Hunter's Wrath

Some people are born into love. Me? I was born into noise. Shouting behind closed doors. Strangers in suits who never smiled. Phones that rang at all hours. My childhood? Expensive perfume and stress—mixed together like it was normal.

In the Dankworth family, "we're doing this for you" basically always meant—brace yourself—something was already screwed.

Noong walong taong gulang ako, natatandaan ko pa, how Damon sent me away.With those bloodshot eyes, wet shirt, messy wet hair, he packed my things, at walang sali-salita na dinala niya ako sa kotse. He drove his car, and I cried in silence. Dahil kahit hindi niya sabihin, alam ko kung saan kami patungo, o ano ang gusto niya mangyari.

My aunt brought me to New York. Life there was different. No long family meetings, no lectures, no drama. Just hours on a plane, and the next thing I knew, I was in a small but cozy house where the loudest sound at night was the TV, not arguing, not gunshots, not chaos.

For the first time, I wasn't "a Dankworth." I was just Divecca Marianne Rushwood.

The girl who wore mismatched socks to school. The girl who got detention for talking too much. The girl who fell in love with late-night diners, cheap bracelets, and friends who didn't give a damn about power, enemies, or family reputation.

I built a life that felt light. Normal. Mine.

Then one day, after years, Damon showed up. Kung kailan may sarili na akong lugar na gustong gusto ko. Lugar na para sa akin. . . lugar na malayo sa buhay na meron ako sa nakaraan.

He stood in my aunt's doorway — same serious eyes, same heavy presence, like he carried storms inside his chest.

"I'm taking you back," he said. Wala man lang pagtatanong kung kumusta ba ako.

I laughed because I thought he was joking. Maybe he's pranking me kahit hindi niya ako nakasama ng mahabang panahon. Akala ko kahit paano, nagbago siya.

"I'm not going," I told him shaking my head firmly. Masaya na ako sa kung nasaan ako. I don't wanna go back.

"I have school. I have friends. I have a life here." dugtong ko pa.

"You have a family. Me." he replied. Walang mababakasa na kahit anong emosyon sa mga mata niya. "And right now, we need to stay together."

That was the thing about my brother. About Damon. He never sounded unsure. Never emotional. Just... final. At alam kong kahit anong gawin ko, he has the power to do whatever he want and to decide.

I argued. I shouted. I cried in my room like a teenager in a drama movie. I told him I hated the life he was dragging me back into.

But in the end?

I still packed my bags.

Because being a Dankworth meant you didn't really get choices — just responsibilities you never asked for.

So I left the only place that ever felt like home.

. . .

"Last na talaga 'to!" sigaw ko habang nakataas ang baso at nakatingin sa mga kaibigan kong sanay na sa kasinungalingan ko.

"Dimaria, pang-apat mo na 'yan!" sabi ni Denily, pero halatang natatawa na rin.

"Excuse me. I am a woman of self-control and emotional depth." I gasped dramatically.

"Emotional depth? Umiiyak ka nga sa dog videos." natatawa na sabi niya and we both laughed.

"That is empathy, bruh! Wala ka kasi no'n puro ka kipay!" I shot back, pointing at her like I just won a debate.

Tumawa ulit sila, and for a second, I just sat there watching my new friends, smiling. Nights like this felt easy. No expectations. No pressure. Just music too loud, drinks too sweet, and people who knew all my bad decisions and loved me anyway.

I liked nights where I could just be me.

No "Damon's sister." No "dangerous world."

Dito, ako lang. Dimaria. The girl who laughs too loud and dances kahit walang sumasabay. The girl who drink too much like there is no tomorrow.

"Uy," bulong ni Poppy, bahagyang yumuko papalapit sa akin.

"May nakatitig sa'yo dun sa kabilang table. Kanina pa ha. Iba ang atake, mhie — panalo ang hair, ang haba!" Tumawa ako, I didn't bother looking.

