Chapter 4

"I promise I'll come back. I love you."

Those were the last words I've heard from her before she left me broken alone in this world, those words that left deep cuts through my heart that never heals.

It was a lie.

She never came back nor did she ever love me. I was never the fire that gives warmth in her cold rainy days. I was never his king nor was she never my queen.

"Why are you still awake?" Venice muffled, leaning on the door frame and ambling her way to the bar.

She hugs me from my behind. I gulp the bourbon on hand without answering her question. I went to the living room and placed the glass on the center table. She went after me and sat on the left side of the couch.

"Go back to sleep, you need rest." She clings her hands around my waist.

I became rigid. I breathed out and tried to remove her hands. I didn't expect her to act like this, it's annoying.

"Is there a problem? If you want me to accompany you, I'm here to listen." She's persistent, it irritates me. "We can talk about it. I'm worried--" She's cut short when I shouted. It startled her with her eyes protruding in shock.

"You're getting clingy." Pagamin ko.

One thing with girls, they stick their nose to our business. They don't understand the definition of privacy.

"Right, friends with benefits," She faked a laugh, her eyes in shambles, "but I love you--" Hahawak na ito sa akin nang pigilan ko. This is why I shouldn't do friends.

"It means nothing to me." Hindi kumibo si Venice. "Just leave." Namumula ang mata at nagbabadyang umiyak ito.

"You heard him. Leave. Now. If you still want to live your life." Napaharap ako sa gawi ni Celestine.

Venice's face went sour instantly when she saw Celestine but she took a step back and left my condo. Celestine went to the kitchen to grab some chips and Ben&Jerry's vanilla ice cream. She went back to the living area and sat on the couch, turned the television on and changed the channel to Netflix.

I watch her, like a hawk, as she laughs in hysterics. She looks dumb and stupid but her view washes the jitters hanging on my stomach and the baggage on my shoulders. What makes her laugh this way? She seemed fine: no angst, no sadness, no pain just happiness. Maybe she's contented and happiness, it is a byproduct of contentment

Why can't I? I'm contented and I accepted the ups and downs of life with equanimity, still, there is a void inside.

"Unleash the warrior," Hindi ko napansing nakatingin s'ya sa akin. She's emotionless. "She wouldn't mind if you suffer." I didn't speak, falter or react.

"Tonic thoughts causes tonic chemicals, toxic thoughts causes toxic chemicals, stop being a mussy and light the fuse. You need refreshment." aniya sabay abot ng ice cream

Bago mahawakan ang ice cream, umalingawngaw ang putok ng baril. Celestine abruptly tears herself off the couch and went out of the condo.

What the hell, bakit siya lumabas?

"On the ground, now! Don't move nor even try calling the police!" I did as I am told. What the hell is going on?

She went back to her room; I was baffled and scared, she's carrying a gun. Lumabas siyang unit at nagpatuloy paputukan ng bala ang katunggali. My heartbeat is raising and all I could think of is her; it's the third time I saw her with a gun.

"Fight or flight, dumbass!" I can hear her shouting despite the noise.

Lumabas ako. I saw someone lying dead on the ground. Celestine's sitting on the floor, her back on the panel and lungs running after air. I rushed my way to her but stopped when I saw Venice on the floor.

"What the fuck did you do?" Venice is barely breathing. She got shot in her right chest; her spinal was damaged, too.

"Call the ambulance." Utos nito. She fished for her phone out her sweatpants and answered the call.

"Caleb, he's out."

I called the ambulance although I performed occlusive dressing, creating a flutter by taping down three sides. It will allow air to escape but it will prevent from getting in and to alleviate the tension pneumothorax.

Nagtama mga mata namin pagkakwan. Nagalala ako nang makita kalagayan niya. She got an open wound on her leg but her facial is shallow. I can tell fear is interfering with her thoughts but she's blinding it.

What is she? Who's out? Is she part of a syndicate?

"I'm fine. I will call Don Manuel, it's his call this time. He can't stop my marriage, nobody will." She's emotionless, her eyes covered in smog. Umalis ng tower si Celestine nang hindi inaalam ang kalagayan ni Venice.

