CHAPTER 3

WHILE LOOKING AT his sister's picture, Elvin couldn't help but cry. There was something he remembered that never left his mind and entire being. His sister, Savannah, died in an accident that happened seven years ago.

Elvin entered his sister's room with excitement. As he opened the violet-colored door, he saw nothing. He couldn't see his sister Savannah. "Where is she?" he asked himself.

He squinted his eyes and couldn't help but smile when he saw her hair under the bed. It seemed like Savannah was hiding from him.

He cleared his throat. "Savannah, stop hiding! I saw your hair, and I know you were hiding down there. Come out, little sis!" Then he smiled.

But Savannah didn't listen to him. He let out a deep sigh and walked towards her hiding spot. She's hiding. Why? Curiosity filled his entire body as he pulled Savannah's hair. Within a few seconds, he immediately heard her whimpering.

"Ouch, big brother! It hurts, you know?!" she said with a slightly angry tone as she emerged from her hiding place under the bed.

"Why were you hiding? Is there something you're hiding from? Did your classmates bully you again? Tell me, so I can do something to stop—" 

Elvin's words were cut off when Savannah spoke.

"Oh my goodness! I was being too dramatic, big brother! I was just hiding because I wanted to play with you." She laughed. "Nobody bullies me, so don't worry, my very supportive brother," she said, then hugged him tightly.

He could only smile at what she did. As her brother, of course, he would support and protect her from anything. Savannah isn't normal. She's 18 years old, and her behavior isn't typical of what normal people do. Savannah is childish and doesn't care if people think of her as immature. The truth is, he loves her even more because despite her disabilities, which others might mock, she shows immense love.

After a few minutes, Savannah let go of the hug. "Let's play, big brother! Please, let's play! I'm getting bored here at home," she said while pouting and winking.

He smiled. "Baby, didn't I tell you we're going out? That's why I dressed you up. We'll play later, okay?"

She nodded. "Okay, b— baby!"

He frowned. "Damn! Don't call me baby, Savannah. Only I can call you that."

His younger sister furrowed her brow. "Why not? You called me baby, so I called you baby too, big brother. I liked it. It's like you're my baby." She happily jumped around, which made him smile.

For some reason, even though he was tired from school, Savannah erased his fatigue. Savannah is the only one who can take away all his weariness. She is so funny and entertaining. He's grateful to God for giving him someone like Savannah. She's the most kind-hearted woman he has ever met.

"Let's go," he invited.

"Let's go, babyyy!"

He ignored her remark and held her hand as they walked out of their mansion. Once outside, Elvin opened the car door for Savannah. She sat in the passenger seat while he took the driver's seat.

Elvin leaned over to buckle Savannah's seat belt. After finishing, he fastened his own seat belt, then maneuvered his car.

While they were on the road, Savannah spoke.

"Kuya, where are we going?"

He glanced at her for a moment, then returned his attention to the road. "It's a surprise, little sis! Do you remember what day it is?"

"Wow! A surprise!" she exclaimed. "No, I don't. What is it, big brother?" she asked.

He shook his head repeatedly in disbelief at her response. Damn! She really has no idea what day it is? Dimwit! It's her 19th birthday. As usual, she doesn't remember her own birthday. Like he said, Savannah is childish and doesn't care about things that aren't significant or don't happen frequently.

"It's a surprise, Savannah. Just keep quiet and don't speak!"

"Okay!"

Wanting to celebrate her birthday, he decided to take her out, to have a date with Savannah as his loved one.

He kept his gaze on the road and silently drove until... until there was a collision on the side of his car. His car flipped over several times and eventually came to a stop. All the windows in the car were shattered.

Elvin felt a headache and pain all over his body at that moment. His gaze turned to Savannah, who was unconscious with blood on her forehead. His heartbeat suddenly quickened. Oh God, help my sister, he prayed.

He carefully reached out and shook her shoulder.

"Savannah..." he said hoarsely because of his headache.

She didn't respond.

"Baby..."

Still no response.

"W-Wake up, Savannah... I-I'm begging you. W-Wake up, please..."

