The time when the waves becomes calm was also the same time Kingston took his last breath.  Celestine was almost unable to open her mouth. Her two eyes witnessed how Vincent remorselessly shot Kingston. It was a ghastly sight that anyone, not only her, would be affrighted to see.  She's scared of him. She had always been but it was different now. Her heart beats for a ruthless man and no matter how much she badly wants it to stop—it suffocates her.  The wind whistled, chillness engulfed her. She rubbed both of her arms as she take a step. Vladimir remained silent at her side. It was a blessing in disguise for her because she doesn't want to talk to anyone.  "Vincent's wasn't as cruel as what you are thinking right now," Vladimir said.  She wiped the dry tears to her cheeks. They stick to her face like glue. It was difficult to get rid of them so she

Vincent walked with heavy footsteps. It echoes throughout the hallway surpassing the sound of Vladimir's shoes as they hit the cold tile floor. He was walking behind Vincent, his mouth shut, eyes on the open windowpanes and hands on his pocket.    "I know what happened now..." Vincent said as he stopped walking. His hands were in his pocket when he turned around to face Vladimir.    Vladimir averted his gaze to the window and look straight into Vincent's eyes.    "What did you know?" he asked, his voice is calm despite the curiosity that was starting to grow inside of his mind.    "I know what happened to Sophia. You killed her." Rage reflected in Vincent's eyes. It was relentless. Vladimir had seen it before. He's familiar with the sinister that was hiding behind Vincent's eyes.    Vladimir calmly emerges a bubble gum out of his pocket and chews it. 

"No, you're lying. You're just making this thing up. Who asked you to say these lies huh? Vincent? Well, I'm not stupid. I won't believe you or even your boss!" she shouted as she turned her back to Vladimir. He chased her and grabbed her by arm. "Listen, I'm your stepbrother. Your mom had an affair—"She slapped him, hard. Her hands were trembling and despite the soreness of her hand as it land on Vladimir's cheek she managed to clinch it into a fist. Her mom has nothing to do with the mafia and everything that Vladimir was saying right now. She won't believe him, never. Although her mom was already in heaven and wasn't able to defend herself anymore to accusations that Vladimir had been putting against her name, the memories of her mother should still be respected."Don't you ever try to accuse her of something she didn't do again in front of me because I don't know what I can do just to protect my mom?" Gradually, the corners of her eyes felt warm

He fastidiously put her to bed. Her weightless body felt like a feather as it touched the soft mattress that made a loud springy noise. She lost count of how many times she blinked to stop herself from falling asleep.  She can't seem to move her muscle and wasn't even able to lift a finger. It was as if her body wants to shut down and permanently rest so she controlled herself.  The rhythmic chirping of the crickets takes over. It wasn't too loud but was enough to kill the silence inside of her bleak, darkroom. A harsh slam of wind blew out of a midnight sky, she hugged herself and rubbed both of her arms. Vladimir stood up and approached the window and closed it.  "Are you fine now? What did he do to you huh?" he asked softly as if she was a fragile thing. She looked at her lap, uncomfortable with Vladimir's stares.  "I'm fine. He did nothing." He sat on the edge of the bed, his back on Celestine. Certainly, she's uncomfortable to

Slowly, she removed her lips from Vincent's. She tucked some of her hair strand behind her ears as she opened her eyes. His eyes were still shut, his every breath was heavy, and he didn't move a muscle.  Celestine's mouth was left open. Her eyes went to Vincent's lips.  "Oh God, what the heck, Celestine?" she scolded herself as she gradually realized what she had done. Not much in herself, she touched her lips. It was there, she can still feel the softness of his lips against hers. She abruptly stood up and moved away from Vincent's bed—hands still covering her mouth.  She was thankful that it didn't interrupt Vincent's sleep because if it does, she doesn't know how to save herself from embarrassment.  No one caught her stealing a kiss from Vincent but embarrassment is eating her up so she decided to just leave his room. She fastidiously turned the doorknob, afraid that it will make a noise that might interrupt Vincent's sl