Since Nine Book 3: Shattered

Inevitable

CHAPTER 23

VICTORIA

Victoria was finally able to get a glimpse of where she was the morning after her dinner with Hector. Pumayag sya sa gusto nito. Nangako sya ritong sasama nang kusa at hindi tatakas. Dahil ang kapalit ay buhay nya at ng mga mahal nya sa buhay. Hector was very pleased.

Pagkatapos kumain ng konti ni Victoria, hindi na sya ibinalik sa madilim na kulungan. Hinatid sya ni Hector sa magiging kwarto nya kung saan sya unang nagising sa loob ng bahay. Tinanggal na ang lock ng bintana at maging ang pinto leading to the veranda.

Nang magliwanag, una nyang binuksan ang pinto palabas ng veranda. Naintindihan na nya kung bakit confident si Hector na hindi sya tatakas. Dahil bukod pa sa banta nito, his mansion was situated in an island surrounded by the sea with very very strong current. Rinig mula sa kinaroroonan nya ang malakas na hampas ng alon sa mga matutulis na bato sa dalampasigan. Kahit malaking yate ay delikadong humampas sa mga bato.

Victoria couldn't appreciate the beauty of the Roman and Greek inspired mansion and it's well manicured lawn. She couldn't admire the beautiful flowers on the Japanese themed garden nor the blue ocean. Despite the splendor around her, she felt that the place was uncanny. That something ominous was prowling ready to hurt her.

What made her more nervous was the thick woods behind the mansion. She found it eerie. Tila hindi ka na makakalabas kapag pumasok ka roon. Kita rin nya mula sa kinatatayuan na may helipad sa may di kalayuan sa hardin. May dalawang helicopter syang nakita. Maybe that's how could Hector get in and out of the island.

The cold morning breeze made her shiver and wished it could numb the fear and desperation she felt. She automatically touched the golden locket inside her shirt. "Baby, I miss you," she whispered in the wind. She closed her eyes and imagined Ramcel hugging her from behind.

She had a conversation with Ramcel in her dream last night. Sa kagustuhan nyang makita ito, kahit sa panaginip nakakausap nya ito.

In her dream, they were sitting on the sand facing the beach. Hawak ni Ramcel ang kamay nya habang nakahilig sya sa balikat nito.

"I'm sorry for deciding without consulting you. I had no choice," sambit nya. Tumingin sa kanya si Ramcel at nagsalubong ang mga mata nila. Pinisil nito nang marahan ang kamay nya. "Ayokong masaktan ka."

"I know and that's okay, Baby," Ramcel said and smiled at her kindly.

"Ayokong gawin to but I'd rather break your heart than see you..." Victoria couldn't bring herself to say "dead".

"Naiintindihan ko, Vi."

"Will you wait for me?" Natatakot kasi sya sa paghihiwalay nila. Ramcel didn't answer. Ngumiti lang ito sa kanya saka sya hinagkan sa labi. "I don't feel like watching the sunset today."

"Bakit naman?" Alam kasi ni Ramcel na pareho nyang gusto ang pagsikat at paglubog ng araw.

"Parang ang lungkot lang. Parang ayokong matapos ang araw nato," tugon nya. Victoria wished to be stuck in that moment forever with Ramcel.

"Tomorrow is a new day, Baby," Ramcel playfully pinched her cheek.

"I know, but will you be there when I wake up?"

"I am always here." Ramcel pointed at the golden sun-shaped locket she was visibly wearing.

Of course, Racmcel wasn't there when she woke up. Victoria allowed herself to cry silently before getting up from the bed. Tinungo nya ang veranda para sana panoorin ang pagsikat ng araw. Unfortunately, the mansion wasn't facing the East so she couldn't see it. Puro paglubog lang ng araw ang makikita nya.