Before Devin can enter fully, Mike calls out to her, "Devin? I need some coffee. Can you make a fresh pot?" 

"Yes, sir!" she quickly re-locks the door and quietly pulls it closed. Another time. 

Mentally noting where she will be after she attends the other rooms of the house, Devin heads to the kitchen to make Mike his coffee. The kitchen is like any other kitchen, gray granite counter tops, light mahogany cabinets, plenty of counter space. It has all of the things expected for a family like this. 

Devin sees that they have one of those pod cup and pot coffee makers, and proceeds to make a full pot. Walking the coffee to Mike, she asks him as she enters, "I was getting ready to start cleaning the rooms, and noticed the room across the hall from me was locked. I thought I only couldn't enter the back area?

"Mike looks up from his laptop, "Oh yeah, that is my wife's study. She keeps it locked during the day. Even I don't have a key. She will be happy to let you in if you ask her. She just doesn't allow anyone in without her present." 

He takes his cup of coffee Devin poured while he was telling you this," Oh, I am so sorry. Please bring me some creamer from the fridge. I prefer the vanilla one." 

She smiles, "Of course." Heading back to the kitchen, Devin makes a note to ask Melanie if she can clean her "study".

Opening the fridge, Devin finds the vanilla creamer without issue. She also sees a couple of empty bottles labeled "Sarah's milk. Do not drink."  

Remembering Melanie saying she was out, Devin wonders why the empty containers are still in the fridge instead of being washed. Are they not supposed to be touched by the rest of the family either?

Handing the creamer to Mike, one more thought needs to be answered for the moment, "Are there any other locked rooms?" He sips his coffee. 

Satisfied, he shakes his head, "No, just the study and the back area. You should have easy access to the other rooms." 

Devin smiles, "Thanks, I think I will start then in the room beside mine."

Devin walks back down the hall, picking up her caddy that she didn't realize she had left by that "study" door, and moves down to the room beside hers. Like he said it would be, the door is open. 

Devin enters into what can only be Cameron's bedroom. This is a girl's dream room. The walls are striped in pale purple and pink, Cameron's white daybed beautifully decorated with all kinds of funky girly pillows and fluffy, lacy white comforter, and her desk to the right of the room is immaculate. 

Devin understands that she won't have much cleaning to do in here, so she simply wipes down the dresser and desk, and vacuums the plush pink carpet. 

As she is getting ready to leave, Devin notices the only out of place thing in the room, a bronzed amulet hanging on the back of Cameron's door, that she would not have noticed until leaving regardless. Devin takes the amulet in her hand, and turning it over, finds an inscription on the greenish back, "Protect the daughter, she is the key." 

She quickly takes out her phone and snaps pictures of the amulet, front and back. She notices a clasp on the side, but it has a keyhole to open it. Devin tries to pick the tiny keyhole, but it is useless. It is really tiny, and only a tiny key will open it, which she is now determined to find. 

Devin hangs the amulet back on Cameron's door the way she found it, and exits her room, pulling the door closed behind her. 

She thinks to herself, 'If Cameron doesn't know what is going on, then why does she have such a mysterious amulet, and what does she think it is for?'

Devin moves on to the next room. Directly across the hall from Cameron's room is Mike and Melanie's room. She enters without mishap of course, and finds the most drab and common room ever. A tan floor, antique white walls, and basic queen-sized bed adorn the room. The only thing that makes the room feel remotely special is the bedding. 

The bed is made with burgundy and black satin sheets, with a similar scroll work to the walls of Melanie's study. Taken aback, she looks around at this room. The curtains are open in all their brown glory. The room being lit by sunlight feels like her mom's room, but with funky bedding. 

Devin vacuums the room, wipes down the dresser, and tidies up the bedside table on Melanie's side. She had a couple of -eww!- used tissues on her dresser and an empty glass, stained red from whatever she had drank the night before, drying in it. Devin sniffs it out of curiosity, but she can't place the pungent smell. It sticks in her throat a bit, and she has to clear it to get rid of the smell. 

'Definitely not wine,' she thinks to herself.

The table has a drawer that she opens and finds a bible within, along with pen and a notepad. Scribbled on the notepad Devin sees these words: Stronger vampire vomit! 

'What the hell is vampire vomit!' Devin exclaims in her mind. She takes a picture with her cell phone of the note, and looks for other information. Nothing else written anywhere can be found. 

Leaving the items how she found them, Devin moves on to Mike's bedside table. His is the same, but without the tissues or drink. He has a half-eaten granola bar that Devin throws into her waste bin on her caddy. Devin opens Mike's drawer to find the box that the tissues on Melanie's side came from, as well as a book called Support Yourself, Family First. 

Curious, Devin flips through the book. A tiny scrap of paper falls out onto the floor. She picks it up, and it says one thing: Milk is fake. She poisons.  

This is in a handwriting Devin has not seen before, and there is a bloody fingerprint on the paper. She takes a quick picture, and puts the paper back where she thinks it fell out. 

As she places the book back and closes the drawer, her heart is pounding. This is not like the others, she is starting to realize. 

"She poisons?" Devin whispers to herself. Could Melanie be poisoning Sarah? Why? She decides to go through Melanie's things further and take a stealthy visit back to that 'study' of hers, but first, she need to finish her 'cleaning' of the house.

Being in a specialized field that is not supposed to exist, Devin Locksdale can never catch a break. From hunting vampires to drowning evil mermaids, she has done it all, and outside the eyes of the regular population.

When Devin is called to a regular home in a common neighborhood about a child that changes into a beast at night, she finds her hands are more than full. She has to not only figure out how to help this girl, who LIVES WITH HER FAMILY, but also keep the neighbors from finding out! 

Not to mention, her family is not as normal as it seems...

-Athena Brix Alexandro-

Nagising ang diwa ko dahil sa sinag ng araw na nagmumula sa bintana ngunit pinili ko pa ring pumikit dahil gusto ko pang matulog. 

Ilang minuto pa ay nakaramdam ako na para bang may nakatitig sa'kin, dahan-dahan ko namang iminulat ang mga mata ko at napabangon ako ng mabilis pa sa alas-kwatro ng makita kong nakangiting nakatitig si Funky sa mukha ko.

"Aww! " daing ko dahil nauntog ako sa bakal. 

"Hey, are you okay? Anong nangyari? " nagaalalang tanong nya habang tinitingnan ang ulo ko. Agad ko namang tinanggal ang kamay nya sa ulo ko at tiningnan sya ng masama.

"What? " tanong nya dahil siguro nagtataka sya kung bakit ko sya tinitingnan ng masama.

"What?! What-whattin mo mukha mo! Dahil sa'yo kaya ako nauntog! Argh! " sigaw ko sa kanya.

Tatawa-tawa naman syang nagsalita.

"Bakit dahil sakin? " 

"Tch. Bakit ka ba kasi nakatitig sa mukha ko ha?! " inis na tanong ko.

"Tumingin ka sa salamin. Hehehe~ " aba't! Wala na lamang akong nagawa at tumingin sa salamin na nandito sa kwarto nya at walanjo! May drawing 'yung mukha ko!

"FUNKYYYYYYY! " sigaw ko at sya naman ay kumaripas ng takbo papalabas ng kwarto nya. Hinabol ko naman sya ngunit pag-labas namin ay nakatingin sila Jerix, Zef, Kean, Khal, Gray, at Harry. 

"Good morning hehehe~ " nahihiyang bati ko.

"Pfft. " rinig kong pagpipigil ng tawa ni Funky kaya agad ko naman syang siniko sa tyan nya. Nasa gilid ko lang kasi sya eh.

"Good morning din, Brix! " pag-bati sakin ni Kean.

"Ano 'yang nasa mukha mo? HAHAHA! " tanong ni Gray.

"Oo nga, si Funky ba ang may gawa nyan? HAHAHA! " tanong din ni Khal.

"Kayo ha? Bromance, ayieeeeeee. " panunukso ni Harry. What?! 

"Napagtripan ko lang sya. Bromance daw eh. " sabi ni Funky saka tumingin sakin habang pasimpleng tumatawa. Pinandilatan ko naman sya ng mata na para bang sinasabi ko na, 'anong tinatawa-tawa mo dyan?! ' 

"Maupo na kayo at kakain na. " walang-emosyong sambit ni Jerix. Napaka-sungit talaga ng koryanong 'to eh.

