Chapter 16: Cottagecore

It was afternoon the next day, and after lunch, Lady Massie pulled me to her favorite spot— the garden full of Azalea flowers. Though I have been here countless times now, I will never get tired of the scenery.

We were sitting under the Maple tree while she busy braiding my hair into one. Pinaglalaruan ko sa aking kamay ang isang bato na pinulot ko kanina.

"I missed this," I heard her whisper with a slight chuckle. "I can't really force Lady Dinah into doing this. It's too feminine for her, she said. Mother, on the other hand, was always busy. I had no one to do this!"

I tossed the rock back and forth on my hand while staring from afar. Mother brought Kristan with her together with Lady Dinah. Mamimitas daw sila ng mga ubas para gawing alak. Hindi ko lang alam kung nasaan si Terrence.

"The good thing about this place is you forget how the time works. We only have day and night. We don't count days. We don't count anything. But I missed you so much that it makes me think you have been gone for too long."

Even I couldn't remember it. I have been here even before I became a model. Before I had built another personality for Nathalia Cardinal.

"We only have a never-ending cycle of a single month," she even added.

Their calendar only had one month in it. They don't count how many months have passed. There are just days in a month which is thirty. No year. Sometimes it doesn't even matter.

"Is this why you agree to come with Terrence?" I questioned. "For a change."

I noticed that caught her off guard. Panandalian siyang natigilan sa pagtirintas ng buhok ko.

"You can say that." She finally tied the end of my hair, marking the end of braiding it. "But I was never really interested in the outside world until him. Maybe I just find the courage in him."

"Your turn," I said.

Ako naman ang tumayo at siya ang pumalit sa pwesto ko. It's always challenging for me to braid her hair since it's curly. Instead of binding it all into one, I tend to braid her hair into three parts then tie it into one that ends up like a bun.

"I still wonder what made you fall in love with Terrence," I said with a chuckle. I didn't want to sound like falling in love with him was a bad idea, but it was.

"He's a gentleman," she simply responded, but I could picture her smiling all ears. Her voice was hopeful and dreamy. Tragic.

"All men could be gentle if they would like to," I said with a grunt. "Is there any unique characteristics of him you find to yourself attracted of?"

I bit my bottom lip when that question silenced her. Hopefully, I didn't sound so against the idea of her dating him. Or worse, being with him.

"He's just like you," she finally said. "Mysterious and a walking puzzle. But I find him fun to be with. There was never a dull moment when I was with him."

That's somehow true. Damn. I was once fell into that trick. Yeah. I call it a trick because it's all at first. After the fun came the horrifying nightmare. I didn't want that to happen with Lady Massie. She's too vulnerable to overcome such a horrendous experience.

"How about you and Kristan?"

I suddenly saw myself in her when I caught her off guard with my question about Terrence earlier. Ang pinagkaiba lang namin ay wala dapat na nakakagulat kay Kristan. I already explained that he's nothing but a friend of mine.

"I think the man is into you."

"All men are into me, Lady Massie."

"Yeah. I noticed."

Her answer felt sarcastic. My lips parted. "It was a joke, Lady Massie. I don't think Kristan likes me. He's just a gentleman and kind to anyone."

"He likes you, Lady Nathalia." My attention abruptly shifted to Terrence. He was biting the stem of the Azalea flower while staring down at Lady Massie.

I watched him kneel for Lady Massie. Magalang na inabot niya ang Azalea flower na kanina ay nakaipit sa kanyang mga labi. That chivalry move made Lady Massie chuckle.

I sighed in silence. Hanggang kailan niya ba paninidingan ito?

"That's so sweet of you, Terrence," I said, giggling. "Not everyone has the courage to give flowers to their girlfriends. Especially Azalea."

Lady Massie laughed. "I appreciate it, Terrence. Thank you."

Umupo sa tabi ni Lady Massie si Terrence kaya lumipat ako ng pwesto sa kabila. Umakbay pa si Terrence sa kanya kaya naramdaman kong dumampi sa binti ko ang kanyang braso.

"What's that?" he asked, referring to braiding.

"The usual thing Lady Nathalia and I used to do. I think I had already told you about this before, hadn't I?"

Terrence looked up at me but I forbid to meet his gaze. Tinuon ko ang atensyon sa buhok ni Lady Massie. Naramdaman kong dumampi uli ang braso ni Terrence sa binti ko. I moved away.

"I don't remember," walang ganang sagot ni Terrence.

"No way. You were so interested in Lady Nathalia back then!"

"That's because I was worried for you. Azalea Village is so welcoming that I find it scary sometimes. You welcome everyone."

