S7VEN: The Devil Who Loves Me (TAGLISH/ R-18)

Chapter 2. The Devil is Seven

S7VEN'S POV

"TORREVILLAS?!"

I looked up at the ceiling as if it will offer me the patience I needed for the man who was sitting at the round table in the VIP section of our underground casino.

My floor manager phoned me and reported that one of the regulars on the black table, our code for the VIP section, was causing a scene. Hindi ko na sana papansinin pero nang sabihin sa 'kin hinipuan nito at pilit na pinaupo sa kandungan ang isa sa mga servers namin, doon na sumabog ang galit ko.

Inis na naisuklay ko ang kamay sa buhok. Bakit ba ko pinepeste nito? May mas mahalaga kong bagay na dapat ayusin ngayon. I'll bet my balls that my mother will burn the phone once that shitty news comes out tonight.

Fuck!

"You have to be precise who's Torrevillas are you calling. Dalawa kaming nandito," I eyed my brother- Otto, who's calmly sitting in the corner.

"She slapped me. That f*****g w***e–"

"–is my employee, Senator. MINE!" I cut him off and walked gingerly towards the table. I eyed him like a lion about to jump on his prey, ready to rip every limb.

A lopsided smile was all I can manage to the gentlemen who are with the pervert pig right now. Kasama nito ang isang kilalang broadcaster, governor ng isang bayan sa Mindanao at ang regular namin na head ng simbahan. Holy s**t, how apt?

"Mr. Torrevillas," bati ni Matt ang broadcaster.

I gave him a curt nod and grabbed the glass of whiskey that was sitting near him.

"I'm having a good time upstairs, Senator. You know, whiskey and some nice show. But then, here you are, again, doing some crazy shits. Wala akong magawa kung 'di ayusin ang gulong dala mo. You know me well, Delfin. I hate people who let me repeat myself. Right?" I coldly said and glowered at the pig who thinks highly of himself. He thought that he was above all, where in fact he's a damn bourgeoisie. A wolf in a sheep's clothing and I loathe his kind.

I stopped in front of the round poker table. Itinukod ko ang mga kamay sa ibabaw non at napansin ko ang panginginig ni Senator Delfin. Dahil marahil sa takot, wala itong katinag-tinag sa pagkaka upo.

"SAGOT!" sigaw ko sabay hampas ng basong nadampot ko sa kamay ng senador na prenteng nakapatong sa lamesa.

"Shiittt! Hijo de putaaaa!" Senator Delfin's voice echoed in the four walls of the VIP room. Napasinghap ibang mga nasa lamesa habang ang mga naroong tauhan ko'y abot'abot ang tili.

Matalim ang mga matang tumingin sa akin ang senador habang hawak ang kanang kamay na nagsisimula ng mamaga. "S-sh'es flirting with me. She kept on showing her.. err-goods, you know," sabay baling sa tauhan kong tahimik na umiiyak sa sulok malapit sa pwesto ni Otto.

"Tsk! Goods, yes? You see, Delfin, my people especially the ladies who worked for me here in La Sombra are not whores. I made it crystal clear that all of you. You can do whatever you want here, but make sure that your d**k is not sticking to unwanted places. Right, Reverend?"

Napasinghap sa takot ang tinawag ko't mabilis na napa antanda. I heard my hellion brother's laughter because of the way the man in the clergy collar responds to my question.

"S-si, Senor Torrevillas," may butil ng pawis sa noong sagot nito at parang asong panay ang tango sa 'kin. He looks like he's about to s**t on his pants.

I sighed.

Owning a chain of casinos is really giving me headaches but it doesn't beat the problem I have here in the Shadow, a speakeasy, exclusive place for filthy rich people like the ones inside the room.

They don't know how to behave especially when their mind was clouded with booze.

"Out," mahinang utos ko habang nakatingin sa kisame. "Not you, gentlemen. Stay here. The rest, out."

