A Mafia's Obsession

CHAPTER 13

I was just staring blankly as we arrived at the mall. I was still wondering why no police officers had arrived to investigate what happened.

"Mateo's here," Mom said, turning to where she was staring. I saw Mateo holding a gun. When he saw me staring, he gave it to his companion and acted like he didn't see me.

He took long strides towards me and hugged me.

"Are you okay?" he asked, checking on me. I just nodded because I was still recovering from what happened.

"Please, mahal. Speak. I'm worried," his voice was filled with concern.

"O-okay lang ako," I said. He hugged me again. I saw Tita Kristine arriving.

"How's my kids? nasaktan ba kayo?" tanong niya puno nang pag alala tumango lang ang kambal.

Tita Kristine went to Mommy Majika para malaman kung ano ba ang nangyari.

"Tayrence, I'm okay. Just go ahead and pick out your clothes too," I stopped scrolling through my phone when I heard Alicia shout. It was like nothing had happened.

"I just want to know if you are okay, Alicia. And please call me Kuya, I'm older than you," he said gruffly to his sister. Their Mom and Dad just shook their heads and continued talking. Mateo joined in, and it seemed like they were talking about what happened earlier.

After ng nangyari pinili na lang namin ituloy ang pag shopping kahit may pangamba pa rin.

Kanina pa ako kinukulit na kumuha ng damit na para sa akin pero panay lang ako tanggi.

"Are you sure? You really don't want to? I told you it's on me. I'll pay. You know I got you, always," she said. She shook her head and then suddenly turned to me and winked.

"I have a lot of clothes at home. I haven't even worn some of them, so I'm okay," I said. She just nodded and continued looking. I noticed there were only four customers in the store. It was almost empty, just us, the sales ladies, and the bodyguards.

"Just accompany me while I pick, Ate. If you really don't want to," Alicia said, shrugging. I nodded at her. Tayrence was just watching over his sister.

Kawawa siguro manliligaw nito kung mag kataon bantay sarado sa Kuya.

"Okay," I said, and she clapped.

"Did you rent this whole mall po ba?" I asked curiously. She nodded. I stared at her in disbelief.

"Yeah, so no one can disturb us. And Mateo said it's so what happened before won't happen again, and today," she said. I nodded and just followed her.

Mom was done looking for a dress, so we were now heading to the nail salon.

"I'm good," Alicia and Tayrence said, smiling.

"Oh, sino itong magandang kasama niyo, momshie?" she said. I looked down because I was shy.

"My daughter-in-law, Mateo's wife," Mom said, putting her arm around mine. Mateo was just behind, talking to Tito Jason.

"I'm Ashianna Zylene Montevallo," I said, smiling and offering my hand. She smiled widely and took my hand.

"I'm Alexis Jane De Ararro. Call me Jane for short," she said, dramatically. Instead of a smile, I gave her a grimace.

"Nice to meet you po," I said, and just smiled.

"Same, momshie. Let's follow momshie Majika, Kristine, and the young lady and gentleman so I can clean your nails," she said quickly. I just nodded and followed. I didn't understand what she said.

"Sit there and wait for the one who will clean your nails," she said, pointing to the massage chair next to Mom's, who was busy on her phone. Alicia and Tayrence were just in front of us.

I just read a magazine while I waited for my nails to be done. They also had food, so I wasn't hungry.

"Gaano na kayo katagal kasal ni Mateo?" ganong sakin ng isa pang beki ito yung kasama ni Jane kuno si Ella or Emmanuel.

"Hindi ko maalala, e." nangunot ang noo nito sa sagot ko.

"What? Paanong hindi maalala?" Jane said, her voice laced with disbelief. Mom must have heard her question because she turned to us. I could feel Mateo's gaze on me too.

"I had an accident, which resulted in amnesia. But my doctor said my memories are slowly coming back," I said. She nodded and went silent, continuing what she was doing.

