Midas' Touch [COMPLETED]

Chapter 31

"Midas, kakain na," tawag ni Kalonice sa kaniya at inilapag ang mga plato sa lamesa.

Midas will spend his night in her place. Bukas na bukas din ay ihahatid dito nila Larry ang kaniyang mga kapatid dito. Nakahanda na ang lahat, mga damit na lamang nila ang kulang. Hindi siya bumili dahil sabi ni Midas ay may darating na mga fashion designer bukas para makuha ang sukat nila.

Buong hapunan ay tahimik lamang silang dalawa. Pasulyap-sulyap siya kay Midas. Hindi naman ito malamig pero naninibago siya sa katahimikan nito. She cannot read his mind too. Usually ay dadaldal ito at sarap na sarap sa niluto niya. Pero ngayon ay iba, dahil siya'y nananahimik.

"Maghuhugas lang ako," sabi niya at nilinis ang lamesa. Dinala niya ito sa lababo upang mahugasan.

Binging-bingi siya sa katahimikan nang yumakap mula sa kaniyang likod si Midas at isinubsob ang mukha nito sa kaniyang leeg.

"Can you please not go? Can you please stay with me? Kalonice... I still don't want you to move out in our house..."

Pinatay ni Kalonice ang gripo at napabuntong hininga. Mabuti na lamang at tapos na siyang maghugas.

"Midas, nakapag-usap na tayo, diba? Akala ko ba okay na?"

"Yeah. It's all fine. I understood everything. But---damn. Don't blame me, it was your fault why I'm so attached to you now." He fit her waist on his palms at pinisil ito. He turn her around.

"You're making things hard for me, Midas," bulong niya habang nakatingala dahil inaamoy ni Midas ang kaniyang leeg.

"Hmmm, yes. You're making me hard too..." Binuhat niya si Kalonice at inihiga sa lamesa.

"Midas---" suminghap siya, "Nasa lamesa tayo! Ano ka ba. Masama 'to."

Tumigil si Midas at tumingin nang diretso sa kaniyang mga mata. "Who told you that?" Walang naisagot si Kalonice.

"P-Pero kasi... Hapag-kainan 'to, Midas..."

"And what do people do on dining tables?"

"K-Kumain?" Alanganing sagot nj Kalonice at napalunok.

"That's exactly what I'm about to do." He rips her shirt apart. "You're the appetizer, main course, and the dessert. Just looking at you makes me drool in hunger, baby doll." He lick her chest all the way to her neck.

Itinapat niya ang mga labi sa kaniyang tainga. "Call me Daddy." He spread her legs apart and positioned himself in-between. Kalonice moaned his name at napakapit sa lamesa.

Her back arches.

"Call me Daddy, Kalonice. Say it." She bites her lip at tumingin sa kaniyang mga mata. "Daddy..."

"Yes? What does my baby doll want? Daddy will give." Nakakaloko siyang ngumisi kay Kalonice na nalalasing na sa kaniyang mga haplos.

She bit her finger. "Daddy..." Muli niyang tawag kay Midas. He want to tease her more. He want to play with her. But the moment she called him 'Daddy' with her cute, drunken moan, he lose it.

"Damn it, baby doll. You're so fucking cute. Fucking cute that I want to push my train in you." Hindi na siya nakapagpigil pa at ibinaba ang suot niyang shorts. He put hwr legs on his shoulder and abruptly pushed his on her. The table made a creaking sound as Kalonice fill the whole dining room with her moans.

She looked at Midas before chuckling. Napangiti na lamang si Midas at hinalikan ang kaniyang mga labi.

"Huwag mong iaano sa loob, ha. Bad 'yon---Aaaahhhh!"

"You don't need to remind me, baby doll." Natawa na lamang si Kalonice habang sunud-sunod ang mga naging pag-ungol. Umabot din sila sa kaniyang kwarto at nang mapagod ay saka lang namahinga.

Midas fell asleep first. She was playing his hair as she sleep on her chest, all over her, like sweet kid hugging its mother through the night.

She softly kisses his head at niyakap ang ulo ni Midas. She had another good sleep once again because they are in each other's arms.


"Ah, the nostalgia,"

Larry heave a deep breath as he roam his eyes around the wholeness of the house they used to live in before. Nothing changed. It was still the same house where they hid Gwynedd from her family.

