CHAPTER 7- Never Been A Liar

MIA'S POV

Mia has not asked how he is going to help her. Killian is a university student and the president of their central organization. He has better things to do than to snoop around some unidentified crazy motorcycle rider. By the end of the week, she hopes it will be out of his mind. As long as that criminal stays out of her business, her past will be safely tucked to where it belongs: in the past.

But not only is the criminal up in her business; Roman as well. She has not seen him since their awkward conversation but she can feel that he’s bursting at the seams with questions. What she is doing right now is only delaying the inevitable.

This morning, Mia works alone. Ava studies at the same university as Killian, only she is a freshman and he is a graduating student. Still, she finds herself envious of Ava that it makes her consider seriously enrolling. The university has an excellent art program and Killian can help her get started.

It seems like she can’t do anything without burdening other people, she smiles bitterly at the thought.

Ava goes straight to the cafe right after her classes and does her homework by the counter. Mia watches her scrunches up a paper and throws it in the nearby bin for the nth time. She also misses yet again. Out of boredom, Mia brews an Americano and sets it right beside her scattered colorful pens.

“You need any help?”

Ava looks up at her, her face a picture of frustration. There is a small model of the human anatomy that she is copying and needs labeling every muscle. Ava hands her the pencil and paper, tilting her head to the side as if challenging her. Mia bets she thinks of her as an ignorant hussy.

Without looking at the model, Mia starts sketching. Her fingers automatically move out of muscle memory. She wants to finish the whole assignment by herself but she resists, leaving the erasing and coloring to her.

Ava isn’t able to hide her amazement as she stares at the sketch. “What did you study?”

“I never went to college. My boyfriend made me learn. He’s fascinated with human anatomy.” 

Ava’s eyebrows quirk up. She must have not expected her to open up to her about her past. Well, Mia isn’t expecting to have a normal conversation with her without Ava insulting her. This is a start for both of them.

“Is he in the medical field?”

“He’s dead.”

Ava’s eyes flicker to her, understanding. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

It’s the normal courtesy to say when people hear of your loss but it feels more genuine to hear coming from someone who went through the same thing. Mia wonders how she lost her boyfriend. She doubts Ava experienced the same ordeal as hers. She doubts Ava was ecstatic when the lights went out of her boyfriend’s eyes. Because Mia certainly did. And she will do anything to watch it happen all over again.

“The police have not seen an unregistered motorcycle around the city. I asked for a honda rebel. I’m quite certain that’s what he was riding but even then, no leads.”

Much to her disappointment, Killian has talked to the police but he promises that it is Raul’s case they are investigating and that they have no knowledge of the accident that night. Mia doesn’t want the police involved. They may walk with those badges but just like everybody else, they’re still human with desires and that can be easily manipulated. Power and greed is, indeed, an ugly combination. In the past, she has realized she can’t rely on them.

“They just give away information like that?”

“I can be persuasive. Like this, how about dinner with me this Friday? We were interrupted last night so you still owe me a date.” He gives her a boyish grin.

When she hesitates, Killian stops walking and takes her hand.

“C’mon, we can do well with a distraction once in a while. I’ll protect you from the bad guy,” Killian says jokingly and she can’t help but laugh at that.

“Mia.”

Their little moment of happiness is interrupted by the sound of Roman’s low voice. He has both hands on his pockets, his stance guarded.

“You know Roman Alejo?” Killian asks her, surprised.

“I’m staying at his place.”

“Really? You’re not being held at gunpoint, are you?” The light tone in his voice doesn’t match the look in his eyes as he meets Roman’s glare. “Sorry, bad joke,” he shrugs, unapologetic.

Her forehead wrinkles in confusion. How does he know about the gun? It can’t be a coincidence that he’s joking about a gun where Roman is concerned.

“You just keep sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong.” 

“I could say the same thing to you.” 

They’re almost at the same height as they move closer to each other, both pairs of eyes shooting daggers. If they come at each other physically, Mia knows she won’t be able to stop their towering figures.

Killian must have noticed her panicking as he is the first to let go of the eye contact. He steps back.

“I think I better go.”

There is an unreadable expression on his face. He leans down to her ear.

“Be careful where you get help, Mia,” he warns before disappearing into the night.

As soon as they arrive at the apartment, Roman starts.

“You’re dating him now?” He asks, his jaw clenched. He walks by the windowsill, looking between the curtains as if expecting trouble.

“He’s a friend.”

“I told you he’s dangerous.”

Mia wants to laugh. That is rich coming from a man with a gun. 

“How is he dangerous?”

