Chapter 38

"You do realize you can still back out, right?" he says while stirring his coffee. Nasa kusina kami ngayon at nagbre-breakfast. Eli is still asleep; according to Detective Michaels, the guy sleeps like a baby. 

I shook my head, "Don't you think it's too late for that now? I know some valuable information about the Costa Mafia, thanks to your orientation last night." I smirked at him, "Kahit na hindi ko ituloy ang pagkuha ng impormasyon tungkol sa mga ginagawa nila ay nasa panganib pa rin ang buhay ko. Ikaw na rin ang nagsabi na nagtra-trabaho si Kev para sa Costa Mafia. I don't think I'll ever be safe with him around."

He nodded at me, "You're right, but I'm still pulling you out of this mission once it gets too dangerous." sumimsim siya sa kanyang kape at napakunot ang mukha niya marahil ay hindi niya nagustuhan ang timpla. "As for your mission, you just have to know their activities. Anong oras pumunta ang mga Capo sa No-Doze Coffee, sino ang mga kasama o kaya kausap nila, at kahit anong bagay na makakatulong para masugpo sila. I want you to get any information as you can. Get close enough, but not to a point where you will put your life in danger. Is that clear, Ms. Vielle?"

His face is serious, and my stomach did a nervous dance. I knew what I signed up for when I volunteered for this job pero natatakot pa rin ako sa mga maaaring madiskubre ko ganoon pa man ay hindi ako susuko.

"Yes, Detective. By the way, may hindi pa ako nasasabi sayo." Binababa ni Detective Michaels ang tasa na hawak niya.

"What is it?" he asks.

"Do you remember when I told you I got kidnapped?" kumunot ang nood niya pero tumango siya sa akin, "My captor said may atraso ako sa boss niya. A week ago, I found a note inside my locker, and it says, 'Do you want to know what happened to Mommy and Daddy? I'll tell you, little girl. You'll find your first clue tonight.' Hindi ko alam kung kanino galing ang note na iyon. I placed the letter inside my jean's pocket. I don't have it with me now." I said, remembering my clothes are still in Alexavia's house.

Noong nagkita kami cellphone at wallet ko lang ang dala niya. Yung iba kong gamit ay naiwan sa bahay nila. He remained silent at what I said. I know Detective Michaels is trying to analyze it. 

The possibility that we're dealing with Costa's and another party is still possible.

"Do you think it's Kev?" I whispered, I looked at him through my lashes, and his expression tells me na ganoon rin ang iniisip niya.

"Yes, Ms. Vielle. It could be. He's working for the Costa Mafia, after all." sumandal siya sa upuan, "The note says you'll find your clue that night, right?"

"Oo, pero I don't think I found any clues. Nag-dinner ako kasama si Alexavia and unfortunately, my Uncle is with us. Wala namang unsual noong gabing iyon." Except sa announcement ni Uncle Bern na ikakasal ako kay Anthony. "At saka, ano bang clue ang hinahanap ko? The note is vague." dagdag ko pa.

Napatingin ako sa labas. I can hear the chirping sound of the birds and the magnificent view of the outside. Things are now becoming shadier lalo pa ngayon na alam kong isang Costa ang aking ina. 

My mom changed her name to Amelia when she married my father. It's safe to assume that she ran away and if she did then...

Para akong binagsakan ng malamig na tubig, "Do you think the Costa Mafia has something to do with my parents' death?" I asked, realizing how possible it can be.

An uncomfortable silence sits between us. If my hunch is right, what is their motive? Why kill someone who belongs to their family?

 It doesn't make any sense to me, but as Detective Michaels told me last night, I shouldn't be surprised.

Heartless people hurt anyone without remorse kahit sarili pa nila itong pamilya.

"It's possible." I whipped my head to see Eli standing at the kitchen entrance with his messy hair. He walked towards the fridge to get himself a glass of water. "Lorenzo Costa hates your mom," he added, matapos niyang uminom ng tubig. 

Napatingin naman ako kay Detective nang magsalita siya, "Do you remember when I told you that you might have been caught in the middle of something, Ms. Vielle?" 

I nodded at Detective Michaels, "At the beginning, I thought the Costa Mafia might have been after you when you went to the Congressman's house kung saan namatay ang anak niyang babae. They don't like it when people sniff on their business, but this changed when we found out that your mom is Isabella Costa." 