"Let's go inside. Octavius will come here soon too. Let's check what it looks like now. Come on, Yzaguirre Army!" Aya ni Larry at sila'y pinangunahan.

Pumasok sila sa loob. Walang tao ang tumambad sa kanila. Agad na nagtakbuhan ang mga bata at gumala-gala. A bitter-sweet smile plaster on their lips as they stroll around the house.

"Hays, naalala ko tuloy n'ung ginawa ko si Midas dito sa kitchen..." Larry reminisce and sighs. Natawa na lamang si Gwynedd at pabiro siyang hinampas sa braso.

"Zeze?" Luminga sa paligid si Contessa. Kahapon pa nito hinahanap ang kapatid at panay din ang iyak. Kahit anong gawing pagpapatahan sa kaniya ay hindi umepekto, at nang ibigay ni Larry ang litrato ni Midas sa kaniya ay saka lang ito nanahimik. Hanggang sa pagtulog nito ay yakap niya ang picture frame ni Midas kaya ito nakatulog noong gabi.

"Hey, you're here!" Entrada ni Octavius kaya siya'y nilingon ng dalawa.

"Yo, Octavs." Nag-bro hug sila ni Larry. Octavius kissed Gwynedd's cheek and Contessa's forehead.

"Kanina pa ba kayo dito?"

"Nah, we just gotten here a few minutes ago, honestly." Gwynedd smiled.

"Oh, I see," Octavius nodded. "Where's Midas? And Kalonice?" tanong niya at hinawakan ang maliit na kamay ni Contessa.

"Maybe upstairs? Let's go see them," aya ni Gwynedd at nagpatiuna.

"Kalonice turned your house into something welcoming and incredible, Octavs. It will be good to spend holidays here, don't you think so?" Larry smiled as they follow Gwynedd.

Octavius nodded, still holding the little hand of Contessa. "I have nothing to regret. I know she will take good care of this,"

"Really good." Nagtawanan silang dalawa.


Gwynedd paused and knocked on the door. Walang sumagot. Larry checked the other rooms with Octavius at hindi nakita si Midas o si Kalonice. Gwynedd knocked again, hanggang sa napagpasyahan na niyang buksan ang pinto.

Na dapat ay hindi pala.

They were sleeping together. Naked.


Ang tanging nagawa na lamang ni Gwynedd ay ang bumuntong hininga. Isasarado na niya sana ang pinto nang marahang pumasok sa loob si Larry at lumapit sa kama dala si Contessa.

"Wake them up, Miss President. Go, go." Bulong niya at iniwan sa itaas ni Kalonice si Contessa. Agad din siyang luambas at isinarado ang pinto. Agad siyang hinampas ni Gwynedd.

"Aray, Sugarplum!" daing niya.

"What are you doing!? Take Contessa, Larry. Let them sleep!" impit nitong singhal sa asawa at muli siyang pinalo.

"Naman, Luv. Anong oras na, oh. Hayaan mo na. Saka, para alam na din nilang nandito na tayo, diba? I thought magsha-shopping kayo ni Kalonice? Mas maganda na 'yung maaga kayong makaalis. Ayokong gabihin kayo," paglalambing niya at niyakap ang asawa saka hinalikan. Kinuha niya ang kaniyang wallet at dinukot ang kaniyang black card.

"Here, use this. Buy anything you want. Use it to pay the bills. Spend all you want. Love you~"

Gwynedd rolled her eyes at tinanggap ang kaniyang black card. Natawa na lamang si Octavius. Kinikilabutan siya sa kalandian ni Larry, byt he find them sweet. Their sweet-and-strict tandem makes them perfect to each other.


Gumapang si Contessa palapit kay Kalonice at hinila ang kumot. Natumba siya at gumulong pababa sa kama mula sa tiyan ni Kalonice, ngunit agad ding bumangon at tinitigan si Midas. She crawled towards him at hinawan ang noo nito bago hinawi ang kaniyang buhok.

Her face brightened. "Zeze!" she exclaimed in joy at napapalakpak. Dumako ang tingin niya kay Kalonice.

"Nini!"

Kalonice moaned when her tiny hand was pressed on her chest. Napatingin sa kaniyang dibdib si Contessa. She pushes her hand on it before pulling it and the same thing goes on. She played with her bosom and squeeze them. She was so happy because it was soft.

