Author's note;
ERRORS ALL AHEAD!!! 
PLEASE DO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS STORY IS STILL UNDER EDITING. GRAMMATICAL AND TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS WILL BE SEEN HERE.
Thank you.
***
I tightened my grip on the crystal glass I held above the table where I usually spend my time, causing it shattered into my hands as the mixed blood from the alcohol slowly dripped. I couldn't accept that it happened just like that; it ought to be me. The position should be given to me; I should be the new leader of the Astrix gang.
I stood up to wash the blood off my hands and wiped it away. I really can't get that bastard's words out of my mind.
Why would he give leadership of the gang to that stup*d Christoph? He doesn't know anything about leadership; all he knows is acting like a superhero. Too pretentious, tsk!
"Bro, ipinapatawag ka ni boss," 
Rinig kong tawag sa'kin ni Arjay, siya ang kaibigan ko na parang kapatid ko na rin. Sabay kaming lumaki simula pagkabata.
I confronted him and raised an eyebrow inquiringly. I get annoyed whenever I remember that bastard. Apparently, he's back after a week of not showing up to us.
"What for?" May inis sa tanong ko.
"He wants to talk to you," kibit balikat niyang sagot.
"Ano naman ang pag-uusapan namin? Is it important?" 
"I guess, it's a yes. Hindi kasi siya mapakali kanina pagkarating niya sa hideout natin."
Napataas na naman ulit ako ng isang kilay. Mukhang importante ang sasabihin ng bastardong iyon.
"What do you mean hindi mapakali?"
"Wag ka na lang kasing maraming tanong, bro. Ako nabubusit sa'yo eh, wala akong alam, basta puntahan mo na lang kasi don at kausapin para malaman mo ang dahilan." Napapakamot siya sa ulo niya na parang naiinis na sa mga itinatanong ko.
"Tsk! Alis! Tabi! Pupuntahan ko na siya."
I said, grabbing my bag simultaneously and slung it over my right shoulder. I hurriedly went out and drove towards the hideout of the Astrix.
I only drove for a minute when I arrived at the mentioned Astrix hideout. I encountered some of my groupmates; they greeted me, but as usual, I just nodded in response.
Without knocking, I abruptly opened the door and entered the office of our so-called boss.
"What do you want to talk about? And what took you so long para ngayon lang magpakita ulit sa'min?" Walang emosyong tanong ko sa kanya.
He faced me, and once again, my eyebrows shot up at his current appearance. It seems like he hasn't slept, and his hair is in disarray. He sighed and massaged his temples.
"I have a proposal for you," he sighed again.
"A proposal for what? Is it really that crucial? You look troubled, like a horse about to tire out," I teased him.
He shot me with a deadly glare. I just grinned and gestured for him to speak. It looks like this bastard has a serious problem.
"Let's have a deal for this proposal,"
"A deal? And what is that?"
Nanatiling nakataas ang kilay ko habang hinihintay ang isasagot niya. Nag buntong hininga naman siya ulit bago magsalita. Napahilot naman ako sa sentido ko dahil sa naiinis na akong kausap siya.
"Will you be my sister's boyfriend?" 
Napatigil ako sa paghilot ng sentido ko at napatingin sa kanya ng may pagtataka. 
"What? What are you trying to say? Hell, No! Why would I do that? I don't even know your sister, and I don't even have a feelings of attraction for her,"
That's true, hindi ko kilala ang kapatid niya at wala rin naman akong balak kilalanin pa ang kapatid niya. Bakit ko naman gagawin 'yon? Ang maging boyfriend nga kapatid niya, nababaliw na ba ang bastardong ito?
"Listen to me first," Irritation is in his voice, scratching his hair. 
"No, I don't want to be your sister's boyfriend, period!"
I don't want to be her sister's boyfriend either; I don't feel any attraction. I have no plans of having a girlfriend; I know girls only bring troubles into my life.
I was about to leave the room when he spoke again, causing me to stop.
"Even if the deal is to become the new leader of the gang?" I faced him.
"What do you mean, become the new leader?"
He laughed softly in a sartcastic way.
