Chapter 25: The Mansion

I almost forgot that The Unus is still a thing. It's an annual event held by Nightfall Clan wherein all other clans are invited to celebrate union and peace.

"Lilly's getting better." Kristan stood beside me. Hawak na niya sa kanyang braso si Lilly. Nakangiting bumati siya kay Mr. Billy. "Hello, Sir. How are you?"

"I'm pleased to see you good, Mr. Admiral." Mr. Billy beamed a practiced smile on his lips. He's a vampire too and my father's right hand, but sometimes, he's more like a robot.

I turned around to see Hestia, still standing under the covered area and looking so terrified to step into the daylight.

"You didn't take fresh blood, did you?" I rolled my eyes.

"I really think the Philippines isn't good for vampires, is it?" she asked. "Hello, Mr. Sandoval. I think I need an umbrella!"

"I will get you one in the car!" ani Mr. Sandoval.

Sumama na kami ni Kristan papunta sa sasakyan para si Mr. Billy na lang ang bumalik para sunduin si Hestia. Nakasimangot ako habang si Kristan ay kinakausap ang pusa.

"Behave, Lilly. You are not allowed to wander around, do you hear me?" I heard him say. "Gusto mong kainin ka nila?"

Good thing he's aware that bringing his cat into the world of vampires is an absurd idea. Lilly is technically food. I just hope he will keep an eye on her.

It was freezing inside the car. Kristan and I sat in the back seat while Mr. Billy came back to fetch the burning vampire. What was she thinking by thinking coming back here unprepared was a good idea? She could have gulped a gallon of fresh blood before she agreed!

"Come out." Nilabas ni Kristan si Lilly mula sa pet bag saka inupo sa kanyang kandungan. "Are you hungry? I forgot to bring you some food."

One more thing. The Unus. Sa tingin ko ay wrong timing ang pag-uwi ko. Now that I am here, I'm sure father will try to lure me again just to attend the said boring decade-old shitty event.

Union and peace? There's no such thing as long as we are divided by clans. Alam ko naman na ang pakay lang ni Papa ay ang magyabang sa ibang pangkat. They will shake hand and stab each other's back later.

"Hey." Kristan captured my attention. Medyo nagulat pa ako dahil nung pagkaharap ko ay nakangiti siya sa akin. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For letting Lilly stay in your room?"

I just nodded.

What's to be grateful about that? I first declided to help them. Wala rin naman sa intensyon ko na iligtas ang alaga niya kaya ko pinanatili sa loob.

Sa hindi kalayuan ay natanaw ko na si Hestia na naglalakad habang may hawak na payong. Napangiwi pa ako dahil napansin kong umuusok ang kanyang balat dahil sa tindi ng init.

"Why is she so stupid?" I asked in disbelief.

"That must hurt," Kristan said, and I agreed.

"Not just painful, but also bad for the skin."

Nagmadaling sumakay sa tabi ng driver's seat si Hestia. Mabilis na naghubad siya ng damit at jeans hanggang sa matira na lang ay bra.

"Oh, fucking hell. I'm burning!" she screeched.

"Do you need some help?" Kristan asked.

My brows automatically rose in disbelief that he had the guts to ask that question while looking straight at her, almost half-naked. She's literally just wearing a bra and panties.

"Here, Hestia." Inabutan siya ni Mr. Billy ng pack of ice. "I just thought Lady Nathalia would need one, but I think she's fine. You can use it."

"Thank you so much, Mr. Billy!" she said.

Sumulyap ako kay Kristan na nakangiti habang nakatingin pa rin kay Hestia. I had to press the button beside me so the cover separating the front seat and back seat would fall in between.

"Enough show," I mumbled.

"Enough what?" he asked.

I bobbed my head. "Nothing."

"Are we good to go now?" Mr. Billy asked over the speaker.

"Yes, please!" I said.

Habang nasa byahe ay nagpababa si Lilly kaya gumapang siya sa binti ko. Nakatayo siya habang nakahawak sa binti ko at nakatingin sa akin.

