VODKA [GXG, INTERSEX] (BOOK 1)

Chapter 30

I got home feeling empty.

Dmitri insisted on driving me back to the mansion gamit ang sasakyan kanina, pero tumanggi ako. I couldn't bear the thought of being stuck with her for too long after our intense conversation. I needed some space to process everything, to breathe. Mabuti na lang at naintindihan niya. Sumakay siya sa taxi at iniwan ako sa kotse ko, it gave me a solitude that I desperately needed.

I can hear the giggling of the children from the living room. Napalitan ng saya ang lungkot na nararamdaman ko nung nakita ko yung tatlo. The nannies greeted me as I walked to them, nagkalat yung mga toys.

"Tita Dawn!" Vaughn ran to me and gave me a hug, I kissed her cheeks and looked at my two babies.

Vaughn was somehow adjusting sa pagkawala ng nanay niya, ako na ang tumayo bilang nanay niya but I wouldn't replace my sister, of course.

Being a mother of three at twenty-two is a whirlwind. It's overwhelming, nonetheless, they are my sunshine who have somehow managed to melt away the stress that clung to me from my work.

Talking about the children, baka kailangan muna ni Dmitri ng space before we can even think about talking about them again.

Now, on top of everything else, I'm dealing with what Dmitri and I talked about earlier. Those bruises she gave my sister, I still remember them so vividly. I was terrified at first, knowing she's capable of violence. I thought for sure she might hurt me too. But I'm relieved that she didn't do anything like that awhile ago, even though things were so tense between us.

Later that night, after makatulog ang mga bata, I went to the balcony. I can't sleep.

"Iha..." Napatingin ako kay Tita Selene na nakasuot ng satin night robe, a glass of wine in her hand. Taray, sexy pa rin. "Bakit hindi ka pa natutulog?"

I looked down as I composed myself, "I talked to Dmitri awhile ago."

"Oh really? Wow, how was it then?" Tita's voice held a hint of curiosity.

"She confronted me about the mission I did. It left me with a heavy heart, napakasakit lang..."

I felt her hugged me from beside, "Dawn, buti naman at nakauwi ka in one piece" she joked. I told her about what happened to Dusk, the bruises she had received. "Sorry about that, go on..."

"I also told her the whole truth about the children," I said, my voice hushed. "Ay oo pala Tita, we have to double the security for Vaughn. She escaped from her school to go to the cemetery, saktong meron daw doon si Dmitri. That's where she met her."

She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Ay nakung bata! Sige, magpapadagdag ako sa Daycare. Delikado ang ginawa ni Vaughn."

I nodded, "Well that was the reason kung bakit ako kinausap ni Dmitri. She's wondering if who was the father of Vaughn, I had to reveal it Tita. She has the right to know about her own daughter, doon ko na rin nasabi ang tungkol sa kambal..." I paused, taking a deep breath. "And then the topic escalated to - well ayun nga, she confronted me. That's why I can't sleep, our conversation was still fresh in my mind."

"Ano na ang plano mo ngayon na alam na niya ang tungkol sa mga bata?" She asked, her eyes filled with concern.

"I still have to talk to her about that," I said, my voice weary. "Kailangan muna namin ng konting space after our intense conversation." The truth was, I was afraid. Afraid of her anger, her judgment, and her potential for retaliation.

She nodded in understanding. "Anyway, what did you observe pala kay Vodka? Is she better now?"

I shrugged, "I can assume, since matino naman siya nung kinausap ko. Not much violent, we just had a heated argument."

I hope she continues to be better, that the darkness that had consumed her would eventually recede.

"Hmm..." she murmured, pulling me into a warm hug that soothed my weary heart.

"Tita, I have to talk to you pala about the investigation of Linux regarding the deaths of Dad and Dusk."

Her brow furrowed, "Ano daw ang tungkol doon?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of apprehension.

My head throbbed as I recalled Linux's words, the weight of the revelation pressing down on my chest. "She said that there is a killer behind their deaths."

"Ano?!" she exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock.

"She said that it's one of the Antonov family. She provided the background of the family about their killing ways and methods. But she didn't provide direct evidence if it's really true na isang Antonov ang nakagawa nun," I explained, my voice strained.

"Impossible..." Tita said, her voice laced with disbelief. The doubt in her tone echoed my own. It made me wonder if what's really the truth. I don't really trust the investigation of Linux.

"Why Tita?" I asked, my voice tinged with confusion.

"I knew that the Antonov were criminals," she said, her voice firm, "Pero hindi sila pumapatay nang walang dahilan lang. Wala naman silang beef kay kuya Lucian, and kay Dusk naman... Vanity doesn't think that low para patayin niya si Dusk because of what she did to Vodka. They kill for a reason, a valid and strong reason- a motive, a gain, a vendetta, and the like..."

Of course, Tita Selene knows. Muntikan na siyang maging isang Antonov. That's why her words and Linux's investigations were contradicting. It's related to her past, to her own experiences with the family.

I'm feeling overwhelmed by everything right now.

***

It's Saturday today, and I can finally bond with the children again. Vaughn is busy with the PlayStation, a gift from his Tito Apollo, while my baby Nyx is nestled in my arms. My baby Vlad is peacefully sleeping in his crib.

The doorbell rang, startling little Nyx who made a soft sound.

"Manang, pakibantayan muna sila. Titignan ko lang kung sino yung nasa labas."

"Sige po, Ma'am." She nodded, a reassuring smile on her face.

I got up and went to open the door, my heart pounding with anticipation.

My breath caught in my throat as I saw her standing there. "Dmitri..."

Her eyes darted to Nyx in my arms, a flicker of something unreadable crossing her face.

"Well, hello..." she greeted me, though I couldn't quite read her tone-was she jolly or something else entirely? There was an air of tension between us.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, trying to mask my surprise and curiosity.

"Aurora..." she paused. "I'm here to take responsibility for my children," she stated directly, her expression serious and unwavering. "It's time I stepped up."

My mouth gaped open in surprise at what she had just said, no words came out from my mouth.

Hindi ko na alam ang sasabihin ko, I don't even know what to feel.

***

A/N: Damn, malapit na pala tayo sa finish line guys. The fact that I've been writing this story for 5 consecutive days pala, cause I started writing this book last week lang. I didn't expect that I could write that much in one sitting. Cause after this, balik ulit kay Thesis haha shet.

Pardon me if there were any switched-up names, eye-colors, etc... and any confusing parts, I'll edit this whole book soon after.