Nagtungo muna ako sa lababo para linisan ang mukha ko, naramdaman ko namang sumunod si Funky sakin. 

"Ako na ang magtatanggal nyan. " sabi nya saka inalis ang drawing sa mukha ko. Nakatingin naman ako sa mukha nya.

*dug dug dug dug dug dug*

Argh! Puso, shut-up! Ano ba naman 'to! Abnormal na 'yung puso ko!

"Ayan, okay na. " napakurap ako ng ilang beses at saka umiwas ng tingin.

"Tara na, kain na tayo. " sabi ko at nauna ng maglakad papuntang lamesa. 

Naupo na ako sa tabi ni Jerix at sa tabi ko naman si Funky. 

"Let us pray. " panimula ni Jerix saka nagdasal. Tsibugan naaaa!

Kumuha na ako ng tatlong jumbo hotdog at dinamihan ko ang lagay ng kanin sa plato ko. Napahinto ako dahil napagtanto kong lahat pala sila ay nakatitig sakin.

"Wow! "
"Grabe. "
"Kaya ka siguro strong 'no? "
"Oo nga, ang takaw mo eh. "

Kanya-kanya nilang komento. Nahiya naman ako ng kaunti.

"Ayt, sorry hehe. " sabi ko saka akmang ibabalik na sana ang iba pang kanin ngunit agad akong pinigilan ni Funky.

"'Wag, kainin mo 'yan. " sabi nya sakin.

"Kailangan mo 'yan. Tingnan mo nga 'yung katawan mo oh. Ang payat! " aba't--! Akala ko naman concern, 'yun pala mangaasar lang.

"Nangaasar ka ba dre? " maangas na tanong ko.

"Suntukan! Suntukan! " sigaw ni Kean.

"Tama na 'yan. Kumain na tayo. " sabi naman ni Jerix.

"Kain lang, walang tayo, boss. " biro ni Gray.

"Gago! " nanlaki naman ang mga mata ko sa sinabi nya. Nagmura sya sa harap ng hapag?

Matapos nun ay kumain na lang kami ng tahimik, paminsan-minsan ay nakikita ko si Funky na sumusulyap-sulyap sakin.

"Bakit ka ba tingin ng tingin ha? " iritang bulong ko sa kanya. Tusukin ko 'yung mata nya eh.

"Anong tingin ng tingin? Assuming ka lang talaga. " bulong din nya saka bumungisngis.

"Oy, ano 'yang binubulong-bulong nyo ha? Kayo ha? " saad ni Zef kaya napatingin kami sa kanya at doon namin napansin na tapos na silang kumain, kami na lang ni Funky ang hindi.

"Ayieeee bromance na talaga ituuuu. " panunukso pa ni Khal.

"Umayos nga kayo. " seryosong sabi ni Jerix kaya nanahimik na sila. 

"Ah, Brix, gusto mo bang malaman kung anong section mo? " tanong sakin ni Funky. Hala! Oo nga pala!

"Oo, alam mo ba? Nakalimutan ko kasing itanong sa dean eh. " 

"Yup, alam ko. Sige na, magbihis ka na at magasikaso pagkatapos pupunta tayo sa section mo. " nakangiting wika nya.

"Yehey! Sige sige, ligo lang ako. " sabi ko saka tumakbo na papunta ng kwarto ko, I mean namin pala ni Jerix saka kumuha ng damit at nagtungo ng CR.

Athena Brix Alexandro is a 20-year old girl who wants to find the justice for her older brother's death. Napag-alam n'yang Dark Glazer Academy ang huling pinuntahan ng kanyang kapatid bago ito mamatay, at dahil do'n, napag-desisyonan n'yang mag-enroll sa nasabing eskwelahan at natanggap naman s'ya, ngunit kailangan n'yang magpanggap na lalaki para masagawa ang paghihiganti n'ya.

Louli sighed behind curtains. ''Miss, too bad he doesn't want to stay by your side for good. Such strong men cant be found easily.''
There was a long sigh coming from Shu Ya's direction. She peeked a bit trough curtain and saw Shu Ya embroidering patiently on silk cloth. Louli knew that embodiment calmed her down so she just stayed still.
Mingli stood in the front door for a long time deep in thought. Suddenly he heard Shu Ya talking.
''Yes, they have big bodies. But what is the point in that if their hearts are not where they should be? I  can trust Mingli and Mingyu with my life. So don't sigh for things that are not possible. I like more those that like me as well. Isn't it natural?'' She giggled. ''Mingli is cute when he gets flustered around you. Girl, you are quite mean to him, or is your preference someone like Shin Young?''
Louli opened swiftly the curtain and saw Shu Ya sitting next to the bed and smiling at her mischievously. '' Miss, Mingli is Mingli. I just said all those things because I feel it would be good to have more protection. Hm.''
Shu Ya narrowed her eyes. ''Aham. So the moment I mention Mingli you have a feeling that you have to protect him? Look at your red cheeks. Sigh. Just admit it.''
''Miss, what should I admit? I don't understand you at all.'' She closed the curtain and hid under covers. While holding her red cheeks she heard a low chuckle. 
Shu Ya just patted the bedding slightly. ''Louli, life is short and Mingli is a smart, good looking young man. I do not think you will be able to find someone as able as him. But that is your choice.''
Louli just became silent while Mingli smiled and turned around to leave. He still needs to prepare medicine for blood replenishing for Louli. In the kitchen, he realized that they have no cook again. But it was fine. 
Each one of them knew little tricks to survive. And he knew Louli knew how to cook. That is the reason Shu Ya easily let Tairong go. He smiled while thinking about Louli but then his smile vanished.  
It seems the farm is not as simple as it seemed at the first moment.
Shu Ya saw Mingli slowly entering the room as he had no way to knock as he held piping hot medicine in his hands. She rose her eyebrows and then Stared at Louli's side. ''Mingli, I know your heart, but Louli is just a normal girl. Do you want to kill her?''
He shook his head. ''I will leave it here to cool down. I will prepare something simple for dinner.''
Shu Ya smiled. ''I will then wait for that. Let's see what you know how to cook.''
But when they came to eat dinner Shu Ya almost laughed. Burned eggs, undercooked rice and something that looked like vegetables but smelled funky.
''Uhm. Let me change slightly a bit this rice. I can save it. The eggs and vegetables are dead. Please pray for it and bury it. Mingli. Go stay with Louli and make her drink her medicine. She acts like a three-year-old child.'' This time medicine has to be taken before food so she had to drink and then wait for a while then eat.
Mingli nodded and got out as fast as he could while Shin Young held the two dangerous things far away from himself and went to throw it away, far far away.
On the other hand, Shu Ya rolled her eyes and started recooking rice. She made porridge and added various vegetables inside. Then she fried a bit of dried meat and added it into it. The amazing smell started floating out the kitchen when suddenly a deep voice could be heard on the door. 
''Ugh, miss I am hungry.'' Bolin stood on the door and held his stomach pitifully.
She chuckled. ''You sound like I don't feel you all enough. Go wash yourself and call others. Tell Mingli to get Louli's and his bowls. Only he can make that girl eat properly.''
Bolin started loudly laughing and stepped aside to let Shin Young enter. But she now sent both of them. ''Go wash up and hurry back. I will eat with the two of you. I hope Mingyu comes home faster.''
Shin Young pursed his lips. ''Miss is always thinking about those two guys, what about us?'' 
Bolin almost dropped his bowl looking at childish face Shin Young made. ''Stop. It's scary.''
Actually, Shu Ya found it cute. A huge man trying to act like a child. It is really cute so she started giggling. ''Awww, our Shin Youngie... Big sister will feed you well. I promise.''
Shin Young couldn't hold anymore and started laughing. But then he laughed even louder when he saw Bolin's perplexed expression. ''Oh dear Buddha, ha ha  hahahaha.''
Shu Ya pointed at the door and the two men came out. One laughed himself to crying while the other had a completely dazed expression. ''I had no idea you are like that.''
Shin Young punched him to walk faster and when they were around the house his face became serious. ''That child needs it. Didn't you realize she didn't laugh since we came? The few times that's he smirked was not really laughing. If I have to put my self on top of my head and become clown I will do it, as long she starts laughing again. So do not even dare to stop me.''
Bolin nodded. ''Winter is long. We will have enough time..wait I need to ask her about contracts.'' 
Shin Young took out his contract and waved with it under his nose. ''I already signed. You are a tad too late.''
Bolin grabbed the contract and almost bulged his eyes. ''This, did you read it?''
Shin Young shook his head. ''I don't know why but I have a feeling she wouldn't trick me. So I just signed it. Why something wrong?''