No response, yet she's alive. That's what he thought. She wasn't responding to him, but he knew she was alive. He looked to his left and saw a crowd outside. He forced the door open, and thank God, it opened. He supported his head as he exited the car, even with a broken leg, and made his way to where his sister was. He turned her position and opened the door.

"Savannah, did you hear me?"

He started to cry.

He tapped her bloody cheeks. "Savannah, can you hear me? Your big brother is here. Wake up, Savannah... wake up! Please, I'm begging you. Wake up!"

When she didn't respond and remained unconscious, he broke down. After a few seconds, he suddenly smelled something foul that he couldn't understand. When he looked at the front of his car, he saw it was on fire.

"Help me! Help us!" he shouted.

But no one approached them. In desperation, he grabbed his sister's shoulders and tried to pull her forcefully, but nothing happened. It was then he realized her leg was trapped in the front.

"Help me! Help my sister get out of here!" he shouted again, but the people far away didn't listen.

The fire in front of his car grew stronger, and it seemed like it would explode any moment. He couldn't let his sister go. He forcibly pulled her, but they wouldn't budge until someone grabbed his shoulder and pulled him forcefully away from his sister.

He struggled. "F*cking shit! Don't take me away from my sister. Please, don't! I'm begging you!"

The two people pulling him didn't listen; instead, they continued to pull him. He tried to free himself, but they were much stronger and larger than him.

As they distanced themselves from his sister, the two of them let him go. "Stay here for now; we'll take care of her," one of them said.

Thank God!

He nodded. "Take her, I'm begging you!"

The two nodded and ran towards his burning car. Before they could reach it, the car suddenly exploded, where his sister was trapped.

Through his tear-filled eyes, he saw his little sister engulfed in flames. He couldn't breathe in that moment. He wanted to run, but he didn't have the strength. He stood there in shock, watching the car blaze with Savannah inside. After that, his vision blurred, and he collapsed, his surroundings fading into darkness.

He immediately dropped the glass he was holding upon remembering the painful incident. He thought it was all just a dream, but he was wrong. Elvin thought his sister was still alive, but it was just wishful thinking. Because of him, his little sister died in his arms.

He didn't realize tears were streaming down his face. He sobbed and then drank from the rum bottle. He couldn't bear to revisit his past. He turned into a demon when he remembered his dark past. He couldn't handle it! He wanted to kill, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.

He remained in tears when the kitchen door opened. It was Dave.

He wiped his tears with his palms before grabbing the photo of Savannah and hiding it in his pocket.

"Are you crying?" Dave asked as he sat in front of him.

He shook his head. "No."

"Don't lie to me, Elvin! I know you're crying. I know it, so don't deny it. I just came here to invite you for a drink, but it seems you've already started drinking."

Dave stood up, grabbed a glass from the island counter a little far away, and returned, leaning forward and pouring the contents of his bottle into the glass. Elvin rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"There's plenty of alcohol, why did you have to share? You might get infected with my demons!"

Dave chuckled. "That's okay! I'm here for you, Elvin! I know you. I know that face of yours. Haven't you moved on yet, bro? It's been seven years."

He shook his head and took a swig of his drink before smiling at his friend. "That effin' dark past is freaking unforgettable! That effin' dark past changed my life." Tears started to flow from his eyes again. "That shit dark past changed who I really am. I'm not like this. I'm not a freaking demon. I have demonic tendencies, and I don't know why that's what changed me. I can't believe that I really changed. I changed because Savannah, the sister I loved so much, was gone! I love her, I love her so much!" He shook his head teasingly. "Of all the things that could change, it had to be my personality! I'm freaking handsome, Dave, and I don't like it! I may be the most handsome man on Earth, but yet, I'm still a freaking demon who wants to f*ck women." He let out a bitter laugh. "I wish I had died along with Savannah. I'm sure we would be happy now."

Tears continued to pour from his eyes. He let them flow freely down his cheeks. His vision was blurry, but he didn't care. He allowed himself to cry, knowing that his eyes would eventually stop when they got tired. He drank the alcohol in his hand. He wanted to drown himself and forget, but he couldn't... that bloody and unbelievably dark past never left his mind. As he said, it was unforgettable. It was extremely painful! It hurt so much, and even in his sleep, it haunted him.