Mabilis na tumalima ang mga tauhan ko at ang mga body guards ng mga herodes na nakaupo sa mesa. I saw my brother smirk at me, telling me he's not following my orders.

What's new? Otto's known to be the pain in the ass among the five of us.

"Seven may i-importante ka pa bang sasabihin sa 'min? Si Senator lang naman yata ang kailangan mong kausapin," ani Governor Jacinto na kunwa'y nababagot sa mga nangyayari. If I don't know better, he's just as frightened as the man who's seated next to him, Matthew Sison, a well-known broadcaster.

"Pinangungunahan mo ba ko, Jacinto?"

"Ha? Hindi naman sa ganoon, Seven. May importanteng meeting lang akong pupuntahan at ayokong ma-late. Hindi naman kami dapat madamay sa gulong ginawa nitong si Delfin, eh."

"Really? Meeting? Well, you know Gob, gusto sana kita. Kaso madalas sablay ka. But to be honest, I admire your courage to speak and interrupt me especially when I'm about to set an example for all of you," I circled around the table.

Unbeknownst to the four idiots, I already have one of my favorite toys- my custom-made tanto blade.

"S-seven?" Kinakabahang sagot ni Sison habang tahimik lang ang tatlo.

I smirked and stopped at the back of Senator Delfin. The pig stiffened, afraid to move a muscle. Nagulat ang mga ito nang mabilis kong itinarak ang hawak na kutsilyo sa hita ng nagulat na senador. The others were firstly surprised by my action and then aghast took over at the sight of blood that was dripping from Senator Delfin's gracilis.

I smile, pleased. Oh, what a beautiful sight.

"Aahhh..!" Senator Delfin let out a wail and everyone at the table let out an audible gasp, terrified. "F-f**k you, Seven."

Maluha-luha ito habang hawak ang kanang hita kung saan naka tarak pa din ang knife ko.

"Yes. f**k me, Senator. I can tolerate all your shits but don't you ever dare to disrespect what's mine. Next time, I'll make sure to hit that spot right there at your center para 'di ka na makapag libog pa."

"Y-you're.."

I grinned at him.

"What, Senator? Say it, come on." I encourage him.

"Y-you're an asshole."

Humalakhak ako nang marinig ang matapang n'yang sagot. I have to make a mental note to send a gift to our dear audacious senator. One of his sugar babies perhaps? I smirk.

"Wrong, Delfin. I. AM. THE DEVIL." Sabay binunot ko nang mabilis ang kutsilyong nakatarak sa hita n'ya. "Remember that."

I gave a curt nod to my bother and head towards the door but then I remember something.

"And by the way, your current sugar baby is still a minor Senator. Better do something about it, if you want to secure your post in the next election."

Balewalang lumabas ako ng VIP room habang s alikod ko'y nakasunod ang kapatid ko.

"Damn, Seven! I thought you were going to slit his throat."

"I'm wearing my Patek right now and I don't want to mar the beauty of this timepiece with that pig's blood."

"You and your ludicrous watches."

Huminto ako sa paglalakad at nilingon ito. "What are you doing here, in the first place? How did the meeting go? Do they sign the f*****g contract?"

"s**t. Isa-isa lang, Seven. Mahina ang kalaban."

"I have lots of things to do and I don't have time for your games. Why are you here? You're supposed to be flying back to Manila and do your obligations."

"You're in a foul mood tonight, Hermano."

"I'm always in a foul mood, jerk!"

Lalo akong nairita dahil sa pagtawa nito. I went straight to my office leaving my pain in the ass brother in my wake. I took my seat when I was inside and fire up the huge monitor to see the live feed of the floor in the casino.

"What do you want?" I spat at Otto. Nakangising umupo ito sa harapan ko at ipinatong ang paa sa ibabaw ng office table ko.

"I miss you, Hermano. 'Di mo ba ko na-miss?"

"Go f**k yourself and stop pestering me."

