No matter how much I hate my father because of what he did, I will not deny the fact that I still love him after all of that. I did wish for him to just vanish before… after getting that much hatred but… those are the times that I do not mean what I was saying.
I did wish for it but I don’t really mean it…
To think that the day would come when he would really be… dead…
“Hello? Shaun? Shaun?? Do you hear me?”
Calling Shaun, among anyone else, he was one of those who knew what was really happening. Like, he would surely have intel if my father was just faking his death just like me, right? Because if it was him, he should know…
[Kianna? Why did you call? Make it quick]
He sounds so annoyed but I understand. He is busy too, I know that. But I just really need to know what the truth is… I need to know…
“Is it fake news? I mean, I heard that my father is dead, it can be a case just like me. Right? He is faking it, right?”
Silence, that is what I heard on the other line. My hand that was holding the phone was shaking… it was trembling, I couldn’t help myself but be like this. I am trying to calm down. I really do. But… but… I just can’t!
Walking back and forth, I stopped as soon as he started to speak. It was the words I do not want to hear.
[Sorry Kianna. I am sorry for your loss. It is true, I visited Father and he is not in a good condition too. I am sorry but, my father needs me. Call Jena if you want to know something. I am out at work for some time]
And with that, the phone call ended.
It feels so unreal.
What did I just hear? Even Mr. Sebas? Just…. What happened to them?
I feel like my system stopped. As if, I can feel nothing right at this moment. Then…
The sound of the keys landing on the counter was heard. It surely is Drake. But for some reason, I dare not look at him.
“Kianna… you heard the news?”
“Yes”
“Would you like to visit him?”
I can’t answer. Why is he calm? Is he just trying to act like that because he doesn’t want me to see him vulnerable?
“I don’t know anymore… Drake. Something is strange… just when I thought that peace was possible for us and that we could finally be happy … things like this would happen…”
He says nothing. Even I would be left speechless if I were in his position.
“Love…”
The things he was holding then landed on the ground. It was groceries. Did he buy that? or maybe Jena brought that up… but that is not the case right now.
I looked at Drake and saw him looking at me. This is not the time for me to ask but I can’t help but to do so…
“Drake, there is something that I want to ask…”
“Yes?”
“Do you remember my graduation, you gave me flowers”
“Yes, why did you bring up that topic?”
This is not a dream, is it?
Staring at him, I was confused…
How can he know that?
“But…”
That didn’t happen this time. I mean… it happened in the past I recreate… why did he…“Is there something wrong?”
Yes, everything is wrong. Things like this are wrong… I am not really sure what is happening anymore…
About Dad, about the memories Drake has… something is not right.
“How did you…”
“Kianna! Your mouth… Shit, what is happening?!”
Why is he so surprised? Is there something on my face?
A strange feeling then crawls into my system. As if something was falling out of my mouth and nose. As soon as I touched it, what I saw was blood.
…
“I told you I am alright, there is no need to worry”
“How can I? I thought that I would lose you again…”
Wiping his face, it was the first time I saw Drake act like this. But more than that…
“Drake, how did you know that?”
“Huh? Know what?”
“I mean, you did not give me flowers… back then”
“I did”
“No… I did not meet you there. I never even saw you when I graduated”
“What-“
“Then do you remember asking me for a date after that?”
Looking at me, he looks so pale.
“Kianna”
“Drake… are you hiding something from me?”
Looking around, he seems to finally analyze what was happening. Holding his mouth he stares at me in surprise. With his teary eyes, he holds my hand.
“How did you…”
Just as I thought… it was like that. He knows something. But… how?
Drake did not remove his gaze from me. He was so surprised that he did not notice how his hand already touched mine. It was… it was the first time I had seen him to be in this state.
“Why are you crying?”
I mumbled as I saw the tears that were now falling from his cheeks. It was… pouring out with no stop.
“Oh, shit…”
He cursed as soon as he realized what he had just done.
But still…
This… doesn’t make sense.
How can he remember that when in this future that never happened? How can he have the memories of me in that time… did he also come back to the past? But how?
And… those visions I had, the small lights, the portraits, those images of me talking in my dream… are they all connected?
Something then shakes my hand… it was Drake.
“You are… shaking”
I mumbled as he kept his face hidden and buried in the back of my palm. He is indeed crying. Sobbing his heart out.
