"Aish! Why do I need to wash all of these? Don't you have a washing machine? My hands are reddish already," I complained and looked at Santiago. He was sitting beside me with his legs crossed while cleaning his nails with that pink liquid and white cloth. Zadkiro assigned him to look after me and make sure I did all the laundry before dawn. This is my punishment and it was against my will because I don't own any of these clothes. All of this was bedsheets, dark clothes that I don't know who owns, and pillowcases. I don't know how long I've been handwashing these but I am already tired and my hands are starting to get swollen. "We do have a washing machine, but Sir Zadkiro told me not to allow you to use it," he nonchalantly answered. "How heartless," I mumbled and continued doing my work. Maybe I could finish this tomorrow if Zadkiro finishes it, I won't mind. I think it's better than doing nothing. "By the way Santiago, can I ask you a question?" I started a conversation betwe
"Are you crazy Sereia? You don't know what world is waiting for you outside this orphanage. You better put back your belongings before someone else sees you," Devika said in a moderate tone. She is watching me pack my things, attempting to stop me from leaving this place, the place where I stayed for how many years, in the middle of the night. "I'm old enough Devika, I'm already nineteen years old and I am fully aware of what I'm doing," I replied and closed the zipper of the black duffle bag. I need to hurry and leave before the mother superior wakes up and finds out about my plan. I couldn't get caught or else there will be no chance left for me. I've been preparing for this for a long time and I must succeed tonight no matter what happens. "You're out of your mind. What makes you think a better world is waiting for you outside? There are bad people there waiting to commit a crime to relieve themselves. You have no idea what the real world is, just stay here," Devika sermon
"What are you talking about? M-My family? You know my parents?" I asked. My voice was full of hope. I've never felt this way before and it's so overwhelming. I stepped closer to him, demanding an answer at the sudden mention of my 'family.' He furrowed his eyebrows after seeing my reaction, not expecting me to react that way. He seemed stunned but I did not ask further so we won't lose the direction of the conversation. That doesn't matter to me now, all I want to discern is if he knows something about my parents. "I'm not buying your lies and actings, Sereia Villamor." He strode closer, towering over me. "Just tell me where your parents are and I'll let you go, safe and sound." I eyed him full of turmoil. Why does he persist in asking me where my parents are? If I knew, he wouldn't have to ask me multiple times. I wasn't able to answer him because I didn't have an answer to give in the first place. Why don't he listen to me? I slowly shook my head. I don't think we're ha
"I'm sorry for dragging you into this foolishness. Tomorrow morning, I'll return you to the orpha—" "No!" Zadkiro furrowed his forehead when I unexpectedly cut him off, not allowing him to finish what he was saying. He stared at me with concern and difficulty as he saw how I opposed the idea of returning to the orphanage. He was staring at me as if he was waiting for an explanation of why I burst out like that. "Please no, I-I already left there..." I said in a low tone. If I needed to plead then I would do it. I don't want to go back there anymore! He doesn't have an idea what he is talking about. Zadkiro gaped at me and was still disturbed. He was speechless for a minute and was examining me before he slowly shook his head and spoke out. "I've already chatted to Mother Fatima, the head of the orphanage, she told me you were missing. They didn't know you left, you have no idea how anxious they are right now," he stated in a firm tone. I swallowed greedily to calm my ner
"This will be your room from now on, I've already asked the maid to clean it so you can use it comfortably," Zadkiro said as we walked inside this elegant room. The walls were painted white with gold lining which makes it look more classy. There's a huge bed in the center, and the blanket and covers are the same shade of rose gold. The color of the bed matches the couch and bedside table as well. I was amazed at how the room looked. I've never been into such a graceful space. What made me drop my jaw even more was the TV hanging on the wall. I couldn't believe Zadkiro was letting me stay in a room like this. This is heaven! "Uh? Are you okay? Don't you like the room?" I looked at Zadkiro, I didn't know he was watching my reaction and misunderstood it. I immediately smiled. "No, I love it. It's so beautiful actually. Are you sure I can stay here?" I asked. He smiled at me genuinely. The smile that never failed to reassure me every time we were talking. "Of course, from now
"She can't be forced to do physical movement until her wound gets better. Once her wound opens, it would be dangerous for her and may cause infection." I was woken up by the angelic voice of a woman who I think was talking to someone. I hadn't fully woke up but different feelings welcomed me. My throat was very dry, my left hand felt numb and I could feel my stomach aching. I felt very weak and I couldn't even move my hand. Slowly, I opened my eyes to see who the woman was talking to a while ago. Dim light embraced my sight the moment I unclosed my eyes. I looked around me and I was surprised when I saw two people beside me. "She's awake." Zadkiro leaned towards me when the woman said those words. I looked deeply into his eyes and saw worry. He was looking at me as if he was sorry, those eyes were soft and glistening. "Hey, how are you? Do you feel any pain?" he asked in a concerned tone. I felt him touch my hand carefully. I shut my eyes and gulped, trying to pull ou
