Her Nightmare's Hell

Sixty

"So this is the place you were talking about?" I asked Saira while examining the ceiling.

"Yup," she paused. "Welcome to My Empire, Alethea. The Hanalei's Triple Tower, but also known as Saira's Empire," she said.

This place is amazing. The building and the way it is designed is mesmerizing. Para kang nasa loob ng isang castle sa England, but the difference are this is more modern than the one there. Tapos ang laki-laki pa—so roomy.

I looked down to my feet, and the flooring is also amazing. It's made out of black and white tiles. Ang ganda! It really does seem like it's fitted for a Queen— more like for Saira.

"Wow.. This is the first time I have ever seen this place," I commented.

"Well, this place is private."

I stopped looking around and glanced to Saira.

"What do you mean private? Sa ganda ng lugar na 'to a lot of tourist would want to use this or at least take a picture here," I told her.

"As I said, Alethea. This is my Empire. This place was given to me by Ninang Zie, and the only way for someone to use this, is by getting my approval, or bidding a high rent usage," she explained na nagpatango sa'kin.

That's Saira for you. Everything she has will always have a payment. Besides, I don't blame her for not letting people use this without payment. Sa ganda pa naman nitong lugar na 'to, kahit sinong magnanakaw papasukan 'to. Well, not that they can with all those guards outside.

"Mhm.. So pag kinasal ako at gusto kong gamitin 'tong Empire mo, I have to bid for it, huh?" I said while emphasizing the empire part.

"Of course! Ngayong nalaman kong Cordova ka pala sa tingin mo hahayaan pa kitang makalibre sa'kin?" she rolled her eyes. "Asa ka pang mangyayare 'yon," she said na nag pachuckle sa'kin.

Wala ka talagang awa, Saira.

"Whatever," I shook my head. "So, sino ba yung kakilala mong mag aarrange ng engagement nila Gwen at Zain?" tanong mo.

"Mhm.. Alam ko andito lang 'yon e," she looked around.

"E nasaan?" ulit ko.

Saira turned her head to the left. "Mhm.. His—"

"I'm right here," a deep voiced cut Saira from talking. And due to curiosity, I turned myself around and saw a guy in a black suit with a smile in his lips.

Oh.My.Gosh. I-is that a younger version of D-Doc Xian I am seeing right now? Or am I just seeing things?

"Oh ayan na pala siya e!" rinig ko kay Saira kasabay ng paglagpas niya sa'kin papunta dun sa lalake. "Naks! Lumelevel up tayo, Xan! May pasuit-suit ka na ngayon," pagbibiro ni Saira sa kanya.

Xan? A-Ayon ba ang pangalan niya? Ibig sabihin anak siya ni Doc Xian? Anak ng mga lahi niya naman..

I can't help myself from staring at him. Kahit sino naman diba? Like, look at that handsome guy in front of you! Kulang na lang maghubad siya dyan at sabihin niyang siya si Adonis!

"Hoi! Earth to Alethea!" pagbabalik ni Saira sa'kin sa katotoohanan.

"S-sorry ano ulit yon?" utal kong tanong.

Patagong nagchuckle si Xan habang si Saira naman nakatingin sa'kin ng seriously-look.

"Alam kong maala-Adonis ang itsura ni Xan pero pwede bang mamaya mo na siyang tunawin?" she teased me.