Forewords | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6

The day of the International Humanitarian Law celebration arrived. Sa sobrang dami ng kailangang asikasuhin,

Forewords | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6

"The budget proposal for the training of athletes was already approved," Pres Raymond informed us.

"Good thing. It took me a while to do it. Lots of things to include in the expenses," said Cheska, the org treasurer.

We watched as the others went out of our org's office to take their lunch. The three of us, Kyla, Karl and I, decided to stay.

The chatter of our org mates was dying away and the mechanical sound of the photocopying machine was the only source of noise. We were doing the necessary preparations for the International Humanitarian Law celebration this weekend.

I put the registration form I printed in the photocopying machine, keyed in the number of copies we needed and hit start.

"I still think that it's number 29," Kyla started. She never let the issue rest. She stood up to unplug her laptop charger from the socket.

"Akala ko ba tapos na tayo diyan?" I replied.

"Girl, you don't let an issue rest when it isn't resolved yet," she said, looking at me from under her lashes.

Over the past days, we had speculated on who the mystery person was who kept on leaving full donation cans in the org's office, complete with a note addressed to Elle. We finally worked out that there's no other Elle in the office. So it was basically addressed to me.

Since hindi naman makakapasok dito ang hindi org member because we lock the door when there's no one inside, we agreed na may inside job. That maybe someone was helping this person to sneak the donation can inside the office.

"I still think it's Kirby," said Kyla again.

I sighed to myself. Kyla was one persistent girl.

"It's not him. It's impossible," I said in a monotone. I lost count of the number of times I had emphasized this matter to her.

In the first place, bakit naman niya gagawin yun? He had basketball, classes and his girlfriend to occupy his free time. He wouldn't be able to slip such gimmick in his schedule.

"How so?" asked Kyla.

"That dude has a girlfriend besh. Ano ka ba? I've told  you that repeatedly."

Paulit-ulit kong in-explain kay Kyla pero she wouldn't rest her case. She was still into her theory that Number 29 didn't really love his girlfriend. Which, in my opinion, was utter nonsense. I mean, why would he even bother to do such a thing? No matter how hard I thought about it, Kyla's assumptions were illogical.

"But he pushed his girlfriend away and rejected her help. Pero he didn't hesitate to open up to you. Bakit kaya, sa tingin mo?" Kyla asked.

Illogical but not baseless. I found myself conceding grudgingly.

"Don't expect me to know the answer. We all know he's bipolar," I answered. May dalawang personality yung mokong na yun. Bigla-bigla na lang nag eexplode and bumabait.

"Well, the answer is obvious. He thinks that you will understand him. That you will be able to help him. That he can trust you and count on you," Kyla explained. Her voice was calm, like we were just discussing something as normal as the weather. She continued, "You are the exact opposite of his girlfriend. You're not high maintenance. And you listen."

Yes I was not high maintenance. And I did listen to him. But it wasn't like I had any other choice. He caught me eavesdropping. At least he didn't get mad at me. And I was following him to his car before I could even begin to process what I was doing. Then suddenly, he was opening himself up to me in Baywalk!

Francine may be high maintenance but they looked so good together. She was sophisticated and she looked genuinely concerned about Number 29. It wasn't her fault that the dude was too conceited to notice.

"Exactly. I'm the exact opposite of Francine. Pati sa hitsura," muttered, then turned to look at Kyla in the eyes, "So you have to stop your assumptions."

"I didn't know that Kirby's being a melodramatic is contagious." Kyla teased me cheekily, then turned her attention back to the module she was transcribing for the PowerPoint presentation.

I rolled her eyes at her. "Tama na nga yan," I said.

But apparently Kyla was too much into this issue to give it a rest. Instead of being silent, she turned to Karl, who was making the tarpaulin designs. He had his talents in computers. "What about you? ano sa tingin mo?" Kyla asked Karl.

Karl shrugged, not taking his eyes from his laptop. "I don't think it's Kirby. For one thing, tingin kayo sa bintana," he said.

We did as he instructed. And before our very eyes was quite a display. We watched as Francine and Kirby, sitting in one of the benches in the school garden, get lost in their own little world of giggles and sweet talks.

"Anong ginagawa ni Francine dito? Wala namang pasok ah," Kyla asked no one in particular.

"What kind of question is that?" asked Karl. "Of course she's here to support her Kirby. Lunch break ng team from training so she gets to spend some time with him. It seems like he's doing exactly as Dan advised," he explained.

I gazed at the pair silently. A part of me was proud that Number 29 took my advice but deep inside, there was a tiny part which felt... different. The thought of that feeling scared me so instead of exploring it, I tuned it out.

I cleared my throat. "That's nice. Marunong rin pala siyang makinig."

I collected the photocopied forms and piled them up in a folder. When the photocopying machine finished its job, a ringing silence suddenly filled the office.

So what if they were displaying their feelings for all those around them to see? They were in a relationship, and being sweet with each other is perfectly normal, if not expected. And he heeded my advice. Shouldn't I feel proud of myself?

Wait. What am I talking about? I AM proud of myself!

I looked up and caught Kyla staring at me with calculating gaze.

"What?" I asked, raising my brows inquiringly.

Kyla shook her head, "Nothing." Then she smiled at me toothily. "Dahan-dahan naman sa folder. Gusot na eh," she said.

Gusot na nga ang folder. I put it in one of the drawers, making sure that I could remember where I put it for later use. Sitting opposite Kyla, I made sure that I was out of view from the window.

"So... if hindi si Kirby that leaves us with no other contender," Kyla said.

"Who?" asked Karl.

Kyla snorted in exasperation.

"Duh? Justice!"

My heartbeat quickened almost instantaneously. The thought of Justice doing those efforts for me were enough to throw all rational thoughts out of the window.

"But how would he do that?" asked Karl.

Kyla shrugged. "I still haven't figured it out. But I will," she declared determinedly. Kyla and her love for mysteries.

"I'm starving. Kain muna tayo," I told them. I hadn't eaten breakfast and it was already one in the afternoon. Sana naman may natira pang pagkain sa cafeteria. The other two nodded their heads eagerly. Nakakagutom talaga kapag busy ang utak sa kaiisip.

We went to the cafeteria together, making sure to lock the door of the office before we left. The school was strangely silent during weekends. Only the athletes and student organizations were usually present. Sometimes, students who were working on projects and research could be seen in benches and lobbies where the WiFi signal was strong. Now that midterm exams were finished, the benches under the trees and lobbies of buildings were clear of students.

Thankfully, may natirang pang pagkain para sa amin. After naming umorder ng pagkain, we sat at the table near the window kung saan may ceiling fan. It was our favorite spot and pinag-aagawan siya dahil nga easy access palabas and hindi masyadong mainit. Now that there were few students, wala kaming kaagaw.

Nilagyan ko ng kalamansi ang ginisang monggo at saka hinalo.

"Eew besh. Bakit mo nilalagyan ng kalamansi ang ginisang monggo?" Kyla inquired. She leaned away from me. She was sitting opposite Karl and I, her nose wrinkled in disgust.

"It's not like it's your first time to see me do it," I said.

"Right. But I'm still not over it. You have a weird taste," she asserted, shaking her head. She put three sticks of fried potatoes in her mouth, closing her eyes to savor the taste.

"Wala kang makukuha diyan. Lahat lang carbs,"said Karl. He was always the health guru in our group. In every meal, complete siya ng go, grow at glow foods.

"None of your business," snapped Kyla.

"Guys look!" Karl gasped, displaying his phone in front of us. He practically shoved it very close to my face that I had to lean back a little.

"Ano ba yan?" tanong ni Kyla, looking at Karl as if he was a nutcase.

"Uh. It's a new pen invention. So cool! You can just scan the color out of any object tapos yung color na yun ang lalabas sa pen!" he explained, urging us to see the video posted on Facebook.

It's a cool invention, really. Great for those such as Karl na artistic. But no matter what kind of diversion he did to distract me, something made me look straight ahead. My eyes seemed to be magnetized for a reason and it landed on a couple intimately cuddling with each other, facing us. The girl's head rested on the guy's shoulder.

Number 29 looked up and caught me looking. Immediately, as if by reflex, I did what I had practiced for a long time in preparation for such embarrassing situations. I immediately looked behind him, to his right, out of the window and behind me, as if looking for someone para hindi halatang tinititigan ko siya.

I wasn't expecting anyone.

I swear.

But when I looked behind me, my hero came. Justice waved his hand and started towards us. I swallowed hard. He looked strikingly attractive with his training uniform on and a white towelette in around his neck. He was wearing a tight black shirt beneath his jersey and his muscles were so distinct he looked so manly. And his eyes. I could get lost to those beautiful eyes forever. The bruise on his right cheek was very faint now but I could still see it. Suddenly, there was an urge inside me to reach out and touch that cheek.

