章 36: It's on fire

I couldn't sleep, so I went outside to get some fresh air because I couldn't fully process how chaotic my life had become. I just wanted justice. I didn't know it would come this far. I just sighed as I was stunned by the emptiness while hugging myself in the cold night.

I was restless where I was standing, and I turned around because it was as if someone was watching. Or maybe not, I was just hallucinating.

"Get yourself together Keasu." I gently slapped my face and shrugged my shoulders.

When a sudden hand grabbed my wrist and ran as fast as she could, and I tried to resist, but she is way stronger than I am. I can't seem to see his face because we are running, and it is dark. I pulled out all my strength to get out of her grip, and I was about to kick the person who suddenly brought me here to nothingness, but I retreated when she approached me and I could see her face.

"L-Lara?" I don't fully understand what I'm feeling right now. I wanted to hug her, but on the other hand, wanted to be angry. It was like I was standing like a statue looking at her.

"We don't have time to waste, they are after you, Kaesu."

"What are you trying to say?" I have a mixture of doubt and wonder in my mind right now.

She held my hands again and looked straight into my eyes, "Trust me, just... trust me this once."

I want Lara, I want to, but...

I slowly withdrew my hands and spoke, "How can I?"

I was about to turn my back on her with a heavy heart, but she then replied again, "There are people, okay? People who are coming after you and I don't know whose people they are, it's just that, they are after you."

"And how did you know?"

"I JUST KNOW!" she burst out. I could sense fear in her tone, but I didn't dare turn to her. I don't want to look at her and get swayed again. I don't know what she's up to, so I got to get my act together.

After a moment of silence, I heard her begging, "Please, your life's in danger. I'm relieved that I managed to get here before they did, but they're on their way to you now. You have to come with me. "

I stopped in astonishment.

If they are after me, then they know where I am? If so, Sir Diego's and his family's lives are in danger.

"No! Arwin, Gimley!" I ran as fast as I could to get back to the hut, only to find it on fire.

I don't know what to do, but tears are rolling in my eyes. I don't want to think that they are still inside and being consumed by the fire, and I just hope they get out. But what if they are still inside?

Without a second thought, I entered while covering my mouth and nose with my arm and forced my way to Arwin and Gimley's room.

The fire spread quickly, especially since it was all made of wood.

"Arwin, Gimley... S-Sir Diego, A-aunt Lus." I couldn't help but cough while I shouted their names, hoping to get a response.

"ARWI-" I stopped shouting as I felt dizzy, and my breathing was getting tighter, and my eyelids were getting heavy.

"Kaesu?" I laughed in my mind when I heard Antonio's voice.

Even though it's almost the end of my life, he's still running through my mind, and I'm still hallucinating about hearing his voice.

Little by little, my eyes were closing, but before I lost consciousness, I felt hands lift me up.

I woke up violently from my bed while catching my breath. I grabbed my chest and when I saw a small tube attached to my hand and saw that I was wearing a hospital gown, I immediately looked around only to find out that I was not in the hospital, but I am here now in my room, in my grandfather's house that my step-mother has now taken over.

I heard footsteps coming over, so I thought of pretending to be sleeping. I don't know how I got here and who put me here, but it must have been my shameless step-mom's doing.

I heard the door open.

"Why is she still not up yet? Are you sure you are taking care of her well?" I heard Amy complain.

"I'm sorry, but we are doing our best."

"Well, your best sucks! It's been 3 days already. This creature is so weak!"

I heard the door open and close. But I didn't say anything to be sure.

"I would've been better if you had died in that fire. I hate you and your guts to stay alive, but at the same time I admire it. Keep being alive by then. I need you to sign papers for me. The company must be mine, after you transfer your shares to your father and then, after I finish, your father."

I felt Amy tap my shoulder.

Truth is, I haven't seen my father since then. He is either on a business trip or Amy won't show him to me. I sometimes think he doesn't want to see me, or he has just simply abandoned me.

When I try to have an appointment with him, he agrees, but then when the day comes, he doesn't show up. I used to want to see my dad and get to know him. My grandfather didn't have a picture of him, nor could I see a picture of him in any corner of their house. He also did not try to find me or reach out to me. Until I came to the point where I myself gave up on the hope that I would see him ever.

There are questions in my mind about whether he wants to see me too? Or if he thinks he still has a child?

I heard Amy leave and that's when the tears I was trying to hold back fell.

I want to tell my dad this side of Amy, but what if he won't believe me? What if he doesn't want to see me? What if he chose Amy more than his daughter, he hated all his life?

I cried and hugged my knees. I felt a tight hug from behind and when I looked at who it was, I cried even more as she hugged me.

"Shhhh... I'm just here." Said Marisol, the only maidservant here in the house that I consider a mother and consider me as as her own child.