Prologue

“Mommy! Ayoko kasing mama! Can I stay here?” Erato pleaded with her mother, who was frantically packing their things along with the maids for their trip to Italy. Their father had business in Sicily, and the whole family was supposed to go.

“Huwag nang matigas ang ulo, Era! All your sisters are coming! Please stop whining! Sumasakit ang ulo ko sa’yo.” Mnemosyne snapped back, clearly overwhelmed. She was heavily pregnant with her ninth child, and Era’s constant fussing was only adding to her stress.

Mnemosyne’s frustration was palpable as she tried to juggle the logistics of the trip and manage her household. Her energy was already stretched thin from her pregnancy, and Era’s resistance to the trip was just one more thing she didn’t have the patience to deal with.

Era’s little face crumpled in frustration, but she tried to reason with her mother. "Pero, Mommy, I don’t want to leave the house! I’ll be bored there, and I don’t know anyone in Sicily!”

Napahinga nang malalim si Mnemosyne, tila nauubusan na ng pasensya sa kanyang anak. “Era. We’ve been through this. It’s important for the family to be together, especially when we’re going somewhere new. Isa pa, we’ll be staying there for a week and we can have adventure on the sea. You want that, right?”

Era, seeing her mom’s distressed state, looked down on the floor, her lower lip trembling. The whole family had been through places, particularly in Germany and Ukraine. Era’s dad is German, while her mom is Ukrainian with a mix of Filipino blood. But the whole family is living peacefully in Cebu, where her mom’s birthplace is.

Era’s been following her mom and sister’s together with their nannies all the way to the airport. Naroon at nag-aantay sa kanila ang kanilang private plane na magdadala sa buong pamilya sa Sicily.

Bagama’t bagot na bagot ang bata na si Era ay napagpasyahan niya nalamang maging masaya, habang kalaro ang kapatid na si Cali at Ali. Ligtas namang nakarating ang buong mag-anak sa Sicily. Napagpasyahan ng kanilang ina na ilibot muna ang kanilang mga anak sa lugar.

As Era walked happily, enjoying her ice cream, she was completely absorbed in savoring every bite. The colorful surroundings and the cool taste of the ice cream seemed to replace her earlier frustration. Suddenly, without warning, a boy ran into her so quickly that he didn't even bother to say sorry.

Hindi napalingon sa kanya ang batang lalaki para sana man lang humingi ng tawad sa pagkabangga sa kanya at pagkahulog ng kanyang ice cream, ay patuloy lang ito sa pagtakbo palayo sa kanya, dahilan para magalit ang batang babae.

“Hey!” gulat na sabi ni Era, Naghahalo ang kanyang gulat at inis habang nakatingin sa likod ng batang lalaki.

Sa inis ni Era ay hinabol niya ang batang lalaki para sana pilitin itong humingi ng tawad sa kanya. Ngunit masyadong maliliksi ang mga binti ng batang lalaki dahilan para hindi ito mahabol ni Era.

Napahinto siya sa gilid para habulin ang kanyang paghinga, pero doon niya lang naramdaman na nakalayo na pala ito sa kanyang pamilya at wala nang katao-tao sa lugar. Napaupo siya sa gilid at nagsimulang umiyak.

Ang kaninang mahihinang paghikbi ay lumakas para mahanap siya ng kanyang pamilya. “Help!” she screamed, yet no one heard her.

Masyadong liblib ang lugar ni Era para makita at marinig siya ng mga tao. Mas lalong nakaramdam ng takot si Era nang may humintong grupo ng mga lalaki na may malalaking katawan.

Nag-usap ang mga ito gamit ang lenggwahe Italian, lenggwahe na hindi maintindihan ng bata na si Erato. Kagat labi siyang nakatingin sa mga lalaki, ramdam ang pangangatog sa kanyang katawan.

“Trova il ragazzo!” (Find the boy!) Ani ng isang lalaki na tila boss ng mga ito.

“Il capo ci ucciderà se non troviamo il ragazzo! Muoviamoci!” (Boss will kill us if we don’t find the boy! Move!” sunod na sabi ng lalaki.