Before I knew it, he was already sitting beside Kyla, facing me, blocking my view of the sickeningly sweet couple a few tables away.

"Hey guys. I hope you don't mind me sharing a table with you," he said, addressing Kyla and Karl.

Karl remained silent. I couldn't tell what he was thinking. Kyla shook her head, "Oh not at all. Don't worry about it. Actually, we are done eating and Karl and I need to finish something for an upcoming org activity." With that, she dragged an unsuspecting Karl with her out of the cafeteria. I didn't even get to react. I remained rooted on my seat, seething at how Kyla had deserted me!

"So, you're done eating too?" asked Justice.

I nodded. Hindi ba obvious? My plate's already clear of food.

"Can you join me? It's no fun eating alone. Break namin from training and my teammates went out to eat," he explained.

"Why didn't you join them, then?" I asked him.

"Nah," he said, shaking his head, a mysterious smile on his lips.

I debated whether to run away or to stay. He was making my heart palpitate and I didn't know how to react. But seeing the look on Number 29 made me pick the latter decision. I didn't know why it was important for me to make Number 29 see me with Justice but I didn't question the strong urge. Glaring at the couple, I nodded at Justice, smiling sweetly, "Sure."

Justice's diet was a complete set of the three food groups, except that his serving of meat was thrice that of Karl's. I understood that they needed protein for their muscles. And his muscles were anything but underdeveloped. But he didn't look buff like a bouncer. He looked like a magazine model. And he could trounce the local actors in looks anytime.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead and from the back of his neck. Looking up at me, he grinned sheepishly. "Sorry. Fresh from training. I sweat a lot after the drills. I hope I don't disgust you," he said.

Disgust me? Ang bango niya kaya kahit pawisan siya!

"No... no it's fine. I understand," I said blandly. Ang hina ko talaga kahit kailan pagdating sa small talks. Actually, I knew how to have small talks with anyone except this guy in front of me. Why did he have to be so perfect he made me speechless?

Not that I'm complaining. I'd pick Justice over Number 29 and his crappy, whining shits any day.

When he's done eating, he looked at me, "So what are you doing here in a weekend?"

Finally, a topic I could talk about without stuttering like I'm demented.

"Just some org stuffs. We have to prepare for the International Humanitarian Law Celebration next Saturday," I explained.

He squinted his eyes, as if thinking deeply. "This Saturday?" he repeated. "What time will the celebration be?" he asked.

"It starts at one in the afternoon and will end at six. In fact everyone is invited to attend. I hope you can make it. I promise it will be worth it," I said. I wanted him to attend. Imagine Justice Damon Rivera attending the IHL celebration with us!

"Hmmm. Sorry I have some stuffs to do," he muttered, sounding apologetic. Oo nga pala. Baka magsusulat pa siya ng speech niya. Pero knowing how intelligent he is, I knew that he could cook up an impromptu speech without any difficulty.

I nodded solemnly and said, "I understand."

"Well, will you be free after that?" he asked.

I thought for a moment about my schedule. After the event, I would have to pack up. It would take at least an hour.

"Nah. Just packing up after the event and then I would head home," I said.

"Great! So will you be my partner for the varsity victory night?"

I choked in my own saliva. Me? The partner of the volleyball MVP in the victory night?

"What?!"

I must be hallucinating...

"Be my partner in the victory night. It would start at 8 in the evening so you would have at least an hour to prepare," he explained. His eyes twinkling, a boyish smile was plastered in his handsome face.

I heard a snorting, derisive sound somewhere in the cafeteria, the screeching of chairs as someone left their seat and the opening of doors. But they were all but vague, distant sounds compared to the loud pounding of my heart.

The partner of Justice Damon Rivera, MVP, mens volleyball team captain... Even in my wildest dream, I dared not venture that far because I knew that it was impossible. And now he was asking me to be his partner. I couldn't keep up with the sudden turn of events. I used to be just a medic, admiring him from afar, from my station at the corner of the court.

"Why me?" I just really had to ask.

I needed to know his reasons for choosing me. Who knows? He might be playing a prank on me. But he couldn't be. My subconscious thought. Justice was too kind to play a prank that would hurt any girl's feelings by raising their hopes up to the heavens and suddenly leaving them crashing down to earth.

"What do you mean why you? It's more like why not?" he answered.

My heart did somersaults. He always knew what to say. He had a way with his words that could make any girl melt right there and then. And his eyes... I couldn't think straight while looking at them.

I looked down at my lap where I was twisting my hands self consciously.

"Uh... I don't have anything to wear," I said truthfully, my voice almost inaudible.

I had always been rather confident in my boyish clothes, more so with a baseball cap to hide my eyes when need arises. However, Justice could easily make my confidence come tumbling down; could make me want to feel attractive, be attractive for him. But I knew that my name and the word attractive in the same sentence would be an oxymoron. And there's the fact that I didn't have money to spare for new clothes.

"You could wear a sweatshirt and baggy pants to the event and you will still catch my eyes," he said, looking at me with soft eyes. "Too bad there's a dress code. It's okay. I don't have anything to wear as well. We can buy clothes together after your activity. I'll pick you up. Don't worry. Bill's on me. After all, I'm the one inviting you," he said.

"But--"

"Please?"

I took a deep breath. Stop acting hard to get! My subconscious chastised. This was your dream! Any girl would trade all their expensive bags and high heels just to wear your rubber shoes right now!

"Okay," I said in a small voice, managing a faint smile although inside my head, a voice was chanting 'oh my freaking goodness pwede na akong mamatay!' 

He smiled widely. "Thank you! I promise you'll have a wonderful night."

I managed a small smile, a permanent blush in my cheeks. I couldn't believe what was happening. I'm going to the varsity night as Justice's date! Oh my God!

"So you're going." a familiar voice said. It wasn't a question. It was a statement. I stiffened. That voice was too familiar.

"Yes she is," Justice answered for me. "You're not, right?" he asked. Exactly how Justice knew that Number 29 decided not to go, I had no idea. I didn't pay much attention to it, though.

I finally gathered the courage to look behind me, at Number 29. He was looking straight at Justice, his face was expressionless. I looked behind him, expecting to see his girlfriend. Francine was nowhere to be found.

Number 29's expression was unreadable as he regarded Justice with steady eyes. Justice smiled faintly, matching Number 29's gaze.

In a monotone voice, Number 29 answered, "I wasn't--"

"Hey where's Francine?" I managed to ask, cutting him off. I was genuinely curious.

The two ignored me.

"--but now I have to."

Forewords | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5

I swallowed hard, not knowing what to say. I just stared at his intense gaze but the longer I stare at his black eyes, the more I could see the depth in there. It was fathomless, like he had been drowning. With what?

I wanted to throw insults at him. I wanted to shrug off the sorrow I had read in his eyes but I couldn't. It was there, clear as crystal. This guy was suffering. I wanted to tell him he had no right to act so pained because whatever he was going through, I was sure that it was nothing compared to what the rest of us had gone through. But then again, his eyes stirred something inside of me. Something akin to empathy. And for a moment, I just wanted to remain standing in my position, waiting for him to do whatever he wanted with me.

"Uh, do you need anything?" he asked, putting the sling of his duffel bag on his shoulder.

I blinked.

"Oh um. No. I was just..."

"Uuwi ka na?" he asked, cutting me off mid-sentence.

Caught off guard, I nodded dumbly.

To my surprise, he smiled. But it wasn't the same sunny smile he used to flash at me. It didn't reach his eyes.

"Sabay na tayo," he said. It wasn't a question. It was a statement. He just declared na sabay na kaming uuwi. If the situation were any different, I would've argued with him about what he just said. But it wasn't. It was like something was telling me to remain there, remain with him.

I nodded again.

For a while, we walked in silence. I didn't really know where we were going. I was hesitant to ask him. The silence wasn't comfortable but the idea of breaking the silence was unthinkable all the same. Good thing he did it for me.

"I'm starving. Kain muna tayo," he said, looking straight ahead.

"Okay. Pero 50 pesos lang ang budget ko," I warned him without shame.

"That doesn't matter. Treat kita. No buts."

Again, I didn't know what was wrong with me because instead of arguing with him, I did the opposite. Half of me wanted to get away from this oppressive awkwardness but the other half wanted to know what it was that he was going through.

I swear it wasn't because I was concerned of his well being. He was still the same Number 29 I hated, after all. I was merely curious.

I swear.

He lead me to where his black fortuner was parked. He opened the door of the passenger side and I got in. I buckled up while he got in the driver side of the car. I mentally wondered what perfume he was using. It was hard not to notice how pleasing he smelled especially inside the confines of a car.