"Mama. Mik. Mik." sabi niya at isinubo ang nipple ni Kalonice saka ito kinagat dahil sa panggigigil.

"Aaaahhh!" Wala sa oras na napabangon si Kalonice. Hahampasin na sana niya ang kumagat sa kaniyang nipple, nang siya'y matigilan nang makitang si Contessa pala iyon at hindi si Midas.

Malapad itong ngumiti sa kaniya. "Nini!" she squeals at siya'y ginapang.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Kalonice nang makuha ang kaniyang katinuan. She slaps Midas out of panic kaya agad itong nagising.

"What the hell!?" mura nito. Kay gandang pambungad sa magandang umaga.

"Contessa!" utal na singhap ni Kalonice at naituro si Contessa na papalapit na sa kaniya. Agad niyang niyakap si Midas nang siya'y nakalapit sa kapatid.

"Zeze!" She then again squealed and giggles.

"FUCK!? They're here!"

Napabalikwas sila ng bangon at mga nagsitayo. Hindi nila malaman ang gagawin. Natataranta sila at hindi magkaintindihan. Kalonice left Contessa with him and took a quick shower. Nang siya'y makalabas sa banyo ay bihis na si Midas. Nagmamadali siyang nagdamit at nag-ayos, pagkatapos ay niligpit niya ang kama at huminga ng malalim.


Naabutan nilang nagtatawanan ang matatanda sa kusina habang umiinom ng kape. Tumigil ang mga ito nang sila'y makita. Agad na namula ang kanilang mga mukha. Napayuko si Kalonice at nagtago sa likod ni Midas dahil sa kahihiyan.

"Good morning, guys!" Larry greeted. "See? Mabisang panggising sa umaga ang Miss President natin!" Proud niyang sabi at pinalakpakan si Contessa. Pumalakpak din ito habang tumatawa.

If only he knew, hindi sila magigising kung hindi kinagat ni Contessa si Kalonice.

"Coffee?" alok ni Octavius at itinaas ang tasa niya bago ito ininuman. Umupo ang dalawa.

"P-Pasensya na po kung late na akong nagising... Hindi ko man lang po kayo napaghandaan ng umagahan..." Paumanhin ni Kalonice na hindi magawang makatingin sa kanila.

"It is fine. We had breakfast before we got here, anyways." Gwynedd.

"You should have called me."

"We did. But you didn't answered any of it," Gwynedd shook her head. Kinuha ni Midas ang cellphone upang siguruhin ito at tama nga, may walong missed call siya.

"Sarap na sarap ka sa tulog mo, 'nak. Buti hindi ka nilamig. Wala ka pa namang suot na damit." Larry.

"Pfft!" Halos maibuga ni Octavius ang kape sa kaniyang bibig dahil sa sinabi ng kaibigan. Nang ito'y malunok ay nagtawanan silang dalawa.

"Ikaw ang lalamigin mamaya, Dad. Mom, patulugin mo nga 'yan sa labas mamaya!" asar na ungot ni Midas at humigop ng kape sa baso ng ama.

Agad namang tumigil ang dalawa. Sumulyap sila kay Gwynedd na kalmado at tahimik habang humihigop sa tea nito. Ibinaba niya ang tasa. "No problem, Larzen."

"BABY!" Larry glared at Midas na nginingisihan siya. He gave him an 'L' sign with his fingers and mouthed, "Loser."

"Napaka mo talaga!" angil niya sa anak at sinuyo si Gwynedd na hindi naman siya pinapansin.

"Anyway," Octavius cleared his throat. "Ano pa ba ang kulang dito sa bahay mo, hija? Name it and we will help you have it,"

Umayos ng upo si Kalonice at itinaas na din sa wakas ang ulo. "Ano po... 'Yung kubo na lang po. Ipapaayos ko po siya tapos ipapalinis ko po ang swimming pool para magamit po," sagot ni Kalonice.

"I see. You can leave that to us," ngiti ni Octavius. Tatanggi na sana si Kalonice nang sikuhin siya ni Midas at siya'y inilingan.

"Have you got clothes already, hija? Let's go shopping today." Pagkuha ni Gwynedd sa kaniyang atensyon. Napatingin naman siya kay Midas.

