Clash Of Crowns I: Shadows Of Love And Sacrifices.

XII || Forced

Please note: This story may contain errors and grammatical mistakes. Your understanding and patience are appreciated as this is a work in progress.

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MAXINE'S POV

The silence in our dining room was suffocating. I sat at the end of the long, dark mahogany table, my eyes focused on the untouched plate of food in front of me.

Across from me, my father sat, his expression as hard as stone, sa ganyang itsura niya napapasunod lahat ng mga tao sa paligid niya.

I had grown used to this, dinners that felt more like business meetings, with orders and instructions disguised as casual conversations.

"Maxine," tawag niya sakin gamit ang malamig na tono ng pananalita niya. "You’ll be returning to Elite Academy tomorrow." what? Pero tapos nako mag aral sa states?.....and besides busy ako sa training namin....

Pero syempre bawal ko sabihin yon that's why I stay calmed and answer him.

“What for?” I asked.

He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. "The Alvarez family," he said, his words sharp and cold. "I want you to keep an eye on them. Specifically, Aiesha."

I stiffened at the mention of her name. Aiesha Alvarez. The girl I had driven home just last night, the girl who should have been my enemy, but who had somehow gotten on my mind in ways I couldn’t explain.

My father had no idea about what had happened between us, At wala akong balak ipa alam pa sa kanya.

"What about Aiesha?" I asked, keeping my voice as steady as I could.

"She’s an Alvarez," he said simply as if that was explanation enough.

"Her family has been quiet for too long, simula nung pasabugin nila ang ibang pharmaceutical natin, and that makes them unpredictable. I want you to monitor her, figure out what she knows about the family business, and report back to me."

About the bombing, nalaman ko sa inutusan ko na hindi rin pala sigurado si dad na mga alvarez ang gumawa noon, eto ang rason kung bakit gusto ko pang alamin lahat sa pagitan nang pamilya ni aiesha at nang sakin.

I clenched my fists under the table, trying to keep my emotions in check. This wasn’t a request. It was an order. My father never asked. He commanded. And even though I hated it, I knew I couldn’t say no.

"And my friends?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.

"They’ll be going with you," he replied without hesitation.

"Skye, Cole, and Gian they’ll assist you, as always. Their fathers have been informed. This is a family matter now, and the Lazzaros don’t act alone."

Of course. The Lazzaros never acted alone. We were a tight-knit group, bound by loyalty, blood, and duty.

Cole, Skye, and Gian para ko na silang mga kapatid, but even our bond couldn’t erase the weight of the responsibilities we carried.

We were all trapped in the same web of power and deceit, with our fathers pulling the strings from the shadows.

"I don’t need them," I muttered, knowing it was pointless to argue. "I can handle this myself." mas okay sana kung ako na lang para makapag focus yung tatlo sa training.

"This isn’t about what you need, Maxine. It’s about control. The Alvarezes are a threat, and I won’t take any chances. You’ll do as I say." randam ko yung inis sa mga salita na binitawan niya, dahil sa pag sagot ko.