"What do you mean?" tanong ko sa kanya at ramdam ko ang kaba sa dibdib ko. 

"The Costa Mafia are probably aware that you are Isabella's daughter," Eli says.

Sumandal siya sa pinto ng ref and he crossed his arms at his chest. "If that's true then why are they after me? I didn't even know all of these revelations until yesterday," I asked. 

"Ms. Vielle, the Mafia has one constant rule: Familia comes first. If Isabella Costa betrayed the Familia or did something to upset or endangered the Familia then she will be removed even if she's the daughter of the previous Boss. Whatever Isabella Costa did she has to pay for it, but now that she is dead then that makes you an easy target."

My mouth parted, I couldn't imagine hurting my own family. Kahit ngayon na hindi maganda ang relasyon namin ni Uncle Bern at Anthony kailan man ay hindi pumasok sa isip ko na sana ay may masamang mangyari sa kanila o kaya naman saktan sila gamit ang sarili kong mga kamay. 

But the mafia sounds like it's easy for them. 

 And what? Previous Boss? Then that makes the former Boss my grandfather?

As if reading my thoughts, Eli confirmed it, "Yes, Allesandro Costa is Isabella's father, which makes him your grandfather and the previous boss of Costa Mafia."

Holy smokes. I am speechless. Hindi ako makapaniwala sa mga naririnig ko. This is too surreal for me.

 Is this why my Uncle didn't mention my mom or her family because of their wrongdoings? Is my Uncle protecting me after all?

"Isabella Costa is a mob princess, and she's Allesandro's favorite daughter; however, she doesn't want to be in a crime family," Eli explained.

"Why does Lorenzo hate my mother?" tanong ko kay Eli na nakasandal pa rin sa pinto ng ref. The thought of Lorenzo hating my mother doesn't sit well with me.

He shrugged his shoulders, "Beats me. Mga kwento lang ng mga kapwa ko associates ang mga narinig ko and I've never met the main family. But rumors were going on."

I frowned at Eli, "What rumors?"

"Lorenzo is in love with your mother."

My jaw dropped, "Aren't they related or something? They have the same surname!" I half-shouted, this is absurd.

"They're cousins." simpleng sagot ni Eli.

Well, I wasn't expecting that. 

"It's no secret for the Mafia to marry their own kin to preserve the power and maintain the bloodline, but it is also common to arrange marries between two families to fix whatever disputes they may have." Detective Michaels said. I looked at him as if I didn't hear what he said.

Is that what my Uncle's trying to do? Vielle Enterprises basically runs because of my Uncle and Anthony. Is he trying to preserve the wealth within the family like how the Mafia is doing it?

"That's crazy," yun lang ang nasabi ko. 

If the rumors were true, then maybe my mother ran away because of Lorenzo? Perhaps it's the reason why he hates her? But is that enough to kill someone? Mas lalong ayokong makita si Lorenzo.

At least we have a lead now. Person of interest na namin ang mga Costa sa pagkamatay ng mga magulang ko. Another unexpected revelation, but for some reason, there's this new energy running in my body.

I found another purpose of continuing.

I will find the truth, and no one will stop me.

"I'll help." Napatingin kami ni Detective Michaels kay Eli. My forehead furrowed as we waited for him to continue, "Isabella helped me once, and I'll return the favor now by helping you."

I see, so this is what Eli meant that day when he said, 'I can help you.' "How do you owe my mom?" I quietly asked.

"She was simply nice to me." Eli gave me a half-smile. He then turned to Detective Michaels, "How are you going to bring Costa Mafia down? Are you sure the other big mafia families won't be involved?"

I stared at them, not understanding a thing.

"Right now, I am sure the Moretti's' won't even try. Matagal ng hindi maganda ang samahan ng mga Moretti at Costa." Detective rubbed his chin, "I'm not sure with Valachi, Lucchese, and Massino."

"Who are these people?" tanong ko habang palipat-lipat ng tingin sa kanilang dalawa. Kumuha ng upuan si Eli para maupo malapit sa kitchen counter.

