Chapter 3 THE AUCTION
IN THE YEAR 2020 PHILIPPINES
MARTHA'S S POV
"Savage love got somebody breaks my heart...!"
My cousin named Jan-Jan always loves TikTok.
"Hey Jan, enough of that, Justin will arrive soon, you know the drill once he caught you still not preparing for breakfast!"
I shouted while silently smiling since I always enjoy seeing him doing the TikTok and then interrupting him, his reaction is priceless!
Justin and Jan are siblings, they are my cousins the sons of my mother's eldest sister, and they only have a normal life and live simply, so far aside from my other relatives only these two helped me and let me live here.
It has been 4 years since the incident, and currently, I need to help Justin with all the bills, since he still owes money from Mr Mando for that, I present myself to work there as a waitress in Mando's Bar to help him.
I also work as a promo girl or promo staff at malls in the morning starting 8:30 am until 2 pm then as a waitress in the evening until midnight, I perform two jobs a day, I can't go back to school anymore due to financial reasons.
If I were to describe my life, it is much better now that I am living with them than what I have experienced in Pampanga, here in Manila, I feel safe though I never have any more information about what happened to my father and it hurts me every single day when I think of it, I just spent my time and focus on my new life now.
"Hey Jan, I'll be going now, inform Justin that I have prepared breakfast for him and mind your voice or music since your brother needs to take a nap"
I said before going to work.
Justin is a call centre agent on the night shift so he will arrive home in the morning then take a nap and prepare himself to work in the evening.
It's kind of hard to take a commute since I don't have a car; I need to ride a public vehicle to get to my work which is hard especially when traffic is all over the place and so most of the time I am late.
I arrive at the mall with only 30 minutes left before my shift; I prepared all the stuff that I need as a promo agent.
"Hello everyone as of now we have a 50% discount on all our products, the 14 thousand worth of magic sing microphone is now down to 7 thousand so what are you waiting for grab one now with our promo discount!!!"
My everyday tagline, sometimes I do a sample on it, and I sing a different song just to catch the customer's attention.
I was about to sing when I heard my name being called by one of our supervisors and a close friend to me.
"Hey Martha, I have a favor to ask, there will be a meeting later with the bosses including all the department heads and Ms Ma-an is not here to be with me this is the first time I would join this meeting, so can you go with me later? You see I am not comfortable with these kinds of stuff I don't know if I could understand everything about the meeting, I know you have a very good comprehension, so please, save me!"
She explained and of course how can I say no to my supervisor...
After saying yes to her, she immediately goes back to her office to prepare her report for a later meeting and so I continue to sing when I return.
While singing, I suddenly remember my parents to this song, we used to sing this together, and my emotion arises as I hit the high notes, every lyric fills my head and a few tears are now forming in my right eye.
After singing the song I heard the crowd clapping and whistling, I was surprised to see that there are already crowds formed while I am singing.
One hour later, my supervisor already approaches me to come with her to the meeting which will be held at one of the big convention rooms that this mall owns, I heard that the owner suggested it.
As we enter the hall, most of the department heads are there and other employees, we manage to place ourselves at the back though we can still see the front.
The door opened and a handsome guy with a grey suit enters, I can't believe that this guy is the owner of this mall, I mean he is too young to be the owner if I will be based on his looks, I guess he is just two years older than me.
My eyes were buried on him, Gosh!! He is handsome as a CEO, I met a lot of CEO in different companies and organizations and most of them were old and worst, in a wheelchair!
The CEO starts his speech and his accent sounds like old English, British like if I will describe it and the amazing part is he also knows how to speak well the local language.
After his speech, all the department heads were introduced one by one and explained their function and drop their updated reports.
Most of the products and shops inside the mall were also owned by the CEO and only a few stores and shops are owned by private clients.
The meeting last almost two hours, and my legs starts to hurt since I remained standing at the back when my supervisor needs to blend in with the other heads.
After the meeting, I quickly prepared my stuff to go home, I can't waste time since I still have another job to do at Mando's bar which is in the evening, 2 pm is the end of my shift here at the mall, I can get home at two-thirty in the afternoon so I still have enough time to sleep before evening.
Instead of riding and going home, sometimes I take a walk save up my money and enjoy my thirty minutes of walking, I always make sure I have a snack with me and eat it until I get home.
I also enjoy watching Jan's Tik-Tok compilations on my messenger which he used to send me and seriously I love it.
Hooked up by what I am watching, I am suddenly bumped by someone that makes my cell phone drop to the ground, I am shocked to see that the screen is cracked so I try to look at whom that person is but he continues to walk. Hmmph! I don't care if he is taller than me but I would not let him go just like that!
I ran towards him and then pulled the hood that is covering his face just to see him wearing a mask and only his bare eyes.
Looking at him, his eyes are red like ruby stone, it is indeed fascinating to look at but I am stunned when he pushes me to the wall and it hurts my back, I throw a death glare at him but he suddenly disappears. Dang!!! My back hurts! I am pretty sure it will swell later! Tsk!