"P-Pero nag-hire po si Midas ng fashion designers---"

"Sure, Mom. Sure." Putol sa kaniya ni Midas bago inilabas ang black card niya. "Here, use my card. Buy all the clothes, accessories, shoes, and bags you will love."

Gwynedd smiled at umiling. "No need. Your Dad gave me his already." She pushed his hand back to him.

Larry stick his tongue out to him bilang pang-aasar. "Bleeeh, nauna ako." Midas just rolled his eyes at bumaling kay Kalonice at iniabot ang card niya dito.

She shook her hand and head. "I have my own money, Midas."

"Save it and take this. You can buy the whole mall with this." Hinampas siya ni Kalonice sa braso.

"Huwag na. Pera ko ang gagastahin ko."

"You're spoiling her too much, Larzen," ngiti ni Gwynedd.

Kinuha ni Contessa ang card niya at niyakap. "Zeze!"

Midas was caught off guard, pero natawa na lang at hinalikan ang pisngi ng kapatid. "You wanna go shopping too? Alright. Let's buy a toy store,"


"WE HEARD TOY STORE!!!" Sigaw ng lima at nag-uunahang pumasok sa kusina. "I want a robot!" sabay nilang sabi at lumapit sa mga magulang.

"No. You still have lots of toys at home," tutol ni Midas

They frowned. "But Miss President have twice the number of our toys and you will buy a toy store for her!?" angal nila.

"You have favorites, Larzen!" Larzo.

"Yes! You have favorites!" Lareon.

"She's you're favorite!" Larcen.

"Why do you have favorites!?" Larren.

"You look like my favorite booger, Larzen!" Laryen.

"Why the hell you have a favorite booger, Laryen!?" singhal ni Midas sa kapatid na nahintatakutan at agad na nagtago sa likod ng ina.

Kalonice, to fhe rescue, scolded him. "Huwag mo silang sigawan, Midas! Napaka mo talaga. Pati mga kapatid mo pinapakitaan mo ng ganiyang ugali. Hindi mo ba alam na lalayo ang loob nila sa iyo kapag pinagpatuloy mo 'yan? They will hate you. Treat them fairly!"

"I just simply love Contessa more," rason ni Midas at tumingin sa babaeng kapatid. "She's our only Princess after all."

"Hindi ka sure. Hindi pwedeng mas lamang ang anak kong lalaki. Everything must be balance. Five more baby girls to go," ngisi ni Larry at ibinalanse ang teaspoon sa dulo ng kaniyang daliri. Gwynedd gave him a look of boredom.

Kalonice sighed.

"This is why we prayed that Kally is our sibling not you, Larzen! You're the evil villain in our life!" The quintuplet said in chorus.

Pinalo siya ni Larzo. "I hate you!"

"Yes, I hate you!" Pagsunod ni Lareon.

"Hate you so much!" Larcen.

"Why do you hate us?" Larren.

"Booger!" Laryen.


Nandidilim ang mukha at masama ang tingin silang tiningnan ni Midas. "Want me to throw you out, minions?"

It sent shivers to his brothers. Their eyes glistened before welling up in tears.

He sighs.

He gave up. "Fine. Let's throw your old toys out. Come with us. I will buy you toys too,"

"We don't believe you!" Pagmamatigas ng lima.

"Edi don't." Irap ni Midas at umayos ng upo. Nag-iyakan agad ang lima at mga nagtakbuhan sa ina upang magsumbong.

In the end, they made up. Kalonice will go with Gwynedd while Midas will bring their siblings with him. Larry and Octavius already left to attend a meeting together for the same investor.


Tahimik lang ang dalawa buong biyahe. Naiilang si Kalonice. Hindi niya magawang makapagbukas ng isang konbersasyon dahil nahihiya siya. She's ashamed that they caught them both sleeping together, naked. She's ashamed that she forgot that they will be visiting her house. She's ashamed that she did not get up early and cook breakfast to welcome them. She's ashamed that she want to hide from her for a moment. Malamang ay kung ano-ano na ang iniisip nito. Malamang ay bumaba na ang tingin ni Gwynedd sa kaniya. Malamang ay---

"You're silent. What's bothering you, hija?" mahinahon na tanong ni Gwynedd at siya'y sinulyapan. She looked at her before looking down.