It's been five days since I woke up from my short-term coma after Zadkiro's brother shot me for who knows why. My recovery was going well, thanks to Zadkiro and his maid, Rosia. Not only did they help me but they provided for my needs as well, Zadkiro in particular. As I sat near the pool, the cold breeze of the air that touched my skin was so gentle. The fresh scent of flowers around the pool area was soothing to my worries. I took a sip of my coffee and sighed. The days were so fast that I hadn't noticed how long I'd been staying in this house. One week? Eight days? Confusion filled my thoughts while trying to remember, my stay felt longer. Just then, I heard footsteps approaching which made me look in the direction where the sound was coming. I saw Zadkiro, who was in his grey sweatpants and black hoodie, hair mussed from sleep, walking towards me with his hands in his pocket. I can see that he just woke up. "Good morning," I greeted him with a smile as I placed the cup on
"Pick the clothes that are comfortable for you, I could suggest but it might not be your fashion," Zadkiro said after I asked him what clothes I should pick. I was surprised when he invited me to come here and told me we should buy things for myself. I refused but he said it's one of his ways to say sorry for the trouble that he did not cause. I don't know where my clothes were from the orphanage, maybe I left them on the road where they grabbed me or they threw them away. "What about long sleeves and jogging pants?" I asked, showing him the stall where different clothes are presentably arranged. That's what I usually wear but I still want to ask his opinion since it is his money that we're going to use to pay for my needs. "Okay then, grab as many as you want. We don't know when we'll be back here again." I only nodded at him and started picking the colors that I wanted. I decided to choose a plain one, I don't want too many designs on my clothes because it doesn't look go
"Aish! Why do I need to wash all of these? Don't you have a washing machine? My hands are reddish already," I complained and looked at Santiago. He was sitting beside me with his legs crossed while cleaning his nails with that pink liquid and white cloth. Zadkiro assigned him to look after me and make sure I did all the laundry before dawn. This is my punishment and it was against my will because I don't own any of these clothes. All of this was bedsheets, dark clothes that I don't know who owns, and pillowcases. I don't know how long I've been handwashing these but I am already tired and my hands are starting to get swollen. "We do have a washing machine, but Sir Zadkiro told me not to allow you to use it," he nonchalantly answered. "How heartless," I mumbled and continued doing my work. Maybe I could finish this tomorrow if Zadkiro finishes it, I won't mind. I think it's better than doing nothing. "By the way Santiago, can I ask you a question?" I started a conversation betwe
"How stupid could you be?! Your task was the simplest among every mission that a mafia could do! Why did the fuck did you fail?" I haven't reached the ground floor of this mansion yet but I can already hear Zadkiro's loud voice coming downstairs. I was planning to get a drink for myself since the weather was a bit cold but I did not expect to hear Zadkiro's thundering voice, he seemed to be scolding his men. That's what I guess because I could see a lot of men in black inside the house. I used to see them outside and if ever I saw them inside, they were not this many. Perhaps Zadkiro gathered them 'cause something happened and that's what made him upset. I continued walking on the stairs until I could finally see what was happening. Zadkiro was panting while his hands were resting on his waist. He looks mad and frustrated at the same time while his men are silently looking down. Some noticed my presence but no one made a reaction about it. They all look worried and problematic
"Come out come out little Sereia, Mommy wants to hug you now." I covered my mouth in order not to create any sound while trying to fit myself in this cabinet. I was shaking and sweaty because of fear. I don't understand why Mommy was holding a knife with blood on it and was trying to attack me using it. She isn't like this, she was lovely and she used to make me feel loved. What happened to her? I peeked through the small hole in the cabinet and I saw her smiling like a devil while sitting on my bed. Mommy was playing with the knife in her hand like she was being possessed. "I only want to hug my baby Sereia. Why is she hiding from me?" she said talking to herself. I wanted to run towards her and hug her but I know she's not in her normal self. Maybe I should just wait for my Daddy and ask for help. I'm sure he'll be here anytime soon. "Na ah ah, now where are you Sereia! Show yourself or Mommy's gonna be mad at you?" She looked around and I almost jolted when her eyes st
