Chapter 12

Who are you? “

Those three letter words were the last words I expect to hear from him. From him! With my new found eyesight, I feast my eyes with his features as my mind went back to the days where he would pester me all day just to be with me. His thick eyebrows that were one of his prominent features; his charcoal irises, so dark and deep that it’ll leave you breathless the moment he’ll direct those eyes at you; his lips… those soft bow like lips that would spit sweet nothings way back… but not now. What changed?

“ Really? Nico? Come on! Don’t play games with me! “ I said, my voice raising a tad bit with disbelief. Seriously?! How can he make fun of me like that?

“ I’m sorry miss. I don’t really know who you are and why you were calling for me but I really gotta go.” The same deep, velvety voice that would always leave butterflies in my stomach before but now, it left nothing but a shoot of arrows as he left me in the hallway dumbfounded with the turn of events. I was glued on the spot as he went inside the elevator. My heart racing with excitement now placed with an utter hurt and astonishment. I followed his figure as he stands in the middle with his face contorted with a mixture of wonder and sorry.

“Lorenzo Nikholai…” Were the words I murmured as the elevator slowly closes with me outside, hurt, confused and stunned all in one.

“So? What happened? Everyone almost called the guard with the “ruckus” you made earlier. “ with her hands quoting the word ruckus, Cecelia lean in closely, pouted her lips, arc her eyebrows and waited for my answer. I sigh and look sideways; my hand playing with the food as I recalled what had happened.

“I didn’t cause a ruckus Cecelia. I just ran into someone I know… and it turned one hundred eighty degrees.” I mumbled, hurt and sad as everything sink in. Right after the elevator closed, Ben and his companion were tailing behind me, running in the hallways which caught all everyone’s attention.

“Hmm… geez. The head nurse is stressed out with your bodyguards running in the building, making her to call the guards. If it weren’t for me. Tsk. “ Her replied and sit correctly. She sip her coffee as I bite off the carrot. Silence ensued for a moment until Cecelia broke it with the most touchy topic for me.

Her eyes glimmered in pure mischief and her eyebrows wiggle in anticipation as she ask, “ so who is that someone you ran into? And what happened?”

The noise and rowdy place of the hospital's cafeteria didn’t falter the clarity of Cecelia’s questions; questions that I so wanna dodge right now. I drag my eyesight away from her and rather focus on the food in the table which is now in a not so good condition.

“Hey! Makaria! Why won’t you answer me?” Cecilia pouted and eyed me with suspicion.

“Well… He’s just an acquaintance of mine. I didn’t expect to see him here. Due to my excitement, I ran to him and called only to be ask, “who are you?” Like, seriously, is he playing with me?!” I huff in annoyance as once again the scene played vividly at the back of my mind. I jab my fork into the vegetable and eat it in a not so ladylike.

“Eh? If he’s just an acquaintance why are you acting like some girl who rejected her crush?” Cecelia stated-matter-of-factly. She then sip her cola calmly like she didn’t intend to compare me to a kid throwing tantrums.

Before I could react, she continued, “ Besides, if he’s an acquaintance from way back then, maybe he didn’t recognize you at all! I mean, something’s change with you or maybe, he’s not the one you’re looking for? You know, you just mistaken him for the one you know.”

“But that is totally impossible! I know him very well. I can’t be mistaken with him. It can’t be… “ I countered. Deep inside I know it was Nikholai all along. Something is off with him. With his

squeaky-clean attitude, it’s a bit bizarre to have his hair long and his stubbles seems like it was just freshly shaven… it’s unlikely of him.

“ I’m sorry Makaria, but I need to go, my free time's over. “ Cecelia announced which startled me for a bit. We look at each other a bit sad that we need to part ways too fast. I’ve known Cecelia for just months, and I was even visually impaired that but despite of that fact, she had grown into my skin unlike those friends of mine before. We stood and hug each other. Standing outside the hospital, we hug more and exchange digits.

“ I’m so sorry Cecelia. I hope we can hang out next time for real!”

“Yeah. I would love that! Anyway, we can always contact each other right? You can call me on your free time. “ With one last goodbye, I slid swiftly inside the car and Ben maneuver the car forward, leaving the premises of the hospital.

I fiddle my phone and compose a message for Cecelia. Everything is smoothly going until I noticed the car speeding up. The other bodyguard in the shotgun seat, look at me at the rearview mirror and ask for me to secure my seatbelt.

“Is something wrong?” I ask, worried.

“Carl reported an unusual car following our tails ma’am. “

“What do you mean? “

“ Secure your seatbelt ma’am, we’re going to speed up a bit more.” Ben cautioned and true to his word, the car passed by the huge trees lining in the highway. The highway is deserted with only us in the road.

