Chapter 47

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ARIA

Tulala ako buong program. Alrius frequently asking me what's wrong. Ilang businessman na din ang nagsalita sa harapan pero wala doon ang atensyon ko. The talk with Maria bothered me to the core. Nalilito at the same time nag-aalala.

I tried to digest everything she said. I am not sure if what I am thinking right now is what she really meant. 

It's like the Morgan family is at war with its members and Maria is plotting her revenge on her father using Alexus and the Mardoni's wealth. Iyon lang ba? O may mas ilalala pa ang sitwasyon?

It dawned me that greediness can conquer a person and can do such things! Kayang-kaya kang lamunin ng kadiliman tipong pati sarili mong kadugo, kakayanin mong pagtrayduran at isakripisyo!

Zero and Farrei had their speeches. Todo ang kaba ko nang banggitin ng host ang pangalan ni Alex.

My eyes widen behind the mask when he stood and ascended the stage. It feels like everything went on slow motion. Even my heart beat would stop in every step he took before he held the pulpit. I gulped my nervousness.

Pakiramdam ko tumatawid ako sa isang sinulid. Bumibigat ang bawat paghinga pilit na binabalanse ang sarili sa gitna ng mga nangyayari. I am not aware of Alexus's plan. Unang-una, hindi nila sinasabi sakin kung anong mangyayari. Even though Alrius and Claudia assured me and just trust my fiance, hindi mawawala sakin yung sakit sa dibdib, knowing na any moment, maaaring may masamang mangyari ngayon.

Wala sa sariling hinawakan ko ang singsing na nasa daliri ko nang magsalita na si Alex.

"The MAPS has been partnering with the Underground for how many years and achieved big success after success. I can never express my gratitude to those people who invested and became the part of these achievements... cheers to that." panimula niya habang itinataas ang isang kopitang may lamang champagne.

The crowd raised their drinks and gave Alex a soft applause. Bahagyang ngumiti si Alex at lumingon sa likod. There's a big screen that flashed the activities and achievement of the Mardoni's shipping line. There are some charities involved na sinusuportahan nito and other small businesses na partners.

Lahat ng nasa paligid ay namangha sa mga videos and pictures mula sa screen. Alrius suddenly grabbed my purse from my lap. Napatingin ako sa ginagawa niya. Binuksan niya iyon at kinuha ang...

"What are you doing?" Kinabahan ako nang hugutin niya ang revolver at pinahawak sa mga kamay ko.

"Get ready, Aria. Zero, Farrei..."

Napalingon din ako sa mga katabi ko habang nanginginig na hawak ang revolver. I saw Zero and Farrei grabbed their guns from the inside of their suit. Nanlalaki ang mga mata ko dahil sa kanilang ginawa. Anong nangyayari?

"Beyond these success that we achieved so far... I am extending my thanks to the Morgans who managed to be one of my investors. And because of a long due promise to them, I hereby Alexus Mardoni, confirming my engagement to Ophelia Marie Morgan..." si Alex habang nakalahad ang kamay sa direksyon ng kanilang table.

Nakangiting tumayo si Ophelia na may maliit na bandage pa sa kanyang balikat. Pinalakpakan ng audience ang babae sabay na umupo ito. Ngumisi ang lalaking may katandaan katulad ng ama nila... Willy Morgan. The woman beside him was smiling too but it looks like she's faking it. My mind wanders to Maria and her mother.

I heard Zero called someone. Si Farrei ay nasa kanyang earpiece at may kausap din. Hindi ko na maintindihan ngayon pa lang ang kinikilos ng mga kasama ko. I tried to tugged Alrius' suit. Nagtatanong ang mga mata at halata ang kaba.

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