"Nagpapabuhat ba siya sa 'yo?" nagtatakang tanong ni Kristan. "I think she likes you now!"

I just confusedly gawked at the cat who was trying to climb on my lap. Do cats have the capability to like and dislike someone? I don't understand.

"She's not scared of you anymore." Kristan sounded so amazed. "Give it a try!"

Yumuko ako saka kinuha si Lilly. Inupo ko siya sa kandungan ko. Napangiwi ako nung dinikit niya ang likod sa akin saka humiga at pumikit.

"She's sleeping..." bulong ni Kristan.

"I'm not a bed."

I had no idea why I mimicked his low voice. It was as if I was afraid that I might wake her up while she was scandalously sleeping on my lap.

"She's comfortable in your lap." He leaned forwards to kiss the top of her head. Then, he looked back at me, smirking maliciously. "I understand it well."

I swallowed. "Kailan ang huling ligo niya?"

"Probably two days ago?"

Okay. At least.

It took us almost two hours to reach The Manion. In that span of time, my vampire sickness struck me again. I let a pest rest on my lap. No one would believe that happened.

Mr. Billy halted the car just exactly where I wanted— on the walkway and beside my red roses. I almost cried when I saw them blooming and so red.

Lumapit ako sa mga bulaklak at inamoy. Napapikit ako nung mahalimuyak ang bango ng mga ito. This is probably my most favorite part of The Mansion. Maybe one of the reasons why there's still a small portion that gives me excitement to go back.

"Ikaw ba nagtanim ng mga ito?"

"Yeah. Celeste helped me," I said as the memories flashed back in my head. "But I did personally choose to plant red roses."

"I see it."

Hindi rin napapabayaan ang mga rosas sa pangangalaga ni Celeste. Tila hindi lang nakalaan para kay Oscar ang oras niya. Lahat ng mga salita at utos namin ay pinaglalaanan niya ng oras. My best girl.

"This place is enormous," I heard him say.

I sighed as I stared at my red roses for the last time today. Pagkatapos ay nag-umpisa na akong maglakad papasok. Magkasalikop ang mga daliri ko sa likod. Nakasunod sa akin si Kristan.

"Wait. Nathalia. Uhmm..."

"What?" I asked without looking at him.

"Can I pick a rose?"

Natigilan ako saka humarap sa kanya.

Pick and rose didn't sound good in my ears.

He winced. "No? It's okay. I just asked—"

"Just one. Two would cost your head."

Vampire sickness, it was.

His eyes widened. Sunud-sunod siyang tumango saka patakbong bumalik para pumitas ng isang pulang rosas. Malamang na bibigay niya 'yon para kay Lilly.

I stopped walking when I reached the front of The Mansion. Napansin kong bagong pintura ito at may nag-iba nang kaunti sa disenyo. Gano'n pa man, kahit na ilang beses na pinturahan at baguhin ang lugar na ito ay hindi nila mabubura lahat ng alaala na nakalapat na rito.

This place was a nightmare.

"Gosh. Why am I here again?" I asked myself.

"Yeah. Why are you here again?"

I didn't need to turn around to recognize the voice.

"Bakit ang tahimik?" tanong ko kay Erikson. "Where's Father?"

Naglakad siya sa harapan ko at nakangiting yumuko. "Hellcome back, milady. I'm sure Lord Severo is just around."

"Oscar?"

"I think kasama niya kanina." Before I could even ask again, he responded, "Master Brixton isn't around either. He's out for a mission."

I nodded. "Better. How about Lady Astra?"

"He went out with her."

My jaw dropped. Did I hear it right?

"She's with her master."

What the fuck is happening? Why would Brixton bring her with him on a mission? Astra is still a newly turned vampire. She knows nothing about fighting! He's really trying to get rid of her, isn't he?

"Kaaalis lang nila kahapon," dugtong pa ni Erikson. "Everyone is busy preparing for The Unus. Are you here to join us?"

