Code 3: 1st Day Of Yue's 2-Day Vacation

1st day

Masarap sa pandinig ang marahang paghampas ng alon. Tila ba may kung anong mahika ang karagatan dahil nakakakalma ito kahit marami ka ng problema.

Ang sarap din sa pakiramdam na nakahiga ka sa buhangin. Ang ganda din sa pandinig ng mga ibong payapang humuhuni.

Hayyyy, ang gandang panaginip naman toh. Visual with feelings pa oh. Naisipan ko ng idilat ang mata ko dahil anong oras na.

Marahan kong idinilat ang aking mga mata at kinusot-kusot pa ito. Bumangon ako sa pagkakahiga at humikab-hikab pa.

Nang magbalik na ako sa katinuan ko, luminga-linga ako sa buong paligid.

Teka lang...

NANANAGINIP PA BA AKO?!

Oh my gosh, BAKIT AKO NASA ISLA? BAKIT NASA MIDDLE OF NOWHERE AKO HUYYYY?? KANINA LANG NASA BAHAY AKO AH?

Napahilamos ako ng muka sa sobrang frustrated ko. Sinubukan ko pang kurutin yung pisngi ko pero totoo nga.

Sino nagdala sakin dito?

Tumayo ako sa kinahihigaan ko at naglakad-lakad sa isla. Maganda naman yung isla eh.

Typical for summer vacation eh ang kaso ako lang dito mag-isa? Ano to survival test ng Code E? Eh akala ko ba sabi ni dad 2-day rest eh anong nangyari?

Why did I let down my guard anyway?

Ugh

Kinalma ko muna yung sarili ko gamit ang napakagandang tanawin na iyon. Tumingin ako sa dagat at ang ganda non. Sobrang linis na pede mo na atang inuman at sobrang malinaw. Grabe din yung pagkakulay asul ng dagat, natatakam tuloy akong maligo kaso wag na. Kailangan ko munang malaman kung bakit ako nandito.

Naglakad ako sa white-sand beach. Purong puti ito na parang pulbos. Malakas din ang simoy ng hangin kaya naman medyo nililipad ang aking kasuotan. By the way, I'm wearing a floral dress, the one that my mom recommended me earlier. Bakit pa ba ako inayusan ng bonggang-bongga kung madudugyot rin naman?

Kaya pala hindi ako namake-upan kanina eh, kase mahuhulas.

And speaking of my mom, what the hell does she wants me to do? I dressed up because she said that the Alkenberg's wants to celebrate our 'arranged marriage' with my family. Sinugod ako ng mga maids sa kwarto ko tas bigla ba naman akong inayusan?

We ate and then tita Giselle? (Zeus mother) Pinainom kami nung Red wine na dala-dala nya and then voila! Andito na me tapos out of reach si Zeus. Baka naman napadpad kung saan yon. I'm assuming na nandito rin sya.

Whatever.

The thing I should do first is to explore this whole island. I need to find food, shelter, etc.

Maybe hanapin ko na lang sya mamaya, kung nandito nga sya.

Mabuti na lang tinuruan kami kung anong gagawin ko sa mga ganitong insidente. Well one of the basics ito bilang isang agent.

Who knows what will happen kapag nagcrash yung eroplano namen or something tas maglanding sa isang island?

And that's what exactly happened to me!

Enough of this talk. Let's go and find our basic resources.

Pumunta na ako sa bahaging magubat. Kailangan kong maghanap ng sticks of wood for campfire. It would be cold later. Nakadress pa man din ako.

Habang naglalakad-lakad ako sa gubat, napaisip ako kung may ahas ba dito o kung anong wild animals. Utang na loob naman sana wala. Hindi ko kayang kalabanin yung mga yon.

Pinulot ko ang mga stick na nagkalat sa gubat. Maghahanap na rin ako ng ilang bato para sa campfire na gagawin ko mamaya.

Mga ilang stick na rin yung napulot ko at nagpasya akong ilagay muna ito sa dalampasigan. Bumalik ako sa pinanggalingan ko kanina at nilapag ang aking dala-dala.

