Sinking Deep (GL)

CHAPTER 26

I drove her back to her house, her address engraved in my memory since that night when I saw her being carried by Nathalia. That particular evening marked the first time I had felt an irrational anger at someone, preventing Gab's younger sister from driving her home. I took her under my care, her inebriation leading her to share her address, using her car.

Recollections of guiding her drunkenly to her room played in my mind. Inside her room, I noticed the varied artworks, but one drew me in - a painting mirroring my recurring dream. The imagery of lifting someone above water was familiar, yet the shadowy presence perplexed me. Strangely, her entry into a national art contest showcased an identical piece, reminiscent of the dream I had the night before the competition. My astonishment was palpable that day.

Was this a mere coincidence, or did her art hold a deeper connection to my dreams?

She also said that she dreamed about it so that's why she painted it. Do we have the same dream? Or it's different from me?

Also, the unfinished painting in the practice room bore a striking resemblance to my recurring dreams. A sense of awe gripped me upon the discovery, yet it was overshadowed by my ongoing concern for her well-being. She had drifted into slumber that time, seemingly waiting for my me. Unfortunately, amidst the revelations and my emotions, I had neglected to inform her, preoccupied with the need to visit a certain individual's resting place. I forgot about her training.

"Alam mo kung nasaan ang bahay namin ma'am?" she inquired sitting besides the driver seat.

"Of course." I answered sparingly. We're almost at their house.

After an hour of driving, we reached her house and parked outside the gate. I expected her to exit the car, but she remained seated, waiting for something.

"Aren't you planning to leave the car?" I asked, my gaze fixed on her.

"Goodbye kiss?" she requested.

I rolled my eyes, familiar with her playful nature.

I didn't verbally respond, opting instead to maintain my gaze on her.

"Was it a one-night stand, ma'am? After we did that then you will act like nothing happened again," her voice wavered.

Initially thinking it was a jest, I observed her avoiding eye contact, her emotions genuine.

"J-Jae-" I began.

"It's alright. Naiintindihan ko," she said softly, snapping her fingers quietly.

No

I slowly unbuckled my seatbelt and shifted towards her, my hand tenderly cupping her cheek. Her gaze met mine, and I noticed a glint of tears pooling in her eyes, as if threatening to fall once more.

I don't want to witness her tears, again.

I cradled her face in my hands, leaning in, and our lips met once more in a gentle, responsive kiss.

As we parted, her smile now unmistakable.

"Thank you, my love," she playfully uttered before stepping out of the car.

A smile tugged at my lips in response. Sometimes, a kiss is all it takes to silence her.

As I maneuvered the car, I noticed her waving at me, bidding goodbye with a playful flying kiss. A smile naturally formed on my lips.

Admittingly, there was a time when I didn't like her. At that juncture of my life, I would never have anticipated treating her with such fondness. It was the moment when she impulsively kissed me, an action that unsettled me for several nights. There was an inexplicable force that seemed to pull me closer to her. Following that unexpected kiss, I found myself frozen at my desk, unsure of how to proceed. Subsequently, I caught sight of her at the bar with Nathalia. My attention was drawn to them, and I observed as she became increasingly inebriated. I had been ready to intervene, but she was already guided to her room by that woman, and then Gab called out to me. Despite my misgivings about the situation, I hesitated before approaching him. Nathalia's reputation as less than virtuous added to my frustration.

After my brief conversation with Gab that time, I quickly made my way along the path that Nathalia had taken her. The sounds of her voice reached my ears, and a surge of irritation coursed through me as I pounded on the door. I slammed my fist against the door. It was a sight that both perplexed and intrigued me. She was sprawled on the bed, her drunken state evident.

I helped her to get up and guided her body in a drunk state.
Her unexpected query in my car that time left me bewildered once more. It irritates me so I told her to get out of my car, she promptly exited the car. I had no choice but to follow, given her intoxicated state. I watched as she stumbled along until she finally slowed down and collapsed on the street. My instincts screamed at me to rush to her side, but the distance between us seemed to stretch endlessly.

Upon reaching her, I discovered she had lost consciousness. I lifted her into my car, her weight inconsequential compared to my concern for her well-being. Carrying her to her house would have been a considerable distance, so I opted to take her to my mansion. Once there, I carried her to my room, the weight of her form unimportant compared to the urgency of the moment.

And so it began, a flicker deep within me, an unexpected admiration for her unwavering commitment to her art and her unyielding passion, qualities that she consistently displayed and never allowed to falter.

As I drove, memories flooded back, but my reverie was abruptly interrupted by the ringing of my phone. Without a second thought, I picked up the call.

"Dad? Yes, I'm en route. Have you made any progress in tracking them down?" I inquired into the phone, my voice tense with concern.

"What!?" My frustration surged, and I exclaimed, "They've relocated once more? This is absurd, Dad. Their agility is unbelievable." In a matter of moments, their strategy had shifted, and any traces of their presence had been erased.

The call ended, leaving me exasperated. I slammed my foot on the brake, my frustration palpable, and brought my hand down hard on the steering wheel. They had slipped through my grasp once again!

Returning to my father's mansion, I entered his room and shut the door with force.

"Calm down, Eya," his voice remained steady.

"Dad, how can I stay calm? How can I stay composed? It's been years, and yet we're still unable to track them down!" My frustration boiled over, and I couldn't contain my anger.

My father took a deep breath, his response measured. "We're doing everything in our power, Anak."

"Dad," tears welled up, "how much longer do I have to wait for the justice I've been seeking and deserve?" My voice trembled with emotion.

"I understand, it's been an agonizing journey for you. For both of us. Patience, my dear. We need to be patient, and things will fall into place," he reassured.

Unable to hold back, I felt tears cascading down my cheeks. "But until when? Until when?" I sobbed.

"Shh... It's okay," my father hurriedly moved to embrace me tightly, offering solace. "We will find them, and it won't be much longer."

In his arms, I found myself releasing my pent-up emotions, crying unabashedly.

How much longer?

With a heavy heart, I departed from my father's estate and returned to my own mansion. The familiar chill in the air greeted me, a stark reminder of the emptiness that surrounded me. Each step I took on the staircase seemed to coincide with a tear falling from my eyes. The stairs led me to the door of my room, a sanctuary where I could seek solace once again.

As I tentatively entered, my tears continued to flow freely, creating a trail of sorrow. With every footfall, my tears seemed to mingle with the ache in my heart, a torrent of emotion I couldn't control. Finally reached inside, I paused, my hand resting on the frame as I tried to gather my composure.

My gaze fell upon a photograph resting on the drawer. I couldn't help but cry as I stared at it, my body shivering from the pain that surged within me. I picked up the photograph delicately, tracing its edges with my fingers, and then pressed it against my chest. My tears fell unabated, a heavy sorrow enveloping my heart. Overwhelmed, I sank to my knees, Kneeling. My cries echoing in the room as I held the image close.

"I miss you. I miss you, my beloved." I cried.