Napayuko si Era, iniiwasan ang mga lalaki dahil ramdam niya ang panganib kung sakaling dapkin siya ng mga iyon. Paniguradong nag-aalala na ang kanyang ina kakahanap sa kanya, kung kaya’t nang makalayo ang grupo nang kalalakihan ay nagsimulang magkalakad si Era pabalik sa daan kung saan siya dumaan kanina, nagbabakasakaling, mahanap ang daang pabalik sa kanyang pamilya. Ngunit nang makalayo si Era, ay halos malito na ito sa daming pasikot-sikot sa lugar. Muli siyang napaiyak nang mawalan siya ng pag-asa para mahanap ang kanyang pamilya.

Isang batang lalaki ang lumapit sa umiiyak na batang babae. “Sei perso?” (Are you lost?) Tanong niya sa batang babae.

Napaangat ng tingin si Era at gulat itong nakita ang hinahabol na batang lalaki.

“You! This is your fault!” paninisi niya sa batang lalaki.

Kumunot ang noo ng batang lalaki sa sinabi ni Era sa kanya. “What did I do?” takang tanong ng batang lalaki.

Muling umiyak si Era kung kaya’t nataranta ang batang lalaki at hindi alam ang kanyang gagawin. “Ehi, smettila di piangere!” mahinang sigaw ng batang lalaki kay Era, natataranta parin ito.

“Eccolo!” sigaw ng isang lalaking humahabol sa batang lalaki.

“Shit!” mura nito kaya tumakbo siya palayo sa lugar na iyon habang hawak ang kamay ng batang babae.

Hindi niya pwedeng pabayaan ang batang babae dahil nakita na siya ng kanilang tauhan na kasama ito, at baka may gawing masama ang mga tauhan nila sa batang babae.

Napatigil sa pag-iyak si Era na ngayon ay nagtataka sa batang lalaki. Naiinis man si Era, ay hindi niya kayang matanggal ang kamay niya sa pagkakahawak sa kamay ng batang lalaki, pakiramdam niya, ay ligtas siya habang hawak ang kamay nito.

Nakarating sa pangpang ang dalawa sa kakatakbo palayo sa mga tauhan ng batang lalaki. Napanganga naman si Era nang makita ang kagandahan ng karagatan na kumikinang habang tumatama sa tubig ang ilaw mula sa papalubog na araw.

“Ang ganda!” wika ni Era.

Napatitig naman ang batang lalaki sa kanya, namamangha sa ekspresyon na pinakita ni Era. Hindi niya alam na makakakita pa siya ng napakagandang babae na ihahantulad niya sa kanyang namayapang ina.

“Sei Bellissima...” (You’re beautiful). Usal ng batang lalaki sa mahinang boses na may halong pagkakamangha.

Tila narinig naman iyon ni Era, kaya’t napatingin siya sa batang lalaki. “What?” takang tanong ni Era marahil ay hindi niya naiintindihan ang lenggwahe ng batang lalaki. Umiling lang ang batang lalaki tsaka ito umupo sa may buhangin.

“I’m Josiah Eros, but call me Eros. And you?” Pakilala ng batang lalaki sa batang babae.

Napaupo naman din si Era sa tabi niya tsaka ngumiti. Ramdam ni Eros ang malakas na pagkabog ng kanyang puso sa loob ng kanyang dibdib. Nagtataka ito dahil hindi niya alam kung ano nga ba ang nararamdaman niya. Tila bago iyon sa kanya, kaya’t hindi niya matukoy kung ano iyon.

“Erato Adeline. But they call me Era. I hate Erato. So, don’t you ever call me Erato!” Era said while squinting her eyes on Eros, but she let out a soft giggle as she saw Eros’ expression, shocked.

“Then I’ll call you Adeline.” Malambing na sabi ng batang lalaki kay Era. Napangiti naman si Era dahil iyon ang unang beses na may tumawag sa kanya sa pangalawang pangalan, hindi naman ito nakaramdam ng inis o galit, ang alam niya ay nasisiyahan pa siya sa pagtawag sa kanya ng Adeline.

“I can’t believe it, your name is Eros and mine is Erato. Are we destined?” she teased her playful tone a welcome distraction from her earlier fear.

Eros looked at her with curiosity. “What do you mean?” he asked, his expression one of genuine confusion.

Era began to draw shapes in the sand as she explained, “I mean, Eros is the god of love, and my name comes from the Greek muse of lyric and love poetry. They both come from the same root, so it’s like we’re connected through our names.”

