•••••Raven's POV•••••

Hundreds of people around me—singing, shouting in excitement, dancing and jumping in joy as Simon Reyes walked on the stage and waved his hand. His face is filled with so much bliss. I could see how much he loves his fans.

The crowd went utterly wild as he started singing a song and now I understand.

So, this is what it feels like to be in a public place with hundreds of happy and wild people.

The crowd is so active and I also could not help not to feel so irritated because they always step on my foot every time they jump in joy. They can not blame me. This is the very first time I attended a concert.

The face of the people are really full of excitement, happiness, and love. I am jealous to that fact.

“You okay?” Blade looked at me with full of worry.

I nodded. He fixed the hood that is covering my head. He smiled at me before turning his gaze back on the stage.

I sighed as I travelled my eyes around me. I wonder, if I accepted the offer of Simon's manager, would I become as famous as him?

“Ms. Raven Saldoviana! S-Sandali po!” Napahinto kaming dalawa ni Blade nang biglang may tumawag sa akin.

We went from the comfort room because of the poetic threat I just received—which, by the way, was given to me by a cat. An innocent cat.

The guy chasing after us placed his hands on his knees, panting. Nakasuot siya ng I.D ng isang staff pero familiar sa'kin ang mukha niya.

Umayos siya ng tayo. “Ako nga pala ang manager ni Mr. Simon Reyes.” When he finally caught up to his breath, he reached his hand to me. I took it.

“Do you have some business with me?” I asked. What would a manager of a famous artist want from an assassin like me?

“Yes, actually,” He gave me a smirk. “May offer ako sa iyo.”

Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa ni Blade.

“Offer? What kind of offer?” he asked curiously.

“'Wag niyo sanang masamain ang sasabihin ko. But, Ms. Saldoviana, from the moment you entered the hotel to meet Mr. Reyes, naisipan ko na kaagad na kukunin ka bilang isang artista. Ikaw ang naisipan kong kunin bilang ka-love team sa upcoming movie ni Mr. Re—”

“Woah, hold on. Dahan-dahan lang ho muna tayo, ha? Pero si Raven? Artista? Are you sure?” Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Blade habang tinatanong iyon. Kahit nga ako ay hindi ako makapaniwala sa kanyang inaalok sa akin. “Mawalang galang lang, ho, pero hindi niyo po alam kung sino ang binibigyan niyo ng offer.”

Kumunot naman ang noo nung manager dahil sa sinabi ni Blade. This is getting more and more outlandish.

“Blade, let me handle this.” I placed my hand on his shoulder. He gave me a quick glance then nodded. “I decline.”

Seriously. I think I am getting the hang of declining things with respect.

“What do you mean?”

“I believe what I said was already clear to you.” Oops! I think I slipped. Nawala na naman ang respeto ko.

“P-Pero, Ms. Saldoviana,” Kumuha siya ng isang handkerchief sa kanyang bulsa para punasan ang pawis sa kanyang mukha. Perhaps it is because he was chasing after us a few moments ago. “This is an opportunity for you. I swear to God, you have all the looks and you will be a great match for Mr. Reyes. You will be known to the world and can inspire others in no time.” he said.

Blade was about to say something when I stopped him. I need to decline his offer with respect as much as possible. Besides, the offer is for me alone. So, this is mine to finish.

“I do not care if I am a perfect match for the famous artist, nor if this is a great opportunity. I do not wish to rise to prominence at all, especially to inspire others. It is just not my forte.” I said and I saw how the manager gave me a troubled look.

“Raven...”

“Trust me on this one, Blade.” I gave him a swift glance. I noticed that after reading the threat, he started to feel so worried about me.

Blade sighed and nodded. So, I turned back my attention to the manager. Base sa mukha niya, para talaga siyang naghihintay na iibahin ko pa ang desisyon ko. But it is final.

