SPECIAL CHAPTER

Team Oldies

"WE WILL enter from the south gate, undetected. Only kill when necessary since my
daughter will be pissed and yes, she's scary even when she's smiling sweetly and
that's her order—" napangiwi si Stevan at mabilis na itinama ang sarili, "—I mean
request from me. Our mission today is to save Bassui Sato, an Orgánosi Scientist
who was abducted from the destroyed Orgánosi's Laboratory here in Japan. He'd been
with the Triad for two days now. We have to act and move fast." Mufasa, then,
looked at Uncle Kee. "Take over."

Uncle Kee sighed like it was a heavy burden before speaking. "There's two building
inside the compound. The one on the left has a basement. Team Knight will take the
right building, team Dominick will take on the left and our team will take the
basement."

"You heard him." Mufasa was back to briefing again. "We're gonna clean the whole
compound without painting the place red, I hope. And I want every door open and
every nook and cranny check. Everyone, stay alert and don't let your guards down.
Our main objective is to rescue the Scientist. After we secure the mission, we move
out—"

North raised his hand to get Mufasa's attention who was giving order. "A question."

Mufasa sighed and asked. "Yes, North?"

"May I ask what you all are doing here?" North asked. "This is our extraction
mission, right, boss?" North asked Knight who was busy cleaning his katana on the
corner of the truck they're in right now.

Pinaningkitan ni Mufasa ng mata si North na ikinatawa lang ni Knight. "North, you

should be grateful that we are helping your team. We are legendary! We are the
unbeatable! We are the pillar of Orgánosi—"

"And you're old." North added innocently.

Everyone went silent.

"And it's too crowded." North reasoned innocently again with his doe eyes. "One
extraction mission and there are three teams?"

"Come on, kid, don't be like that." Dominick, the former second Arkhon smiled at
North. "We just want to tag along. That's all. Think of this as part of our tourist
itinerary since we're all in a vacation anyway."

"Yes. Tag along." Tumango pa si Mufasa bilang pagsang-ayon kay Dominick bago tinuro
ang sarili nito. "But I'm calling the shots here." Kapagkuwan ay nilingon siya
nito. "Right, Knight?"

Knight shrugged nonchalantly. It's not like he's planning to be the boss in this
mission. His father, his wife's father and his idol were all present. He would be
more than happy to step back and listen to the legends. "Whatever you say, Papá."

"Good answer." Nag thumbs up pa sa kaniya ang ama ng asawa niya na sinagot din niya
ng thumbs up din.

Knight's father, Ambrose sighed. "Sorry, North, it's just that our King here miss
going to missions like this. We're just supporting his andropausal stage. He needs
moral support more than ever."
Mufasa gaped at Ambrose in shock. "How dare you, Ambrose! How dare you disgrace me
like this! I'm your King!"

Uncle Kee yawned. "You've already been dethroned by your daughter. Stop dreaming,
King with no jungle."

"Ouch!" Napangiwi si Dominick kay Mufasa pero halata namang nang-aasar ito. "That's
harsh."

Ruthgar — part of Dominick's Team — yawned. "I don't miss this. Fuck this shit." He
glared at Dominick. "Why the fuck do you have to drag me here, huh?!"

"Because I need my tracker, you moron!" Dominick hissed.

"This moron is a genius tracker!" Ruthgar hissed while pointing at himself. "And a
Viscount, not to mention a fucking lawyer."

Tumikhim si Uncle Kee saka nagtaas ng kamay. "I'm a Duke, if that counts."

Lahat napatingin kay Uncle Kee.

"What?" Uncle Kee asked innocently.

"Who's asking?" Mufasa asked in sarcasm.

Tinuro ni Uncle Kee si Ruthgar. "He was boasting. He said he's a genius and a
lawyer, well, I'm a Duke, Philanthropist, inventor and a peace loving President of
team Swight."

Mufasa dismissively shake his hand at Uncle Kee. "Don't mind him. Back to my
briefing, shall we?

But North raised his hand again. "Why are we in a fish truck? It's kinda cold —
colder than my lair."

"Blame him." Ani Mufasa sabay turo kay Dominick Quinn.

"At least it's cold, unlike other trucks which is hot." Sagot ni Knight habang
nililinis ang katana na gagamitin sa misyon.

"That's my reason too!" Dominick exclaimed and grinned at Knight. "We're too much
alike."

"Oh, please, Dominick, shut up." Mufasa tsked. "My son in law is not a philandering
idiot like you."

Sinapo ni Dominick ang puso nito. "You are hurting me, Mufasa. I'm not an Idiot—"

"Just a philandering ass." Ani Von Per, ang Hippeis ni Dominick.

Dominick looked at Von Per in resentment. "You too, Von Per the dick? You're
hurting me so much. Ouch. Insubordination!"

"Yes! I feel you, Dominick." Mufasa put his hand on Dominick's shoulder like he's
feeling the same pain. "I'm the boss but they don't listen to me." Then he glared
at his team and pointed his fingers at them "Insubordination!"

Dominick faked a sob before facing Mufasa. "Only you would understand me, Mufasa.
Only you, my King."

"Yes, Dominick. Only we can understand each other." Mufasa faked a sob as well.

Napailing na lang silang lahat na nasa loob ng fish truck.

"And here I thought I'm the weird one." Uncle Keegan muttered.

Ruthgar sighed. "Sorry. Nothing can compare to that idiot boss of mine."

Dominick suddenly gasped in shocked then looked at Ruthgar in astonishment.

"Leeeet's paaaarty! Ruthgar called me boss! Yes! Paaaarty!"

"Cue music!" Ani Mufasa sabay turo pa kay Uncle Keegan.

Hinilot ni Ambrose ang sentido. "Should I remind you that we're in a mission?"

Kaagad namang sumeryoso si Dominick at Mufasa.

"As I was saying, we will enter the south gate—"

"We're here." Anunsiyo ni Shun mula sa earpiece na suot ng lahat na siyang driver
ng fish truck.

"Shun! How dare you interrupt the King of the Jungle?!" Mufasa hissed. "I was still
talking!"

"I'm just announcing that we're here." Wika ni Shun. "I'm opening my laptop now."

"I'm still not done with the briefing!" Mufasa hissed. "Fuck it! To make the
briefing short. We have to do three things. Rescue. Don't kill if not necessary and
don't die."

Everyone nodded.

"Let's go!" Ani Vent saka binuksan ang pinto ng fish truck.

"I'll guide you through the earpiece." Wika naman ni Uncle Kee sa team ni Mufasa.

"Same." Ani Ruthgar sa team nito. "You dickheads better listen to me!"

"At least I don't have a problem with my team." Wika ni Shun mula sa driver's seat.

"You saying something?!" Keegan and Ruthgar both snapped at Shun over the earpiece.

Shun just sighed and continued setting up his laptop.

"Here we go." Ani Von Per na tinulungan si Vent na buksan ang pinto ng truck.

The moment the truck door's opened, everyone was ready and pumped up, everyone had
their game face on, but everyone froze when they stepped out and saw where they
are.

Knight sighed before talking to his earpiece. "Singkit, you drove us to the wrong
gate."

Shun frowned hearing The Count's voice on the earpiece before peeking outside the
truck's window. "This is not the south gate?"
Keegan spoke while eyeing the monitor of his laptop. "Hmm... according to my map
here, we're on the west side of the building."

"Oh, crap." Napangiwi si Shun ng makita ang satellite imaging sa monitor ng laptop
nito. "Fuck! I really messed up! I didn't have my digital map with me. Sorry,
sorry. Come back in. I'll drive you to the south gate."

"Just walk." Ruthgar tsked at everyone.

"That's twenty minutes' walk, you dumbass!" Dominick tsked.

"Then run?" Keegan suggested.

"I rather save my energy." Ani Vent Romanov. "Come on. Let's go back to the truck."

Sighing, everyone went back inside the fish truck and Shun started driving towards
the south gate while everyone except Dominick and Knight was shivering.

"I like this truck." Ani Knight na tumatango-tango pa. "It's cool."

"I know right." Dominick smirked smugly. "I have one back home. When it's summer, I
let my butler drive it around town while I'm inside, sipping my coffee."

"Hmm..." Umaktong nag-iisip si Knight saka ngumiti. "That's actually a brilliant

idea! Cloud will be pissed for sure." His smile turned into a grin. "I'll buy one
then."

Nag-thumbs up si Dominick kay Knight. "I'm really your idol! So proud!"

Nag-thumbs up pabalik si Knight. "Yes, you're my idol! Happy to work with you."

"Hey! That's my daughter."

Nagkatinginan si Dominick at Knight kapagkuwan ay sabay tumawa habang ang iba ay

nakamasid lang sa dalawa na mukhang sila lang ang nakakaintindi sa joke nila.

"We're here." Anunsiyo ulit ni Shun ng makarating sila sa south gate.

"Are we really in the south gate this time?" Paniniguradong tanong ni Mufasa. "For
sure?"

"Yep." Shun confidently answered. "I checked."

"Okay." Von Per stood up and opened the truck's door. "Let's go!"

Kaagad namang lumabas ang lahat at natigilan ng makitang may security guard sa
labas mg compound na papasukin nila.

"Fuck!"

Mufasa and Dominick immediately shot the four guards outside with their guns with
suppressor when the guards started moving their hands.

Knight, North, Von Per, Vent, Ambrose and Rafael looked at Mufasa and Dominick
questioningly.

"What was that for?" Von Per asked Dominick in annoyance.

"I thought no killing, your highness." Wika naman ni Rafael kay Mufasa.
"Isusumbong kita kay SM." Ani Ambrose.

"I'll tell Happy." Ani Vent.

"Shut up!" Dominick tsked. "They're clearly reaching for their guns."

"They just move their hands." Sabad ni North sa usapan. "Maybe they just want to
say hi?"

"While waving their hands at us?" Mufasa asked flatly. "Unlikely. They're about to
attack us so we attack back. Period."

North sighed while looking at the four bodies. "Please don't make it bloody."
Pakiusap nito sa mga kasama.

"North," tinapik ni Von Per si North sa balikat, "better call your crew. It's time
to start cleaning."

North sighed before nodding and contacting his crew inside the truck trailing
behind them.

"Let's go in." Ani Vent saka maingat na itinulak pabukas ang gate.

Nang makapasok silang lahat, kaagad na nagsalita ang mga tracker nilang kasama na
naiwan sa truck.

"In coming on your front. Head count, five." Mabilis na sabi Uncle Kee, "heavily
armed and I think they're going to give you a warm welcome."

"I'm ready to rumble!" Mufasa smirked.

Ambrose sighed. "I thought no killing. SM will not be happy, Mufasa."

Kaagad na bumagsak ang balikat ni Mufasa. "Fuck. My daughter will kill me and I'm
not the boss anymore."

"Wait for us to clean the first floor," ani Dominick, "then Mufasa's team can get
into the basement."

"Let's go, master. Let's take cover!" Sabi ni Rafael kay Mufasa habang ginigiya
sila patungo sa sa maliit na warehouse sa loob ng compound na katabi lang ng
dalawang mataas na gusali.

Ambrose shook his head when Rafael only guided Mufasa to safety and not him. "That
son of gun! I'll kill you later, Rafael!"

"Left building. Up in the rooftop with sniper guns. Three. Take cover." Ani
Ruthgar.

"Sniper guns?" Dominick frowned while looking up. "How many rounds?"

"How the fuck would I know?!" Ruthgar hissed. "It's a Sniper gun! It can kill you.
Period!"

"I thought you're all knowing." Vent said to Ruthgar mockingly.

"Fuck you, Romanov." Ruthgar tsked. "Hope you trip and fall."
"Take cover, you idiots!" Von Per hissed at his teammates. "That's a fucking sniper
gun, unless you can't die. Now take fucking covers!"

Dominick tsked before running for cover.

"Right building, five guards inside the first floor. Armed." Sabi naman ni Shun sa
team ni Knight. "I'm opening the door's lock to the right building. Now. Get ready,
Knight."

"I'll take care of it." Ani Knight.