“ Toyota. Color black. AKI1021. I repeat, the car is toyota in color black with the plate number AKI1021”

The robotic voice in the walkie talkie blow up; the tension building up I can slice it with a knife. I tried to look back and see what is happening with the other bodyguards with me. Two cars dominating the road as they went passed by each other, zigzagging along the way racing with each other. We’re kilometers away from the cars behind but seems like they’re catching up fast.

“ Ma’am please, stay out of the line of sight. Hide for a while, we don’t know if that someone tailing behind had guns. “ pleaded Ben. He’s frantically looking behind and the side view mirror. To appease his worries, I lowered my body as much as possible to obscure my figure and protect my head my covering both my hands over it. I can feel heart picking up its beat as the circumstances transcend into a more dangerous path.

“ Carl. Can you check out the driver’s figure? Is it a girl or boy?”

“The car’s old but is heavily tinted. I can’t see everything clearly who’s inside- Fuck!”

A loud crashing noise and a robust curse echoed in the car which startled us all. Temptation is calling me to look up and see the happenings outside but Ben beat me to it.

“ Stay put on where you are Miss! Carl’s car is okay and now advances fast, catching up with us. “

I sigh inwardly and silently thank the heavens. I hope this will end eventually with no one getting hurt.

“ Carl? How’s the situation over there?”

“ They intentionally bump with us but we managed to out run them. I can see a bit glimpse of the person’s silhouette inside the car. There’s two people inside. One in the driver’s seat and one in the shotgun seat. I can’t make out who they were nor their gender. “

“Okay got it. Back up is now on their way so better catch up us. Go straight into the mansion going to the main road while we’ll take the other route. “

“Okay got it. “

The heavy silence reigns within the four of us accompanied by the soft purr of the engine.

Who could that be? Why follow me all of a sudden? Being part of the socialites way back, it is guaranteed with us having business enemies; sometimes even our lives were on the line but thus is the first time I was the sole target. I just got out from the hospital and have my eyesight back but, someone out there wanted so much for my head. It’s like whomever that person is, he wanted so much to see my head serve in a silver platter. If it weren’t for Ben and others…. I don’t know what will happen to me. Morbid scenarios played at the back of my mind. I can feel my whole body shaking as the last moments before I lost my sight flash…

“ You could’ve called me instead of waiting in that waiting shed for a bus. It’s past 10 pm Makaria. “

Chills crept in me as John sit comfortably inside with his laptop in his lap. His eyes, calculating and cold, directed at me. I went inside immediately without even saying a proper goodbye to Nico.

“ I didn’t know you were back…” I mumbled, clasping the jacket around myself to shoo away the coldness of the temperature. I look outside to keep myself busy and not to meet his eyes.

“ Didn’t your father told you? I was busy with the expansion of the branch, I didn’t have the time to contact you at all. “ He stated. His whole attention now focus on whatever he was doing in his laptop which totally made me at ease. I sit erect and look ahead.

“It was fine… it doesn’t matter anyway…” I replied, whispering the last four words only for myself to hear. John was gone for almost a month right after we were engaged and now his back like nothing happened. Well, just as like I said, it doesn’t matter. What we’ll be doing won’t be out of love but out of duty and business. Our deteriorating business will be save by the Ledesma’s in exchange for my freedom. Just how cliché my life could get?

“ I would like to apologize for my absence Makaria. “ His cold, baritone voice stated out of the blue. It wasn’t the kind of apology that is filled with emotion. It was kind of apology that is curt yet sincere; one that is stating a fact that in some way he did have some lapses as my fiancé and he truly knows it.

John Ledesma maybe a harsh and cold guy but he certainly is a good guy with manners.

“ You’re forgiven. “ I replied. This time looking at him, quite admiring how down-to-earth kind of person he is. He nodded in return and for a moment he look so dashing in his navy blue suit amidst the darkness inside the car.

“Here.” He motion for the box in between us, which I didn’t notice a while ago. I eyed him curiously and open the box. The sleek white ribbon slide down the white box. An elegant logo of a certain luxury brand is stamp in the middle. It was one of my favorite brands. Guessing what could be inside the box, it could be a dress seeing how quite big the box is.

“It’s a dress. We are going tonight to the party my family throw. “ He said nonchalantly; the excitement and thrill puff off like a smoke in the air with his sudden interruption. I almost rolled my eyes at him of it weren’t for the last he said.

“Wait. Party?! What party?!” I exclaimed. Totally caught off guard with the information he had thrown.