"A-Are you angry po ba?"

Nasorpresa si Gwynedd.

"Angry? Why would I?"

Kalonice bit her lower lip. "Kasi po I slept with Midas. At...alam niyo po... May nangyari po sa amin kagabi. Sorry po..." Her toes inside her boots curled as her hands starts playing with each other.

Gwynedd was speechless for a moment, trying to gather her composure. She did know where it came from all of a sudden, but she knows she needs to clarify things to Kalonice.

"It was actually fine with me, Kalonice." Napatingin si Kalonice sa kaniya. "I trust you two. I know you two are responsible. I trust my son. I know that the both of you won't do something that both of you will regret. I know you know your limits. I know Midas listens to you and obeys you. I know that if you said no, he won't persist and stop. But I'm not telling you that what you two did is right: because it was a married thing. I can't judge you for that. I don't see you the way you think I am right now. I don't at all."

Hinaplos niya ang buhok ni Kalonice. "It's fine with me, because it's your life. Whatever you do, I am here to listen and understand as much as I can. As a parent, I am just here to guide and watch over my child, discipline him, lecture him, and teach him the right things he must do. I have no complete control of his life, because my son is not my puppet, he is not a slave to my orders, HE IS MY SON, and he is free to do whatever he wants to do as long as the words I told him is engraved on his mind and heart. I don't want to be too strict, and I don't want to be too careless. I will be one depending the situation and cause. I trust my son. I trust you. I do."

Kalonice's lips trembled as her tears began streaming down her cheeks. Gwynedd gave her a smile. A sweet, sweet smile. "I like you so much, because even though you have no parents, you grew up to be a kind-hearted, strong, responsible, and ambitious woman. Life was so hard for you. Life was so cruel to you, so unfair, so bad. All that, you should have been a bad girl, but you taught yourself to be kind and understanding. You are amazing. You are incredible. You are fabulous. You are powerful. It makes me so proud every time I see you. I will be truly glad if my son will end up to a woman like you, Kalonice. Because I know... I know that you are good for him. Influence him with your kindness. He may not be the Larzen he used to be before, but to know that there is still kindness in his heart, that's enough for me. More than enough."

Nayakap siya ni Kalonice ng mahigpit. She was so overwhelmed, she feel like her heart will burst in happiness. Her doubts and negativities are relieved. She felt so light. Midas is so lucky to have Gwynedd as his mother. She knows that he's grateful too, that he loves his mother so much. His parents never failed on making her feel that she's part of them. It's never too late for her to feel a father and mother's care, love, and warmth. They are giving all of that to her. She's beyond grateful to be honest.



"I want all the toys here, Larzen! I want it all!" Itinaas ni Laryen ang malaking stuff toy at tumakbo palapit sa kapatid. Agad naman siya nitong pinitik sa noo, ngunit mahina lamang.

"Call me 'Kuya', you rude little pumpkin."

"I'm not a pumpkin! I'm Baby Yoda!" Laryen pouted bago ipinakita ang stuff toy ni Baby Yoda.

"Yeah. You're an alien too like him,"

"We're brothers! You're an alien too!"

Ngumisi sa kaniya si Midas. "Oh? Mom haven't told you yet? YOU'RE ADOPTED."

Napasinghap si Laryen dahil sa natuklasan, hindi lamang siya pati ang apat pa na mga natigilan at mga nagsibaling ang ulo sa kanilang pwesto.

"Y-You're kidding me..." utal ni Laryen habang nangingilid ang mga luha.

"I am not. You really are adopted." Kinuha ni Midas si Contessa mula sa sinasakyan nitong kotse-kotsehan at hinanap ang mga kapatid ni Kalonice.

"Ito na lang, Francis. Para pwede sa ating pareho. Saka, mura lang 'to, oh. Hati tayo," dinig niyang bulong ni Ali habang ipinapakita ang napiling laruan kay Francis.

"Ayoko naman niyan, eh. Mas gusto ko 'yung robot."

"Huwag na 'yon. Mahal' yun, ano ka ba. Ito na lang para mura. Sige ka, mahal ang ibabayad ni Ate kay Kuya Midas kasi mahal ang binili mo. Utang 'to, okay? Utang." Pangungumbinsi niya pa.

