The Tortured Villains Society

#TTVS 3

"Maraming nagsasabing nagpapapansin lang ang The Tortured Villains Society dahil mga clout chasers kayo at kulang sa aruga ng magulang. Anong kumento mo rito, Miss Regalia?"

I didn't reply and just munched on my french fries, ignoring them completely.

Bakit ako maga-adjust? Sila ang nangharang sa'kin pagkalabas ko ng paborito kong fastfood place! If they want my statement, they'll have to wait until I finish my fries.

The reporter looked at me with fake sympathy. "Oh, I am very sorry if we have offended you, Miss Regalia."

Napataas ako ng kilay at sinamaan ng tingin ang babaeng parang kinuha sa punerarya ang damit. Hindi ba talaga sila titigil sa mga paawa effect nila? Nakakawala ng appetite, ah.

"Ano na lang ang masasabi mo sa panibagong ordinansa na inilunsad ni Mayor Marigold tungkol sa supervillains---?!"

I spit my chewed fries at the camera lens.

The crowd around us gasped at what I did. Maging ang reporter ay natigilan sa ginawa ko, as if dealing with my attitude wasn't in her job description. Well, maybe it isn't. Pero dapat talaga sumasabay na sa uso at sa modernong panahon ang pesteng media na 'to!

They all stared at me, wide-eyed, as if I just escaped an asylum. I hate them.

I laughed and crossed my arms over my chest. "What? I thought there's this petty table manners thingy about not speaking with your mouth full? Pero bakit kinakausap niyo pa rin ako habang kumakain ako ng fries?" Tumalin ang tingin ko sa reporter at ngumiti nang mala-demonyo nang namutla siya.

Pero ano pa bang bago sa kanila? I wouldn't be surprised if they did this on purpose. Sinasadya nilang i-corner kami para papangitin ang imahe namin sa publiko. These insects do what they do best‐--provoke villains and make us look like the freaks in this town. And for what? Satisfaction? Proving a point? Making us look like spoiled brats on camera?

Unfortunately for them, I've been dealing with this shit since Chairman appointed me as the Public Relations Officer.

I love the public but I hate our relations.

Soon I smiled sweetly at another camera. Nanginginig pa ang camera man nang lapitan ko siya. Pigil-hininga ang lahat ng tao nang magsalita ako.

"Listen up, bitches," I glared. "Alam kong pakana na naman ng 'mabuting mayor' ang surprise interview na ito para lang pagmukhain kaming masama. Guess what? WE ARE BAD! Villains nga, 'di ba? Bobo lang? Kaya 'wag kayong mag-expect na magiging anghel ako dahil lang sinundan ninyo ako hanggang dito. I'm on my fucking lunch break, so if you don't respect my time, I might use it to just break everyone's leg here."

Agad na humakbang papalayo ang kumpulan ng mga tao at may narinig pa akong batang umiyak. Umirap na lang ako. Ang ingay naman!

After clearing my throat, I put on my professional mask and fake smile

"Regarding The Tortured Villains Society's statement on Mayor Marigold's recent ordinance, it'll be ready by next week. Magpapatawag na lang kami ng press conference para rito kaya 'wag na kayong mangulit sa email o sa message inbox ng page namin. Busy ang Chairman namin sa recruitment kaya kung ayaw ninyong maging miserable ang mga buhay ninyo, please refrain from interrupting our activities from now on. Thank you!"

I flipped a middle finger at the camera and took in a deep breath.

'Showtime!'

Maya-maya pa, nagsigawan ang mga tao nang bumuga ako nang kulang lilang apoy sa palibot namin. The pavement burned with a semi-circle of violet flames, creating a barrier between me and the crowd of reporters and onlookers. Hindi na bago sa'kin ang panghuhusga at takot sa mga mata nila. Akala ba nila may epekto pa 'yan sa'kin? Na makokonsensiya ako sa mga ginagawa ko? Oh, please. I've endured worse in the past. My sweet and innocent days are gone, bitches.

I just laughed at their terrified reactions and started walking away, hands in my pockets, as I flipped my bright violet hair behind me.

What a waste of french fries! Bihira na nga lang kami makahingi ng lunch allowance kay Evander, maiistorbo pa ng mga reporters na 'to.

Ilang sandali pa, tumunog ang cellphone ko. I rolled my eyes, knowing all too well who is calling me at this hour.

"Hindi ka pa pala patay, Region?"

"The fuck? Hello din sa'yo, Regalia," sarkastikong sagot ng kakambal ko.

Natawa na lang ako. Minsan talaga may anger issues ang lokong ito and it makes it all the more fun to mess with him!

"Bakit ka tumawag? Sayang load. Baka mabawasan pa ulit ang load budget natin."

"I doubt it. I've already collected our funds, kaya walang karapatang maging kuripot si Evan!"

Really? That's good news.

"Just reminding you of our emergency meeting later. Nagpatawag na naman si Deangelo," parang pagod nang sabi ni Region. Hindi ko alam kung pagod na ba siya sa meeting, sa naging assignment niya, o sa katotohanang si Chairman ang nagpatawag nito. I smiled, the beef between these two always makes my day.

"Okay, thanks for the reminder! See you later at the headquarters, twinny!"

Before Region could even react with the nickname (which he hates so much), tumawa ako at binabaan na siya ng tawag.

Pero imbes na lumiko ako ng kanto papunta sa headquarters namin, agad akong nagpunta sa pinakamalapit na streetfood vendor na may french fries. Tutal naman male-late nang dating si Chairman. Seriously, if that walking comedic corpse isn't busy trying to poison himself, he's probably screwing some poor girl in a motel. Kaya okay lang ma-late sa meetings! Wala namang secretary.

"Manang, tatlong order ng fries po."

Natigilan ang manininda nang makita ako. Kumunot ang kanyang noo at inayos ang salamin.

"Teka, parang pamilyar ka, hija? Nakita yata kita sa livestream dito sa Facebook kanina. Ikaw ba si...?"

I smiled sweetly. I have a soft heart for old people, what can I say?

"I'm Regalia, the Public Relations Officer of The Tortured Villains Society."

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