Chapter 19: Semestral Break

Nagising ako sa amoy ng malambot na kama. Lavender. The bed smells like lavender. Binuksan ko ang aking mga mata at binati ng maliwanag at tahimik na paligid. It was mid-day at ang tanging maririnig na ingay ay ang pag galaw ng mga kamay ng orasan.

Bumangon ako at pinagmasdan ang hindi pamilyar na kwarto. I felt a sharp pain on my wrist. Where am I? Tumayo ako at umapak sa marmol na sahig. This is definitely not my room.

Binuksan ko ang pintuan at lumabas ng kwarto. The hallway was well lit but empty. Monaghan. I thought. Isang bahay lamang ang alam kong may ganito kagarang interior. Naalala ko ang mga nangyari. Ang volleyball game. Ang aksidente. Si Landon Monaghan.

Bumaba ako sa sala. Mukhang walang tao sa mansion. Pagdating ko sa kusina halos sumigaw ako sa gulat.

"Thank god, I thought no one's here."

Standing in front of me is Yllona, with her signature pumps and black dress. Her lips are the color of fall, dark red.

"I just came here and well..."

Tinitigan ako ni Yllona. Doon ko napagtanto ang aking ayos. I must have look like trash. Suot ko parin ang gym uniform ko mula kahapon. And from the looks of it, Yllona was taking the wrong idea.

"So, you slept here," nakangiting sinabi niya. There was a strange glint in her eyes.

"Whatever you're thinking, you're wrong," agad kong saad. "I didn't even know why I'm here."

Ang huli kong natatandaan ay nawalan ako ng malay dahil sa labis na pagod. Isa pa, suot ko parin ang suot ko kahapon. Landon didn't do anything stupid, did he? Umiling ako. What the fuck am I even thinking?

"Did you finally give in to Landon's game?"

"No. What the hell?"

Yllona laughed. A graceful, sophisticated and somehow venomous laugh. They always have it, that sting, that air that made them stand out from the rest.

"Then why are you in such frustration?" Yllona asked.

Hindi parin naaalis ang ngiti sa kanyang pulang labi. Like she knows something I don't.

"It's okay to admit it. We both know why Landon bring women here. To bed them."

Halos mapanganga ako sa direktang mga salita niya. Is she always this blunt?

"He didn't," mariin kong sinabi. Hindi ito gagawin ni Landon. I know what his types are. He may annoy the hell out of me but he won't go to such extent. I won't allow him.

Pero mukhang hindi na nakikinig pa si Yllona. Para sa kanya napaka-natural para kay Landon na mag uwi ng babae dito. Taking them down in his own mansion is not surprising at all.

"Kailangan ko ng umuwi," sinabi ko. Wala akong balak magtagal sa lugar na ito. And wherever Landon is, hindi ko gustong maabutan niya pa ako.

"This early?" asked Yllona. "Why are you in such a rush? Isn't it already your semestral break?"

She's right. Kahapon ang huling araw ng quarterly exams. Ngayon ang simula ng dalawang linggong bakasyon. Some of my blockmates had planned beach trips and out of towns. Isa lang ang plano ko ngayong bakasyon. Ang magtrabaho sa coffee shop at kumita ng pera.

"I have an idea!"

Sa tono palang ng boses ni Yllona may pakiramdam akong hindi ito magiging maganda.

"Why don't you join us for semestral break? We'll head to the beach house at-"

"No, thank you," mabilis kong sagot. "I have other plans."

Yllona gave me a hard look. "Don't tell me your planning to work during semestral break with that injury?"

Biglang nawala sa isip ko ang injury ko sa kamay. So when Yllona pointed it out, I realized she must have a point. Pero hindi ko ito inamin. Bibigyan ko lang siya ng rason upang mapilit ako.

"I can manage,"

--

I was wrong.

Because in the end, Miss Van didn't allow me to work with an injury. Pagpasok na pagpasok ko sa coffee shop agad niya akong binawalan na magtrabaho. She advised me to take a few days off, bago lumala pa ito dahil sa pagpupumilit ko. In the end, I was bored out of my mind alone in the apartment.

Kadalasan, tuwing semestral break, sinasama ako ni Elyse sa outing ng kanyang mga kaibigan, and that includes Justin, Clomil, and Daniela. They would hang out in beach resorts and town houses. Elyse would pay the expenses for both of us. I often feel left out.