If she thinks nobody can stop our marriage then I'll prove her wrong. I have enough reasons to.

Dumating ang ambulansya makaraang minuto at agad sinugod sa ospital si Venice sa pangalawang pagkakataon. I called her dad. Galit na galit ang ama n'ya nang makarating sa ospital at halos gustohin pang magsampa ng kaso. Nakiusap lang si Venice at sinabing aksidente ang nangyare.

I talked to Girron, one of the nurses and made sure that they'll take care of her before leaving the hospital. I got into my room when I arrived at my condo. I lay on my bed, tried to fall asleep to rest my mind. Moments after, I felt a hand caressing my face. Her touch is soft and warm eradicating the stress I've been bearing since yesterday.

I opened my eyes only to see darkness and dead silence surrounding me. I let out a heavy sigh. I'm probably hallucinating because of lack of sleep and drunkenness plus the dull feeling.

"Eliot, I'm here. Over here." A familiar voice suddenly filled the air.

Tumayo ako, sinuri ang paligid at nagtaka. I'm inside my room, the one in Amang's mansion. What am I doing here? Paano ako napunta dito? The only thing that's different is the red light appearing on the door.

"Eliot, come."

I followed the alluring voice unconsciously. I can't feel my legs but they're walking on their own leading me to the living room. It is pitch black

"I promise we'll be together forever." aniya. "Go, open the window and jump."

Without any hesitations, I nodded, opened the window and stood there at the edge.

"Come, jump, I'll be waiting for you down there--" Tumingin ako sa ilalim.

I am no longer in our house. I'm at the top of a skyscraper standing on the edge and spreading my arms ready to jump.

"Down there in hell."

"Fuck, no!" I tried backing down but I couldn't control my body. Why can't I feel my self? Why am I like a robot that's being controlled by somebody else?

But in a snap, when I jumped off the building, I woke up panting and sweating from a nightmare. They're getting stronger each night. They would not stop until I'm dead. I was relieved when I heard my phone ringing. It was Devin. Sinagot ko ito.

"Beach party at seven, sharp. Vanaya Cove."

Tumingin ako sa relos na nasa dingding, it's already three in the afternoon. Binaba nito ang tawag. I got on my feet, took a shower and went to Bataan.

I reached the beach around eight in the evening. People are already half wasted. The steaming humid weather brushed on my skin as I walk barefooted on the sand with my naked chest and summer shorts, although it's still July.

I don't understand the weather, or maybe it's because of girls loitering everywhere with their bikinis. There are a lot of beers and it goes without saying, the hangover is fast approaching.

Devin gave me a tight hug and introduced me to some of his newly found friends. Hindi na ako nagtaka, may kaholding hands nang ibang babae; he's a chotch, no doubts about that. Blake wasn't able to come. He's busy dealing with his father's and their company's junctures, too bad for my bachelor friend.

It's Jared's birthday party and he shut down the resort. He didn't care about the complaints and let us get ourselves a great amount of fun and beer though it's a bad remark for the business. But, good enough isn't good enough at all. They set up a shuffleboard, pool table and table football in the middle of the sand.

We also played root ball, the mechanics are slightly different. We duck poles down the sand and there are consequences. If you failed or refused to do the dare, you'll chug down a bottle of Stroh Rum but if you have the guts in humiliating yourself, you're good to go and up for the next pole. Kapag natapos mo, you'll be rewarded half a hundred thousand bucks.

"What the fuck bro? I... I can't!" I know why, Erin.

He may find other girls attractive but he can't go that far. He's aware of the consequences. Namumula na si Devin. Nasa ikalawang pole palang siya. The dare is to strip and dance sensually in front of Lydia.

"Come on, don't be such a dick!" sigaw ko.

I'm testing him. If he wouldn't fall for it, he's dang serious about dating Erin.

"I'll take the Stroh Rum." Nagboo ang mga kaibigan namin. 'Di naman pinakinggan ng gago at isahang beses nilagok ang rum.

Matapos maglaro ay ipinagpatuloy ang paginom. The night was fun. Both Devin and I ended up stoned and woke up the next day with a bad and massive excruciating hangover. I had a bottle of Stroh Rum too; they dared me to kiss Anica, 'yong baklang assistant ni Page. I am not a killjoy but I won't risk myself for that.