"That's the reason why they let you in," I said. "Something to be thankful about."

"Do you think they will forbid me here if they check my background first?" Terrence asked me. He sounded joking, but he wasn't.

"How would I know? I didn't know you until a few days ago," I said, finishing the braid. "In fact, you know me longer than I do with you."

"That's right. I used to talk about you to Terrence," Lady Massie agreed.

Bumuntonghininga ako nung matapos sa pagtirintas kay Lady Massie. Umikot ako papunta sa harapan nila. I even smiled at them.

"I think we are done. I might as well leave you two alone. I don't want to ruin your private moment," pabiro ko pang sinabi.

"Thank you, Lady Nathalia," nakangiting batid ni Lady Massie.

I turned my back to them and started walking away and back to the house. I don't think they are back from harvesting grapes, but I would rather stay inside and read a book than be with Lady Massie and Terrence.

I don't think this scripted character of Terrence will last long. He's like the most impatient man I know. It's just a matter of time before he finally jumps to his next plan.

I took a quick shower and wrapped the bathrobe around my naked body. I was about to open the shower door to go out when I felt someone's presence inside my room. It's definitely not Lady Dinah. Not Kristan.

What is he doing here?

I took a deep breathe before twisting the doorknob open. Naabutan kong nakaupo sa kama ko si Terrence. Hawak niya ang librong babasahin ko sana pagkatapos maligo.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I don't love her."

Hinigpitan ko ang kapit ng bathrobe sa katawan ko. I don't feel anyone's presence around aside from him. Wala pa rin sina Kristan. Fortunately.

"Where's Lady Massie?"

"She stays there." He finally put down the book and looked straight at me. There was a smirk on his lips, and I didn't understand it. "Were you jealous?"

My lips parted. "Jealous?"

He stood but maintained the distance between us. He looked so sure of whatever his thoughts were. He's doing it again— believing that his thoughts are also reality. When in fact, they are the complete opposite of possibilities.

I laughed scornfully. "I'm not dumb, Mr. Maniago. I know your purpose from the very start. This act. Your words. This scene."

"What do you want me to do?" he shrugged.

"I have nothing to do with you. Get out."

"Do you want me to stop?"

I shook my head. "Believe me when I say, I don't care, Terrence. Do you want to play? I hate to break it to you, but I don't want to participate in it."

He abruptly appeared in front of me, and before he could even touch me, I kicked his stomach and held him on his neck, and roughly leaned his back against the wall. The bathrobe covering my body fell to the floor, but I didn't mind it.

"Don't... touch... me," I said in every word.

Nanatiling bagsak ang kanyang mga braso sa gilid at tila walang balak na lumaban. Sa halip ay nagawa pa nga niyang ngumisi sa akin. He eyed me from head to toe.

"I am not playing..." Hinigpitan ko ang pagkakasakal sa kanya. His lips winced. "I am done playing."

"You are so gorgeous," he said. "I don't know who to thank for making you a vampire because I can live just to be fascinated by your grace forever."

Binitiwan ko siya saka binuksan ang pinto. Balak kong palabasin siya ngunit nagulat ako nung makita kung sino ang nakatayo roon.

"L-Lady Dinah..." I stuttered.

Her lips were slightly parted. The look on her face says a lot about what she's heard. I tried to grab her arm, but she stepped back.

"Damn," I heard Terrence mutter a curse.

"W-where's Lady Massie?" Lady Dinah asked.

The horrified look on her face and her only question— she wouldn't let us get near Lady Massie anymore. I bet she wouldn't even keep this secret.

I messed up. Damn.

"Where the hell is my sister?!" her voice was more aggressive now, and I understood. "I am asking you two. Nasaan ang kapatid ko?"

I looked at Terrence. He was casually sitting on my bed and not minding about the chaos this could bring to us. But then again, why the hell should he be worried? This is what he intended to do!

"Let me explain, Lady Dinah—"

"No!" she shook her head. "No more explanation."

There was a little bit of disappointment in the way she stared at me. I couldn't blame her. Fuck. I couldn't even make up a story just to calm her down.

"I just knew something about you two was... off." She eyed us with disgust. "Nahirapan akong pag-isipan ka ng masama, Nathalia. But... you failed me. You failed us!"

I grabbed her arm, and when I successfully had a grip on her, I pulled him into my room and locked the door. She tried to get out, but I blocked the doorway.

"What is this?" she asked angrily.

"You heard us," kawal na sagot ni Terrence.