Tumunog ang doorbell. Wala akong inaasahan na bisita. And I was sitting on the couch binge-watching a movie series. I dragged myself up and went to answer the door. Nang buksan ko ang pinto, hiniling ko na sana hindi na ako tumayo.

"Hey!" came her perky voice. As usual, she looks model-like, wearing clothing ensembles I only see in fahion magazines. I wonder how Yllona can pull it off. That dainty and dangerous aura of her.

"Hey,"

I sounded like an old drunk man disturbed from his afternoon sleep. Sumilip si Yllona sa loob ng apartment. She wanted to go inside. I contemplated. She look way out of place in here the way a tequila would look in a coffee shop.

Binuksan ko ang pintuan at pinapasok siya. I may have trust issues but I'm not rude... at least I'm trying not to.

"Told you, you'll have days off." There it is again, that this-game-is-entertaining kind of smile.

"Pack your bags, Denise."

"Why would I?"

She giggled, a hearty one, like she expected my answer or betting on it.

"Because we have a beach outing on the list!"

"I said I didn't-"

"Landon told me to pick you up."

I blinked. "What?"

That's impossible. Mula nooong nagising ako sa mansion ni Landon hindi ko na siya nakausap pa. He didn't give any orders, even a lame counter for my reckless actions.

"I didn't received any orders. Isa pa, hindi kasama sa kontrata namin ang sumama kung saan man siya mapadpad. I'm not his baby sitter."

"But you are his blood source." Yllona whispered the statement to my ear. "Now, let's get down to business."

Saka siya nagmartsa sa hagdan papunta sa aking kwarto. I remained in the living room, mouth agape. This family... this outrageous family... is making me so damn crazy.

--

Sumandal si Yllona sa shotgun seat. "Finally!" She said with a triumphant grin. "Wow that took a lot of persuasion."

I was sitting in the backseat. Yes, in the damn backseat of a luxury car. Don't ask me why... or how. Dahil ito lang ang alam kong paraan para tumahimik si Yllona. That woman was pursuasive.

"You took almost an hour," said River on the driver's seat. "Usually, a minute and anyone will give in to your deadly charm without persuasion." The way he said deadly may mean something else.

"Shut your ass up," retorted Yllona.

Nagsimulang umandar ang sasakyan. The engine purred like a persian cat, sleek and smooth, and it glided in the street of our neighborhood. The rediculous advantages of a luxury car.

"Remember how Landon's women would leech on you for trips like this?" River pressed on the topic. He's as if purposely tapping Yllona's sore point. "No offense, human girl."

"None taken," I muttered.

Dahil iba na ang nasa isip ko noong mga oras na yon. Yllona used to be leeched upon by Landon's women? But how? She's sophisticatedly persuasive yes, but she's also fatally capable of showing a woman her place.

"Ngayon, ikaw na ang nagpupumilit na samahan ka. What an improvement, dude."

"One more word, River and I'm gonna slam your fucktard head on the steering wheel until I feel your skull crushing on my palms."

"Whoa whoa," sabat ko. Are these siblings for real? "I'm here if you didn't notice."

River chuckled. His voice is more pleasant, boyish. Compared to Landon's smooth and deep voice. There's still traces of brood and danger from him like the silver earing on his left ear that I didn't notice before, and the obnoxious grin that he seemed to share with Landon.

"Don't worry, it's her version of you-are-the-best-twin-brother-in-the-world speech."

It didn't sound like it.

"Best twin brother to guillotine," said Yllona.

That's more like it.

Hinayaan ko na magbangayan ang dalawa. As long as there is no smashing of heads on the steering wheel involved, I'm good. Sinalpak ko ang headset sa aking tenga. Hindi ko alam kung saan kami pupunta. The only thing Yllona mentioned was a beach house with common friends of Landon and her twin, River.

Hindi ko parin alam kung para saan ang lahat ng ito. Yllona obviously is up to something, whether it's good or bad, I have no idea. But one thing I'm sure of, she never did it before. I mean the persuading. If this is something she'd planned, I'm sure as heck it's not only for fun.

It was almost impossible to sleep with Yllona and River constantly bickering in front. But the long journey slowly became more quiet as miles past by. Kalaunan nakatulog si Yllona sa shotgun seat. I caught River nickered as if winning an argument. But then, he dragged a blanket from the backseat and covered Yllona up.