Shu Ya reincarnated in the child's body with the same name. 
What no one knew was that her life in the past was not a happy one, so she sees violence, murder and death completely cold.
That is what how she sees herself, but what others see is a good-natured black-bellied girl with heart of gold.
Until one day she doesn't find a person who will finally repair her broken soul and heart.

If you want, you can support me here:
https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=34498804

MAAGANG dumating si Sia sa branch ng bookstore kung saan nakatakdang maganap ang kanyang first ever solo book signing. Iyon ang unang pagkakataon na magpapakita siya sa mga readers. Sa loob ng halos limang taong pagsusulat, ngayon lang siya makiki-mingle sa madla. Sociable naman si Sia sa mga readers sa social media, pero hindi sa personal. Hindi kasi siya mahilig lumabas ng lungga dahil kina-career niya ang pagiging full-time writer ng Black & Gold Publishing.
Matapos ang mahabang panahon ng pagtatago sa lungga, napilitan na si Sia na magpakita sa mga readers. Nahahabag na siya sa admin ng SNS accounts ng BGP, kulang na lang sumabog iyon sa dami ng notifications mula sa mga readers na nagre-request ng isang book signing event.
Sinalubong kaagad si Sia ng staff pagdating niya sa bookstore. Iginiya siya nito sa bahaging inilaan talaga para sa kanya. Malawak ang kabuuan ng lugar kaya hindi siya makakaabala sa mga mamimili kung sakali.
"Ma'am, magsisimula na po ba ang book signing ni Miss Cresia?" tanong ng staff na si Jessie sa kasama niya.
"Hindi pa naman, one pm pa ang simula ng book signing niya," tugon dito ni Caroline, ito ang nag-aasikaso ng mga book signing at iba pang mga events ng BGP.
Napabuga ng hangin ang staff at nagkukumahog na kinuha ang mga librong isinulat niya para ihilera sa display window ng bookstore.
"Pasensiya na, ha… kaka-time in ko pa lang kasi. Akala ko naman naayos noong pang-morning shift," hingi nito ng paumanhin.
"Pasensiya na ri kung medyo napaaga kami," ani Sia.
Nilingon siya ng staff na binigyan lang niya ng nag-aalangang ngiti.
"Parang pamilyar ka sa akin, Miss Cresia." Nilapitan siya ni Jessie nang matapos ito sa ginagawa. Titig na titig ito sa kanya.
Malamang nga na maging pamilyar si Sia sa staff dahil doon siya madalas bumibili ng libro sa branch na iyon, tumatambay pa nga siya roon kung minsan at kapag ganoon tinutulungan niya itong mag-ayos ng mga libro sa shelf kapag may delivery. Hindi siya nagpapakilala kay Jessie na siya ang writer na si Cresia. Nagpakilala siya rito bilang si Sia, isang book lover.
Sa tuwing maliligaw siya roon mukha siyang ewan, may suot na eyeglasses na ubod ng laki ang lenses at nakataas ang buhok sa isang magulong pusod. Kaya siguro hindi siya nakilala nito ngayon sa ayos niya dahil nagmukhang tao na siya na nalalaman kung ano ang sibilisasyon.
Kinusot ni Sia ang ilong at hinawi ang bangs niyang kahapon lang umeksena para itago ang malapad niyang noo.
"Masyado kasing ordinaryo `tong pagmumukha ko, kaya siguro ang dami kong kamukha. Nakakatakot naman `yon…" biro niya.
"Naalala ko tuloy iyong novel mong A Doppleganger's Love." Malapad ang naging ngiti ni Jessie.
"Nagbabasa ka pala ng mga gawa ko?"
Nire-require ng publisher nila na magbasa ang mga staff kapag may libreng oras nang sa ganoon ay maayos na mai-endorse sa mga customer ang mga libro.
"Yes, Miss Cresia, reader mo ako! Sayang nga lang hindi ko nadala ang mga kopya ko ng libro mo dahil hiniram ng kapatid ko at dinala sa dorm niya..."
"Kumuha ka na lang ng mga bagong kopya at pipirmahan ko. Ako na lang ang magbabayad," nakangiting sabi ni Sia.
"Aba! Nakakahiya naman," tugon ni Jessie.
"Okay lang `yon, basta ba sa susunod na tinulungan kitang mag-ayos dito ililibre mo ako ng milk shake." She winked at her.
Noon niya nakitaan ng rekognisyon ang mukha nito. "Lucresia?"
"Ako nga…"
Narinig niyang tumawa si Caroline.
Mabilis ang naging paglipas ng mga minuto, hindi nagtagal nagsimula na ang book signing event.
Malapad ang ngiti ni Sia habang nakaupo sa likod ng mesa at pumipirma. Bawat first page ay sinusulatan niya ng pasasalamat, kung minsan ay personal na message lalo na kung ka-closena niya ang nagpapapirma dahil madalas na ka-chat o kapalitan ng comment sa SNS.
"Miss Cresia, kung hindi mo mamasamain saan ka po nakatira?" tanong ng teenager niyang reader na nakilala niyang si Eunice ayon sa nakasulat sa name tag nito.
"Sa tabi-tabi lang," tatawa-tawang sagot niya habang pumipirma. "Biro lang, sa Sitio La Playa ako nakatira. Alam mo ba kung saan iyon?"
Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Eunice. "Nah! Doon din po ako nakatira! Saan pong banda ang bahay n'yo?"
"Malapit sa boundary, secret lang natin ang tungkol doon, ha." Isinara ni Sia ang libro at nakangiting iniabot iyon sa dalaga. "Maraming salamat sa pagpunta."
Tuwang-tuwa ito nang damputin ang librong pinirmahan niya. Nag-request pa si Eunice na magpa-picture sila na pinaunlakan naman niya.
Nagpatuloy ang book signing. Nakipagkuwentuhan siya sa mga readers at nagpakuha sila ng pictures. Sa sobrang enjoyment, hindi na nila namalayan ang paglakad ng sandali. Gabi na nang tuluyang maubos ang mga readers na nagpapapirma kay Sia.
Nag-inat siya nang makalabas ng bookstore ang huling batch ng readers.
"Nakakapagod, ano?" tanong Caroline nang ibaba nito ang isang supot na may logo ng paborito niyang fast-food restaurant. "Kumain ka muna. Nalipasan ka na ng gutom."
"Kayo ba?" alok niya sa mga ito, isa-isa niyang inilabas ang laman ng supot. "Sabayan n'yo ako."
"Sige lang, kanina habang busy ka nagnakaw na kami ng sandali para kumain. Wala, ginutom talaga kami."
Sia leaned back against her seat.
"Ganito pala ang feeling kapag pumipirma sa sariling libro… Nakakapagod, nakakangawit, pero ang saya ng pakiramdam na nakakapagbigay ka rin ng saya sa ibang tao. Dati ang akala ko sapat na `yong nakakapagsulat ako ng mga kuwento na nakakapagbigay ng kasiyahan sa readers ko. Iyon pala hindi mo lang sila basta readers, puwede mo rin pala silang maging kaibigan o kapamilya..."
Nginitian siya ni Caroline. "Natutuwa ako na marinig ang mga salitang iyan mula sa `yo. Ibig sabihin ba niyan may kasunod ang book signing mong ito?"
"Baka naman puwedeng magpahinga muna at mag-ipon ng lakas?" nanunulis ang ngusong sabi niya.
"Siyempre naman…" Nag-thumbs up ito.
Isusubo na sana ni Sia ang hotdog sandwich nang mapukaw ang pansin niya ng lalaking nakatayo sa labas ng bookstore. Nakatitig ito sa mga librong naka-display—sa mga libro niya. The man was tall and lithe with chinky eyes. Clean cut ang gupit nito na nagbigay ng maaliwalas na awra. The shape of his lips and that arrogantly inclined nose compliments the man's handsome face. Kumibot lang ng kaunti ang mga labi nito ay lumabas na kaagad ang dimples sa magkabilang pisngi. Kung hindi nga lang ito gumagalaw aakalain niyang isa itong standee ng modelong tinubuan ng buhay at naglakad para makarating sa harap ng bookstore.  Hindi tuloy naiwasan ni Sia ang pagpantasyahan ang lalaki. Maaari itong maging visual ng hero sa isang nobela. 
Kaagad din namang naputol ang pantasyang iyon nang gumapang ang pamilyar na pakiramdam sa kanyang tiyan. Animo may nagliliparang mga paru-paro sa loob noon, idagdag pa ang mabilis na pagtibok na piso niyang daig pa ang tinatambol. Biglang nanlaki ang mga mata ni Sia, isang tao lang ang nakakapagparamdam sa kanya ng ganoon.
Mabilis siyang nagtago sa ilalim ng mesa nang makitang papasok ang lalaki.
"Hoy, Cresia!" tawag sa kanya ni Caroline. "Ano'ng ginagawa mo diyan?"
Kinurot niya ito sa binti na ikinaigik nito.
"`Wag kang maingay! Basta kapag hinanap ako niyang lalaki sabihin mo nilamon na ng lupa!"
Hindi man nakikita ni Sia ang hitsura nito nasisiguro niyang iniisip ni Caroline nawawala na siya sa katinuan.
Bahagya niyang itinaas ang table cloth para makita kahit ang mga paa man lang ng lalaki. Napasinghap na lang si Sia nang makita ang pares ng sneakers ilang pulgada lang ang layo sa mesa.
"Hi," anang baritonong tinig nang lalaki.
Naisubo na lang ni Sia ang natitirang hotdog sandwich para hindi kumawala ang kahit na anong ingay mula sa kanyang bibig.

