Chapter 39: Party

I was so ready to end him.

If Hestia didn't just show up and pull me away there, he was most likely dead by now. When I said dead— decapitated, bloodless, and burned into ashes. That's how I end things.

Hestia locked the car door as if that would stop me from breaking the door if I decided to go back and finish what I had started. She ignited the car and drove away like a mad woman running for her life.

With one hand, she pulled a wet tissue out of the glove compartment and set it on the dashboard. "This car is brand new. Don't stain it with blood."

Kinuha ko ang wet towel saka pinunasan ang dugo sa aking kamay. I was not even aware that I was shaking until I laid my eyes on my hands.

From once the most fragrant scent for me, his blood suddenly smelled horrible. After wiping the blood off my hand and elbow, I rolled the window down and threw the tissue outside.

"Stop!" yelled Hestia, but it was too late. A car with flashing blue and red lights was following us. "Jesus, I don't have time for this. Hold on!"

She pressed her foot on the gas and drove faster. I almost forgot that this woman aced so many race car competitions before. This would be fun!

With the free wind from the opened window brushing in my hair and aesthetic blue and red lights flashing behind us, I leaned back on the seat and enjoyed the moment.

"You are really enjoying this huh?" pansin ni Hestia nung makitang nakangiti pa ako. "Bakit kasi tinapon mo sa labas 'yung gamit na tissue?!"

"Sabi mo ayaw mong mamantsahan ng dugo sasakyan mo?" ngumisi ako saka tumingin sa rear view mirror. "They are catching up."

Even at our current speed, they were able to get us back on track. They've been following us for ten minutes now. Oh, my feels! How can they be so obstinate over a piece of tissue?

When I thought it was about to get boring, a white car appeared in the scene out of nowhere and intentionally hit the police car on the side. Tumama sa side road ang sasakyan ng mga pulis kaya naiwan namin sila. Nakasunod naman sa amin ang puting sasakyan.

"Sino na naman 'yan?" tanong ni Hestia. "Dylan?"

I shrugged.

I have no idea, but I was pretty sure that they were not cops. Tinamaan nila ang sasakyan ng mga pulis para tigilan sa kahahabol sa amin, para sila na naman ang maghabol.

"How about we pull up?" I suggested. "We owe them gratitude."

"No. You don't even know them!"

I frowned. "Just pull up!"

"Fine! Let's try if I can find an empty street."

I spent another five boring minues watching the white car on the rear view mirror. Hindi ko sila makita mula sa loob. Ibig sabihin na gawa ang mga salamin ng sasakyan para hindi sila makita sa loob, kahit na ng mga bampira.

Hestia finally pulled up the car. Nauna akong lumabas ng sasakyan. Habang hinihintay na makalapit sa amin ang puting sasakyan ay inalis ko ang kwintas sa leeg ko. Nangangati na kasi ako.

"What if they are bad guys?" tanong ni Hestia na tumabi sa akin.

"Neither we are good girls."

The white car parked a few meters away from us. We just stood in our place and waited for them to come out. A familiar man emerged from the door.

"Oh, no..." Hestia whispered.

"What's up?" I asked, smirking. "Jackson."

Huminto siya ilang pulgada mula sa amin. He took off his shades and glared at me. Hindi pa man kami tumatagal ay nakita ko nang sumilip ang mga pangil sa labi niya.

I looked up at the clear sky. "Can't it wait until tonight? We are vampires, Jackson." Nakakalokong nginitian ko siya. "We shouldn't be having fun out in the sun."

"You know why I am here," baritonong sabi niya.

Tiningnan ko ang sasakyan niya. "Is she inside?"

"Nathalia Cardinal. What have you done to her?"

"Nothing much." I crossed my arms on my chest. "I just put her on silent mode for being so loud. Don't you like quiet women, Jackson?"

May mga sasakyan na dumating at pinalibutan kami agad. Gano'n pa man ay hindi ko pinutol ang tingin kay Jackson na sinenyasan ang mga kasamahan na huwag munang sumali.

"Fix her, and we will leave peacefully," he said. "Faith is inside the car."

"I don't see her. Is she really there?"

Tumalim ang tingin niya sa akin. Saka siya tumalikod para lumapit sa sasakyan. Inalalayan niyang makalabas doon ang walang imik na babae. Nakaalalay siya rito hanggang sa makalapit sa amin.