Napangiti naman si Eros sa sinabi ni Era. Muling natahimik silang dalawa at parehong nakatingin sa papalubog na araw.

Era suddenly recalled the earlier incident and asked, “They’re following you, why?”

Napatawa naman siya at ginulo ang buhok ni Era kaya napanguso ito sa inis. “I escape from home. I just wanted to see my mom, who passed away last week. They don’t want me to see her,” nakangiting sabi ni Eros, pero ramdam sa kanyang boses ang lungkot nang hindi man lang nakita ang ina.

Era’s heart went out to him. “I’m sorry to hear that,” she said, her empathy shining through. Her presence and kind words seemed to lighten Eros’s mood, providing a brief respite from his sorrow.

The two children continued to sit together, sharing their stories and thoughts as the sky darkened around them. For a moment, the world seemed to pause, allowing Era and Eros to find solace in each other’s company amidst their separate struggles.

Era looked at Eros with hopeful eyes. “So, will you visit me in the Philippines?” she asked, her voice filled with anticipation.

Eros tilted his head, deep in thought. “I don’t think so, but I would love to,” he replied with a thoughtful frown.

Era’s face fell slightly at his answer, and she pouted in disappointment. “Why not?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Eros sighed, a mix of frustration and resignation in his voice. “My dad’s strict. He doesn’t even want me to go outside much. It’s not easy for me to travel,” he admitted. He chuckled wryly at his predicament, shaking his head. “I’m kind of jealous of you. You get to see the world.”

Era’s expression softened as she listened to Eros. His honesty about his situation touched her. A spark of determination lit up in her eyes. “If you can’t visit my country, then I’ll come visit you here every year!” she declared with enthusiasm.

Eros’s eyes sparkled with happiness at her offer. The idea seemed to brighten his mood, and a genuine smile spread across his face. “Then, I’ll wait for you here, Adeline,” he said warmly.

The two of them shared a moment of understanding and connection, both finding solace in the promise of future meetings. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a soft glow over the landscape, Era and Eros felt a bond forming between them, a shared hope that despite their current struggles, they would find a way to be together again.

Simula nang araw na iyon ay laging nagkikita sila Era at Eros sa dalampasigan, nagkukwentuhan tungkol sa mga bagay-bagay. Dinadala ni Era si Eros sa mga bansang napuntahan na niya, tulad ng Germany, Ukraine, Japan, Spain, California, Florida at London. Tuwang-tuwa naman si Eros na pinapakinggan ang mga kwento ni Era tungkol sa mga lugar. Sa kwento ni Era ay ramdam niyang nakasama niya ito sa mga bansang iyon.

Napaaga ang alis ng mag-anak sa bansang Italy dahilan para hindi na nakapag-paalam si Era kay Eros na ilang oras na naghihintay sa kanya sa dalampasigan. Nakaramdam ng lungkot si Eros nang hindi nga dumating si Era nang araw na iyon.

Ngunit masaya siya na nangako sa kanya si Era na dadalawin siya ulit ng bata sa dating tagpuan, sa kaparehong oras at buwan. Ngunit habang tumatagal ay mas lalong humihigpit ang sekruridad para sa kaligtasan ni Eros dahilan para hindi na siya makapunta sa lugar na iyon sa sumunod na taon hanggang sa pareho nalang silang tumanda.

“Aiutami a scappare, Joe.” (Help me escape, Joe.) Bulong ni Eros sa kanyang bodyguard na sobrang malapit sa kanya,

“Mi dispiace, ma non posso farlo.” (But young master, I can’t do that.) Nag-aalinglangang sagot ng lalaki.

Eros was driven by a fierce desire to escape his family’s shadow and the dark path his father had laid out for him. He longed for freedom, away from the suffocating expectations and the dangerous lifestyle that surrounded him. His determination to break free was clear, and he was prepared to leave behind everything he knew.

After narrowly evading his father’s men in Italy, Eros made his way to Hawaii. For a few fleeting weeks, he felt a glimmer of peace, but the safety was short-lived. His father’s enforcers tracked him down, forcing him to flee once again. The chase continued as Eros journeyed to Miami, then to London, Russia, India, and Japan. No matter where he went, his father’s men were relentless, always one step behind him, ensuring that his escape was never truly complete.

