Chapter 4 - Funeral

Funeral

I woke up in a slightly dim room. The walls were painted in a soft cream color. I roamed my eyes in the whole room. The lampshade on my right was the only one lighting the room.

I felt someone move on my left. There's someone on the bed beside me! Oh my gosh! What happened? The memories of what happened last night came rushing down. I freaking gave myself to a stranger! I gave him my all! Holy sh*t!

I panicked. I got up from the bed and searched for my clothes. My head was throbbing but I don't care. I need to get away soon. F*ck!

I frantically hailed a cab and immediately told the driver my address. The sun was still rising. My head was throbbing so bad. While the memories flooded yesterday, I can't believe I gave myself to a man– more like a stranger to me. It was a spur of the moment.

When the cab stopped at BGC, I gave the driver a bill and went out without getting my change. I searched my phone in my clutch while I wait for the elevator to open.

I dialed Ivy's phone number, after three rings she answered it.

"Hello," her voice was hoarse. I think she woke up because of my call.

"Oh my God! Ivy, what the heck!" I said hysterically. I am such a mess. I have the worst hangover and my mind was still in the hotel, thinking who the man beside me was. I can't think straight with the throbbing in my head.

I heard someone fall on the other line. "Calliana, you witch! You got me worried last night! Where the hell did you go?! I was about to call some police yesterday, worried that you got kidnapped and then suddenly a man answered your phone!" she said continuously without a breath.

I successfully opened my door and closed it immediately. I slumped on the floor, the feel of my condo unit makes me always feel safe.

"Who is that man, Calliana?! When I asked him where were you, he told me your safe and I shouldn't worry. And then I asked his name and girl, did you just have a one night stand with the most sought bachelor of 21st century?" she squealed. "Women will crawl and kneel for a one night stand with a Zeigler! A Zeigler, Calliana!"

I was shocked at how she knew who the man was while I'm here wondering. "You know him?"

"Who wouldn't know Rafael Gray Zeigler?! He's the youngest multi-billionaire in the whole of Asia!"

I have so many questions for her but my head was throbbing so bad. I need to drink some medicine and perhaps sleep again. I want my head to be clear before asking her who the man I gave myself to.

"Ivy, this is the worst hangover of my life. I'll drop the call first to drink some medicine and sleep. I have to clear my mind," I stood up and went to the kitchen.

She giggled. "I'll visit your condo soon. You'll tell me everything that happened, Calliana!" Those were her last words before she ended the call.

I drank two Advil and went to my bed. I immediately fell asleep without changing my clothes and fixing myself on the bed.

I woke up with the noise of my phone ringing. I groaned and searched for my phone while my eyes are still closed.

I answered the phone without looking who was calling. "Hello," my voice was still hoarse.

"Hello, Calliana..." Tito Alex's voice was on the other line. I unconsciously got up from my bed and fixed myself.

"Hello, Tito Alex..." I said for the second time.

"Did I disturb your sleep? I'm sorry for calling this early," he said a bit hesitant.

I looked at the clock in my room. It was seven in the morning. I had only two hours of sleep here in my condo but the throbbing in my head was gone. I felt better.

"No, it's okay, Tito. I woke up a while ago and slept again," I replied.

"You weren't picking up your phone yesterday. Did something happen?" he asked, concerned.

I bit my lip. "I'm sorry, Tito. We were at the club yesterday to celebrate my birthday. I promise to visit your house soon. I miss Tita and Tatiana also." I feel guilty for not answering his calls yesterday and for not telling him everything.

"It's okay. I was just worried that something happened to you yesterday. Next time, text me your whereabouts, okay?"

"Yes, Tito."

"I hope you enjoyed your birthday yesterday despite what happened to Arthur," he said worriedly.

Thoughts of the man that I gave myself with raided my mind. I can still feel his touch on my skin. His burning gray eyes were etched in my mind.

My thoughts got interrupted when Tito talked again on the other line. "I wanted to tell you this personally but the time is limited. The death of Arthur has been circulating in news outlets since yesterday. I have already released a statement regarding his death and his funeral will be today. I'm sorry that it had to be this early. I wanted to–"

"It's okay, Tito. I owed you so much already. It was my responsibility to fix his funeral but you did it for me. Thank you so much, Tito." I sincerely said. I am so grateful that I have Tito Alex by my side. I don't know what will happen to me if he wasn't here. I'll probably lose my mind.

The call lasted for ten more minutes. He talked about the details of the funeral. He also told me that he'll fetch me in my condo. I refused him but he insisted.

After the call, Ivy's name registered on my phone.

"I'm getting ready to go to your condo! Are you okay now?" she asked. "I'm sorry Ivy, I'll be leaving for Arthur's funeral. Can we talk after the funeral?"

"What?! Really?! Then I'll still go to your condo and join you. I'll just wear a simple black dress. Don't leave me behind! Wait for me!" she said abruptly and ended the call.

I sighed and stood up. I should stop thinking of whoever that man is. I can't let him lord my mind when I have so many problems at hand. That was just a one night stand, Calliana. Get a hold of yourself.