PAPAUWI na sana si Ruen nang maisipan niyang dumaan sa mall dahil nakita niya sa Facebook page ng Black & Gold Publishing na may book signing event ang writer na si Cresia sa branch ng bookstore sa mall malapit sa kanila. Gabi na pero nagbakasakali pa rin siya dahil ang huling post noong mga bandang seven pm ay on-going pa rin ang book signing. Gusto niyang makilala sa personal ang manunulat. Bukod sa pagiging avid reader ng mga gothic at mystery novels nito, siya rin ang gumawa ng ilan sa mga book covers ni Cresia. Isang chef si Ruen, pero hobby niya ang mag-edit ng pictures bilang pantanggal stress na rin. Kaya naman noong makita niya ang post ni Cresia na naghahanap ito ng gagawa ng book covers para sa ginagawang series, kaagad siyang nagpresinta. Iyon ang una at huli nilang interaction. Madalas siyang nagkokomento sa mga post nito, ngunit walang tugon si Cresia kundi ang pag-like lang nito sa mga komento niya. Sa iba-iba, mawawalan na ng gana kung ganoon ang iniidolong manunulat. Sasabihin ay snob o di kaya naman ay pa-famous na. Pero iba si Ruen… May kung anong puwersa ang nagtutulak sa kanya para patuloy na bumili at magbasa ng mga akda ni Cresia. Reading her novels made him feel that they were connected despite being strangers.
Iilang tao na lang ang inabutan ni Ruen nang dumating siya: isang nakauniporme na madaling matutukoy na ang staff ng bookstore, dalawang lalaking nagliligpit ng mga tarpaulins, at isang babaeng nakaupo sa likod ng mesa na marahil ay si Cresia.
Sa totoo lang ni hindi niya alam kung ano ang hitsura ng paboritong manunulat. Hindi nagpapakita ng mukha si Cresia sa mga pictures na ina-upload nito sa SNS. Magpakita man ito ng mukha may takip na mask iyon. Kapag may nagtatanong kung bakit ayaw nitong ipakita ang mukha, ang palaging sinasabi ni Cresia ay pre-cautionary measure iyon. May stalker kaya ito o pinagtataguan?
"Hi," ni Ruen.
"Hello," ganting bati naman nito.
"Tapos na ba ang book signing?"
"Ah, naku… oo, tapos na kanina pa. Nag-overtime nga kami sa dami ng mga dumating para magpa-sign ng mga books nila," magalang nitong tugon.
"Baka naman puwede pang humabol, kahit isang book lang?" pakiusap niya. "You're Cresia, right?"
"Na—" Bigla itong napangiwi at mayamaya pa ay para itong maiiyak. "S-sige…"
 "Salamat," aniya sa kabila ng pagtataka sa naging reaksiyon ng dalaga.
Kumuha si Ruen ng new release novel ni Cresia at binayaran iyon sa counter bago binalikan ang dalaga para papirmahan iyon.
"Okay ka lang ba, Cresia? Bakit parang iiyak ka na?" tanong niya nang makabalik na sa harap ng mesa.
"O-okay lang ako… naiiyak talaga `ko kapag masyadong nao-overwhelm." Nanginginig ang kamay nitong pinirmahan ang first page. "A-ano nga ang pangalan mo?"
"Ruen Dale DelaCourte." Kumunot ang noo niya. "Hindi mo ba ako nakikilala?"
"Ah… ano kasi…" Napakislot ito. "Aray ko!"
"Okay ka lang?" nag-aalalang tanong niya.
Yumuko si Cresia, may kung anong ginalaw sa ilalim ng mesa. "O-okay lang ako. Kanina kasi may nahulog na pagkain sa ilalim ng mesa nilanggam na kaya nakagat ako."
Tumango-tango na lang siya. Nawi-weird-uhan si Ruen sa inaakto nito, pero siguro ay naturalesa na nito iyon. Kasabihan na na may 'saltik' sa utak ang mga writers.
Kaagad nitong ibinalik ang libro matapos pirmahan iyon.
"Cresia, hindi mo ba talaga ako nakikilala?" Medyo hindi matanggap ni Ruen na hindi man lang siya nakikilala ng dalaga.
Poker-faced lang ito.
"Avid reader mo ako. Ako ang gumawa ng book covers ng Blue Moon series mo kung nakalimutan mo na." Binigyan niya ng emphasis ang huling apat salita.
"Oh… it's you! Ha-ha-ha! I'm sorry, pagod na ang utak ko." Alanganing nginitian siya ng dalaga. "Thank you so much for your hardwork!"
"May pangako ka sa `kin na kapag nagpapirma ako sa iyo ng libro bibigyan mo ako ng bonus na kiss dahil iginawa kita ng book covers." Pinanlakihan ito ng mga mata. "Pero okay lang, hindi pa kita sisingilin ngayon."
Nakangiting dinampot ni Ruen ang libro at naglakad na palabas ng bookstore. Hindi pa man siya ganap na nakakalabas nahagip na ng mga tainga niya ang pagpalatak ni Cresia at ng kung sino. Hindi na siya nag-abala pang lumingon.

