Prologue

[Lexxeignne]

‘Is everything all set?’

"Yes, madam! Everything was ready!" I answer.

‘Ok. Good. I'll be there in an hour. Got to go.’

"Got it, madam!" When I put down my phone, I hurried to put away all the mess that was scattered in the grass. I smiled as I looked at what I arranged and prepared. It’s nice! I'm sure, madam Vanessa will like it.

By the way, my name is Lexxeignne Morales, Lex for short.

Madam Vanessa ordered me to set up a romantic dinner in the mansion's garden. It's their anniversary today and madam Vanessa will surprise Sir Troy. She set up a surprise date for her long-time boyfriend. Madam Vanessa and Sir Troy have been together for 7 years now. I was quite jealous of madam Vanessa because she has found her forever. I wonder when I will find the one for me? I sighed.

While waiting for madam Vanessa, I quietly sat on the bench beside the tree and took a selfie.

*click*

*smile*

*click*

*making cute pose*

*click*

Wow, I'm really beautiful! I uploaded my pictures on Facebook, and then boom! It immediately gained a lot of likes and love. But I was just kidding! No one likes my pictures. How sad!

Well, it’s because I'm wearing big eyeglasses and I still have braces then bangs like Dora the Explorer! And my face is oily! Tsk. I'm really ugly! If I’m not... Oh! Nevermind! Hehehe.

Mosquitoes have bitten me multiple times, but still, madam Vanessa and her boyfriend didn’t show up yet. What took them so long?

*riinngggg*

Holy Moly!

My phone almost fell off as the ringing of my phone startled me. Who wouldn't get surprised if my phone suddenly rings when my surroundings are so quiet? Who called?

*riinngggg*

Madam Vanessa Beautiful calling...

Oh! It’s madam Vanessa! I quickly answered Madam's call.

"Hello madam! Are you close--" I paused when I heard crying on the other line. I instantly got worried. Did something happen?

"Madam, are you okay?" I asked worriedly. When I asked, she cried even louder.

‘I'm not ok! Who's going to be ok after your boyfriend cheated on you? Huh? Who?!’ she sobbed and my heart throbbed for her. I am not there to comfort her right now. ‘C-Cancel all the surprises now! When I get home, I expect it to be clean! Do you get me?!’ she said sternly as her voice broke.

"Yes, madam!" I winced at madam Vanessa's change of attitude. She ended the call, and I sighed deeply. Earlier, I said she had found her forever, but suddenly it became whatever?! Oh my! What a twist!

I sighed as I looked at the beautiful garden which I struggled to prepare earlier and yet, all my efforts would be in vain. Shaking my head, I started cleaning the entire garden. I felt like crying. I worked hard to make the garden more romantic for a few hours, but it just ended up in the trash. How sad. I would never do this again! Swear!

I've already fixed everything after an hour and there isn't a single mess to be seen, but madam Vanessa still hasn't arrived!

Where is she? It's half-past eleven, but she still hasn’t shown up. I'm scared here in the mansion. It’s so quiet. Waahhh! I hate being alone! Why didn't madam Vanessa hire another maid here, so I have a companion? Oh no. Where are you, madam? God, I’m so worried about her well-being. Please, be okay, madam...

Damn, I have never been so anxious like this. I was pacing back and forth and my hands trembled. I don’t like these feelings at all because it makes me so scared. God, my heart was beating so fast in nervousness.

I jumped in shock when my phone rang. It’s madam Vanessa! Relief washed over my face and quickly answered the call.

"Madam Vanessa! Where are you?! I'm worried about you!" I said but frowned when madam Vanessa didn't answer.

‘Hello, this is SPO1 Romualdez. May I ask how you are related to Ms. Vanessa Crisostomo?’ a male voice said. Police? My forehead furrowed, but I still answered.

"I’m her personal assistant! Why do you have her phone? Did something happen? Oh, my gosh! What happened? Tell me--" I answered hysterically. I was suddenly getting nervous.

‘Ma’am, don't panic. Ms. Vanessa Crisostomo had met with an accident. The ambulance brought her to St. Luke Hospital. We will discuss what happened at the hospital.’ After saying that, he ended the call. I was dumbfounded.

What happened to madam Vanessa?

I quickly got dressed and left the house in a hurry after making sure it’s all locked. I immediately hailed a taxicab and told the driver to drive fast going to the hospital. The thought of the accident made me so nervous. I bit my fingernail as I trembled. I hope nothing bad happened to madam Vanessa.

What will happen to me if madam Vanessa leaves me too? I can’t. Damn, Lex, please stop thinking negatively. She’s fine and survives the accident.

"We're here, ma’am," the driver said. I immediately paid him and didn't wait for the change. I quickly entered the hospital with heavy steps as my heart beat faster.

"Miss nurse! Where is Vanessa Crisostomo's room?" I asked anxiously.

"How are you related to the patient, ma'am?" the nurse asked, and it irritated me as my nerves got the best of me.

"Can you just tell me?! I'm so nervous right now. Please, just tell me! What room is she in?" I said, frustrated.

"I'm sorry! Ms. Crisostomo was still in the ICU, ma'am!" she answered.

"Thanks!" I ran, and I didn't know where the ICU was. What a fool! I went back and asked the same nurse.

"Where is the ICU?" I asked hastily.

"Just go straight, ma'am, and turn left," she said, and I thanked her.

I half ran as I followed her direction and later on; I saw the ICU ahead. My heart pounded faster while my hands trembled in nervousness. I sat in the chair lined up outside the rooms across the ICU as I tried to calm myself down. I saw a police officer talking to the man with blood on his clothes and I approached them nervously. Thoughts were running wild in my head.