"Edi titigan niya. Libre naman." I flipped my hair and poured my shot glass.

"Grabe ka talaga, mhie. Ang gwapo pa naman. Sure ka ayaw mo? Chupain ko na yan." I laughed out loud—I knew she could easily charm anyone.

Poppy's a trans woman, and she's absolutely gorgeous, but what really stands out is her confidence. She carries herself with such natural ease and charm that people are drawn to her without even realizing it. She just owns who she is, and that's what makes her shine.

Hindi ko na pinansin ang sinabi niya or tiningnan man lang ang lalaki na tinutukoy niya. Sanay na ako sa tingin ng mga tao. I learned early that being beautiful wasn't just a compliment—it was a spotlight you never asked for. Some girls shrink under it.

I don't. I wear my confidence like red lipstick—bold, a little dangerous, and impossible to ignore.

"CR muna ako," sabi ko, tumayo at inayos ang suot kong jacket na nakasabit lang sa balikat ko. Short skirt, boots, top that showed just enough skin to make older women judge me and men stare too long.

Let them stare. Hindi naman ako pag-aari ng kahit sino.

Paglabas ko ng restroom, mas maingayat malakas na ang music. The lights were lower, the crowd thicker. Someone bumped into me.

"Sorry!" sabi no'ng guy.

"Okay lang. Buhay pa ako." I grinned.

He laughed, but I was already walking away, swaying slightly to the music still ringing in my ears.

I needed air.

Paglabas ko ng bar, sinalubong ako ng malamig na hangin. I closed my eyes for a second, face tilted up, breathing in the night like it was mine to own. Ang ganda mabuhay minsan. Not perfect. Not safe. But beautiful in small, stupid ways.

I didn't hear the car engine across the street. Didn't see the tinted window slowly roll down.

I was too busy smiling at nothing. Too busy believing the world, at least tonight, had no plans of hurting me. I hugged myself, shivering slightly.

"Ang lamig pala," bulong ko, rubbing my arms. For a strange second, a chill crawled up my spine.

Not from the wind.

From something I couldn't see. I shook it off.

"Arte mo, Dimaria." I muttered to myself. "Kanunuod mo 'yan ng crime documentaries." I laughed softly at my own joke.

After a moment... I went back inside at nagsaya lang kami ng mga kaibigan ko magdamag. I didn't even know how I was able to go home.

Nagising na lang ako na tirik na tirik na ang araw and Damon's name was the first name I saw in my phone. 50 missed calls, all from him. Tumaas ang kilay ko at napailing.

Of course, as usual.

Ibababa ko na sana ang phone ng bigla 'yong mag-ring. He's calling again. Napabuntong hininga na lamang ako at bored na bored na sinagot iyon.

"You ditched your class again?! Kyo reported that you escaped him! Are you really out of your mind, Dimaria? What if something happened to you?! Are you even thinking!?" I rolled my eyes.

"Bruh, kahit 'di ako pumasok, 'di ka naman mauubusan ng pera, hindi masasayang ang binabayad mo sa school ko. I just went out with my friends, no big deal. Chillax!" I snorted.

"Do you want me to freeze your cards?" his voice was even darker. Mas lalo kong kinasimangot iyon.

"Damon, you don't have to act like I am the same kid anymore. I can manage to be alone, I can manage myself! Just let me enjoy my life!" nasasakal ako. This is not the life that I want. Kontento na ako sa buhay ko dati eh. Simple pero may freedom.

"I'm letting you, but you're pushing it too far. How long are you going to keep rebelling?" His voice was low, dangerous... like thunder rolling over a stormy sky. I froze, ramdam ko ang bigat ng mga titig niya, kahit na hindi ko siya nakikita and the steady rhythm of his heavy breathing before he speaks again.

"I have to go. Attend your class today, don't escape Kyo. That's all I'm asking. Just this time, obey me without buts." bago pa man ako makapagsalita ay tanging pagbaba na lamang niya sa tawag ang narinig ko.

