Chapter 2: Mess

Sa bungad pa lang ay sinalubong ko na agad si Brixton. I was about to hug him, but I stepped back when I saw the stain of blood on his shirt.

I mentally rolled my eyes. Ano na naman kaya ang pinagawa ni papa sa kanya? Aalis siyang malinis, babalik na puno ng dugo. Minsan na nga lang din akong umuwi rito tapos bihira ko pa siya madatnan.

"Hey, brother," I greeted him.

He ignored me.

As usual.

I have two brothers, but their personalities are completely opposite. One is welcoming and the other doesn't like engagements. That usually leads to chaos. I hate being the eldest.

Nilagpasan niya lang ako dirediretsong naglakad. Natigilan lang siya nung makita si Kristan. Agad na nangunot ang kanyang noo bago bumaling sa akin.

I chuckled. "Do you know him?"

"Nathalia..." Madiin na banggit niya sa pangalan ko.

"What?" I arched my brows. "I can do anything I want, Brixton! Saka dapat lang na meron ding magsisilbi sa akin katulad ninyo ni Oscar."

"I killed him for a reason!"

"And I revived him for a reason, too!" I retorted back. "Why do you care now, Brix? For as long as I know, you stop caring about someone after you kill him."

Nah. I am playing dumb. Alam na alam ko kung bakit tutol siya sa pagbuhay ko kay Kristan. It's probably because of his slave, Astra. He has issues with her since from the very beginning. Not like Astra is the problem. I love that woman. It's my bother and his tower-level ego.

Brix sighed. "Don't let Astra know about this."

"Kaya nga aalis na kami bukas..." Hinatak ko ang braso ni Kristan sa tabi ko dahil baka kung ano pa ang gawin ni Brix. "Don't worry, Brix. Astra won't know that I revived his best friend. Alam ko kasing mas lalo siyang magagalit sa 'yo. Ayoko namang mangyari 'yon."

Tumalikod na si Brix saka na umalis.

"How many brothers do you have?" Kristan asked.

"Just two. Let's leave now."

I am done waving my goodbye to them. Hindi ko alam kung kailan ako ulit makakabalik. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang madadatnan ko sa pagbabalik ko.

This has been my life for a decade now.

Nauna akong pumasok sa loob ng sasakyan. Sumunod naman agad sa akin si Kristan. Sa huling pagkakataon ay pinagmasdan ko ang mansion.

Goodbye for now, brothers. Please take care of yourselves.

Habang nasa biyahe ay palinga-linga sa akin si Kristan.

I sighed. "Spill it."

"Who is Astra?"

Just as I thought.

"Your best friend and my brother's slave."

I looked at him. I could see the frustration in his eyes.

I would protect my peace at all costs. That's also the reason why I don't want to invade someone else's privacy as much as possible. But I dove into his mind to read some of his thoughts.

It's exhausting...

It's over flowing with curiosity and frustration that he doesn't remember anything. Sa dami ng mga tanong niya ay tila napagod ding akong basahin ang mga 'yon.

"Posible pa bang bumalik ang mga alaala ko?" tanong niya.

I shook my head. "Even if it's possible, I don't think it's good for you. The only thing you can do now is to accept who you are and let your past memories be forgotten forever. You are not who you were back then, Mr. Admiral."

He sighed. Tumango siya saka na lang bumaling sa labas ng bintana.

No. He won't let go of his past just like that.

May isa pa pala akong sadya bago tuluyang umalis bukas. I waved my goodbye to Astra. Nag-usap kami sa harapan ng sasakyan ko kung saan alam kong nakatingin din sa amin si Kristan. But I bet he has no clue that the woman I am talking to is his best friend. Tragic.

"I am leaving, Sis Astra." I pouted.

"Ngayon na?"

I could see the horror in her eyes to be left alone here. Just like Kristan, she's still new in this world. Brix has been outrageously rude to her since then. But that's also the reason why I am comfortable to leave her here. Be worried if he doesn't talk to you.

"Nothing can hurt you as long as you are Brix's. Well... except his words," I told her.

That's true. Brix will never hurt the innocent ones. He can scare the hell out of you, but not physically hurt you. Astra is lucky after all.

I am done here.

Habang paalis kami sa lugar na 'yon ay napansin kong nakayuko lang si Kristan. Pinaglalaruan niya ang kanyang mga daliri.

Napailing na lang ako. Tragic.

Nag-retouch ako habang nasa biyahe. Hindi na rin kumibo si Kristan hanggang sa makabalik kami sa hotel na tinutuluyan. Bukas din ay aalis na kami.

New York City will be our home starting tomorrow.

"Hindi ba tayo mag-iimpake ng mga damit?" tanong ni Kristan habang nilalagyan ako ng facial mask. "I thought we are going to leave tomorrow?"

