I sighed as I close the front door of our house, my brows furrowed when I heard the noises of a groaning followed by a cough by the person inside the house, I carefully place my bag in the sofa chair and slowly, carefully walking near to where the voice came from.
"Papa? Melanie? Kris?" I called but no one was answering, I crooked my head to the side. I walk directly to our room and saw Papa whose now lying on the floor with blood on his shirt. I gasped and instantly ran to his side, with tears in my eyes.
"Who did this? Papa? Answer me!" I said, crying as I raise the hem of his shirt and saw the bleeding wound, I look at him he was smiling and handed me something my eyes followed his hand and I saw it was a bag I look at him again curiously, the tears flowing as I was beside him trying to find for a solution, I reach for my pocket trying to take my phone out but he stop my hand.
"I need to call an ambulance, I- I need to," I said, panicking but he stop my trembling hands, I bowed my head sobbing from what was happening, I sniff and look at my father again, I can saw him crying and smiling at the same time.
"Go, take your sisters with you," He said, I shook my head repeatedly. I won't leave him here! I gasp trying to clear my thoughts, I heard him cough as the blood came out of his mouth but his smiling face never changed, his brows furrowed as he cough, while his hand was on his wounded stomach.
"Please! We need to go to the hospital father!" I said, my tears are still flowing I wipe them off and look at him, my other hand was on his shoulder, trying to convince him but he just shakes his head, his hand reaches for my face, his fingers brush off my cheeks his tears slowly falling off from his eyes.
"I'm sorry Hija, please save your sisters away from here ran away," He said, every word was hard to say, I just stayed there unmoving. "Listen to me, Lily," weakly, coughing and groaning from pain. "I did something terrible, I need to pay the price just go, please," He said, as he held the bad on his other hand and push it towards me, I look at him again tears on his face, he pulled me towards him my sobs become louder, he kisses me on my forehead.
"I'm sorry Lily, I'm sorry," His last words as he closed his eyes, I screamed in pain and regrets. I held his hand tighter, I heard a car engine outside I wipe off my tears from my eyes, with a heavy heart I stood up grabbing the bag that Papa gave me, and run away.
I opened the back door and ran outside the house with tears in my eyes, I ran towards the public comfort room just across the corner and close the door, cleaning off my face with water with swollen eyes and a puffy nose, I gasp for air and blink a few times to calm myself. I opened the bag my eyes widen when I saw what was inside the bag, I slowly put my hand inside the bag and blink a few times.
Where did papa get this?
With trembling hands, I zipped back the bag and wear it on my arms. I then fished out the phone out of my pocket. I dialed Kris's phone number, I check the time it's already three in the afternoon I am sure that it's their cut-off now. After a few rings, she answered.
"Lily, we're on our way home-," She said, I immediately cut her off. "Listen, Kris, go to the train station and wait for me there, bring Melanie with you hurry! I'll explain when we meet there," I said, "O-okay," Shock was visible in her voice, I gasp and comb my hair with my fingers, I tied it in a messy bun good thing I was wearing a hoody, I then cover my head with its hood to cover my face, I held the bag tightly holding the phone on my other hand as I walk hurriedly to call a cab outside.
I raise my hand to call the taxi. Luckily the cab stop and I sighed relief, I immediately pulled the door open and get in. "Cali train station please," I said, almost whispering I look at the rearview mirror the taxi driver nodded and smiled, the cab immediately drove to the train station.
It's a fifteen minutes drive away from our house, I need to think clearly and fast. I gasp and reach for my pant's back pocket to get money, I mentally thank myself that I formed a hobby of keeping my money in my pocket in case of emergency and it was used just right now. I look at the money in my hands before giving it to the taxi driver.
"Thank you," I muttered, "Thank you to you too," He said cheerfully, I can't help but smile. I opened the door and get out immediately, I stood straight and carefully closing the door of the back, I held the bag tightly and walk inside the train station.
I fished out my cellphone and saw Kris's text message saying that they're here inside, I sighed and turned off the phone and walk directly to where she said. I saw them, Melanie was pouting while Kris was talking to her, Melanie's eyes found mine and he waves her hand smiling.
I immediately walk near them and sigh. "Let's go, I'll explain later," I said, "Melanie let's go," I said and held their hands, pulling them both close to me. We walk to the counter and I smiled a little at the cashier.
"Three please, San Agustin," I said. "Alright miss, I.D please," She said, I fished out my wallet and showed her my I.D she smiled and tap on her keyboard, later then she handed me my I.D back along with the ticket, I pay her the amount shown in the screen and thank her.
"Let's go," I said and held their hand again, dragging them to the train that was about to leave in ten minutes. I thought of a way, and this was the best for now.
"Hurry, get inside," I told Kris as I guided Melanie inside the train, "Here," I said and sat beside Kris, a little far from other people sitting inside this cubicle.
I placed the bag near me and sigh, I massaged my head as I look at my other hand, I then stare at the window for a few seconds, thinking of a way how to start the conversation. I opened my mouth, starting the conversation.
"Papa's gone," I started, I saw how Kris's chinky eyes widen, mouth parted open as her tears slowly fall off her face. "No, you're kidding right?" She asked me, silently sobbing. I shake my head and sigh. "What? No!" Melanie's shocked face, her voice slightly raised I went to her and hug her, trying to calm her down.
"I'm here, we will get through this," I whispered. Kris looked at me, still crying. Papa may be a drunkard and irresponsible but he never lay us even a finger, he's just there but he's like was not. I sighed and look at Kris.