Walang buhay na itinapon ko ang phone sa kama ko. I saw my ID lying on the side table, my name printed clearly on it. Divecca Marianne Rushwood. Not a Dankworth.

Even though Damon had brought me here, I never used our surname. I stuck with my middle name. He had argued against it at first, but there was nothing he could do when I insisted on introducing myself my way.

I let an hour pass before I finally decided to take a shower. Afterward, I went out to grab breakfast while chatting with Poppy and Denily on our group video call. The moment they heard about how frustrated Damon was, they couldn't stop teasing me, laughing like maniacs.

"Bata-bata pa ng kuya mo, ang hot pa tapos pinapantanda mo na sa konsumisyon? Akla! Anong ginagawa mo, nagse-serve ka ba ng stress buffet sa kanya?!" Poppy shrieked, practically choking on her laughter, while Denily just doubled over, tears forming at the corners of her eyes.

"He deserves it! Ang ganda ng buhay ko sa NY. Like, no harsh feelings, mga mhie. I love you guys, pero I also love my life back then. Unlike now... ano ba 'to, preso ba ako?" I dramatically said and they rolled their eyes.

"Mhie, we love our night parties and escapade, pero maybe it's for your own good naman. Medyo strict lang ang papa." Pumilantik ang kamay ni Poppy matapos niyang sabihin 'yon.

"Alam mo, may point naman si Fercival Wilfredo. Lie low muna tayo, pagpahingahin mo muna si Damon sa kakadisiplina sa 'yo." Denily suggested before biting on her egg bomb sandwich. I heard Poppy's groan.

"Full name talaga teh ah, ang bantot!" We both laughed when she noticed how Denily mentioned her full name. Ayaw na ayaw niya kasi na tinatawag siya sa buo niyang pangalan kasi bukod sa pang maton daw, eh makaluma pa pakinggan.

We finished our breakfast before saying our goodbyes. Walang gaanong nangyari sa araw ko pagkatapos noon kundi magkulong sa kwarto at magbasa ng libro, nag-iikot ang isip ko sa kung pupunta ba ako sa klase o magdi-ditch na naman. Ano pa kasing silbi? Mayaman naman si Damon, at ako lang ang kapatid niya.

The night passed quietly, with only the faint hum of the city outside my window and the soft rustle of pages as my companion. By the time morning came, sunlight spilled through the curtains, painting the room in a warm, golden glow. I stretched, still half in bed, weighing my choices for the day. Class—or freedom? The question lingered, teasing me as I got ready for whatever the day would bring.

"Himala, the princess showed up?" Kyo greeted me with that infuriatingly charming smirk as I descended the stairs.

I was wearing my mini skirt school uniform, the black thigh-high socks hugging my legs, paired with a crisp white long-sleeve shirt and a loose tied black tie, giving off a slightly careless vibe, I couldn't help but roll my eyes at him. That smirk of his—it was like he knew exactly how much it annoyed me.

"You're so nosy for a guy." I snorted and he chuckled.

"Taray mo talaga, madame. Siguro naman 'di mo na ako tatakasan ngayon?" I glared at him as he followed me patungo sa sasakyan.

"Just shut up, okay?! I don't have time for a loyal little dog following me everywhere. God!" naiirita talaga ako sa kaniya.

"Relax. I'm just doing my job." malumanay na sabi niya, may halo pang pangaasar.

Sa lahat ng tauhan ni Damon, ito talaga pinakamakapal ang mukha.

"Then just drive me to school—and stop talking to me!" naiinis na sabi ko at agkibit balikat lang siya bago sunakay sa driver seat.

"Buckle up, princess," he said, smirking like he owned the road and I just made face before plugging my earphones.