Tumagos sa likod ko ang tingin ni Erikson. Kumunot ang noo niya bago umawang ang mga labi. Mukha siyang nakakita ng hindi inaasahan.

"Holy shit. Is he—"

"Lilly, come here! Don't run!"

Hinarap ko si Kristan na tumatakbo para habulin ang tumatakbong alaga. Nagtago si Lilly sa bush kaya nahuli rin siya agad.

"That's not very good of you," he whispered.

Muntik ko nang makalimutan na may kasama pala akong bata.

Erikson approached him and abruptly gripped his shoulders to face him and look at his face closer. Tinitigan niya si Kristan nang ilang segundo bago gulat na gulat na napaaptras.

Kristan was just as confused as him.

"No way..." Bumaling sa akin si Erikson. He looked so horrified. "Did you..."

"I did. Is there a problem, Mr. Nadija?" My voice was flat and straightforward, but I made sure the answer to my question was clear.

He shook his head. "N-not at all."

"Come here, Kristan!" I told him.

Kristan respectfully bowed to Erikson before he walked in my direction. Nung makalapit siya sa akin ay hinawakan ko ang braso niya saka siya hinila papasok na sa loob.

"Who is he?"

"Someone you shouldn't talk to." Binitiwan ko ang braso niya saka na naglakad sa paikit na hagdan papunta sa taas.

"Parang kilala niya ako..."

Hindi ako kumibo.

"Pero... bakit gulat na gulat siyang makita ako?"

"Enough question."

Good thing, he didn't ask a follow up question. Pero alam kong hindi niya pa rin ako tatantanan. Pinapahupa niya lang ang inis ko.

Fucking Nadija! Bakit ba gulat na gulat siyang makita na buhay si Kristan? Were they even friends back then? No. I don't think so. Bakit sobrang apektado niya? He just acted the way how I visualized Astra would react if she found out.

Napadaan kami sa isang bakanteng kwarto kung saan may narinig kaming mga boses. Pareho kaming natigilan ni Kristan.

"Ugh. That feels good."

What the heck? It was Hestia's voice— moan.

"Lower, Mr. Billy. Put more pleasure, please?"

"How about this?"

"Yeah. That's it."

Nagkatinginan kami ni Kristan. We were both clueless, but I think we both agreed to perceive it in the same way. Really, Hestia?

"Good for her, I guess?" he winced.

My eyes narrowed at him. Bumalik na naman sa utak ko kung paano niya tingnan kanina si Hestia habang halos wala itong saplot. Alam kong wala lang 'yon sa kanya, pero hindi para sa akin. I will take the offense for Hestia.

We had finally reached my room. It was clean but untouched. They knew better than move things. Kahit na matagal akong nawala ay alam ko kung paano ko ito iniwan.

"I will take a shower," I said as I rummaged my cabinet for some clothes. "You better not leave this room without me."

Kristan was unresponsive. He was busy playing with his cat. Nilalagay niya sa likod ng tainga ni Lilly ang pulang rosas na pinitas kanina.

"Did you hear me?" I asked again.

"Lilly did."

Oh, hell no. He's starting again.

Hindi ko na lang siya pinansin. Nag-shower ako at nagpalit ng damit. Paglabas ko ay naabutan kong nakakalat sa sahig ang mga talutot ng bulaklak na kinakagat-kagat ni Lilly.

"Clean up the mess," sabi ko sa lalaking nakahilata sa aking kama. Mulat ang kanyang mga mata at nakatitig lang sa kisame.

I sat in front of my vanity dresser and dried my hair. I was busy putting on sunscreen while also struggling to disregard him. His sudden silence obviously has something to do about Erikson.

"May parte sa akin na tinanggap na kung ano lang ang alam ko ngayon at kung ano lang ang naaalala ko," panimula niya. "Siguro ay dahil gaya nga ng sinabi mo, wala na ring saysay para malaman ko."

Ignore him, Nathalia. You have nothing to explain to him. Not your responsibility. Not your job. You shouldn't give a shit. His worries are not your worries.