"Pick the clothes that are comfortable for you, I could suggest but it might not be your fashion," Zadkiro said after I asked him what clothes I should pick. I was surprised when he invited me to come here and told me we should buy things for myself. I refused but he said it's one of his ways to say sorry for the trouble that he did not cause. I don't know where my clothes were from the orphanage, maybe I left them on the road where they grabbed me or they threw them away. "What about long sleeves and jogging pants?" I asked, showing him the stall where different clothes are presentably arranged. That's what I usually wear but I still want to ask his opinion since it is his money that we're going to use to pay for my needs. "Okay then, grab as many as you want. We don't know when we'll be back here again." I only nodded at him and started picking the colors that I wanted. I decided to choose a plain one, I don't want too many designs on my clothes because it doesn't look go
It's been five days since I woke up from my short-term coma after Zadkiro's brother shot me for who knows why. My recovery was going well, thanks to Zadkiro and his maid, Rosia. Not only did they help me but they provided for my needs as well, Zadkiro in particular. As I sat near the pool, the cold breeze of the air that touched my skin was so gentle. The fresh scent of flowers around the pool area was soothing to my worries. I took a sip of my coffee and sighed. The days were so fast that I hadn't noticed how long I'd been staying in this house. One week? Eight days? Confusion filled my thoughts while trying to remember, my stay felt longer. Just then, I heard footsteps approaching which made me look in the direction where the sound was coming. I saw Zadkiro, who was in his grey sweatpants and black hoodie, hair mussed from sleep, walking towards me with his hands in his pocket. I can see that he just woke up. "Good morning," I greeted him with a smile as I placed the cup on
"She can't be forced to do physical movement until her wound gets better. Once her wound opens, it would be dangerous for her and may cause infection." I was woken up by the angelic voice of a woman who I think was talking to someone. I hadn't fully woke up but different feelings welcomed me. My throat was very dry, my left hand felt numb and I could feel my stomach aching. I felt very weak and I couldn't even move my hand. Slowly, I opened my eyes to see who the woman was talking to a while ago. Dim light embraced my sight the moment I unclosed my eyes. I looked around me and I was surprised when I saw two people beside me. "She's awake." Zadkiro leaned towards me when the woman said those words. I looked deeply into his eyes and saw worry. He was looking at me as if he was sorry, those eyes were soft and glistening. "Hey, how are you? Do you feel any pain?" he asked in a concerned tone. I felt him touch my hand carefully. I shut my eyes and gulped, trying to pull ou
"This will be your room from now on, I've already asked the maid to clean it so you can use it comfortably," Zadkiro said as we walked inside this elegant room. The walls were painted white with gold lining which makes it look more classy. There's a huge bed in the center, and the blanket and covers are the same shade of rose gold. The color of the bed matches the couch and bedside table as well. I was amazed at how the room looked. I've never been into such a graceful space. What made me drop my jaw even more was the TV hanging on the wall. I couldn't believe Zadkiro was letting me stay in a room like this. This is heaven! "Uh? Are you okay? Don't you like the room?" I looked at Zadkiro, I didn't know he was watching my reaction and misunderstood it. I immediately smiled. "No, I love it. It's so beautiful actually. Are you sure I can stay here?" I asked. He smiled at me genuinely. The smile that never failed to reassure me every time we were talking. "Of course, from now
"I'm sorry for dragging you into this foolishness. Tomorrow morning, I'll return you to the orpha—" "No!" Zadkiro furrowed his forehead when I unexpectedly cut him off, not allowing him to finish what he was saying. He stared at me with concern and difficulty as he saw how I opposed the idea of returning to the orphanage. He was staring at me as if he was waiting for an explanation of why I burst out like that. "Please no, I-I already left there..." I said in a low tone. If I needed to plead then I would do it. I don't want to go back there anymore! He doesn't have an idea what he is talking about. Zadkiro gaped at me and was still disturbed. He was speechless for a minute and was examining me before he slowly shook his head and spoke out. "I've already chatted to Mother Fatima, the head of the orphanage, she told me you were missing. They didn't know you left, you have no idea how anxious they are right now," he stated in a firm tone. I swallowed greedily to calm my ner
"What are you talking about? M-My family? You know my parents?" I asked. My voice was full of hope. I've never felt this way before and it's so overwhelming. I stepped closer to him, demanding an answer at the sudden mention of my 'family.' He furrowed his eyebrows after seeing my reaction, not expecting me to react that way. He seemed stunned but I did not ask further so we won't lose the direction of the conversation. That doesn't matter to me now, all I want to discern is if he knows something about my parents. "I'm not buying your lies and actings, Sereia Villamor." He strode closer, towering over me. "Just tell me where your parents are and I'll let you go, safe and sound." I eyed him full of turmoil. Why does he persist in asking me where my parents are? If I knew, he wouldn't have to ask me multiple times. I wasn't able to answer him because I didn't have an answer to give in the first place. Why don't he listen to me? I slowly shook my head. I don't think we're ha