"I'll help you, my disciple!" Sigaw ni Dominick na akmang tatakbo patungo kay
Knight pero pinigilan ito ni Von Per.

"When did Knight became your disciple, you dick?" Von Per shook his head. "And our
mission is to clean up the left building, you idiot! Not the right building!"

Ruthgar groaned in frustration at his teammates. "You're all not listening to me!"
Galit nitong sigaw. "I said take down the goddamn sniper on the rooftop! Now!"

Von Per and Vent sighed before running after dragging Dominick towards the left
building's entrance.

"The door is lock from the inside." Ani Ruthgar. "Leave it to me."

Dominick tsked. "Stop your monologue, Ruthgar. No one's asking."

Von Per tsked. "Shut up, Dominick, and pay attention."

Habang nagbabangayan ang Team ni Dominick, nakapasok na si Knight sa gusali at

napatumba na niya ang limang guard na naroon kanina at nagbabantay.

"I'm in." Ani Knight sa earpiece niya. "First floor secured." Then he looked up at
the ceiling, "four more floors to go."

"That's my disciple!" Dominick hissed proudly. "Show them who's the boss, Knight."

Ambrose sighed. "Stop calling my son your disciple, Dominick. I'll gut you."

"Aww. Someone's jealous because he doesn't have a disciple." Nanunudyong sabi ni

Dominick habang nakangisi.

Von Per shook his head. "I'm pretty sure he has a different reason than that,
jackass."

"Don't talk to me, you dick." Dominick glared at Von Per. "Talk to the hand." He
said then move his palm to face Von Per.

Von Per sighed again. "Remind me again why I accompanied you here?"

"Because I'm awesome!" Ani Dominick at itinaas pa ang dalawang kamay sa ere.

"It's because he begged." Pagtatama ni Vent.

"Oh, yeah." Ruthgar nodded, remembering the reason. "It's because of that and also
because he's old, dumb and a fucking jackass!"

Dominick just chuckled and talking to Ruthgar while fighting. "You still hate me
for that prank, Ruthgar? Come on, it's been years—"
"Fuck you!"

Napailing si Dominick. "So sensitive."

"Focus!" Von Per hissed after he took down two-armed Triad pointing their guns at
Dominick.

Dominick just grinned at him. "That's why I have you, Von Per. To watch my back as
I watch yours."

Von Per looked at Dominick flatly. "Last time I checked, you're not looking at my
back."

"You just didn't see me looking." Dominick said while grinning at Von Per and
shaking his butt and dancing sillily.

"They're bunch of psychos." Komento ni Rafael ng makapasok ang team ni Mufasa sa

gusali dahil nalinis na ng team ni Dominick ang unang palapag.

"Good thing I'm not like that." May pagmamalaking sabi ni Mufasa. "Be thankful that
you have a levelheaded leader!"

Keegan spoke from the earpiece. "Said the guy who's scared of cockroaches. I'm
pretty sure there is one in the basement."

Kaagad na napatigil sa pagpasok si Mufasa sa pinto na maghahatid sa kanila sa

basement. Kaagad nitong naisip ang mga ipis na sinabi ni Keegan.

"Ahm," tumikhim si Mufasa, "on second thought, why don't I stand guard, yeah?"

Ambrose sighed and went to grabbed Mufasa's collar and dragged him to the basement.

"No! No! No! Ambrose, I, the king of the Jungle, will hold you liable if I see even
a single cockroach! I will punish you more than you can imagine! You hear me?! You
hear me—"

"Oh, there's one."

Mufasa immediately shot the cockroach in fear.

Ambrose and Rafael shared a look while Mufasa looked boasting.

"See that?" Mufasa smirked smugly. "Cockroach is no match for me."

Rafael smiled. "Of course, my lord. You're definitely a cockroach killer."

Ambrose grunted. "Oh, please, Rafael, don't patronize him." Ambrose groaned.
"Keegan, let's switch places please. I can't take this anymore!"

Keegan just laughed. "Come on. You two are 'balae'." Tudyo ni Keegan kay Ambrose.

"Kahit na." Ani Ambrose na panay ang buntong-hininga. "Tinatakwil ko siya bilang
balae ko. Ayoko sa kaniya!"

"So harsh." Mufasa commented while eyeing for other cockroaches. "Rafael, help me
look for cockroaches. We will annihilate them."

"Yes, my lord." Kaagad na sagot ni Rafael at sinuportahan pa ang gagong hari nila.
Napailing na lang si Ambrose at pinagpatuloy ang pagpasok sa basement. Hindi na
lang niya papansinin si Stevan na mas kilala sa pangalang Mufasa para hindi tumaas
ang dugo niya.

Yes. That's what I'm gonna do. Ambrose thought to himself.

The whole time, while cleaning up the second floor, Knight was just listening. The
truth was, he was actually happy when SM's Dad asked if he and his team could tag
along together with Sir Dominick's team. He knew it's gonna be a blast, but this,
this was not what he expected.

This. Is. Awesome.

To actually hear the legends argue while on a mission. "Plain awesome." Knight
muttered.

Napailing naman si Shun ng marinig ang binulong ni Knight. He'd been friends with
the crazy ass Count, so he knew what he meant when he said awesome. "Only you would
find their moronic argument awesome."

"That's why it's awesome." Knight grinned. "Because it's moronic."

Shun sighed. "Of course." Shaking his head, he helped Knight maneuvered towards the
third floor.

"Shun, give me a head count." Ani Knight habang tumatakbo patungong hagdanan na
maghahatid sa kaniya sa ikatlong palapag.

"Five."

"And?"

"They have guns."

"That's it?"

Shun shrugged like Knight could see him. "Maybe. That's all that I can see."

Napailing na lang si Knight saka pinagpatuloy ang pag-akyat sa hagdanan patungong

third floor. Nang makapasok sa ikatlong palapag, wala siyang nakitang kalaban.

"Where are they, Shun?"

"2 on your right."

Knight immediately ran to his right to meet the enemy when he heard Mufasa's voice.

"Package is not here. Pull back now."

Knight put his katana back to its sheath. "I think this is a set up. This building
lacks guards. Five guards only per floor, that's too low."

"Agree." Ani Dominick sa earpiece. "We're still cleaning up the third floor but
Romanov already took down the Snipers on the rooftop. We're pulling back now."

Knight was still bothered. "It's really too easy—"

Napatigil siya sa pagsasalita ng marinig ang pagsabog mula sa gusali kung nasaan
sina Sir Dominick. Kapagkuwan ay narinig niya si Shun.

"Knight! Get out of there! There's a bomb!"

"I knew it!" Kaagad siyang tumakbo patungo sa pinanggalingang hagdanan pero hindi
pa siya nakakalapit at narinig niya ang pagsabog mula doon. "Fuck!"

Another explosion shook the building he was in.

Fuck!

"Knight! To the rooftop!" Shun hissed while maneuvering for a way out for Knight.
"Take your left! Now!"

Kaagad namang nakinig si Knight at tumakbo patungo kaliwa niya kung saan ang
hagdanan.

"Fuck! Fuck!" Knight kept on cussing while running on the staircase to the fourth
floor.

Nasa kalagitnaan siya sa pag-akyat ng hagdanan ng maramdaman niyang nayayanig na

ang gusali na kinaroroonan niya at may pagsabog na naman siyang narinig.

"Fuck this!" Knight hissed as he ran.

"Hurry!" Shun hissed. "That building will collapse any moment!"

Knight focuses on Shun's voice while there was chaos on the background. Each
tracker was helping their team to get out from the building.

"Woohooo!" Knight could hear Sir Dominick's gleeful howl. "It's been a long time
since I felt this rush! The running for my life rush! This is so exciting—"

"Shut the fuck up and run!" Von Per hissed at Sir Dominick.

"Stop arguing, you two!" Vent said to Von Per and Sir Dominick.

And from the other team...

"Run! Run! Hurry!" Knight could hear his father shouting from the background.
"Stevan! Why the fuck did you fucking stop?!"

"There's a cockroach!" Mufasa hissed. "Rafael! A cockroach!"

"The fuck, Stevan?!" Knight could hear frustration on his father's voice. "The
building is about to collapse on us and you're fucking worried of some cockroach?!"

"But it's a cockroach!" Mufasa hissed.

Gunshots were fired. Then Knight heard his father's voice.

"There. Cockroaches dead. Now, move!" His father hissed angrily.

"Run, my lord." Rafael, Mufasa's butler shouted just a second after Knight heard
another explosion.

"Fuck! What did they do? Surround this whole place with explosives?" Dominick asked
while running towards the rooftop.
"Yes, they did." Ani Vent habang tumatakbo rin.

"Huh! They really want to kill my disciple, huh?" Dominick tsked.

"Again, Dominick! My son is not your disciple!" Ambrose hissed.

"Blah! Blah! You're just jealous."

Knight couldn't help but chuckled while listening to the legends' arguments.
They're all running for their lives but they're arguing like they're strolling in
the park.

"I'm on the rooftop." Anunsiyo ni Knight ng makalabas ng pintuan na nakakonekta sa

hagdanan na inakyat niya. "What now, Shun?"

"Look up." Ani Shun.

Knight did and he smiled seeing a helicopter with rope ladder.

"On it." Knight ran towards the hanging rope, gripped it and as it started to
ascend, he started climbing up.

"We're on the rooftop!" Dinig ni Knight na sigaw ni Von Per at gumalaw ang
Helicopter palapit sa gusali na kinaroroonan ng mga ito.

As Dominick's team grabbed the rope ladder Knight was climbing, the helicopter
ascended again while the whole place was exploding.

Bumaba ang tingin ni Knight sa compound na pinasok nila.

It was a trap for him. Nadamay lang ang team ni Mufasa at Sir Dominick.

"Singkit, who gave us the info of this place?" Knight asked Shun through the
earpiece.

"The Intelligence Department." Sagot ni Shun. Ang departamento na 'yon ng Orgánsi

ang nagbigay sa kanila ng impormasyon.

"Either they're wrong or we have a spy in our midst." Said Mufasa who barely got
out from the basement. "Fuck it. We got played."

"Technically," sumabad si Keegan, "Knight got played. This is his mission after
all."

"No worries." Ani Knight sa kalmadong boses. "I'll find out the truth soon enough.
I'm worried about that scientist though."

"Me and Ruthgar are trying to track his digital footprints, if he has any." Ani
Duke Keegan. "Shun, we'll leave the CCTV footages to you. See if you can find out
what has been happening in this compound for the last 24 hours."

"Yes, Sir." Ani Shun bago nagmaneho at pinausad ang fish truck. "See you at the
command center."

"We'll rendezvous with North." Ani Mufasa na nakalabas na rin sa compound kasama
ang buong team nito.

"TC." Ani Dominick na nakabitin sa hagdanan na gawa sa lubid. "Insert smiley

emoji."
"Oh, shut up already, Dominick!" Von Per hissed, clearly annoyed. "This mission
failed."

Knight sighed and continued hanging on to the rope until they reached Racini's
Hotel's Rooftop.

As they settled themselves inside the Orgánosi HQ below the Racini's Hotel, Knight
went looking for his father and he found him in the infirmary.

"They got you?" Tanong niya sa ama ng makitang nakabendahe ang kanang balikat at
braso nito.

His father smiled. "It's not a big deal."

"What happened?" Knight asked.

"The bomb. It sent me flying."

Knight sighed. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It's okay. Hindi naman maiiwasan 'to kapag nasa misyon ka. I'm just glad
we tagged along. I don't know what to do If you get hurt."

"Dad..."

His father smiled at him. "Don't worry. I'll be fine. This is just a scratch."

Knight went to sit beside his father on the infirmary's bed and sighed. "My first
mission with the legends and it was a big fail."

His father chuckled. "Don't let it get to you. This is nothing. And trust me, we
had our fair share of failed missions as well."

"Yep. I can't even count how many failed missions we had." Sabad ni Uncle Kee na
kakapasok lang sa Infirmary, dala-dala nito ang laptop nito. "The important thing
is we learn, and we fight again. Shun already located where the Scientist is being
held and we'll move out an hour from now. He and Ruthgar are making a
reconnaissance to make sure that what happened tonight won't happen again."