"Excuse me! Police officer! Who's in the ICU?" I asked and swallowed as I felt a lump in my throat.

"It’s Ms. Vanessa Crisostomo, ma'am. Why?" he answered and I felt like I was trampled by heaven and earth. My knees felt weak.

Lord, please don't take madam Vanessa from me. She is the only one I have now.

"W-what happened to her, police officer?! Tell me! Please..." I said with teary eyes. I felt restless because of nervousness.

"Are you the one I talked to earlier on the phone?" he questioned.

"Is it obvious? Please tell me what really happened.." I said and tears streamed down my face.

"Her car met with an accident. According to eyewitnesses, her car lost its brake in the middle of the road, and then a truck coming in her car’s direction. At the speed of events, the two vehicles suddenly collided. The car got damaged because of the tremendous impact. Mr. Oscar saw that and got Ms. Crisostomo out of the car before it exploded. And he immediately asked for help to call an ambulance. Luckily, her phone was in her hand and you are the last one she called." the police officer explained. I was stunned. I couldn’t believe it. Does this mean that the accident happened after we talked? Damnit!

I turned to the man the police officer was talking to earlier. "Thank you, Mr. Oscar, for saving madam Vanessa. Please tell me how do I repay you?" I said sincerely.

"It’s fine. You don’t have to. I just hope she's still alive." he said and smiled. I gave him a small smile.

~~~

I have been waiting outside the ICU for several hours while still praying. I felt so many emotions today. Negative thoughts took over my mind, and I felt so scared. Damn, why was I always in the hospital? I hate hospitals.

Suddenly the ICU door opened, and the doctor went out. I immediately approached the doctor nervously.

"Who is the family of Ms. Vanessa Crisostomo?" he asked and took off his mask.

"Doc! I'm her personal assistant because madam Vanessa has no relatives, so I'm her only family! How is madam Vanessa? Is she okay? Is she awake?" I asked, confused. He sighed and looked at me apologetically before speaking.

"We did our best to save her, but I'm sorry. She didn't make it. She lost a lot of blood and got brain damage. I'm so sorry. Condolence..." After saying that, he tapped my shoulder and left immediately.

The doctor’s words kept ringing in my ears. It almost doesn’t sink into my mind. My heart clenched, and it’s so painful. No. This is not true. It's all just a dream. I should wake up. Vanessa wouldn’t leave me. She just doesn’t!

My tears fell that I had been holding back. Why? Why is life so unfair? How can I live without her? I broke down, and I sat on the ground helplessly. Even though madam Vanessa was rude sometimes, I loved her like my sister. She doesn't even know, but I appreciate her so much. What am I going to do now, Vanessa? You are so unfair. Why did you leave me? I haven’t even told you yet who I am.

A nurse pulled me up and led me inside the ICU. My heart sank as I saw a person covered in a white blanket. I slowly opened the cover while my hands were shaking. And my shoulder shook as my tears streamed down my face because I couldn’t hold back myself anymore. It really hurts.

It was as if my world had stopped revolving around seeing her pale face. My tears poured nonstop and wept hysterically.

"Huhuhu Vanessaaaaaa!!! Please don't leave me! Huhuhu please... wake up! Wake up, please... Vee, please wake up..." I shook her body as I hugged her so tight.

The memories of her with me all flashed in my head.

Why is everyone leaving me behind? I lost my parents, my twin, older brother, Grandma, and now, Vanessa? It is so unfair!

My eyes looked like a broken faucet because my tears still don’t stop pouring. It’s like half of me died, too. Why is it that everyone I value the most, is leaving me? Am I so unlucky in life? Of all people, why me?

"Ma'am, I’m sorry but we need to transfer the patient's body to the morgue." I looked at the nurse and nodded.

I immediately pulled out my phone from my pocket and dialed Sir Troy's number. It rang a few times, but it didn’t go through. Please pick up the phone! I dialed again, but he still didn’t answer. I frustratedly brush my hand on my hair. Maybe I'll just leave him a message.

To: Sir Troy - Vanessa's boyfriend:

Sir Troy! Madam Vanessa is gone. She is gone...

-Lex

My tears are still pouring nonstop. Losing Vanessa almost lost my sanity. I just couldn’t imagine she would leave me too.

I just talked to you earlier, Vanessa... If I only knew you were going to leave me, I shouldn't have let your cheater boyfriend surprise you!

I went home to the mansion and cried my heart out until I couldn’t cry anymore.

When morning came, I felt like sh*t. My eyes were swollen because of the crying. I felt so empty right now. What should I do? How about this house? Vanessa's businesses? Lord! Please help me! I don’t know what to do!

*toot**toot*

My phone beeps and I saw a message from Troy.

From: Sir Troy - Vanessa's boyfriend

No! You're kidding, right? What happened to her? Tell me?!

I stared at the screen blankly. A few minutes later, my phone rang.

Sir Troy - Vanessa's boyfriend calling...

"Hello?" I answer, holding back a sob.

‘Lex! Tell me you're kidding, right?!’ he said. I closed my eyes to calm down myself because I felt like choking him to death.

“Kidding? Do you think I can make a joke about something like this? Huh? Damn you!"

‘W-what happened?’

"She’s gone! And it's all because of you! Why? W-why..." I couldn't stop myself from blaming him. It’s all his fault. I would never forgive him.

‘No! No... no... no... it's not true.’ he said unbelievably.

"....." I didn’t answer him. I swear my vision darkened right now.

‘W-where is she?’ He asked in a raspy voice. It seems like he stops himself from crying.

"She's already in the morgue," I answered coldly and turned off the call. I slid to sit on the sofa, feeling lifeless.

Life is really unfair...

I can't accept this.