While we were driving through traffic, he turned on the radio. It was tuned to some love advice program. The voice of the DJ was sugary while broadcasting her love advice.

"Hindi mo malalaman kung hindi mo susubukan. Sabihin mo sa kanya kung gaano siya kahalaga sa'yo. Malay mo, naghihintay rin pala siya all this time. Since ikaw ang lalaki, ikaw dapat ang gumawa ng first step."

Napalunok ako. Ano ba 'tong pinapakinggan namin? Ang awkward!

"And here's a song para sa mga nagmamahalang urong-sulong ang takbo ng love life."

A song's intro started playing in the background.

"Pangarap lang kita by Parokya ni Edgar. Sa mga may love problems dyan, just send your concerns to DJ Kitty. 09997625520."

Number 29 drove through traffic habang tumutugtog ang kanta ng Parokya. Maganda ang kanta. In fact I had been listening to that song too, with the image of Justice swimming in my mind. But with Number 29 in the same car with me...

"Uy yung may love problems daw. Gusto mo hingi tayo ng love advice?" I asked him, playfully hitting him in the shoulder.

My own action shocked me. Gano'n na ba kami ka-close? As far as I was concerned, the answer was no. But I didn't know why the gesture came out naturally.

He shook his head, smiling his bitter smile.

"I don't need an outsider's advice to my love problem," he said.

"Then why am I here?" I asked. Frankly, a part of me thought that he brought me along because he wanted to ask me for advice.

"You're here because you're gonna join me in cheating my diet plan," he answered, smirking at me. Iniwasan niyang sagutin yung tanong ko. "And besides, patatabain kita. You're thin as a stick," he added.

I raised a brow at him.

"Excuse me. I'm already in my fattest state, thank you. Hindi ko na kailangan ng fattening diet plan mo," I shot back. Everytime na tumitingin ako sa mirror, I couldn't help but notice my fat behind.

He laughed at me. His eyes twinkling.

"I was only joking. You're not thin and you're not fat either. In fact you're sexy," he said without qualm.

I blushed red. No one ever told me that before. I didn't know whether to be offended or to be flattered. Not knowing what to say, I decided to ignore his comment. Not that I believed him. I had looked at myself enough times in a mirror to know that I was not sexy. I was too curvy for my taste. Mas gusto ko yung katawan ni Kendal Jenner, with small waist and small hips.

Bumili si Number 29 ng flame grilled cheese burgers, french fries and coke sa Burger King. But we didn't stay inside. To my surprise, he drove us to Manila Baywalk. That was the last in my expectations list.

At this time of night, medyo konti lang ang tao dito sa Baywalk. I noticed that majority of them were couples, young and old. Umupo kami sa semento, facing the waters, our feet dangling beneath us. The view was calming, with the water of the Manila bay reflecting the cloudless, moonless, starry sky.

We ate our dinner while the refreshing breeze messed with our hair.

"Bakit dito tayo pumunta?" I asked, while munching the crispy french fries.

He looked at the waters, a serene smile painted on his face.

"This is where I go when I want to relax," he answered, then he drew a sip from his Coke.

Nakakarelax nga naman talaga. What is it with bodies of water at nakakakalma sila? I hadn't taken a swim in a long time. Outings and bonding had never been in our family's list of to-dos. Not every summer. Not in any time of the year. There was always something more important to spend the money on.

Don't get me wrong. Naiintindihan ko naman si mama. Pero siguro hinahanap rin ng inner self namin ang break from the harsh reality of this world. It's just that we couldn't afford it. Yet.

"Talaga? Hindi ba rich kid ka? Weren't you supposed to go to Mt. Pulag or Sagada for soul searching? Or to Vietnam, perhaps?" I teased him. Yun ang uso ngayon sa mga millenials eh. Nakakainggit nga. But like I said, we couldn't afford to travel. Yet.

He scoffed at me. "Travelling is exhausting! How am I supposed to relax?" he asked. "Besides, it's not fun to travel alone."

I looked at him questioningly.

"What do you mean alone? Don't you have your parents? Siblings? Girlfriend?" I asked.

"Oh them? Sure," he said, this voice thick with sarcasm. "My mom and dad are always busy with our family business. They don't have time for such petty things as family outing. I have an older brother but we aren't that close. Girlfriend?" he snorted.

"What about her?" I asked. "Look. I'm not gonna pretend that I didn't see and hear your argument with her a while ago. Pero ang ganda ng girlfriend mo. And she looked genuinely worried about you. But you pushed her away," I said, wiggling my index finger at him. Number 29 rejected his girlfriend's offer. At least that was what it looked like at the time. And now siya ang masama ang loob?

He took a big bite out of his burger.

"Yes, Francine is gorgeous. No question about that. But she's also incredibly high maintenance," he expressed the words with disgust.

"Is there something wrong with that?" I asked. "I take it that she's also able to provide for herself?"

"She can and she does. But it irritates me that she complains and frets about the smallest thing. I didn't want to go to the victory party. Did she respect my decision? Hindi man lang niya inisip na hindi pa ako ready. That maybe I couldn't face the reality of my failure yet," he explained, disappointment lacing every word.

"But did you even tell her that?" I asked.

"No I didn't. I don't have to. She should already know it."

I shook my head. Para talaga siyang bata. Spoiled brat. But I wouldn't tell him that. At least, not when he was agitated and lost.

"You know what? She couldn't read minds. You need to tell her what she needs to know. You've judged her prematurely. Just because she complains a lot doesn't mean that she will do the same to things that concern you and your relationship. Love doesn't work that way," I said. I didn't know where those statements came from. I didn't even know why I told him those words, or why I wanted him to see his girlfriend in a better light.

Hindi ako love expert. Heck, I am inexperienced! Wala akong boyfriend since birth. All I knew was that, if you love someone, you wouldn't let an argument last a whole day without sorting things out. That pride wouldn't matter. That your relationship was more important than each other's mistakes.

He didn't speak for a moment. He continued gazing at the gorgeously painted night sky as the breeze continued to play with our hair.

I looked at number 29 and wondered if he was really being honest with me or if there were things he was not telling me. But then again, I was in no position to look any deeper than what he wanted me to see.

I cleared my throat to break the silence.

"So, bakit dito ka pumupunta para ma-relax ka?" I asked, trying to change the topic. Good thing he didn't resist.

"Memories. We used to spend every Sunday here when I was a kid. My parents would bring me and my brother here after we attend the afternoon mass. Then they would buy us ice cream and we would spend the whole afternoon sitting in this long strip of barrier here, gazing at the setting sun," he told me, a sad smile playing in his lips. His voice was filled with longing for that cherished past.

"And... you don't do that anymore because?" I urged him to continue.

He shrugged. He looked up at the sky and drew a deep breath. "Life happened. They became absorbed with their growing business that suddenly, as their network of business associates grew bigger, the time they spent with us grew lesser each passing year. I know that it's their dream. That they've been working on it their whole life. And that they're only doing it for our sake. But there's nothing wrong about missing the time when things were simpler. When all that mattered was making the important people around you happy."

I looked at him, mesmerized at the way his brain works. I had had no idea that he had it in him to think so deeply.

I always thought that rich kids have no right to complain about the world because they have to do everything one step ahead of us. That their struggle is nothing compared to ours. That their concerns are nothing but an immature whine. That they had seen nothing yet. But listening to Number 29 made me realize that they are also capable of feeling, of looking deeper into things. Beyond fashion. Beyond monetary value.

He turned to look at me.

"Right?" he asked, his eyes looking at me softly, as if asking for reassurance.

He looked so vulnerable. And suddenly, there was a compulsion inside of me to make him feel better. I didn't question it.

I smile at him.

"Right."

Forewords | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4

Nakatulog na ako't lahat-lahat pero hindi pa rin ako maka move on from the 5th floor incident. Whenever I thought that he already knew my name, and that we were already Facebook friends, and that HE was the one who added ME as a friend, butterflies would erupt in a frenzy inside my stomach.

"Nagde-daydream ka na naman. Mag aral ka na. Final long quiz na natin to kay Ma'am Thesis 2 ngayong midterm," Kyla scolded. Ma'am Thesis 2? Hindi pa rin kilala ni Kyla ang mga Professors namin. Mangangalahati na itong semester, subject pa rin ang tawag niya sa kanila.

"Tapos na akong mag aral kagabi," I informed her. I did. Hindi ko ugaling mag cram sa pag-aaral. May scholarship akong mini-maintain. If I flunk, I wouldn't know how to face myself in the mirror again. And besides, my mom was expecting me to graduate next year. I couldn't let her down.