"There are five big Mafia Families: Moretti, Costa, Lucchese, Valachi, and Massino. These five families run different parts of the country." Eli explains.

"However, the Moretti and Costa Mafia have been fighting over the city of Auderbert. Sa ngayon, hawak ng mga Moretti ang buong city. They control the territory and the lives of the people who lived there."

Auderbert is located in the northern part of my city. Ayon sa mga narinig ko ay ito ang pinakamahirap na city sa buong bansa.

Sabi ni Detective as he scratches his chin, "According to my sources, there's an undiscovered oil in that land. The mafia families are trying to get their hands with it because it means more money for them."

Eli then adds, "The Costa has been planning to steal it from the Moretti. An all-out mafia war between these two families might happen soon."

"I hope you listened to my advice when I told you to stay away from Ivo Moretti, Ms. Vielle." Detective Michaels gave me this pointed look, and I can't help but blush because I didn't listen to him.

"Oh, fuck no. Don't tell me you're in a relationship with a Moretti?" Eli stated as he watched my expression at mas lalong uminit ang pisnge ko. "Ugh, we're all doomed."

"We're not together! He and I are frie-n-ds," I say, and I wanted to kick myself for stuttering. They're still looking at me at alam ko naman na hindi sila naniniwala sa akin. "It's the truth!" I glared at them.

Eli raised his hands in surrender, "Okay, okay. If you say so pero paalala lang. If you want to learn more about your parent's death and Costa Mafia you can't have any distractions."

I swallowed what Eli said is right. I can't have any distractions. Whatever feelings I may have or may not have for Ivo are unnecessary lalo na sa mga nangyayari ngayon.

Detective Michaels didn't offer any kind smile when he said the following words, "Eli is right, Ms. Vielle. Alam kong wala ako sa posisyon para sabihin sa iyo 'to pero love doesn't really work with the made-men of the mafia and Ivo Moretti is no different."

At the mention of Ivo ay hindi ko maiwasang malungkot. Gusto kong umangal sa mga sinabi nila. I wanted to say that Ivo is different. 

He's not what they think, but I didn't because I don't know him enough.

Did Ivo approach me that night at the charity ball because he knows the Costa blood runs in me?   

I felt a pang at the thought.

Alam kong kabilang si Ivo at ang mga kaibigan niya sa mafia. Polina said I'm slowing Ivo down. Is it because she knows na may dugo akong Costa? It totally makes sense why she doesn't want me to be around with Ivo.

As Detective Michaels mentioned hindi maganda ang samahan ng mga Moretti at Costa. I also remember him saying na matagal na silang magkaribal.

It's a conflict of interest after all. May dugo akong Costa at isang Moretti is Ivo.

I might not want to admit it, but I miss Ivo. It's been a week since that night. I wonder what he is doing. I wanted to run my hands on his messy hair as he sleeps and listen to him talk as he shares his stories, but I pushed all these thoughts away.

'No distractions, Skyla,' I reminded myself.

I looked at Eli and Detective Michaels, "I understand. You don't have to worry. I know my priorities." I hope I am convincing enough, and they won't see the heaviness of my heart.

Detective Michaels smiled, "That's good to hear. You're ready for your training."

I stared at him, dumbfounded, "What training?" Then the door opened, napatingin ako sa pinto. Mula sa kusina ay kitang-kita pa rin ang sala.

A man stood with his messy caramel hair. His black jeans look pretty expensive, his black shirt fits perfectly on his masculine body, and his leather jacket is a limited-edition, I know this because Anthony owns the same jacket.

The man walked towards our table and removed his sunglasses. His green eyes shining, "Well, aren't you all happy to see me?" he smiled, and I frowned. He smells smoke and something else.

Who's this guy?

Detective Michaels cleared his throat, "This is Noah, Ms. Vielle. He will train you, and he will be your partner for the undercover job."

I blinked at him, "Train me for what?"

"Self-defense," Noah says, and he's grinning at me. He then winked at me.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes and looked at Eli, "Tell me he's joking."

Eli offered me a sympathetic smile, "I am afraid not."

"Noah is a professional assassin. He can teach a thing or two on how to defend yourself, Ms. Vielle." Detective Michaels explains.

"Are you really a Detective? Why are connected with shady people?" I heard Eli and Noah laughed, but Detective Michaels only offered a smile.

