Ch. 4: Girlfriend

Third person’s point of view

“Maddox’s girlfriend happened.”

“Girlfriend—what? Bro doesn’t have a girlfriend.” Lowe giggles at what Sariel just said.

“He’s a crazy asshole,” Sariel mumbled with a scowl as she stood up, but because she's still dizzy, she almost fell. But before she could fall, a pair of strong arms came up behind her to keep her standing.

“Hey, what really happened?” Sariel shrugged her shoulders. After Lowe escorted her to her bed, she took a seat.

As she gazed around the room, Sariel asked Lowe. “Wait, whose room is this?”

“Oh, it’s Reinn’s.” Lowe grinned at his answer to Sariel.

“Reinn? Who’s Reinn?” Sariel asked, confused. If he is in a relationship with another woman, why did he invite her to her room? But he just said he didn’t have a girlfriend.

"You don't remember the one Kuya brought to your room earlier?" Sariel got even more confused by Lowe’s disjointed answers, adding to her dizziness. She picked up a pillow and threw it at Lowe.

“Damn it, be straight to the point with me,” Sariel shrieked at him, contemplating throwing another pillow at Lowe.

“Sh*t, okay. Kuya brought a ball python to your room earlier. That’s Reinn,” Lowe exclaimed at Sariel. Sariel’s jaw dropped, and she suddenly stood up. She barely balanced herself to keep from falling from dizziness.

“Are you kidding me? Reinn? The snake Maddox brought here earlier?” Lowe nodded at Sariel.

“Yups, don’t you get along with Kuya’s pet? It’s so cute,” Lowe spat, then burst out laughing like a moron.

Sariel became frustrated with Lowe because of his laughter. “I’m going to go out right now, whether you like it or not!”

“Damn. No way, I’ll get in trouble with Kuya,” Lowe snapped nervously, preventing Sariel from leaving the room. Maddox had left him to watch over Sariel; she shouldn't be able to leave the room he had set up for her.

“Ahhh, really? I need to see Mommy to check if she’s okay.”

“No, let’s just wait for Kuya to decide,” Lowe demanded of Sariel. They know Sariel is a stubborn woman, so it's very difficult for him to stop her from her plan to escape.

"Let me go; I need to see Mommy right now," Sariel said firmly, and she kicked Lowe in the knee, causing the man to let go of her.

“Damn. Girl. Are you human or a robot?” Sariel ignored Lowe’s complaint. She turned her attention to the door to get out.

But before Sariel could even get out, someone stood in front of her—none other than the person she had hated so far. But who is she fooling? Because no matter how merciless the man in front of her is, she will still adore him.

“Get out of my way,” Sariel threatened Maddox.

“And who told you you could command me with those puckered, shivering lips?” Maddox pointed at her, amused.

“I can do whatever I want, so move,” Sariel warned Maddox, but he just laughed at her. He tilted his head to look sideways at her.

“Maybe if you can behave right now, I’ll let you meet your mother for the last time.” Sariel rolled her eyes, disregarding the physical pain she felt. If she could fight Maddox to see her mother, she would do so with all of her remaining strength.

"You're kidding me, right?” Sariel’s jaw twitched.

Maddox shrugged. “Naahh, I’ve never been kidding in my whole life, and I’m no joker.”

“So, what do you want me to do right now?”

“Just behave, that’s all.”

“Just don’t bring your pet into the room with me,” Sariel whispered, her breathing deepening.

“Okay, fine, sleep well. We’re going tomorrow,” Maddox muses, turning away.

✧✧✧

THE NEXT DAY, Maddox really granted Sariel the promise that he would let her meet her mother for the last time. They were located directly across from Sariel's residence. They were just inside the car.

“I need to talk to Mommy,” Sariel snapped.

“Naah, you said you just want to see your mommy. Talking to her isn’t part of the deal,” Maddox grunted, shoving Sariel back into her seat.

“Just for a few minutes.”

“No!” When a man approached her mother, Sariel suddenly panicked.

"Wait, maybe he's related to Uncle," Sariel whispered, her breath catching.

“Shhh, stay in your seat,” Maddox murmured.

The man gave her mother an envelope, smiled at her, and then immediately left. Sariel sighed in relief that nothing happened to her mother.

“Please, just for a moment. I promise I’ll be on my best behavior just this time,” Sariel said with a sigh, hoping Maddox would agree to her request.

“Fine, but I’m watching you. Once you make a stupid move, I’ll drag your mom with you,” Maddox warned Sariel.

“I promise, I won’t,” were Sariel’s last words before Maddox let her out.

She didn’t waste any more time and quickly started walking towards her mother. When she got close to her mother, she immediately hugged her. She felt her mother freeze. But when her mother realized that it was Sariel, she hugged her back.

“Hey, what happened? Why are you only here now?” Sariel’s mother asked her with concern.

As soon as they let go of their hugs, Sariel inquired. “Mommy, are you okay? Nothing bad happens to you?”

“Wait, I should be the one asking you that. What happened to your head, and why do you have a bandage?”

“Mommy, it’s a long story, but I’m fine.”

“Has Uncle not come home yet? I think, Mommy, you need to stay far away for a while. Go on a vacation; I’ll wire you the money you’ll need.” Sariel couldn't determine whether her mother is okay, since she's more concerned about her and feared that her uncle would return at any point.

“Wait, I don’t think I understand you. Can you take it one step at a time?” Her mother snapped, confused at Sariel’s outburst.

“Mommy, please. I’m in a hurry.” Sariel wanted to cry because of her anxiety, but she held it in, trying to be strong in front of her mother so that she wouldn’t worry.

“Hold on; first of all, your uncle hasn’t come home yet. Second, why should I go far away on vacation? Thirdly, I still have money.” Her mother sighed and stared at her intently.

“Tell me the truth. What’s really happening? Just make it short," her mother interrupted her before she could finish her sentence. Sariel’s mother is well aware of her uncle’s nasty behavior; she had nothing to hide from her mother. So she's not afraid to admit that her uncle has slain another victim.

“Mommy, Uncle killed an innocent person again, and I’m paying for his sins. I need you to take a vacation far away from the Philippines,” Sariel said while puckering her lips.

“Who did your uncle kill?”

“The Ventura couple, Mommy." Sariel explained, "You knew them as the former owners of Ventura Tower." Her mother’s eyes went wide.

“But how about you, dear?”

“Mommy, I can handle myself. I take after Daddy's bravery, right?” Sariel chuckled to ease her nervousness.

“Fine, text me all the time so that I know you’re safe. So, I will not return to the Philippines," her mother said, embracing her once more. From the moment they parted ways, someone honked from the car Sariel had come out of earlier.

“Mommy, take care, okay? I love you. I’ll text you later when I get back to their house.”

“I love you too, dear. Be careful, okay?”

“Yes, Mommy,” Sariel reassured before parting from her mother’s embrace as Maddox honked at them again. She waved at her mommy before she turned and walked back to Maddox’s car.