I walked my way to the resort for breakfast. Nagvibrate ang telepono ko. There's a message from my father. The content was about Celestine and the wedding, obviously. It will be in a few days and I am rather stressed. I don't even plan on showing up and just ditch that vile and butt ugly-looking beldam.

Even before I reach the cottage where Devin's having breakfast, I saw a familiar complexion right next to the counter. May kasama siyang lalake.

"Eliot!" Yumakap siya. Nailang ako, masama ang tingin ng kasama niya sa akin. Bahagya akong lumayo.

"Last trip with your fiancé before tying the knot? God, I missed you!" Umiling ako.

"Jared's party." Felicity nodded. Hinila niya ang kasama na agad sinikop ng kamay ang bewang nito.

"This is my husband, Thaddeus Montereal." Inabot ni Deus ang kamay na masuyu kong tinanggap.

Pagkatapos ay bumalik ito sa reception area. Felicity held my hand and looked at me. Iba ang titig niya. Dinampi niya ang mga labi sa tainga ko at bumulong.

"Do you want to play?"

Felicity bit her lower lip and caress my chest with her hands. Umiling ako at tumungo sa cottage ni Devin para sumabay sa almusal. Sinundan ako ni Felicity, leaving her husband behind and joining us for breakfast.

After having a feast, we did surfing, windsurfing, kite surfing, snorkeling, and diving. Inabot kaming hapon sa dagat kaya sa kabilang isla kami kumain at magkahiwalay na nagcheck in sa isang hotel.

Nang dapit hapon, nagpasya akong dumiretso sa isang bar. Nakita ko si Felicity, agaw atensyon sa suot na two piece. We drank and dance together. Sa sobrang kalasingan nakalimutan naming babalik kami sa isla Iranna para sa second-night ng birthday celebration ni Jared. We ended going to my hotel room instead which is a bad idea.

I went to the couch and about to sleep when she sat on my lap and kissed me on my lips. I didn't respond but she kept on kissing me and found myself enjoying her lips and the thought of being caught by her husband added a thrill. She started undressing both of us. I shut my eyes tight when her lips touched the tip of my shaft. I fixed her hair, holding it tight as I guide her and thrusts my hood down her throat.

Pulling her up and kissing her lips, I penetrated her flower after having her first orgasm. We both moaned in pleasure. She started moving her pelvis up and down and from side to side. I groaned and I saw her smiling. She arches her back so that I could have access to her breast. I sucked her nipples and played with them.

"Just like that."

We change positions and fucked her from her from behind. I thrust deep into her. I felt her tighten her grip on the couch when I went deep inside. A few more thrust, she moaned loud when I had my withdrawal inside her. We were both panting and gasping for air but not yet satisfied.

Biglang tumunog ang doorbell. Tumayo si Felicity at pumasok sa banyo, the liquid dripping down her thigh. I wore my pants before going to the door. Natuyuan akong dugo nang makita ang babae sa harap ko.

"Room service po, sir." wika niya na may malapad at mapang-asar na ngiti sa labi. Papasok na sana ito nang magsalubong ang mga kilay ko.

"Sinusundan mo ba ako?" matigas kong tanong.

Lumihis ang tingin niya at umiling. Turning her back on me, I grabbed her by her hoodie and pinned her to the wall. Hapit ang hubad kong katawan sa katawan niya. Her breathing became heavy.

"Kapal. Excuse me, hindi mo pagmamayari ang resort." Her lips twitch up. "But let's say I'm here to make your life like a living hell." Bigla akong kinabahan.

"Being faithful isn't really in your vocabulary, huh?"

"What are you going to do then, seduce me?"

"Yuck. Pagkatapos mo sa ibang babae ididikit mo sa akin ang katawan mo?" Tinulak niya ako palayo.

She got something inside her bag then dropped her bag on the floor. Fuck, gun again! Anong gagawin na naman ng pangit na Celestine na 'to?

"Move, I will kiss your mistress goodbye." And she meant it by killing her. Fuck.