My dad told me that when my mom was still alive, she used to tell me both untold stories or unusual ones and renowned tales about myths of death and cycles of life even when I was still in her womb.
She greatly influenced my beliefs which piqued the interest of my young curious mind to be fond of reading mysterious hidden tales and mythology.
It was bedtime, the cold looming moon shines brightly up at the starry night sky when I decided to spend my long night reading rather than sleeping.
I got up from my bed, heading to our manor's library holding a white long scented candle placed on the gold glass flickering brightly against the dark and a book on the other side which I had finished just 2 days ago.
As I reached my destination, I still can't help but be amazed and fascinated by the beauty of the interiors of our very own house which was owned and expanded by our ancestors and has been passed down from generation to generation.
I scrunched my nose with the familiar scent of the painted paved archaic walls where the big old portraits were hanged and displayed grandly and the greek Doric columns which exhibit minimalistic beauty in simplicity.
Bibliosmia...
The wooden smell coming from the old books mixed with the faint aroma of coffee that surrounds this marvelous room entices me every time and bewitches me to be indulged and unravel the implicit bareness of each wonderfully crafted book up until its tiniest details.
I returned the book I brought to its rightful own place and picked a new one to read on the same shelf.
I traced my fingers to the dusty old letters engraved on the hardbound cover.
Mythology...
In general, others referred to it as a study and interpretation of often sacred tales or fables of a culture known as myths...
Some define it as the collection of such classical old tales and mythical cultural stories which deal with various aspects of the human condition...
May it be good or evil.
I paused reading as I heard indistinct rustling sounds in the surroundings of this large dark room.
I roamed my big doe eyes across the dark surroundings yet I can not find anything strange except for the disarrayed arrangement of books on the gigantic shelves.
I just shrugged and continued reading the page where I last off.
It further elaborated that some of such tales give a story behind the meaning of suffering, others may be conceptual or theoretical various explanations of human origins such as how life was created and how the earth was formed.
It expresses the beliefs and values about these subjects held by a certain culture from all around the world.
All in all, there are millions of myths existing from different races and from different countries that tell the stories of ancestors and the origin of humans and the world, the gods, and the supernatural beings.
I read to my heart's content until the drowsiness engulfed me.
...
I never got tired of my daily routine.
Waking up every seven o'clock, heading to my haven, the library, stealing sips on my dad's coffee, and imitating his serious posture while reading.
You can say that amidst the silence filling up the whole room, this is one of the best father-daughter bonding moments I had with him.
Being a solo parent after my mom had passed away made him more workaholic than ever. I pursed my cherry lips as I reminisce how rare it is to have moments with him. We seldom talk that much, spending most of our time reading our favored genre of interest.
I can only catch up with dad every morning, for an hour, if I wake up as early as seven. He will be at the library, reading on the couch and I assumed, maybe also waiting for me? I giggled which made him divert his eyes on me.
"What's funny, sweetheart? Mind to share it with your dad?" He beamed as he taps his lap motioning me to sit.
"Daddy, I missed you! You were always busy," I pouted.
"I'm so sorry my little Lily, you know dad needs to work for your future, or else your mom will be angry at daddy. Do you want that?" he replied, "I will make it up to you next time, so don't sulk or be mad at me okay? Look, your mouth looks like Pinocchio's nose due to pouting."
He gasped as he started to tickle me making me forget my loneliness.
"Okay daddy, is it a promise??" I asked while beaming my eyes.
"I promise," he replied with a genuine smile.
We played tag as I ran across the room while he was chasing me. I was enjoying every bit of moment with him not knowing that it would be my best and as well my last time to be with him.
One cold evening, I can't bring myself to sleep. I have read already three books yet to no avail.
Despite my young age, I'm a fast learner.
I can read well and write already, they say I was a gifted child blessed by the divinities with a high level of intelligence even though it was misfortunate of me to lose my mother at such a young age.
I asked my nanny to make me some coffee, my heart was anxious and I don't know why.
I miss dad already, I wish he was here to sing me some lullabies or read a story that will calm me to sleep.
I tossed and turned, switched positions on my bed yearning for tranquility but it seems got worse.
"Nanny? Where is my coffee?"
My nanny wearing a grim face did not respond, instead, she hugged me and made me change my clothes as if we are going somewhere in a hurry.