Pinunasan ko gamit ng aking braso ang mga tumutulong pawis sa noo ko. Seems like maglalabor tayo ngayon.

At yun na nga ang ginawa ko. Nagpulot ng stick for campfire at sa gagawin kong mini-shelter mamaya. Kumulekta rin ako ng malalaking dahon para sa bubong at higaan ko. Sunod naman ay kumuha ako ng ilang baging sa gubat para magsilbing panali sa mini-shelter.

Makailang oras ng pabalik-balik sa gubat, nagpasya muna akong magpahinga.

Umupo ako sa buhangin at pinunasan ang tagaktak na pawis na tumutulo na sa muka at sa leeg ko.

Maya-maya, kumalam yung sikmura ko. Naaala ko na konti lang yung kinain ko kanina dahil bigla na lang akong inaantok dahil nga sa wine tas voila, nandito na me.

Come to think of it, Alam kaya ni tita Giselle na agent si Zeus? Alam kasi syempre ni mama saken kase asawa nya agent ng US. They sweared no secrets to each other. At alam ko naman ding hindi pinagsasabi sa iba ni mama na agent ako because it's for my own safety.

Mamaya in disguise yung AMG, tas nasabihan ni mama. Edi wala na, sayang yung effort ko dun sa marriage thingy na napilitan ako.

I sighed at napilitan akong bumangon at naghanap ng kung anong makakain sa gubat. Siguro naman may ligaw na berries dito or something. Wish me luck sana hindi lason.

Nasa medyo pusod na ako ng gubat ng may makita akong saging-saging tas ilang ligaw nga na berry na sana hindi lason.

Mapapasabak ata ako sa akyatan puno challenge. Nag-unat muna ako at nilagay ang buong pwersa ko sa paanan ko at mataas na tumalon. Nang nakatalon, kumapit ako sa puno at kinuha ang ilang bunga pagkatapos naman ay tumalon ako pababa at expertong naglanding.

Basic!

Kumuha din ako ng isang malaking dahon sa puno ng saging at ginamit ito para lagyan ng mga pagkain na mahahanap ko.

Nilagay ko dun ang mga saging at ilang ligaw na berry na sana hindi lason dun. Binalot ko ang mga ito at binuhat na pabalik sa dalampasigan.

Payapa lang ang paligid ng bigla na lang may narinig akong kaluskos. Mabilis akong napalingon sa pinanggalingan ng kaluskos ngunit wala naman akong nakita.

Dahan-dahan tuloy akong naglakad dahil baka may nagagambala akong nuno o kapre dyan. Worse case scenario, may makita pa akong wild animals dyan. Lakad-takbo yung ginagawa ko sabay mabilis na sulyap sa likuran ko.

Tapos samahan na rin naten ng tabi-tabi po.

Diba ganon kapag nasa gubat, madamong lugar etc. ka?

Maya-maya may narinig na naman akong kaluskos at medyo palakas na ng palakas ito!

Kabadong-kabado na ako at medyo namamasa na yung palad ko.

*SsssssSssssssssssSsssss

That's it I'm dead. Target comfirmed ahas nga yung kumakaluskos kanina. Namumutla na ako at hindi na nag-atubili pang tumakbo ng mabilis kaso epal naman yung mga ugat ng puno kaya napatid ako. Nalaglag tuloy yung mga prutas na pinulot ko kanina. Nakadapa lang ako dahil sinubukan kong tumayo eh ang kaso napulikat ata yung paa ko.

Epal kasi yung ugat eh!

Palapit na ng palapit yung SsssssSsss nung ahas ng biglang may humawak sa balikat ko kaya naman napaigtad ako.

"PLEASE WAG MO KONG KAININ HINDI AKO MASARAP REGINA SEPTEMVITTATA!" ( queen snake) I shouted with all my lungs kahit pa hindi ako sundin ng yawang ahas na yun.