Knight nodded.

"And you," tinuro ni Uncle Kee ang ama niya. "You're staying here. You'll be a dead
weight."

Ambrose sighed. "Okay. I'm staying. Make sure to keep Mufasa's safe."

"He can hold his own." Uncle Kee said dismissively before focusing all his
attention on his laptop.

"Why are you here anyway?" His father asked Uncle Kee.

"Stevan is too noisy." Sagot ni Uncle Kee. "He keeps going on about the cockroaches
he saw in the basement of that compound and of course, Rafael is backing him up.
That annoying butler. So I left and was planning to go to Ruthgar when I realized
he's with Dominick, so I decided to settle here. Dominick is far nosier than
Stevan. When I passed their room, they're dancing to Young, dumb and broke."

Knight chuckled. "He has always been like that."

"I know." Uncle Kee chuckled. "No wonder Ruthgar is always pissed."

"Stevan is just annoying, but Dominick is a whole new different level." His father
shook his head. "I pity his teammates."

Sabay na napailing ang tatlo kapagkuwan ay nagpaalam si Knight sa dalawa para

tawagan ang asawa. Gusto niyang gumaan ang pakiramdam niya at alam niyang boses
lang ng asawa niya ang makakapagpagaan sa pakiramdam niya.

"Mi reina."

"Ayos ka lang ba?" Kaagad nitong tanong sa kaniya.

Knight smiled. "I'm fine. How about you and the kids? Everything good?"

"Hmm-mm." Sagot ni SM. "We're fine. I scolded KN earlier. He'd been tickling Sweet
Mint and she's just one year old."

Knight chuckled. "Well, you know how KN is."

"Yeah, I know. Anyway, when are you going home?"

He was planning to go home tomorrow morning, but because the mission failed, he had
to stay for another day. "Maybe tomorrow evening or the next day."

"Oh. Okay. Mag-ingat ka."

"Yes, boss."

SM chuckled. "I'm serious, Knight."

"I know. Don't worry. Uuwi ako sa 'yo ng buo."

"Good. Now go do your business. Gusto na kitang makita."

"Yes, boss."

SM chuckled again before saying, "take care."

"I will."

"Bye. Te amo."

"Te amo."

When the call ended, Knight smiled. Feeling calm and ready for battle, he went back
to the Infirmary to talk to his father more before they left to rescue the
scientist again.

"What if this is a bad tip again?" Vent Romanov asked while they're inside the fish
truck again."

"Don't worry. This one is solid." Sagot ni Ruthgar. "This didn't come from any
source. This came from us."

"Good." Romanov sighed. "I don't want to hear another explosion. I think I'm going
deaf."
"No need for explosion to go deaf. Just being with this ass right here is enough."
Tinuro ni Von Per si Dominick.

"Shut up." Dominick tsked while busy with his phone. "I'm playing poker on my
phone. Don't pester me."

Von Per smirked. "I'll tell Happy."

Kaagad na pinatay ni Dominick ang cellphone saka ibinulsa saka nagpanggap na parang
walang nangyari.

Natawa na lang si Knight, pero ang tawa niya at pag-uusap nila ay napatigil ng
tumigil na lang bigla ang truck.

"Shun, you okay?" Knight asked in worry.

"Yeah," Shun answered, "but you better get out of there and see this."

Sa sinabing 'yon ni Shun na narinig ng lahat sa earpiece na suot, kaagad silang

nagmamadaling lumabas ng truck para tingnan ang tinutukoy ni Shun at lahat sila ay
bakas ang gulat sa mukha.

It's the scientist. On the side of the road. But it's not only the Scientist, but
also some higher-ranking official that went missing a week ago. The Orgánosi had
yet to find them or any lead, but here they are. Alive.

"What the fuck is happening?" Dominick tsked. "Is this some kind of a trap?"

Inalis ni Knight ang atensiyon sa mga bihag na nasa harapan na nila ngayon at
pinakiramdaman ang paligid.

Each side of the road was a forest. Madali lang makapagtago sa mga 'yon. And he's
sure that these men didn't come here alone. Sigurado siyang may nagdala sa mga ito
rito.

Hearing light footsteps from the right, Knight immediately ran towards the forest
to catch who did all this.

"Knight!" Shun hissed seeing Knight entered the forest. "Come back here!"

"Where the fuck is he going?!" Knight heard someone hissed, but he didn't heed them
any attention. He was busy chasing a shadow of a person on the woods.

Mas binilisan pa ni Knight ang pagtakbo para maabutan ang may-ari ng mga yabag na
naririnig niya pero mas mabilis tumakbo ang hinahabol niya.

Knight ran as fast as he could, until he reached a cliff where he finally saw the
person he was chasing.

That person was standing on the edge of the cliff, her back facing him.

Yes. It's a woman.

"Who are you?" Knight asked while catching his own breath. He didn't even draw his
katana. "Tell me or I'll catch you. Trust me, the former is easier."

The woman stilled before slowly, she turned around to face him and Knight's knees
nearly buckled seeing the woman's face.
With his eyes still wide with shocked, the woman smiled at him and said, "kumusta,
Kuya Knight?"

Knight couldn't say any coherent words, all he could do at that moment was looked
and gaped at the woman in front of him, smiling and calling him Kuya with
familiarity.

SM already told him about her, but it's still not one hundred percent sure.

But seeing her now, there's no doubt.

It's really her.

"Airjem."

CECELIB | C.C.

SPECIAL CHAPTER:
Second Vow

KNIGHT SHOWED his middle finger at his friends who throws and scattered blue rose
petals at him and SM when they entered the reception. He was about to cuss his
friends for annoying him in his wedding when he saw the whole place.

It had the same color as the decoration in the church— blue and white. But this was
grander with stunning decoration fit for a royal wedding. From the fabric used to
the glass chairs and stunningly decorated tables. Blue and white rose were the main
flowers used.

It wasn't just the church and the reception's decoration, also the venue where the
reception was held.

They're in a freaking high-tech submarine!

Bumaling si Knight sa asawa na nasa tabi. "You really went all out, huh?"

SM was the one who organized it all. She doesn't want him doing anything since it
was him who did everything in their first wedding.

SM smiled, "oh, baby, you ain't seen nothing yet."

He raised his eyebrows. "There's more?"

"Yep." SM grinned at him. "I told you, I'll surprise you."

"I am." Aniya. "First the wedding invitation." It was inside a long rectangular
velvet box and opening it, there's a satin cloth covering the top and when lift,
you'll see a glass cylinder shape container with velvet cloth as a lid and inside
of that glass is a royal blue velvet scroll with silver lettering on it. Knight
huffed a breath. "And here I thought Cloud and Jacques' wedding invitation was over
the top.

Knight shook his head. "And then the church, the suits and dresses. I never thought
there's tons of shades of blue." His friends were wearing different shade of blue
suit. From light blue, to turquoise, to periwinkle and midnight blue to cobalt blue
while he was wearing a royal blue suit and SM was wearing a light blue dress with
leaves and flowers adorning its train behind her.
"Well, our little lords and princesses couldn't decide what shade of blue they want
so I incorporated every blue shade I knew." Nangingiting sagot ni SM.

Napailing nalang si Knight habang nakangiti. "I'm impressed."

"Oh, I'm not done impressing you yet, husband." Makahulugang sabi ni SM.

Knight frowned. "There's more?"

"Momma! Daddy!" It was Sweet Mint running towards them.

"Hey, little princess!" Kaagad na kinarga ni Knight ang bunsong anak na siyang
flower girl ng kasal nila. "Nasaan ang mga kuya mo at si Ate Maple mo?"

Kaagad naman tinuro ng bunso nila ang mga hinahanap saka yumakap sa kaniya.

NK and KN were with Jacques while Maple was with Parker and their parents.

"Entering ... the bride and groom." Anang master of the ceremony na walang iba kung
'di si Cloud.

Kaagad na nagpababa si Sweet Mint ng marinig 'yon at tumakbo ito patungo sa Lola at
Lolo nito, sila naman ni SM ay nagkatinginan sabay ngiti at magkahawak ang kamay na
tuluyang naglakad silang dalawa papasok.

It's their second wedding and like their first, only family and friends were
invited. Knight was happy that his friends were now complete on his wedding. In his
first wedding, Andrius was in a really dark place, but now he's here and present
with his wife.

I'm glad.

His thoughts were interrupted when he saw something playing on the large monitor on
the podium while they're walking towards their seat.

It was photos of their first wedding, photos with friends on their outing in
Khairro's Island, photos with his team and SM's. Photos of him, SM and their kids.
Photos of him and Cloud playing cards, him and Jacques arguing and him and Kamden
having an eating contest. Photos of him and SM with Midnight, Thanatos and
Elizabeth and photos of him and SM with their parents.

Hindi namalayan ni Knight na napatigil pala siya sa paglalakad habang pinapanood

ang video. His butlers voice brought him back from his reveries.

"Feeling old yet, boss?" Cloud asked jokingly. "These photos are the proof."

Knight immediately showed his middle finger at Cloud earning a laugh and a chuckle
from everybody.

"I'm not old, you bastard." Knight tsked. "I have you know I'm still fresh. Fresher
than you," then he looked at his wife, "right, mi reina? I'm fresher, right?"

SM just chuckled.

Knight faced his friends. "I'm fresher, aren't I?"

"Nope." Sabay-sabay na sabi ng lahat habang umiiling pa.

Sumama ang mukha ni Knight. "How dare you?! May libreng pakain na nga sa kasal ko,
ganiyan kayo. Wala kayong cake mamaya."

Tinuro ni Tyron ang mga cake na nasa isang buffet table. "Alam kong mahilig ka sa
cake, pero para kainin mo lahat ng dalawampung cake na 'yan? I say you'll be
diabetic tomorrow."

"Yep." Cali nodded before glancing at Blaze. "You ready the tester, Doc. You'll
have a new patient tomorrow."

Blaze chuckled. "He'd been eating cake for years. I'm really surprise that he's not
diabetic yet."

"Because I'm blessed by God." Knight stuck out his tongue at his friends then
softly pulled his wife towards their table. "Let's go before I decided not to let
those motherfuckers eat free food."

Then he heard Iuhence spoke. "If not for free food, I won't be here wearing this
lame periwinkle blue suit. I look so fucking pale, I'm not handsome anymore."

Some chuckled and some shook their heads.

"What's the color of this suit of mine again?" Evren asked his wife beside him.

"Peacock blue." Sagot ni Faith.

Evren sighed flatly. "I don't even know that a color like that exist."

"Well, I'm wearing an Arabian blue color suit." Sabad ni Beckett. "Fucking awesome
name color. Sounds like a royalty."

"Mukhang wala na akong laban." Wika naman ni Reigo. "I'm wearing a versilia blue
suit. I didn't know what that is."

Thorn chuckled. "Good thing I got the sapphire blue suit."

"Why are we wearing this coloured suit again?" Lander asked.

"Kasi 'yon ang nakuha mo sa draw lots?" Patanong na sagot ni Hunt.

"Good thing I was lucky. I got the cobalt blue." Sabad ni Phoenix.

Titus chuckled. "Same. I got the dark blue colour suit."

"And I got cool blue." Umiling si Ream. "I don't even know what that is, but it
leaves me to wonder if there's also amazing blue or smart blue since there's cool
blue."

"There's none, but there's a lot of color under cool blue color scheme. It has a
wide range variety of colors and most of them are leaning to green." Terron
answered Ream and explained.

"As expected from Mr. Duke." Ani Shun Kim. "Could you also explain to me what
Prussian blue is?"

"You should be proud to wear that color." Ani Terron kay Shun. "It's the color that
changed the world. The color maker who accidentally discovered it was Johann
Diesbach but it was Johann Konrad Dippel who sold the new color back in 1701 and it
immediately became a sensation hit."
"Stop complaining or I'll break your bones." Ivy hissed at everyone. "It's blue.
Period."

Lahat natahimik dahil alam nang lahat na kayang gawin ni Ivy ang banta nito.