Midas cleared his throat. Napatalon ang mga ito sa gulat. Itinago ni Ali ang maliit na laruan sa kaniyang likod at siya'y hinarap.

"You can have whatever you want. Walang utang-utang. Kunin mo na ang gusto mong robot."

Kumunot ang noo ni Laryen dahil sa narinig. Noong kanina, siya ang nagpapabili ng robot ay umayaw si Midas. Pero noong si Francis na ay pumayag ito.

Malakas siyang umiyak at tumakbo patungo sa kapatid at ibinato sa kaniya si Baby Yoda. "You're unfair, Larzen! How could you have favorites! They're not even your siblings! I wanted a robot too but you scolded me! But when Francis wanted it, you're buying it!? I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I don't want you as my brother anymore!"

Nabigla si Midas. Pinunasan ni Laryen ang mga mata saka mabilis na tumakbo paalis. Nagtinginan ang mga kapatid niya at tumango saka mga nagsiiyakan na din. Hindi nila hahayaang si Laryen lang ang iiyak. Dapat ay kasama sila. If one of them is in pain, masasaktan din dapat sila. If one of them cries, they should cry too. If one of them is happy, they should be happy too. And if one of them hates somebody, THEY WILL HATE THAT PERSON TOO.

"L-Laryen!" Tawag ni Midas. Napatingin siya sa dalawa na walang kaalam-alam sa mga mangyayari.

Nagpatuloy sa pagtakbo si Laryen hanggang sa bumunggo siya sa isang matigas na bagay. Bago pa siya matumba ay may dalawang kamay na ang humawak sa kaniya.

He opened his eyes and looked up.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Caedmon. "Laryen?"


"Here, try this necklace. I'm sure this will look good on you." Ipinatong ni Gwynedd ang kahon sa mga palad ni Kalonice. Nalaglag ang panga niya.

"T-Tita... A-Ang dami naman po ng diamonds nito. H-Hindi na po. Masyado pong nakakasilaw. Huwag na po ito." Tanggi niya at umiling. Gwynedd chuckled.

"No, try it. It's pretty, don't you think so? Come on, you will love it once you wear it." She gave her a wink at itinulak siya papunta sa harap ng salamin. She took the necklace at isinuot ito kay Kalonice. Inayos niya ang kaniyang buhok at pumunta sa kaniyang harapan.

"See? You look so elegant in that necklace, hija. So elegant."

Maliit na ngumiti si Kalonice at hinawakan ang kwintas na nasa dibdib. Her smile grew wider. Ngunit agad din itong napawi nang makita ang pamilyar na tao sa salamin, pinagmamasdan silang dalawa ni Gwynedd.

Lumapit ito sa kanila. Umikot siya upang makaharap si Jarrah.

Matamis itong ngumiti. "Oh, look at you, getting along really well. We never," sabay baling kay Gwynedd na seryoso ang ekspresyong ipinaskil sa mukha.

Mahinang tumawa si Jarrah at hinawakan ang kwintas sa dibdib ni Kalonice. "This is so pretty. But it's too expensive for you to afford by your self. But what to expect? You hook the largest fish in the ocean. And here you are, taking good advantage of it. So juicy, right?"

"Jarrah, ayaw ko ng gulo." Malamig niyang pakiusap at tumingin sa paligid kung saan nasa kanila na ang atensyon ng mga tao.

"Gulo? Sis, hindi ako gumagawa ng gulo." Tumawa siya. "Sinimulan mo 'to." Dugtong niya.

Tinapik ni Gwynedd ang kaniyang kamay at hinila si Kalonice saka ito itinabi sa kaniya upang siya ang makaharap ni Jarrah.

"Look at you, acting like a jealous girlfriend confronting her man's boyfriend. Stop putting up a show, Jarrah. Stop being a clown. Kalonice started it? HOW?" Nag-iba ang pinta ng mukha ni Jarrah.

"What a narcissist you are. I won't let you ruin my son's happiness again. I'm still holding my self back. Huwag ka sanang umabot sa puntong mapupuno mo ako, dahil kahit anak ka pa ni Octavius, sisirain ko ang buhay mo. It's been a long five damn years, and now that my son found somebody new, BETTER than you, you will come back as if you are the victim here? Na para bang ang anak ko ang nagloko? Oh, Jarrah. YOU ARE SUCH A CLOWN." She laughed gracefully while shaking her head.