"Iba ka girl. Ginagalingan mo masyado," she said, then continued poring over her lecture notes.

Malay mo naman kasi. Baka sa pamamagitan ng scholarly grades ko, mapansin ako ni Justice. I giggled silently but stopped immediately when I realized what I was thinking. What the heck Daniella? Baka ma-mental block ka sa exam!

A few minutes passed and our professor arrived. The exam was easy, probably because I had studied everything. Ako yung taong may feel sa lalabas sa test paper. Kyla envied that about me and she would ask me what I studied for so that she would study them also herself. Lahat naman inaaral ko. I just doubled my efforts on topics which I think na lalabas sa exam. And I was almost always right.

After the test, we met with Karl at our org's office since may 30 minutes pa naman kami before our next period. Schedule ngayon na simulan ang paglalagay ng donation cans sa mga offices and locations na sa tingin namin ay maraming taong pumupunta at magdodonate.

Holding a bag full of donation cans, I walked silently between Karl and Kyla, the latter ranting about the unfairness of the exam we had had.

"Bakit ba gano'n yung mga tanong dun? Alam mo yung five items lang sa inaral mo yung lumabas sa exam?" she sighed heavily.

"Hindi mo ba inaral yung topics na pinoint out ko sa'yo?" I asked.

"Hindi eh. Sobrang traffic kasi so when I got home, I immediately fell asleep. I was about to study pero hindi ko na kinaya ang antok," Kyla explained.

Karl nodded. He wasn't in our class but he understood Kyla perfectly. Tamad kasi siyang mag-aral. Pero ang alam ko, may honors itong si Karl nung High School siya. Ewan ko ba kung saan napunta yung sipag niya sa pag-aaral.

"And I couldn't open the cheat notes you threw at me!" Kyla hissed, leaning towards us. "That old bat kept on prowling all around us. I swear may mata siya sa likod," she added conspiratorially, referring to our thesis professor.

I laughed at her assumptions. Sobrang passionate ni Kyla sa mga observations niya.

"Anyway, enough. I don't want to talk about that shitty exam. I'm gonna have a mental breakdown!" she said, flipping her long hair behind her shoulder.

"So kumusta naman ang convo natin with your new Fb friend?" Kyla asked, her brows wiggling with mischief.

Karl snorted audibly. I ignored him.

"What? We're just friends on Fb. It doesn't mean anything serious," I said, feigning indifference, although inside, tumataas na ang heart rate ko!

"Doesn't it?" she asked, raising a brow at me. "Alam mo bang hindi nang-aadd ng friends si Justice basta-basta. He only has like 500+ Fb friends."

"So? Ikaw nga 90% sa 5000 friends mo hindi mo kilala," I pointed out, and then immediately regretted how wrong it sounded. Asan logic mo Daniella?

"That's the point. Konti lang friends niya, unlike me. So what's the deal? How's the convo? Spill already!" she tickled my side.

"There's nothing to spill! No convo, alright? Friends lang naman kami sa Fb. It's not like we're friends in real life," I muttered, the last part sounding like a grudge. I didn't intend to. It just slipped.

"Have you seen his new Fb status?" Kyla asked.

I shook my head. I didn't really look at his profile after I had accepted his request for fear that my heart would burst out of its rib cage. Besides, I needed all the concentration I could get kasi kailangan kong mag-aral last night. And Justice is such a big, delicious distraction.

Wait. Where did that adjective come from?

Kadiri ka Daniella!

"After nung 'Danielle Mendoza and River Nomad are now friends' na nakita ko sa newsfeed ko, I looked at his Facebook timeline. And guess what he just posted?" Kyla asked, pausing creatively for some effect she wanted to elicit from me. I deadpanned at her.

She rolled her eyes at me, "River Nomad is feeling positive. Yun yung update niya."

"Eh ano naman? May new game kasi sila ulit next month kaya baka yun ang feeling positive na tinutukoy niya," Karl said, breaking his silence. Sinakyan ko naman yung comment niya.

"Maybe he's talking about something else entirely," I said, shrugging my shoulders.

"Ang nega niyong dalawa. Magsama nga kayo!" Kyla said.

"Fine by me," Karl said sabay akbay sa akin. It had become his habit recently.

"Okay back to our mission. Nalagyan na nung iba nating orgmates yung admin office, cashier, and school canteen. School clinic na lang and varsity lounge. Si Kyla na sa varsity lounge. Canteen na lang ako para makabalik tayo agad. 15 minutes na lang before yung next subject natin," I explained.

"You know what, if I don't know you well enough to count the pimples in your chin, I would believe you," Kyla said flippantly. I frowned at her.

"Wala akong pimples sa chin ah!"

"Exactly girl. That's why it's easy to count," she smiled sweetly at me. "Iniiwasan mo pumunta dun kasi baka makasalubong mo yung dalawang varsities."

"And since I also know you better than our teacher knows your grades, alam kong gusto mong makita si number 29," I retorted back.

She laughed at me. Sometimes I wish I was as carefree and as confident as Kyla.

"Ikaw rin naman gusto mong makita si number 10 kaya magsama na lang tayo," she declared, wrapping her arm around mine, dislodging Karl's arm in the process. Ibinigay ni Kyla kay Karl yung bag ng donation cans. Karl scowled in response but took the bag all the same.

"Malelate tayo," I warned her.

"Hindi. Wag kang OA."

When we arrived at the varsity lounge, it was empty. I sighed in relief. We put the donation can in the table located at the corner of the varsity lounge. A poster of the International Humanitarian Law caught my eyes.

We celebrate the International Humanitarian Law every August. Usually may mga posters, talks and film showing kami na ginagawa to raise the awareness of everyone about it.

I went over and inayos ko ang pagkaka-pin ng poster sa cork board. Then something else caught my eyes.

"Uy ano yan?" Kyla asked, coming over to my side. "Varsity victory night? Two weeks from now 'to besh! Team natin ang champion sa men's volleyball! I'm sure Justice will invite you," Kyla asserted.

I gave her a weird look.

"Ano ka ba? Baka may makarinig sa'yo! He will not invite me there, alright? There are lots of gorgeous girls in the women's volleyball team. And nandun pa yung pep. I'm sure he already forgot about me," I said, an edge in my voice.

"Selos ka besh?" she asked.

"What right do I have to be?" I asked, more to myself than to her.

In truth hindi naman sa nagseselos ako. Naiinggit lang ako because they could be close friends with Justice while I would forever remain in the background, someone who would only be called when needed and forgotten when everything is okay.

Wait. Did I just...?

"Drama mo girl," Kyla voiced out what I had in mind. "Masyado kang insecure. Ang ganda mo kaya! Mukha ka ngang hindi Pilipino eh."

"Tama na yan kayong dalawa. Five minutes na lang next period niyo na," Karl's voice brought us back to reality. Ano ba ang nakain nito at ang suplado these past few days?

When we returned to the classroom, Pres approached me. He handed me a letter.

"Ito na yung final date ng celebration ng International Humanitarian Law. Paki-file na lang. Thank you," Pres said. I looked at the letter and I realized na same ang date nila nung varsity night.

So what? You're not attending that party so there's no problem here.

No problem.

None at all.

After our class, pumunta ako sa org office. I filed the letter and the printed minutes of our last meeting accordingly. I was about to leave when I noticed a donation can sitting in one of the tables near the door. Nilapitan ko ito and I saw a note.

Elle,

Keep smiling. It brightens someone's day.

My heart is racing. I looked around frantically, searching for a sign kung sino man ang nag iwan ng note but I didn't see anyone. I picked up the donation can. It was labeled varsity lounge and punong puno siya ng pera. How did that happen? Kakalagay lang namin nito kanina. It had only been half a day since.

Elle...

Walang ibang may pangalang Elle dito sa org namin maliban sa'kin since Danielle is my name. Who could this be? Could it be Justice? The possibility awakened the butterflies in my stomach. Pero impossible ata. Number 29? Bakit niya naman gagawin yun?

But then again, no one ever called me Elle before. So baka hindi ito addressed sa'kin.

I decided to go to the varsity lounge to replace the full donation can with an empty one. When I opened the door to the varsity lounge, I bumped into someone. Nabitawan yung bag ko and yung donation can. I muttered an apology without even looking at who I bumped into, I picked the donation can from the floor bago pa ito gumulong palayo.

"Oh my God I'm sorry! Oh hey Danielle, it's you. Are you okay?" a voice called. I reached out for my bag pero naunahan ako ng nakabungguan ko.

I looked up and found myself facing him. Justice. Napapadalas ata encounter namin nitong hustisya ng buhay ko. Baka hindi kayanin nitong puso ko. Ilan na kaya ang BP ko?