Napailing nalang si Knight saka pinaupo muna ang asawa sa mesa nila bago siya
umupo. They're in the center of the large circular hall inside a submarine.

"Good evening, everyone." Ani Cloud na kumuha sa atensiyon ng lahat. "I'm your
Master of the ceremony for tonight and I can't wait to start our program with
cutting of the cake, but before we begin, let's open up the walls, shall we?"

Kamden stood up with remote in his hand and when he pressed it, the submarine
started vibrating but not enough to shake the whole thing.

Their confusion turned into shock when they saw the submarine wall moving up,
showing a glass wall that enabled them to see what's under the sea.

"What the fuck..." Knight whispered, stunned, while looking at the fishes swimming.

"Surprise." Anang boses ni SM.

Knight was not the only one shocked, everyone was.

Knight blinked at his wife. "I—I don't know what to say."

She smiled. "I asked Kamden to make this for our wedding. I want it to be special
and since the kids likes aquarium, I decided to make this. I know this day is
supposed to be for you and me, but it's also a celebration with our kids. They
complete us and made our family happy."

Knight closed his parted lips. "Damn ... this beats my garden wedding."

SM chuckled. "Did I go over the top?"

"Nope." Knight grinned. "Only fitting for a Queen."

Napailing si SM. "Knight, how many times do I have to tell you, with you and the
kids, I'm a wife and a mother. Leave the Queen title for work."

"Still a Queen to me, mi reina." Giit ni Knight.

"Now that the walls have opened," Cloud spoke again. "Let's continue the
celebration!"

Everyone applauded and some even whistled.

"To start with a toast," Cloud looked at their three sponsors, "and a small message
from the Sponsors."

Their sponsors — Mr. And Mrs. Dominic Quinn, Tío Charlon and Tía Jada, Cloud's
parents and Ramona, Jacques' mother paired with Uncle Kee — raised their glasses at
them.

It was Uncle Kee who spoke first. "No matter what happens, always remember that I
got your back. I will always and forever be the president of Team Swight."

He and SM chuckled at Uncle Kee.

Then it was Jacques' mother, Tía Ramona, with her glass raised. "I wish you a
harmonious relationship and may your love grow stronger everyday. It won't always
be a smooth sailing ride, but as long as you understand, trust, respect and love
each other, your marriage can overcome any hurdles."

"Thank you, Tía Ramona." Ani SM na may masuyong ngiti sa mga labi.

Tía Ramona smiled at both of them. After that, it was Cloud's parents time to offer
a toast.

"SM, Knight," Charlon smiled at them, "I know that you two know that marriage is
not something you find, it's something you make. And my advice is, keep making it
and never ever give up."

"Have faith in your relationship," Jada added, "and it will last."

Then it was Dominick Quinn's turn, his idol. "The best part of marriage is doing
what you two love together — watching movies, cooking, cuddling, making jokes,
annoying the hell out of each other, teasing, talking nonsense, thinking together
and a lot more. And these little things shouldn't be taken for granted because
that's what makes marriage last long. The little things. I know you know this
because you've been together for a decade, so think of this as a reminder.
Appreciate the little things because a little goes a long way."

Knight grinned. "That's my idol right there."

"May tatlo siyang panganay sa iba't-ibang babae." Pabulong na sabi ni SM.

Napangiwi si Knight. "I idolize his fighting ability and leadership, that's all."

SM chuckled. "I'm kidding. I know, I know."

Knight pouted at his wife. "It's our wedding. Why are you bullying me?"

SM just chuckled and listened to Dominick's wife's message to both of them.

"I don't know what to say to you about marriage, knowing that you'd been together
for a decade, but let me share to you what I think of marriage. For me, marriage is
like keeping your house secure. When there's a hint of fire and you see the smoke
alarming you of danger, you fix it immediately. Buying a new house is never an
option. With this, I hope that you will be able to fix any danger that will come
your way and I also hope and pray that you won't destroy the house to buy a new
one."

Knight and SM looked at each other after that message.

"I promise not to buy a new house." Ani Knight na ikinangiti ni SM.

"And I promise to always fix the house with you." Ani SM.

A second passed, Knight and SM smiled at each other knowing that they would keep
their promise.

"Cheers!" Sigaw ng Ninong at Ninang nila.

"Cheers!" Everyone responded with a huge smile on their faces.

As they drink their champagne, Cloud spoke.

"And now we come to the cutting of the cake."

Knight immediately looked at the twenty pieces cakes on the separate buffet table.
All of them were three layers blue and white themed cake.

"Which one of them is our wedding cake?" Knight asked his wife.

SM didn't need to answer him because he immediately saw Nate carrying a cake while
walking towards their table.

It was only two layers, small in size as well, but it was stunning that he stared
at it for a couple of second just to admire it.

The shape of the cake was square and the color was blue, and surrounding that small
blue cake was white wall of cake that resembles a mountain covered in snow, but
that mountain has beads on them and some were illuminating lights.

And because the light inside the submarine was dimmed, the small lights on the cake
shone, giving the cake an ethereal effect.

It's like a shining mountain of snow under the blue sky.

It was beautiful.

"I designed it and Nate baked it." Ani SM.

"I think my heart will ache if I cut it." Knight said honestly, still looking at
the cake.

"There's ganache inside." Ani SM na parang inaaakit siya na kainin ang cake. "We
also replicated your favorite cake inside. The triple Bavarian chocolate something
cake."

"Okay, you got me at triple Bavarian chocolate something cake." Ani Knight saka
tinanggap ang kutsilyo na iniabot ni Midnight. "Let's do this, mi reina."

Smiling, SM held the knife, together with him, and then slowly, they sliced the
cake.

Knight gulped seeing the ganache slowly gushing out of the cake. "Damn ... that
looks good."

Knight put one slice of cake on the plate and he fed his wife a fork-full of cake
before he eat the rest.

Tumawa lang si SM sa ginawa niya at kinunan pa siya nito ng isang slice ng cake.
And the next thing he knew, Sweet Mint and Sweet Maple joined them and now eating
the cakes as well, while his two sons were enjoying ice cream.

"Little princess, this is Daddy's cake since it's Daddy's wedding, so don't eat too
much." Aniya sa anak na nasa gilid ng mesa at sinusubuan niya ng cake.

Sweet Mint grinned then she just grabbed the whole slice of cake and ran away.

"Mint!" Tawag ni Maple sa bunso nila at kaagad nitong sinundan si Mint pagkatapos
itong pakainin ni SM ng cake. "Come back here. You'll be dirty again and Papá Cloud
won't let you eat air fried chicken."

Kaagad namang tumigil sa pagtakbo si Sweet Mint at kinakabahang napatingin kay

Cloud na masuyong nakangiti rito.

Sensing danger of not being able to ear air fried chicken, Sweet Mint ran towards
Jacques, fake-crying while pointing Cloud at the stage. Kaagad na sumama ang mukha
ni Jacques kay Cloud na napangiwi.

Napailing na lang si Knight. His kids were scary sometimes. Sweet Mint knew that
the only way to change Cloud's mind was through Jacques.

"Our kids are scaring me sometimes." Aniya habang pinagmamasdan ang mga anak na
ginugulo si Jacques.

Sinubuan siya ng cake ni SM saka masuyo itong ngumiti. "It's okay. We still have
time to raise them right. There's four of us raising them, I'm sure they'll grow up
with good moral."

Knight took a deep breath and smiled. "Yeah."

"And now, the husband and wife will dance to their wedding song." Ani Cloud at
kaagad siyang hinila ni SM patungo sa gitna ng hall at ipinalibot ang mga braso
nito sa leeg niya.

Knight was smiling while dancing with his beautiful and amazing wife, but his smile
turned into grimaced when he saw his friends walking towards them to pin money on
his suit.

"Bastards." Knight tsked at his grinning friends. "Ang mahal na mahal ng suit ko
kaya kung 100 pesos lang 'yan, lumangoy kayo papuntang dalampasigan. Hindi kayo
welcome rito."

"Don't worry, bud," ani Iuhence saka may inilagay sa bulsa niya. "Hindi naman na
papel ang twenty pesos kaya sa bulsa mo nalang."

And then ¼ of his friends put coins on his pocket while grinning, making SM
chuckled.

"Ang mahal ng pinakain ko sa inyo tapos twenty pesos lang? Nasaan ang katarungan?!"
Pagda-drama niya sa mga kaibigan.

"Let them be, Knight." Sabad ni SM. "Kahit magkano basta bukal sa loob."

"See?" Iminuwestra ni Calyx ang kamay sa asawa niya. "Gayahin mo si SM, Velasquez.
Mabait na, mapagbigay pa."

SM smiled sweetly at Calyx. "Of course. Eat anything you like."

Napangiwi si Calyx kay SM. "Bakit parang nakakatakot 'yong ngiti niya?"

"She's always like that." Sabad ni Valerian saka nag-pin ng cheque sa suit ni
Knight.

Kaagad iyong sinilip ng mga kaibigan niya para alamin kung magkano.

"One million?!" Andrius was shocked. "Fuck. Nakakahiya sa 1,000 pesos ko."

"Tabi." Ani Dark na nakipagsiksikan para makalapit sa kanila ni SM. "Hindi puwedeng
si SM lang ang may mahabang damit at hinihila pa. Dapat si Velasquez din."

Napailing na lang si Knight sa mga gago niyang kaibigan ng buksan ni Dark at Terron
ang anim na attache case na pera ang laman at lahat 'yon ay magkakadikit na sa
dulo.

Pinaningkitan niya ng mata si SM ng tumawa ito ng malakas ng makita ang pinaggagawa

ng mga kaibigan niya.

The money from the attaché case that was pinned together was too many and too long
that it looks like a cape now.

Knight tsked. "Lunatics."

"Hayan." Ngingisi-ngisi si Terron. "May kapa ka na. Hindi ka na matatalo ni SM sa

pahabaan ng damit."

SM was still laughing so hard.

"Mi reina!"

Still, SM was laughing while holding on to his shoulder. "Y-you have cape." SM said
between laugh. "C-cape."

Knight looked at SM flatly. "Ipapaalala ko lang, asawa mo ang pinagtatawanan mo."

But SM continued laughing so hard together with his lunatic friends.

"How much is that anyway?" Shun asked Terron and Dark.

"Five million in thousand." Sagot ni Terron.

Andrius sighed. "When people have money to burn. I never felt so poor — oh, wait, I
already did years ago."

"Make way!" Anang malakas na boses na nanggagaling sa likod ng mga kaibigang

nakapalibot sa kanila ni SM.

It was Phoenix with crown made of money and the bastard put it on top of his head
and Titus put a necklace and sash money around his neck. All in thousand and SM was
laughing again.

At ang mga gago, hindi natatapos doon ang ang panggagago sa kaniya.

The Coleman twins made a tube top out of money and put it around his chest while
the Vitale twins made a skirt out of money and they also put it on him.

Knight just sighed while looking at his wife who's already crouching down while
laughing so hard — actually, everyone was laughing while taking a picture of him.

Of course, as if that'll affect him. Ang ginawa niya, nag-pose na lang siya na
parang pang-model habang may suot na tube top, skirt, necklace, sash, crown at kapa
na gawa sa pera.

He even did a superhero pose making his wife laughed harder, together with his kids
who also mimicked his moves and poses.

At ang mga gago niyang kaibigan nakisali na rin. Natigil lang ang kabaliwan nila ng
magsalita si Cloud at ibang parte naman ng programa ang gagawin nila.

"May we call the best man for his message?" Said Cloud as the program continues.
Tumayo naman kaagad si Midnight saka nagtungo sa podium na nasa harapan ng lahat at
tumingin sa kanila ni SM — nakabalik na sila sa kanilang mesa at wala na ang mga
pera sa damit nila — bago ngumiti at nagsalita sa microphone.

"It's the best man's job to tell silly stories that would embarrass the groom, but
I don't have any silly stories about my brother. We didn't have the luxury to do
silly things in our early years because we were too busy surviving and protecting
each other. And I'm glad that you two got married again," Midnight smiled at him
and SM, "I was also your best man the first time, but I couldn't attend because of
some circumstances and call me selfish, but I am happy that you two reserved that
spot for me.