“Hindi na ba talaga maba—”

“Yes. My decision is absolute. I humbly decline your request. Please, look for someone else who is way better...” I stopped mid-sentence. I closed my eyes as I breathe heavily. “...and safer than me.”

Nabalik ako sa realidad nang marinig na naman ang sigaw ng mga tao. The one who are on the stage right now are the back up dancers. It looks like Simon Reyes took a break to change.

Napatingin ulit ako sa paligid habang iniisip na naman ang threat na natanggap ko. I do not know who sent it. Isa lang ang sigurado, may masamang mangyayari.

“Raven! Reo-sensei just called! Kinukumusta ka niya at sinabi ko na ayos ka lang!” pasigaw na sabi ni Blade sa akin na tinanguan ko lang.

Wala kasi ako sa mood makipag-usap. Oh, and by the way, we can barely hear each other dahil sa ingay. We also told everyone about the threat kaya mas lalo silang lahat na nag-alala sa akin.

Dammit. I hate it when people start to worry about me.

“Here he comes!” Narinig kong sigaw nang babae na nasa tabi ko na namumula na yung mukha dahil sa excitement at kilig.

Tumingin ulit ako sa stage at lumabas na ulit si Simon Reyes. The crowds went wild again kaya muntikan na akong matumba sa sahig. Buti na lang ay nahawakan ni Blade ang kamay ko.

“Shit!” He cussed. I was surprised when he pulled then wrapped his arm around me. “Stay close to me. Baka ano pa ang mangyari sa'yo!”

I still can not hear what he was saying clearly kahit na ang lapit-lapit na namin sa isa't isa. Para na nga kaming mag-jowa sa ginagawa niya, e.

“Blade!” Tinawag ko siya at laking gulat ko nang lumingon siya sa akin ay napakalapit na pala ng mukha namin sa isa't isa.

Napalunok ako. What is this feeling? Like, there are butterflies in my stomach.

“Bakit?” I can hear him clearly now at parang wala lang sa kanya na ang lapit na nang mukha namin.

“W-Wala...” I turned away.

Takte! Feeling ko namumula na ako.

Hindi naman panget si Blade. In fact, he is handsome. A type of man that any woman could wish for. Pero hindi ko siya type! I swear, pero bakit ba ganun na lang ang nararamdaman ko?

Napailing lang ako.

While Simon was performing on stage, I caught a glimpse of an empty seat near the stage. Apparently, may iniimbitahan na mga CEOs ng iba't ibang company si Simon. May mga names rin ang kanilang mga chairs ng CEO at ng kanilang company. Siguro ay mga kakilala niya ang kanyang iniimbitahan but something is definitely strange.

I do not know if it was just me, or I saw Ethan and the company's name.

Pupuntahan ko sana iyon pero kasalukuyan pala akong nakakulong sa bisig ni Blade. Besides, I still can not seem to get through because the crowds are still wild.

I just sighed and shrugged it off. Imagination ko lang siguro iyon.

-----

My feet are burning like hell and this is driving me crazy. Fortunately, nothing unusual seems to be happening around us. On the other hand, Blade is still wrapping his arm around me.

Hindi ba siya napapagod? Kanina pa niya ako kinukulong sa bisig niya.

“MAKE SOME NOISE, PEOPLE!” Umingay na naman ang paligid dahil kay Simon. Feeling ko ay masisira na talaga eardrums ko because of this.

“SIMON! SIMON! SIMON! SIMON! SIMON!” Urgh!

Masisira na talaga eardrums ko, jusko! Nakakasakit na ng ulo. Why did I ever agree to this mission?

“I really want to thank you all and know your names one by one. Sadly, I can't do that. I'm also sorry to tell you that this concert is about to end.” Ngumiti siya but the flash of sadness in his eyes did not escape mine.

Yung ibang fans ay nag-hi-hysterical na at may umiiyak dahil malapit nang matapos itong concert ni Simon.

