Chapter 20 — The Break-Up

“What are you planning to do now, señorita?” Elizabeth’s echoing voice startled her as she laid on her bed, facing the wall. The woman’s shoes created a clicking sound against the tiled floor, reminding her of the cemented hallways of LNH. She felt Elizabeth’s weight at the foot of her bed, but she did not move from her position. She remained to lie to her side. “I’m planning to take a break from all these shitty things and just sleep here all day.”

“W-Well, that’s not a good plan. Your father called. He told me he’s been preparing for your wedding. The Alphas have voted for a decision.”

Closing her eyes, she cursed under her breath and moved her head a little. “That’s bullshit. They did not even ask for me!”

“They said the task is taking too long. That’s why you have to go now and finish your business. Otherwise—”

“I know that, Elizabeth,” she retorted in a sharp voice. “But I don’t feel good today. I feel sick, both emotionally and physically.” Elizabeth drew a sigh.

“What’s bothering you?” Tiffany hesitated, but then replied in a low voice that sounded like a growl to her. “Sir Greg, I mean, Lucio Hernandez.”

Facing Elizabeth, she saw the intensity in her gazes. The woman already had an obvious idea of what she was feeling at the moment. “Tell me about it,” Elizabeth pressed on.

“His scar was gone because he had conducted a surgery. I saw the photos that he kept in his farmhouse. At first Teacher Greg was not Lucio Hernandez, but when I went to his house, I confirmed his identity. I had to make sure it was him, Elizabeth. I did not mean to prolong the mission.”

“I know what you did was essential, señorita,” Elizabeth replied.

“But, do I really need to kill him,” Tiffany asked in an exasperated voice. Elizabeth gave her a half-smile and an icy stare.

“You have to. That is the whole idea of why you’re sent here. You kill that man!” Tiffany ran her hands through her hair, showing how frustrated she was right now.

“I-I don’t anymore know if I can still pull this through.”

“Why?” Tiffany did not answer. “Tiffany, look at me,” said Elizabeth. Her damp hair fell to her naked shoulder and her hands were cold. “You can do this. Remember the prize you’ll be getting. We’ll be able to change the patriarchal system inside the brotherhood and then make changes that are meant for the better. They did not create the Alpha Brotherhood to destroy people, you know that. That has been the plan, remember? Think about what your deceased mother would feel if you stop.”

Tiffany nodded her head. ‘Right. This is for my mother. Everything we do is for her.’

“I’m sorry. I’m forgetting my responsibilities. I shouldn’t have said those things.”

Elizabeth drew her into a hug. She could smell in her body the scented oil she gave her a month ago. “I understand. We make mistakes because of men. They make us vulnerable. But that should not bring you down. You are an Alpha and not just any Alpha. You are the heiress; a female Alpha Don, first of its kind. So, stick to the plan, señorita.” Heaving a sigh, Tiffany pulled away from her and smiles.

“Yes. I will, Elizabeth.”

Smiling back, Elizabeth stood up and straightened the invisible crease on her white bath towel. “Good. Well, I’m going to get dressed.”

Tiffany nodded her head before she laid down on the bed again. “I think you should also see a doctor, señorita,” Elizabeth suggested as soon as she reached the door. “I’ll call one of our doctors who is living in this place.”

“Don’t bother. I’m going out, anyway. I’ll just drop by at a nearby clinic,” Tiffany replied, smilingly. Elizabeth’s face lit up and a look of assurance flooded her face.

“Okay. I’ll take my leave now. And by the way, you also need to show up at the next Alpha Meeting in Manila. Assure them you are not giving up the position. Kill Lucio Hernandez before you go back to Manila. It’s the only shot you’ve got.”

Steffy was sitting in the toilet bowl for almost an hour. The two red lines were visible on that white rectangular plastic item that she was holding. Biting her lips, she got another item from the brown paper bag and poured another drop of her urine on its surface. Waiting patiently, she cannot help but feel nauseous as she waited for the result. “Two red lines,” she whispered as she stared at the two pregnancy kits on her hand.

“I hope you like this dinner date I prepared for you, Steffy.”

