11 - Daydreams

To erase Eli in her mind, Care visited every luxurious store in Aurum dragging Aster by the arm. She pointed and pointed at things she thought pretty without checking its price tag: bags, shoes, dresses and many more. It is the girl’s unwise habit whenever she is down in the dumps. Binge shopping at its finest!

Harris and Teddy were rather seen as attendants carrying a bunch of shopping bags on both hands. They shared the same weary look of Aster due to strolling for four hours here and there. Their legs went numb as hard as bricks. Moving them as they walk takes such a vigorous effort. On the other hand, Care pranced buoyantly that they wondered if her legs were made up of metal.

The agony was too great, Aster cannot repress herself any longer. She pulled Care's arm before she entered another shop AGAIN! 

"It's way past 8." she stated in a matter-of-fact tone. 

Care nodded but missed the whole point. Aster groaned then smacked her head. 

"Snap out of it! I'm going home. You, too. See ya at the freshmen orientation!" She bids goodbye. 

She dashed off to the elevator coincidentally opening, the easiest escape route.

"Hey, Aster! Come back!" Care shouted. 

But the elevator had already shut close. She glanced at her wristwatch. Eight pm is still early, she protested. Her energy is far from exhausted!

Her original plan was to tire her body. By doing so, she’d drop on her bed asleep the time she arrives home which also means no Eli pestering her thoughts nor regretting over embarrassing choices. She could picture her peaceful slumber if the condition is met. However, in her peripheral vision, the frowning faces of her bodyguards hounded her conscience. 

"They're lucky I am the benevolent Caress Aragon." she murmurs under her breath before she declares, "Let's head to the nearest resto! You've worked hard so feel free to order as you please." 

They sat at one table as per her order. In a huge boisterous place filled with groups of people eating together, the least thing she wanted is to eat alone. Whereas Harris and Teddy were dying of hunger and burnt-out to notice that it is an uncommon practice for the rich to dine with their lackeys.

Before they finished their meal, an incessant violent rainfall ravaged streets outside. Bad weather is a bad omen, Aster used to say to her. Thus, she waited for the weather to be calmer even though there were many missed calls from her father. 

The old man worries too often, she thought… but  it fattens up her heart, always. 

“Milady, it’s safe to drive now.” Harris informed a couple of hours later.

On their drive home, her eyes lingered on the places the car passed by. She instinctively straightened her back upon spotting a familiar figure standing at the waiting shed. 

Eliseo Manaloto!?

“Stop!” she ordered on a whim.

Teddy stepped on the brakes which resulted in being honked at by vehicles behind them so aggressively. Hellbent on seeing the guy more vividly, she couldn't care less about the protests they were getting. She pressed her face on the window and was in awe. It seems that he took shelter before the rain even began to pour. Droplets of water cascaded continually from his disheveled hair down to his damped shirt. 

"Marvelous! Where's your great Penny ha? Did she leave you freezing in the cold? Now, Eli, I hope I smother you to death with my kindness!" she inwardly mocked. 

She was about to open the door but decided not on a second thought. A lady must not escort a man to her car. It should be otherwise!

After lowering her window, she yelled, "Eli! Eli, hop in!"

He turns at first call despite the ear-splitting sound of rainfall. His whole expression is stoic. But, what wounded her ego was his pitch-black eyes showing disinterest as if nothing about her piques him.

"I'm fine! Go on your way! I'll wait till it stops!" he shouted back, politely.

She picked up his animosity towards her manifesting in his outright refusal. It took a great effort for her big smile not to fall into a grimace. She kept up with the 'I'm-a-very-concerned-citizen' façade. 

"You'd be shivering the next minute if you stay there, Eli! Don't sweat it. Hop in!" she said, trying to sound terribly worried. 

"Thanks for the concern but I'm really fine!" he replied without sparing her a look then did a quick glance to the driver's seat and saluted, "Drive safe, Teddy!" 

She clenched her fist, losing the last ounce of her patience. Her amber eyes almost turned red seeking blood. If she cannot get him through peaceful means, crooked ways it is! 

"Hey, Eli! I said HOP IN!" she yelled through gritted teeth. 

Teddy and Harris jolted in synchrony. They never heard such a tigress voice coming from a petite lady. Even the bristles on their neck were erected. Super goosebumps! 

"Teddy, Harris! Get him inside!" she commanded. 

"But, Milady..." They hesitated at the same time.

"Pronto!" She hissed nearly spitting fire. 

Eli steps back while hands gesturing to them not to approach closer. However, against two of her bouncer-like bodyguards, he was undoubtedly helpless! He resisted only for a few seconds probably realizing it would be humiliating to struggle like a damsel in distress. She smirked when they successfully tossed him in the backseat beside her. He had that rebellious yet helpless expression plastered on his face. It was so satisfying that Care could die in bliss. 

"I'm almost there." Aster assured herself after she got past the double doors in the eerily quiet Nguyen mansion. 

Melancholy roamed the empty halls of their grand home to the extent that her longing for the other world heightened. 

"Ma’am, I'm afraid the elevator is still under repair." a housemaid informed her before she could press the button of the lift. 