Then seconds later I heard a familiar chuckle. Very familiar talaga dahil kahapon ko lang nakilala!

Mabilis akong lumingon sa dereksyon nya at legit. Sya nga!

He looked down on me with amusement is visible in his sharp black eyes.

None other than Zeus Alkenberg.

"Are you okay, Yue?" said in his baritone voice. Ugh! Don't tell me he's messing with me? Don't tell me he is the freaking snake that almost killed me with heart attacks?

Pinilit kong umupo at hinarap sya sabay malakas na sinuntok sya sa muka.

G*go sya eh! He deserves it! He doesn't know how scared I am and then it's only a freaking joke?!

Napahawak sya sa pisngi na sinuntok ko. Humarap sya sakin tila ba walang nangyari kanina.

Huminga ako ng malalim at sinalubong sya ng tingin.

"Are you the snake earlier?"

"Yes."

I can't believe him! My furious is vivid enough to shut him off! I wanna choke him to death!

Pero pinilit kong kinalma yung sarili ko. "Did you know how scared I am huh? I thought a snake will bite me to death tas loko-lokohan lang pala? You almost give me a heart attack, Zeus! I HATE YOU!"

He sighed and then he lift me up with his strong arms.

"Oiii! Put me down, jerk!" nagpumilit akong makawala but I failed. Wala tuloy akong nagawa. Hindi rin ako makagalaw ng maayos kasi ang sakit ng paa ko.

"Hey, you were here in the very first place?"

"Yes."

"So you woke up earlier than me on the beach?"

"Yes."

"So you were watching me while I'm collecting the natural resources?"

"Unfortunately yes. I'm sorry."

Tss.. Bakayarou..

Well guys are guys, mahilig silang mantrip. Legit na legit yan nung high school ako.

Great.

"Why didn't you help me?"

He looked at me on the eye. "Curious if you can handle yourself in a survival situation."

"Why do you keep saying the 'handle yourself' thing anyway?"

"I told you, I'm a dangerous person. I need a wife who can protect herself and the people I loved even if I'm not with her."

You know, he's overprotective because of something, or rather someone. I have this feeling that it's not just his parents that he wants to protect.

There's someone else...

Hindi na ako nagsalita pa at hindi ko na rin namalayan na napunta kami sa isang small Nipa hut.

Hold on. Kung may bahay naman pala edi sayang yung effort ko kanina??

Inilapag nya ako sa upuan na nasa veranda ng kubo at minasahe yung napulikat kong paa.

Medyo napapadaing ako sa sakit kasi ang sakit naman talaga! Umupo lang ako sa upuan habang tahimik na pinagmamasdan si Zeus.

Mga ilang hilot lang nya medyo nawala na yung sakit. Tumingin sya sakin at inilapag sa bamboo floor ang paa ko.

"There, feel better?"

Tumango ako. "Yeah, thanks. And--"

Napasulyap ako sa parteng sinuntok ko kanina. Medyo nangingitim ito "--I'm sorry for punching you earlier. I was just mad."

Umiling sya at tumayo. "It's fine. I understand. Don't worry about it. I crossed the line, it's my fault. Pasok ka na sa loob. You should rest."

Tumayo ako at medyo paika-ika maglakad kaya naman inalalayan ako ng Zeus. Nang makapasok kami sa loob, linibot ko ang tingin sa lugar.

Parang bahay lang sa probinsya, simple lang tsaka pang-isahan o dalawang tao ang magkakasya.

"Did you found this Nipa hut or did you build it by yourself?"

Inupo nya ako sa kama habang sya naman ay nakaupo sa kaharap na silya nito. "No, I didn't. When I first woke up, I explored the island then I found this Nipa hut. Then I'm about to wake you then I found out that you were already awake, collecting some supplies."

"Then why did you scared me?" taas-kilay kong tanong.

Humalikipkip sya. "It will be boring if I just randomly approached you and say 'hey! You're finally awake?'. So that's why I decided to do some dramatic way of approaching someone."