"I guess you weren't exactly lying," I said, remember the best-twin-in-the-world part of their conversation.

He grinned. "Told you."

"Was it true?" I asked. "Landon's women leeching on her?"

Bahagyang humalakhak si River.

"It's expected. She's Landon's cousin, basically a walking luxury and signature closet. Yllona loves fashion and has her own clothing brand at eighteen. So, basically woman swarm all over her."

"I'm sorry,"

I don't know why. I feel sorry for her. I know I don't have the right to. Compared to her, she basically have everything, but it doesn't always mean what is given to you is what you need.

"She's entertained by you, you know," said River. Derecho ang tingin niya sa daan. "Parang siyang batang nakahanap ng bagong kalaro na hindi lamang nandoon para kunin ang kanyang mga laruan."

"I don't think it's a good thing. I'm a breathing human, not a toy."

River chuckled, amused. "And a frank one," he muttered. "Yllona loves playing dangerous games that may sometimes even caused her. But usually, these games are what she sense the players needed."

Was that supposed to be a puzzle?

This time, it's River's eyes who has this dancing mysterious glint. "So, careful what you wish for, human girl."

--

Waves crashing on sand. It was the foreign sound that woke me up. Lumiko ang sasakyan sa isang makitid na daan. The slit of blue where the sky kissed the ocean greeted us.

"Nearly there," said River.

Even Yllona is now awake. Nakabukas ang bintana ng sasakyan. Winawagayway ng hangin ang aming mga buhok. I could nearly taste the saltyness in the air.

Maya maya pa bumungad sa aking paningin ang isang mataas na estraktura. A white building glistening under the sun. A hotel resort. One of Monaghan's real state properties.

Huminto kami sa parking lot ng resort kung saan ilang mga magagarang sasakyan na ang nandoon. May ilang tao ang nakatayo sa labas at mukhang kadarating lang tulad namin. They were tall, board-shorts-wearing guys, and bikini-under-see-through-dresses kind of women, all wearing sunglasses or wide brimmed hat to protect their skin from the sun.

I suddenly became aware of my clothing choices. I'm wearing a white shirt and jeans. Yes, jeans. Bumaba sina Yllona mula sa sasakyan. Agad silang binati ng mga naggagandahang tao mula sa labas. They looked great. A group of socialites hanging out for semestral break. I could ruin the picture.

Kumatok si River sa bintana. "Hey, human girl. Labas na."

Yllona assured me before I totally agree into this that her, Landon, and River are the only fang clad creatures in the group. These people are their human friends who knew nothing about their kind. I don't have to worry. But being a human doesn't make you exactly less dangerous. Sometimes, humans are more capable of instilling harm.

Bumaba ako dala ang itim kong back pack. The sophisticated laughs and talks halted. They stared at me, eyebrows raised, with who-the-heck is that expression on their faces.

"You brought your maid-"

"And you're a douchbag, Alec. Thanks for asking," snapped Yllona. Natahimik ang grupo.

"She's my friend," Yllona said. Lumingon siya kay River as if waiting for him to confirm.

"Yeah," River nodded with an amused grin. "Right, hu-" He was about to say human girl but he caught himself. "Denise?"

River placed his arms on my shoulder to make it more convincing. Just then, a familiar black sports car parked next to River's car. Landon Monaghan. The ladies snickered. We heard a honk before the engine completely stopped.

Bumaba si Landon mula sa sasakyan. He's wearing a dark shades, a white shirt, khaki shorts, and a frown in his face like the place, and the sun, and basically the scene irked him. Humarap siya sa amin. Hindi ko alam kung kanino siya nakatitig dahil sa suot niyang shades. Maya maya pa bumukas ang pintuan ng passenger seat. A woman. He brought a stunning woman with him.

--

We were greeted by hotel staff the moment we step into the property. Kinuha nila ang aming mga gamit. I insisted I hold my own. Sa lobby kami nagusap usap tungkol sa magiging mga kwarto namin. Kasama ko si Yllona sa kwarto. River had a woman waiting in the hotel for him. Ito ang kasama niya sa kwarto. His woman for the weekend. Ganoon din ang karamihan sa aming mga kasama. And god knows what could happen inside those hotel rooms.