"I'll explain the rest, for now, we have to move," I said, she nodded silently crying while Melanie was hugging me.
God, help us.
We arrived at San Agustin, I slowly tapped Melanie's shoulder to wake her up as well as Kris who was sleeping in front of us, her head's docks on the table. "Melanie, wake up," I whispered, stroking her hair. She opened her eyes, blinking it adjusting from the light, I gripped the bag tightly as I guided her to stand up, I then held her hand tightly as I called Kris who was still sitting on the seat."Kris, let's go hurry," I said to her, she nodded her head and followed us. I reached for her hand as I walk with my other hand are wrapped on Melanie's shoulder. "We have to find a place to stay, away from the crowd," I said, she looks at me with her perfect chinky eyes deep set of blue eyes.
I look at Melanie and Kris who are now laughing as they arranged their stuff, Kris was holding the broom while Melanie was sitting on Kris's bed collecting and piling Kris's stuff."Lily?" I heard Kris called me, I turn my head to look at them and back to what I was doing. "Yes?" I answered, I heard her hummed which made me look at her again. "I think we need a little storage for some stuff," She said, I look around and furrowed my brows."Why? We just have little stuff for now," I said, I stood up and put my hands in my hips as I scan the room. We have bought the basic needs and groceries as I look for a job to at least help us sustain our lives and we decided to just suspend their school this year until we can recover, I already explained to them what happened and we cried, but of course, they're both smart and I assure to keep them safe.I sigh and look at the stuff we need to arrange, I take a look at my wristwatch.
I opened my phone and read the message again, there's only one way to find out and I need to know, I need to free the guilt that's building up inside me. I sigh as I stare at the screen and decided to text the unknown number.To: Unknown NumberMeet me at the Stop and Dine.After I tap the send button. I sighed after sending it, I look at the place that I was gonna submit my biodata to work. I need to work we can't just lean on the money that our father left us. I push the glass window open and smiled at the cashier before walking near the counter."Hi! Good morning, I would like to ask if where would I submit this," I said as I take the resume out in the folder I am carrying. The cashier smiled back and reach her hand out. "I'll take this to the manager, you're in timing because we are in need of one more waitress right now," She said when she received
I ran towards the stairs and bang the door, it opened after and I saw Kris with her messy posture, puffy and red nose she then hugs me and sob. "They took Melanie, I can't do anything," She said through sobs, I hush her and hug her patting her shoulder a little, I push her a little and look at her face."Did they hurt you?" I ask her, she shakes her head and wipes the tears on her face. I sigh relief that she's not hurt. I heard my phone beeped and I immediately get it to answer the call."Hello?" I answered him, "Your sister is safe-- for now," I heard him say, I clenched my fist and pace back and forth trying to calm myself. "Where is she?!" I said, almost shouting, I breathe in and out trying to calm my nerves and sigh, massaging my forehead. "Relax, she's safe you want to talk to her?" He said, I then heard Melanie's voice in the line."Melanie?!" I called h
The door opened and the guard glance at me, then smile motioning the opened door I step inside, not saying a word, and followed him after we walk around the mansion like earlier I observe the surroundings with my eyes not moving my neck to not attract the guard's attention."Master, here is the guest," I heard the guard said when we stop I stop walking and look around the room I saw Melanie sitting there, not moving and she turns her head to me gasp in surprise, and ran towards me."Are you okay?" I said, combing her hair she looks up at me and nodded her head. "Good, thank God," I whispered and kiss her forehead. I then look at the man in front of us. I saw him sitting there sipping on his cup of coffee-- a deja vu, the only difference is we are somewhere dangerous for my situation, I place my hand on Melanie's shoulder. His eyes then darted to us, the guard excuse himself and walk outside the room le
"Let her go!" I shouted at the man holding Kris, Melanie's crying beside me as she watched Kris trying to let off their grip. I turn my head to look at the man named Anthon-- the boss. "Please!" I said, pleading to him to let my sister go.He nodded and they let go of Kris, she then ran towards us and hug Melanie, "Come here, Lily," Anthon said, looking at me seriously. I wipe my tears and look at him trying to look brave I sigh and walk close to him he then grabs my hand when I was near him and drags me out of the room leaving my two sisters behind. I can hear their muffled complaints when I walk with this man. I am confused and hesitant by his actions.We stop by the big window, he was facing outside and I was just beh
It's been days since were staying here at Conard's mansion, In those days I haven't seen him that much because he was always busy with his work or he was out meeting people for God knows what business.I sigh and look at the maids who are now busy preparing for dinner, I then turn my head to watch my two sisters talking at the other part of the sofa giggling about something, I shake my head and sigh-- if sighing was money I'd be probably rich by now.I saw the maid walking towards our direction, looking serious-- their maids here are not that quite friendly or maybe because they are trained to act and do so which is not impossible because of Conards wealth and respectable family they should too act like they are fit for this mansion, to serve."Dinner's ready, Miss," She said when she was near in our direction, standing few steps away from where we are sitting, I slightly nodded my
The day ended with us finishing to pack our things, it's not much because we haven't been able to buy new clothes and other things though Anthon bought us pairs of shirts, jeans, and dresses which some of them were refused because it was too much.I stretched my arms, and shake my fingers a little when I finished packing our things croaking my neck to the side as I walk slowly to our bed. I sat on the bed and took a glance at Melanie and Kris who are now finished packing their bags."Is that all?" I said when I saw they just packed four bags in total two of their bags are pack bags and the other two