I rolled my eyes. "Dramatic approaching, my ***. Never ever repeat that again! Geez, you almost gave me a heart attack! ANYWAYS! How did we get here anyway?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. The last thing I remember was when we drank the red wine my mom brought us. And then the next thing I new, we're here in the island, actually trapped. I don't know when they will fetch us, so that's why we need to work together in order for us to survive."

I groaned in frustration. Nakakainis naman! I was about to read the Spy X Family manga and then what happened?

TRAPPED TOGETHER WITH ZEUS!

"Hey, probably this is my mom's and your mom's plan. They want us to you know? Get closer? Parang toothpaste ang peg diba?"

"Obviously. They probably built this place for the two of us. And then there's no any supplies here, meaning we should work together. And working together, means getting close to each other." he answered.

I sighed. Ilang araw naman kaming manunuluyan dito ha? Probably 1-2 days? After 2 days kasi, pupunta na ako sa headquarters ng Code E. And I heard that's it's hidden. Even the international Code E members doesn't know where it is.

We'll figure that out once I become an official member of Code E Philippine base.

For now, let's focus on this situation, the survival situation.

"Let's start our food hunting once we eat our meryenda. I'm kinda hungry though."

Napahawak ako sa tiyan ko at kumakalam na ito. "Yeah. You gathered some food?"

He tsked. "Of course! Alangang tumayo lang ako sa tabi tas antaying anurin sakin yung pagkain?"

I rolled my eyes on his answer. "Yeah sure whatever. Let's just eat. Dami mo pang sinasabi."

Since the Nipa hut is just small, sa kama na rin ako kumain. It's just a queen size bed and then kitchen.

We ate bananas and then ramdom berries na confirmed ni Zeus na hindi lason.

Zeus asked me while eating if I can walk, I said I can now. I can't just run cause it kinda hurts a little bit.

Habang kumakain, pinilit kong alalahanin yung mga nangyari kanina. Baka sakaling may mahalungkat akong memory sa memory bank ko na tungkol sa 'how did we get here?' episode naten.

And then I remembered the maids that suddenly barged into my room.

Earlier...

"Thank you, secretary Yu... Yes send me the designs for our upcoming fashion event in 2 months. Send it to my email address. Thanks... Yeah... Take care then, goodbye." ani ko sabay binaba ang aking telepono. Since I'm here in the Philippines, I should help my mom out with her-- I mean our clothing line company.

Miss Yu is my mom's secretary. She did a great job since she worked for our company. She's an independent woman and dedicated to her job.

I stretched my arms and legs then I take a deep sigh. Lots of office works. Hindi lang naman ako full-time agent eh. Kailangan ko pang asikasuhin yung kompanya namin since I'm their only daughter.

I closed my laptop then I took a sipped at my coffee. I love coffee, especially when I'm working. Need some brain boosters, sugar boosters to finished up some loads of works.

Napapikit pa ako, feel na feel ko yung pag-inom ng kape ng biglang may nag---

*BLAGGGGGGG!!!

Sa pinto. Sa sobrang gulat ko napabuga ako ng inom kaya ng naman natapon sa damit ko yung ilang patak ng kape.

Bagong timpla pa naman...

Galit na napabaling ako sa pinto ng kwarto ko. Nakita ko yung ilang maids namen at lahat sila may dala-dala silang kung ano-anong anek-anek sa pampaganda at ilang dresses.

Napasapo ako sa noo ko. Ano na naman bang hirit yan?

"I told you you guys to knock every time when you're about to enter my room. And why didn't you knock?" may bahid ng inis na sambit ko sa kanila.

Nagsalita yung isa sabay yumukod. "I'm sorry to bother you, Miss. Arishia-san wa arukenberuku no hōmon no junbi o suru yō ni tanomimashita." Miss Alicia asked you to get ready for the visit of the Alkenberg's

I completely forgot that they speak Japanese. Tumikhim ako. "Nande?" why?

