[Rhea's POV]
I gradually opened my eyes, my breath coming in labored gasps. My body felt somewhat heavy, burdened by an unseen weight. Through determined effort, I managed to extend my arm and blink my eyes fully open.
"Five more minutes," a drowsy voice mumbled, pulling me from my confusion. I was instantly taken aback.
Ah, yes, I recollected. I paid an exorbitant sum, a staggering 20 billion, to spend a night with this young woman.
The memory of seeing her entwined with that other woman, as if belonging to her, fueled my frustration. My mood last night had been dampened by the intimate proximity between her and Vivien, a detail that ignited my ire.
Carefully, I began to shift my body, attempting to extricate myself from the situation. I was cautious not to disturb her sleep, as she lay deeply and peacefully sleeping. Her arm rested on my upper body, embracing me almost like her pillow.
So she loves hugging pillows.
With gentle precision, I managed to disentangle her arm from my body and gradually rise.
Gazing at her peaceful face in slumber, a smile involuntarily crept onto my lips. The memories of our shared, passionate kiss from the previous night flooded my mind. It had been a blend of tenderness and boldness, leaving an indelible mark. Despite my jealousy over Vivien's touch, her heartfelt words and the gentleness of that kiss had left me with a lingering warmth.
"Darling, I'm yours forever."
That quote lingered on my mind.
I notice how the clothes I gave her last night suits her so much as she sleeps peacefully, I slowly put a pillow besides her so she doesn't wake up.
Exiting my room within my office, I reached for my phone on the desk, intent on ordering breakfast for both of us. Cooking facilities weren't available here after all, this space served as both my school office and a rest house. Cooking utensils would have been a waste, considering my culinary incompetence.
Dialing the delivery number, a staff member swiftly answered, "Hello, good morning. This is Min from Havens Cafe. What would you like to order?"
"Two cappuccinos, a French bread, and two cupcakes without sprinkles on top. Deliver to Silvestre University Gate. I'll pick it up immediately," I replied.
"Alright, Ma'am. We'll prepare your order and ensure it's delivered promptly," the staff assured.
Ending the call, I turned to re-enter the room. Just then, a knock resonated from the main door, an unexpected occurrence on a non-class day.
"Rhea," a familiar voice called my name.
Hearing it, I hurried my steps, locking the room door where Jael was sleeping. It wouldn't do for him to see her. I successfully locked the door and hide the key in my desk. Then I hurriedly opened the main door.
"Gab?" I asked, my voice unsteady.
"Why do you seem so nervous? It's me," he responded, a smile gracing his lips. He entered without further ado, brushing past me. "You didn't go home last night?"
I shook my head. "I was exhausted after the event, and I didn't planned to return home, so I just slept here."
"I returned last night and didn't find you," he noted.
"Where were you?" I asked.
"My father called me unexpectedly for an urgent business meeting. I didn't inform you since Miss Savannah whisked me away for a dance before my father's call," he explained.
Ah, that was the reason for his absence during the Silvestre tradition last night.
An important business meeting?
"Oh, I see. That's alright," I replied, making my way back to my desk. He settled onto the couch as I resumed my place behind the desk.
"Did you sleep on this couch?" he gestured to the couch.
"No, I slept in the room," I replied.
His brows knit as he looked at me. "Really? Then why's that door has a lock?" pointing at the door.
His sudden question caught me off guard, and I struggled to come up with a plausible response. My heart raced as he continued to gaze at me, awaiting my answer.
"I... I locked it because I ordered some coffee, and I was going to step out to pick it up. I wanted to make sure the room was secure," I stammered, even though I knew I was bending the truth. But it was all for her sake.
"Ah, I see," he nodded, a small smile forming on his lips. "I believe you."
I exhaled a shaky breath, relieved that he seemed to buy my explanation, even if it wasn't entirely accurate.
"Why are you here? There's no class today," I inquired, trying to shift the focus.
"I noticed you weren't at your mansion, so I thought I'd come here to check if you were around," he replied.
I gave a slight nod and offered him a smile.
Eventually, he rose from the couch. "Are you going to get your coffee? Let me walk you out. I need to leave too for a meeting with a client," he explained, leaving me slightly puzzled.