Overcome by impatience, she hastily climbed the staircase ignoring formal greetings of servants along the way. She held onto her knees panting when she arrived. 

The entire third floor belongs to the Nguyen triplets. It was like entering another big house in an already enormous house because they have their own living room, movie theater, study area and mini kitchen. Aside from that, each of them has their separate queen bed, bathroom, and closet. They also occupy a space for their personal collections. Designer bags are Marigold's. Hardbound books are Aster's. Limited edition or often customized shoes are Ivy's. 

Their Grandpops aimed to keep them inseparable ever since their parents died early so the best compromise they argue was to sleep on different beds. 

After a quick bath and changing in her jammies, Aster slumped on her bed. In less than a minute, she fell asleep holding the bouquet of blue orchids she bought earlier with Care. Moments later, she opened her eyes, finding herself lying now on top of the same blue orchids. She was in a meadow of the other world... fairy realm, Everlandia! 

She calls it dream land because this is where her consciousness frequently travels whenever her body is asleep in the physical world. 

Her eyes marveled the moment upon gazing at the horizon painted with a rainbow dazzling in warm colors. Her mouth slightly opened in awe, sighting a kaleidoscope of butterflies passing. Wherever she looks around, it is either bright, lively or festive! 

“Star!” a voice called from quite afar. 

Surge of overwhelming vigor seeped through her bones when she turned. She later realized her feet were running towards the gentle Fae eager to pounce on him. He also sprinted to meet her halfway. He had the warmest smile that effortlessly melted away her weariness. They collided in a breathtaking hug. 

"I missed you, Orion!" she exclaimed then snuggled further into his chest. 

He chuckled, welcoming her body scent to intoxicate him. They faced each other after resting a few minutes in each other’s embrace.

"Oh, so do I. Terribly. How was your day, my Star?" 

"Relieved! I really thought Care was goner but I'm assured after seeing her today. She is livelier than ever! We shopped in one boutique then another. I didn't intend to buy any yet she picked new dresses for me although I insisted not to bother. That’s that!" 

He wrinkled his nose. 

“Well rehearsed, huh? You’re fooling no one here. What else happened?” he probed. 

She stared at him, stiffening. It remains a wonder to her how Orion figured out she left some details she rather not share. 

Did her voice or perhaps, eyes give them away? 

Is this part of his Fae power? 

Was he merely guessing? 

“Star, when it comes to you, I become as deductive as Sherlock Holmes you told me about several times. You remember?” 

She chuckled then buried her head on his chest. The rapid yet steady pounding of his heart quelled the quivers of hers. 

“It wasn’t anything serious… It happened when Care and I were briefly separated in the mall. Some girls pulled a little prank. They… they pulled my skirt down..” she stopped momentarily because his grip tightened around her as if a sudden rise of anger, “Giggling about it together with boys accompanying them. I think they took pics but no worries! I ran and met Care right away.”

“That’s more than alarming already! Star, you mustn’t let them harass you till who knows when. How could you treat this so mildly?” 

“It will eventually stop.” 

‘Really? We both know it won’t! Please, seek help!” 

She chose not to reply, worried it might lead to an argument.

Ask help? 

She did once and it did not go well. There is no gain dwelling on the past, she believes. The point is, she could endure the abuse. Deep down, she perceived it as a way of atonement for the grave sin she committed in the past. 

He leaned closer until their noses and foreheads were touching. 

“This is the very reason I want you to stay here beside me! When you leave for the crack of dawn, I’ll be anxious, lonely and frustrated for the nightfall to come!” 

They sighed in unison feeling the longing to meet each other gone yet replaced by their hearts aching to not be apart. 

"You confuse me. Didn’t I volunteer to leave my life behind to be here but you objec----"

Falling into a pit of absolute darkness, she woke up deeply rattled. Anger rose in her  head realizing she was back in the real world. Ivy was the first thing she saw and the now withered blue orchids on her hands.

"Ivy, I told you to let me be and my flowers whenever I'm sleeping!" she yelled in grave hostility. 

Her sister stood eyes wide and jaw dropped while intently staring at her. 

"Easy there, Aster. Why so grumpy? It slipped my mind. Besides, the flowers should be transferred to the vase or it would wither. Oh, it is withered..." Ivy trailed off, bewildered. 

She was certain awhile ago that before she got the blue orchids from Aster, they were still fresh. 

"It doesn't matter! Don't do it again!" 

The tension broke when Marigold set foot in the room. Her face was flushed, her hair a bit messy and her walk unsteady. Ivy was positive the woman was drunk! 

"OMG! I must be super bombed. Are you mad, icy princess? Is that a newfound way to learn your visions although you're still bound to disappoint us?" Marigold slurred her words, making her way towards Aster. 

"Shut your trap! You go out whoring and expect to gain the right to preach?!" Aster retorted back. 

The room fell in awkward silence. The tipsy Marigold sat down and sobered up because of her scream. On the other hand, Aster returned to her senses, guilt washing over her.

“I didn’t expect I could yell, too. Was this my first time?” she wondered. 

Ivy cleared her throat then announced, "Let's cool our heads with a good sleep, okay? We'll talk things out in the morning.”