Sumagot naman ang katabi ng nagsalita kanina. "Karera wa anata no kazoku to issho ni anata no kekkon o iwau tsumorida to itta, misu." They said that they're going to celebrate your marriage together with your family, miss.

"WHAT? IS IT NECESSARY?"

The 1st maid sighed. "Mochiron sōdesu, Yue-sama. Kekkyokunotokoro, sore wa anata to karera no musuko no kekkondesu. Karera wa anata ni motto yoku shitte moraitai nodesu. Anata wa sudeni karera no kazoku no ichiindakaradesu." Of course it does, Yue-Sama. It's your and their son's marriage after all. They want to get you to know better. Since you are already part of their family.

Part of the Alkenberg's huh?

I took a deep breath and then I faced them. "Wakarimashita, it's part of the tradition after all."

They all squealed and then they immediately dragged me into the bathroom and then they politely said that I should soak my body into the bathtub with full of bubbles and I can smell the scent of lavender. It also has petals of rose on it.

Iniwan nila ako sa banyo pagkatapos naman ay hinubad ko ang aking saplot sabay nilublob ko na ang sarili ko sa mabulang tubig ng bathtub.

Ang sarap sa pakiramdam yung feeling na pagkatapos ng digmaan sa trabaho magbababad ka sa bathtub. Very relaxing...

Pinikit ko ang aking mata ng sandali at pagkatapos ay nagbanlaw ako. Tumungo ako sa shower para syempre mag-shower. My maids said that I should also take a shower. Pambihira, ganito ba kapag may meeting sa kabilang panig ng pamilya?

Kailangan I am ready ganon?

Pagkatapos kong magbabad ng ilang minuto at nagshower, lumabas na ako sa banyo na naka bathrobe at bumungad sakin ang mga maids na nag-aantay sakin.

Handang-handa na silang lahat eh.

"Please take a sit miss. I shall fix your hair."

Umupo na ako sa upuan na ang kaharap ay ang vanity mirror ko. Sinimulan na ng hairstylist na tirintasin ang magkabilang dulo ng buhok ko. Hinayaan lang nyang nakaladlad ang maalon kong buhok at pagkatapos ay tinalian ng goma ang kaninang ginawang tirintas nya.

"Miss, please wear this dress." sabay lapag ng floral dress sa paanan ng kama.

Naguguluhan akong tumingin sa kanila. "That's it? No makeups?"

Tumungo naman ang isa sa kanila. "Miss Alicia told us not to make-up you. I think she wants you to show your natural face? I guess?"

I clicked my tongue and then I pick the dress and went straight to my walk-in closet. Hinubad ko ang aking roba sabay napatingin ako sa salamin. Tumalikod ako sa salamin and then I gazed at myself from the back.

Burn marks...

Marks when I escaped from the orphanage alive. It's a good thing that my burn marks are located in my lower back though. Kahit magdress ako nung papasuot nila sakin, hindi kita. Kaso bawal sakin yung backless.

Napailing na lang ako at sinuot ang white floral dress. Pinaresan ko naman ito ng white dollshoes. Ayoko kasi ng heels, hindi ako nakakatagal dun.

I gazed at my own reflection on the whole body mirror. Looks good though.

Lumabas na ako ng closet at sumalubong naman sakin yung Victoria's secret Bombshell Eau de Parfum.

I coughed dahil may pumasok sa bibig ko na pabango. GG sila?

"There we go, Yue-sama. Zeusu kyō wa osoraku anata no tame ni ochimasu." Sir Zeus will probably fall for you.

I shrugged. "Nahh.. Anyways should I go downstairs?"

"Yes miss. They will arrive--"

Napatigil sya sa pagsasalita ng dumating ang mayordama ng bahay na si Manang Felicing.

"Yue, dumating na ang iyong asawa kasama ang kaniyang pamilya."

I almost choked at the 'asawa' word. Like what the hell? Me? May asawa?

Kinda weird though.

Hindi ako sanay.

Nahihiya akong ngumiti kay Manang Felicing. "Salamat po sa pag-alala, bababa na po ako."