"Keep swinging on your trapeze. You are the only character in your circus show. We are your audience. Entertain us more."

Hinawakan niya ang kamay ni Kalonice saka siya hinila. Binangga niya ang balikat ni Jarrah kaya naman napaatras ito. She did not manage to balance her self kaya naman napasalampak siya sa sahig. Tuluy-tuloy lang sa paglalakad si Gwynedd na walang pakialam sa kaniya.

Kalonice looked back at her. Her eye color turned jet black in a split second as she smirk at her. It made Jarrah shiver in anger and humiliation.

"Loser." Edana mouthed bago ibinaling ang ulo sa kaniyang nilalakaran. Nagtaka naman si Kalonice nang makita sa salamin na kanilang nadaanan ang labi niyang nakangisi. Nahawakan niya ang bibig, gulong-gulo ang isipan.


"Is that so?"

Laryen nodded. Caedmon sighs at pinunasan ang gilid ng labi niya na nabahiran ng ice cream. "I wish you were our brother, Momon. I like you more than Larzen. He's our evil brother! I hate him so much!" He sobbed bagp dinilaan ang ice cream. Caedmon chuckled at hinagod ang kaniyang likod.

"Don't say that. He's a good brother pa din naman. I'm sure he's looking for you to say sorry. Let's go, I'll take you to him---"

"I don't want to!" Pigil sa kaniya ni Laryen at mas lalong umiyak. "I don't like him. Hensaid I'm adopted even when I am not. I hate him so much. I don't want to see him ever again! I hope his life will be miserable! He's so evil! I hope he will be sad forever! FOREVER!"

"Laryen!" He wiped his mouth. "Don't say that, Laryen! That's bad!" Hindi siya pinansin ni Laryen at nagpatuloy sa pag-iyak.

Napakamot sa ulo si Caedmon. He's not good with kids dahil tatlo lang naman silang magkakapatid, puro lalaki din. Hindi magkakalayo ang kanilang mga edad. Ang pang-apat naman ay ipinagbubuntis pa ng kaniyang ina and they are twins. He's not intimate with his brothers and they don't fight. They never fight. But he's sure that they are close.

"Come here, I'll buy you the robot you want tapos ibabalik na kita sa kapatid mo." Kinuha niya ang kamay nito at dinala sa ibang bilihan ng mga laruan. He bought him a huge robot na kasing taas ni Laryen. It was expensive, but after seeing Laryen's smile, he knows it's worth to spend for.

"LARYEN!" Tawag ni Midas na kanina pa siya hinahanap. Agad niyang nilapitan ang kapatid ngunit mabilis siya nitong tinakbuhan at nagtago sa likod ni Caedmon na itinatago ang wallet sa bulsa. Napatingin sila sa isa't isa.

"Hey, dude. Good thing you are here. I was about to call you," ngiti niya at tumingin kay Contessa.

"Hello, Miss President." He greeted. She wave her hand on him.

"Lo, lo, Momon!" He smiled.

"Thanks. I've been looking for him. I thought he was abducted already because I couldn't see him anywhere." Midas sighed with relief.

He looked at Laryen. Doon niya lang napansin ang katabi nitong robot. The controller was on his little hand.

"Uhhm, he was crying when I saw him. He said he wanted a robot so I bought him one para hindi na siya umiyak," paliwanag ni Caedmon at pinat ang ulo ni Laryen.

"Is that so?" Caedmon nodded. "How much is that robot?" tanong ni Midas.

Tumaas ang kilay ni Caedmon. He burst out in laughter. "Nah, no need to pay me. Just think of it as my gift to him. He's a good boy, anyway." Mahina siyang tumawa at tumingin kay Laryen. Hindi sumagot si Midas at tumango na lamang.

"Let's go, Laryen." Tawag niy sa kapatid at itinaas ang kamay, reaching him out.

Laryen's eyes watered as he look at Caedmon, begging not to give him to his brother. But Caedmon has no right, so he noddes at him with a smile.

"Go, Laryen. I need to leave too."

"No! Take me with you, Momon! I don't like that bad man! Take me with you, Momon. I don't like him!" Ngalngal ni Laryen at mahigpit na yumakap sa kaniyang binti.