"Oh hi! It's okay. I'm fine," I said breathlessly. Bakit parang masyado atang matinis ang boses ko?

"I'm sorry I wasn't looking. Here," he said, sabay abot sa akin ng bag ko.

"Thanks. Don't worry about it," I replied.

"Yeah well, thanks for agreeing to be my friend."

I stared at him blankly. What? Friend?

"On Facebook?" he said tentatively, as though worried I had forgotten.

Realization dawned on me. "Oh right! Yeah. No problem. Sure," I said. I felt so stupid. Why was I spouting one-syllable words? And all this time I believed na matalino ako kahit papaano.

Justice smiled at me. I could't help but stare at him. "See you," he waved before turning his back to me and walked towards his car.

I watched his retreating back. He looked so manly, so refined, so out of my reach. I sighed. Bakit ba umaasa pa rin ako? Kahit anong pilit kong i-deny na may gusto ako sa kanya, I knew that he was still in my dreams.

With a heavy sigh, I shook my head to clear my mind at saka pumasok sa loob ng lounge. I put the donation can in the same table where we put the other one this morning. Kumuha ako ng marker and wrote the label varsity lounge. Satisfied, I put my marker back inside my backpack. I got ready to leave when I heard voices.

"But why Kirby? Why don't you wanna attend the party?" asked a frustrated feminine voice.

"Stop it France," a resigned voice answered.

Hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ko. I inched closer to where the voices were coming from. Kirby? May ibang Kirby pa ba dito aside from Number 29?

"Make me understand," she urged.

"I don't wanna talk about it right now."

I reached a corner and took a peak. They were talking beside a set of lockers. Number 29 was slumped in a bench, a towel around his neck. The girl was standing over him, hands on her hips. Siya siguro ang girlfriend ni number 29. Ang ganda niya matched with a porcelain skin and shiny long hair. And she had the curves to boast.

Bagay sila. A thought crossed my mind.

"But we need to," the girl said persistently.

Number 29 sighed heavily in frustration. He looked at her, his gaze burning, "Look, I'm nobody, okay? I'm no one!"

"What are you talking about? You were the MVP! You are the team captain!"

"I was the MVP! Was! Now I'm some wimpy kid!" he said in disgust. He looked away from her, as though ashamed.

"No it's not true Kirby!" the girl urged him and tried to touch him but he shrugged off her hand.

"You don't understand. And you wouldn't. Palibhasa wala kang alam sa sports. Palibhasa you don't really pay attention to me. You just pay attention to my achievements but you're blind to my weaknesses." the accusation was sharp in the tone of his voice.

"How dare you say that to me! After everything I've done for you? Fine! You know what? Just talk to me when you're done with your self pity. I have no time for this!" the girl declared scathingly. She picked her handbag and turned to go.

I had a split second to hide my fat ass from her view as she exited the lounge. I watched as she went inside her car and drove off.

Nang nakaalis na siya, saka ko lang narealize that I was holding my breath. Sobrang tahimik. My heartbeat was audible against my ears. I took three deep breaths to calm myself and stepped out of my hiding place, only to find myself face to face with him.

Number 29.

And I didn't know how to answer his piercing gaze.

Forewords | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3

"So wala ka talagang pera?" tanong sa akin ni Kyla the very next day matapos kong iabot sa kanya yung hiniram kong sapatos.

"Wala nga besh," I replied at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad papunta sa first period namin.

"Wala?"

"Sa Divisoria ko ito binili," I lied, talking about my new shoes. Nahihiya kasi ako na after kong lait laitin si number 29 eh suot-suot ko ngayon itong sapatos na binili niya.

"Hoy Daniella iniignorante mo ba ako? Don't insult my knowledge girl. Halatang hindi yan galing sa DV! Isa pa, nakalimutan mong tanggalin yung nakadikit na tag price," Kyla rolled her eyes at me, sticking the tag price on my forehead.

"Dan!" I heard someone call my name. I stiffened, not knowing whether to turn or not.

"Oooh. You seem to have gotten closer with number 29! Kilala ka pala niya besh. Ihingi mo naman ako ng autograph. Or better yet, sabihin mo gusto ko ng selfie!" Kyla gushed, rubbing her cheeks with both hands. She always did that when she's excited or anxious.

Di ako nagsalita. Number 29 jogged his way towards us.

"Hey there! Oh you're for sale?" he laughed, unsticking the tag price from my forehead. Tiningnan niya ito and chuckled lightly.

"This is cheap for someone like you. I bet lots of guys would line up to get you," he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Including you?" Kyla butted in. She was grinning like crazy, watching the two of us with malice in her eyes. I squinted my eyes at her. Iniinsulto na ang best friend niya pero wala man lang siyang ginawa to aid me! Number 29 didn't answer. He just chuckled. I turned my attention to him.

"What a way to ruin the day," I said, looking up at him. It's a wonder how he could look so striking with just a plain white tee, faded jeans and... I felt my cheeks heating up. He was wearing the shoes he had bought last night! The one that matched mine!

"Hey I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. I just came over to say hi," Number 29 said.

Grabe ha. Sinabi niyang cheap ako. Sinabi niya yun habang tumatawa. And he expected me not to get offended? Really?

"Then here's your hello with a wave of my hand," I said and put my words into action. I waved at him and turned to go, dragging a grinning Kyla with me towards our classroom.

"It looks great on you!" he called after our retreating backs. "See you later!"

I snorted. What was his deal? Feeling close yung mokong ah. Bakit parang ibang tao na siya. Dati super suplado tapos ngayon super cheerful. Bipolar ba siya? Now that's a possibility.

"Ahem besh." Kyla interrupted my train of thoughts. I looked at her inquiringly.

"Luwagan mo naman hawak sa kamay ko. Pahigpit ng pahigpit eh," she said, still grinning her annoying grin.

"Bakit ba tuwang tuwa ka? Ininsulto nung idol mo itong bestfried mo. You didn't even come to my rescue!" sumbat ko sa kanya.

She laughed at me, "Nakakatawa ang expression mo girl! Bakit ba ganyan ka kung makareact? Honestly, super minor lang naman nung kasalanan sa'yo ni Kirby but you despise him a lot. Be careful girl. It will make people suspicious." She winked at me.

"And what exactly do you mean by that?" I asked.

Nagkibit balikat siya, "I meant it the way I said it." She walked ahead of me towards our classroom.

"Nga pala. Nice couple shoes," she teased. I cried my indignation. Kinilabutan ako sa sinabi niya. I reached out para sabunutan siya but I caught air as she dashed towards the open door of our classroom.

Now this is getting worse. I muttered to myself.





I leaned back against the chair, wanting to relax my back. Pres called for a meeting to discuss a few things; the upcoming first aid training for the athletes being the primary concern.

And being the secretary, I had to operate the recorder that I would have to transcribe into the minutes of our meeting.

I turned my attention to the window. Madilim na sa labas. Lagi na lang akong gabi umuuwi. Mapapagalitan nananaman ako nito ni mama. I sighed. Kahit ilang beses akong pagalitan ni mama, hindi ko magawang pabayaan ang responsibilities ko dito sa org. Iba talaga when you love what you do.

"So everything's settled. Any motion to adjourn?" Pres asked, clapping his hands.

Kyla raised the motion, seconded by Karl. They looked so bored that the meeting was dragging too long. They yawned at the same time. I bit back the urge to laugh. Bakit ba inabot kami ng alas otso. Dalawa lang naman ang agenda namin. Yung sa donation cans and yung sa training. I turned off the recorder and began to pack my bags. Just as we were about to leave, we heard hurried footsteps, getting louder. Suddenly, the door to our office burst open, revealing a sweaty lady guard.

"Magandang gabi. May patient sa 5th floor. Closed na kasi ang clinic kaya pwede kayo na muna magbigay ng paunang lunas?"

Kyla immediately grabbed the first aid kit while Karl grabbed the ice container. The others hurried past us, muttering something about they needed to go home because their parents are calling them already. No one expected Pres to stay, for that matter. Everyone knew that the Pres never concerned himself with first aid requests. He was content that he had a team to rule over.

Nilapitan ni Pres yung lady guard, looking sickeningly calm and in control.

"Thank you po for informing us. These are Dan, Kyla and Karl. They will accompany you," he said, then he excused himself and followed the others out of the office.

Nagtinginan kaming tatlo. Kahit kailan wala ka talagang maaasahang hands on na tulong galing sa presidente naming magaling.

We locked our office and followed the lady guard to the 5th floor. Kapag sinabing 5th floor ibig sabihin nun, volleyball court.