Lumabas na ako sa aking kwarto at naglakad pababa ng hagdan. "Hija, ang ganda-ganda mo ngayon. Tiyak na magugustuhan ka pa lalo ng asawa mo." komento ni Manang Felicing sakin.

And then again, I almost choked at the 'asawa' word. Pangalawa na yan ah?

"Ahh, eh, hindi naman po siguro."

"Nako hija, naaala ko tuloy ang aking yumaong asawa. Naalala ko nung unang gabi namin, talagang pinaghandaan ko iyon at sa ilalim ng buwan kasama ang mga nagkikislapang bituin, ipinakita namin ang aming pagmamahalan sa isa't-isa."

Nagulat ako sa sinabi ni lola na 'unang gabi' word. You don't mean that thing?

TMI, sinabi talaga ni Manang kung saan sila nag-ano ni lolo joke.

Joke lang, peace tayo manang.

Tumikhim ako at nilingon ang aking kasabay sa pagababa ng hagdanan. "Manang, hindi naman po kasi kami nagmamahalan. Arranged marriage lang po iyon ni dad kasi gusto nya na may nag-aalaga sakin."

Walang rin silang alam na ako ay isang Agent.

Ngumiti ang ginang sakin. "Hija, paniguradong masisindak mo si Zeus sa iyong taglay na kagandahan, Yue. Gandang bata mo pa naman, sino ba naman ang hindi magkakagusto sayo?"

Bakit nila sinasabi to sakin? May mangyayari bang kakaiba mamaya? Hindi magandang pangitain ang kinikilos ng lahat ngayon.

"Manang, wala pong mangyayari mamayang gabi. Kapag sinubukan nya lang lumapit sakin sapakin ko sya."

"Hay nako, Yue! Ayan ka na naman sa kabrutalan mo! Huwag mong saktan ang iyong nobyo." so nobyo naman ngayon? "Kahit anong mangyari asawa mo pa rin sya. Pagsilbihan mo sya ng maayos."

Malapit na kaming makababa sa hagdanan. "Lola, hindi po ako katulong nya okay? Tsaka isa pa pong ulit, hindi ko po sya mahal."

Napailing na lang si manang at hindi na nagsalita pa. Nakababa na kami at nakarinig ako ng mga boses sa salas. Sila na siguro iyon.

Naglakad papunta sa salas at pagkakarating ko, tumambad sakin ang mga magulang ni Zeus na paharap sakin at ang nakatalikod na bulto ni Zeus.

Masaya syang nakikipag-usap kay mama at halatang tuwang-tuwang makita ni mama si Zeus.

"Senyora, nandito na po si miss Yue." tawag pansin ni manang sa kanila. Napatigil sila sa pagsasalita at humarap sakin.

Lahat sila nakatulala lang sakin kaya naman feeling ko ako yung species na tinititigan sa microscope. What's wrong with me? Simple lang naman ayos ko, wala pang makeup. What's with their reaction?

Napatingin ako kay Zeus na nakatitig lang sakin, ng mahagip nyang nakatingin ako sa kanya, saka sya natauhan at biglang tumikhim para makuha ang atensyon ng lahat.

Natauhan ang ina ni Zeus. "Oh right, sorry about that. I'm so happy to see you, Yue. I'm Giselle Alkenberg."

Agad naman akong lumapit sa kanila at kinamayan si tita Giselle. "I'm also glad to meet you, Yue. I'm Bernard Alkenberg, father of Zeus."

Kinamayan ko silang dalawa. So they must be the adopted parents of his huh? He's lucky to have them. They looked so kind and caring and loving parents.

"I'm also glad to meet you both, tita and tito."

They looked at me with an awe in their eyes. "Oh please, call me mitéra." anang ng ina ni Zeus. If I'm not wrong, mitéra is mother in Greek.

"You can call me, Patéras." sambit naman ng ama ni Zeus. I'm kinda nervous about this but it turns out good anyway.