Lady Dinah turned to him. Her fists were tightly clenched. Napasandal na lang ako sa likod ng pinto at hindi alam kung ano ang gagawin.

Sira na ako sa kanila.

"You never loved my sister. You just used her!" aniya kay Terrence.

Terrence frowned. "She's beautiful. I liked her in bed. Is that not enough?"

"You—" Lady Dinah let out a sigh. She turned to me. "Fine. Let me out, and I promise not to tell anyone about what I just found out."

I shook my head. This is just one of her lies. Hindi niya palalampasin ang nalaman na ito. Alam kong sira na ako sa lugar na ito, pero ayokong umalis nang hindi nagtatagumpay sa plano.

I know it's impossible to leave this place and expect them to welcome me still. But I might as well end my business here by ending Terrence's too.

"Please?" she begged.

I stood still and hopeless.

"I'm sorry..." I said, tragically.

She tried to push me but something stopped her. Bago pa bumagsak si Lady Dinah sa sahig ay nasalo na siya ni Terrence.

I gasped. "W-what did you do?"

I noticed that there was a small piece of wood stuck on her back.

"Easy. Mawawalan lang siya ng malay," balewalang sabi ni Terrence. Binuhat niya si Lady Dinah at hiniga sa kama ko. "She's just unconscious. But she's fine."

Natikom ang bibig ko. What the hell just happened?

"Her consciousness will back in an hour or two," ani Terrence saka humarap sa akin. "If that happens, I don't think I can still stop her."

"Then, do something!"

His eyes narrowed. "I don't take orders. Even it's from you, milady."

That means... I need to say something.

Fuck this man!

He casually sat down beside Lady Dinah. He even managed to caress her hair like he wasn't the reason why she was unconscious.

"W-what do you want?" I asked, finally giving in to the idea that I needed to do something for him.

That caught his attention just as I expected. Isang nakakalokong ngiti ang sumilay sa kanyang mga labi na parang matagal niyang hinintay ang pagkakataon na ito.

"I want you to tell Lady Massie that you like me," he said casually.

Fucking asshole! I kind of expected that he would say something horrendous, but I still didn't expect it to be like this. But I don't have any other option.

"Tell my girlfriend that you love me," he even added. "I would love to hear from your lips that you love me. That's all, Nathalia."

"Deal," I said without thinking of anything else.

He was on edge while I was clinging to him.

His brows arched. "When should I expect it?"

"First thing tomorrow. I can't say it today. We have to deal about Lady Dinah first."

"Sure." He carried Lady Dinah in his arms. "Ako na ang bahalang magtago sa kanya. But this won't last, Nathalia. After you admit that you like me, I will also admit that I like you, too. We will leave after. It's better to leave this place that way than them knowing how you betrayed them, right?"

No words escaped my lips. He nodded at me before disappearing into thin air. Napaupo ako sa kama at nakahiga.

Madiin akong napapikit. Shit.

I don't want to break her heart.

And I won't.

I sighed and calmed myself. My plan still stands.

Nakarinig na ako ng mga yabag kaya nagbihis na ako. Naabutan kong nagtatawanan sina Lady Tania at Kristan na sa kusina.

Kristan was the first one who noticed me. Alam kong nakabawi na ako pangyayari kanina, pero nangunot pa rin ang noo ni Kristan na parang may napansin. He stared me like he knew what I did.

I hate it. I hate how he makes me feel like he can see right through me. I am covered in different layers brought by my long history. Yet he makes it easy to notice even my slightest changes.

"Nathalia. Here, have a taste." Lady Tania handed me a glass of wine. "Kristan helped me with everything. As much as I don't want to feel sad that you two need to leave soon, his gentle company is something I will surely miss."

I sipped on my wine without looking at Kristan.

"I will do all the job here, Mother. Please have a rest," I heard Kristan.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, mother."

I couldn't help but to look at them. Hinaplos pa ni Lady Tania ang pisngi ni Kristan bago lumapit sa akin. Hinalikan niya ako sa noo bago umalis ng kusina.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Of course, why?" I asked.

I sat down and poured myself more wine.

"Where's Terrence?"

I shrugged.

I didn't want to think of anything else now. I am still unsure if Kristan could really get into my head, and I didn't want to risk it.

"Have some bread." He placed a plate full of bread on the table. "Are you sure you are good?"

I bit a small portion of the bread before I turned to him. "I am. What makes you think I am not? How about you? Mukhang nag-enjoy ka ah?"

"Yeah." He sat on the chair across me. Pinatong niya sa ibabaw ng lamesa ang mga nakasalikop na kamay. "I really like the simplicity of this place."