“But before this ends, gusto ko sanang magbigay pa ng isang kanta sa inyo.” Bigla na namang nag-ingay ang mga tao.

May taong lumabas at may dalang isang gitara. Binigay nito ang gitara kay Simon at tinanggap naman niya ito. Ang mga babae naman ay namumula na ang mukha sa kilig. Hindi ko naman sila masisisi, gwapo naman talaga si Simon. Honestly, he is like Oh Sehun from the K-pop boyband EXO.

“Kakanta ako ng isa pang kanta... Pero hindi ako ang sumulat sa kanta na ito.” He started to brush his fingers over the strings of his guitar. “Na-inspired akong kantahin ito dahil sa isang tao. I was a nobody. Then one day, I woke up with everyone of you supporting me. And now, suddenly I woke up with this person in my mind and I can't seem to get her out of my head.”

Napatingin-tingin siya sa paligid na para bang may hinahanap. Hmm… Is he looking for someone? And who is this person that he is talking about?

“To the person whom I dedicate this song to,” Ngumiti siya ng halos lahat ng tao ay napa-ayiee sa sinabi niya. “I know you're here right now. So, kindly listen to this carefully.”

I could here some of the people murmuring. Sino ba kasi itong tao na tinutukoy ni Simon? It was announced in the public na single pa siya and as far as I know, maraming mga babae ang gustong maging girlfriend niya. But him talking like this, is he in love with someone else?

The murmuring stopped when he started singing a song. First, nangingibabaw lang yung instrumental but the next thing almost shook the world.

🎵Get out your guns, battles begun
Are you a saint, or a sinner?
If loves a fight, than I shall die
With my heart on a trigger🎵

“Shit! Ganda ng boses niya!” Na-shock ako dahil sa ganda ng kanyang boses.

Matagal na nagsimula ang concert but I realized the beauty of his voice just now. Ngayon lang ako nakapag-concentrate sa concert na ito.

🎵They say before you start a war
You better know what you're fighting for
Well baby, you are all that I adore
If love is what you need, a soldier I will be🎵

🎵I'm an angel with a shotgun
Fighting til' the wars won
I don't care if heaven won't take me back
I'll throw away my faith, babe, just to keep you safe
Don't you know you're everything I have?
And I, wanna live, not just survive, tonight🎵

“Tama ka, Raven! No wonder why Maura likes that guy!” Blade said beside me. Napatango na lang ako.

🎵Sometimes to win, you've got to sin
Don't mean I'm not a believer
And major Tom, will sing along
Yeah, they still say I'm a dreamer🎵

Speaking of Maura, siguro ay nahimatay na naman ito ngayon sa kilig.

Simon Reyes is looking so good right now. Parang, gusto niya talagang marinig siya ng taong pinapahiwatig niya sa kanyang pagkanta.

🎵I'm an angel with a shotgun
Fighting til' the wars won
I don't care if heaven won't take me back
I'll throw away my faith, babe, just to keep you safe
Don't you know you're everything I have?
And I, wanna live, not just survive, tonight🎵

“Oh, oh whoa whoa oh whoa” It seems like almost everyone in here knows this song because they also sang along.

Even si Blade ay naririnig ko na ring kumakanta sa gilid ko.

🎵I'm an angel with a shotgun
Fighting 'til the wars won
I don't care if heaven won't take me back🎵

When Simon started singing the chorus again, everyone started singing along. Hinahayaan lang rin naman ni Simon ang mga tao na kumanta.

“And I'm gonna hide, hide, hide my wings tonight!”

The strumming of the guitar started to faint. Patapos na ata ang kanta.

🎵They say before you start a war
You better know what you're fighting for
Well baby, you are all that I adore
If love is what you need, a soldier I will be🎵

Matapos ng kanta ay naghiyawan ulit ang mga tao. Simon bowed and smiled again to everyone. Abot taenga na nga ang ngiti niya.