"Sure thing mitéra and patéras."

Ngumiti naman silang dalawa sakin at sa katabi ko ng anak nila.

"You know what hija? Bagay kayo ng anak ko. I'm sure that I will have gorgeous and handsome grandchildren, right Bernard?"

Humalakhak naman ang ginoo. "You're right about that, agapiménos."

I literally cringed at them inwardly and then I immediately look at Zeus whose also staring at me which makes things go awkward.

And then of course, I break up our staring contest.

"Now, shall me eat our lunch then?" my mother asked. "I bet you are all hungry, we should eat first then we can all chat."

"That's a great idea, Alicia." ani ni mitéra sa aking ina.

Hindi kami nagkausap ni Zeus dahil sa bumabalot na awkwardness sa atmosphere kasi ba naman si mitéra eh. Wow feel na feel yung mitéra no? Bigla na lang nagsalita na tungkol sa apo ganun.

Kanina pa ganito yung usapan ah?

Mas nauunang naglalakad si Zeus sakin. He's wearing a grey slim fit blazer with a black shirt inside. Dark washed indigo skinny jeans and a pair of dark brown shoes.

It looks good to be honest. Ibang-iba sa business attire nung una ko syang nakita.

Hindi ko na namalayan na nasa dining area na pala kami. 6 seater ang dining area namin.

My mom is on the right side. Yung gitnaang silya sa lamesa. Obviously magkatabi sila mitéra and patéras tsaka kaharap lang namin sila. And then of course me, katabi si Zeus.

*sigh

Kaharap na namin sa hapag-kainan ang mga pagkain. Dahil nga Filipino food lover si mama nagpaluto sya ng adobong manok, tinolang manok, sinigang na baboy, Bicol Express, at tsaka yung pinakbet. Syempre hindi mawawala yung kanin.

"Let's all bow our heads and pray." wika ni mama. Magsasalita na sana si mama ng biglang may sinabi si tita Giselle.

"Wait, Alicia. Let Zeus do the praying."

Nanlaki ang mata ni Zeus at hindi makapaniwalang tumingin sa nanay nya. "What? Seriously mom--"

Sinipa sya ni tita Giselle mula sa ilalim kaya napadaing ito. "Kay laki-laki mo na hindi ka pa marunong magdasal? Ano ka elementary?"

He groaned in frustration. Puwesto na sya sa pagdadasal. "Once again, let's all bow our heads and pray."

"Lord God, Heavenly Father, bless us and these Thy gifts which we receive from Thy bountiful goodness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen."

Nagpipigil ako ng tawa na tumingin sa kaniya. "Don't know that you can pray."

Lumingon din sya sakin. "I'm awesome after all. Plus I always do the praying when I was in the elementary."

Tapos kanina di pa niya magawa-gawa? Kala mo kasi naeexorcise eh.

The feast was full of chatting about each other's business. Kung saan daw nagsimula ang kompanya nila. My mom and Zeus' parents are just chit-chatting habang ako walang kibo pati na rin si Zeus.

Matatapos na akong kumain ng biglang kausapin ako ni mitéra.

"Yue, tell me more about yourself." magiliw na salita ng ginang.

Napatikhim ako. "Well, life is hard for me especially when I was in childhood. I'm just 5 back then when our orphanage was caught on fire and all the kids there died. I was the only survivor of that incident. Some people said that I'm lucky to survive but ever since that day I always have nightmares about my friends asking for my help but I can't just help them."

I didn't tell the fact that they were murdered. For privacy reasons. I don't want them to get involved.

"Then my dad, Hiro found me on the dump. I was so sore back then because my lower back was burned and I have scratches because of the light materials that falls from the ceiling. He took me to the hospital and psychologist. I received therapists and then that's when he decided to adopt me."

"He said that they have no children and he can also help me to overcome my trauma. So I accepted his offer. And then I met my mother, Alicia. She's so kind to me and caring when I was a little kid. Mama..." tumingin ako sa kay mama.