Even with wine, I still had a hard time swallowing the bread. My body felt weak. Maybe because the blood we drink here is mainly from animals, and I haven't had a good rest. I need fresh human blood to recuperate my strength.

"You really fell in love with this place, huh?" I smirked at him.

He shrugged. "Maybe. Don't you like this place?"

"I do. But I don't think I want to live here."

He chuckled. "What an irony. You look like a classic woman who prefers classic places."

"I am never classic, Mr. Cottagecore Soul."

I stood and walked to the sink. Hinugasan ko ang pinag-inuman ko at pagkaharap ko ay gumulat sa akin ang mukha ni Kristan. Hindi ko napansin na nakalapit na pala siya sa akin.

"You don't look good at all," he noticed.

I looked straight into his eyes. "We are leaving soon."

He didn't say a word. I didn't know if he opposed that idea, but it really seemed like that based on his earlier remarks and how he described this village.

I am about to ruin something... again.

"You can stay here if you want," I said.

One swift move, he pressed his lips into mine. I was about to push him away, but he grabbed my hands and wrapped them around his neck. I was too weak even to resist, or maybe some part of me didn't want to resist at all.

His kiss was gentle but refreshing.

I felt something while kissing him. It felt like... this was all I needed. His kiss gave me comfort that I never thought I needed. And I don't want to miss this.

I don't want to leave this place without him.

Someone coughed. We immidiately parted. Napatingin ako kay Lady Massie na kapapasok lang galing sa likod ng bahay. Nakangiti pa siya sa amin.

"Can I have some wine, please?" she said.

Mabilis na kumilos si Kristan para bigyan siya ng alak. Kinuha ko naman ang pagkakataon na 'yon para umalis na. Binalikan ko pa ng tingin si Lady Massie. Kinindatan pa niya ako.

I went to my room and sat on the edge of the bed. Where did he take her?

I looked outside the window. Hapon na rin pala. That means... my plan will start a few hours from now. Walang rason para hindi ako magtagumpay rito.

But whether my plan turns successful or not, I don't think I can still return to this place. Terrence was right. I would rather leave this place in chaos than be known as a traitor. That's worse.

We had dinner. Nakauwi na rin si Terrence pero hindi na kami nag-usap ulit. Napansin ni Lady Tania na bakante ang upuan ni Lady Dinah.

"Where's Lady Dinah?" Lady Tania asked.

I focused on my food instead. I didn't lift my gaze the whole conversation. Saka... hindi ko rin naman alam ang sagot. Hindi ko alam kung saan dinala ni Terrence si Lady Dinah.

"She's probably with her friends again," Lady Massie frowned.

"I see." Lady Tania didn't talk about Lady Dinah anymore. Si Kristan ang bukambibig niya. Natatawa na nga lang si Kristan eh.

After dinner, I went directly to my room. Hindi na ako tumulong sa pag-aayos. Nag-ayos ako ng sarili at agad na humiga sa kama.

I'm anxious. Hopefully, this goes well.

I heard the door open, but I didn't open my eyes. Bumigat ang gilid ng kama ko kaya alam kong umupo siya roon. He stared at me for a moment.

"I brought you drink," Kristan said.

"I am not thirsty."

"You don't really look good. Please, have some."

As much as I didn't wan to get up, I had to prove to him that I was good. Magiging magulo mamaya at ayokong isipin niya na 'yon ang gumugulo sa akin.

He handed me the glass. Nung maamoy ko ang alak ay napatingin ako kay Kristan. Nakangiting tumango lang siya sa akin.

I gulped the drink straight. It wasn't just a wine. Hinalo niya ang kanyang dugo rito. Nag-init ang katawan ko nung mga sandaling 'yon.

"What's bothering you?" he asked.

I shook my head. "Nothing. I just need to absorb your blood in my system fully."

I wasn't prepared when he suddenly reached for my face. He caressed my cheek and down to the side of my lips. I assumed I had a stain of drink there.

"You look so soft when you don't feel good," he chuckled.

"I am good."

"You don't have to be strong all the time, Nathalia. It's fine. I am here. Remember why you revived me? This is the reason. You are safe with me."

I swallowed all his words down in my throat. I think I really need to rest. I am acting over my usual character. I am feeling shitty.

He stood and prepared to leave.

"Wait..." I said.

He turned to me but didn't say a word.

"Can you sleep with me?" I asked.

Without saying anything, he put down the glass on the side table. He laid beside me and pulled the comforter to cover half of our body.

"You can close your eyes now..." he whispered.

His voice sounded like a lullaby.

Fuck.

I really need to get some rest.