Hindi ako kumibo. Nakapikit ang mga mata ko habang nakahiga. I need to rest. My stay here has been stressful. Ayoko namang bumalik ng New York na dry ang mukha.

"Okay. I will do it for you—"

"No need, Kristan."

I don't carry luggage full of clothes. Whenever I am going on a trip, I just bring my favorite jewelry, perfume, make-up, and cards. That's all. Someone else does that job for me.

I heard him sigh. "I will leave you for now. Magpahinga ka muna."

Naghintay pa siya ng sagot ko, pero nung hindi ako kumibo ay naramdaman kong tumayo na rin siya. Narinig ko ang pagbukas at sarado ng pinto.

I let out a sigh. Wala pa rin siyang sigla.

We can't leave like this.

I need to do something.

I came up with something. Bumangon ako saka inalis ang facial mask sa mukha. Kumuha ako ng sweater saka kinuha ang susi ng sasakyan ko.

"Where are you going?" tanong ni Kristan.

I faced him. "I will help you remember your past."

That stunned him. "R-really?"

"You will try." I sighed in exasperation.

"How's that?"

Oh, my feels! He really looked so interested.

"Remember the woman I was talking to earlier?" I asked.

He winced. "I'm sorry..."

Oh, he didn't notice her.

"Grab yourself a hoodie. Come on!"

Patakbo siyang bumalik sa loob ng kwarto. Napabuga na lang ako ng hangin.

I can't believe I am doing this. I should be resting now, and not taking care of someone who should be taking care of me instead! This is ridiculous.

This is the last time I am going to do him a favor.

Since Kristan doesn't know how to drive yet, I drove for us. This is also the first time someone made me his driver. Ako ang laging pinagmamaneho!

"Who is it?" excited na tanong niya.

"It's Astra. Your best friend."

"Oh, shit. Do you think she will remember me?"

Mabilis kong inapakan ang break nung marinig ang tanong niya. Bumusina ang sasakyan sa likod namin dahil muntik na itong bumangga. Tinabi ko muna sa gilid ang sasakyan.

"You are stressing me..." I smiled.

"Sorry..."

"You will look at her from afar, Kristan. Hindi mo siya lalapitan. You will try to remember her without talking to her."

He swallowed. "Paano kung hindi ko siya maalala?"

"Then, crap the bullshit. Stop thinking about your past anymore. Like I told you... it won't good anything to you. Look at you know. You are bothered."

He nodded. "I get it."

"Hopefully..."

"I promise, Milady. Kapag hindi ko siya maalala ay titigilan ko na ang paghalungkat sa nakaraan ko. I will be contented with what I know."

Oh, my feels!

That put a smile on my face.

I drove him to the place where his best friend is currently residing in. Naabutan namin sila sa labas ng kanilang bahay. May kausap siyang isang babae at isang lalaki. The guy looked familiar, hindi ko lang matandaan kung saan ko siya nakita.

"That's her..." I said.

We watched them from afar. Nilingon ko si Kristan na titig na titig kay Astra. I don't think he recognizes her. That won't happen.

"Where are you going? Stay here!" Napapikit ako nung hindi ko siya napigilang lumabas. Napabuga na lang ako ng hangin habang nakatingin sa kanya.

Why did I even revive this man?

Pumasok na sa loob ng bahay sina Astra at ang pamilya niya yata. Saka naman tumayo si Kristan sa harapan ng bahay nila.

Kinabahan ako. Oh, shit. Just don't let her see your face!

Lumuwag ang paghinga ko nung maglakad na pabalik sa sasakyan si Kristan. Pagkapasok niya ay inalis niya ang hood sa ulo saka sumandal.

"So..." I anticipated.

"I don't remember her." He sighed.

"I told you..." I rolled my eyes.

"That's it." He turned to me. Bahagya pa akong nagulat sa pagngiti niya. "I will try not to think about my past anymore. I will focus more on you this time, Lady Nathalia."

Oh, finally!

Just like that, we peacefully flew to New York City using my private airplane. I should be sleeping throughout the flight, but I found myself wide awake and watching Kristan's expression. Manghang-mangha siya habang nakatingin sa mga ulap.

Hopefully, the new environment will help him ease his chaotic mind. Though I don't really blame him for insisting to remember his past.

We have finally arrived in the airport. There were two guards waiting for me outside the plane. They escorted us to the private exit. Just to make sure no paparazzi could notice me, I wore my shades and hat.

We were welcomed by my manager, Roman Hando. Malayo pa lang kami ay nakatitig na siya sa kasama kong lalaki. He watched him with full of scrutiny.

