Deccard Brothers: SPADE | ✔ #Wattys2021

Chapter 34: Plus One

"Onto more pressing matters," The Dikastís drank water and arranged her files before continuing, "Diamond's trial has been suspended, not that you knew the date anyway. It will be moved this Saturday."

"Meeting adjourned."

The sound of the Dikastís' voice rang out clearly inside the court. Naunang umalis si Delphine, gawa ng napakadami siguro niyang ginagawa at hindi na kami bigyan ng chance pang magtanong. Sinubukang harangin ni mama si Delphine.

"Your highness—"

"If you have something to say to me, file a formal meeting to my secretary. Meeting is adjourned, Mrs. Queen. I have nothing to say to you." With her cold gaze on my mother's frail frame (kuno), she completely left the Court.

The members of the Pronomioúchos all left one by one until the remaining Mafia family are left. Uncle Misfortune and Auntiee Gem also joined our group and hugged our mother.

"It's so nice to see you again, Quinny-girl." Uncle Misfortune tried to ruffle my mom's hair but she stepped aside and caught his hand while trying to suppress her smile but failed. "Kuya." Mom gave him a once-over and said, "I see that the Delestria Court is treating you well?"

Uncle nodded and looked at her tenderly before answering, "They are, yeah."

There was silence before Auntiee Gemma decided to speak. "How are you, sis-in-law?" She looks genuinely worried about her health. "We're really sorry we didn't visit."

Mom just waved her hand dismissively. "It's okay. I understand. Buhay pa naman ako diba?"

"Yeah..."

Again, awkward silence. Nakita ko si Trickster na nasa isang tabi, mukhang wala sa sarili at hindi alam kung anong gagagwin. I think he felt like he's intruding on some family matters. Good. Makonsensiya ka. Nang dahil sayo magkakaroon nanaman si mom ng problema.

"Nga pala," bumaling ang tingin sa akin ni tito Misfortune, "We were shocked when she told us to pack our bags because we're moving here."

"When asked what the reason was..."

"She only said that she was bored out of her mind at that castle."

"Pero siyempre hindi kami naniwala." Auntiee Gem smiled at me and winked.

"Hacked through the files, found out that its ownership was transferred to a man named Spade Volantes."

My face unknowingly flushed. I hid behind Mel's hair and found comfort in her scent.

"You couldn't have just asked the Dikastís on what the real reason was?" rinig kong napa-facepalm si mama and we can't help but to laugh at their conversation.

"Knowing her she would reject us without batting an eye. That girl is not so easily persuaded." Uncle Misfortune said with a tinge of disappointment and fury. When he saw me looking at him, he immediately masked his disappointment with a joking expression before listening to mom.

Micro expressions. They are everything. I noticed how his mouth twitched with annoyance and his brows furrowed as if nothing has ever gone his way before replacing them with his usual carefree expression.

"And you let her do it, kuya? My God! What kind of Pronomioúchos are you both?" Napahawak ng sentido si mama habang tawa ng tawa naman ang dalawa. Nakisali naman ang dalawang kapatid ko pati si Mel hanggang sa sumakit ang tiyan nila.

"I missed you guys bickering like this." Club said while wiping a tear from his right eye.

"We needed this, you know?" Heart earnestly said.

"So, what did you do for her to hand over the castle just like that?"

I was about to answer him when his and Auntie Gemma's watches beeped. They both looked at it and seemed to be reading something before looking at us with sad expressions.

"We've got to go. As much as possible, the Pronomioúchos are required not to speak to their relatives in fear of being sullied. Although we've spent time with y'all, we can't stay long. She was generous enough to let us speak with all of you."

They both bowed and proceeded to head out of the Court room like robots, not giving us a chance to bid them goodbye.

"So uh..." Napakamot ng batok si Club bago ngusuan si Trickster. "Anong balak natin diyan?"

"This 'diyan' has a name." Trickster rolled his eyes before looking at mom like a lost puppy. "Ano pong gagawin ko?" Damn. This guy's treatment changes really fast.

Mom sighed before going to Trickster and facing him. "Let's eat muna. I think you're hungry and all of us haven't eaten dinner yet." Right on cue, his stomach growled. He blushed but looked way.

Luh. Asan angas mo?

I don't know if I should laugh or ridicule him but I decided to not do both. Natatawa ako kasi totoong hindi pa yata siya kumakain at ayaw ko siyang lokohin. Hello, di kami close.

"So... saan tayo kakain?" Ever the glutton, Club asked immediately.

"Let's go to a 5-star restaurant? I'll get Psyche to book us in now." Heart said while dialing someone on his phone, Psyche probably.

"Wait lang po, teka." Napatingin kami sa nagsalita. "Mahal sa mga restaurant. Mag fast food na lang po kaya tayo?" Suggestion ni Mel.

"Fast food?" "What's that?" "Do they give out food really fast?"

Amp. Ang mga kapatid kong walang kamuwang-muwang sa mundo.

"Fast food, like... Jollibee or Mcdo. Pwede din KFC."
I was aware of fast food chains and whatnot but I haven't dined in one yet. Seeing the confusion in our expressions, It's Mel's turn to facepalm.