“Did my mother didn’t tell you anything at all?” He ask disbelief. His attention now on me.

“ I didn’t know anything! I mean, how could your mother ever told me if we hadn’t talk for a while now? I said panicking. If there is a party, which of course there is, I should prepare right now! I mean, I should’ve prepared everything if it wasn’t for the sudden happenings from the snatching to meeting Nico all of a sudden. This night had been so overwhelming I don’t know if there is something more that could blow me off tonight.

“Can we stop by a gasoline station? Or anywhere where I could properly changed? I mean, I don’t have any make up yet! I need to change asap! I don’t even have a shoes to pair this with! Gosh!” I screeched, totally panicking.

“Hold up Makaria. We can’t afford to stop now, the party has started thirty minutes ago. They’re all waiting for us. You can just change here inside the car. We’ll just close the blinds-“

“What?! Bullshit! How can I-“

“I know! This is an utter bullshit. I just landed thirty minutes ago and my mom called me to go straight in the hotel. Knowing you’re nowhere to be found, they pushed me to pick you up and I almost called the police to immediately search for you if it weren’t for Ben! You don’t have a choice. Change here on your on free will or I’ll change you here myself! “ John exclaimed which totally surprised me. His cold and curt demeanor blown away as I can see his frustration and stress rising up.

“Okay! Okay! Chill! I’ll change if you’ll close your eyes! Don’t look at me! “ I demanded and he nodded silently. He heave a sigh and look away. The blinds that separate us from the driver is now slowly closing with one flick of his hand. Without further ado, I totally unboxed the dress unceremoniously. If it weren’t for the urgency, I’ll sure admire the elegant dress. It was a champagne off shoulder backless dress embellished with appliques, bow and lace. Throwing a hot glare at John, who’s looking outside, I undressed. I set aside the jacket Nico lend me. I eyed the dress reluctantly, knowing my situation right now, I don’t have a choice.

“Hold it for me. “ I said and handed John the jacket. He looked at me puzzled.

“What for?”

“Use this to cover your eyesight! I can’t properly dress knowing I would be naked in front of you. “

“Fine.” He resign and cover his whole face with the jacket. His whole body relaxing and leaning in the seat.

Seizing the opportunity, I slip into the dress in less than ten minutes. The fastest changing of clothes I have ever done in my life.

“Done. What now? I don’t have a shoes. This shoes I’m wearing doesn’t suit the dress at all. “ I said.

“I don’t know if you have a boyfriend or what but I do hope you’ll respect me as your future husband Makaria, even if you don’t love me. “ Seriousness laced John’s voice. The voice that made me want to cower and hide somewhere. I was left speechless as he opened the window of the car and tossed the jacket outside like it’s some trash.

“Break up with him Makaria. It is for everyone’s sake. “ He stated.

Even before I could say something, everything just turned upside down with my body thrown all over the car. I can feel some sharp things cut through my skin until everything went black.

“ Ma’am? The coast is clear. As of the moment we’ll be heading into the other route going in the back gate of Mr. Ledesma’s mansion. You’re safe ma’am. “

“Ma’am? Are you okay?” Soft tap in my shoulder brought me back to the current situation. The car is in full stop in the side of the road. The huge trees shedding us from the scorching heat of the sun; making the place a bit dim.

“ I’m fine. I’m fine. Where were we?” I look around and noticed this is not the main highway going to the mansion.

“We are going to the mansion by this route straight into the back gate of the mansion ma’am. “

“ Is the culprit already captured? What did that person want from me?” I asked. I my eyes jumping from Ben next to the guard I don’t know the name. I should get his name later.

“ As of the moment, we don’t have the full report yet. The other back up is still on its heel chasing the car. We already reported this to Mr. Ledesma. His order was to bring secure your safety and bring you as planned in the mansion. “ Ben supplied me the details which calm me down. At least I know what is happening around me and John’s plans.

“Okay. Let’s do that. I already calmed down so let’s get going. I need to see my dad. “

“Okay ma’am. The mansion's just a fifteen minute away from here. “

The car started and drive into the dim road, the huge trees looming over us like a monster waiting for a right moment to devour us into an endless darkness. After more or less fifteen minutes, the car halt just right outside the huge gates wide open with people hustling and bustling. I step out of the car and the blazing sun with the blow of the wind greeted me wildly. My hairs tangling in all over as it wildly swaying into the way the air is blowing.

“What’s… happening?” I uttered, rooted on the spot as I drink in the scene unfolding. Maids hurrying to and fro holding bags after bags. The loud roaring of engine is eating up all of my words and so are the words Ben is spitting.

I-S-L-A-N-D-N-O-W his mouth saying.