"Thank you for taking care of me and I also thank you the love and support you gave me. I love you mom, both you and dad."

She was in awe and tears are slightly falling on her eyes.

"And then here I am. I studied hard and I graduated in Bachelor in Fashion Design & Technology on Paris. And currently I helped my mother with her business."

Tita Giselle and tito Bernard kindly smiled to me. "Hija, life is indeed hard for you and I'm so glad that you overcome your problems." ani tito Bernard.

I actually still haven't overcome it. The Archsmendail mafia gang. If they still exist, my mission in life isn't finished yet.

"Yeah, I'm also happy for you hija. Don't worry, my son will protect you. He is a soldier after all."

Wait... what?

Mabilis akong napalingon kay Zeus na tahimik lang na kumakain sabay bumaling ako sa mag-asawang Alkenberg.

"He is a soldier? Meaning, he's part of a military?"

I'm shookt.

Tumango ang ginang sakin. "Yes he is. But unfortunately, he retired. He wants to help his father in Weapon business."

Napatango-tango na lang ako. "So, what is his rank?"

"I'm a lieutenant colonel." si Zeus ang sumagot. Napa-ahhh na lang ako. That must be a high rank.

"The main reason why I retired from the army, it's when my younger brother, Reid pass away." sabay napatahimik sa pagkain sila tita Giselle.

Reid? Isn't that Zeus' codename?

"Reid huh? I miss that boy. I wished he didn't died in a car accident. If that didn't happened maybe he's still here with us." ani ng ginang.

Pain is visible in her voice. "Maybe if he's still alive, may ama pa rin si Annie."

Now who is Annie?

Napatikhim si tito Bernard kaya naman napabaling ang atensyon namin sa kanya.

"Awee come on. Stop talking about the sad past. It hurts, but we should moved on. Agapiménos, didn't we bring our gift to our newlyweds?"

Nagliwanag ang muka ni tita Giselle. "Oh right! Our gift! Here." may kinuha sya sa ibaba at isang bote yun ng Red wine. "Drink this as a sign of good relationship on you two."

"Now when did you bought that mom?" tanong ni Zeus.

"Well, just today. Anyways here, drink this." nagsalin sya ng sa dalawang wine glass at ibinigay samin.

"That looks delicious, Giselle. We should toast later." sambit ng aking ina.

"Yes sure, Alicia. But the newlyweds should be first."

Tiningnan ko yung wine sa loob at kitang-kita don yung reflection ko. Ilang saglit pa iinomin ko na sana ng biglang pinigilan ako ni Zeus.

"What?"

"We should toast first." sabay pinagclick nya yung baso namin. Nuyon? Dahil dun lang? Anyways, ininom ko na yung wine tapos ang sarap nya. Ininom na rin ni Zeus yung sa kanya.

And then I felt something strange. My head is spinning and my vision's getting blurry.

Tumingin ako kay tita Giselle and then I saw her smiling and mouthing something to my mom.

'Mission success!'

Then I collapsed at the table and then I saw Zeus, he's also lose his consciousness.

I also heard mom and tita Giselle talking about something.

'We should quickly send them to the island! We should hurry or else our plan will be failed.'

'Don't worry, Alicia. I've put the strongest sleeping drug, look even my son fainted. Now let's move!'

I heard a few scratches and then the next thing I knew, I'm in an island...

Trap...

With Zeus....

The Snail President's note: Well sorry for the slow update because I'm telling you, I'm slow. 😆 But anyways, ayan naman sa wakas nakapag-update din, woohhh sinaniban ako bigla ng sipag eh.

The chapter 1-5 revolves around the Luxembourg and the Alkenberg family kasi yan yung 2-day rest ni Yue.

So please be patient sa digmaan. 😂

So yeah, thanks for reading I deeply appreciate it. And please tell me your opinions about AFMU. Mapadito o sa Twitter man.

Follow me on Twitter: @TheSnailHeiress

Once again thank you for reading and I guess I'll see you next update.

🐌🐌👋👋

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