I had a very bad feeling about this. And all my unexplainable restlessness seems to make sense now. My nanny instead of bringing me coffee brought me the dreadful news that I lost my father that very night. It was heartbreaking... I could not even breathe. When we reached the hospital, his body was already at the morgue. Some of our relatives were there already, and I could not even see even slight grief on their faces. Instead, they even looked happy. I squeezed my bloodshot eyes, trying to wake myself up from this awful nightmare. How I wish it was. When I saw my dad, I felt that my small body went into a complete breakdown. I tried to wake him up, I tried to shake his shoulders but my nanny kept pulling me, hushing me. My tears are nonstop dripping like waterfalls. I... I still can't believe that he is gone now. We were just playing earlier, we were so happy and now he
On the twenty-third of August, 2004; I became the queen of misfortunes. My aunt Hilda won in the court and she became my official guardian. The manor was given under her care for I am still a minor. Oh, sweet heavens, my haven, the library was demolished and was changed into a playroom for my cousin, Patricia. I did not even have a voice to oppose for my aunt made up a story that the library was a bad influence to a child like me, that I deserve to be normal and to be free to play my heart out. Which, I do not believe for she only wants to make a customized playroom for her child. I was not even allowed to go there. Good thing, I was able to save few of my favorite books before it was thrown out. They held an exquisite grand party fronting it as a celebration for my birthday today. Fools, I know what they are plotting. It was for the exposure of their family name, and their ambitious debut to the
Someone put a cover on my nose...I struggled and looked back to see the face of the culprit with all my strength.It was…It was my nanny.I was trying my best to escape from the clutches of my evil nanny but as time passed by, I’m getting very sleepy.From my peripheral vision, I saw one of the guys earlier pointing a gun at Julian.“No…no… Not Julian, please… Not him," I pleaded as the tears pooled from the corner of my irises,“P-please don’t kill him, he’s already old. Please spare him,” I added while trying to struggle so hard from my nanny whom I once trusted so much. My visions are getting blurry from crying as the drug that was put on the handkerchief was taking effect on me.Before I passed out, my eyes widened as I saw a black-haired guy appeared out of nowhere and whispered something to the bad guy pointing a gun at Julian that made him pull the trigger.I screamed internally.…I woke up with a pang of pa
It's a good thing, he did not notice that I was secretly recording our conversation. I secretly stopped the recording from my side pocket located near my waist after his confession. I was about to stand up when he suddenly knocked me off and I passed out again. ... I woke up with blurry eyes as something cold is poking my cheeks. My eyes widened at the sight of a pair of crimson orbs staring right through me. “Should I set fire and annihilate them?” he whispered. His icy stares met the blue orbs of mine. This guy appeared out of nowhere in front of me. I was imprisoned in this secluded room for several days after I was kidnapped by a group of men asking for ransom in exchange for my safety. Of course with my aunt, being the mastermind and staged this act. The ransom is useless, I will still be killed anyway. “Child, I am waiting,” he moved closer and tucked my hair behind my ear. He got this jet black ha
I am strolling leisurely as the gentle breeze lightly kissed my rosy cheeks. The wind was blowing a few strands of my blond hair. It was already almost four o’ clock in the afternoon and the sun was about to set. I looked up and I admired the beauty of the vivid shades of the mixed hues of pink, blue, and orange. The atmosphere was kind of solemn despite the busy street, and loud horns of cars, motorcycles, and buses. Exploring the few parts of the city and inhaling the scent of Earth made me feel relaxed and soothed. I definitely need a break from all the pressure and responsibilities given to me as the only heir of the large chains of businesses. A stress reliever indeed. I first went across the street to find a book store. Books are my safe haven. It does not only expand my knowledge, but also it comforts me from loneliness. As I have mentioned before, I have no fri
I woke up upon hearing successive multiple knocks on my bedroom door. I sat on my bed for a while, adjusting my hazy vision while blinking few times. I cupped my forehead and slowly massaged it. It was still throbbing with pain. “Wait up. Coming,” I grunted and wore my silky night robe. I reached for the door knob and opened it. It revealed my butler holding my favorite breakfast, bacon and egg with rice and a café latte. “I’m sorry to bother you, my lady, but someone called earlier on the telephone saying it was very important,” he explained, “She says, she needs to talk to you as soon as possible. ” Maybe, it’s about the company. “Alright, did you ask for her name?” I replied while I tilted my head sideward, continuing to massage my head lightly. “Yes, I did. Her name is—you seems to be in pain, my lady. Do you perhaps have headache?” he stopped abruptly and looked at me with full of concern. “Shall I bring you a medi
"My lady! My lady, wake up. You are having nightmares," someone said as that person was slightly tapping the right side of my cheek. "W-what," I blurted out as I abruptly opened my eyes, catching my breath. I immediately woke up, gasping. "You are what?" I continued. It was a late reaction, and my brain was still in a haze from that weird dream. "My lady," my butler called my attention, "My lady," he repeated. "H-huh?" I looked at him, and I can see he is very concerned about my condition. I clutched my chest, still with heavy breathing. He gave me a glass of water immediately. I held it with my shaky hands and drank it with one gulp. I wiped the sweat on my forehead, and shift my gaze on my bedroom clock. 9:45 pm. "You took a long nap, my lady. It is already nine forty-five in the evening," Butler Wong said. On my peripheral vision, I noticed that he was holding a telephone.