"Nathalia, my baby!" Hinila niya ako para halikan sa pisngi. Habang hindi siya nakatingin ay inikutan ko siya ng mga mata. "I missed you!"

"Oh, I missed you more!" I faked a smile.

"Welcome back! How's your vacation?"

"Oh, my feels! It's a long story..."

He turned to Kristan. "She's fine now. You may go now. Thank you."

Kristan stood still.

I laughed. "He's my personal bodyguard, Hando."

"Your what?!" His eyes widened.

I nodded. "My personal bodyguard."

"Wait. Bakit hindi ko 'to alam?" Bumaling siya uli kay Kristan saka sinuro ang katawan. "His built is not even for body guards. Are you kidding me, Miss Cardinal?"

"I chose him personally. I need to rest now."

"Are you for real?"

I sighed. "I'm dead serious."

"I serve her," Kristan said.

Napalunok si Hando. "I don't know what to say. I can give you a better one—"

"I am the best for her," Kristan cut him off.

Napahilot sa sintido si Hando. Pero sa huli ay wala na rin siyang nagawa. Pinagmaneho niya kami sa condo na tutuluyan namin. It was a relief that no camera has captured me yet. I can't entertain anyone right now.

"Okay na ba sa 'yo 'tong place?" tanong ni Hando.

I roamed my eyes around the condo. It's bigger than my previous one. It also has a second floor. The main theme of the interior is white and red, exactly how I want it to be.

"Yeah." I turned to Hando. "What's my schedule?"

"I will send it to you later," he said. "Sigurado ka na ba talaga sa kanya?"

Napatingin ako kay Kristan na nakatingin sa labas ng bintana. Nakatanaw siya sa mga nagtataasang building sa labas.

"Yeah. I am."

"Does he know?" he whispered.

"Of course. Do you really think I will get myself a human bodyguard?"

Not like I am underestimating the ability of humans, pero parang gano'n na nga. What can they even do? Kaya ba nilang sumagip ng bala ng baril nang walang bullerproof vest? O tumamo ng sampong saksak sa dibdib?

"If that's the case, then I will leave you, then. Check your email, please?"

I nodded. "Thank you, Roman."

Nakita ko ang pandidiri sa mukha niya nung banggitin ko ang kanyang pangalan. Tumalikod na rin siya saka lumabas ng condo ko.

I sighed in relief. No more nuisance.

Kristan was still busy enjoying the view. He looked so fascinated.

There were three rooms here. Of course, I still want to have a private room. Kristan has his own. And also one guest room. Not like I invite guests in my territory. This is the first time I will share my place with someone.

While Kristan was busy staring outside, I went to my room and prepared for a quick shower. I barely feel sleepy, but sometimes I force myself to sleep. Not like I really need it to have clear skin. Like... duh? I just need fresh blood for that.

I sleep to avoid any interactions.

Nung matapos akong maligo ay lumabas ako ng kwarto para silipin si Kristan. Wala na siya sa gilid ng bintana. Naabutan ko siya sa second floor. He's busy reading a book.

"I didn't know you are into books," I said.

Umangat sa akin ang tingin niya. Tiniklop niya ang librong binabasa saka tumayo.

"Do you want something?" he asked.

I shook my head. "Matutulog ako. Don't go outside yet."

"I will stay here..."

I nodded. "Keep yourself busy."

Bumalik na ako sa kwarto para magpatuyo ng buhok. I took my phone out of my purse. Hando sent me the schedule for this week. Napahinga ako nang malalim nung makitang may schedule ako mamaya para sa isang magazine photoshoot.

I smiled. I'm really back.

I had a good nap. Ngunit paglabas ko ng kwarto ay hindi ko naabutan si Kristan. Wala rin siya sa second floor. Napamura ako sa isipan.

I told him not to leave!

Lalabas na sana ako nung mapansin ang mga kalat sa sahig. Mga pagkain. Malamang na may nagdala ng pagkain dito kaya binuksan ni Kristan ang pinto.

I immediately went to my room. Kinuha ko ang cell phone ko.

One message from Hando:

"I ordered you food just in case. See you later!"

I cursed under my breath.

Patakabo akong lumabas ng condo unit ko. I was about to take the elevator when I noticed the stains of blood on the marble floor of the hallway. Sinundan ko ang dugo at dinala ako nito sa isang rest room sa bandang dulo.

Oh, shit!

I opened the door. Naabutan kong nakaupo si Kristan sa bandang dulo. Nanginginig siya. Puno ang katawan niya ng dugo. May isang walang buhay na lalaki sa sahig.

"I-I'm sorry..." he whispered.

I contacted Hando on my phone.

"Have you received the food—"

"I need you here. Now."

"What? What happened?"

I closed my eyes.

"Right now, Hando." I ended the call.

I sighed as I stared at the dead body.