"Oh come on Keiron, alam kong gustong gusto mong ikaw ang maging bagong pinuno ng Astrix. I'm not that kind of numb para hindi iyon mahalata, alam kong matagal mo ng inaasam-asam ang maging isang leader," Napataas ang kilay ko sa mga sinabi niya, "Galit ka sa akin kasi kay Christoph ko gustong ibigay ang gang at hindi sa'yo, right? What if I change my mind? How about ikaw na ang gusto kong maging bagong leader ng mga Astrix? But in a one condition," Dugtong pa niya.
"And that was to be your sister's boyfriend?" hindi makapaniwalang dugtong ko.
"Yeps, you're right," parang no choice niyang sagot.
"F*ck you! Nag-iisip ka ba?" Binigyan niya ako ng nagtatakang tingin. "Ni hindi ko kilala ang kapatid mo, wala akong nararamdaman kahit attraction manlang sa kanya. Yes, I want to be the new leader of this gang, pero ang pumasok sa isip ko na maging girlfriend ang kapatid mo ay ang hindi ko pinapangarap." Naiirita kong sagot.
"Bullsh*t!" Galit niyang sigaw sabay suntok sa pader na nasa likod niya, "Just be my sister's boyfriend and I'll hand you this gang,"
"Tsk, dragon," Bulong ko.
"What?!" Sigaw niya.
"Nothing, anyways what's your sister's name again?" He hasn't mentioned his sister's name yet.
"Reynzie," 
"Nice name, I guess she's pretty too?" Nakangising tanong ko.
Kinuwelyohan niya ako at binigyan ng nakakamatay na tingin.
"Don't try to hurt my sister or else," nanlilisik ang mga matang wika nito.
"Or else what? Wala pa nga akong sinabing agree akong maging boyfriend ng kapatid mo," 
Nakangisi parin ako, gusto ko siya asarin. Binitawan niya ako sa kwelyo ng patapon. 
"Well then, will you be my sister's boyfriend in just a month, kapalit ang pagiging bagong leader ng Astrix?"
Napataas ang kilay ko sa mga sinabi niya. Ang dami talagang alam ng bastardong ito.
"One month? You mean magiging girlfriend ko siya in just a month?" 
Tinanguan lang niya ako. Tipid sa salita ang bastardo.
"But why?" Naguguluhan kong tanong, "Magiging girlfriend ko siya but in just a month? Really?"
"Why? Gusto mo bang dagdagan ko pa ang araw na maging girlfriend mo siya?" I shake my head.
"F*ck you, that was not I mean," Inis kong sabi.
"Then what?" 
"What do you mean by that one month? Any explanation can do?" Tinitigan ko lang siya para hintayin ang isasagot niya.
"She has a—oh jeez!" Sabay suntok na naman sa pader na nasa likod niya.
"She has a what?!" Naiinis na rin ako sa kanya.
"May sakit siya sa puso, severe... and hindi na maaagapan pa iyon.. I guess.. sobrang labo na and she has a one month left and after that sh-she'll be g-gone. I.. I don't know. For God's sake.." 
I paused for a moment at what he said. It seems I'm finally getting what he wants me to do.
I can see the pain in his eyes that he's trying his best to conceal it.
"Real men don't cry," I teased him. Dali dali naman niya agad akong kinuwelyohan.
"Wala kang alam! Hindi mo ramdam ang nararamdaman ko ngayon! Wala kang kapatid kaya hindi mo kailanman mararamdaman ang sobrang sakit na nararamdaman ko!" Sigaw niya sa mukha ko.
"Just kidding, easy," natatawang sambit ko sa kanya sabay tapik tapik sa balikat niya. Binitawan niya ulit ako ng patapon, nakita ko ang pagpahid niya sa kanyang kaliwang mata. 
"So anong gusto mo? Maging girlfriend ko ang kapatid mo in just a month then after that sa'kin na ang gang, ako na ang bagong leader?"
"Yeah, exactly, ang kailangan mo lang gawin ay ang iparamdam sa kapatid ko na mahal mo rin siya, and please wag na wag kang gagawa ng ikakasakit ng loob niya,"
"That's it?" 