"KAILANGAN mo ba talagang panggigilan ang binti ko?" reklamo ni Caroline nang lumabas siya mula sa ilalim ng mesa.
Pinunasan ni Sia ng tissue paper ang mga labi niyang nakulapulan ng ketsup at mayonaise dahil sa walang habas na paglantak niya ng hotdog sandwich sa ilalim ng mesa.
"Patawarin mo ako at mahigpit lang ang pangangailangan ko," aniya.
"Reader mo pala ang lalaking `yon, bakit mo pinagtaguan?" nakahalukipkip na tanong ni Caroline. "May promise ka pa raw kiss sa kanya. Hirap naman sa `yo papangakuan mo ng gano'n hindi mo naman pala kayang ibigay!"
"Siyempre joke lang naman `yong sa akin, malay kong seseryosohin ng mokong na `yon." Nag-ayos na siya.
Oo, totoong ipinaggawa siya ng book covers ni Ruen. Pinipilit niya itong bayaran pero ayaw naman nitong pumayag. Hindi siya sanay na may utang na loob sa binata simula pa noon kaya hindi siya mapakali na wala siyang maibabalik dito. Kaya dala ng pagiging lukaret ni Sia, nasabi niya noon sa binata na kiss na lang ang magiging kapalit ng mga book covers na iyon. She was not flirting back then. Hindi niya naman akalain na seseryosohin nga iyon ni Ruen.
Matagal nang alam ni Sia na reader niya si Ruen. Iyon ang dahilan kung bakit ayaw niyang makilala nito kung sino ang tunay na tao sa likod ng pen name na 'Cresia', sa ganoon lang niya nararamdaman na may halaga siya sa binata…
High school pa lang si Sia noong magkagusto siya kay Ruen. Marami ang nagsasabing puppy love lang daw iyon at hindi magtatagal ay mawawala na rin, pero hindi nagkaganoon. Her feelings grew deeper. Minahal niya si Ruen sa isang hindi maipaliwanag na dahilan. Napakahirap bigyan ng paliwanag. Idagdag pa na napakakomplikado ng kanilang kuwento, kung isusulat iyon ni Sia baka abutin siya ng forever hindi pa rin niya nabibigayan ng ending. Walang katapusan ang pagmamahal niya para sa binata, hindi iyon mauubos…
"Uuwi na ako, maraming salamat sa inyong lahat. Bye-bye!" paalam ni Sia sa mga kasama at hindi lumilingong lumabas.
Hindi niya naiwasang mapabuga ng hangin nang tuluyang makalabas ng bookstore.
Dumaan muna si Sia sa restroom para ilabas ang kanina pang kinikimkim ng pantog niya. Ilang beses niyang d-in-eadma ang 'call of nature' kanina, at ngayon ay nagbabalik dala marahil ng tensiyon nang makita niya si Ruen.
Hindi naman sa mukhang arinola si Ruen… Ano lang kasi… Ay, ewan!
Ipinilig na lang niya ang ulo. Hindi na niya dapat pinagkakaisipan pa ang bagay na iyon dahil sasabog na ang kanyang pantog.
Mabuti na lang at may isa pang bakanteng cubicle kaya nailabas kaagad niya ang matagal na kinikimkim. Ilang sandali pa siyang nanatiling nakaupo sa toilet seat kahit na tapos na ang pag-ihi, ninanamnam ang maginhawang pakiramdam. Tahimik na tahimik sa loob na para bang siya lang ang tao kaya hindi naiwasan ni Sia ang magulat nang makarinig ng pag-flush sa katabing cubicle. Nagkukumahog tuloy siyang tumayo at nag-ayos ng sarili. Biglang umatake ang pagiging matatakutin niya lalo na nang maalalang minsan siyang nabiktima ng multo sa loob ng restroom ng unibersidad na pinasukan noong kolehiyo.
Pagbukas ni Sia ng pinto, eksaktong bumukas din ang mga pinto ng cubicle sa hilerang iyon at lumabas ang mga babaeng halos kasabay niyang naglakad palapit sa sink. Biglang binasag ng tilian ang katahimikan nang magtama ang kanilang mga mata sa salamin.
 "Mga Tets!" they said in unison.
"Sia!"
"Pau!"
"Genel!"
"Mela!"
"Abby!"
Naghalu-halo ang mga boses nila sa loob ng restroom, kagaya noon walang pakialam kahit pa pagtinginan sila ng mga taong noon ay kakapasok lang.
After high school graduation nagkahiwa-hiwalay sila noong magkolehiyo. They remained connected through SNS pero hindi na uli nakakita ng pagkakataon na magkasama-sama dahil ang bawat isa ay naging busy na rin sa kanya-kanyang career kalaunan. Hindi akalain ni Sia na ang pagdedesisyon niyang lumabas sa kuweba nang araw na iyon ang magiging daan din para muli niyang makita ang mga kaibigan. Hindi niya inaasahan na makikita si Ruen at ang mga ito. Napaka-nostalgic tuloy ng pakiramdam niya nang sandaling iyon.
"Ay, ang OA n'yo ni Mela, Sia!" ani Pau na may kasamang hampas sa braso niya. "Para namang milya ang layo ng mga bahay n'yo."
Magkalapit lang ang lugar nila ni Mela, pero dahil busy nga ito at siya naman ay once in a blue moon lang kung lumabas, bihira pa sa patak ng ulan sa desyerto kung magkita silang dalawa.
"May pupuntahan pa ba kayo? Kung wala na kumain tayo, my treat!" yaya niya sa mga ito.
"Sure," halos magkakasabay na tugon ng apat.
"Let me touch up, okay?" sabi ni Genel na nag-umpisa na sa pagpapahid sa mukha ng pressed powder.
Inilabas naman ni Sia ang lipstick at sinabayan ito sa pag-aayos.
"Ang ganda ng kulay ng lipstick mo, Tets." Nilingon niya si Abby na katabi lang niya. "Pa-try ako, puwede?"
Iniabot niya rito ang lipstick matapos gamitin. Pagkatapos magpahid ni Abby hiniram din iyon ni Genel, hanggang sa maipasa na kina Pau at Mela. Lumabas sila na iisa ang kulay ng mga labi nila.
"Ganito rin tayo noon…" natatawang saad ni Abby habang naglalakad sila papunta sa restaurant na napili nilang kainan.
"Hindi ko nga akalain na magagawa uli natin ang ganito ngayon," segunda ni Pau. "Alam n'yo na kung ano ang ibig kong sabihin…"
"We know right!" ani Genel na itinaas ang monopad. "Compress tayo dali, pang post din ito sa Instagram!"
"Wala akong account sa Instagram," ani Sia.
"Don't worry, connected naman ang Instagram account ko sa Facebook kaya makikita mo ito. Pero mas okay kung gagawa ka ng account sa Instagram."
Nag-wacky face si Sia bago kumislap ang flash ng cellphone ni Genel. Pinagpasa-pasahan naman kaagad nila ang cellphone para tingnan ang kuha.
"Tingnan n'yo, may epal pa nga naman sa likod."
"Patingin nga." Kinuha ni Pau ang cellphone mula kay Abby. "Meron nga."
"Mga engot, nasa mall tayo malamang may taong mahagip sa likod natin." Binawi ni Genel ang cellphone nito. "Okay lang pogi naman."
Lumingon si Sia sa likuran nila, maraming tao ang naroon. Hindi mahagip ng mala-CCTV niyang mga mata ang sinasabing pogi ni Genel na nahagip ng camera.
"Si Sia basta usapang pogi gala ang mga mata, grabe talaga!" Siniko siya ni Abby.
"Mahilig ako sa pogi dahil sila ang kabuhayan ko," depensa niya.
"O, tingnan mo na lang dito." Ibinigay sa kanya ni Genel ang cellphone.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Sia nang makita kung sino ang poging nahagip ng camera. "What the—seriously?"
"Bakit?" magkakasabay na tanong ng mga ito.
"It's Ruen!"
Nagpalinga-linga siya pero wala na roon kahit anino ng binata.
Pinag-agawan ng mga ito ang cellphone.
"Shit, seryoso si Ruen ito?"
"Ang pogi, jusmiyo!"
"Pumayat siya, dati ang chubby niya."
"Bakit hindi man lang niya tayo naisipang batiin? Ay, baka hindi niya alam na tayo ito, ano?"
"Sia, affected ka pa?" sabay-sabay na tanong ng mga ito.
Hindi siya sumagot, bagkos ay binilisan niya ang lakad.
"Hintayin mo naman kami, Tets!" sigaw ng mga ito.

High school classmates at best buddies sina Genel, Mela, Sia, Abby at Pau. Tinawag ang kanilang grupo na T.G. (Takas Girls) dahil sa nakakatuwang hobby nila noon na tumakas sa klase. Pagkatapos ng graduation nagkahiwa-hiwalay ang lima at muling nagkita-kita after college. Sa muling pagkabuo nila nananatiling palatakas pa rin ang magkakaibigan. Pero ngayon ay hindi na sa klase kundi sa malupit na tadhana na. Nakatagpo sila ng pag-ibig ngunit tinakbuhan nila iyon, pinagtaguan, tinakasan.

"THERE'S SO MANY people out and about town!" Alice gasped, turning her head to follow a little boy that was holding onto a candied apple that had rushed past her.