"Undo it," Jackson ordered.

Unti-unti ay umangat sa akin ang tingin ni Faith. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. Tila nakilala niya ako dahil agad na gumuhit ang takot sa kanyang mga mata. Tinulak niya si Jackson at nagkumahog na pumasok uli sa sasakyan.

Narinig ko ang ipit na pagtawa ni Hestia na mas lalong nagpasidhi ng galit ni Jackson. Gano'n pa man ay nanatili pa rin siyang nakatayo at naghihintay sa desisyon ko.

"Is she afraid of sunlight?" I asked sarcastically.

"She's terrified of you. You are a horrible woman, Nathalia. How could you do this to her?"

I roamed my eyes around. "What is even your plan here, Jackson? I am confused." Pumirmi ang tingin ko sa kanya. "To record this controversial conversation and spread a malicious idea of me or resolve this peacefully?"

His jaw clenched. Does he think I'm that stupid? I had to learn the hard way. Confrontations in an unfamiliar setting with someone who despises you are a trap.

"I hate to break it to you, but..." I showed him my cleavage. "Don't stare at my boobs. You won't notice that I am not wearing my necklace. Your cameras are useless, unfortunately."

"Your girlfriend started it first!" Hestia butted in. "Nathalia just finished it."

"And I'm here to finish you two if you don't bring her back to consciousness," he smirked, motioning for his men to approach us. "I'll just ask one more time, Miss Cardinal. Undo what you've done to her."

I almost burst into laughter when his men pointed their guns at us.

"You have stayed in New York City for too long that I think you have already forgotten that a bullet won't hurt us in any way. Don't you want to do it in a traditional way? Just our hands and fangs."

"I thought you are not into classic ways?" Hestia whispered.

"Shut up, Hestia," I mumbled back.

Narinig namin ang palapit na tunog ng mga police car. Hindi lang ito isa o dalawa sa pagkakataong ito. Ilang minuto lang ay mapapalibutan na kami.

"I will count..." he threatened.

"You can stop the count now." Another voice broke in. Dylan walked toward us. Nakaakbay siya kay Faith na nanginginig sa takot. "The poor woman just wants to go home."

Hestia frowned. "Not him acting like a hero now."

Dylan winked at me when he caught me staring at him. He was acting like he was doing me a favor by taking that poor woman as a hostage.

"Dylan Carter..." Nangalaiti sa galit si Jackson, pero nanlambot siya nung makitang tinutukan ni Dylan ng baril si Faith. "Drop your fucking gun!"

"Is this woman a vampire?" Dylan asked. "Because I don't think she is. One bullet is all it takes to finish her if my count is accurate. Isn't it?"

"Drop your guns!" sigaw ni Jackson sa mga kasamahan niya. "Leave the place now!"

Nag-alisan ang mga sasakyan na nakapalibot sa amin kanina. Tinulak ni Dylan si Faith na mabilis namang nayakap ni Jackson. Sumakay sila sa sasakyan at mabilis na umalis.

Jackson and all his men disappeared.

"So..." Terrence smirked at us. "Are we going to wait for the cops to arrive here?"

"Let's go." Hinila na ako ni Hestia papasok sa kanyang sasakyan.

Terrence followed us up to the apartment.

"I will call security—"

"No need." I halted Hestia when she was about to pick up her phone. "Let him in." I smiled wickedly. "Let's offer him some drinks after he saved us."

Nauna na ako sa loob. Pagbukas ko pa lang ng front door ay napansin ko agad na tumalon si Lilly mula sa sofa. Nagmadali siyang lumapit sa akin pero nilagpasan ko lang siya. Saka ako umakyat sa kwarto ko.

I removed my makeup and changed my clothes. After putting on my favorite red lingerie dress, I opened the door. Lilly was sitting and waiting for me outside. She was staring at me with her tail wagging in excitement.

She looked like she wanted me to carry her in my arms and play with her like we used to do after I got home from work. But I was not in the mood for some silly play with a cat I don't even own.

"You invited him, you entertain him," ani Hestia na ikinalingon ko. She's already looking stressed. "He's in the kitchen and waiting for you."

I nodded. "Okay..."

I walked passed Lilly. Bumaba na ako ng hagdan saka dumiretso sa kusina. Naabutan kong nag-aalis ng puting coat si Terrence. Pinatong niya 'yon sa likod ng kanyang upuan.