Champion ang volleyball team nung nakaraang match. Pero since super competitive ang school varsities namin, hindi sila pumapalya sa training. Gaano man kalayo ang next match, araw araw silang may training.

"Ano po ang nangyari sa patient?" I asked.

"Bigla na lang siyang bumagsak sa court. Yun ang sabi ng guard on duty dun. Napag utusan lang akong sabihan kayo," she said.

Buti na lang may elevator itong school namin. Kasi kung wala at kailangan naming gamitin ang stairs to the 5th floor, baka kami ang mangailangan ng first aid.

We arrived in the 5th floor and scanned the surroundings. I grabbed the ice box from Karl and instructed him to get the wheelchair stationed near the exit from 5th floor. Nauna na kaming nag jog ni Kyla papunta sa pinanggagalingan ng commotion. When we reached them, I froze.

Justice. Damon. Rivera. Is. The. Patient.

Lord. Hustisya! I can't do this! I screamed in my mind.

Kyla nudged me. She went towards Justice and, coming to my senses, I followed her and tried to disperse the crowd. I could hear my heartbeat pounding against my ears.

"Dan. Ice," Kyla said.

I nodded at her. Ano nga ulit sabi niya? I just looked at her blankly, breathing harshly.

"Dan! Ice box!" Kyla snapped at me. I blinked several times before kneeling next to her. I could feel Justice's gaze on me. I opened the ice box clumsily. What's happening to me?

"Nasiko daw siya sa mukha nung team mate niya," Kyla explained to me. I saw a bruise starting to form in his right cheek.

"Nahilo daw siya ng konti after siyang masiko. Hawakan mo nga itong yelo," Kyla ordered, pressing the ice bag against my hand. I tried to argue but she was gone before I know it. She was talking with the coach of the mens volleyball team.

Speechless, I stared at the ice bag in my hand. I gulped and pressed the ice bag gently on Justice's right cheek, trying my best not to catch his eyes.

Ang gwapo talaga niya!

Okay kalma lang Dan. I started to do deep breathing exercises.

Inhale

Exhale.

I heard a chuckle.

And suddenly, my eyes were glued to his mesmerizing ones.

"Are you okay? You're so red. Do you have a fever?" he remarked, bringing his hand up and pressing it to my cheek.

Kung pula ang mukha ko kanina, siguro blue na ngayon. I. Can't. Breath.

"R-Rain? What is the meaning of this?!" I demand, narrowing my eyes at him.

Rain scoffs and brushes the sleeve of his black suit. I look at him from head to foot. Formal attire suits him well but that blank facial expression has stunned me.

"Really lady? Look closer," Rain says. He walks toward me and crouches down so that we are at eye level with each other.

Boss Wung enters the door, followed by the other three whom he soon ushered out before slamming the door in their faces.

"Big Boss," Wung guy says, looking serious.

Rain ignores him. His eyes travel from my face to my chest. I brace my chest self consciously. Rain draws his eyes back on mine again.

"Look closer lady," Rain repeats.

I spat at him, "I have a name you asshole! Let me out of here!"

He gives me a cold smile and stands up. He looks at his wristwatch with calculated movement before turning to me once again, "Call me Big Boss. If you need anything, ask."

"Then let me free!" I yell.

"But being free is not what you need," he counters before turning his back on me.

I give him a look full of spite. What happened to him? Why does he sound different? The way he walks and carries himself with such authority, even the way he speaks and the tone of his voice, are different.

"Wung. We're moving out. You know what to do," Rain says. Boss Wung nods. He waits until Rain is out of the door before turning his eyes on me.

He reaches for his pocket and withdraws a syringe. My eyes widen. The colorless liquid doesn't look reassuring at all.

No.

"What are you doing to me?! No! Please!" I plead. I try to remove his hand from pinning me on the bed but my struggle is futile.

"Quiet!"

Suddenly, I feel a sharp, stinging sensation in my arm. My vision becomes blurry, my struggles weak. I can barely move my body. There's a light buzz in my ears.

He puts a piece of cloth over my eyes. I can feel him tying the scrap beneath my head. Boss Wung scoops me up and transfers me to what appears like a wheelchair. It is taking all my energy to keep my head upright.

He opens the door and then pushes the wheelchair. As we go, we pass through piles of plywood and rusty old machines. The ceiling is black with soot and the floor has accumulated an inch of dust. They brought me to an old warehouse. I think vaguely.

I wonder where they are going to bring me next.

***



I wake up to a comfortable feeling of warmth and softness. I open my eyes blearily to find myself in another unfamiliar room. It looks cozy and welcoming. Was I rescued?

"You're awake. I'm relieved," says a man I have never seen before. He looks like he's in his 50's, with graying hair and a fatherly smile on his face.

"Who are you?" I blurt out before I can help it. I have been meeting random people lately.

He smiles before answering, "Call me Father Jung. I'm the father of Storm. I'm sure you've met him a while ago. And Rain, whom you've met even earlier."

Who? I frown. I want to ask a lot of things but I feel like all the energy has been sucked out of me.

"I had the maids prepare food for you. Storm told me you didn't eat your food in the warehouse."

 I decide not to open my mouth to speak. Just listen.

"I am so sorry of how they treated you earlier. Don't worry. Those people already got what they asked for. I told them to handle you carefully. After all, it was a rescue mission," he says genially.

My frown deepens. I was rescued? Again?

So everyone wants to play superhero, huh? Why can't they just let me be?! I keep my mum and just continue staring at Father Jung. Judging by his appearance, he looks like a family guy with a lovely wife and adorable children. He gives off an aura of a dad whom you can go to when things go wrong in your life and he will offer you words of wisdom. But then again, maybe I'm just not looking close enough.

It's too early to trust these people. Right now, I don't know who the bad and good guys are.

But then again, maybe they are all bad.

The door opens and we both turn to look at the intruder. He is holding a tray of food.

"Ah, son. Perfect timing. I'm just about to leave. I have a meeting with the board scheduled in ten minutes. I should go," Father Jung says.

He stands up and with a fatherly smile, says, "Hye Kyo this is Storm. Storm, take care of our guest Hye Kyo here. Make her feel at home."

"Sure thing, dad," Storm replies with a dazzling smile, setting the tray at the foot of the bed. He reaches for my hand and kisses it. I wince internally, and a feeling of deja vu washes over me. I don't trust my mouth to speak so I decide that it's better to keep it closed. He looks so handsome when he smiles.

After Father Jung left, I turn to Rain, thinking that it's finally safe to speak, "Why did he call you Storm, Rain? And where is this place? What happened to Joong Ki?"

But I was taken aback for he is suddenly back to his impassive expression, "Don't call me Rain again, lady. I am Storm. Subordinates call me Big Boss. Joong Ki's dead. Finish your food in fifteen minutes and I will tour you around the estate."

He turns to leave but I call out, feeling that I can no longer contain all the information I have been given.

"I don't understand, Rain. Explain to me, please."

"Rain... He's a twin brother I have forgotten a long time ago. It's best if you forget someone who's dead, too."

Stunned with what I heard, I fail to make another response.

"Fifteen minutes," Storm says before getting out of the door.

So much for feeling at home.

"Hye Kyo..."

I can hear a voice calling me, growing fainter and fainter, echoing in the distance.

"Hye Kyo..."

The voice becomes more insistent, louder against my right ear. My breathing quickens. I try to call back but my body feels weak.

"No matter what happens, don't remove your necklace!"

What do you mean? Why would I remove my necklace?

"Don't let them take it!"

Take my what, again?





"THIS is probably the easiest 1 million Won I ever made, Jong," a squeaky voice says before laughing maniacally.

Smack. The laughing stops, followed by a groan of pain.

"Don't count your chicks before the eggs are hatched, you idiot!" another voice counters.

"Those youngsters thought that they can actually outrun us, didn't they Jeong Wung In?" I hear a wheezy voice brag. He laughs loudly before clicking his tongue.

Those words light the bulb in my head. People are talking behind me. People I don't know! I open my eyes and I find myself staring in a blank wall. Trying to make sense of what is happening, I roam my eyes around. I have enough consciousness in me to be careful not to move my head. Where am I? What happened to me? I try to move my hands slowly, but they are bound. Ugh. Again?

"How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that? Call me Boss Wung! And keep your mouth shut! The only reason why I agreed to work with you is because the big boss is getting impatient and you're the only ones who agreed on 1 million Won."

"What do you mean?" the man I think is called Jong asks.

"It means that you're the cheapest morons I have found," Boss Wung announced without hesitation.

A growl.

"Why? Got a problem with that? Or would you rather go back to that dump you call headquarters?"

From the tone of his voice and the way he talks, I can tell that this Boss Wung is a jackass level 999. A sense of pity for his subordinates touches my heart.