Umidlip muna ako while he was driving me to college. I could tell he was trying to start a conversation, but honestly, I had zero intention of listening. I mean, why bother, right? Mas gusto ko pang pakinggan ang katahimikan, the soft hum of the car, the music, and maybe even dream a little. He probably noticed my vibe, kasi hello, obvious naman. I just let him talk, and took a nap, pretending that the world doesn't exist for a while.

I was in the middle of dreaming when some parasite took my earphones away.

"The heck?"

"Andito na tayo kamahalan," balewalang litanya ni Kyo, at hindi pinansin ang asik ko. He went out and half-runned towards my direction as he open the door for me. Padabog akong bumaba at umirap sa kaniya.

"You really know how to ruin my day." naasar na singhal ko at malakas na sinara ang pinto. Ngumisi lamang siya ulit tila sanay na sa pagtataray ko.

Well, maybe he is. He's been my butler for two freaking years.

"Paumanhin kamahalan, trabaho lang walang personalan." I looked at him with a smug on my face.

"Trabaho lang din naman siguro, when I set you up into getting me in trouble. For sure, may tatanim talagang bala sa ulo mo." His smirk faded away. That's more like it.

Nakangiti akong naglakad palayo sa kaniya at papasok sa loob ng school, habang nakangisi pa rin na nakalingon sa kaniyang napapailing na lang. Dahil doon ay bigla na lamang akong nakabangga ng kung sino.

"Oh shiii! I'm sorry!" I apologized. Nilingon ko ang lalaking nabangga ko at sinamaan lang ako nito ng tingin. He's not from here or a student here. He's wearing a black leather jacket with a white undershirt and a black pants. At nasisigurong kong kaedad lamang niya si Dame.

"Sorry..." paghingi ko ulit ng sorry, pero pinagpag lang niya ng konti ang jacket niya, as a way of fixing it bago ako tinalikuran. Suplado. I was about to walk again, ngunit muli akong napalingon sa kaniya saglit habang kunot ang noo. Am I right? May na-feel akong kakaiba sa lalaki na 'yon.

Pilit kong inalis sa isip ang nangyari at nagpasya nang sumunod sa dalawa ngunit nakitang kong nakalingon na ang mga ito sa akin at parehong hinihintay ako.

"Ano 'yon mhie? Kita namin 'yon, may papabols ka nanamang nabingwit?" bungad sa akin ni Poppy na nasa may gate lang pala at hinihintay ako. Ngumisi rin si Denily tanda na nakita niya rin talaga ang nangyari.

"Ah, nabangga ko." tipid na sagot ko at nagkibit balikat.

"Wow ah! Bakit ba hindi ka tinatablan ng karisma ng mga lalaki? Ang dami daming masasarap sa paligid mo oh!" Hinampas ni Poppy ang balikat ko.

"Eh paano nga tatablan, eh naiwan sa New York ang puso." pang-aasar ni Deni, sinasadyang ipaalala sa akin ang nag-iisang lalaking gusto ko simula noong ten years old ako.

"Ay teh, kung ako nasa kalagayan mo? No'ng bumababa pa lang ako ng eroplano nag m-move on na agad ako." hindi ko maiwasang hindi mailing at masaktan ng konti.

Dahil kahit pabiro iyon ay may point naman din siya. I don't want to hope anymore. Ilang taon na akong walang balita sa kaniya.

"Hindi na ba kasi talaga kayo nag-uusap?" nagsimula na kaming maglakad papasok nang itanong 'yon ni Deni.

"Damon threw away my old phone. I don't have the number I used for my accounts anymore, so I can't receive any OTPs to recover them. Even my emails, 'di ko mabuksan kasi limot ako ng passwords. So I end up creating new ones." pag-kwento ko sa kanila and they're just listening.

"Kung gumawa ka, edi sinubukan mo siyang kontakin?"

"Yeah, I did. I messaged him and even sent a friend request... but it's probably been sitting in his pending requests for years already," I said with a small shrug. That was when I really started to lose hope.

