GET EVEN

CHAPTER FIVE

Gabriele got home and found his cousin sitting in his den with a drink in his hand and a smile on his face. Natuwa siyang makita ito. Sobrang close ito sa kanya at kapatid ang turing niya dito.

"Kaylangan ko na ata makausap ang guard dahil nakakapasok ka nalang dito basta basta" Gabriele said, not meaning one word of it.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. Mukhang mahina ang security mo. Kahit sino pinapapasok" pagbibiro ni Mario.

"At least we agree" Gabriele answered.

"How are you doing, cous?" pagtatanong ni Mario.

"I'm great bro, and you?"

"Well since I found your hundred year old scotch, I'm feeling pretty good" Mario said, with an impish smile on his face as he held up the expensive bottle, which had considerably less liquid in it.

"Okay if you're going to drink my best stuff, then the least you can do is pour me a glass" Gabriele said, as he shed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves.

"No problem. How's the corporate take-over world treating you?" tanong ni Mario habang iniaabot ang baso na may lamang inumin.

"I finally got my company" Gabriele said with a genuine smile. He didn't have to explain what that company was. Sabay silang lumaki ni Mario at nandoon siya noong iniwan siya ni Destiny. Kasama rin siya nito nang magsimula siyang magplano ng paghihiganti sa babae at sa kanyang ama.

Mario was from the same area he was and had been just as determined to get out. It had always been him, Mario and their other cousin Ryan. Magkakapatid ang kanilang ama. Ryan's parents had died in a horrible auto accident when he was ten years old and he'd moved in with Mario, next door to Gabriele. The three boys had been inseparable.

Lahat sila ay nagsimulang kumayod sa edad na bente at pare parehong nakamit ang tagumpay. They stayed in touch, as much as their work would allow and sometimes Gabriele really hated the distance that divided them.

"That's beyond great Derek, how did it all happen?" interesadong tanong ni Mario.

"Mahinang magpatakbo ng negosyo si Vergara and all I had to do was bide my time and wait him out. He finally made one too many mistakes, leaving the doors wide open for me to come in and take over. It has felt great but I thought I would somehow feel more, like some completion or something"

"I think you're just growing up and getting revenge isn't as important as it once used to be for you. Anong gagawin mo with this one?"

"I've decided to keep it intact. Quality ang mga products na pinoporduce nila at may nasa limang daang factory workers ang mawawalan ng trabaho kapag hinati ko yun. Naniniwala ako na magiging maganda ang pagtatrabaho nila dahil sasahuran ko sila ng tama at nararapat"

"Turning soft hearted on me, huh? What happened to my cold hearted snake-of-a-cousin?"

"Ikaw na rin naman ang nagsabi Mario, tumatanda na ako at hindi nalang dapat sarili ang iniisip" Gabriele said, a bit uncomfortable with the praise.

"Don't worry. Hindi ko naman ipagsasabi ang pagiging softy mo sa mundo. They can all think you're still a jackal" he said and then punched him in the arm.

"Okay enough about me. Tagal na nating hindi nakakapagusap. Ano naman ang pinagkakaabalahan mo?" Derek demanded.

"Kakabalik ko lang from Spain. Opening ng bagong resort. You have got to come stay there, she's a beauty" sabi ni Mario. May nilabas siyang folder at pinakita kay Gabriele ang mga pictures. It was certainly an impressive resort, with all the bells and whistles.

"It has three Olympic sized pools, a full use spa, a couple top of the line workout rooms and so much more. It's a ladies paradise and a man's dream. I should get an award for this place" Mario said enthusiastically.