The Only Escape (Isla Julieta Series #4)

Chapter 41

CHAPTER 41

"Olesia, wait—"

Hinablot ko ang baril ng isang tauhan na nagbabantay sa gilid at kinasa 'yon bago itutok kay Nikolas. "Fuck off!"

Agad niyang tinaas ang magkabilang kamay at humakbang ng isa patalikod.

I'm back in the mansion. The mansion where I lost my mom and Diego. Ang lugar kung saan nire-respeto ako ng lahat ng tauhan, nakayuko sa tuwing dumadaan ako, pero ito rin ang lugar na labing-apat na taon ay nakakulong ako.

On papa's private plane, Nikolas and I were seated beside each other and papa was in front of us. The whole flight from the Philippines to Spain, I was silent. Silently mourning for Valerio. For Tito Vittorio and Azariah.

I failed to keep my promise to myself, to Valerio, and his family. Hindi ko siya nagawang protektahan. So what does that mean? I'm a lousy underboss.

My goal for the rest of the mafia is to protect them from David Marchetti's ruthless leadership. Pero magagawa ko pa ba 'yon? Kung hindi ko nga nailigtas ang pinakamamahal ko sa kamay ng tatay ko, paano pa kaya ang buong grupo?

"Olesia, gusto lang kitang makausap."

Nanatili ang malamig na tingin ko sa kanya. "Kakausapin? Mababalik ba yung buhay ng mahal ko sa mga salita mo?"

Sinubukan niyang hablutin ang baril sa kamay ko pero nagmatigas ako. I punched his face, causing him to let go of my hand, and fired on his arm then I heard him groan because of pain.

Ngumisi ako at binalik sa bantay ang baril niya. I walked to my room and locked myself in before heading to my bed then cried. Niyakap ko ang unan ko at nahagip ng tingin ko ang singsing.

"Baby..." I whispered, "...I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I failed you."

Napalunok ako at naramdaman ang sakit ng lalamunan ko. Kakasigaw, sa pagmamakaawa, at sa iyak na pinigilan ko noong nasa eroplano kami.

I haven't slept a wink. How would I? My Valerio is dead.

Sa rami ng mga natirang tauhan ni papa at sa rami rin ng putok ng baril na narinig ko, parang lahat sila ay isa-isang pinaputukan ng bala si Valerio. Mag-isa lang siya laban sa ilang tauhan.

Papa could have just left him there alive! Sasama naman ako, eh! Magpapakasal na ako sa taong hindi ko mahal! Pero bakit kailangang bawiin pa siya sa pamilya niya?

He was not just my soon-to-be husband. He was a brother and a son. He was a cousin and a friend.

Today was supposed to be a special day for us. Ngayon dapat kami ikakasal. His sister, my only best friend, will go to Isla Julieta. His dad and some of his cousins and other relatives, too. Oo, pupunta sila sa Isla Julieta, pero para sa lamay niya. Imbis na mapupuno ang araw ng kasiyahan, mababalot ito ng hinagpis at pagluluksa.

Naramdaman kong parang may humahalukay sa sikmura ko kaya kumaripas ako ng takbo sa banyo. I gathered my hair while barfing at the same time, my tears were falling nonstop. When I had nothing to vomit anymore, I flushed the toilet and went to the sink to wash my face.

I decided to take a bath. Nang mahubad ko na yung damit ko, may nakita akong dugo sa panty ko. I washed that first before finally took a bath.

Napaupo ako sa sahig at sumandal sa pader habang yakap-yakap ang sarili ko. I could still feel Valerio on my skin. His hugs, his kisses, and even his breath that tickles me.

When I closed my eyes, the image of us smiling and laughing, him, singing me to sleep, his pouts and his furrowed brows. Naalala ko rin ang mga ngiti at kilig ni Azariah habang pinagmamasdan kami ni Valerio.