"Kaya sabi ko sa 'yo move on ka na lang. May iba na iyong chikababes." Poppy said and Deni elbowed her.

"May point ka, mahirap lang talaga siya kalimutan." that was the last thing that I can tell before we entered our class room.

Parang gust ko tuloy uminom mamaya.

The class goes on at wala akong ibang ginawa kundi makipag kwentuhan sa katabi ko, o kaya naman ay mangopya during our quizzes kasi hindi naman ako nag-review. Wala naman nakakatanggi sa akin.

After class aynagkayayaan kami sa Midnight Circuit. We escaped Kyo, again at pinatay ko rin ang phone ko para walang makakaisturbo sa kasiyahan namin. Nang makapasok ay agad kaming tumungo sa VIP room. Poppy's cousin owns this club, kaya naman may sarili siyang spot dito na para sa amin lang.

"Sure ka ba, hindi ka mahahanap ng butler mo?" natatawang tanong ni Poppy habang nag-uutos ng order sa waiter na tinawag niya. I rolled my eyes and showed my phone.

"Dead. Hindi niya ako mahahanap, unless he knows that this is our nest." Hindi naman alam ni Kyo na rito ako namamalagi, dahil lagi ko naman siyang tinatakasan. Or maybe he knows but pretends na hindi.

"Kinawawa mo nanaman 'yong hot mong julalay mhie." natatawang litanya ni Deni at naiiling na lang. Normal na lang naman din sa kaniya ang ganitong eksena.

"Hayaan mo siya. Ginusto niya trabaho niya eh. Rest room lang ako, I need to release some stress." Paalam ko muna at ttinungo ang isang cubicle na pinakamalapit saka basta na lang sumulampak matapos ibaba ang skirt ko.

I opened my eyes and breathed out. ngunit nahinto ako ng makarinig ng weird na sound. I held my breath and slowly finished what I was doing and pulled up my skirt together with my panty.

Kinilabutan ako ng makarinig ng mahaba at malakas na ungol ng babae na tila may naabot na hindi ko alam. Ang nakakunot kong noo ay hindi nawala ng lumabas ako ng cubicle at naghugas ng kamay bago kumuha ng tissue.

Halos mawalan ako ng hininga at natigilan ng makitang may lumabas sa katabing cubicle ng pinasukan ko kanina. A girl. Derederetsong lumabas ito ng comfort room, leaving me alone with the man . . . wait, siya 'yong nakabanggaan ko kanina sa labas.

Walang emosyon itong nakatingin sa akin sa salamin. Mula sa reflection namin ay doon naglaban ang mga tingin namin. I don't know why, but I felt something the moment our eyes met. Those striking almond-gray eyes, his thick brows, and that sharp, aristocratic nose all came together to form a face that looked almost unfairly perfect—his strong features reminiscent of Western blood.

I gulped hard. Nanginig ang kamay ko at muntik nang mabitawan ang tissue.

Why the heck is he staring at me?!

Bumaba ako ng tingin dahil pakiramdam ko ay lalabas na ang puso ko mula sa dibdib ko sa lakas ng kalabog noon.

"I-I'm sorry pala ulit kanina... saka ngayon." I nibbled my lips when I looked at him. Hindi siya kumikilos at nakatingin lang siya sa akin. Wala akong mabasa sa mukha niya, dahil para siyang isang blankong libro.

"Apology accepted. Divecca Marianne." Tuluyan na siyang lumabas ng unti-unting pumroseso sa isip ko ang sinabi niya.

Divecca Marianne? Kilala niya ako?

Napatingin ako sa sarili at nakitang wala na akong ID, o kahit ano, kaninang umaga naman ay wala akong suot na ID at isinuot ko lamang no'ng papasok na kami sa gate. Paano niya ako nakilala? Paano niya nalaman ang pangalan ko?

Sino siya?

. . .