He didn't answer and just looked at me. I pondered before asking him again.
"What if she finds out? That it's just a deal? Won't she be hurt?"
"Hmm, I've already thought about it. She won't know if you will stay quiet, right? Only the two of us know about this, unless you decide to tell someone else," he raised an eyebrow.
"Tsk! Are you really giving me the gang after that?" I doubted him.
"Of course, unless you're going to agree with my proposal," he sat next to his table, took a deep breath before continuing, "You only have to make her smile every day and feel loved. Make her feel that she's not alone in her life." I grinned with what I heard. 
"You really love your sister that much huh?" Taas kilay kong sabi, sinamaan naman niya ako ng tingin.
"Of course I do, she's my princess and I'll do everything just to make her happy until she's.. " pahina ng pahina ang pagkakasabi niya sa huling mga salitang hindi niya maituloy. I just shrugged.
"Well then, if I were you, I guess I would do the same," I pondered in response.
He didn't reply, just remained with his head down, lost in thought.
"Why me, by the way? Why me? There are plenty of guys out there, like Christoph. What made you decide to propose to me?" takang tanong ko.
"Isn't it obvious?" I raised an eyebrow, questioning. He sighed again, "She's in love with you, you're just too blind to see her." His words left me speechless.
"Hindi ko naman siguro kasalanan kung inlove siya sa'kin diba? And anong pinagsasabi mo diyan na bulag ako para hindi siya makita, eh ni hindi ko nga kilala ang kapatid mo? Wala akong kaalam-alam sa kanya,"
"Tsk! Remember those sticky notes?" 
All my memories of the sticky notes I see on my belongings suddenly rushed in–even on my car's window, there's one stuck there. That was the time when I got really annoyed, irritated by the person who kept giving me those notes.
"Those f*cking sticky notes? Siya ang may gawa ng lahat ng iyon? The heck?" Nasuklay ko na lang buhok ko.
"Yes, I already warned her na wag ikaw ang ibigin niya, because I know, my sister doesn't deserve a guy like you. A demon like you doesn't deserve to be loved," 
I gritted my teeth, wanting to punch him right now, but I restrained myself. Yes, he's right–a demon like me doesn't deserve to be loved. Just like my mom, she claims to love me, but her actions say otherwise. She constantly dictates my life, suffocating me, yet I have no choice but to follow her wishes. It's not love she shows me; it's her desires taking precedence over me.
I sighed, lost in those thoughts, and looked at him.
"Then why me if you don't really want me for her?" I challenged him.
"Simple, because I want her to be happy on her last day in life."
"Kaya kahit ayaw mo sa'kin ay napilitan kang mag offer ng proposal sa'kin para lang sa ikakasaya ng prinsesa mo. Aww, how sweet," pang aasar ko pa.
"Shut the bloody hell up!" Sigaw niya, nagkibit balikat lang ako. "I heard her talking to her best friend, ang sabi niya bago siya mawala sa mundong ito gusto niyang maranasan kung paano mahalin ng lalaking mahal niya at alam kong ikaw ang tinutukoy niya. Matagal ko ng alam na may gusto siya sa'yo, as what I've said I warned her pero hindi parin siya nakinig. She's still doing those things para mapansin mo siya like those sticky notes. I hate the fact na ikaw ang gusto ng kapatid ko, hindi kita gusto para sa kanya, pero wala akong magawa. I love her and I'll do everything, kaya nandito ako ngayon para bigyan ka ng proposal kapalit ng kasayahan ng kapatid ko," 
"Is she really that in love with me?" I said in disbelief. "What does she see in me? Yes, I know, I am more handsome than her brother but—" He didn't let me finish what I was about to say and started speaking.
"F*ck you! Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit in love na in love siya sa'yo, but don't worry kung iisipin patas lang kayo at ako itong lugi. Magiging masaya siya at ganon ka rin after that, nasayo na ang gang, magagawa mo na kung anong gusto mo sa mga Astrix. Kapalaran na mismo ang lumalapit sa'yo, lalayuan mo pa ba? Pagkakataon mo na ito, Keiron."
