The Gangster Princess

Chapter 9

Chapter 9: The Gangster Princess Strikes Again

Aisha Fancy Lee

The moment I stepped into Reid’s car, something in me shifted.

The city blurred outside the window as we sped away, but I wasn’t really seeing anything. My mind was adrift—floating between exhaustion and frustration. I didn’t even know where we were headed at first until Reid casually said, “We’re going to my mansion.”

Mansion?

God, of course he had one. Rich boys and their obsession with grandeur.

I slumped deeper into the seat, trying to ignore the anxiety brewing in my chest. Everything felt heavy. I wanted to scream, cry, vanish. I wanted to shut the world off—even just for a while.

My phone suddenly buzzed, pulling me back to reality. I groaned and answered without checking who it was.

"Wazzup?" I answered, groaning as I stretched in my seat, hoping for a quick conversation. It was ate Trinity.

"Uy. Gising ka pa?” her voice was soft—too soft.

“Obviously?” I tried to sound normal. “Ang aga pa ate, and hindi naman ako biglang mamamatay."

“Hay nako, ‘wag kang magbiro ng ganyan,” she said, half-annoyed, half-worried. “Kumain ka ba ng maayos?”

I rolled my eyes, even if she couldn’t see it. “Yeah." I answered. Napatingin ako kay Reid, I know he's listening while he's driving.

“I always worry, Aisha.”

There was silence on the other end for a beat too long.

“They said I’m fine, right? Sabi niya I can live a normal life,” I added quickly, trying to sound confident even though the chill on the rooftop wasn’t the only thing making me shiver.

“Yeah, but ‘normal’ doesn’t mean you have to push yourself this hard all the time,” she said gently. “Baka naman kasi pilit ka lang nagpapakatatag para sa amin.”

I bit my lip.

Damn her. She always knew what to say to make me feel seen—and weak.

“Hindi naman ako fragile, ‘te,” I said, softer this time. “Alam mo ‘yan.”

“I know. You’ve always been strong. Minsan nga sobra na,” she whispered. “Pero pwede ka naman magpahinga kahit minsan, ‘di ba? Hindi kailangang ikaw lagi ‘yung matapang.”

I felt my chest tighten.

It’s not that I didn’t appreciate her worry.

It’s just… sometimes, being reminded of what’s inside me—what’s wrong with me—makes it harder to keep pretending I’m invincible.

“I’m okay,” I whispered.

“Promise?”

I swallowed hard. “Promise.”

I end the call, and shyly looks at Reid, I feel like I'm shy that he heard what my sister and I talk.

I sighed, staring out the window, feeling a sense of dread take over me. This whole situation was such a mess. I miss my siblings.

☽ a//z ☾

The car stopped, jerking me from my spiraling thoughts.

We were here.

Reid’s so-called mansion stood tall and arrogant in front of me. The gates creaked open like something out of a gothic novel, revealing the towering structure ahead—sleek, cold, and far too silent. Everything about it screamed luxury and loneliness.