my body, quickly putting on the clothes that were taken off me earlier before rushing towards the door.“Nandito ka nga, tinawagan ako nang am
“Sino kayo?” I asked the two men in confusion, but I didn't get any response from them.I was startled when one of them entered the house without my permission or consent.Nang hindi ko sila napigilan ay humarang ako sa harap ng isang lalaki. “I said, who are you?! You should not be intruding into a house where you are not permitted!”END OF FLASHBACK“Iniisip mong nakatago sa katawan ko ang pera at diamond?” hindi makapaniwala kong tanong sa lalaking nasa harapan ko. “Sa tingin mo maitatago ko ang mga iyon sa katawan ko?”“2 billion... that's the money inside the briefcase stolen by your father, but let's forget about the 2 billion, I can earn that in just a few seconds—”“Sinabi ko nang wala akong alam—” I paused for a moment, my eyes widening as I slowly lowered my gaze, and I saw clearly a small knife dropping between my separated feet.It skidded across the floor, wobbling until it gradually came to a stop. I quickly glanced at the two men in front of me, and suddenly felt fear an
“Hindi ko gagawin ang sinasabi mo kung nandito ang isang iyan,” pagtukoy ko sa kaniyang kasama.“How dare—!”“Stop, Knox.” pigil niya sa nagngangalang Knox. “Follow what he wishes, watch outside the house.”“Are you sure about what you’re asking me to do, Mr. Levine?” paninigurado niya. “What if that guy tries something? It would be better if I'm here, keeping an eye on his every move.”“Knox.” nilingon ang kasama niya. “Are you saying that you’re going to watch him s*cking my d*ck? I didn't realize you had an interest in such things. Will you also listen to his moans? Or perhaps there is another reason?”Sandaling tumingin sa akin ang lalaki, matalim na tingin bago umiling, tumalikod, at naglakad palabas ng bahay.Nang makalabas na ng bahay ang lalaki na iyon, dahan-dahan akong naglakad palapit sa lalaking nakaupo na hindi ko pa alam ang pangalan, pero pinigilan niya ako.“Stop. I didn't instruct you to come closer to me. What I said was to make my thing hard,” he said seriously.“Paa