"Tsk! My self will then leave me if it's possible. Ang sungit mo! The jet will pick me up later, so I decided to drop by and kill some time. Sabay ka?" He gave me one of his boyish smiles.

"I'm busy. Answer my questions. How's the f*****g meeting?"

Nag inat ito at may kinuha sa bulsa ng suot na coat,

"Of course it went well. Ako ba naman ang dumating, eh? When they saw me, they all blanched. It's so funny how the town mayor signed the papers without even reading it with matching panginginig,"nakangising anito.

"Sending a Torrevillas is always a wise move, brother. By the way, I want to show you something."

Natigil ako sa pag tipa sa keyboard nang marinig ang tinuran ng kapatid. I arched my bow.

"Here."

Sinundan ko ng tingin ang inilapag nitong brown envelope sa harap ko.

"What's this?"

"See for yourself. My wedding gift for you."

I want to hit him to erase that smug look on his face. I grabbed the file and was welcomed by my innocent's wife face. Santy.

Halos mapunit ko ang mga litratong laman ng sobre dahil sa galit. It was Santy, wearing an awful waitress uniform from a rundown filthy restaurant.

"How did you get these? And why the f**k did everyone let her work to that hellhole place?!"

"I don't know. You tell me. Ikaw ang asawa di ba? I was also shocked myself when I saw those pics," my brother said nonchalantly and blew his cigar. "Papa will have your neck once he finds this out. Kai accidentally spotted her last week when he's doing his rounds around Avenida." Tukoy nito sa kanang kamay. "He was skeptical that it was her. Sino nga namang mag iisip na ang asawa ng isang Torrevillas ay nag we-waitress sa isang dilapidated na restaurant, hindi ba?"

Sinundan nito 'yon nang malakas na tawa habang nag pipigil ako sa galit sa kinauupuan ko.

"I told him to do some digging and be sure that it's her. And, voila! I have her photos doing that s**t job. Tell me, hindi mo ba binibigyan ng pang gastos ang asawa mo?"

"f**k you! She has her own black card and I even opened a joint account for her. Are you telling me that I'm doing a poor job taking care of my wife? She has a card and her bank account can even purchase countless islands or Hemes if she wants to!"

"Hey, I'm just trying to understand why a Don's wife doing a shitty job like that," anito at itinaas ang dalawang kamay. "Navarro told me that he always picked her up at school or at her cousin's house. Walang ideya ang mga tao mo sa ginagawa n'ya."

"I'll kill those idiots. Bakit 'di nila alam? And why the hell did they allow this to happen?"

"Because you're here and she was there in your mansion, alone. When I saw her on your wedding day, I thought she was the 'yes Seven or si, Seven' type. But man, I want to hug Santy right now. Akalain mo, nalinlang n'ya ang the great Seven Torrevillas."

"SHUT THE f**k UP, OTSO!" Galit na singhal ko sa kapatid at inis na kinuha ang telepono.

I dialed my wife's number and my scalp almost produces smoke when she didn't answer. It's seven in the evening and she's supposed to be at our house now. Contrary to what my brother thought I keep a record of Santy's schedule. I know when she has classes and what day will be her off from school. Today's one of them.

After three failed attempts to get hold of my innocent yet stubborn wife, I hastily grab my keys and coat. "Let's go."

"Where?"

"We're f*****g flying to Manila. I have to restrain that stubborn wife of mine."

"About time. By the way, you made a ruckus on the media tonight. Mama's going to be pissed."

"Bullshit! Isa pa 'yan. Why did your staff let that news come out, ha? How the f**k did you let it slip to you?"

"Oops. The scoop was from the other media outfit, our competitor, the small one. It seems to me that we have or rather you have an admirer, big brother."

"Whoever that was, make them pay!"

"Si."

Hindi ko alam kung anong uunahin ko ngayon, ang galit ko sa asawa ko o ang galit ng mama sa akin.