Well, considering how dangerous things are now, he is absolutely right. I do not want to fail because I didn't learn how to defend myself, and I also do not want to slow down anyone. Kung kailan ko matuto ng karate, bumaril, o kahit ano man ay gagawin ko.

Saan ba nakilala ni Detective Michaels ang lalakeng ito?

I looked at Noah, he's still smiling at me. I don't know what's so amusing, but I offered my hand anyway, "I'm Skyla."

Noah is probably around 190 cm, and he has a face a lot of girls would be crazy for at mukha din siyang playboy. He's perhaps around Ivo or Anthony's age. I'm sure Alexavia will like him. She's a sucker for tall men, brown hair, and piercing green eyes. Noah is all that.

He didn't take my hand. Noah gave me a once-over at tinignan si Detective Michaels, "Are you sure about this? This girl looks like a kitten." I scowled at him, "She won't last for a week." dagdag niya pa. 

He was all smiles earlier. Who would have thought he's a jackass? 

"Noah, don't be r--" Detective Michaels didn't finish his sentence kasi inunahan siya ni Noah.

"Don't you think it's a waste of time to train someone as weak as her?" Noah smirks at me. I glared at him.

"Noah, Ms. Vielle is ---"

"When you asked for my help, I thought I'd finally get some action. I've been itching man, but instead, what do we have here," Noah paused, his expression darkening, "Another runaway princess and she looks like a spoiled one."

I can feel myself turn red, not because of shyness or embarrassment, but because of anger. Who is he to talk about me like I am not in the same room?

Eli says, "Noah, that's enough."

"What? Eli, you too? Come on, man. I mean, look at her," sabay turo sa akin, "She will most likely cry if I'll ask her to shoot a tree."

I stood, and the sound of the chair echoed throughout the kitchen when it fell on the floor. I clenched my hands, we just met, and he's infuriating me. Hindi ko alam kung anong sinabi sa kanya ni Detective Michaels, but I can confirm that I am not someone he is expecting.

Maybe he's expecting someone experienced, and I hate myself for feeling bad because he's stuck with someone like me na walang experience sa pagiging undercover spy, but it's not fair to judge me right away.

I can be pretty good at something once I put my heart and mind to it.

At ngayon, I am determined to uncover the truth.

Noah sized me up, "What? Did I hurt your princess pride?" he smirked.

I continue to glare at him as if it would do anything. No other guy than Kev Conti riles me up like this, but Noah takes the cake. He's arrogant, and I want to wipe the smug look on his face.

I don't know what took over me. One moment, I was just standing and glaring at him, and the next thing I know, I raised my clenched fist and punched Noah on the face. When my fist touched his face, pakiramdam ko ay mababalian ako ng buto. 

He didn't anticipate it and his balance staggered. 

For an assassin, his reflexes are shit. 

Detective Michaels is on his feet to check on Noah. He then looked at me with an amuse look on his face and I can't tell if he's trying his best not to laugh. 

Noah is frowning at me while holding his face. He looks like he doesn't understand what's happening. 

Punching someone felt nice pero halos maiyak ako sa sakit ng kamay ko, "Oucch!" I half-cried, halos hipan ko ang kamay ko dahil sa sobrang sakit nito.

Ang tigas pala ng mukha nang lalakeng 'to. I glared at him, and he's looking at me like I grew another head. Noah's face is red, I don't know if it's because a woman punched him on the nose or the impact of my punch was so intense his nose is bleeding.

"Skyla? Are you okay?" tears filled my eyes when Eli asked, ang sakit ng kamay ko. "Let me take a look," he muttered, at binigay ko sa kanya ang kamay ko. I blinked the tears away, "You'll need some ice."

"Noah, are you okay?" Detective Michaels asked him pero parang wala itong narinig. Nakatitig pa rin siya sa akin.

"Come here, Skyla." Eli orders.

I gave Noah one last glare bago puntahan si Eli. He placed an ice pack on my swelling hand.

I flinched at the contact, "He's an asshole." I whispered; my voice so small. Akala mo batang nagsusubong sa magulang niya.

Eli chuckles, "He is, but I'm sure you'll like him."

I sniffed and crinkled my nose, "Hard pass."   

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