"Keep your eyes always on this girl. Remove the cuff and give her food. We will move out as soon as big boss gives us the signal," Jackass Wung instructs.

I hear the door open and close. Locks click. I wait with bated breath, my heartbeat feels like I've been running for hours.

"Oy you! Wake up!" I can feel someone untying the ropes. Another pair of hands is shaking me awake. I act as if his shaking has woken me up. I blink several times before gasping, "Who are you?! Where am I?"

My eyes automatically scan their faces and then the door, which is on my left.

There are three of them. All look strong and well built. Their faces have a shadow of anger I think is attributed to their recent conflict with Boss Wung.

"Don't even think about escaping, young lady. Your two bodyguards are probably floating bloated in the river right now. What makes you think you stand a chance against us?"

My eyes widens. I cannot process what they just told me.

"W-what do you mean? Y-you k-killed them?" I force myself to ask. Impossible!

The guy is only too eager to tell me the story. "Oh yes! We sure did! They put up quite a fight, didn't they? Those stupid alarms had them running towards us like crazy they forgot to get their guns. Two bullets each and they were goners, right Sok?"

"Nah Bo. The other one took five more bullets, I think, before he fell to the river," the guy named Sok recounts, looking at his fingers.

I tremble from head to foot. Those two... Joong Ki and Rain. They're dead? I refuse to believe it! Joong Ki looked so brave and tough. Rain was calm and sharp.

"Enough of the story-telling, boys. Leave her the food and let her cry herself to sleep. Makes our job easier," Jong smirks and leaves. The other two put a tray of food at the side of the bed and follows their leader, locking the door behind them. Bolts of locks click into place before a ringing silence encompasses me.

I don't know why I'm so affected. I have only known those two for two days and yet I'm here, crying my heart out at the news that they are dead. And this entire situation feels so hopeless. The door is impossible to open and there's not a single chance that I will be able to get out of the window when it is sealed with steel bars. Even the tray of food, the glass of water, and the utensils are made of plastic. I don't even have anything I can stab them with.

What is going to happen to me now? I have been crying for what seems like hours. Even the sun is hiding behind a thick layer of dark clouds.

I'm so tired! I want an out! I curl up in fetal position on the bed.

If I can't kill them, maybe I should just kill myself? Maybe I should just hang myself? There's nothing to lose, is there?

I have no parents.

No boyfriend.

No friend.

No one else left to keep me fighting for this life.

I unconsciously feel my neck and I find the strap of my necklace. My heart skips a beat.

"Don't let them take it!"

Something flashes in my memory. My pulse quickens. I feel for the pendant of my necklace, tracing my fingers along the familiar circular shape.

"Hye Kyo! Hye Kyo! No matter what happens, don't remove your necklace!"

Whose voice was it? Now that I think about it, at that moment, it seemed like someone was whispering against my ear.

But why..?

 I cough up to relieve the tightness in my chest.

...why not?

Numb with hopelessness, I remove the necklace from around my neck just as the first droplets of rain beat the roof above me.

And as though watching a movie in fast forward, my eyes widen as flashes after flashes of blood, echoes of gunshot, screams of panic, and feelings of terror envelope me. I lay frozen in swirls of visions I don't know how to stop.

Make it stop! Make it stop!

I close my eyes but I can still hear the screams of people pleading for their lives, their cries of pain, very vivid as though they're real. Are they?

"Hye Kyo! Hye Kyo! No matter what happens, don't remove your necklace!" 

I hear that voice again. Louder now. It's Jong Ki's voice. I recognize it as Jong Ki's voice. With great effort, I put the necklace back around my neck and as abruptly as they started, the visions stop.

I lay paralyzed on the bed, beads of sweat are cold against my skin. My right hand is clutching the bed sheet so tightly that deep creases have formed.

The door opens and with blurry vision, I open my eyes. I cannot believe what I am seeing.

"R-Rain?"

I twist and turn on my bed, trying to find a comfortable sleeping position. Ever since I have laid down, sleep hasn't paid me a visit. I feel so awake. The incident with Song Joong Ki has made me so confused. Wild stuffs keep on popping into my head.

Growling in frustration, I cover my face with the soft pillow,  intending to shut the voices inside my head so that I can finally sleep. Just then, a loud alarm goes off. Red beams of light are flickering fast. My reflexes make me throw the pillow away, but instead of landing on the floor, it hit something else.

Someone else.

Paralyzed in shock, I stare wide-eyed at the silhouettes of two large guys. My eyes trail on the glass door leading to the balcony. It's open and the flimsy white curtain is dancing with the breeze. I open my mouth to scream as I scramble out of the bed.

"Oh Lord! Help! Help!"

But before I can even reach the doorknob, a hand seizes me and stuffs something over my head. All sources of light blacked out. I struggle against my captors. My hands are pinned roughly against my back. My arms hurt. My head feels dizzy. A hand covers my mouth. I can't breathe properly. I'm going to die! I give another brave struggle but suddenly, I feel weak. And then, blackness.

My head feels heavy. There's a slight ringing in my ears. I am lying on something that smells nice and feels comfortably warm. I don't want to get up. Ever. I try to get back to sleep when I vaguely hear a hushed voice saying, "Yes. Things are going as planned..."

Rustle.

"There's nothing to worry about."

Three light footsteps.

"No. We lost them."

Pause. I feel my heartbeat quicken.

"I'll let you know."

A soft beep and everything is quiet.

The ringing in my ears is completely gone now. I keep my eyes closed and pretend to be asleep. Inhaling deeply, I shift to a side-lying position facing my right, dragging the blanket with me.

A door opens and I hear Joongki's voice, "Anything new?"

A bored voice I recognize as Rain's reply, "Nothing. Still asleep. You can take over the shift now."

A door opens and closes again. And then, silence. Keeping my feigned sleeping state, my memory quickly reminds me of the reason why I'm lying in this bed. And I feel even worse. After fainting in front of Joongki, I don't know how I will ever face him again. That is the most embarrassing thing that has every happened to me. He might think I did it on purpose!

Now, how will I get out of here?

I open one eye bleakly and close it back again. I am forced to swallow my own saliva when I feel the right side of the bed dip lower. Suddenly the nice scent I have been inhaling is doubled. I involuntarily take a deep breath.

"Show's over. I know you're awake," I hear Joongki's voice, loud and clear.

I open my eyes and find myself looking at Joongki's smirking face. His eyes are twinkling with amusement. He is also lying on his left side, looking at me. I open my eyes to spout who-knows-what but he beats me to it. With warmer eyes, he asks, "How are you feeling?"

Taken aback by the tone of his voice, I say automatically, "Fine." What's up with this guy? He has a dozen faces I dunno which one is the real him.

"Just fine?" he repeats. Before I can react, he pulls me closer to him and asks, "Is this better?"

My face pressed against his chest, I'm not sure if it's my own heartbeat I'm hearing or his. But one thing is for sure. It's freaking fast and loud against my ears. Thank goodness he has his shirt on because I can swear his hard chest is bigger than mine. I don't know what to say or how to react. This new treatment has caught me off guard. What am I supposed to do now?

Pull away! You idiot. Pull away! Run for your life! My brain is screaming at me but the beating of my heart is louder, drowning it, although I dunno what it's trying to say.

"What are you doing?" I ask, finally unsticking my tongue from the floor of my mouth.

He sighs. Placing a hand on my shoulder, he says casually, "Trying to make you sleep." He starts to massage the muscles of my arm, "Does this help?"

I will probably say yes to a free massage if the situation isn't this confusing and complicated. How can I sleep when all I can hear are the sounds of a loud bass drum? When all I can smell is this intoxicating scent coming from him? I will sleep in my room, thank you. My brain says haughtily.

Before I lose all sense of logic, scramble out of his touch. I eye him apprehensively.

"Are you afraid of me?" he asks, a slight crease forming on his forehead. He looks so handsome with the rays of moonlight from the window illuminating his features. Yes, I'm afraid of you. I cannot have this... whatever this is... towards you when I don't even know what role you play in all of this.

"What are you playing at? One moment you're this narcissistic, arrogant jerk and then next you're an... whatever you are right now. What exactly are you trying to pull?" I demand. I am so exhausted with all the ordeals I've been through for the past 48 hours. I don't need another puzzle to solve.

I walk around the edge of the bed away from him. He follows my movement with his gaze never leaving my eyes.

"I'm only trying to help. But if I'm making you feel uncomfortable..." he shrugs, holding both hands up.

"Thanks for clarifying. I'm capable of taking care of myself," I say, trying to put as much conviction as I can in my words. Without so much as a backward glance, I walk out of his bed and head over to my room downstairs as fast as I can.