"Yes," Wyatt beamed, his eyes pressed closed due to his smile, crinkling at the corners. "It's always rather busy in the capital of Gladiolum." 

A day after the ball, Wyatt had suggested bringing Alice around the town square to soak in the sights. He personally had to do a little shopping and thought that it would be a wonderful chance for Alice to grow more familiar with the capital. She had been living with the Ragans for nearly two weeks and yet she had barely even stepped out of the mansion's walls. It was best for young ladies to enjoy their time around town with friends. Being constantly cooped up in the study room with Charlie wasn't exactly an ideal situation in Wyatt's opinion. Of course, not that Alice had ever complained.

Strolling through the cobbled streets, Wyatt pointed out some of his personal favorite shops along the way. They passed by boutiques selling beautiful ball gowns, stores selling sparkling jewels, and even quaint little cafes that wafted out the sugary sweet scent of freshly baked pastries. However, while Alice acted as though she was very interested in those, he could tell that was all it was. An act. She simply smiled and nodded to Wyatt's words, not once asking to step into any of those stores like he had expected. Yet again she had him colored surprised.

Just the thought brought a curving smile onto his lips. The girl that his family had chanced upon was most certainly different from the rest of the girls in the capital. She stood out in such a way that there wasn't any spare place for the others to shine. She was the lone star now, a happy and proud resident of the Ragan household. While still suspicious of her origins, Wyatt couldn't help but admit to himself that he was growing fond of Alice Clemente.

"Are you not interested in any of the shops I pointed out?" He prodded. "Those are all famous names here in the capital."

"Oh!" Alice exclaimed. Wyatt watched with his practiced smile as the girl's eyes widened delightfully, eyelashes fluttering like a pair of butterfly wings under the golden sunlight. Her lips parted just a little in surprise before she quickly gathered back her wits, shaking her head politely. "They are all wonderful shops. I just… I don't have any money to buy all those things. Looking through the store window is more than enough."

For years Wyatt had worn the same smile on his face. It was his perfectly crafted mask made to shield his true emotions from the rest of the nobles. No matter what he felt inside, a smile was always the answer to dealing with those that had to be schemed against. However, every time Alice spoke or made one of her silly little expressions, he found his smiles to turn true as day.

"Let us go into that one, then." Wyatt pointed to a little bookshop down the street, a corner store with a gleaming bronze sign. "There are some things I wish to purchase."

Alice nodded. "Alright," she said.

Although her expression remained as still as possible, Wyatt still caught the slight twitch of her lips. The sparkles in her eyes practically screamed of her excitement. She couldn't fool anyone. Even the blind could tell that she was particularly eager to enter the bookshop. 

The little bell that hung above the door rang when Wyatt entered the shop. Inside, there were no other customers, simply a store clerk that had a book in hand. A pair of round spectacles rested on his crooked nose bridge, his eyes scanning the words at an immense speed before he licked his finger and flipped to the next page. At the call of the bell, the clerk looked up from his book, squinting at the door before rising to his feet. The book was placed pages-down onto the counter, a smile upon his lips.

"Master Wyatt!" The old clerk greeted enthusiastically. "I was wondering when you'll be visiting next. The books you ordered two weeks back are finally here." 

"Greetings," Wyatt replied fairly. "And thank you so much for your help with those. It's nearly impossible to find them anywhere else."

The old man waved, his cheeks reddening just a little. "It's no problem. Let me go get them for you." Shuffling towards the back of the shop, the clerk disappeared behind a dividing curtain.

"Do you come here often?" Alice asked, looking around the small bookstore with great interest. At random, she pulled out one of the books from the shelves, her fingers tracing the title of the book on the cover, feeling the indented words on the hard leather.

'History of Gladiolum. Volume III,' it read. Alice had seen a similar history book in Charlie's study room before. Making a mental note to briefly read through the contents of the book, she slotted the book back to its original position.

"Hmm, I wonder." Tapping a finger to his chin, Wyatt looked deep in thought. "I guess I do visit this store a little more than the average folk. They sell writing supplies as well as books and I run out of the former a little too often. Besides, this store is the only one in the capital that can procure rare and often out-of-print."

Walking a little further into the shop, Alice glanced through the assortment of reading materials offered. They had both fiction and non-fiction books in the store, leaning closer to non-fiction books. Most books were new copies, their covers still brightly colored while others were much older and encased in glass covers. Those books seemed old and tattered but the words were still in dark black ink, most likely having been re-written over so that it wouldn't be lost to time. 

The one that had caught Alice's attention was a purple leather-bound book that was almost as thick as a dictionary. The title of this book was written in bright, glittery gold in thick block letters. A small sign that indicated the price of the old tome was placed beside the book. Alice's eyes widened at the number of zeros, her head reeling back a little in surprise. She still wasn't sure about how the currency worked in Gladiolum but with so many zeros, the book was bound to be expensive no matter the exchange rate.

'The Theory of Magic. Volume I,' the title wrote.

"Are you interested in that one? Ooh, that's a pricey one." Wyatt's voice was right by Alice's ear, causing her to jump a little, her ears tingling from his breath. Stepping away, she held both hands to her chest, staring wide-eyed at Wyatt who looked as amused as ever.

"Just looking," she answered before firing back a question of her own. "How much is that book? I don't really know how the currency works here."

"See that symbol over there?" Wyatt gestured to the symbol behind the number as he spoke. "That's the symbol for our currency, 'fleuron'. That's the larger of the two units that we have in our country's currency. The smaller unit is known as a 'flois'. Ten flois equates to one fleuron. To give you an example of its value, five flois can buy you a piece of stale bread at the end of the day in the capital's cheapest bakery, maybe? Books, on the other hand, are usually five to ten fleurons, if it's a common title that can be easily found."

Alice gulped. Judging by the examples Wyatt provided, the currency here in Gladiolum seemed similar to the system she was used to. A single fleuron held as much value as a dollar back home and a flois would be around ten cents. Her hands were starting to feel clammy as she stared hard at the price tag of The Theory of Magic. 

"And yet this book is…" she trailed off.

"Fifteen thousand fleurons," Wyatt finished the sentence for her chirpily.

Fifteen thousand dollars.

Taking another step back, Alice no longer dared to hover near the expensive article. If anything had happened to it, she wouldn't be able to pay the store back for the damages incurred. She had never seen a book as expensive or even half as pricey. 

"Why is this book so… so…"

"Ridiculously priced?" Wyatt supplied. When Alice nodded numbly, Wyatt chuckled. "This is an ancient tome about magic. There are only five copies of this book that was ever produced. But if you're really interested in this book, there's no need for you to fork out such a hefty amount just to read it. We have a copy of it back in the mansion's library."

Flabbergasted and speechless, Alice blinked dumbly at what Wyatt had so casually revealed. Although she long knew that the Ragan mansion was a sprawling estate with many different needlessly fanciful rooms, she hadn't even thought to think that it might house precious artifacts within its walls. 

In Gladiolum, it seemed as though the gap between its people was wider than the ocean. The rich lived in heaven while the poor couldn't even afford hell.

"Why don't you take a look around the bookshop and see if there's anything that catches your eye?" Wyatt offered. "If we don't already have the book back home, I don't mind making a few extra purchases. It's the least I can do for dragging you out here with me on such a warm afternoon."

Alice's heart skipped a beat. She braved a step closer, momentarily forgetting about the book in the glass display case. Cupping her hands together as if they were in prayer, Alice beamed.

"Really? Any book?"

Wyatt's smile didn't falter. "There's no budget, if that's what you're asking."

Alice wasted no time. Her feet went scurrying across the dark wooden boards of the store, quickly scouring the bookshelves in search of any title that might help her or catch her fancy. Her fingers ran down the spines, quickly pulling out a few covers that had caught her attention, some fiction and some not. She had a feeling that most, if not all, of the non-fiction books were already available in the Ragans' library but there was no harm in bringing the books over for Wyatt to look through. These books will become her survival guide in this foreign world.

As the store clerk returned to the front counter, Wyatt slowly made his way over. However, he was still gazing in Alice's way, watching silently and bemused as the girl darted from shelf to shelf, climbing ladders and bending low in search of more. There were already over seven books in her hands and she only ever added more to the collection.