"If she calls–" natigilan ako at napahinto sa paglalakad ng biglang mag ring ang fone ko. "Fuck."

I fetch it only to be greeted with my mother's name on the screen.

"Pick it up. Kapag di ka n'ya na-contact, you know very well na akong tatawagan n'yang sunod. And then if wala pa din, ang buong hotel na 'to," malokong sabi ng kapatid ko.

"s**t," I swipe the green icon and my mother's voice shakes my eardrums. Nailayo ko nang bahagya sa tenga ko ang telepono.

This is bad.

"Mama, calm down."

"Calm down?! You want me to calm down now, Alperto Serafin Luciano VII?"

Napangiwi ako dahil binanggit nito ang buong pangalan ko.

"Madre de dios! How dare you do that to your wife? Wala pang isang buwan kayong nakakasal ni Santy, sumasakabilang bahay ka na? Tell me, laro lang ba sa'yo ang kasal, ha!"

I groaned. "Mama, for the sake of all the saints please listen to me. It's just a date, nothing more. Masyado lang nilagyan ng kulay ng media."

"Date? Sinverguenza! Siete, kilala ko likaw ng bituka n'yong magkakapatid. Kung 'di ko lang kayo mga anak, matagal ko ng pinag tatapyas 'yang mga cobra n'yong mga damuhi kayo. O, di kaya'y pinakapon ko na lang sana kayo nang manahimik kayong 5. Ginagawa n'yong libangan ang pag papalit ng mga babae. Santisima!" Litanya nito habang ang kapatid ko'y impit na tumatawa sa likod ko.

"Mama, may meeting a–"

"Wala kang meeting at alam kong kasama mo si Otto. Manahimik ka, Siete. At ano itong nababalitaan kong nasa Davao ka? Why did you left your wife in the first place? May asawa ka ng tao at siya dapat ang dinadala mo sa mga gatherings at gala, hindi kung sino-sino. She's not some help na iiwan mo para bantayan ang bahay mo. Mierda!"

Umiiling na nilingon ko ang kapatid kong malakas na tumatawa. We're all adults now and had our fair share of depravity but one thing remained and will always be constant, we always respect the women in our family.

Lalo na ang nanggagaliiting babaeng kausap ko, ang nag luwal sa 'kin sa mundo. She's in total batshit mode and I don't know how to placate her.

"She's still studying Mama. I have to be here cause of the crisis last week. Hindi ko maiwan ang casino dito and besides she's with Navarro," I answer her feigning calmness.

"With Navarro? She's with Diez and Onse! Fool. Get your ass off here and explain everything to Santy. Pronto!"

"We're in our way, Ma."

When our mother heard what Otto just announced, she abruptly ended the call. I was left more furious than ever.

"Find whoever leaked that scoop to the press. I'll kill that f*****g bastard and I'm going to shove his head to his ass, coño!"

"Areglado, Hermano!"

The flight from Davao to Manila was quick and convenient given the fact that we used one of the three private jets we have.

It's under the company, Torrevillas Conglomerates, the biggest multi-industry in the country and it's ours. We owned a chain of hotels and casinos, the biggest food manufacturing company in the country, and last year we added real estate to our portfolio.

But the biggest milking cow that we have under our wing was the media outfit. We own the big one in the country. My father, Sixto as many are fond to call him, believes that power lies in information. The ones who control and yield the information is the powerful one, those were the words he keeps on telling us.

The family's mantra.

"Señor, where to?" Bob, my right hand and chauffeur for tonight asked when he saw me walking out of the tarmac.

Without even bothering to glance in his direction, I answered. "House."

Natigilan ito pero di umimik at mabilis na pinaandar ang Mercedes at kasunod ang isang sasakyan pa na naglalaman ng iba kong security. Tahimik lang ako sa likod habang binabagtas namin ang daan patungong Forbes.

"Señora's already on the mansion, Señor." I heard Bob's voice and I just nod. I'm not in the mood for small talks.

