"To succeed in such a wicked world, a prince must be strong as a lion and shrewd as a fox. He might have to trick his enemies and even his own people for the good of the state."
NICCOLÓ MACHIAVELLI, Il Princepe
ARTHEMISIA LOZANO
Almost.
I always hate that word. The entirety of it crept into my mind ever since my name was invariably associated with his. At hindi ko matatanggap na hanggang dito sa listahang ito, siya parin ang una at magkatabi na naman ang mga pangalan naming dalawa.
Just fuck! What went wrong? Ano pa ang kulang? I was so sure this time! Saksi ang bawat sulok ng kwarto ko kung pa'no ko pinaggugulan ng oras ang pagrereview para dito. I know I studied harder than him!
"As expected, si Javier ang rank 1."
"Syempre magtataka ako kung si Themis."
"No one will ever beat Javier, kahit pa ang Lozano na 'yan. Well, muntik nga lang."
Madiin kong naisara ang palad ko. Rinig ko ang kritisismong ibinibigay sa'kin ng paligid. Hindi pa nakuntento, binanggit pa ang pangalan ng lalaking 'yon! I immediately compose myself and walk away from that darn bulletin board, disappointed with the results.
How dare him! Nagtiwala ako sa kanya. That fucking Niccolo. He will pay for this.
Itinawid ko ang pagitan ng SBEB at Publication Office para matunton ang kinaroroonan niya. Hindi nga ako nagkakamali, he's here, wearing his most annoying grin na parang ine-expect niyang dito talaga ako didiretso after seeing that fucking results. His back is leaning against the swivel chair, suot niya ang salamin niya at pinaglalaruan ang ballpeng hawak bago tuluyang tumingin sa'kin.
"Yes, sweetheart? What makes you come here in my den?" He said it like I will regret my decision of confronting him here in his territory.
"I hate you and your machiavellian tricks." I uttered with conviction. "We have a deal, Niccolo!"
He chuckled with my outburst. Tumayo siya at lumapit sakin, towering me as if I'm the most helpless bunny na nakita niya sa buong buhay niya. He's proud but my pride is bigger than his.
"No machiavellian tricks this time, Themis. I only used my brain." Tinuro niya ang sentido bago ngumisi sa'kin.
Lies. Kung mapapa-ikot niya ang iba sa mga salita niya, ako hindi. For someone like me who saw his vile acts, I know he's capable of such things. He misled me at nagpaka-tanga naman ako!
"Kung bakit ba naman kasi ayaw mo akong patulan, edi sana ikaw ang rank 1." The mockery in his voice is evident. Dumapo ang kamay niya sa kaliwang pisngi ko na nagbigay kilabot sa kalamnan ko. Tinabig ko iyon.
"Enough with your shits, Niccolo. With the exception of you, I will like anyone. After all, I don't want to commit the crime of liking you." I saw how his emotion change after what I declared. He forcedly held my jaw. There's gentleness in his touch but not in his eyes. Hindi ko yun matanggal and I have no choice but to grip his wrist.
"Remember this, Themis. Someday, you'll wake up and realize that you need me. That you'll beg me to take you. Kapag dumating ang araw na 'yun, that's when I'll reject you. Ipaparanas ko sa'yo ang mga pinaranas mo sa'kin. I'll break your heart and leave it in the wild."
I laughed in my mind. That curse is futile. There's no way in hell that I'll fall for this machiavellian guy.
-
"Since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be feared than to be loved."
NICCOLÒ MACHIAVELLI, Il Princepe
NICCOLO JAVIER
Fear.
It's the exact word I want people to feel when I'm around. I like the authority and dominance. Gusto ko ang ideyang manginginig sila sa takot sa twing nababanggit ang pangalan ko. Na maghuhurumentado ang mga dibdib nila at tatakbo na parang mga takot na aso. But why is it that when it comes to her, I want the exact opposite of it? That to be feared by her is an insult to me.
I smiled. Thinking about her excites me. Ano pa kaya kung nasa harap ko na siya at tila nagsusumamo na parang tupa.
"Get your filthy hand off me, Niccolo." I want her. I want her intense stare, her teasing touch, and her sensual voice. She's so close, I want to devour her.
Binitiwan ko na siya bago pa niya marinig ang nasa isip ko.
"You're a hopeless case. Hindi na ako umaasang magbabago ka pa."
Her words are like daggers, sinking not into my chest but into my very own flesh, and I love how it feels. Na kahit intensyon nitong saktan ako, hindi magawang magalit ng sarili ko. Ah. Such a heavenly way to die.
She was about to go out nang tinulak ko pasara ang pinto at ni-lock ito.
"Sweetheart, what have I told you? The end will always justify the means. I will never play fair." 'Cause you are never fair to me in the first place as well.
She rolled her eyes. Hindi ko mapigilan ang pagtakas ng ngiti sa labi ko.
My vixen is mad. Real mad. Ganyan nga, magalit ka sa'kin. I'll wait for that day na ikaw naman ang luluhod sa'ting dalawa. When that day comes, I'll kneel with you and get over the things you've done. I'll forget how you've wronged me. It's nonsense anyway.
"Yeah, right. For someone as crude as you, the word fair will never be in your vocabulary. I just hope that this will be the last scheme you're hiding behind your sleeves. Dahil kung hindi, I won't hesitate to put your name in history."
Let's see, Arthemisia. Continue hoping. Hope that you won't fall for me. Just hope that you won't revoke your stupid decision to not fall for me.
BINABASA MO ANG
Legally Rivals
General FictionWho on earth is righteous? And who's not wicked? For Arthemisia Lozano, it was never the question of who's who. What's important for her is to get rid of her rival, Niccolo Javier.