"My," the old clerk exclaimed. "I've not seen anyone so frantic for a good title since you first came to my humble store years ago. The old ladies at the bakery next block over will go mad once they hear that the young Master Wyatt is no longer single."

The white-haired man chuckled. "She's just a curious little bird my brother picked up a while back."

The old man shrugged, unconvinced, but he didn't say a word more on that topic. With a heavy thump, he placed three thick books onto the counter, the covers in the three primary colors. The titles were all written in gold, large block letters.

"This set was a little trickier to find as compared to your other requests but there you go. Though, Master Wyatt, don't mind this old man prying but are you sure you want to dabble in this subject? There's always a price to pay when you go against the laws of science."

"I can pay whatever price the world throws at me," Wyatt casually remarked. Picking up one of the books carefully with a gloved hand, he examined the old cover, grinning with satisfaction. "Besides, I'm just completing my collection. With these, the set will now be complete. There's no need to worry, sir."

"Oh well," the old clerk sighed, pursing his lips. "If you're sure, youngin. Let me wrap these up for you."

Tottering away, the elderly went to retrieve a few sheets of brown wrapping paper and some strings to bundle up Wyatt's purchases while waiting for Alice. 

Partially leaning on the counter, Wyatt continued to observe Alice. She no longer had the strength to carry the books she had picked out. Instead, she placed most of them on an empty table by one side. The stack of books was almost taller than she was and yet she continued to hunt for more, her eyes practically dripping with avarice.

'How peculiar,' Wyatt thought to himself. 'She is unaffected by fanciful dresses or glittering jewels and yet dusty old books can bring her into a craze. What an odd woman. She is most certainly a woman before her time.'

❝I want you to visit me even if it's only in your dreams.❞ 

Gifted a candle that was said to be able to make wishes come true, Alice Clemente burned it that very night only to find herself in an unknown world the next morning. 

She had wished for a life of adventure away from the city and its routine. With her wish granted, she was whisked away to a world very different from the one she grew up in. 

Thrust into a new life, would Alice learn how to adapt? Or would she fall down the rabbit hole only to never surface again?

Though the events that transpired a few minutes ago was intense and nerve-racking, the harmonious aura came back when they reached the bookstore.
Dandan carefully measured her boss' mood while they were walking towards the entrance and it seems that her boss has cooled down. She thanked all the gods and deities in this world that everything is back to normal again.
Once they were inside, Dandan excused herself so she can quickly pick the necessary items that the employees from the office wanted. She left her boss hanging around the fiction books section.
The bookstore was really crowded today so once Secretary Dandan has to queue, it'll take long before she could pay the office supplies she picked.
Xiulan's mood was serene again and everything that happened a while ago were swept away once she's inside the store. Bookstores are her happy place and it immediately alleviated her mood. She went to young adult fiction section to check the newest and trendiest books.
Since its young adult, it's full of romance and magic genre. The titles were all new to her and the stories seems promising.
Her attention was caught by the romance books with very vulgar covers in it. She liked the stories but the covers were quite distasteful for her. She thought that books these days are not so discreet in hiding what's inside. She remembered the books twenty years ago would have plain cover designs and people wouldn't actually know the book is erotic unless they read it. But now, these provocative book covers are exposed to children.
While she criticize each of the books' cover, she took her time reading each of the synopsis at the back as well. She seems to be so engross in reading them that she was not aware that some aunties inside the bookstore were gossiping about her.
"Is that Mrs. Xing? She's so tiny..."
"It's my first time seeing her in person. She's very pretty but she lacks height. Her dress is so pretty though!"
"The contrast of Hongqi's ex-girlfriends vs Mrs. Xing are too big! I'm pretty sure Hongqi has a tall, beautiful, model side chick."
"I am going to bet a slut could snatch Xing Hongqi from this woman. She's pretty but there are far more beautiful and sexier women."
"Look at her height, OMG!"
"Wow! Her waist is so small… but her height… err…"
"Hmph! She's not that pretty like what the people says!"
"Gong Yuming is prettier."
"Betting that they'll divorce this year. She's not that pretty like her husband's exes."
The constant degrading hush from the bystanders managed to catch Xiulan's attention. "Are they really gossiping about me, in front of me? I can't believe this. Are people really this boisterous in shaming someone?"
She had enough of this. When will people stop this kind of attacks on her? She can't just stand here and let them slander her like this. She could ignore this if it was a hearsay but they are slandering her in person. For some reason, the constant mention of her height irritated her so badly. Never ever criticized a woman's height in front of them.
Xiulan put down the book she was holding and coldly gazed at the gossiping women. She walked towards them with her high heels clacking so loudly. She stopped in front of them and savagely scolded them. "You women have a lot of free time to gossip about me. Instead of talking about my marriage and height, all of you should check on your husbands. A young, tall, beautiful girl might be with them right now."
The women gawked at her, they were all surprised by her words. They all thought she's meek and wouldn't even try to approach them. But here she is, standing in front of them with her thousand dollars dress, shoes and clear skin. They were embarrassed but they wanted to rebut to save face and bully her back but she's not finished in her scolding yet.
"And my short height doesn't undermine the continuous contributions I made for this country. What about you people? Is your gossiping helped the country's economy?"  Xiulan's perfectly plucked eyebrows were all way up. With her tiny height but amazing confidence, she intimidated these godforsaken gossipers.
The women were mummed and don't know how to answer back. They were just middle class people and a rich, upper class woman scolding them made them afraid to say something.
"I didn't know that Mrs. Xing has a lot of free time to scold people." A woman with very long fake eyelashes emerged. With her voice, she might be the person who mentioned Gong Yuming's name.
Xiulan lazily looked at this woman who appeared like a random mushroom, provoking her.  "Yes I have a lot of free time. What about it?" Xiulan rebutted and her eyebrows were still arched. It gave her a snobby and intimidating look.
The annoying woman scoffed. "Don't be cocky just because you are rich and married to Xing Hongqi. He can leave you anytime."
"Ad-hominem. Why is my husband being mentioned in this? So what if he leaves me? Am I not allowed to scold people who are slandering me? Hmm?" Xiulan was in the mood to scold people so she would continue this until Dandan is finished with her shopping. Hell, who cares about image now?
"People with class don't argue with people in public." The woman fought back.
"And who said that? Was it written in a manual on how to be classy?" Xiulan won't let this woman slide.
"You might be rich but your attitude stinks." The woman provoked. Her arguments were out of place.
"Judgmental. How come you say my attitude stinks when we've been only exchanging questions? I can't believe I am not allowed to scold people who slandered me." Xiulan bewilderingly asked. She doesn't get this woman's anger. She only scolded the gossipers but this woman is diverting the topic to something else.
"Just wait and your careful pure image will be trashed soon." The woman was about to leave since she doesn't know what to say anymore.
"I wouldn't mind that. Be careful on not losing your job too." Xiulan scoffed before she left the gossiping women and went to Dandan, who's busy in responding to the group chat with her co-employees regarding what to buy in the bookstore.
The woman halted her movements and nervously looked at Xiulan's retreating back. "She won't know my name and report it to my boss, right?"
"Dandan, aren't you finished yet?" Xiulan smiled at Dandan. Her face didn't display any irritation or negativity. It seems that she enjoyed the argument she had a while ago.
"Boss, I'll be next soon. You can wait in the car so you can relax." Dandan quickly answered. She was confused for a moment why the people surrounding them were looking at her boss quite differently.
"Okay." Xiulan agreed but before she leaves the place, she picked a book that has caught her eye a while ago and gave it to Dandan. "Add this to your cart. I want to read it tonight."
Xiulan left and went to rest inside the car.
Dandan confusedly took the book and stared at it. The title was "The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera" with a dog doodle on the book cover. Dandan thought it was a harmless novel but when she read the synopsis at the back, she can't help but question if her boss' marriage is currently on the rocks.


Song Xiulan's parents doted on her so much that they would even find the best bachelor out there to be her husband.

They were eyeing Xing Hongqi, a very respectable man and the most powerful in S and T city. But he is also a notorious player and womanizer.

Xiulan's parents believed that their impeccable daughter can change a man like Hongqi. 

Xiulan was willing to follow whatever her parents planned for her. But marrying a womanizer seemed too extreme. 