I'm still wondering why my people didn't realize that Santy was doing something under their noses. Or ako ang higit na may mali gaya nang sinasasbi ni Otto.

I've been complacent and lax. I bet ganoon di ang mga tao ko. Is it because of her innocent look? I'm putting my money there.

Napahawak ako sa noo ko. I was wondering if she's still wearing those disgusting eyeglasses na kulang na lang ay pati kaluluwa ko maaninag n'ya s asobrang kapal? I clearly told Chinnie, Bob's daughter and Santy's new P.A., to buy her new wardrobe and get rid of that godforsaken eyeglasses.

Marahas akong napa buntong hininga dahil sa sitwasyon at sa galit para kay Santy.

Our fathers were the ones to blame for why we're in this situation. My reason was purely business. I have to take over the family business, and as the head of La Familia, it's customary for a Don to have a wife. Hers?

Well, she's the payment of her father's debt to our family. Nalulong sa sugal ang papa ni Santy at nang siningil na ng Papa, ang bunsong anak nito ang ipinambayad.

I'm against the idea. I hate commitments, hell I hate to have a wife. Matagal ko nang ipinipilit sa papa na baliin ang tradisyon ng pamilya, pero bingi ito sa katwiran ko. Kaya wala akong nagawa ng pag dating ko galing Italy ay sa isang munisipyo ako dinala ni Bob.

I went batshit but my mom was there to pacify me together with Otto. My other siblings were busy, sabi ng mama. Pero ang hula ko'y walang alam ang mga ito sa kalokohan ng ama namin.

Subalit, mas lalo akong nagulat nang makita ang batang-bata kong bride. She's beautiful, I'll admit it but damn! What I'm going to do with a virgin wife?

I want my woman to please me in any way possible at ayoko ng isang mukhang tuod at may d**k phobia na mabilis kakaripas ng takbo kapag nakarinig ng salitang harder.

I'm not judging her, my assumptions were based on her reaction during the time we had our first kiss as man and wife. I know that she'll run towards the door if she had an inkling about who her marrying. She's soft as a marshmallow.

"We're here Señor," Bob announced and one of the security men opened the door at my side.

My men greeted me and I just waved my hand to them.

I went straight to the grand staircase, up to our room where I know my stubborn wife is sleeping peacefully. Wala siyang ideya sa nag babadyang delubyo na dala ng galit ko.

We have an unusual relationship but I made myself crystal clear, right after we exchange our faux vows in front of the judge, I want her to sleep in my f*****g bed and I demand her loyalty. I don't want my staff snooping around and talking about our sleeping setup behind our backs.

Nang makarating sa master's bedroom, ay bumungad sa 'kin ang malamlam na liwanag mula sa bedside table. Hindi ako nag abalang tingnan ang kama, I know that she's there.

I'm so f*****g tired and I want to have a shower first bago ko s'ya kausapin. I don't care kung alas 11 na ng gabi at may pasok pa siya bukas. Kapag sinabi kong mag uusap kami, mag uusap kami.

Naglakad ako patungong walk-in closet at laking gulat ko ng makita ang asawa kong hawak ang isang baby pink silk pajama set.

"Seven?!"

"Are you expecting someone?" galit na asik ko dito.

Humigpit ang hawak nito sa buhol ng towel. Noon ko lang napansin ang suot ni Santy.

A white terry cloth towel was covering her slender and lithe figure. I never had the chance to see her body two weeks ago because I walked away right after the judge handed us a copy of our marriage contract. I was pissed before and furious now. But the flawless skin of my wife and her innocent look stir up something in me. Or rather in between my groin.

Fuck. She's still a virgin.

"I-I didn't know y-you're coming home."

"Where are you earlier?" tanong ko at pilit na iniignora ang init na nararamdaman. Hindi ako santo dahil sa mga oras na 'to, gusto kong kaladkarin s'ya papunta sa kama and claim my right as her husband. But that can wait.

Priorities, Seven.