Napataas naman ang kilay ko, tama naman siya sa mga sinabi niya. Siya itong lugi, pero kaya ko bang magpapanggap na mahal ko ang kapatid niya kahit hindi naman talaga? 
"You know that I hate girls, dude—"
"Don't call me dude, we're not that kind of close,"
"Well, as what I've said I hate girls, they're all like my Mom. Kagandahan at sarili lang ang iniisip, ayaw akong maintindihan." 
"Huwag mong lahatin, hindi lahat ng babae kagaya ng Mommy mong sarili at kagandahan lang ang iniintindi, iba ang kapatid ko sa Mom mo, Keiron."
"Whatever is that, I still hate girls,"
He stood up from his seat at the edge of the table and approached me with crossed arms.
"So what? Deal or no deal?" he challenged me while extending his right hand.
I grinned; it's just one month of pretending, and then I am going to be the new leader of Astrix. I like that proposal.
"Fine, deal!" accepting his hand and smiled, "So guess, I have to start tomorrow?"
"Yeah, you only have to bring her flowers and chocolates. Do those things that guys do when courting the women they love."
"What?! Do I need to court her?" Hindi ako papayag.
He paused for a moment before responding.
"Never mind, let's keep it simple. Just tell her that you've secretly admired her for a long time and only now gathered the courage to confess. No more courting; after that confession, you two are official. Just make her feel loved and happy, that's it."
"You talk as if confessing and making someone feel loved is that easy," I replied, irritated.
"Tsk! Kung gusto mong maging sa'yo ang gang, then do it. Wag na wag mong sasabihin sa kanya na deal lang ang lahat ng ito,"
"Okay, fine! Gagawin na," napapakamot ko sa ulong sabi.
"Great! Problem solved. You can leave now and start your day tomorrow with my sister,"
"Tsk! What's her name again? And what does she look like?"
He took his cellphone from his pocket, tapped on it, and showed me the screen. A picture of a fair-skinned woman with long hair appeared. Undeniably beautiful, especially with her smiles and eyes. She also bore a resemblance to this guy.
"Her name is Reynzie Inah," he said, and I nodded, grinning. "What's with that smirk on your face?" He snarled.
"It's not obvious that you're siblings; she's too pretty to be just your sister," I teased with a playful smile.
"What are you trying to say?" he raised an eyebrow.
"I mean, you wouldn't pass as her brother—maybe a bodyguard, yes, that could work," I chuckled, playfully teasing him.
"At nakukuha mo pang magbiro? Fck you! Labas!" Galit na naman.
"Easy, masyado kang seryoso sa buhay," Natatawang sabi ko.
"In this f*cking kind of situation ay hindi palo sa'kin ang mga kagag*han mo, Chavez." Seryosong sabi niya. 
Sumeryoso na rin ako at inayos ang bag kong nakasukbit sa balikat ko.
"If you say so, geh alis na'ko." 
Sabay labas ng silid na iyon at pumunta na sa sasakyan ko para umuwi na sa impyerno. Bahay ng dimonita kong Mom.
Upon reaching home, the evil greeted me with a smile.
"Hi son, how's school?" She approached, planting a kiss on my cheek.
"Nothing's new, same as always," I replied emotionlessly.
"Are you hungry? Come, I had Manang cook your favorite—"
"I'm not hungry, Mom," I cut her off, walking away towards my room upstairs.
"Keiron Art—"
"Okay, Mom, fine! I'll come down after changing my clothes,"
I interrupted her knowing she would shout my full name if I didn't comply. Damn, I hate this life!
"Good, I'll wait for you there!"
I ignored her and continued walking upstairs. Even though I'm not hungry, I'll be forced to eat again. Fudge!
I took a shower and changed afterward. I couldn't help but think about the conversation with that bastard earlier.
Can I do what he's asking? I know nothing about girls, what they want. I'm not good at making a girl happy. It's annoying!
But for the sake of claiming the gang as mine, I'll do it without hesitation. It's just for one month, and after that, the pretense is over, and the Astrix gang is mine. I won't have to deal with that girl again.
I hurriedly finished getting ready and went downstairs, fearing the devil might go wild again.