"Kuya, you've always protected me and I'm lucky to have you as my brother. You're
the best kuya in the world for me and to be your best man is an honour." Then he
looked at Sweet Monday. "And SM, I won't be alive today if not for you and I don't
think my brother would survive without you by his side. What I'm saying is that,
stay together for a very long time. I know that married life is not easy, but I
know you two can do it. You two can flatten any rough roads ahead of you. I believe
that." Midnight smiled again and raised his glass. "Cheers to a decade of love and
more."

"Cheers!" Anang ibang naroon pero iba ang sinabi ng mga kaibigan niya.

"Cheers to Knight for being understanding for a decade!"

Knight showed his middle finger at his lunatic friends who just laughed at him.

When Midnight left the podium, it was the matron of honor's time to give a message.
It's matron of honor because Elizabeth was already married.

"Hey." Ani Elizabeth na nakangiti habang nakatayo sa harap ng microphone. "Darn,

this is my second time giving a message. The first was in your first wedding in
Spain and now here." Tumingin ito kay SM. "Nagpapasalamat ako dahil hindi ka
nagsasawang gawin akong palaging with honor."

Everybody laughed at Elizabeth's joke.

"Well, I'm different from the best man. I
Elizabeth chuckled. "Trust me, matamis na
but because I'm the nicest best friend, I
I'll text Kuya later all the silly things
crushes and the boys."
have so many silly things to tell."
Lunes, I can embarrass you like hell now,
won't do that in front of your kids, but
we did when we were teens. Specially the

Tumikhim si Knight. "Iba-block kita sa cellphone ko." Wika niya sa kapatid.

Tumawa lang si Elizabeth na parang siyang-siyang na naiinis siya. "Always

possessive. Anyway, noon, hindi ko lubos maisip na makakapag-asawa itong si matamis
na Lunes. Halos hindi nalabas ng bahay e. Pero mas lalong hindi ko lubos naisip na
kuya ko pa ang mapapangasawa niya. Well, I have a teleserye-like life, except for
my husband part. That was a horror movie."

Kaagad na sumama ang mukha ni Khairro na tinawanan lang ni Elizabeth.

"Speaking of movie, I remember back when we were college. Matamis na Lunes and I
went to watch a movie in the cinema and someone groped me. Pero dahil matalas ang
paningin nitong si matamis na Lunes, hayon, may nabalian lang naman ng buto
pagkatapos ng pelikula. Yes, action star din itong si matamis na Lunes."

Everyone laughed.
"But," Elizabeth became serious, "even though she's a badass, she's still fragile
and been through so much that's why I'm happy that she's with my brother. Alam kong
aalagaan siya ni Kuya, dahil kung hindi, may baseball bat naman ako sa bahay."

Natawa na naiiling na lang ang naroon.

"I already said a lot, I know, so here's the ending part of my speech." Seryoso
itong tumingin sa kaniya. "Kuya, kapag sinaktan mo si matamis na Lunes, kalimutan
mo nang magkapatid tayo."

Napangiti lang si Knight habang naglalakad pababa ng podium ang nag-iisang kapatid
na babae.

"And now, we will call on the eldest daughter, Sweet Maple, for a short message."

Kaagad namang tinungo ni Maple ang podium saka tumingin sa kanila ni SM ng nakatayo
na ito sa harap ng microphone.

SM made a 'you can do it' cheer for Maple making Maple smile widely.

Huminga ito ng malalim saka may inilabas na nakatuping papel sa bulsa saka mahina
itong natawa na parang nani-nerbiyos. "Sinulat ko 'to last week pa, bilang
paghahanda sa kasal niyo." She took a deep breath again. "To Momma and Daddy. It's
been years since you welcomed me to your family. I was scared at first, but you've
been really good to me, showing me what family love feels like. Now, I don't have
nightmares anymore because Momma always sleeps beside me and cuddles me when I'm
having a bad dream and I'm not scared of the bad guys because I know that Daddy
will save me and won't let anything bad happen to me. After being with you, I don't
remember my past anymore. It became a distant foggy memory because everyday, you
never fail to show me how much you love me.

"I never feel like I'm different, I never feel like I'm not part of the family, not
even once, because you treat me the same as NK, KN and Sweet Mint. Not even once
did you make me feel that I don't belong. It's the opposite. You always do things
that makes me feel like I belong, and I feel happy to be your eldest daughter. I'm
happy to be called Ate by NK, KN and Mint. And I'm happy to witness my Momma and
Daddy getting married again. I'm happy to see Momma walking down the aisle and
Daddy waiting at the altar with the wedding dress and suit color that me and my
siblings chose.

Maple took a deep breath again. "Thank you, Momma, Daddy. Thank you for being my
parents. Thank you for spoiling me and giving me anything that I'll need and want.
And thank you for loving me. You're the best thing that ever happened to me. Te
amo, Momma, Daddy."

SM softly dried her tears with her thumb and smiled at Maple. "I love you, baby."

Knight smiled at Maple. "Come here. Give us a hug."

Kaagad namang bumaba sa platform si Maple at tumakbo palapit sa kaniya saka

yumakap. Kapagkuwan at sumugod din ng yakap si NK, KN and Sweet Mint at nanatili na
ang mga ito sa mesa, kasama nila. Naroon din si Jacques sa mesa nila dahil
nagpapasubo ang masyadong malusog nilang anak, si KN.

"And now, a message from the groom." Cloud smiled at him. "Don't be a drama king,
boss."

"Hey! That's me." Sabad ni Blaze.

"You're a big baby." Ani Happy na asawa ni Blaze. "Shut up."

Kaagad namang nagsumbong si Blaze sa kakambal nitong si Blake.

Napailing naman si Knight saka tinanggap ang microphone na inabot ni Cloud sa

kaniya. Pero sa halip na tumayo sa podium, umupo siya sa gilid niyon, paharap sa
asawa niyang natawa nalang sa ginawa niya.

"Crazy as always." SM commented and Knight just chuckled.

"Mi reina," panimula ni Knight, "I won't say thanks for loving me because that's
already given, I mean, you did marry me, twice."

SM chuckled. "Yes, I did."

Knight smiled at his wife. "There is something I'm thankful for and these are
respect, trust, support and understanding. For me, these four is as important as
love. Without these, we would have never survived a decade together."

SM smiled at him. "Agree."

"I want to be thankful that we fell in love and stayed together for a decade, but
I'm more thankful to ourselves, for always choosing each other even after
conflicts, arguments and disagreements. It's not just love. It's us. And we've come
a long way." Knight smiled. "But that decade only feels like a year to me. It went
by so fast. Now, I pray, I wish, and I hope that God will let us stay for more
decades to come. I plan to grow old with you, mi reina. I want us to be together
until out hair turns gray."

"I want that, too." SM smiled with teary eyes. "For the rest of my life, I want to
be with you, with our family."

Knight nodded before raising his glass of champagne. "To our family."

SM raised her own glass of champagne. "To our family."

Knight smiled at his wife who also smiled back at him.

Knight felt complete while staring at his wife's happy and contented face. SM was
beautiful, brilliant and just plain amazing. He was the luckiest man to have her.
He was actually blessed that a Queen fell in love with him and married him twice.

Standing up, he walked towards his wife, placing both his hands on the table before
leaning into Sweet Monday who never left her eyes off of him.

"I'm no King, but you will always be my Queen."

SM smiled at him and replied. "I don't need a King. All I need is a Knight."

"Then you're in luck." Knight grinned. "I'm one fine Knight."

SM chuckled before pressing her lips on his, kissing him softly and lovingly. In
every movement of her lips against his, he could feel her love and warmth.

Such an amazing woman.

My wife. My baby. Mi reina.

CECELIB | C.C.

SPECIAL CHAPTER:
Kelleon

SOMETIMES, when pain became too much and unbearable, it could twist a person's mind
to became violent and the anger accompanied by pain, shaped them into something
vile — a monstrous being hiding in a form of a man. Pain, anger, resentment and
vengeance, these are only some of the reason why people act violently and vilely.

But nothing, no amount of reasoning could justify a monstrous deed.

Nothing.

Kelleon knew that, not at first, but as he spent his time here, in a barren island
far away from the civilization, his mind started to wander and understand.

"Fuck this Islaaaaaannnnd!" The young woman beside Kelleon was trying her hardest
to unclasp the mechanical device around her ankle. "Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"

Kelleon just stayed silent while sitting in an Indian position facing the ocean.

"What's the deal with this fucking Island?!" The young woman cussed again. "We have
to fight for food! No to little water! We can't go into the water because we'll be
electrocuted! And most of all, this fucking Island Is so fucking barren! No boats
passing nearby. Is this even in the fucking map?! I need to get out of here! I have
so many plans! Fuuuck!"

Kelleon sighed and just closed his eyes and focused his attention on the sound of
the waves.

He was already used to new prisoners complaining and cussing, but only in the
beginning. As days passed by, the prisoner would learn that It was no use cursing,
shouting and trying to escape this prison.

Because this barren Island was not called Tartarus for no reason. And he would know
because he was the first prisoner ever brought here.

"You!" The young woman rudely pointed her finger at him. "Why are you so fucking
calm?!"

Kelleon opened his eyes and looked at the woman who had been shouting in anger
since this morning. "You'll see."

"Fuck!" The woman shouted again. "I will kill you, Count Kniiiiiight! I will kill
youuuuu!" The woman shouted again and again and the name she was shouting made
Kelleon froze.

"He was the one who sent you here?" Kelleon asked.

"Yes, and the moment I escape, he will be the first on my list to kill! He will
pay!"

Kelleon couldn't help but chuckled. "If you can."

"What did you say old man?!" The woman sneered angrily.

"I don't think you can make Count Knight pay." Kelleon spoke calmly. "He's one of
the most lethal warriors I know. He has principles. He has a good heart. That's
what makes him a good warrior."

Frowning, the woman looked at Kelleon. "You know him, huh? He sent you here too?"

Kelleon shook his head. "He didn't."

"Who did?"

"His wife." He answered. She was more cunning than the Count."

The woman tsked, still trying to pry open the mechanical device clasped around her
ankle. "You're too old to be here. What did you do anyway, old man?"

Kelleon looked at the ocean. "A lot of things." Then he looked at the young woman.
"How about you? You're too young to be here."

The woman grinned, her amber eyes sparkling with pride. "I'm responsible for seven
bombings all over the world with thousands of deaths recorded." She sounded so
proud as she spoke. "It's my legacy. My pride."

Legacy. Pride. Kelleon smiled sadly remembering his life before the island. He once
had a legacy, a pride, but because of his own mistakes, he lost his only legacy and
pride. He lost what matters to him the most.

If only I knew then... Kelleon thought before shaking his head.

"Why are you shaking your head, old man?" The woman was still trying to outsmart
the mechanical device in her ankle. Every prisoner has one. It's like a tag.

Kelleon answered. "If I were you, I won't do anything with that device around your
ankle. One wrong move and it'll explode. Trust me, it's not a good sight."

The woman gave Kelleon a doubtful look. "Why do you know a lot of things?"

"It's because I'm the first prisoner of this Island they call Tartarus."

The woman stilled at that knowledge. "The first?" She gaped at the old man, "since
when?"

"It's been twenty years I think." Kelleon took a careful breathing. "I'm not sure,
but more or less."

The woman's eyes widened. "Twenty fucking years?!"

"Yes." Kelleon nodded. "Twenty years of surviving in this island. Twenty years of
fighting for food and water. Twenty years of paying for all the bad things I did."

The woman fell on her butt on the ground near him, like her strength was sucked
out. "T-that long? T-there's really no way out of here? Nothing? Not even a
chance?"

"A lot tried and failed." Sagot ni Kelleon. "Trust me when I say that this island
has no way out. You're stuck here until the other prisoners kills you to save food
and water."

