UNCOVER JANE DOE

Chapter 49: Love gambits

"Fuck! What are you doing, Maxine? I lost Ara a few hours ago! I've lost my safety net. You heard that? So stop rubbing salt into my wound, will you? Although Ara had anger issues and madaming beses akong nadadamay sa galit n'ya, I can't deny the fact that she's my go to person. That one I can lean on. I had that assurance na whatever happens I have her in my life. But she's gone now! Tapos heto ka, telling me all this bullshit!? You're hurting me more than how hurt I already am. I can't afford to lose you too, Max. Don't do this to me, please. Please tell me that you're lying. Please tell me na nagbibiro ka lang at hindi ka mawawala sa akin." Panic, betrayal, hurt and confusion is visible on Narda's face. More than the physical pain, she is mentally exhausted.

Regina pulled her easel and chair near Narda.

"You're way too close, Regina Maxine." Beast warned her.

"Don't worry, dad. I got this." Baling nito kay Beast.

"Hindi naman ako kayang saktan ng love of my life ko, 'di ba?" Nginisihan pa s'ya nito na ikinayuko n'ya lang. "What happened to you, my Maxine?"

"Neways, I don't do lies, Narda. I said what I said. Stop being so dramatic, nakakaantok." Regina looked at her with boredom.

"Nabobore pa s'ya sa lagay na 'to?! Putangina naman!"

"Fuck! If me being reincarnated is true, dalawang beses na akong naghirap sa buhay na 'di ko naman pinili tapos pati ba naman ngayon? Okay nalang na patayin ako ni Beast sa gulpi pero ang patayin ako sa sama ng loob ni Maxine, iyon yata ang 'di ko makakaya."

Narda is badly beaten but felt weaker each time Regina Maxine looks at her with a mocking smile.

"Basta-basta mo nalang ba itatapon ang pinagsamahan natin? Peke lng ba lahat ng pinakita mo sa akin dati?"

Nginitian lang s'ya nito ng nakakaloko. "Remember the first time we met? You caught my interest and I won't lie about being attracted to you. I did lay my cards on the table right there and then, but you wanted something else from me. I only need you as my nude model, nothing more nothing less. Pero masyado kang nadala sa ganda ko." Regina chuckled. "Sino ba naman ako para tumanggi, 'di ba? Though admittedly I had times of confusion since magaling ka rin namang mambola at maglaro ng emosyon, but as you can see, I survived from your gambit. Para tayong nagchess... 'yong ang strategic mo maglaro, luring me into something na alam mong ikakatalo ko pero in the end you're the one who fell into my bait. Ang saya mong kalaro. But I think it's game over. I'm not as weak as you think I am, Narda Custodio. Checkmate!"

Lumapit pa si Regina kay Narda.

"Love, please. Stop this. Nanghihina na ako. You know you're my strength, Max. Bahala na si Beast kung ano ang gagawin sa akin, just please tell me you're lying. Hindi ko kakayanin 'tong ganito."