"I don't want him as my brother. Adopt me, Momon! I want you as my brother! I don't like Larzen! He's so mean and evil! I don't like him, Momon! Adopt me!"

"T-Tita Gwynedd will be sad, you know?" Pilit na ngumiti si Caedmon at humingi ng tulong kay Midas.

"Then adopt Mommy too! Daddy and my other brothers and Miss President too! Adopt all of us except Larzen! He's a monster, Momon! Take me with you, please!" Pumikit si Laryen at mas lalo pang umiyak.

Caedmon looked at Midas to see what he's going to do. He was just staring at him with an emotionless face. He noticed that Contessa is holding a new barbie doll. He smiled at her before looking down at Laryen na ayaw bumitaw sa kaniyang binti.

"Let's go already, Laryen. You're bother him---"

"I SAID I DON'T WANT TO!" sigaw ni Laryen at masama siyang tiningnan. "Why not go home with your favorite sibling!? You're always Contessa, Contessa, Contessa! Just because she's the only girl here doesn't mean she's the only one you will love! What about us!? We're babies too!?" Midas' eyes widened.

"You always gift her with the best gifts! Barbie dolls with diamonds, self-made doll house for her, even her pink broom broom! You designed and drew them! You always carry Contessa! It's always HER!"

"Remember when we asked you that we want you to make us a house too for us five? You said you were busy studying, that you can't! Remember when we kept on asking you to play with us, and you told us you were busy studying, but we see you playing with her!? Remember the day after Christmas? We woke up without you and knew that you took Contessa to out to have a good time! Remember when Larcen accidentally pour his milk on your assignment? You got mad and scolded him But when Contessa rip them, which is much worse, you didn't get mad and you even find it CUTE! Remember when we went to the Amusement Park and its only Contessa you took with Kally!? Don't you know how excited we were to see you again but you barely gave us attention!?  Oh, right. It's because it was only Contessa you wanted to see. And remember during their graduation day? Kally said that you should bring us too since there will be a children's party there, and you refused because you said we will do nothing but mess around?"

Midas felt weak. He was about to say sorry when Laryen spoke again.

He sniffed his snot back to his nose. "You are so unfair. You always see Contessa. Always Contessa! Mommy and Daddy's attentions are not enough! Why can't you be a good big bro to us too!? This is why Momon is better than you! He always been better than you! He was the BEST brother we wish we had instead of you!" He paused to gulp. "No wonder why Uncle Octavius' daughter cheated on you with Momon. You may be smart, but you are lame and boring and Momon is not! He's so cool! You're the only loser in our family, Larzen! You're such a LOSER!"

Mas lalong nanlaki ang mga mata nilang dalawa. Midas froze from his location. He looked down, face so dim. Laryen was intimidated. He suddenly feel afraid of him.e was also feeling sory, wanting to take all the mean things he said back but he knows it's too late.

"I see…" Midas slowly nodded. He look straight at his eyes. Laryen quiver in fear. "I'm sorry if I can't be a good older brother to you. I'm sorry if you ever feel unwanted. I'm sorry if you think it was only Contessa I truly love. I'm sincerely sorry. So, to make it up to you,"

"L-Larzen…" Laryen trembled.

"Starting today, Momon is already your brother. Take him with you, Caedmon. You're an Alterio now, Laryen. You're not an Yzaguirre anymore." Laryen catch his breath. Nabitawan niya ang hawak na controller at nabitawan si Caedmon.

The other four froze from what they have heard. They all looked at Laryen who fell on his knees.

"K-Kuya… I'm sorry…" He said before crying his heart out. Midas just gave him a cold look before turning his back from him.

"Let's go back home and pay your toys." Utos niya sa iba pa at nagtuluy-tuloy sa paglalakad. Laryen followed him, asking for forgiveness but he ignored him. Caedmon followed them, convincing Midas to talk to Laryen but he ignored him too. They are already the center of attention because of Laryen's begs, but Midas was deaf.

The other four couldn't help but obey their brother. They were scared. They were afraid that he might do the same thing to them. No matter how they badly want to help Laryen, they couldn't because Midas is the absolute.

In the end, Midas went back to Kalonice's house with all of them except Laryen who was left with Caedmon.