As the woman gaped in shock, processing the horrifying truth she just learned,
Kelleon continued looking at the ocean. It was not calming as it used to be.
Maybe because I'm old, but I can't die just yet. Even when he had to fight for his
food and water for survival, even when other prisoners wanted him gone to lessen
the food consumer, he must fight to live and survive. He just couldn't die yet.

Not yet.

The woman beside him finally pulled herself together and sat beside him. "This
Island ... you're really the first prisoner?"

Kelleon nodded. "This Island was for me. The other prisoners were just thrown here
after."

The woman looked at the old man. "What did you do to be thrown here?"

"A lot."

The young woman sighed. "Fuck this! Of course, there's always a way out! We just
have to look."

"I suggest you don't exhaust yourself from looking for a way out, rather save your
strength for other prisoners. They will kill you because you're new. Watch out."

The woman exhaled loudly. "Fuck!" She looked at the old man calmly sitting on the
shore, looking at the ocean. "Can I stay here with you? I think I'll be safe here.
The other prisoners are steering away from you. I need to stay alive 'til I can get
out of here."

"Suit yourself." Kelleon answered nonchalantly.

The woman blows a loud breath. "What's your name, old man?"

"Kelleon."

"I'm called Menta." Pagpapakilala nito.

Kelleon just nodded at Menta and went back to looking at the ocean.

"Did you ever try to escape?" Menta asked.

Kelleon shook his head. "No one's waiting for me outside and I don't want to
trouble my son again, he already has so much in his plate. Seeing me would cause
him pain."

"You have a son?" Menta asked, slightly curious.

Kelleon nodded before sighing, "I caused him so much pain. I couldn't see it
before, I was blind to his suffering. I was so focused on my grief and my own pain.
All I want was for him to be stronger, to be powerful, to be the winner, to be on
top, because in the world he lived in, weak gets trampled on. Weak gets beaten and
I don't want that for him. I don't want him to be like me. I don't want him to
experience the pain I felt. I don't want him to be eaten by vengeance, like what
happened to me. That's why I never liked his wife, I was afraid that that woman
will hurt him like my wife hurt me. But I guess that's just all in my head. Twenty
years in this Island made me realize a lot of things.

Kelleon sighed before chuckling dryly. "My pain was nothing compared to the pain I
caused. Even a lifetime in this Island can't make up for the pain I caused to my
wife, to my kids ... nothing. So, you," Kelleon glanced at Menta, "if ever, by some
miracle, you escaped this island, please be a good person. Don't hurt other people.
Don't hurt the people you love. Don't hurt your family. Don't be like me. You'll
regret it."

Menta stared at the old man who looked sad and lost, "is that why you don't want to
escape this island?"

Kelleon was still staring at the laughing young woman. It's been twenty years since
his mind was stimulated like this, but his mind was still sharp.

If this woman knew, then there's a mole. Kelleon wondered If his son and his son's
wife were doing okay.

But there's something about the woman that Kelleon couldn't quite point out.

"Twenty years. It's been a long time already." Menta said while looking at the
water lapping on the shore. "I'm a firm believer that everyone deserves a second
chance."

"I don't." Said Kelleon.

"You don't know that."

"I do." Kelleon said with firmness, "my time here in the island, the suffering and
pain this island has caused me was nothing compared to the horrible things I've
done. Even death was not enough."

"You're regretting that much, huh?"

Kelleon nodded.

"You're too old already." Said Menta. "Couple of years from now and you'll be dead.
Don't you have a wish before you die?"

Kelleon looked at the sea like he was longing for something ... someone. "I want to
see Blythe to tell her I'm sorry. I want to see my sons to tell them I'm proud. I
want to see my daughter to tell her to be always happy. I want to see my
grandchildren even though they're not really mine."

"That's a lot." Menta shook her head before grabbing the two makeshift fishing rods
in front of Kelleon and started walking away. "Come on, old man. Let's go fishing.
I'm hungry. The other prisoner I asked earlier said that the food will arrive few
weeks from now. We have to survive to fucking live."

"There's no fish around the island."

Menta froze and turned around at Kelleon. "What?"

"It's a barren Island." Kelleon said. "I'd been fishing for twenty years and
haven't caught a single thing."

Menta blinked. "Seriously?"

"Yeah."

Menta shook her head "...the fuck?"

"But we could try." Kelleon stood up from where he was sitting, "I'm hungry
anyway."
"Okay." Menta nodded. "Lead the way, old man."

And Kelleon did. He guided the young woman towards the part of the island where he
usually hanged around to catch a fish.

"We're here." Kelleon announced but the young woman he was with was looking at the
cave nearby.

"What's in there?" Menta asked.

"That's my house here." Kelleon answered. "Not a mansion, but it'll do."

"Can I see?"

"No—"

It was too late to stop the young woman. She was already running towards the cave
to check it out.

When Menta went back to Kelleon after checking the cave, she had a stunned face.
"You really lived there for twenty years?"

"Just three years if my estimation is right." Kelleon answered. "I relocated after
some prisoners took over my last place."

Menta was looking at Kelleon in pity. "Seriously ... you need to get out of here."

Kelleon chuckled while shaking his head. "No, I don't. I already accepted my fate,
young miss. I'm okay with It."

"But—"

"Come on. Let's go fishing."

Menta had no choice but to follow Kelleon towards a large rock and mimic his
sitting posture while holding the makeshift fishing rod that was now submerged in
the water.

And as Kelleon and Menta wait for the fish to take the bait, the two talked.
Kelleon shared his past to Menta while Menta just listened and would ask Kelleon
from time to time.

Kelleon was enjoying himself. Menta was a good company. Indeed, she knows a lot of
stuff like she said. She was also wise, smart and had lots of sense of humour.

Kelleon didn't know why, maybe because Menta was the first prisoner to ever
conversed with him, that's why he finds her company comforting.

"Damn..." Menta tsked while looking at the makeshift fishing rod. "It's already
nearing twilight and still no fish."

Kelleon chuckled. "I told you."

"I'm hungry," Menta whined.

"I have food in the cave. You can have it. Just leave some for me."

"But it's yours and you're old so you need it more."

"Young miss, I'd been in this island for twenty years already. I'm not going to die
that easily."

"Nah." Menta said. "I'm fine."

"How are you going to escape If you don't have the strength because you're hungry?"

"I'll be fine." Menta stood up and sighed while her hands were on her waist. "Damn,
this island sucks! Gotta go, old man. It's already nearing twilight. Need to find
my own place to crash."

"You can stay in the cave." Kelleon offered. "I'll sleep outside."

"Nah. I'm a big girl. I can handle myself just fine."

Kelleon didn't force the young miss and just let her be. She was already off the
rock and was now walking on the shore when Kelleon called out to her.

"What did you say your name was?" Kelleon's voice was louder than usual so the
young miss could hear him.

The woman turned around to see Kelleon while walking backwards. "Menta."

"Menta..." Kelleon said the name like he was testing it for something, then he
looked at the woman walking backwards on the shore and shouted. "Your name ... Is
Spanish."

Menta smiled. "Yeah! But I also have an English name, old man."

Kelleon's lips parted in shock as his mind slowly unravelled the English word of
Menta's Spanish name.

"It couldn't be..." Kelleon mumbled as he looked at the young miss who was now
smiling and waving her hand at him.

"Bye, old man! I'll visit you again. See yah!" Then Menta ran towards the forest.

Kelleon was already old, his body doesn't have the same strength and agility, but
he ran, he ran after the young miss as his mind concluded and assumed.

Menta in Spanish was Mint in English.

The knowledge Menta possessed about the Orgánosi — her smart mind, her wittiness,
her humour and her face.

Why didn't I see the resemblance?! The eyes — Her amber eyes!

Kelleon pushed himself to ran faster, using his ears to follow Menta's footsteps,
'til he heard the sound of a helicopter blades.

No helicopter had ever passed the island. It's a black site. A dead zone. Their
food was always dropped by a plane using parachutes.

So this helicopter ... only meant one thing.

Kelleon ran even faster. He didn't care even If he stepped on sharp objects. He was
focused on chasing Menta.

Huffing and catching his own breath, Kelleon reached the edge of the Island.
A cliff.

And at the edge of the cliff, Menta was there, she was suspended in the air with
rope secured around her waist. And when she saw him, she waved at him with a wide
smile on her lips.

"Bye, old man!"

"Wait!" Kelleon shouted back. "Who are you, really?!"

Menta grinned. "I'll visit you some time. Bye, old man!"

Kelleon didn't know why tears started falling from his eyes as he stared at Menta
flying away with the helicopter. He only blinked when he heard Menta shouting.

"It's Mint, old man! Sweet Mint!"

With tears falling from his eyes and happiness overflowing inside him, he smiled
and whispered. "Gracias, mí princesita."

CECELIB | C.C.

SPECIAL CHAPTER:
XXV

"I THINK I'm getting old." Ani Knight pagkatapos uminom ng beer sa mismong bote
habang ang kasama nilang kainoman ni SM na si Cloud at Jacques ay Cognac ang
iniinom habang si SM ay sumisimsim ng wine. "I mean, I know I'm getting there, but
this morning, when I woke up, my hips hurts like fucking hell and that's a sign,
people. A sign of aging."

Jacques frowned at Knight. "That's because you are old!"

Knight tsked at Jacques. "And you're not?"

Jacques smiled. "No. I'm three years younger than you are, that means I'm fresher
and more amazing."

Knight showed his middle finger at the Marquess. "Am I talking to you?"

"You're looking at me." Sagot ni Jacques.

"No!" Knight looked at Cloud. "I'm talking to my butler."

Cloud smiled. "No, my lord, you're talking to both of us."

Knight immediately glared at Cloud before cupping his chest where his heart was.
"I'm so hurt. Ako ang boss mo, ipapaalala ko lang. Papalayasin kita." Pananakot ni
Knight sa butler nito.

Cloud just smiled while Jacques snorted. Habang si SM naman ay napapailing at

natatawa nalang sa pinagsasasabi at pinaggagagawa ng asawa niya. Knight never
changed.

"As If you can live without us." Ani Jacques na nakangisi pa kay Knight.

Making a puppy dog face, Knight looked at her. "Mi reina, they're bullying me! I'm
their boss!" He exclaimed dramatically. "I'm the man of the house! I'm the most
amazing! And I was awarded as the Bachelor's Village most amazing individual!"

A decade ago, Bachelor's Village started hosting an annual party and the said award
was given every year.

SM sipped her wine and smiled at her husband. "I know, baby."

"Then say something." Knight demanded. "Ipagtanggol mo ang asawa mo. 'Di ba mahal
mo naman ako?"

"I was about to when," SM sipped her wine, "you pull out that award card again.
Seriously, baby, that BV's award was like... ten years ago."

Knight acted like he was hurt. "Oh, my heart. Why you do this to me, mi reina?
You're hurting me."

"But it's true!" Jacques glared at Knight. "That award was given to you ten years
ago, but you are always bringing it up every fucking conversation — for ten years!
And It's not even a fucking medal or a fucking trophy. It was just a fucking
plaque, you motherfucking Count!"

"Don't shout at me you motherfucking Marquess! Get out of my house. You layas-layas
my house, Marquess. You layas-layas!"

SM and Cloud shared a look and they both sighed and shook their head while the two
continued their shouting nonsense argument.

SM didn't even bother stopping the two, she just let her butler and her husband
argued. It's always like this. Nothing's new. No used of stopping them.

It's been twenty-five years since the four of them unexpectedly met, twenty-five
years since they started living under the same roof, but Knight and Jacques never
changed. Still cursing each other — nonstop.

"Buenas noches a todos!" Good evening everyone!

Boses iyon ni KN na nakapagpatigil sa pagmumurahan ni Knight at Jacques at napunta

sa mga bagong dating na kapapasok lang ng bahay ang atensiyon nila.

"Buenas noches, Momma." Lumapit sa kaniya si KN saka hinalikan siya sa pisngi. Then
KN went to Knight and they did a man-hug, "Dad," then KN went to greet Cloud and
Jacques. "Hello, Pa Jacq, Pa Cloud."