When I got home, Jan is already sleeping on the sofa, I quickly get some linen and cover him and stared at him while sleeping I kind of felt at ease as he is sleeping peacefully if only I could go back to being a child again I would do so! Still staring at him, I noticed his hand holding a paper, I check on it and it is his tuition to be paid, suddenly I felt sad since we really have a tight budget if only I could find a better job that would sustain our everyday living. "Mar, I prepared lunch for you so you can eat and have your rest, I will transfer Jan to my room,"
Justin said seeing me just got home.
"Yep, thank you, Justin, you can eat first before you go to work, I will just have to change my clothes"
I said then about to head into my room when Justin said something.
"Alright, by the way, Grace came here earlier and looking for you"
Justin said before preparing for his work.
I kind of wondered what she want unless she has another short job for me; well Grace always helps me get a sideline job sometimes.
After taking my lunch, I head my way to Grace's house.
"Hmmm, Grace...? Knock-Knock!"
I knock and the door opens and it's Grace.
"Hey, Mar! Good thing you come here! I have a new sideline job, come in let's discuss it"
She said and then let me in.
"Really? Gosh! I was just thinking of how I can earn extra this month for Jan's tuition"
I said as I sit on her couch.
I feel safe every time Grace would offer me a sideline job since it is usually legal and simple like the last time when I was just commanded to deliver the suitcase at a certain hotel and I was paid 5k pesos! And the other one was when I am hired as a whole-day driver of an old woman who can't anymore do the driving, she pays me 10k PHP!
"Well Mr Asthon who is the son of the millionaire Ashton Senior needs someone who can be with him and be his date at the upcoming grand auction this Saturday, the catch is, he wants a girl that can make his ex-girlfriend jealous since he wants to win her back and since I always find you gorgeous and elegant even in your simplest attire, I believe this job is an easy thing for you! His ex-girlfriend will also be present at the auction"
Grace explained though little, I felt worried for my safety; I don't want to be involved in any other people's matters. "Wait, are you sure it is safe?"
I ask again feeling doubtful and nervous.
"Well, I am not sure but what I am sure of is, the 50 thousand pesos that he will pay, also Mr Ashton will provide you with all your needs like dresses, shoes, pieces of jewellery and I think he is a good man I mean he is so romantic by doing this, you see he just only want to win her back and that is sweet"
Grace explained that makes my eyes wide hearing the 50 thousand pesos that I will surely receive! Well, maybe Grace has a point, he should be a good man since his goal is really sweet and romantic and besides, I need this job for Justin and Jan.
"When it's going to happen then?"
I excitingly ask.
"On Saturday, you still have two days to prepare, I will inform Mr Calisto so he can inform Mr Ashton about this"
Grace said and I confirmed that I will do it.
After dealing with Grace, I head back to the house since I only have a few minutes left to at least rest for one hour of sleep before going to Mando's Bar.
I am glad that somehow Mr Mando pays me 2 thousand pesos even though Justin still owes him money.
I take a nap for one hour still thinking of the job that Grace offers me, I hope it will turn out well so I can get the payment fine!
At exactly 7 pm when I woke up, I quickly take a bath and prepare all the things I need to go to my evening job.
Jan is waiting for me on the couch since I always bring him with me whenever I go to work at the bar; no one will look after him at the house since Justin will also need to go to work.
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"Hey, Mr Ren, where is Mr Mando?"
I ask Mr Ren the bartender here.
"Inside his office Mi Amore"
He said in his adorable Spanish language, Mr Ren is just 2 years younger than Mr Mando and so we all respect him as well, after that, we head our way to Mr Mando's office, me and Jan. "Mr Mando. Can I "
I cut myself from talking when I saw a man coming from Mr Mando's office that just went out straight but as I look at his face though it seems he tries to hide it, at some point he looks very familiar. "Hey Mar, do you need something? Hi little Jan!"
He said and then greeted Jan
"Oh yeah, as I was saying, can you lend your couch again for Jan so that he could sleep, he still has school tomorrow, sorry for this but you see I have no choice, I can't let him alone in the house"
"You know Mar, you are always welcome here and also Jan, I know you are aware of a great friendship I have with your mother and Jan's mother, I always see her in you, how adorable you are, If only we could find the lead and mastermind of that tragic event that happens to your family at least we can still get revenge for your mom and save your dad"
He seriously said.
I can see his sincere concern for what happened to my parents, and that is why I am thankful that Mr Mando becomes my second father in so many ways.
"Hmmm, no need for that Sir, you, Jan, and Justin are the only family that I have now, I can't lose any one of you to those bad people, and I love my life now especially being with all of you"
I sincerely explain even though tears start forming in my eyes.
"Look, Martha, Almira, your Dad, and Fiona, we are all best friends and we all promised to defend and take care of each other as well as our children from any harm and since they are all gone now, I will take care of you as well as Jan and Justin"
Mr Mando said and now I can't hold it, tears fall from my eyes as I suddenly saw my Dad in him, the sincerity and love for his children.
I hugged Mr Mando and thank him for being a father to me at some point, Aunt Fiona also died a long time ago, her children are Grace and Misty, and Grace is the eldest.