Each new destination was met with the same frustrating outcome: his pursuers were always there, shadowing his every move. Eros grew increasingly frustrated and desperate, knowing that he could not outrun them forever. It became clear that he needed a new plan to evade them for good.

In a final, bold move, Eros and his trusted companion, Joe, devised a ruse. They spread rumors that Eros was heading to Africa, hoping to mislead his pursuers. The deception worked, and the search was redirected. But as Eros watched the world around him, his thoughts turned back to a time before the chaos—a time when he found solace in his childhood friend, Erato Adeline.

“Find Erato Adeline,” Eros instructed Joe urgently. “I don’t know her surname, but her name is unique. I’m sure you can find her easily.”

 So, Joe did his best to find her and when they did, they eventually entered the Philippines to finally meet her after ten years.

“I’m sure she’s changed,” Eros muttered under his breath as he continued to look for Era inside of his car. Masyadong madaming estudyante na pumapasok sa paaralan, kaya nahihirapan si Eros sa paghahanap niya sa dalaga.

“Enroll me, Joe,” Eros said, his voice firm and resolute. His bodyguard, Joe, looked at him in surprise, clearly caught off guard by the sudden and unexpected request.

“I want to be close to her. And if enrolling myself in this school will make me close to her, then do it.” Dugtong niya.

“Enroll you? Signore, that’s not exactly a simple task. We don’t have the proper documents for that,” Joe replied, his tone reflecting his concern about the practical difficulties of the situation.

Eros’s jaw tightened as he looked out at the crowded school grounds. He was determined not to let anything stand in his way. “Then make a fake one, Joe. Use the name Josh DePiero,” Eros instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Joe’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion and apprehension. “But Signore, creating fake documents is risky. It could draw unwanted attention.”

“I don’t care,” Eros snapped. “I need to be close to her. If enrolling in this school is the best way to do that, then we’ll make it work. I’m not going to let this opportunity slip away.”

Joe hesitated, clearly weighing the risks, but the look of determination on Eros’s face left no room for doubt. He knew his employer was serious, and he had seen Eros’s unwavering resolve before. With a sigh, Joe nodded. “Alright, Signore. I’ll see what I can do. But this will take some time.”

Eros nodded curtly, his gaze returning to the school. “Make it quick. I want to start as soon as possible.” He was resolute in his mission, fully prepared to do whatever it took to reconnect with Erato.

As Joe prepared the documents, Eros waited anxiously. He was determined to find Erato and reconnect with her, no matter the cost. He couldn’t help but wonder how Erato had changed, what her life had been like without him, and how she would react to seeing him again.

Each second felt like an eternity for Eros as he waited. His mind raced with memories of their childhood and the promise he made to find Erato. This reunion wasn’t just about reconnecting; it was about reclaiming a lost part of himself amidst the chaos of his life.

Joe’s call came through sooner than expected. “Signore, the documents are ready. We can proceed with the enrollment.”

Eros’s heart skipped a beat. “Good. Let’s get this done,” he said, his voice filled with a mix of relief and anticipation.

Pagkatapos na makapag-enroll ni Josh ay kaagad silang nagtungo sa classroom kung nasaan si Era, dahil sa request niya naring doon siya ilagay para makasama si Era.

“Class, let’s all welcome, Mr. Josh DePiero.” Their advisor introduced him to the class. Eros scanned the room, searching for Era. His eyes locked with hers, and she responded with a smile so sweet it took his breath away.

Eros’s heart begins to flutter, yet he must compose himself not to make it visible that he’s so excited to meet her.

“È troppo bellissima,” Eros thought to himself. He was amazed by Era’s beauty and charm.

Eros’s heart fluttered, but he forced himself to maintain composure, determined not to let his excitement show. “È troppo Bellissima,” he thought, mesmerized by Era’s beauty and charm.

When Eros finally took his seat next to Era, she turned to him with enthusiasm. “Hi! I’m Erato Adeline Devin,” she introduced herself, extending her hand for a shake. Eros tried to hide the trembling in his hand as he hesitated.

“Finally,” Eros murmured to himself, feeling the intense thumping of his heart as he met Era’s gaze. The connection was undeniable, and he found it impossible to resist Era’s charm.