Napangiti nalang si SM ng makitang sa arm rest ng sofa na kinauupuan ni Jacques

umupo si KN saka inakbayan nito si Jacques habang mababa ang boses na nakikipag-
usap dito.

Mula talaga pagkabata ni KN, malapit na malapit na ito kay Jacques, kaya hindi
nakapagtataka na kahit hanggang sa paglaki nito ay ganun pa rin kalapit ang dalawa.

KN was now nearing 23 years old, he's not chubby anymore like when he was a kid,
but he's still a baby to everyone's eyes, especially to her and Jacques.

"Hi, everyone." Bati naman sa kanila ni NK at kaagad na humalik sa pisngi niya at

tinapik ang balikat ng ama bago umupo sa pang-Isahang sofa.

NK was now 24 years old.

"Haaayeee, everyone ..." Sweet Mint who just entered the living room said in a
singsong voice while smiling sweetly. "Princess Sweet Mint is home. Daddy!" Kaagad
itong tumakbo palapit kay Knight saka hinalikan sa nuo si Knight, kapagkuwan ay
yumakap ito sa kaniya. "Hi, Momma." Then she went to hug her Papá Jacq and Papá
Cloud.

"Have you three had dinner yet?" Cloud asked, "I'll prepare some for you."

"Me and KN enjoyed the dinner box you made for us, Papá Cloud." Sagot ni NK.

"How about you, Little Princess?"

Sweet Mint settling herself in between SM and Knight in the long sofa. "I'm good,
Papá Cloud." Sagot ni Mint saka inabot ang bote ng cognac na nasa center table at
akmang iinom ng makita nito na nakatingin siya rito.

Nakangiwing ibinalik ni Sweet Mint ang bote ng cognac sa pinagkunan nito. "Sorry,
Momma."

"I know you're already 21 years old, but no drinking." May diin at Istriktong sabi
ni SM sa bunsong anak na siyang may pinakamatigas ang ulo sa mga anak nila ni
Knight.

Sweet Mint smiled adorably at her. "Lo siento, Momma."

"Not working."

Mint pulled out her puppy dog face. "I'm not adorable?"

"You are, but you're not going to manipulate me with your adorableness." SM said
before playfully flicking Mint's forehead.

Ngumisi langi si Sweet Mint saka humilig kay Knight na kaagad namang ginulo ang
buhok ni Mint.

"How's the mission?" Knight asked NK, KN and Sweet Mint.

The three just shrugged like it was nothing. Today, she and Knight gave them a
mission for the Orgánosi to hone their skills, mentally and physically. Since their
kids reached adulthood, they had been training them to be better at everything.

"It's okay." NK said.

"Boring." Ani KN.

While Sweet Mint just yawned. "When is Kuya Parker coming home?" Sweet Mint asked
while pouting and leaning on Knight. "I missed him, Momma."

"He's doing research with your Papa Kamden." Si Jacques ang sumagot saka humaba rin
ang nguso nito. "I miss my son, too. Though he promised me he'll be home next
week."

Chuckling, Cloud messed Jacques' hair. "Hindi naman daw siya aalis na nang matagal
pagkauwi niya. Let's just wait for him, babe."

"Do I have a choice?" Jacques tsked.

"How about Ate Maple?" KN asked. "I miss her cooking."

"Ate Maple called me this morning." Sagot ni NK. "Said she'll be home next week
with Red, Grandpa and Grandma. She's just finishing her business meetings in
Spain."

Jacques groaned. "I missed my little Red. My little chubby cutie. How about we go
to the beach when everyone gets back?" Jacques suggested. "When was the last time
we went to the beach?"

KN grinned. "Three months ago, when Daddy got drunk because he couldn't take the
green juice I made. It was not even potent."

Knight shuddered. "Fuck! That was horrible." Then he glared at KN. "Don't you dare
make that juice again. I nearly died!"

KN laughed. "Dad, you're over acting again. Little Princess right there drank two
glasses and she's okay."

"That's because Daddy is getting old." Sweet Mint smiled sweetly at Knight when
Knight glared at their little Princess who's not little anymore. "Te quiero,
Daddy."

And Knight immediately forgave Sweet Mint.

Napailing na lang si SM bago isa-isang tiningnan ang mga anak at sumali sa usapan.
"Since we're all here now, I want to talk."

Lahat napatingin sa kaniya.

"Is there a problem, mi reina?" Knight asked, clearly worried.

SM smiled at her husband. "I just want an honest talk with NK, KN and Mint. I'd
been observing these past few months, and I've seen a lot. I didn't pry, I didn't
ask because I was waiting for them to open to us, but I think that's not happening
anytime soon, so I want to talk. Is that okay?"

From time to time, no specific date or month, SM liked to talk honestly with her
kids. It's like their session. She only does this when she felt like her kids had
problems and issues but couldn't voice it out.

"Okay," Knight looked at their children. "What's the agenda for tonight? Who has
troubles?"

"Damn." Jacques tsked. "Better be honest, kids."

Cloud smiled and stood up, "I'll prepare some refreshments."

"I want a red grape shake, Nube." Ungot ni Jacques kay Cloud.

"Sure, babe." Cloud replied before leaving the living room.

SM looked at her second son after Cloud left. "How about you start, KN."

KN frowned at her. "What?"

"You start."

"But I don't have anything to say— "

"You sure?"
Napatitig sa kaniya si KN at siniguro ni SM na makikita ng panganay niya sa mata at
ngiti niya na seryoso siya at alam niyang kaagad iyong nakita ni KN.

KN sighed heavily, "ahm," he looked at the center table before he looked at her
again. "Momma, I don't think I can—"

"What is it?" Knight was now frowning at KN. "What's bothering you, kiddo?"

KN glanced at his older brother, then at his father before sighing, then he spoke.
"I don't want to be your successor, Dad."

The living room went silent and Knight was surprised. "KN..."

KN sighed again before looking at Knight. "You pushed the title to me after Kuya NK
said no and I don't like it."

"KN!" NK hissed at his little brother. "Mind your tone."

"Why?" KN frowned at NK, "I'm just telling the truth. Ikaw lang ba ang may
karapatang umayaw, ha, Kuya? And anyway, I didn't ask you this when you told Dad
you don't want the title, so I'm going to ask you now. Why are turning your back at
your responsibility? You know from the very beginning that you are Dad's heir, and
then you said no? Fuck you. You'd been going back and forth to Spain these past few
years to ready yourself and you just said no like it doesn't mean anything? Before
you tell me to mind my tone, why don't you mind your own? It doesn't mean that
you're the eldest that I will just accept whatever you throw at me. It doesn't work
that way."

NK's jaw tightened. "Mind your manners, KN."

"Why should I?" KN shrugged nonchalantly. "This is a family meeting. I'm just being
honest." Then KN looked at Knight. "And you, Dad, I love you and all, but when Kuya
NK said that he doesn't want the title, you just took It and rolled over like it
meant nothing. Then you passed it to me without asking If I want it — well, I don't
want it. I don't want to tell you anything because I know you'll only pushed it to
me because between me and Kuya, you have your favorite, but I really don't want to
be a Count. I'm sorry, Dad. I don't want that life for me. I have my own goals in
life and being a Count is not one of them. Lo siento."

Kaagad na hinawakan ni SM ang kamay ng asawa ng makitang bumagsak ang balikat nito
at nawalan ng buhay ang mukha nito.

"I—I don't have a favorite." Knight whispered in a shocked voice. "That's not
true."

KN snorted. "Yeah, right."

this was a family meeting where everyone had to be honest. She'll comfort her
husband later. "I don't have a favorite. I only accepted when NK told me he doesn't
want the title because I don't want to force him."

"So you force me instead?" KN asked in a cold voice.

"No..."

"Save it, Dad. I have eyes." KN sighed while still sitting beside Jacques who was
tapping KN's knees like he was trying to calm him down. "Kapag si Kuya NK, lahat
okay lang, pero kapag ako, hindi puwede. Remember that time when I borrowed your
katana. You were so mad at me, but when Kuya NK did, you didn't even bat an
eyelash."

"No." Knight shook his head. "It's because you didn't have enough training at the
time that's why I was angry. I just didn't want you to hurt yourself."

"Maybe so, but you have your favorite, Dad." Ani KN sa kalmadong boses. "And I get
it, I understand. Since I was a kid, I'd been nothing but trouble to you. We all
know that. I'm not Kuya NK. Hindi ako sipsip—"

"KN!" NK's voice thundered inside the living room. "One more word and you will
regret it."

KN just chuckled nonchalantly. "What? Is the word 'sucker' hard to swallow, Kuya?"
KN asked in a mocking tone.

In a blink of an eye, NK moved to attacked KN and KN attacked back, but before the
two clashes, Sweet Mint was fast to move between the two and blocked both attacks.

NK and KN froze.

Sweet Mint tsked and sighed before putting her hands on her hips, then she looked
at her brothers. "Don't fight in front of Momma and Daddy. Show some respect or I
will beat the hell out of you two."

Everyone was silent, Cloud even stopped in the middle of the living room while
holding a tray full of refreshments.

"This is just my observation." Sweet Mint looked at her Kuya NK. "You shouldn't
have declined the title. It's your responsibility from the very beginning. You were
trained since birth for the title and you used Dad's weakness to make him accept
your decision."

"No. I didn't." NK said firmly.

"Sure, you did." Sweet Mint tsked. "You knew how Dad hated forcing us and when you
told him you don't want the title, you specifically told him and I quote, 'I don't
want it, Dad. Please don't force me. It'll hurt me.'. The words you used was meant
to manipulate Dad, but Dad is always blind when it comes to you, to all of us
because he loves us, and you exploited it. That, Kuya NK, was a bad move."

"I would never manipulate Dad." NK's jaw tightened again.

Sweet Mint raised her eyebrow at her Kuya NK. "Really? Kuya, this house is filled
with mind gamers and manipulators. It had become our second skin that we sometimes
can't tell if we're manipulating or not. We know the right words to say to get what
we want and that's what you did, Kuya." Sweet Mint sighed. "I know that you're
older than me but let me remind you again. Daddy and Momma taught us to take our
responsibilities seriously, so please, don't be a fucking dick."

"Language, Mint." Mahinahong sabi ni SM sa anak.

Mint immediately smiled apologetically at SM. "Sorry, Momma." Then her smile
vanished as she looked at KN. "I understand how you feel when Daddy forced the
title to you, but please, Kuya, Daddy didn't mean to make you feel bad. He just
thought it was the best thing and you didn't say anything about it until now. And
please, don't say that Dad has a favorite, it's not like that. Daddy loves us all,
equally, and it annoys me because you think differently. I know we all have
different opinions and we have different train of thoughts, but when it comes to
Daddy and Momma, don't even think for a second that their love for us are not
equal. I'm the youngest, but I will kick your motherfucking ass."

"Language, Mint." Paalala ulit ni SM sa bunsong anak.

Mint immediately grinned sweetly at her and Knight. "Sorry, Momma, Sorry, Daddy.
Anyway, now that we have Kuya KN's issue out of the bag, it's my turn."

Cloud placed the tray on the center table before going back to his seat next to
Jacques who was still calming KN.

While standing in front of everyone, Sweet Mint confessed what she'd been doing.
"Alam kong alam na 'to ni Momma, wala namang nakakalampas kay Momma e, pero
sasabihin ko pa rin." Sweet Mint smiled. "The truth is ... I'd been visiting
Grandpa Kelleon in Tartarus."

The whole living room fell silent.

"That's my confession." The sweet and calm smile never left Sweet Mint's face.
"Anyway, before you bombard me with your opinion, please hear mine."

Gritting his teeth, Knight spoke. "Please, Princess, enlighten me why you did what
you did before I lash out on you."

Naglakad palapit si Sweet Mint sa ama nito saka umupo sa sahig paharap kay Knight
saka hinawakan ang kamay ng ama. "Daddy, I know your history with him and I'm not
invalidating your pain by doing what I did. I just want to understand, and I know
you won't share the same opinion with me, but I believe that everyone deserves a
second chance, even him. It's been twenty years, Dad. I know he did a lot of
horrible things to our family, but he's regretting it now. I'm not saying that we
should cut him loose — I tested him if he want to escape, and he didn't want to
because to him, he deserves to stay in Tartarus, he even said it wasn't enough to
atone for sins — what I mean is, maybe, you can talk to him and hear him out.
That's it."