“I have a feeling about this.”

“You’re basing your judgment off of a feeling?” 

“My instincts have never betrayed me.”

Mia purses her lips. No matter what she says, this thing between him and Killian runs deep and she is out of her depth to even try and understand it. 

“I know you’re being concerned but you have nothing to worry about.”

“That motorcycle rider,” he changes the subject. “He’s someone from your past, isn’t he? That’s why you’re so scared to talk about it. Do you think it will go away when you ignore it? Just like that?”

“It had nothing to do with my past. It’s just another reckless driver. Maybe a drunk or someone’s not right in the head. He’s not coming back.”

“You’re in denial. I can help you, Mia.” Roman’s voice softens. 

“How? You’re going to shoot him with that gun under the fake plant?”

A look of shock passes over his face. She turns the questioning on him, crossing her arms.

“What is it that you really do?”

The same guarded expression on his face comes up again as it does whenever she brings up his job.

"It’s not what you think.”

“Maybe everyone’s right about you.”

The pain in his eyes doesn’t go unnoticed by her but then it disappears like it wasn't there from the start.

“You believe in a one-sided story? Just because I’m asking about your business? Who are you running away from?”

“Doesn’t matter because I’m starting to see why they are warning me about you.”

“And yet you stayed.”

She clutches the paper bag and her sling bag tightly to her chest. She walks to the front door.

“And now, I’m leaving.”

“Mia, wait.”

She closes the door before he could reach her and runs out of the building.

'Could it really be him? It can’t be. I made certain that he’s dead.'

“Visiting hours are over, dear. Go home, it’s late.”

Mia looks up, disoriented. Her feet have taken her to the hospital after walking for hours outside with no idea where to go. It is only half-past nine but the waiting area is already deserted and the fluorescent lights are dimmed. It’s only her and the kind receptionist.

“Can I just stay here just for tonight? I swear, I won't make any trouble.”

“Hospital policy. I’m afraid I can’t do anything about it. If you need to phone someone, you can use the telephone.”

“Mia?”

Ava appears right behind her. She must have just come back from Raul’s room. “What are you doing here?”

Before Mia can reply, the receptionist answers for her. “She has no place to stay for the night.”

Mia stares at her feet, ashamed. She must be rejoicing now that she’s out of Roman’s apartment.

But Ava only looks at her from head to toe. Her eyes flicker to the receptionist who has an expectant expression on her face. She hears Ava let out a sigh.

“C’mon.”

AVA’S POV

Ava is a clean person. Not to an obsessive point but if she sees a glimpse of an insect in her place, she won’t stop until she clears out every corner of their possible hideouts. That’s how she feels about Mia. Especially when she notices her resemblance with the dead girl. She just serves as a walking reminder of the tragedy that happened last year. Maybe that’s why Roman is adamant about helping her.

You’ll do anything to be able to sleep better at night.

But as she sees a sliver of the real her underneath that image of innocence, she starts to see her as a person. And when a person is in trouble, you help. That’s just human nature.

Mia is in the shower while she searches for clothing that she could change into. Ava is a tall girl and has more meat in her bones compared to Mia’s petite body. It’s a good thing she still keeps her stuff when she was in high school. She is just about to hand her the clothes when she notices her small sling bag, lying open on the coffee table.

She doesn’t consider herself a nosy person but her guts tell her to check inside. Glancing at the bathroom door warily, Ava snatches the bag and takes a peek.

There is nothing much inside other than some loose change, tissues, a chapstick, and an old compact mirror. She digs under all that, feeling the interior of the bag. Her hand stops as it finds a tear on the cheap material. She goes underneath it and takes the contents out of it.

There are three crinkled silver blister packets of medication, two cavities of each are already empty. Ava recognizes these as cheap abortion pills. She knows because she had shopped for one before.

But that’s not all: a piece of sharp jagged glass and a picture of a smiling handsome man that looks like it has been cut from a newspaper lay on her palm. Ava starts to feel like she walks into another murder scene.

She quickly puts Mia’s things back inside the bag and messages Roman that Mia is in her apartment. Her fingers are trembling as she hurriedly types on her phone. Her head turns to the bathroom which has been quiet for a while.

Ava walks toward it.

“Mia?” She calls out to her tentatively. 

Suddenly, she feels something sticky on her feet. Red liquid starts pooling around her, flowing continuously from inside the bathroom.

Her heart is in her throat. Without hesitation, she bangs open the door.

The sight is enough to make her blood run cold. Ava can’t do anything but stare at her, horrified.

“What the fuck did you do?”