"But you still have Beverly, right?"

He looked at Dave. He let out a bitter laugh and shook his head. "Yes, Beverly is my sister too, but I prefer Savannah. I really loved Savannah. Even if the world turned upside down, myself would never be unloved by the woman who made me happy before, and that was Savannah."

"Got you, Elvin! Stop crying, you look like a hungry beggar," Dave said and followed it with laughter.

Due to annoyance, he grabbed the bottle cap and threw it at Dave, who managed to dodge it.

 As usual, again and again, Dave started pissing him off.

"I'd rather be a hungry beggar so women won't come near me. I'm tired of it!"

"Hey—" Dave was interrupted by the sound of his own ringing cellphone. "I just need to answer this, Elvin!"

He nodded and continued drinking. After a few minutes, Dave had a smile on his face when he turned to face him.

"You look happy, huh!"

"Of course, I am."

"Why?"

"Why and why? Because you have a new woman who wants to sell her virginity!"

Damn!

SHANELLE'S LIPS QUIVERED as she emerged from the hospital where her father was confined. Once outside, she stood in a corner and silently wept, unable to believe that her father's condition had worsened. The doctor had just informed them that her father needed immediate surgery, or else... he might not make it until tomorrow.

She couldn't speak; instead, she ran away to erase the words she heard from inside. She couldn't bear the thought of losing her beloved father; it might drive her to madness if that happened.

She kept crying, feeling helpless. Her father needed the surgery to stay alive, but where would she get the money? Her tears intensified when she realized that she didn't even have five pesos to her name.

"What do I do now?" she asked herself.

Eventually, she stopped crying and rushed back to the hospital. Within a few minutes, she reached the hallway that connected to her father's room. From a distance, she saw her mother talking to the doctor about her father's situation. She ran towards them.

"Please have my father undergo the operation," she blurted out with a trembling voice.

"What did you say, child? We don't have the money," her mother responded.

She forced a smile and looked at her mother. "Don't worry, when I come back, I'll have the money." Then she turned to the doctor. "Can you please not rush the payment?"

The doctor nodded. "Yes, but there's a requirement. If the payment is not complete, the patient will have to stay in the hospital until it's settled. The bills will also increase."

"I understand. Please, go ahead with the operation, and do everything you can to save him. I'm begging you," she pleaded, kneeling in front of the doctor.

"You can count on it, my dear. I'll leave now and prepare the operation room for your father," he said before quickly leaving them.

She stood up and faced her mother with determination. "Please stay here."

"Where are you going? And why did you say that? We don't have—" her mother started.

"I'll take care of it," she interrupted and quickly left her mother behind.

She ran and found herself standing in front of her boss Wennie's house. She knew she was wealthy, so she decided to ask her for a loan. She would swallow her pride and do whatever it takes. After a few doorbells, Wennie opened the door.

"Oh, you've come to visit, Shanelle?"

"Ma'am, I'm putting aside my pride. I-I'm begging you for a loan," she stammered.

Wennie sighed. "Stay right there, and don't leave!"

She nodded, and Wennie went back inside. She wanted to save her father's life, and she wouldn't let him go. After a few minutes, Wennie returned with a white envelope in hand.

"Here." She handed the envelope to Shanelle, who took it quickly. "I know it's not much, but it's all I can manage. You know, I'm having a house built, and—"

"Ma'am, this is a huge help. Thank you so much for your assistance. I owe you for this," Shanelle said, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Don't mention it! I'll help you as much as I can. I hope it helps."

Shanelle nodded in appreciation. "This is a tremendous help, ma'am. Thank you so, so much. I'll pay you back as soon as I have the money."

Wennie smiled. "No need! It's yours."

Shanelle smiled widely. "Thank you so much, ma'am. I'll go ahead now."

As Wennie nodded, she quickly ran to Fatima's place, even though Fatima had mentioned being tight

on money. She would try again and ask if she knew any job opportunities with high pay. She was ready to take on any work, no matter what it was, just to save her father's life... no matter what!