A client? Since when was he involved in business?
"Sure," I agreed, stepping towards the door. As I step towards the main door, a faint movement on the doorknob caught my eye.
She's awake. My heart skipped a beat.
Gabriel didn't seem to notice as he briskly walked ahead, waiting for me outside.
"I'll be right back," I silently promised, my thoughts consumed by her presence.
I stepped out of the room and joined Gabriel, who was waiting for me. He extended his hand with a warm smile, a silent invitation I felt compelled to accept. We began walking down the hallway together, his grip gentle yet firm.
"Any important plans for this Sunday?" he asked, his fingers intertwined with mine.
"No, nothing specific. Why?" I replied as we entered the elevator.
"I've come across a great spot for a date. How about we go on a date this Sunday?" he proposed, his tone light.
Internally, I wanted to decline his offer, but practicality pushed me to agree. It was just a one-time thing, after all. Rejecting him would cause unnecessary tension, and accepting might even turn out to know him well.
"Sure," I agreed, a small smile forming.
"Sunday it is," he chuckled.
Upon reaching the gate, my ordered coffee awaited me. I was relieved it was sealed, preventing him from seeing the quantity I'd ordered - a precautionary measure to avoid his questions.
"Take care, see you," Gab bid farewell before driving away.
Left holding the paper bag, I entered the building and headed to my office. Upon opening the main door, however, I was met with resistance from the other side.
"Could you wait for damn a moment?" I exclaimed, a bit exasperated by her impatience.
As the door swung open, Jael stood before me, rubbing her eyes sleepily.
"Bakit mo ako kinulong? Hindi naman kita tatakasan, papakasalan kita okay?" there she goes again with her unending jokes.
I noticed how she covered her eyes with her hand as soon as I stepped in.
"Agh," she groaned, "Help!"
"What are you doing?" I asked, puzzled by her sudden action.
"Help! I was blinded by your beauty," she playfully answered.
I couldn't help but to secretly smile at her antics.
Unveiling the contents of the bag, I set the coffee on the table and arranged the bread and cupcakes on separate plates. Her eyes widened at the sight of the cupcakes.
"You knew my favorite?" she asked, her radiant smile lighting up her face.
"I don't have the idea." I lied.
"You're really perfectly built," she trailed off.
"Built for?" I asked, taking a sip of my coffee.
"Perfectly built to be my wife," she said, laughing and showcasing her infectious giggle.
There she goes again. This girl can't just complete her day without teasing me.
"Drink your coffee." I commanded her, in a cold tone. In that way she will stop her nonsense jokes on me.
She graciously sips on her coffee still smiling like an idiot.
"You're smiling the whole time," I stated.
"Bakit hindi when I'm having breakfast with a goddess."
"That's illegal."
"If being attracted by your beauty is illegal, I'll gladly be a prisoner." She answered, eating her cupcakes like a kid.
"Mhmm.." I hummed, stopping myself to giggle. I'm dying, laughing, chuckling inside.
"Ma'am?"
"What?"
"Siguro hinahanap ka na ng panginoon ngayon," she's at it again.
"Hmm... why?"
"Because he's missing an angel," after she said that I can feel my face blushing. Her laugh is also contagious.
"You're really something, Miss Mercedez." I replied, chuckling.
"Mercedez tapos kagabi Jael," she complained.
"Finish your coffee so you can go home." I commanded after I finished my coffee, she finished her coffee also.
"Ayaw ko," she groaned contentedly after finishing her coffee.
Though I wished she could linger, my concern for her parents worry weighed heavily on my mind. They were probably searching for her, considering she didn't return home after the event.
"You should head home," I stated in a somewhat stern tone.
"Really don't want to," she countered, emitting a playful groan as she settled onto my bed.
"You're welcome to return anytime once classes resume," I reassured, eliciting a bright spark of happiness in her widened eyes - an endearing sight.
"Promise?"
"Absolutely. I'd prefer you not to linger in her office anymore," I admitted, my dislike for her interaction with Vien evident. The mere thought of them together stirred a bubbling anger within me.
Gracefully rising from the bed, she accepted the toothbrush I handed her, along with a black shirt and white shorts. Her complexion was remarkably versatile, making any color suit her.
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.