Closing the door behind me, and lean against it, clutching my racing heart. Calm the heck down! Oh my goodness what is happening to me? I know he's attractive with those piercing brown eyes, strong jaw, perfect teeth, silky black hair, and Adonis body. Things are already hard to bear as they are without adding his strong, mysterious personality to the equation. Why does he have to show me that side of his personality? Is he playing with my emotions?

What exactly are the reasons why he wants to save me, anyway? Who am I to him? What does it matter to him if I die?

I remain in my seat, trying to digest everything Song Joong Ki and Rain are saying. Until now, no matter how hard I think about this whole thing, it still sounds like a freaking fairy tale!

"You know what, just read the book. If you have further questions, ask Rain," Song Joong Ki tells me.

He hands me the book and leaves. I watch him walk up the stairs to the second floor. Maybe he's going to sleep. Judging by his appearance, he looks tired.

Rain stands up too. "If you need me, I'll be in my room. First door on the left in the second floor. Joong Ki's room is next to mine."

He turns to leave but I call out his name.

"Rain, wait," I say, getting to my feet. "Who else know about this place?"

Rain shrugs. "For now, no one else. But they'll catch up." He stretches his arms. "Eventually."

He turns his back on me and makes his way to his room. What made them think that I will stay in this house? They trust me to stay put? Really? I can just easily walk out of the door.

For some stupid reason, I decide to stay. Curiosity keeps me from running away.

I stare at the book in my hands. It's very old and looks battered. Several pages at the back have been burned badly. The cover is slightly singed.

I flip open the cover. It looks like a short story to me. Foresight, it reads. Those two are idiots. I still can't believe how absurd everything is.

I sit down and begin to read.



The dingy house in darkest part of the town was home to a loving couple who does fortune-telling to make a living.

They had many who supported them--people who could be considered gullible to believe in something that another human being just like themselves foretells. However, in the couple's perspective, these people were blessed with trusting hearts. If it weren't for these trusting people, they would have been in the streets, living off scraps. It wasn't because they were lazy to do hard labor, nor because they hated working for other people.

It was for the pitiful fact that they were blind.



"Wait, my parents were blind?" I mutter. No one told me about this, assuming of course that this is true -- real -- whatever.



The Song couple had never considered themselves unlucky because of their incapacity to see the world. That was, until their little angel was born.

How they wished they could see her and witness for themselves the beautiful angel that people had been commenting on. People had been telling them how pretty their baby girl is.



I roll my eyes. So this isn't me. For one thing: I'm nowhere near pretty and even farther from beautiful angel. Those two got the wrong girl.



They wanted to see her for themselves. But beauty for those who cannot see can only be measured by what the heart can feel.

They named her Hye Kyo.



A cold chill run down my spine and I shiver. I look around consciously, half expecting to see a pair of eyes staring at me but I don't see anyone. I turn my attention back to the book.



Life had never been the same for the Song couple. It changed for the better. People would visit them, this time not only to ask for guidance but to get a glimpse  of their child.

One fateful night, while the couple were enjoying a rest after a long day, a shadow of a man crept up behind them. Two heavy, decisive blows were enough to take the life off them.

It was a chilly night for the people in the darkest part of the town. Some were sympathetic while others went as far as commenting on the couple being frauds. "How come they failed to foresee their own death?" they asked.

The issue went on and on for quite some time. Not a single person witnessed the entire incident but gossipers' speculations were very imaginative.

Little Hye Kyo was taken by a local orphanage. She grew up to be a very pretty young girl but without the warmth that having a family could provide.

She knew only a few things and didn't know even less.

She knew that she had no parents but she didn't know that they were murdered. She knew that she was miserable but didn't know that life would get better, only to get much worse, much sooner.

She knew that she was nobody but didn't know that she had in her something so special.

After spending years in the orphanage, Hye Kyo decided that she didn't want to spend anymore time following strict rules and routines. She left the orphanage with nothing but the dirty shoes under her feet, the ragged clothes that failed to shelter her from the cold, and the necklace with round-shaped pendant filled with curious inscriptions around her neck. With nothing but hope that the way forward would be better than the way back, she walked into the night.



I feel my hands trembling, my vision blurring. Crystal tears fall from my eyes into the fragile pages of the book I am reading.

I can still remember that night, when I left the orphanage. I didn't know where to go, nor did I know what would happen next. I just plucked up the courage to find my fate elsewhere. I slept on cold sidewalks for two nights and plead for food for three days. I continued to walk until I found the abandoned apartment near a gasoline station in a place that I would soon call my hometown.

I tried to find work but no one wanted me. They were repulsed by me. It was a blessing that the owner of the gasoline station took pity on me. I started working there and managed to scrape a living. I was admitted to school after a social worker found out about me and arranged for my education.



The heart of the heavens bled for her and caressed fate to allow her to survive and gain a friend. Hyun Bin was a good man. He was charming, generous and kind. He befriended her and before she knew it, Hye Kyo finally had something, someone who kept her smiling, kept her living.



I barely had enough to live by, not having any friends and hearing harsh derogatory comments whenever I went. That was until I met Hyun Bin. I hear a sob escape me... "I miss him."



Years passed and she was a lot better than she was ten years ago. Hye Kyo learned how to smile, how to be happy, how to dream. But her bright dreams during the day were the complete opposite of the dark ones she had every night. Visions of murder, screams of terror, and feelings of dread dominated her nightmares. She couldn't escape.

Her 18th birthday came  and she was feeling terrible about something she wasn't sure of. Unbeknownst to her, Hyun Bin was already planning to confess his love. For years, he had been with her. He had been supporting her and helping her. He wanted to be something more, wanted what was between them to be something more.

At midnight, as Hye Kyo heard his confession, her heart filled with joy. She was ready to accept him. She needed him. But a terrible headache began to consume her, growing ever more painful, stealing her breath. Before she could even begin to describe, to think of ways to relieve the pain, she slipped into oblivion.

Not knowing what to do, Hyun Bin tried to bring her back to consciousness. Unsuccessful in doing so, he carried her in his arms to her apartment, whispering words of reassurance as he went. He cried for help but no help came.

Just then, a black car stopped before them. He smiled widely, hopeful, thinking that help finally arrived. But when the man opened the door, Hyun Bin found himself paralyzed.

The last thing he saw, before falling lifelessly to the ground, was the shiny muzzle of a gun pointing straight between his eyes.

Unconscious to everything around her, Hye Kyo was taken inside a car, her fate now resides in the hands of the man who is hungry for power.



No. Hyun Bin is not dead. Is he? I turn another leaf only to find a badly burned page. I can't make out anything out of it. No. I refuse to believe it. He's not dead!

I rush towards the next floor as fast as my feet can carry me. Passing the first door on the left that is Rain's room, I stop right outside Joong Ki's bedroom door and pummel it with my fists, screaming, "Hey you! Open this door! Open it now!"

My voice cracking, my sobs echoing across the hall, I continue to shout. I need to know what happened to Hyun Bin after they took me.

After screaming myself hoarse for one full minute, the bedroom door opens, revealing a red-eyed Song Joong Ki. "What are you screaming for?" he asks me, rubbing his eyes. He must have been sleeping. He roams his gaze at me, from my disheveled hair, to my puffy eyes, and finally to the book I'm clutching tightly in my hand.

"Ah. You're finished?" he asks.

"Yes. And I need you to tell me exactly what happened to Hyun Bin. My boyfriend," I demand.

Joong Ki cricks his neck before looking back at me, "Boyfriend huh? Well, your boyfriend is alive. Thanks to me and Rain. I asked Rain to make sure your sorry excuse of a boyfriend  was safe before he followed us to the hotel. You're welcome," he says. Before I can react, he turns on his heels and nudges the door close with his hand.

"Wait! How can I be sure that you're telling the truth? I don't trust you," I say, putting my foot forward to stop the door from closing.

He looks back at me and shrugs lazily, "You don't have to trust me. I'm not asking you to. It's a question of what you love more. Your boyfriend or your life. If you love him, you can go back to him. But that's counterproductive because if you're with him, he will die. And where will you be?" he stops dramatically.

I inhale sharply, trying to calm my nerves. I don't know what to say. He's such a narcissistic, spoiled, evil... Song Joong Ki turns and before I know it, his face is inches away from mine. I can smell the mint in his breath as he says softly and slowly, "I can only save you once, brat. I don't go around saving people who don't want to be saved."

I close my eyes when I feel a sharp pain inside my head. I let the book fall to the floor with a dull thud as I clutch my head in both hands. Everything is spinning. Joong Ki rushes forward, his face etched with an emotion I have never seen in it before. I fell in his arms and in a split second, darkness encompasses me.