The Mando's bar just opened and as usual same and new customers filled the whole area; it's always been like this every night.
Other customers are already familiar with me, and so far no one tries to take advantage of me or cause some trouble since they are all scared of Mr Mando.
It's no joke making Mr Mando an enemy, people here in our place know him well, most of them said that Mr Mando has a powerful and influential person on his side which is his previous boss, and they also believe that he works as a butler for this person ten years ago.
Still, he is getting protection from them even though he is already retired.
So far this business of him earns a lot, not just a simple people and people who used to go here but those well-known people, this bar accepts different celebrations since it has its own set of bands and singers for entertainment. Almost five hours have passed and it's going to be the end of my shift for tonight, I wake up Jan for us to go home and Mr Mando always offers us a ride to his motorcycle going home for our safety.
As we get home, I place Jan inside Justin's room in his bed, then I managed to take a bath when I look in the mirror, I saw my back the part that hit the wall earlier, it is seriously swollen, tsk! That bastard!
I need to cure this before Saturday; I can't go there with this condition! What if I need to wear a backless dress, I can't be like this with that gorgeous dress! No way!
I really hate that man! So full of himself! He didn't even say sorry despite that I am a girl! I hate him even though he has those beautiful ruby-gem-like eyes...
Well... I can't do anything about it anymore; I just hope I don't see him again anymore!
TONDO PHILIPPINES
SELENE'S POV
In the 4th section street of Tondo where the Factory for plastic was being made, hides a dirty secret that kills a lot of children in the city.
"Sen are you sure you want to do this?"
Gust asks a million times again!
"Just lead my way for me to get in"
I said in my most authoritative tone.
"Alright fine! I can see that there are two men in the front, three at the back and a few scattered inside, the boss are inside too and the children"
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"Good! Now it's my turn to enter!"
I said then jump from roof to roof until I get near the gate of the factory, the gate is big and had a barbwire attached at the top but I ignore it, I just jump at the top of the gate over those dangerous wires around.
Landing in front of two men guards, I manage to slit their throats before they can even use their guns, I slowly enter the factory and it has a lot of different rows where all the plastics are placed.
At the bottom part of the factory, you will hear the sound of a raging machine and chainsaw, when I try to look closely at what is going on, I saw the face of the kid with no life being cut open by those men and gently separating the organs from the body.
I begin to feel angry and aggrieved for those children; the anguish inside me is getting into my nerves which makes my eyes turning into red.
Almost five men are assisting the cutter and two men are on the lookout.
With my ability, I quickly slit the neck of the two lookouts and then crashed the head of the rest who is assisting the cutter.
The cutter does not know what is happening due to the loud sound of the chainsaw he is using to cut the limbs of the child.
When he noticed that suddenly no one is assisting him, he slowly turns around to check on them but he was shocked to see me wearing black standing in front of him.
"W-Who are you?"
The man shockingly asks me, I know that they believe no one can enter here or else they will be killed so confusion is all over his face right now.
I get silent while looking at the face of the little girl lying on the table with only her upper trunk left.
"I said who you are!? W-What did you do to my men?"
The cutter yells while shaking in fear but he never gets a response from me as I slowly walk towards him and then hold his hand, creepily caressing him while my other hand is reaching the chainsaw behind his back, I can see that he suddenly stiffened as I continue caressing him.
I can see the confusion on his face with the gesture that I am showing him, and when he tried to throw a look at the side corner of the factory his eyes widened seeing his men lying on the ground with crashed heads and a slit throat.
Out of fear, he tries to run away from me but he can't even do a single move, I grabbed his hand tightly while placing the chainsaw at the back of his head and when he turns around the chainsaw cuts his face between his upper and lower lips. The upper part of his head drops to the ground while his body remained standing with a gushing burst of his blood.
Having the same anger inside me, I walk towards the office of the factory owner.
I try to open the door but the owner pulls a gun and shoots me in the forehead, I passed out on the floor for a minute.
"Look at you now bitch! No one can stop us even a slut like you!"
The owner said while looking down at me lying on the floor.
When the owner is about to escape bringing his bag of money, he is stunned to see me ahead of him, I am already standing in front of him still having a hole in my head.
"H-How come you were still alive!?"
The owner confusingly asks fear drawing on his face so he shoots me again but this time, I move fast like wind and am already an inch away from his face, he is shocked to see me having my red eyes and the bullet that is slowly coming out from my head as nothing happens.
Sweat dripping down from his temple, he kneels in front of me, pleading for his life.
"P-Please spare me, I will surrender myself to the police, just don't kill me. Please!"
The owner is crying for his life but I instead grab him and put him at the table and only his scream surrounds the whole factory.
Dawn sets in as I walk away from the factory, an old woman screams her lung out seeing a chopped body of a man that I hanged at the gate of the factory like a puppet with all barbed wires attached to his limbs and trunks.
I manage to save all the children from the factory.
"Sen Where are you?"
Gust asks,
I did not reply instead continuously walk on the side part of the road and bumped into a woman.
I was stunned to see her face looking closely at me but then I realize that my eyes are not yet coming back to their normal color.
I push her away and walk fast as I could.