"Thank you, Alfred," I said while fiddling the keys for my black Porsche Cayenne. "My lady, here are the candles with a cricket lighter. Is this okay for the bouquet?" Butler Wong asked as he fastened his pace towards me. "That's fine. Kindly put it at the trunk of my car," I instructed as I opened the trunk and unlocked my car. I swiftly slid inside and started the engine. I adjusted the temperature to be a little warmer for it is cold tonight. Shoot! I forgot my cap. I lowered the glass window and called for Butler Wong. "Yes, my lady," he answered. "I forgot my black Versace cap," I replied, "It was hanged on the white standing coat rack in my room," I instructed. "Right away, my lady." He nodded in response, and immediately went inside the manor. After few minutes, he came back with my black cap and handed it to me. "Thanks, Butler Wong." I reached for the cap and put it on my head. "My pleas
“My lady, you look really tired. Would you like to have a tea?” Butler Wong showed up in my room. “Yes, please.” I rested my head on the couch and listened to my favorite song through my headphones. This day is tiring yet confusing at the same time. I don’t understand how fast everything happened. “Crack.” I immediately stood up and my face turned into a poker one as I saw his face. “What are you doing here? I thought you have a work to do?” I asked. He sat beside me. “Don’t you want me here?” I face palmed and he grinned. This guy, really. We both felt each other’s breathing against the heavy silence between us. This feels familiar, ain’t it? “Is school fun?” He asked. I just answered him the usual. “No, as usual. How do you expect me to have fun in a school that is full of rumors circulating and annoying students around?” I don’t know but it feels like we do have this awkward presence for each other and we both don’t know how to make it not an awkward one. “Why did you a
“Can I ask one more thing, Lily?” he asked.I nodded my head in response. My eyes drew in confusion when he offered his hand. I wonder why is he doing this?Primo gave me his sincere smile and said, “Can we be friends? Not in a businesslike manner but personally?”I raised my brow and looked at him with suspicion. He raised his two hands as I scanned him from head to toe.“Don’t worry. I don’t have any ill intentions,” He assured.I don’t know if I can fully trust him since he’s just a guy I met due to our deal between the two companies.I scoffed. “Why did you offer me a friendship?” I was really suspicious of his acts and I can’t help but to doubt.He looked straight into my eyes. I blinked twice and he smiled. “You’re nice and I like you.”My heart pounded harder and faster than it usual. But my mind tells me the otherwise about what he said.“I am not nice as you think,” I bitterly replied as I walked away from him.He followed me and I can feel him smiling behind my back.He chuc
Nothing much pretty will happen this day, I swear.Except that Doom will fetch me later after school. It may not meant anything to him but just seeing him makes me feel this unknown feeling.Maybe being happy because I saw this “one of a kind” friend of mine?Never mind. As I listened to my favorite song, Cardigan by Taylor Swift, I can still hear the students’ gossiping about certain someone.“Do you know that Primo—?”Primo? I’m not surprised, he’s pretty popular to girls.I turned my volume up to maximum 100, not hearing anything. Just peace of silence and the song I am playing of.I walked down to corridors and feeling the chilly breezeway. Good thing, there are no students here. I hate seeing and listening to non-sense things that coming from their mouths.“Hey, Lily.” Speaking of non-sense things. I put down my headphones and asked boringly.“What? Who are you—?”I turn around and saw Primo with a grinning face.What is he doing here? I thought there were no students coming he
We left them speechless that night.Doom dragged me out of the scene before I lose the remaining inch of my temper.We were supposed to enjoy the rest of the night, strolling on a night garden that we were supposed to visit. But, I think I had enough drama encountered that my body was too exhausted and literally passed the opportunity of striding the night with Doom."Hold tight," he whispered in my ears as the minty aroma of his breath once again invaded my olfactory senses.I just nodded in reply while looking like a lifeless soul as my eyes roamed around the dark surroundings.He scooped me in a bridal style and we immediately teleported at my house.I slightly massaged my temples due to weariness."Are you sure you are okay?" he asked as he stared at me with a glint of worry from his crimson orbs."Yeah, I'm good," I told him with a small smile, "I'm just-""You're just?" he repeated my last words while waiting for me to continue.