I was putting on some light makeup when the doorbell rang. I opened the door and Ivy went inside.

"Are you okay?" she asked, concern was laced in her voice.

I frowned. "I'm more than okay, Ivy."

"I saw the news. That j*rk Arthur really f*cked up everything," she sighed heavily and then looked at me worried.

Tito Alex informed me that Arthur's death was all over the news yesterday and today but I don't know what Ivy was talking about. I haven't checked the news since yesterday.

"What news?" I asked curiously.

"You don't know about it?" she said, shocked.

"I wouldn't ask if I know it," I said matter-of-factly.

Her eyes suddenly turned sad and I saw the hesitation in her eyes. She was about to speak when my phone rang. It was Tito Alex.

"We're here in the parking lot," was all Tito said before I replied that I'll get down. He ended the call.

"Let's talk later, Ivy. Tito Alex is here to fetch us," I went to my room to get my bag.

"Let's go," I tugged her when she didn't move.

I saw Tito's SUV car waiting for us. When he spotted us, he opened the door and I saw Tita Irene on the passenger seat.

"Hi, Tito. I'm sorry for all the trouble," I greeted, feeling more guilt that I have to drag him and his family with my problem.

"We're family, Calliana. It's natural that I help you. You are my niece."

I smiled at Tito's kindness. I opened the door and was briefly shocked to see Tatiana.

"Calliana! I missed you!" she jumped on me.

I chuckled and hugged her back. "I missed you too, Tati."

We entered the car and Tito started driving.

"Hello, Ivy! I miss you also!" Tatiana greeted Ivy happily.

Tatiana is Tito Alex's only child. She's also my only cousin. She's very sweet and innocent.

"I miss you too, Tatiana," Ivy gestured Tatiana to come closer to her. "I should invite you to some parties," she whispered to her but I heard her because I am sitting between them.

They both giggled. Ivy is such a bad influence. But I can't stop smiling at how Ivy is close to her. Tatiana is still young. She's 19 years old and Tito Alex is very strict. She can't go to a party unless they're not there with her.

"Calli, you didn't go to our house yesterday to celebrate your birthday!" Tita Irene pouted at me. She's Tito Alex's wife. I've known Tita since time immemorial.

"I'm sorry, Tita. Ivy dragged me to a club yesterday. I was so preoccupied yesterday that I forgot to stop by your house. I promise I'll visit your house soon," I assured her.

She turned to us. "I am expecting that, Calli. I've missed you. Why don't you just live with us? I can turn our one guestroom as your room," she offered but I was already shaking my head. I don't want to abuse their kindness to me. It was already too much.

"Tita, I'm okay with my condo. I want to practice being independent," I reasoned.

"You're still young, Calliana. But I understand that you want to exercise your freedom and be independent. I'm just asking you to at least visit us once a week. Please," she pleaded.

"Of course, Tita. I will from now on."

Our small talk went on. Tita asked me a lot of things about my condo and how am I. Tatiana was also asking me to let her visit my condo sometimes. Of course, I can't say no to her. I also want to bond with my only cousin.

The car stopped at Manila North Cemetery. The funeral was already set up. We were early for 30 minutes. Tito already warned me that a lot of people will attend the funeral today.

Tita didn't talk about Arthur on the way. She also doesn't like Arthur. I wonder what will happen if I told Tito or Tita what Arthur was doing to me.

I shook my head. I've already burdened them so much. I don't want to be a problem to them. Now that Arthur was dead, his creepy stares and his violating touches won't happen again.

After some time, people were flocking in the cemetery. Businessmen, friends, relatives, and media were there. I was busy entertaining them.

A lot of people was shocked at Arthur's sudden death.

"Are you okay, hija?" A businesswoman asked me. I already saw her one day at our company.

"Yes, Tita. I'll get through this." I smiled at her.

Tito Alex talked in front before the burial happened. I didn't feel anything. It was more like some heavy thing was lifted on me. I had experienced so many deaths already and this didn't move me at all.

Even though the burial was finished, there were still a lot of people in the cemetery. I was talking to some of them when Tito Alex called me.

I smiled at Mrs. Chiong to excuse myself. I turned around and saw a familiar gaze.

He was wearing a black tuxedo. His gray eyes settled on me. His dark hair was shaved short on the sides, faded with an expert hand. Broad shoulders and crisp black lines, his tuxedo molded his toned body. Control. Precision. He exuded it, like the colorful stripes on a venomous snake. But his face was what grabbed one’s attention first. Symmetrical, and flawlessly proportioned, not even his cold expression cut from stone could mar it.

I was too stunned to move. I didn't expect to see him here. His gray eyes bore into mine. I can not fathom his stares. It was too much. Memories flooded me last night. Does he recognize me? I left him in the hotel room before the sun is up. I know a calibre of him do a lot of one-night stands. Does he know all the faces of the woman he had f*cked? D*mn, I can feel my sweat forming on my forehead. The man in front of me is the man who took my virginity.