UNBREAKABLE: Carmen Cortez

CHAPTER 2

INAAYOS ni Elizabeth ang kanyang mga gamit sa loob ng kanyang silid. Isa-isa niyang inilagay ang kanyang mga damit sa loob ng walk-in closet niya. Habang abala siya sa pagliligpit ng kanyang damit, nasagip ng kanyang mga mata ang kalendaryo na nakasabit malapit sa bedside table niya, "Araw ng Sabado pala ngayon.", malumanay niyang sabi. Napatingin siya sa petsa ika-anim ng Marso at binilugan iyon gamit ang pulang pananda. Kailangan niyang maging handa sa pagsapit ng araw na iyon para sa walk-in interview ng kanyang trabaho na nais niyang pasukan.

Bumaba siya patungo sa kusina dahil nakadama siya ng gutom. Tatlong araw na ang nakalipas simula nung pagbagong lipat sa Village Flaminio. Binuksan niya ang refrigerator at kumuha ng mayonnaise at dalawang piraso ng loaf bread at biglang tumunog and doorbell ng bahay niya.

Dahan dahan na inilagay ng dalaga ang mga pagkain sa lamesa. Kumuha siya ng isang kutsilyo upang maging handa sa taong gustong pumasok sa bahay niya. Alertong-alerto na lumapit si Elizabeth sa pintuan at sumandal siya muna sa pader habang ang isang kamay niya ay nakahawak sa door knob.

Guminhawa siya ng dalawang beses upang kumuha ng lakas para kung baka sakali ay makikipagaway siya, mayroon siyang kakayahan na makikipaglaban. Pagbukas ng dalaga sa pintuan ay agad siyang umikot. Sasaksakin niya sana sa tagiliran ang tao pero laking gulat niya ng makita niya kung sino man ang taong iyon, kaya napatigil siya.

"Woah woah! Calm down my sister! I won't bite." Sabi ng lalaki na nakataas ang dalawang kamay na parang sumusuko. Matangkad siya, matipuno ang katawan, pula rin ang buhok, at reddish eyes din ang kanyang mga mata katulad ni Elizabeth, naka semi-formal ang suot nito. Sa likuran naman niya ay may apat na bodyguards suot ang black suits.

"Caven" sabi ni Elizabeth sabay baba ng kutsilyo na hawak niya. "I command Rafale to tell you that you won't bother me. I am peacefully making a plan for your assignment, so fuck off and bring your asses' home." Bulyaw ng dalaga sa kanyang kapatid.

"How rude of you Carmen? Hindi mo ba ako papasukin? Show some admiration to your half-brother will you?" Hindi na nagdadalawang isip na pumasok si Caven sa bahay niya at dumiretso sa salas. Umupo ang kanyang kapatid sa couch at pinatong ang kanan niyang paa sa kaliwa niyang paa. Sumunod naman si Elizabeth sa salas at umupo sa isang couch na nakaharap sa inuupuan ng kanyang kuya.

Elizabeth gave him a questioning expression and he understands what does she means. "I am here to give you this file. Nakasaad diyan ang lahat ng detalye tungkol sa iyo. I also inserted your identification card, credit cards and driver's license et cetera. I do not want to waste my saliva in uttering what's on the documents and all because I know and you know that you can read. Whatsoever. Additionally, I am giving you some of my desired weapons as a gift for you my lovely half-sister Carmen. I'm not an impolite guest who comes here without bringing some of my presents for you. You are always welcome."

Pumasok ang apat na bodyguards ni Caven na may dalang tigdalawang 'Weapon Go Bag'. Iniligay nila iyon sa tabi ng couch kung saan nakaupo ang dalaga.

"How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me by my first name? The next time you will visit me in my house, I will take my chances to stab you." malamig na sagot ng dalaga habang kinukuha niya ang folder at nagsimula na niyang binasa ang mga dokumento.

Name: Carmen Cortez

Date of Birth: November 13, ****

Place of Birth: Rome's Private Hospital

Gender: Female

Age: 26

Siblings: None

Contact Number: 09*********

Email address:

State of Residence: Italy

Civil Status: Single

Address: Village Flaminio Block 3, Lot 5.

Race: Half German – Half Spanish

Height: 5'9"

Weight: 142 lbs.