Now that she met the man and people around her seem to worship him and talk about his dirty laundries like it was fine. 

Xiulan is now conflicted about whether she should obey her parents or this time follow her common sense that marrying a womanizer is not fine!

But she suddenly finds out a secret that hinders her from not marrying him.



Note: The image is not mine. Original image from Pinterest.

Changes 

No author is absent to change when l started this novel, what l didn't realize was it would lead to another book that came from the first though confusing l loved writing this first book.

The constant change of covers was an idea of separating the book into futures of the first story to the second idea. Although l might not reach every reader what l do appreciate was my love for sharing this story.

As an author l have much to learn to those who support my work l sincerely appreciate it and l wish you well.For your love for this first book thank you. Changes might noticeably in editing and improving the content other wise this book is completed.

The characters are still living in the next book so if your curious of the future join the book 2 of this volume.



Wish you well keep smiling, keep reading.

Kind regards 

Thank you..

Cicero 

To see the future find my owner.................

WARNING

This novel is a work of fiction. Creatively and originally written by the author. 

December 03, 2019 - ONGOING

[ U N E D I T E D ]

BOOK COVERS 

Thank you for making these covers! 

All Rights Reserved 
alleurophile

When morning came I was awoken by various knocks on my door "Hannah, wake up!" and a voice, yelling at me. The clock on my nightstand said 6am but it felt like I was missing about 10 more hours of sleep. I never thought time difference would be a problem for me. It's not like I came here on a plane. I teleported.
Opening the door, Min-Joon is surprised to see me, Secretary Chang appears just as shocked as he was. No one looks perfect when they wake up in the morning... They both act like they smell something funky as they move their heads closer to me. Min-Joon quickly moves back while Secretary Chang moves takes out his handkerchief and covers his nose. 
I widen my eyes. Are they saying that I look ugly and smell? I just took a shower yesterday. 
"Did you mutate during the night?" Min-Joon asks straightforwardly. I suddenly feel like digging a hole and hiding in it. I know k-dramas are supposed to have some comedy but the male lead calling me hideous makes me feel all kinds of embarrassed. 
Secretary Chang puts his handkerchief in his pocket and bows, greeting me. He tells me that my clothes are here and asks me to follow him downstairs. I like Secretary Chang, compared to Min-Joon, he has manners. 
I have to thank Yu-Na though, since Min-Joon met her, he's calmed down a lot. If it was the regular him I doubt he'd take me in, let alone buy me clothes. 
Downstairs I see three rows of clothes. The first thing that pops into my head is beautiful. The second is product placement.  
"This is the newest line from Lucy" Secretary Chang says. Yep, definitely product placement. 
"You don't need to tell her. She won't know who she is anyways" Min-Joon says. True, in real life I don't know any of the products they use in k-dramas. Not even clothes. I actually don't know a lot about fashion, period. 
Most of the clothes are dresses, jackets, dress pants, skirts and blouses. I don't see any jeans, regular shirts or anything that looks slightly normal. All these clothes just scream rich girl. 
Three women come in holding about 4 shoe boxes and they head upstairs to my bedroom.
Two men come in holding even more shoes boxes. Min-Joon orders them to stop and they show me some of the shoes. Although extremely beautiful, I doubt any of those shoes will be sneakers, just high heels and flats. Some are going to be hideous, that I wouldn't be caught dead wearing, but for the sake of product placement, I might have to. 
Two more women, that I guess were the ones that brought the clothes come in holding bags that said Lucy and a bra sign was right next to it, now I definitely know what that is. They bowed and quickly went upstairs. 
"What do you think?" Min-Joon asks me. 
"Holy fuck" I say. The women look at me surprised, so do Secretary Chang and Min-Joon. What? Are there bad words that can't be said in dramas? They say bastard and shit all the time, but they cross the line at fuck? Anyways, I turn around to look at Min-Joon. 
"When you said clothes, I thought you meant a few shirts and jeans, I didn't think you were going to bring me a whole clothing line!" I pause "And underwear!" I won't be able to pay him back all the money he spent on me even if I worked overtime for the next 10 years. I look at the clothes one by one, just imagining how I'd look wearing them. 
"I think she likes them" Secretary Chang whispers to Min-Joon. Well I do like them but just imagining Min-Joon and Secretary Chang talking about my boobs and trying to guess what size I am kind of embarrassed me. 
"But why did you buy me all this fancy stuff?" I ask.
"If I'm going to be seen with you, you might as well look the part" Min-Joon said. I looked at him with a confused expression plastered on my face. 
"Did you bring the stuff?" Min-Joon turns his attention to Secretary Chang. He nods. 
Secretary Chang looks at me "I will be taking a few weeks off and that means the Vice-President won't have a secretary" he stopped there hoping I would catch on. I definitely did.  
This situation has pros and cons.
Pros: I would get closer to Min-Joon, know his schedule, which would be helpful for making chance encounter with Yu-Na, and it would be good because Se-Jin by seeing me with Min-Joon, he'll keep his eyes away from Yu-Na.
Cons: I have to be a secretary, I'll most likely be talked about on a regular basis, and considering I almost cried by the words those teenage girls said on the bus, I might burst into tears by the words those adults say. Also, Se-Jin by seeing me with Min-Joon, he'll keep his eyes on me and put pieces together that don't really exist, but somehow it'll make sense to the members of the board and might later on during the drama make Min-Joon, not only look bad but also, lose his position as Vice-President. 
The cons seem to outweigh the pros so I go with the most obvious excuse to not do the job "I don't know the first thing about being a secretary" I say.
"I did a power point" Secretary Chang says and walks towards the living room. Min-Joon and I follow. In the living room Secretary Chang had his computer on a stand and asked me and Min-Joon to look at the TV. He turned off the lights and started his presentation. 
Secretary Chang put pictures of Min-Joon's family. Se-Jin, Dong-Il, his grandmother, Ae-Ra and some and members of the board which names I forgot seconds after he mentioned them. Either way, the members of the board aren't even that important. In the drama's they just nod or shake their heads.
In the presentation Secretary Chang also put in basic things a secretary does and how to do them. He even put a blueprint of the building and talked about all the departments and what floors they are in. His presentation was long but educational. With that, Secretary Chang ended his presentation. Both Min-Joon and I clapped as he bowed.
"I can do most of the work, you just have to sit there and look pretty" Min-Joon said. I don't know if I should feel offended or relieved. 
"Miss, you should go get ready" Secretary Chang told me. I looked at him confused "For work" I widen my eyes in disbelief. 
"Like now?" I ask. They nod "But you just showed me the presentation. I'm still processing all this stuff" I say looking at both of them. Min-Joon stretches "Not to mention I just got out of the hospital" 
"A kid can only learn how to swim by getting in the water" Min-Joon tells me. 
"Yes, comparing my situation with drowning is a fitting example" I say. Min-Joon rolls his eyes at me. 
"With that attitude you'll drown anywhere" he says. I swear I feel like hitting him. Min-Joon and I have a stare down, but Secretary Chang gets in front of me probably knowing what I was thinking of doing.
"Please do this for me" Secretary Chang says. His face just makes me want to do whatever he says. I mean, he's such a kind secretary for sticking with Min-Joon, even when he has such a horrible personality. I look down and nod. 
"You don't have to put please in that sentence. Hannah knows very well that she can't stay here for free" Min-Joon says. I almost forgot he told me that I had to repay him with manual labor, but I didn't expect he'd turn me into his secretary. But maybe being his secretary is better than being his maid.
"Now go get ready!" Min-Joon says "I can't be seen with someone that looks like they came out of a horror movie and smells like a trashcan" I look at him angrily and try to push Secretary Chang out of the way. 
"Let me hit you just once" I say. Secretary Chang holds onto me. Min-Joon backs away quickly. I actually scared him. He regains his composure and looks at me with a smirk. 
"You just got a whole lot interesting Miss Hannah Elizabeth Morgan" he said to me.

Hannah loves Korean Dramas. When she's transported into her new favorite drama, she realizes that the only way she can get back home is by bringing the two main characters together. To do that, she'd have to become a part of their lives, but how can a hopeless romantic with zero experience in love play cupid?
Time to rely on drama cliches!
          .............................................
Based on the Viki series "Dramaworld"

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