"Don't blame my sons anak," Mom said with a sheepish smile on her face, "All they know is the Mafia, killing, and family. All of those they think are nonsensical, they don't bother to learn it."

"Pero po narinig na nila ang term na fast food chains?" All of us nodded. It's Black's turn now to laugh. "Tawa mo diyan?" Asik kong tanong sa kaniya.

It's his turn to wipe the stray tears that escaped from his eyes from laughing too much. "Hindi ako makapaniwalang hindi pa kayo kumain sa fast food chains, particularly Jollibee. I thought you went out?"

Nagkatinginan kami ng mga kapatid ko. I mean, yeah we carry out missions, but that's it. Once we finish our business on the outside world, we immediately leave. We never once dined out to our heart's content.

"We do..."

"But for Mafia jobs only."

"Yes, but—"

We were interrupted by a slight cough. Doon lang namin napansin na andito pa nga kami ss Court room,hindi pa umaalis. The one who coughed, Angeliaforó Carlos, waited for us to stop talking before he spoke. "Can you please continue your conversation once we've escorted you to your premises? The chopper is ready."

We all understood. This was not our turf, we're technically just guests now. I can't even call us guests here because I don't know where our family stands with the Delestria Court. Oo tinulungan kami ni Delphine, pero hanggang kailan niya kami aabutan ng tulong?

"Are you going to drug us again?" I asked. I mean, I'd be willing to let them if they'd just tell us beforehand.

Carlos nodded. "A precaution needed."

"A precaution I understood." Si mama na ang sumagot para sa amin. We were led outside to the lobby again and sat there, waiting for them to blindfold us. Since Trickster is coming with us, he too has been sitting near us.

Hindi nagtagal nagsilabasan ang mga maids ng may kaniya kaniyang blindfold at inilagay sa mata namin. They each guided us to an elevator of some sort for us to get to the helipad much faster.

Since we have a plus one, kinailangang sumiksik ni Black sa side namin. Nung naramdaman kong katabi niya si Mel, nainis ako.

"Baby, let's switch places. I don't want him to sit next to you." I whispered in her ear whil holding her hand. I can already imagine her rolling her eyes at me, but nevertheless agreed.

Naramdaman kong papatayo na siya at nag-move na sa harap ko. I wasted no time to scoot towards the center where Mel previously was.

Once I was properly seated, I felt my body stiffen. This is the first time that I've been in close proximity with Trickster Black. Nung naging aware ako sa fact na iyon, naging aware din ako sa pagkasimilar nila ni kuya Diamond.

Since my eyes were blindfolded, my other senses made up for it. I can smell the familiar musk and cigarette scent of kuya Diamond on Trickster, but that's about it. Kuya Diamond's scent has a subtle mint while Trickster has that strong nicotine scent.

"Do I smell good?" I can hear Trickster's smirk through his words.

"You smell like kuya Diamond so I was just wondering why..." I murmured. Because of his scent, I missed kuya Diamond. He was always there for us when we needed him. Always trying to comfort us in his own way.

Naramdaman ko namang nag-slouch si Trickter sa kaniyang inuupuan. "I... I'm sorry for making fun of Diamond's disappearance."

Woah... he's actually apologizing? Wait, what if it's a trap?

I hardened my gaze evem though we're all blindfolded and can't see a thing. Hindi na lang ako nagsalita and he took that as a sign to continue. "I already know that he's going to undergo trial and will probably be sentenced to death—"

I punched him straight in the jaw without knowing if I really hit it or not. I just went with my instinct. Sumosobra na kasi siya. He doesn't know the feeling of loss. For a part of the Mafia, he's actually really insensitive.

"..."

No one spoke. They knew better than to respond because they all knew he deserved that punch.
"What I'm trying to say is, I'm really sorry... For everything."

"You are too insensitive of your words and actions. You torment me and my brothers, and tried to manipulate mom."

"Since when did I—"

I cut him off. "You were trying to act like a lost puppy awhile ago. It doesn't suit you. At all."

I know I'm wrong. Pero kailangan niyang malaman ang mga maling ginagawa niya. And also dahil galit nga ako at wala akong mapag buntungan.

"You need to grow up, Trickster. It's not all fun and games."

I won't call you "kuya". You have yet to earn that honorific.

People say not to speak when you're angry in fear of saying things you can't take back. Not me. Wala akong pake. Kahit galit ako, kaya ko namang kontrolin ang mga sasabihin ko.

Gusto ko lang talagang ipaintindi sa kaniya na hindi lahat ng tao pagtitiisan siya. Hindi lahat ng tao, mag aadjust para sa kaniya. At lalong lalo na, hindi lahat ng tao magbabago para sa kaniya.

Whether he works as a double agent for the enemy or not, he's still my brother. Yes, I do accept him deep down, but on the surface I have to stay strong and not get easily persuaded. I still have my guard up around him.

He is my brother, and nothing's going to change that.

That was my last thought before I felt the familiar prick of the needle against my skin, welcoming the darkness that consumed me.