After the nail salon, we decided to go home. Mom said Mateo didn't leave the house. He just went home first because he had things to do. So I didn't look for him.

~~~

On the way home, I couldn't help but think about what happened earlier and the woman I bumped into the other day. She seemed familiar to me. While lost in thought, Mom spoke.

"Zylene," she said, getting my attention. I turned to her immediately.

"Bakit po, Mommy?" I asked, confused because there was sadness in her eyes. What happened?

"If ever you remember, please. Don't get mad at Mateo and us too," she said. I was even more confused by what she said. Even the twins were looking at us, confused.

"Po? Bakit naman po ako magagalit if my memories fully come back?" I asked. She just shook her head. I stopped talking and looked out the window, thinking about what she said. I didn't realize we were close to home. Mom got out first, and I followed silently.

Mom didn't answer after that, kaya nadagdagan na naman ang iisipin ko.

We dropped off the twins. Tita Kristine was with them before we headed home.

I couldn't find Mateo in the living room, so I went to the kitchen. He wasn't there, so I went upstairs to check on him in our room. I could hear Mateo's voice. He was talking to someone. I was about to go in when I heard what his companion said.

"Keep an eye on Luliana. Arnel's people are watching you. You know that," his companion said seriously.

"I know what to do, Finn," Mateo said, taking a sip of the drink he was holding.

"Just give me the goddamn information, Finn. So you can leave," he said impatiently.

"Her father and brother raped her multiple times. Her mother didn't believe her, that's why she got into the incident. Her father and brother are drug addicts. They're in jail now. She lost her baby," I heard his companion say. I didn't know who they were talking about, but I had a feeling it was me.

Kung hindi ako 'yon, sinong babae? May iba ba siyang babae?

She lose her baby? Nawalan ba ako ng anak? Nakikita ko sila dahil hindi masyadong sarado ang pintuan.

"Where's her father and brother then?" I heard Mateo ask seriously.

"Prison SF JAIL. Her mother reported them because she was also raped by her son, and her husband didn't do anything but watch while drinking alcohol and smoking," his companion said. I was surprised by what he said.

"Where is her mother?" Mateo asked briefly.

"She was in Bataan when she came here to get Luliana. But you wouldn't let her, even when she begged you. Remember? She gave up getting Luliana because she had no chance against you. She tried to ask help from higher-ups, but no one helped. You know you are reckless, dude," he said. My head was pounding from what I was hearing.

"Zylene is mine. I would never let anyone get her from me. She's my obsession, my wife," Mateo said. I couldn't move where I was standing.

"Yeah, she is yours. But what will happen if she finds out that you are not her husband?" I winced at what I heard.

"Shut up. If you will keep it a secret, no one will know," he said and drank his alcohol. "Just shut your fucking mouth, Aguas," he said harshly.

"Even she knew, she couldn't escape from me. I already marked her," he said. I was about to go in when my head started to hurt.

"Ahhhhh!" I screamed. I was sure Mateo heard it because I could hear people rushing out. The door opened, and Mateo and another man came out. It wasn't Brian.

Mateo was now beside me. I held onto his arm when I felt like I was slowly losing consciousness.

I felt him supporting me. I wanted to push him away, but my body wouldn't cooperate.

The memories kept coming back into my head.

I lifted my head, but I bowed it again when my head hurt, and a person came into my mind. It was a guy.

My mind couldn't take the truth anymore when another person came.

He was nineteen years old.

The blurry face that I always saw in my dreams whenever I was crying and stopping him from raping me, slowly appeared clearly. It was my brother and father.

"Luliana, stop struggling. Come with your brother," I heard a voice say. I didn't know where it came from.

"Anak, pasasayahin ka ulit ni Papa. Come on, I have a gift for you after," I heard him say. Tears streamed down my face because of that memory.

"Shit, Mom!" I heard Mateo yell. The other man was supporting me.

Before I fell to the ground, I felt Mateo's arm around my waist.

I saw Mommy, who I trusted the most, running toward us. Fear was evident in her eyes.