I felt the vampire sickness stuck in my throat.

"Maybe I was just wondering because I merely want to know, not because I want it back. I have no feelings for my past self. Just full of questions."

"Then, seek them." I put a light red lipstick on. "Satisfy your cravings. But I don't think I can help you with that because first of all..." I stood and faced him. "I don't care who you were back then."

He looked away. That was my cue to leave.

My footsteps were heavier than my worry about him being alone in this foreign place. I left him with my permission to seek answers to all his questions. It's all up to him now.

On my way to the kitchen, an unfamiliar woman greeted me. She approached me with all smiles on her face. Where is Celeste?

"Welcome back, Miss Nathalia—"

"A shake of blood, apple, and wine, please?" I said as I walked past her and to the kitchen. "Do we have cat food? Or anything that a cat can eat?"

"A cat food? Do you have a cat, milady?" she asked as she picked an apple from the basket and a pocket of blood from the cabinet.

I took an apple from the basket and watched her blend my drink. Sinubukan kong alalahanin kung dati na ba siyang nagsisilbi rito pero hindi ko talaga matandaan.

"A cat food." I bit a small portion of the apple.

"Do you have a cat—"

"Didn't you hear me?" I cut her off.

Natikom ang bibig niya.

Why would I ask for cat food if there's no cat?

"I'm sorry. I don't think there's a cat food—"

"Then, what am I supposed to do?" I asked, feeling a bit irritated. "Please, I need cat food as soon as possible. Leave my drink here. Ako na ang bahala."

She nodded before she left.

Napabuga ako ng hangin. Mukhang baguhan ang isang 'yon. Hindi ko dapat siya sinungitan, pero nakakairita na ang sagot niya sa tanong ko ay isang tanong din.

She recognizes my name, but I don't think she knows me at all.

Ako na ang gumawa ng inumin ko. Saktong tapos na ako nung dumating si Hestia. Basa pa ang buhok nito at mukhang maayos na ang pakiramdam.

"I underestimated the weather here," she said as she poured herself some wine. "Muntik na akong mamatay sa sobrang init."

"As long as I remember, you felt hot, but not in heat." I sipped on my drink.

Her visual with Mr. Billy in bed made my drink tasteless and gross. But I would take that as an improvement from her previous one. A mature but well-mannered man is better than a young but trash one.

She scowled at me. "What do you mean?"

"I heard you and Mr. Sandoval making out—"

"What the fuck?!" Nabuga niya ang wine. Buti na lang malayo ako sa kanya. "Holy shit, Miss Cardinal. He helped me put some ice on my body!"

I shrugged. "You moaned."

"Because that felt fucking good!"

Well, that makes sense. Good.

"Here for The Unus?"

Sabay kami ni Hestia napalingon sa bagong dating. My brother, Oscar, was standing at the entrance of the kitchen. He looked nastier than usual as a sign that he had done some dirty work first.

"Hestia..." Bumilog ang mga mata ni Oscar nung makilala ang babaeng nasa tabi ko. "Whoa. You are here, too!"

"Master Oscar." Hestia smiled at him. "It's been a long time."

Oscar approached and hugged her. They shared a long and warm hug while I was sipping on my drink and staring at the woman behind Oscar.

What is she doing?

Haven't I told her to get me cat food? I have been waiting for her to return. Why is she hiding behind Oscar? She could barely meet my eyes!

"How have you been?" Oscar asked.

"I'm good. You look handsome as ever!"

"Well..." Humalakhak si Oscar.

I clicked my tongue to make a sound as I tried to get the unknown lady's attention. But she would rather pretend not looking at me. Sinusubukan talaga niya ako.

"Well, Nathalia is good, too. No controversies so far," Hestia chuckled. "As usual, she has the world in the palm of her hands!"

The wine glass shattered on my hand, and before the pieces could fall on the floor, I abruptly appeared in front of the unknown lady.

She gasped and stepped backward as fear crossed her face.