He was smiling from across from her on the table as they shared a lavish meal outside the teacher’s farmhouse. He decorated the table with beautiful flower designs and there was also classical music in the background. It was like the place had transformed into a garden restaurant. It was even more romantic because of the peeking moon just above them.

“May I have this dance?” Steffy smilingly reached out for Teacher Greg’s hand and they stood up as they danced with the music.

“I hope you’re happy.”

Steffy blushed as the teacher gave her a peck on her lips. “This is the first time that I prepared something for a lady,” he told her.

“You seemed like a pro,” Steffy replied, giggling. She could feel his warm palm on his back as they swayed through the music. “I hope you’re also happy that you met me.”

“I am happy, and if we lived in an alternate universe, I would have married you.” Steffy felt a pang in her chest when she heard that.

Clearing her throat, she gazed at his handsome face and touched his cheeks with such gentleness. “I would have married you there, too. Anyway, I’m hungry.”

Teacher Greg chuckled, then guided her towards the table. “Okay, wait, I’ll just get the desert inside the house. Don’t go anywhere.”

The pang inside her chest grew even stronger when she was reminded of the task at hand. “I’m really sorry, Sir Greg.” Steffy drew a small pack of white powder, then poured it into the teacher’s glass that was half-filled with red wine. ‘Poison will make it less painful.’

“Hey, here’s for dessert! Macaroons! And I cooked the steak myself,” Teacher Greg smilingly said as he approached the table again. He then noticed Steffy’s silence. “Are you okay, Miss Rivera?”

“Y-yes! Of course, Sir Greg. I’m just overwhelmed. Thank you for this, sir.” Teacher Greg sat down on his chair and smiled brightly at her. The butterflies in Steffy’s stomach continued to multiply as she stared at the teacher’s wine glass.

“This is a celebration of our good relationship with each other. I know I have said nothing to you properly, but I want you to know that…”

“That what, Sir?” Steffy replied as she watched the teacher bit his lower lip. The teacher hesitated for a moment.

Clearing his throat, he reached out to her hand. “One day, I looked at you, and it suddenly occurred to me how beautiful your smile was. I heard music in your laughter; I saw poetry in your words…”

“Wait, were those lines taken from one of Lang Leav’s poems?” Teacher Greg let out an embarrassed chuckle. “Corny as it seemed, but let me just finished.”

“Carry on,” Steffy replied with a giggle.

“You asked me why I had that look on my face, as though a shadow had fallen across its sun-drenched landscape, heavy with premonition, dark with revelation. The second I tried to tell myself I wasn’t in love was the moment I realized I was.”

Steffy was taken aback. “Tell me, Sir. Do you have any reason you shared that poem with me?” Clutching her hand, the teacher looked gazed at her full of adoration. “This is the moment of truth that I’ve been waiting for, Steffy. I want you to know that I like you and I’m willing to include you in my plans. I think I’m in love with you.”

Steffy was lost for words. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she stared at the man across from her. “S-sir,” she said in a broken voice. “I like you too.”

“Really?”

“Yes,” Steffy replied with a sad smile on her face. “But I cannot love you.” Teacher Greg suddenly looked disappointed.

“Why?” If only she knew how to explain it to him. But how could she say that this man in front of her was the same man that she was fated to kill? The teacher poured another drink into his glass, but Steffy was quick to throw the glass away on the ground.

“What was that for?” the teacher yelled as he stared at the spilled wine and the broken glass.

“I’m sorry,” was all Steffy could reply. Then she walked away from him.

“What’s happening to you, Miss Rivera?” Teacher Greg said as he gently held her arm. Steffy’s tears had finally cascaded through her cheeks. “Hey, don’t cry!” the teacher said as he wiped her tears using his thumb.

“I’m going back to Manila,” Steffy sadly replied. “And I’m not coming back here.”

The teacher stopped. “But the school year hasn’t ended yet.”

“My parents feared what happened to Mr. Seson. They just can’t risk it.”

“So, you’ll leave me?” The coldness in Steffy’s expression was enough for the teacher to know her answer.