Blood type: Type O positive

Highest level of Education: Master's Degree in Photography

Nang mabasa ni Elizabeth ang fraud na detalye tungkol sa kanya, napatitig siya sa gawi ni Caven. "Ang daming pangalan na pwede kong gamitin. Bakit eto pa ang napag isipan mong ilagay dito? You're getting into my nerves Caven!"

"What? Embrace the things that you dislike the most. It won't harm you. By the way, tomorrow night, there will be a Face Art Ball at the Celeron I 5 star Hotel. I want you to be there. Find your target, Hellix II. Make a move that will drive him senseless in remembering you. Seduce him or make fun of him, whatever. Just don't let him know your identity. Be mysterious." Kalmadong sabi ni Caven sa kanya sabay lahad ng pulang invitation sa lamesa.

"What time is it?" seryosong tanong ng dalaga.

"8:00 P.M. sharp. Don't be late. I ordered Rafale to lead you to the hotel. Don't worry about your gown, accessories and all. I brought it also with me right now. DRACO!" Tinawag ni Caven ang lalaking nagngangalang 'Draco'. May dala itong garment bag, accessories and cosmetics bags at inilagay ang mga iyon sa mahambang sofa ng living room.

"That's all? You may leave now. I have some imperative matters to do.", mataray na sabi ni Elizabeth kay Caven habang titig na titig parin ito sa kanya.

"Brat, I came here with all my kindness and generosity, but you're treating me like I'm your opponent here. Hey, I'm a virtuous man."

"After I finished my mission here in Italy, you could leave my fucking life alone and stop pestering me." Sabi ni Elizabeth habang napasandal ito sa couch at ipinikit ang kanyang mga mata.

"Of course my dearest half sister. IF you accomplished it as early as possible. I am only giving you 2 months and a half to finish your mission. If not? I can kick you off from Russia just a single snap." The way how Caven talk, it sounds a threat to Elizabeth. Napakuyom ang kamay ni Elizabeth sa mga salitang ibinitawan sa kanya ng kapatid.

"If? What do you mean? You're underestimating me, Caven. Even though I am only a half-royalty, it doesn't mean I can't fight you back." Matapang na sagot sa kanya ni Elizabeth. Inayos ni Caven ang kanyang pag-upo at naging seryoso ang mukha.

"My dear Carmen Elizabeth Juanita ý Costa Brava, I know you have the strength. But you don't have the power to beat me. Anak ka lang sa labas ni Dad. You're just a daughter of the maid. Your mother Klio seduced my father and ruined my family, how could she? I gave you this assignment so that you'll be beneficial in the clan."

"You're speaking about royalty here? Lunatic! Yes you are pure blood but where's your demeanors Caven? Don't you ever try to use my mother's name in vain you asshole. I know I'm just a half royal, but I know what my stand is." Elizabeth sensed that they are in the middle of an insulting conversation. But she still stayed in the same position.

"Please, you're just self-reliant because you're father's most wanted. Tss. My mom's in ecstasy and I am sure she curses you for acting like a holy terror." Tumayo si Caven sa kanyang kinauupuan na parang ayaw niya ipagpatuloy pa ang kanilang mahabang usapan. Nang nasa tapat ng pintuan ang binata, napabaling siya ng tingin sa kinaroroonan ni Elizabeth. "Seeing your mother inside the mansion makes me puke, Carmen. If dad don't love her that much, I'd rather sent her away back in Germany." Pagkatapos non ay patuloy nang lumabas si Caven kasama ang mga bodyguards sa kanyang pamamahay.

Tuluyan nang makaalis ang mga bisita ni Elizabeth. Napabuntong hininga nalang ang dalaga at tinititigan ang mga dalang regalo ng kanyang kapatid para sa kanya. Kinuha niya ang pulang gown na nasa loob ng garment bag. The red gown is just perfectly fine, which suits her red hair and reddish eyes. She went to the mirror near the bathroom and tried to see what she looks like when she wear the gown.

As Elizabeth saw her reflection at the mirror, she smiled devilishly, "A simple red gown is a hot look that's bold, sweet, and seductive all at once, calling to mind the romance of Valentine's Day."

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Caven Alexandrio Junito ý Costa Brava on the media
Credits to the owner of the picture. Thank you so much.