"I-I was at B-bee's place. May tinapos kami."

"Bee? Oh that cousin of yours." Sakay ko sa pag sisinungaling n'ya habang marahang lumalapit sa kanya.

"Y-yes. We have a deadline tomorrow kaya nag s-stay ako sa k-kanila," utal na sabi niya habang panay ang atras. Nabitawan nito ang hawak na damit at nanlalaki ang mga matang nakatitig sa 'kin. Her cheeks were flushed and her jet black hair falls in her face like a curtain.

Innocent and a terrible liar, what an odd combination.

"Until what time itong sinasabi mong stay over, my dear innocent wife?"

Santy gulped and my d**k decided that it was about time for me to notice him. The idiot jerked off, affected by the sight of the siren who's now trembling against my burning gaze.

"A-around eight, I guess."

"Liar!" I grabbed her right arm and she winced as my fingers dig deeper into her soft skin. "I called this f*****g house that time and you're not here. Navarro went to your cousin's house to check if you're there but surprise, kahit anino mo wala doon!" Ibinalya ko s'ya sa pinto ng closet. "So sinong niloloko mo, Santy?"

I cupped her face and force her to look me in the eyes.

"Ayoko sa lahat ang sinungaling, Santy. Tell me, did you have a date? Ha?"

Marahas itong umiling at unti-unting namumuo ang mga luha sa mga mata nito. I loathe women who use tears as weapons and yet I marry one.

"Don't cry on me. Wala kang mapapala dahil 'di ako nakukuha sa mga paiyak-iyak na 'yan," galit na singhal ko sa asawa habang hawak pa din ang mukha nito.

"S-seven, please. Nasasaktan ako," puno ng pagsusumamong anito at pilit na kumakawala sa mahigpit kong pag kakahawak. "I'm s-sorry if I lied to you. I was working kanina."

"Working?! Oh yes. To that shabby place in Avenida. Nagulat ka ba na alam ko? Naghihirap ba ko Santy? Ginugutom ba kita para mag trabaho ka do'n? Kung bored ka, nagpasama ka sana kay Chinnie at ginastos mo ang perang iniwan ko sa'yo! Answer me, Santy! Why the f**k are you there, serving some prick?" Lalo kong diniinan ang pag pisil sa mukha niya dahil sa galit.

Umiling ito at kasabay non ay ang pagbagsak ng luha sa gilid ng mata nito.

"Seven...I-I'm really s-sorry," she said softly and stare directly into my eyes. "I'm working there bago pa kita p-pinakasalan. I have to cause of m-my financial situation a few months back. Besides...I have to work there until my debt is paid. Just like how I'll be working for you, for the rest of my life."

Parang napapasong nabitawan ko siya. My brother was right, she's an odd creature. Santy's still looking at me with wide and frightened eyes while I was dumbfounded by the intensity of her gaze. Bakit parang nababasa nito ang nasa utak ko?

Lalo akong nagalit 'di dahil sa sinabi n'ya kung di dahil sa hatid n'yang palaisipan sa 'kin. She's f*****g confusing me and I don't like that.

"Very well then. I'll tell Chinnie to settle that debt of yours. You're quitting that job, Santy. You're a Torrevillas now at sa ayaw at sa gusto mo, susunod ka sa lahat ng mga utos ko! Don't test me." I said through gritted teeth and absentmindedly, I took her right hand.

No bad deed goes unpunished, I mentally smirked at the idea.

Santy let out an audible gasp borderline shriek when I put her hands on top of my erection. Ngumisi ako sa asawa.

"Why? I'm just letting you check err- the package..." hinila ko siya palapit sa 'kin dahilan para lalong madiin ang kamay n'ya sa harapan ko.

Shit, bad move Siete. I'm in trouble.

I lean forward and on the shell of Santy's ear, I whispered, "You see, my dear innocent wife. The next time you lie to me, I'll punish you and gag you with this one...here. Intiende?”