I checked my watch, approximately ten minutes early of the supposed 5:00 PM, I stood at the entrance of Eugene's villa, my breath catching in my throat. I held my stiletto, wore black leggings, black compression shirt and a black cap, I even wore black framed shades just because I felt like it.
The place was massive, far bigger than any mansion I'd ever seen in the Philippines. It was the only villa on this mountain, away from the rest of the humans with a background view of the sea itself, it had this old-world charm, a sort of regal presence that seemed to defy the tropical surroundings.
Ivory walls stretched into the sky, flanked by ornate columns and surrounded by high iron gates. Lush gardens bloomed all around, with thick trees and flowers that filled the air with a sweet fragrance. It looked more like a palace than a private villa.
"Impressed?" Eugene's voice broke through my thoughts. I turned to see him standing beside me, he wore a white drawstring pants, a pristine white linen polo, pearl beads on his neck and his hair was brushed up, he wore flip flops on his usual easygoing smile on his face, like he wasn't aware of just how ridiculous this place was.
"Yeah," I replied, a bit reluctantly. "It's... big."
Eugene chuckled in expensive, a rich sound that matched the grandeur of the villa. "You'll be seeing a lot of it. And not just from the outside." He gave me a playful wink. "Come on. Let's get started." Aniya at tumawa din ako gamit ang aking mamahaling tawa, "Ahua-hua-hua!" At nacornyhan sa sarili.
"Please don't laugh again." Eugene respectfully gestured me, napatakip ako sa aking bibig. What the fuck am I doing?!
I followed him inside, stepping through the heavy wooden doors into a massive foyer. The space was even more overwhelming up close. Marble floors gleamed underfoot, and the walls were lined with paintings in heavy gilded frames. The ceilings were impossibly high, with chandeliers dangling like icicles from above. But what struck me the most was how open everything felt — like a labyrinth, designed to be both beautiful and disorienting.
Eugene led me deeper into the villa, winding through hallways and past rooms filled with antique furniture and sculptures. Every corner seemed to hide a new surprise: a glass cabinet filled with old weapons, a hidden staircase leading down into darkness, even a grand piano covered in dust. My mind raced with the possibilities.
"Tangina kaganda." I muttered, half to myself. Tapos dalawa lang kami naglalakad dito? Asan na yung ibang tao?
Eugene glanced back at me, a grin on his face he stopped walking whilst I continued, warily.
"So, where's the battleground?" I ask, slowly pacing my feet, swinging my stilettos open in the air.
"This whole villa is the battleground."
I stop walking, I thought he was touring me around? "You're crazy." I turned around to face him and I stopped smiling when his face was etched with readiness and confidence.
"You'll have to stay on your toes. Ready?" Eugene slid his hands off his pockets, tilting his head up wearing a confident expression.
I quirk a smirk in excitement and nodded, gripping my stiletto a little tighter. I always chose this weapon for a reason. It was small, sleek, deadly — just like me. I felt the familiar weight of it in my hand, the way it balanced perfectly between my fingers. I had trained, and killed people with it for years, but today would be different. Today, I had to prove myself.
Eugene stepped back, giving me space. "Show me what you've got, Medus---"
I lunged at him, quick as a snake, aiming for his side. But he was faster than I'd expected, dodging to the left and catching my wrist in a firm grip. I twisted, trying to break free, but he held me in place, his expression almost amused.