"So where are we going?" I asked him as he continued to drag me until we are out of sight, "Hey, we don't have a car.""As if we will need that."In a blink of an eye, he let go of his grasp from mine as soon as we found ourselves in the mall.Just as I thought that we will continue to hold hands, he immediately strode fast like a model on a runway and he did not even wait for me."Wow, you were the one who dragged me here and you will just going to leave me?" I whispered to him as I continued to keep up with his pace, " I said, wait up."He faced me with irritation evidently seen in his eyes."It's not my fault you are a slowpoke," he added while clenching his jaw."Doom, you were the one who dragged me here suddenly," I whispered, "And tone down your voice, we are in the public for pete's sake."I immediately left him there and walked fast in the opposite direction.I did not even look back if he followed. I think I'm just too exhausted to deal with anything today.I was about to cal
The school bell rang which indicated that the class has ended.I packed my stuff in a hurry and immediately went out to the door.I was on the way to the waiting shed when a tall blonde guy blocked my way.“Primo,” I uttered.“Hi Lily, I'm glad that you remembered me,” he greeted and gave me a killer smile as if he was on a commercial advertisement for toothpaste.“Yeah, do you need anything?” I asked while glancing at my watch as I checked the time and peeped behind his back.He also looked back and checked in the same direction where I was looking earlier.“Are you meeting someone?” he asked as he averted his green eyes on me.“Sort of, but I guess that busybody is not here yet,” I replied, “By the way do you need anything?” I repeated.“You.”“What?” I looked at him in confusion.He cleared his throat and said, "What I meant was yo
I wonder how were they able to manipulate the people in my household.I didn’t have any idea that they were lurking at my back for a long period of time.“Alfred, do you have a proof for your claims? I will help you if-““My lady! It was not Alfred. The real suspects surrendered themselves just now.” Butler Wong appeared as he caught his breath.“Calm down, Butler Wong. What happened?” I asked calmly as I motioned him to speak slowly.“I didn’t know either. I was surprised to be honest because all along I thought they were my friends. I still can’t believe that they have the intention to harm you, my lady.”“Explain clearly, who are these people? And where are they now?” I asked again.“I think I mentioned them to you before, my lady,” he started while reminiscing, “They are Luisa and Arnold. They surrendered themselves at the station. I just got a call from the police a few minutes ago.”“You did not notice any strange acts from them?” I observed his reactio
I browsed further the pieces of evidence laid on the table, and I saw a photo of a rifle gun. In the picture, it was exposed to be hidden under the thick mat from the trunk of the car. The next photo was a load of bullets from that very same gun on the previous photo. It looked exactly the same as the bullets found on the treehouse and my balcony. Aside from that, another thing caught my attention. A photo of a gas mask on the bed allocated in the sleeping chamber of Alfred. Could it be?... At first glance, I can only think of Alfred immediately as the main suspect because he was after all the one being pointed by the evidences gathered here. It can be believable, yes but not enough to fool me. The pieces of evidence were too accurate to be real. And they missed out on that part in framing
“My lady? Are you alright?” my butler said on the door as he immediately rushed towards the balcony, and helped me get up. “Yes, how did you get here so fast, butler Wong?" I said as I’m trying to adjust my wobbling knees and balance in standing. “I was about to knock when I heard a gunshot so I immediately checked on you,” he explained. “Did they catch the culprit?” I asked as I heaved a long deep sigh, and wiped the sweat on my forehead. “They are still tracing where the sound came from. That person didn’t even bother to use a silencer,” he analyzed as he realized something, “Should I escort you to your room, my lady?” he added. “Thank you,” I uttered as he started to escort me towards my bed. “Don’t worry too much, my lady. We will do our best to catch that person, and make him atone for his crimes.” “Alright. Kindly close and lock the glass door of my balcony,” I ordered him while tucking myself in bed. “Right ahead