Umiling si Knight. "He's just manipulating you."

"He didn't even know who I was." Ani Sweet Mint.

"No—"

"You don't have to decide now, Dad. Sleep on it." Lumuhod si Sweet Mint saka
hinalikan sa noo ang ama nito. "I love you, Dad. So much."

Knight sighed. "I can't, Princess. This is the only thing that you want that I
can't give." Umiling si Knight. "I can't."

SM took her husband's hand and intertwined it with hers and it was enough for
Knight to calmed down.

"Promise me you're not going to go back there." Ani Knight sa bunsong anak.

Umiling si Sweet Mint. "I can't promise you that, Dad."

"Why are you doing this to me?" Knight sighed.

"Because I love you." Sweet Mint answer was simple. "And I want my Daddy to move
forward without hate in his heart. You and Momma taught me to be forgiving and not
hold grudges."
Bumaling si Knight sa kaniya, kaagad naman niya itong masuyong nginitian at pinisil
ang kamay na hawak. "Sleep on it. Whatever you decide, we're just here for you."

Knight sighed. "Okay. I'll sleep on it."

Sweet Mint smiled widely. "Thank you, Daddy!" Anito saka niyakap ang ama.

Napangiti naman si SM sa bunsong anak. Sweet Mint was a spoiled kid and as her
mother, she tried her best for her not to become a brat and she liked to think that
she succeeded. But of course, Sweet Mint was still spoiled, and she cussed a lot.
She's just not cussing because she's in her presence, but outside the house, Sweet
Mint was like Jacques and Valerian combined. She cussed more than her brothers
does.

Pero sa apat nilang anak ni Knight, si Sweet Mint ang medyo nalalapit ang ugali sa
kaniya at iyon ang hindi inaasahan ni SM. Sweet Mint was more like Knight when she
was a child, but now that she had grown up, she's more like her than Knight.

"I take it back." Biglang sabi ni NK dahilan para mapatingin sila rito.

"Take what back?" SM asked her son.

"The title. I'll take it back." Ani NK saka bumuntong-hininga. "I'll be the Count."

"But you don't want it, right?" SM asked her son. "It's okay. We'll figure
something out if you don't want it."

"No, Momma." NK smiled at her. "Little Princess was right. It's my responsibility
from the very beginning. Sorry for only thinking of myself. I didn't mean to be
selfish."

Umiling si SM saka ngumiti sa anak. "Don't say that. You were just pressured, and
we understand. Lahat naman nadadaan sa maayos na usapan."

Then KN spoke. "Sorry, Kuya, for cussing at you."

"Just don't do it again or I'll beat the shit out of you."

KN chuckled at NK, "if you can," then KN smiled at Sweet Mint. "Thank you for the
enlightening speech, little princess, I appreciate that. As always, you rock."

Sweet Mint grinned smugly. "Of course, I rock. I'm the most amazing in this house.
Also, the smartest and also the best of the best." Then Mint started laughing
mockingly.

Cloud shook his head. "Refreshment, little Princess. Got your favorite triple
chocolate Bavarian something cake."

Napatigil sa pagtawa si Sweet Mint at kaagad na bumalik sa pagkakaupo sa sahig,

paharap sa center table at kaagad na kinain ang cake.

"Hey!" Kaagad namang reklamo ni Knight. "That's my cake!"

Sweet Mint stuck out her tongue at her Daddy while picking up the plate with Triple
Bavarian something cake then she ran. "Sorry, Daddy! It's mine!"

Knight glared at Cloud. "How dare you?! That's my cake and I'm your boss!
Cloud just chuckled and fed Jacques a piece of grape.

"Sweet Mint!" Sigaw ni Knight saka tumayo na rin at hinabol ang anak. "Come back
here!"

"Nooooo!" Sigaw ni Sweet Mint habang tumatawa at kumakain ng cake.

Napailing na lang si SM saka tumingin sa dalawa niyang anak na lalaki. "You two
okay now?"

"We're good." Sabay na sagot ng dalawa.

SM smiled at NK. "Don't force yourself, if you don't want it, feel free to tell me
now."

Umiling si NK. "It's my responsibility."

SM looked at KN. "How about you, my little lord?"

KN chuckled. "Momma, I'm not little anymore."

Jacques tapped KN's knees. "We know that, little lord. You're not even chubby
anymore."

Natatawang niyakap ni KN mula sa tagiliran si Jacques saka naglalambing na

nagsalita. "But you still love me, right, Papá Jacq? I'll always be your little
lord."

Jacques chuckled while tapping KN's arms around him. "Of course. You will always be
mine and Cloud's little lord. Always."

KN grinned. "Does that mean you're gonna buy me a new Helicopter?"

"Sure. You want it bigger this time? Or maybe customise?"

KN grinned widely. "You're amazing, Papa Jacq."

"Of course, I'm amazing. I'm a Marquess after all." May pagmamalaking sabi ni
Jacques na ikinangiti ni SM. "How about you, NK, you want a new plane? Since you're
taking back the title, you'll visit Spain often again."

NK smiled. "Thank you for the offer, Papá Jacq, but my new plane that you bought
just last month was still good as new."

Napailing nalang si SM. "Jacq, how many times do I have to tell you to stop wasting
money?"

Cloud sighed. "I have long given up stopping his spending habits."

Humaba ang nguso ni Jacques. "But it's for the little lord."

"Me, Papá Jacq! Me!" Nakabalik na rin si Sweet Mint mula sa pakikupaghabulan nito
kay Knight at mukang naubos na nito ang cake dahil wala na iyong laman. "I want a
new plane. A new helicopter and new car!"

"Of course, my little princess." Kaagad na sagot ni Jacques. "Anything you want!
We'll buy it tomorrow."

Napailing na lang si SM. Jacques never changed.

"Sweet Mint!" It was Knight. He's back, huffing and glaring at Mint who was
snickering. "How dare you make fun of your Daddy."

Sweet Mint just chuckled before sitting beside her. "Momma, Daddy can't capture me
anymore. He's getting old."

Pigil ni SM ang matawa pero sinaway pa rin niya ang bunsong anak. "Mint, don't be
like that to your Daddy. It's not nice."

Sweet Mint sighed then she smiled at her Daddy. "Fine. I'll replace the cake. I'll
buy you two dozen of Triple Bavarian something cake."

Doon lang ngumiti si Knight. "That's my little princess."

"Hmm-mm." Sweet Mint grinned. "Of course! I'm the most amazing in this fuckin'
house."

"Language, Mint." Ani SM.

"Oops." Sweet Mint gave her an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Momma."

"You say sorry, but I know you're always cussing outside the house." Ani SM.

Nakangiti lang si Sweet Mint. "I love you, Momma."

Napailing nalang si SM lalo na nang may tinawagan si Sweet Mint.

"Hello, Kaiden?" Kaiden was Kamden's son, Sweet Mint's cousin. "Yes, you, dumbass!
You lost to me last month. I know what I want now. Two dozen of Triple chocolate
Bavarian cake." Sweet Mint grinned. "Wala kang karapatang umangal, natalo kita sa
shooting range. Bye, loser. I want the cakes delivered tomorrow." Sweet Mint hanged
up then looked at Knight. "Daddy, magiging diabetic ka talaga."

"I don't even know why Daddy's not diabetic." Sabad ni NK.

KN chuckled. "Maybe because he's too sweet to Momma. He's discharging all that
sweetness away."

Pinaningkitan ni Knight ang mga anak nila. "Sige, bully-hin niyo pa ako. Sisingilin
ko kayo ng cake."

KN shrugged. "It's cool. Eiji lose to me in our abs contest. He'll pay up."

NK shrugged after. "RV owes me lunch. I can convert it to cakes."

Of course, Knight being Knight, he launched himself at her and hugged her waist,
"mi reina, our kids are so mean to me. They don't love me anymore."

NK, KN and Sweet Mint laughed heartily before saying, "Love you, Dad!"

Kaagad na umayos ng upo si Knight saka ngumiti at inilabas ang cellphone sa bulsa
saka nagpatugtog ng kanta.

It was an old song. 'Livin' la vida loca'.

"Let's dance!" Knight said before standing up and now he's dancing without rhythm.

KN laughed. "Dad, you in seizure or what?"

NK laughed as well. "Dad, please, have mercy with our eyes. You're the most
horrible dancer I've seen."

But Sweet Mint stood up and danced with her father. The two were the same, dancing
without rhythm.

Napailing naman si Jacques saka tumayo ito. "Motherfucking Count. This is how you
dance!" Umakto itong parang nalulunod. "This is how you do it. This is drowning
dance." Kapagkuwan ay umakto itong parang natutumba. "This is I'm being shot at
dance."

"Sweet!" KN grinned and mimicked Jacques' movement. The drowning and the being shot
dance.

Samantalang si NK at lumapit sa kaniya at inilahad ang kamay sa kaniya. "May I have

this dance, Momma?"

Smiling happily, SM accepted NK's hand and they danced to the rhythm of the music.

Habang si Cloud ay natatawang nakamasid lang sa kanila hanggang sa hilahin ito ni

Jacques patayo saka pinilit ito at ni KN na sumayaw ng drowning dance at I'm being
shot at dance.

Natatawa na lang si SM habang sumasayaw ang lahat at nagkakasiyahan. And she didn't
know how it happened, but she was now in her husband's arms, dancing to the fast
rhythm of Livin' la vida loca while KN was still dancing silly with Jacques, Cloud,
NK and Sweet Mint.

"Mi reina..."

SM looked into her husband's eyes. She smiled when she saw the emotion in their
depths. After all these years, the way Knight looked at her never changed. The love
in his eyes when he's looking at her was still there. Never changing. Only getting
stronger.

SM wrapped her arms around Knight's neck and pulled him closer. "Twenty-five years,
Knight."

Knight smiled and tightened his hold on her waist. "And for more years to come."

SM closed her eyes and leaned on her husband's chest, then she opened them to see
her children with Jacques and Cloud, laughing, smiling and enjoying.

Twenty-five years and we're still together under the same roof. SM smiled. It felt
amazing to looked back and felt proud that her promise to Jacques was now half-way
fulfilled.

She could still remember when she told Jacques that he could stay after he told her
his relationship with Cloud and then she told him that the four of them, her,
Knight, Jacques and Cloud would raise the kids with bright mind and good moral.

And they did it.

SM looked at her husband. "We did it."

Knight blinked at her. "What?"

"We did it." Ulit niya. "We made a pleasant home for our kids. It wasn't easy, but
with Jacques and Cloud's help, we were able to do it."

Knight looked at Cloud and Jacques who were still dancing silly. "We owe them a
lot. I don't know what we'll do without them."

SM nodded while looking at their butlers who never left their side. "We're family
and we're going to spend the rest of our days here, in the same house, under the
same roof."

Knight chuckled. "We're gonna grow old in this house together. The four of us."

SM smiled softly. "Yeah. I'm proud and happy that they've become part of our
family."

Knight kissed her forehead. "Likewise, mi reina. I'm glad."

"Momma!" Sigaw ni Sweet Mint saka lumapit sa kanila ni Knight at hinila sila
palapit sa apat. "Come on. Let's make a circle and we'll dance."

Nagpaubaya naman si SM at Knight at natatawang sumayaw kasama ang mga anak nila at
mga butler.

SM couldn't help laughing seeing her butler and her kids dancing silly without any
rhythm at all, same with Knight who looked like he's having a seizure and he even
took off his clothes and dance like a burles King.

Then KN followed his Dad and took off his shirt as well while dancing and shouting.
"I'm the burles prince! Yehaw!"

Everyone laughed including SM.

My family is bunch of crazy-ass weirdos. But she loved them all and she promised to
protect them with everything she got.

She will protect her family, come hell or high water.

CECELIB | C.C
**********