“Lahat tayo ay may isang taong inaalagaan. Kaya,” He took a deep breath. “Hangga't maaari, gawin niyo ang lahat para sa taong iyon bago pa mahuli ang lahat. Remember, nasa huli ang pagsisisi. So, don't be too late in everything.”

Nagpalakpakan yung mga tao. Even kaming dalawa ni Blade ay pumalakpak na rin. Napatingala ako at ngayon ko lang rin napansin na gabi na pala.

“Raven,” Napakunot ang noo ko nang marinig ang nag-aalalang boses ni Blade.

“What is it?” I asked out of curiousity.

He was looking up then looked at me.

“Look up.” Still mystified, I just followed what he said.

My eyes widened in surprise when I realized what he meant. My body went stiff and cold. My hands started to shake and I could not even feel it anymore.

“The rise of the red moon tonight… Will be the start of your demise…” Napalunok na lang ako at hindi ko na marinig ang sinasabi ng tao na nasa stage ngayon. “The girl with secrets and lots of regrets… Will soon drown in the depths of lies.”

I am currently looking at the red moon over me. Naramdaman ko na rin ang ibang tao na nakatingin dito. But I can not seem to focus on its beauty right now. I feel different. Para akong nahihilo and I could not fathom what I am feeling.

Hinawakan ako ni Blade. However, I can not hear him at all. What is going on? What is happening to me?

Bigla kaming nakarinig ng pagsabok at nagsigawan ang mga tao. May nagpasabog sa isang parte ng stadium. May sumunod na sabog ulit pagkatapos ng ilang segundo. Nagsitakbuhan na ang mga tao at ako'y napapalayo.

“Raven!” Blade held my hand. “May nagpasabog ng bomba! We have to meet up with the others!” He yelled.

Tumango ako. Aalis na sana kami ng bigla na lang may humarang sa amin. I cursed and me and Blade were both flabbergasted seeing the person in front of us right now.  Napakapamilyar. Nakasuot siya ng isang black na hood at robe na parang si Sauron sa Lord of the Rings.

There is no mistaking it. He is just like Manuel!

Hindi namin maaninag ang mukha niya pero kakaiba ang kanyang aura.

“Stay behind me, Raven.” Blade hid me behind him. “Dammit! What is this aura?” tanong niya sa sarili.

Nahihilo pa rin ako. Hindi ko pa rin maintindihan itong nararamdaman ko ngayon. Takte! Of all times, ngayon pa talaga?

“Who are you? What business do you have in this place?” I heard Blade asked the stranger in front of us.

May mga tao paring nagtatakbohan sa paligid namin. Yung iba ay naiiyak na. Sana walang namatay na mga inosenteng tao sa pagsabog kanina.

“Are you the one responsible for the bombing? Kasi kung oo, bakit mo iyon ginawa? Don't you realize that someone might be hurt because of it?!” Blade gritted his teeth and his hands were shaking in anger. “SAGUTIN MO AKO!”

“Why would I? I do not have any business with you.” sagot nito at napakalamig ng kanyang boses. Mas malamig pa nga sa akin kung tutuusin. And he is a man. His voice is telling us.

“Then ano ba ang pakay mo? Gusto mo bang sirain ang event na 'to?”

“Yes. But that is not all.” sabi nito.

Ganun na lang kami na napaatras ni Blade nang makita namin ang kanyang mga mata. It is filled with nothing but anger. Bumigat bigla ang aura sa paligid.

“I remember your faces. You were there that day.”

That day? What is he saying?

“You must be crazy. Ano bang pinagsasabi mo?” Nalilito na si
Blade.

My vision started to blur. Dammit! What is happening to me? Even with my blurred vision, I could see him raise his arm to point it at me.

“You killed Manuel. And you…”

My eyes widened when in just a glance, my feet were not touching the solid ground anymore. That time, I wish I was flying. Unfortunately, this man in front of me right now is taking my breath awayーchoking me to death.

“You are my business, Raven Saldoviana.”