“Love?” I called him but still, it took him some time before he could even utter a word.
His shoulder was going up and down. I can see it so clearly. He can’t stop himself from crying…
“I thought… I thought you…”
I gulp as soon I meet his eyes. He was in a mess. Just seeing him cry makes me want to cry too.
His face was full of sadness yet relief… why is he feeling like this?
“I am so sorry. I am sorry that I can do nothing back then. I am sorry I failed… I failed and kept on hurting you… I am sorry Kianna… I am sorry”
“What do you mean?”
Why is he apologizing? I don’t understand…
“I am sorry…”
“Drake…” he keeps on saying that to me and I just let him too.
And that night, I let him stay in the comfort of my arms. He didn’t say a word and just stayed near me. Just like me… he is also in pain yet…
There are so many things I am confused or right now… but somehow, I strangely feel like my emotions were blocked. I did not cry or anything…
More than anything else, I am mad. At myself…
Kianna… why are you so selfish even now? Why didn’t you notice it sooner?
You always think for yourself. It is always you… you think you can escape things if you avoid them… but… just like what they said. I can’t hide any longer. I need to do something… I have to do something… because things won’t go the way I want them to if I don’t take any action.
I don’t know why but that sight I saw before I got back to the present keeps knocking on my mind. Those portraits… and that empty frame…
Somehow… I think I have an idea of what might be in there…
But I am not yet sure…
From Hera… to Rocco… to Drake and my Parents…
Those keys should have a meaning behind them…
And what is it that she was talking about?
‘You have to do something, Kianna. That is if you don’t want to end up like me…’
End up like what?
So many questions…
All of it… it must all stop.
This is not right… things like this…
And for that… I must fix things up. But how can I fix things if it was like this? I don’t even know what I should fix… then… I should start from the very first. I need to know what truly is happening… Fix it the right way. From the beginning… from where it all starts…
“Mom” I am looking at the back of my mother as she is staring out the window. Drake postponed his work just so he could be with me when I visited my mom. I told him I would be fine but after what happened that time, he dared not leave me alone. He insists on going with me which I also want to happen. I am not sure if it was for me or for him but… staying by each other’s side… I am sure it would be better for the two of us. “Kianna” Looking at me, I saw how my mom smiled so sweetly. As if she was forcing herself to do so. Now that I remember, she does smile like this even before. How foolish of me to not notice. Drake let go of my hand letting me come rushing towards her. “Mom…” I mumbled as I hugged her so tight. But all she did was pat the back of me to let me calm down. “Shhh” How painful it is for her? To get betrayed by her husband like that. to have her daughter fake her death just because the bastard of his husband attempts to kill her only child? I wonder… I wond
[Hera, I heard you are back in the country. How are you doing?] “Patrish, did you really call me just to say that?” [Um, yep? It’s been so long since I last saw you. I want us to have a reunion again… if it is alright] Holding her phone, Hera was pouring coffee into her cup. Wearing a white long sleeve, she tops it with a black cardigan with knee length. “I have to pass for now. Still have something I have to do” Taking a sip, she heard the fuming sound on the other line. Indeed, Patrish wants to see her so badly. [But Hera… I will be at my uncle’s funeral. Are you sure you are not coming?] The sound of the taxi honking was then heard. Enough for the two of them to hear it. [Seems like you got to go] “Yeah” [Tch, just as I thought. You would use that excuse. But Hera… I really wish to meet you soon.] Slightly laughing at what she heard, Hera then picked up her things. “Making a wish? Are you a kid? But bye, gotta go” As soon as the door closes, she drops the call. Headin
“Hi, do I know you?” I am thankful I didn’t stutter. Luckily, I was able to get a hold of myself. But… I didn’t know I would see Hera here so soon. Is she with Patrish and the others? For sure most of them would be here since they are related to my father. Specially Patrish and Scott. But… How should I face them? I planned to be here just to see what bullshit it is but… yeah I did expect to see some familiar faces… But never once did I think that they would talk to me. They don’t even know me. And… I mean… “I don’t think so… but, I don’t know where I have seen your face and…” “And…?” What is she trying to say? And where is Jena? She is just right here… “Nothing, I just thought you do look familiar but… well, never mind that” Holding a bouquet of white flowers, how funny. I am the daughter yet I didn’t even bring anything at all… But am I that bad to not feel like doing so? I smile back to Hera and nod my head. “Sorry but I have to go, it is nice meeting you” With my voice,