The hotel was one of the most luxurious hotels I stepped into. From the golden lights up to the ornaments and paintings lining the walls and their five star facilities. They have pools, a wide view deck, a bar, and the breathtaking scenery of the ocean, not to mention the tall palm trees surrounding the exclusive property.

Nauna akong umakyat sa kwarto matapos ibigay ni Yllona ang key card. The lights and facilities of the room auomatically turned on as I insert the card to the slot. Dumerecho ako sa terrace ng kwarto. I took a deep breath, mesmerized by the scene in front of me. The sea and its infinite vastness.

--

We had at least an hour to rest and unpack. Wala akong dapat iunpack dahil ilang gamit lang ang dala ko. So I lay in the sweet scented bed and took in the comfort of air conditioning and browsing the wide screen cable tv.

Bandang tanghali nang bumaba ang lahat para kumain. It was a buffet of sea food and tropical fruits. I help myself. I'm starving. The food in front of me is a sky rocket from the series of instant food I've been eating lately. But the people around me seem like not having it.

"I'll bloat," said one.

"Strict diet. I'll pass."

Damn, if I have a choice I'll eat this every day.

I sat on the corner of the restaurant connected to the lobby. I haven't seen Yllona and River yet. Seems like they are the one who organized this whole thing up. The Monaghan family is on real state properties.

Pumasok sa restaurant ang ilan pa naming kasama including Landon. Nagtama ang aming paningin. Muling kumunot ang kanyang noo. Seems like he didn't expected me to be here. Yllona lied.

--

Hapon nang magdesisyon ang grupo na pumunta sa beach. Nagpalit sila ng kanya kanyang damit. I had my shirt and a black shorts. Yllona frowned at me.

"What's that? I though you're going with us on the beach,"

"Oo," tanging sinabi ko at nagpatuloy sa pagbibihis. It's hard when you only have a single hand working.

"Didn't you bring a swim suit with you?"

"I don't have one."

"What?" she asked incrudously, like what I said doesn't count as an statement.

"It's every women's staple. A must in their closet."

"If I rarely use it, I don't need it," That's basically my motto in everything I own. I don't buy what I could use only once. That's basically wasting money.

"Glad I brought extras."

Nangalkal si Yllona sa kanyang dalang bag. Seconds later I was staring at a two piece of stringy maroon fabric in front of me. What's that supposed to cover? My soul?

"Thanks, but I'd rather have this," tukoy ko sa suot ko.

Natahimik si Yllona. I turned to her to see what caused the silence. Nakita ko ang tag sa swim suit. It's from her line... her clothing brand. What my words mean to her, I have no idea. But I didn't intend to hurt her or anything. Mas komportable lang talaga ako sa suot ko. But then, I sighed feeling the need to explain myself.

"I've never wear one."

She blinked. "Never?"

Tumango ako. I have too many insecurities to exposed myself, or my skin, like that. Isa pa, those are basically Yllona's size. She has curves on the right places. The only curve I could think of is my frown.

"It's not too late to have a first."

Oh no. I know that glint too well. That persistent glint on her playful eyes. Once I see it, it doesn't matter what reasoning I have. I, eventually, have to give in if I want to silence my world up.

"Please?" It's like she found a new doll to dress up, in the form of me. Tragic.

Bumuntong hininga ako nang malalim. Lumapad ang kanyang ngiti. She knows I give in. She pushed the fabric on my uninjured hand.

"Change here."

"Wait, no!" I exclaimed. "Dude, let me have my privacy."

Yllona giggled. Dumerecho ako sa attached bathroom ng kwarto.

"You're amusing, Denise. Too bad Landon's still blinded by his pride and his past."

***

Author's Note:

Hi! I know it's been a while since I last posted a chapter of this story (don't count the months, I know I know lol). Basically this story was pushed aside for my other on going stories (sucks to be Landon). But since they are nearly done, I (finally!) can focus here.

So yes, to get my momentum back I'll have a double update for today. Chapter 19-20. So heads up!

Thank you for your immense patience for the story (seriously). I'm actually excited and enjoying writing the story so far, so I hope you do, too. Let me know your thoughts below! Your feedbacks greatly help.

So I'll end this note now, I hope to see your comments below! If you have song suggestions for the chapter feel free to type it down.

And one more thing! (Last na talaga haha). This story contains foul languanges (if you notice) and mature imagery. You've been warned.

See you in the next chapter!
april_avery