"Where is the cat food?" I asked casually.

She cried instead. "There's no cat food, milady."

"Or you didn't try at all?"

"Nathalia. Hey!" Hinarangan ako ni Oscar at bahagya akong tinulak palayo sa babae. Muling nagtago sa likod niya ang babae. "What's happening here?"

"I want this woman out of The Mansion. Now."

"Why?"

"I want her out or else..."

She wept, and I had never heard such a dreadful cry in my entire life. It was forced and begging for sympathy. Just so infuriatingly and unnecessarily loud.

"Ako na ang bahala rito. Leave for now, Lady Feera," sambit ni Oscar sa babaeng humahagulgol. Mabilis naman na umalis ito.

"Ako na ang hahanap ng cat food!" suhestiyon ni Hestia bago rin umalis.

I turned my back and walked to the sink to cleanse my hands. I couldn't believe she managed to push my buttons that far. All for the damn cat food!

"Ano ang gagawin mo sa cat food?" dinig kong tanong ni Oscar.

"Ipapakain sa daga." Hinarap ko ang kapatid ko. Iritado pa rin ako sa babaeng 'yon. "I am serious, Oscar. Once I saw her face again, I can't promise to hold back."

"Calm down. Si Hestia na ang hahanap."

I sighed. "Where the hell is Celeste?"

Natigilan siya.

Kumunot ang noo ko nung bigla siyang umiwas ng tingin. Hinawakan ko ang braso niya saka siya hinila sa bandang sulok.

"Did something happen to her?"

He jerked his head.

"Then... what?" I asked.

He let out a deep sigh. Saka niya ako tiningnan diretso sa mga mata. Hindi ko nagustuhan ang pinapahiwatig niya.

"S-she's..."

"What?"

He sighed. "Celeste is not my slave anymore."

That added a new pile of questions in my head. Why would he give her up? Celeste has been an excellent servant to him and everyone around her. She's a lovely woman!

"No more explanation. This is for the better," he added.

"Does that unknown woman look like something that will work for the better?" I snickered as I was getting more frustrated with him than I did with that woman.

Oscar shook his head and stepped backward.

"What is your real attention for coming back?" he asked instead.

It's as if his question became the answer to my previous question. Is that even possible?

"Why, Nathalia?"

I swallowed. "I am sick."

"You are what?" His forehead creased.

"I have a vampire sickness."

He gave me a bewildered look.

"Here's the cat food!" Hestia butted in.

Nilagpasan ko si Oscar para lapitan si Hestia. Kinuha sa kanya ang cat food saka na nagmartsa palayo sa kitchen at paakyat.

"What the heck is a vampire sickness? I have no idea!" tanong ng nakasunod na si Oscar. "Did you just invent that word?"

"What if I did?"

"Where are you going?" sunod niyang tanong.

I noticed that the door of my room was ajar, and my hunch was right. Kristan wasn't in my room. He brought his cat with him and decided to be fucking stupid.

"I'm confused..." Oscar whispered.

Tumalikod ako at saktong paakyat na si Kristan kasama ang isang lalaking tagapagbantay. Nakangiwi ang kanyang labi habang hawak-hawak si Lilly.

"Lilly ran away. I followed her and got lost."

The guard had bowed to us before he left.

"Pfft..." Napatingin ako kay Oscar na nagpipigil ng tawa. "I see why you were so eager to find a cat food."

"Is that for Lilly?" Nilapitan ako ni Kristan para kunin ang cat food. "Thanks. Makakain na rin sa wakas si Lilly!"

After he had taken the cat food from me, he just got into my room.

"Problem solved!" ani Hestia.

Oscar cleared his throat.

"Maliligo lang ako..." aniya.

I pouted.

Bago umalis si Oscar ay muli siyang bumaling sa akin at nagsalita pa.

"I want to hang out with Kristan later. Don't worry, Sis Nathalia. I will bring cat food!"

"Fuck you, Oscar!" I yelled.

Oh, my feels!

All for a fucking cat food!