“I was also shocked when I saw him… but ever since that incident he never wakes up” Shaun stated. Standing as he had his way to see his father. I can clearly see how big his eye bags are. I bet he also had a hard time… after all… I know that it is just the two of them after he lost his mother. “What did the doctor tell you? Is there really no way to help him?” Hearing how there was a brief silence, Drake was there to hold my hand. Thankfully he was there… it is always him supporting me… “They did what they could, but even the most advanced technology we had couldn’t do any help at all. He needs time to get well. And if there is a miracle… he can wake up” “A miracle?” So that is how bad Mr. Sebas’s situation is?? But… I heard it was an accident, how can it be this severe? “And there was something he said before he finally lost consciousness and fell into a coma” Looking at us, Shaun was never this mad. I saw him like this… “He is dangerous” What does he mean he? Who is he pert
“Yes, yes, I understand that… really, Seki. I know what I am doing” Looking at me with that bored look on her face, I know how much she doesn’t have a single trust in the words I have said. Although, what I said was true! I know that it was reckless of me to go there… but I need to do that. Or else… Or else I would regret not doing so… “I don’t really understand why you are so thick-headed after all of what happened. But Kianna… I am just worried” Pinching my cheeks, she is like a big sister to me. “Sorry to make you worry” “As if you wouldn’t do it again” I just offer her a smile. Drake is now talking with someone on the phone. I bet it was his employer. Will it really be right that he won’t do that project? But if it is impossible as of now, there is really no reason to keep pursuing it. It takes time… “Seems like you have to go now” She mumbled pointing to Drake. “I need to talk with Mr. Sebas first” There was a frown on her face. Indeed, it isn’t the right term to be use
As soon as we arrived back in the house, I quickly gathered the files I had with me. I also bring my laptop and some other things. Looking at Drake, he is now holding the keys to our car. Smiling at me with that reassuring gaze, I nodded my head. I shouldn’t panic. I can do this. I must… “Let’s go” We are on our way to an apartment named after someone else. Serena’s friend. But in reality, I am the owner of that unit. Drake and I. Just think of it as a disguise. For me to have the chance to meet Serena. Since we all do not know what may happen if anyone finds out that I am still alive. Since I already made up a name as Bea, should I ask Jena to sell me an identity? That would be much easier. It would be easier to move that way. “Kianna, don’t read while we are moving. Or else your eyes would be hurt” “Drake, I need to know the situation right away. Every second counts. Sorry… just… just this time” Putting his hand on my wrist, it made me look at him. he may be staring straight a
“Stay, that is all I need you to do” “Are you fucking out of your mind? You don’t see me as some kind of dog that would stay just because you wanted to, do you?” Full of anger, even though it was just the two of them inside that room, Hera can’t help but feel like something is not right. If before, she would feel comfortable with him, now, it wasn’t the case at all. As if, something inside her was telling her that he was just a piece of bad news. “I don’t even know why I came here after all of that, what a waste of time” About to leave, she was surprised when Marco stopped her with his blunt words. “But you know how much you love to be a dog with me” Eyes widening in anger, she stomps her feet as she slams her hands on his table. Glaring at him as if she would kill him, he is not frightened at all. “I dare you to say that again and I will not fucking tolerate any of your bullshits” “But I am telling the truth, am I not?” Scowling at him, instead of feeling frightened, Marco se
“Jena, did you find anything?” Shaking her head, Jena handed her the envelope that she was holding. They planned to meet in Serena’s place but because of some matters, they decided to just meet back home. After all, it would be bad if anyone found out that they have a connection with Serena. “That is all I got. Even though it was quite quick since Shaun also looked through his information, that is what we gathered” Opening the envelope, indeed, both files of those two are as clean as snow. White on the outside yet they are still hiding impurities. “By the way, are you alone?” Jena asked as she looked around and found no one else than them. “No, Drake was with me. He was just taking a bath” “Ahh… that is good to hear. Please avoid being alone. Even though this place is the most safest for you, we can’t tell what may happen.” “Thank you for your concern, Jena… but I would be more than happy if we find even just a small piece of evidence to bring their dirt out their faces” Noddi