"So you are really staying here?" he asked.

I ignored his question and walked to the mini bar instead. Pumili ako ng alak bago lumapit kay Terrence. I placed the bottles of alcohol on the kitchen island. Kukuha na rin sana ako ng wine glasses pero naunahan na ako ni Terrence.

He walked behind me and put the wine glasses on the kitchen island. Saka niya ako pinanghila ng upuan. Naramdaman ko pa ang paghipo niya sa aking bewang bago siya bumalik sa kanyang upuan.

While I was pouring us some wine and ignoring his presence, he rolled his white sleeve to his elbow. Then he cleared his throat, breaking the silence.

"I hope you are not stressing yourself out over some issues." He picked up the glass of wine and sipped it while staring at me. "Especially on some made-up issues to ruin your reputation."

"We both know that's not made-up, Mr. Carter." I poured myself another wine. "And I don't need you to cover up for me. Just stay out of my business."

"And what? Watch how a simple misunderstanding tarnished your reputation?" His jaw clenched as if that enraged him more than I did. "You were just at your weakest point at that time. Alam kong hindi 'yon ang totoo mong anyo."

I chuckled. "That's me, Mr. Maniago. Totoo ang nakita mo no'ng gabing 'yon."

"Hando already explained it to me. That happens after you overuse your necklace. So, no, Nathalia. That's not really you. Just a glitch in the matrix."

Napansin kong naging mahigpit ang paghawak niya sa baso. Nakadalawa agad siyang salin ng alak bago pa man ako makasagot.

"Why are you mad?" I asked.

"Because I hate when that happens to you! I know you do, too!"

I nodded. "You hate me."

"What? No!"

"You only love all the pleasing part of myself— when I am beautiful, flawless, and perfect. Just those heavenly thoughts of you about me. And anything that goes the opposite way is unacceptable."

"Because that's not you." He smiled at me. "You are perfect, Nathalia. I get that we reach our limit sometimes, and that's fine. But at the end of the day, you will still return to your gorgeous self."

My mind flashed back to his expression when he first saw me at my weakest. He wasn't expecting me to look that way. Neither did I expect him to react the other way.

Only one stood and stared at me without blinking during those times. That would have made me feel relieved if I hadn't known he was lying.

"You've changed a lot," he said after a long silence. "When I returned for you, I didn't immediately recognize you. You were so... different."

"Blame the power of time and moments that pass by. We are not here to remain the same, are we?" I tucked some strands of my hair behind my ear.

Terrence nodded. "We are not going back to what we used to be, are we?"

"Terrence..." I sighed. "May mga ilang bahagi sa nakaraan ko na gusto kong balikan at muling halikan, pero ang bumalik sa 'yo ay wala sa aking listahan."

Napalunok siya. Pumatay ang luha sa kanyang mga mata.

Did I really hate him so much that even his tears didn't make me feel anything? I wanted to believe that he truly regretted hurting me, but all I felt was nothing. It's as if he never became a part of me.

"This is all pointless, right? Ang pagbalik ko, ang pag-asang baka sakaling puwede pa?"

I just took a sip of my wine. I've had more than enough drama in the last few days. Ayoko nang magsalita pa na mas magpapahaba ng usapan na ito. We shouldn't be sitting and drinking together in the first place.

Tumayo si Terrence at may kinuha sa kanyang bulsa. Nilapag niya 'yon sa table. Saka na siya tumalikod at umalis. I fixed my gaze on the wooden stick on the table. Hinawakan ko 'yon at dinama ang tulis. It was a small dagger.

Did he just give me a weapon?

"Even a small wound from that dagger can end any vampire," Hestia walked into the kitchen. Buhat-buhat niya si Lilly. "No bleeding. You will just turn into ashes and, eventually, a wind. No trace."

"Does this mean I don't need to find the Initium Libellus book?" That thought made me feel excited. Wala na akong panahon para sa librong 'yon.

Hestia gave a nod. "That's a rare dagger. Be careful with it."

This just means that all the stars were already aligned. It was just a matter of time. My era as a model is soon to end. Maybe sooner than later.

I looked up at Hestia. "I need the dress as soon as possible."

"I'm on it."

"Good."

"Ano ba talaga ang binabalak mo?" tanong niya.

I smiled. "Are you up for a party?"

"What kind of party?"

"A closing party..."