“Whatever we have, Sir Greg should end. I admit it was fun, but it’s not worth it.” Teacher Greg could only clench his fist. Steffy felt every inch of her muscles aching. She wanted to withdraw from what she just said, but this was the truth. ‘Kill him now, señorita!’ She tried to suppress the voice inside her head, so she ran away from him. “Steffy,” the teacher said in a pleading voice. “Don’t do this.” She could only shake her head. They looked at each other for a while before the teacher grabbed her and pulled her into a tight embrace.

“I cannot do this with you, Sir.”

“Very well,” the teacher replied in a softer voice. “But please, don’t go home tonight. Just tonight.”

Steffy nodded her head and replied, “Okay.”

Neon lights and naked ladies welcomed them as Tiffany and the Don walked together inside ‘Gracias bar’, a bar that they both own. Yuan and several of their bodyguards were following them, looking from side to side and eyeing the multitude of people inside.

The del Cargadors owned a couple of bars around Manila, and this bar was the most expensive. Rich people and business tycoons often came here to discuss business-related matters. And tonight was not different from such situations.

“We are here to meet with the Murillo Clan,” her father whispered to her.

“Just try to behave and let me and Yuan do the talking.”

“Why can’t I talk?” she argued, eyeing Yuan disgustingly. “I might contribute better plans.”

“You did not even succeed in your mission. What makes you think you can contribute something? It just doesn’t suit you, hija,” calmly replied the Don. “Please don’t mess this up.”

Clenching her fist, she grabbed her father’s arm, forcing him to stop walking and to look her in the eye.

“Who am I to you, Papa? Why did you groom me to be your heiress when it’s clear that you don’t want me for that fucking position!”

“Stop it, Tiffany. Let’s talk about this later,” shrugged the Don. Then he walked past her, followed by Yuan and Sebastian. She saw Yuan gave her a mocking look. Heaving a sigh, she followed the group towards the designated room without saying a word. Naked girls immediately hovered around them as they settled on their seats. Then a platter of drugs and several bottles of alcohol were passed on the table.

“You know what’s the answer to your question earlier, señorita?” Yuan whispered in her ears as she took a gulp from her liquor glass.

“Enlighten me,” she replied with an annoyed look on her face. Yuan snickered, then replied, “Because you are a short-tempered brat.”

Tiffany drew a sinister chuckle. “Who are you kidding, Yuan? I am way better than you. Papa knows that.”

“Well,” replied Yuan. “You did not even kill Lucio Hernandez. I heard you and that teacher had an affair.”

Steffy glared at him and scoffed, “And where did you get that information?” Chuckling, Yuan looked at her and replied, “I can see it in your eyes, señorita. You like him.”

“No matter what happens, Yuan. You’ll never be the Alpha Don,” Steffy replied between gritted teeth.

“We’ll see about that.”

The meeting started after a couple of minutes. Tiffany looked around and realized that there were about fifteen men in the room. Eight were from the Alpha brotherhood and seven came from the Murillo’s clan. She was sitting beside Yuan and a man whom she was not familiar with. The man looked disgustingly ugly with his balding head, the wide gap between his teeth, and elf-like ears. Steffy felt uncomfortable as he tried to sniff her neck. She glared at him, but the man only replied with a creepy grin.

“Fuck off,” she said as she tried to suppress her anger. She moved closer to Yuan, who was too immersed in the discussion. But the ugly man moved closer to her as well, flashing his wide smile that almost tore his ugly face in half. Tiffany then stood up, but he grabbed her hand, pinning him down on the couch.

“Stay, slut,” he said, rubbing his palm on her exposed thigh. “I said fuck off!” she yelled before drawing her revolver and pointing it at the man. The surrounding men also raised their own guns and both the Murillo’s and the Alphas aimed at each other’s weapons.

“Tiffany, calm down!” exclaimed Yuan and the rest of the Alphas.

“Hija, put the gun down,” her father whispered. Without hesitation, she fired one shot in the air and another one near the man’s feet. The music halted, and the guests screamed because of the sudden commotion. Tiffany walked towards the man, who was already crouching on the floor, kneeling and mumbling his apologies.

“Do that again,” Steffy whispered. “And I’ll surely plant a bullet in your head!”