The Gangster Princess

Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Crimson Arena

Aisha Fancy Lee

The silence in the car felt louder than the chaos in my head. Outside the window, the city raced by like it was trying to escape something—maybe itself. Ganon din ako ngayon. Takas sa konsensya.

The image of the child kept replaying in my mind. Yung mukha niya. Umiiyak. Takot. Naghahanap ng sagot. I left him with his father. I had no choice. They’re the enemy, but he’s just a kid. Hindi niya kasalanan ‘to. Pero kahit ganon, I couldn’t risk it. I couldn’t bring him with me. Hindi ako hero.

“Snap out of it, Aisha. We’re almost there,” Apple said from the front seat.

I clenched my jaw and nodded. “Yeah. Let’s do this.”

We pulled up to Gangster Society—a place that felt more like home than anywhere else. It’s where blood is spilled for pride, and respect is earned with scars. Dito walang rules, just survival.

The air was thick with smoke and tension. Crowds pushed against the barricades, yelling, betting, roaring for blood. Every corner was filled with faces—some familiar, others unfamiliar. But all of them carried the same fire in their eyes.

Beside me, my team BST—Blood, Sweat, and Tears—stood solid. My people. My fighters.

“Yo, dapat BTS na lang tayo,” I joked. “Blood, Tears, Sweat. Sayang, hindi tayo marunong sumayaw.”

“Pero magaling tayong sumayaw sa laban,” Apple smirked, fixing her gloves.

James chuckled. “Let’s just hope you still have moves left after tonight, Aisha.”

I turned to him, squinting. “Are you doubting me?”

“No. I’m just saying, Jake Dee is no joke.”

At the mention of his name, a wave of heat crawled up my spine. Jake Dee. The leader of Black Stone. The bastard who still had the nerve to show up after I humiliated his guy. Di nadala. Ngayon, siya na mismo ang babangga.

“Tss, ang yabang mo talaga, James,” I said, rolling my eyes.

“Your face is yabang,” he shot back, and we both laughed a little—tension release before the storm.

“Okay, okay, kayo na naman nag-aasaran,” Shae said as she and Max walked in.

Max went straight to me and pulled me into a hug. “You got this, little sis. Kaya mo ‘to.”

I nodded. “Of course. I’m your blood. I was born for this.”

“Just don’t die, okay? I still need someone to steal my snacks.”

“Promise,” I grinned, but deep inside, my hands were starting to shake.

Then the call came.

“Gangster Princess, to the ring!”

My heart pounded.

This was it.

---

The arena’s lights dimmed, and a spotlight hit the center ring. The crowd erupted as I stepped onto the platform, my boots echoing against the steel floor. Their cheers blended into a blur, like static in my ears. I wasn’t here for them. I was here for blood.

And then I saw him.

Jake Dee.

All black. Sleeves rolled up. A smirk carved into his lips like he knew something I didn’t. His presence was heavy. Parang ang hirap huminga nung tumingin siya sa’kin.