Chapter 1 Alaister family

Chapter 1

May's POV

I glared at the man pointing a gun at me. I stayed alert, quickly scanning my surroundings. There was no one else with him except for the two men behind me.

"Now, can I ask you to come with us?" he asked in a sarcastic tone.

I clenched my fists.

Was he really going to shoot me?

Or was he just trying to scare me?

Could I take the risk?

"What if you put that down, man?"

My eyes widened, and I turned toward the voice. A smirk instantly formed on my lips when I saw Elmo aiming a .45 caliber gun at the man.

"Are you leaving, or do we have to take you down?"

Fillan appeared on the other side of the street, with my father, Gurong, standing behind him-along with his drinking buddies, all holding wooden sticks.

The man looked at me before signaling the guys behind me.

"Let's go."

The two men stepped beside him.

"This isn't over," he warned before they left.

My friends watched them disappear into the alley.

"May, who were they?"

"You're lucky we were here."

"You would've been done for if we hadn't shown up."

They approached me, but my gaze remained fixed on the alley.

I was sure they would come back.

"They were Sam's people, right?" Elmo asked.

"Yeah," I replied, finally looking at them. "Do they really think I have money? We're all starving every day!" I snapped.

"We told you to stay with Sam," Fillan scolded.

"There's nowhere to sleep there! I just want to rest!"

"Then sleep next to Sam!" Elmo teased with a laugh. "You two do it all the time anyway."

I smacked him on the head and grabbed him by the neck.

"You think that's funny?"

Elmo just laughed.

"Lock your door, May. We're leaving," my father, Gurong, said as he and his drinking buddies walked away.

"Okay, 'Tay. Bye!"

"Thanks!"

"Bye, 'Tay Gurong!"

The three of us exchanged looks once we were alone.

"I'm telling you, May, just stay with us. Let's live together," Fillan suggested with a grin.

"Screw you!" I shot back, flipping him off.

I walked past him and headed to my rented room.

"What? Sam's not around again? I can finally be your boyfriend!"

They followed me but stopped at the door.

I shut it, leaving a small gap so I could still peek through.

"May! Come on!" Fillan pleaded.

"You wanna end up like Sam, idiot?" I flashed him a sweet smile. "Besides, you're not even half as good-looking as Sam! You've got some nerve!"

"I'll get fairer skin! Please!"

"Whitening your skin won't make you handsome, Fil-not when you stink so bad!"

I slammed the door shut.

"Fine! Your loss!" he yelled from outside, making me roll my eyes.

"Fillan, come on! You know she's not into you!"

"What? Even you don't support me?"

"Forget it. You smell worse than she says you do."

"Elmo, I heard that!" I shouted.

"Let's go!" Elmo said nervously.

I listened as their footsteps faded away.

Finally alone, I sat on a plastic chair.

The exhaustion hit me all at once.

I sighed and started packing my things.

---

"In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit..."

My friends and I made the sign of the cross as we watched Sam's casket being placed in its final resting place.

"Where's the food?" Fillan whispered.

Good thing we were far from Sam's family. No one could hear these two idiots.

"Food comes after the burial," I muttered.

"Ugh!"

They fell silent again.

It was Sam's funeral. His family, neighbors, and friends were all here-along with some uninvited guests.

"They're here again," Elmo murmured, eyeing Giovanni's men in the distance.

Dressed in black suits, they stood out.

"They've been watching for days," Fillan added.

For days now, they had been keeping an eye on me. They never approached-just watched.

"They have no plans of leaving," I muttered.

"So what now? You don't even have money to pay them," Fillan said, concerned.

"I'll just sell you on the black market," I teased with a smirk.

"You piece of shit! I knew it! You're still working there!"

We laughed at his reaction.

Silence returned as Sam was finally placed inside a compartment in the cemetery.

"Food!"

Fillan ran toward the refreshments.

Elmo and I exchanged glances before looking at the men in black.

"Do you have a plan? It's been days. You should have one by now," Elmo asked seriously, never taking his eyes off them.

"I do."

We locked eyes before turning to Fillan, who was approaching us with food-three juices and three sandwiches.

"Thanks!"

Elmo and I grinned, reaching out our hands.

"Huh? These are mine! Get your own!"

"Let's just text each other later," Elmo said, side-eyeing the men in black.

"I'll be fine," I reassured him with a smile.

People started leaving the cemetery, but we stayed behind.

"Alright, we're off. Come on, Fillan!" Elmo started walking away.

"Bye, May. My love offer still stands," Fillan said sweetly before following Elmo.

They rode off on Elmo's motorcycle.

I waved at them.

"Ms. Alaister? You have no escape."

"For the record, I made it this way," I replied, turning to face the man. "You wouldn't have gotten close if I hadn't stayed behind."

That was true. They hadn't been able to approach me before because of the two guards watching over me and my neighbors keeping an eye on things.

"I'll follow you. I have my own bike-"

"We'll drive the motorcycle. You'll ride in the car," he ordered.

I narrowed my eyes at him and pointed a finger. "I don't like this attitude," I muttered but still complied.

My luggage was on the bike, which was why I had planned to use it.

I got into their car, falling silent as we drove.

Hours passed, and night had fallen.

I frowned as we entered a massive gate leading to a mansion.

"Are you sure this is my destination? Because I'm pretty damn sure only Giovanni knows who I really am."

"Boss' orders are absolute," the man in the front seat said.

The car stopped in front of the mansion.

One of them opened the door for me.

I was stunned by the mansion's size-it made my simple white shirt and jeans feel out of place.

The men led me inside. I took in the luxurious furniture around me.

Is this really his house? Am I really here?

Because if I was...

I was as good as dead.

His wife despised me, and his children didn't even know I existed.

If Giovanni's wife found out I was here, all hell would break loose.

We entered a room. I walked straight in without hesitation, but I abruptly stopped when I saw a large dining table. Seated there were Giovanni, his wife Daisy, and their three children.

"She's here!" Giovanni beamed as he stood up, spreading his arms for a hug.

"Uh..."

"Come here, hija."

Slowly, I stepped forward and hugged him. I stole a glance at his children, who looked surprised.

"Nice to meet you again, hija," Daisy greeted warmly, stepping closer to give me a kiss on the cheek. "Come, eat," she invited.

They seated me beside Giovanni, and next to me was their eldest son, Felix, who was now smiling-

A smile that looked amused.

"Woah! She's actually here!" one of my sisters-seated next to Daisy-exclaimed with a laugh.

"Dad, you really have a child out of wedlock?!" the other daughter asked excitedly.

"Everyone, meet Maria Zia Salazar Alaister," Giovanni introduced.

"Nice to meet you!" Felix greeted.

The others chuckled.

"We can't believe it!"

I turned to look at Daisy, who was also smiling.

"Why am I here?" I asked Giovanni.

"I think it's time for them to know you," he said with a smile.

That's it?

I suddenly laughed-loud enough that the entire room fell silent.

"Sorry? Finally know me?" I asked Giovanni sarcastically. "Please, it's obvious you're all faking it!"

Everyone froze at my words. I looked at Daisy.

"That smile looks so forced, gurl." Then I turned to their two daughters. "Your acting is awful-you're not happy; you're laughing at me." Finally, I looked at Felix, raising an eyebrow. "And you? You look disgusted by me."

I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms.

"So? Why am I here?" I asked Giovanni, who was now glaring at me.

To Be Continued...