Chapter Twenty-Two

PERLAH'S POV

I sat there and stared mercilessly at Crisanto. The world is truly tiny. I am running from one of the brothers, get betrayed by the other, and saved by one.

"Hey, you are looking at me in a weird way," Crisanto blunted out, elbowing me back into reality.

"You are damn right! I am," I retorted, smiling at the painful reality.

"So you are not after your father's wealth?" I asked, suddenly interested.

"He has done his, he's dead now. Now I have to work for myself," he replied, smiling.

"Wow, I won't lie, I love your mentality. You live a very peaceful life. I'm jealous," I stated, pouting.

"Really? What's your life like?" Crisanto asked, laughing out loud.

"It's really really messed up," I replied.

"What is your brother's name?" I asked out of the blue.

"The first son is named Datu and the last son is named Rodrigo," he blurted out.

"Oh wow, can I meet Datu, Do you know where he is?" I asked.

"Why do you want to meet up with him?" He retorted, suspicious.

"Nothing really, we have some unfinished business," I replied, making a sad face.

"I don't know where he is, but yes. I can find him," he replied.

"Okay thank you, can I please stay here for a while," I blurted out.

"Why?" He asked with raised eyebrows.

"My life is lonely right now; I just want to be around someone. You are a very nice and peaceful person; please let me stay," I pleaded, biting my lower lips.

"Alright fine, you can stay for a while, I will try to get in touch with Datu," he assured., smiling.

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I sat down in the sitting room, movies displayed on the screen and myself trying to distract myself from the fact that I wanted to avenge the death of my brother, Nikolas.

"I talked to my brother Datu, since he doesn't know you, he agreed to meet you here," Crisanto announced, walking closer to me smiling.

"Alright that's fine, thank you again for letting me stay here," I bunted out, returning his smile.

After hours of impatient waiting for Datu, he finally showed up, ringing the doorbell.

Crisanto rushed forward to let him in, and I just sat there, awaiting his expression as soon as he saw me.

Knowing he was in, I stood up and went forward to meet him.

And just like I expected, he stood there shocked, eyes wide and mouth open.

"Crisanto, please excuse us," Datu pleaded.

As soon as Crisanto left, he quickly dragged me to a corner.

"What are you doing here?" He blunted out.

"I don't know, it was just a coincidence meeting your brother, Crisanto," I replied.

"What do you want?" He asked, perplexed.

"Revenge," I blurted out.

He looked at me with a surprised face.

"On whom?" He asked.

"Rodrigo," I retorted.

"You are bluffing. Why should I believe you? You tricked me once before," he argued.

"Rodrigo killed my brother. The only family I have left, do you even know what it's like to lose the only family you have left?" I yelled out, pissed.

"I want to avenge his death, and I don't care how," I added, whispering.

"I still don't believe you, Perlah. You acted even more desperate the last time, and guess what? You sold me away to Rodrigo," Datu declared, getting up to leave.

"Then don't come along. I don't care about the money or your family's business; I just want revenge. And I won't rest until I have gotten it! He killed my brother," I responded.

"I know you don't trust me; you are scared I am working with Rodrigo to trick you again, but I'm not this time. I won't forgive him," I said, getting up to save Rodrigo.

"What should I do to you if I discover you are making this up," Datu asked with a serious face.

"Kill me," I retorted quickly to prove my seriousness.

"Okay, sit," he approved.

"Unlike last time, I won't be going with you. I still don't trust you and I don't think I can. So how do we get him?" Datu asked, finally showing interest.

"Antonio," I muttered.

"Who? Antonio, one of Rodrigo's men in prison?" He queried.

"Yes, you will get him out of there," I declared, staring at Datu.

"I can't do that; they won't let us take him. He's charged with murder and kidnap," he declined.

"Then break him out," I calmly replied.

"Are you out of your mind? That's against the law," Datu yelled out.

"Antonio has been working with Rodrigo for a long time, he knows him better than we do. If we are going to get to Rodrigo, we need him," I retorted.

"You said you weren't going because you don't trust me with your safety. If you take Antonio out, you won't have to put your life at risk to get Rodrigo anymore," I added, trying to make sense.

"Okay, let's say I get Antonio out, what happens next?" He asked, eagerly.

"He helps us get Rodrigo," I replied.

"What makes you think he will want to do that? You sent him to prison," Datu asked, not convinced enough.

"We will give him a reason to help us. There's a benefit that comes with his help," I stated.

"And what is this benefit you speak of?" He asked.

"Me!" I declared.

Datu looked at me, expressionlessly trying to figure out what I had in mind. And then his voice sounded again.

"So, what you are saying is that you are willing to give yourself to Antonio just so you can get hold of Rodrigo? Okay, let's say we caught Rodrigo. What next?" He asked.

"You are after the will, right? You want your father's property, and I am after Rodrigo. Get the will and leave him to me," I responded.

"And if this goes as planned, what will you do with him?" He asked again, interested.

"I will kill him."