Chapter 18: Chapter 18

Zachary was nowhere to be found when I woke up. I knew he wouldn't stay with me every day, but I didn't think that I wouldn't see his face the next morning either. Anyway, I'm just thankful for that.

I stretched for a moment and was stunned to see the kitten go inside one of the paper bags placed on the floor. I frowned. Everyone's brand is familiar to me, so I know what clothes, underwear, and other personal items they contain. I turned to the nightstand when something vibrated there and saw a smart phone. I immediately took it and pressed the message notification that opened on the screen.

You can use this phone temporarily. Message me if you need anything else, and please drink your milk.

I let out a sigh and closed Zachary's message thread. I dialed Aireen's number and called while checking the contents of the paper bags one by one, looking for something to wear today. Less than a few seconds after the line rang, my friend answered it.

"Atasha?" she greeted.

I hummed softly in response, then pressed the phone to my ear and shoulder while opening the undies that Zachary had bought. I felt my cheeks heat up slightly when I noticed that they were all lace-style and all red. Even the five bras were the same color.

"What happened to you? You didn't come home," said Aireen.

I couldn't help but take a deep breath and let go of the underwear I was holding. I sat comfortably on the floor and watched Angel get inside the paper bags again.

"I was abducted," I replied simply.

"You, what?" she said in a high tone on the line. "Where are you now? Do you know where you were taken? Do you know who kidnapped you? Are you okay?" she asked in panic.

"Chill. It was Zachary. He took me to a province here in Batangas."

She didn't answer right away, and I heard her sitting down on the sofa. "You don't plan to run away?" she asked, feeling curious.

I shrugged, although she couldn't see it. "As of now, I will take his plan first. I will also look for other things that I can ruin."

"What if that backfires on you?"

I frowned in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"You know... you'll be fooled again," she probably answered.

I scoffed and stood up. "We both know that if anyone is going be fooled, it's him."

I heard a deep breath from Aireen; she obviously didn't like my plan to stay here in the province with Zachary.

"Anyway, I have forwarded the documents and complaints against your father to the Ombudsman," she said differently.

"How long does it take for the investigation to begin?" I asked and sat on the bed.

Aireen hummed on the line. "Maybe later or tomorrow they will visit your Daddy. I have already spread the news about his corruption."

I just nodded and slowly lay down on the bed. I didn't speak anymore. I just stared at the ceiling, wondering if I should feel any conscience or pity for my father. But maybe my anger is deeper because I can't feel even the slightest love for him.

"You still care," Aireen mumbled.

"What?" I wonder what is she talking about.

"We both know, Atasha, that your father will get over it, although what you did will definitely have an effect on his image."

I chuckled emptily. "Let's just say that I haven't completed my revenge yet. It's not that I still care, Aireen," I corrected.

"Whatever you say, Atasha," she concluded. "Anyway, send me your exact location. It's better that I know where you are, so I know where we're going."

I rolled my eyes. "I'll send it later. By the way, send me underwear and a bra. Maybe later I'll be suddenly attacked by a cow here."

Aireen chuckled on the line. "Maybe 'someone' else attacked you."

"Shithead. I'll drop this call, just keep me updated about everything." I hung up without a word and then went back to looking for something to wear.

Even though it was against my heart to use the undergarments that Zachary bought, I just closed my eyes and picked them up. I also chose a simple blue sleeveless dress before leaving the room. I still had a little problem because I didn't know how to treat Aunt Victoria.

I carefully went down the stairs. My eyes are constantly wandering around. I am like a thief who is afraid to make noise so as not to be noticed.

"Oh, hija—"

"FVCK!" I cursed when I was surprised when the old woman came out of the kitchen.

I quickly covered my mouth and shyly looked away. My heart almost burst from the strong pounding of it in my chest. I could also feel the beads of sweat forming on my senses due to nervousness and shock.

I heard Aunt Victoria's laughter before she approached me. "Oh, don't be ashamed of me. I'm so used to those fvck-fvcks. I always hear it from Sakaryo every time I come," he said in a strange tone of speech. (Sakaryo: Aunt Victoria's alias for Zachary)

She held me by my waist, inviting me to walk somewhere."Eat first before taking a bath so you don't smell anymore," she said.

I didn't refuse and just let myself go with her to the kitchen, even though I was a bit self-conscious about my appearance. I was a little surprised to see that there was already food on the table. I suddenly felt ashamed because I didn't even help the old woman.

"Sakaryo left me a favor to make sure you eat. That boy," Aunt Victoria said, shaking her head, but there was a smile on her lips.

"I can handle, Aunt Victoria." I tried to grab the serving spoon she was holding when she was about to pour me some food, but she quickly moved it away from me.

"Leave it to me, hija. I want to take care someone," she said, making me stop.

I don't know, but something caressed my chest when I heard that. No words came out of my mouth, and I just straightened up in my seat. As Aunt Victoria wanted, I let her take care of me.

I could clearly see the joy on her face while she was doing what she wanted to do. It was like something caressed my chest while I watched her. The way she took care of me and the way I took care of children in America every time we had a feeding program and every time my team visited an orphanage, it's the same. I saw myself in her.

"Come on, let's eat," she invited me.

I just smiled and nodded. We started eating; she kept talking, and I listened.

"You know, hija, I'm glad that you and Sakaryo thought of having a vacation here. Well, I won't be alone in this house anymore!" Aunt Victoria said it happily.

Just like I had been doing before, I smiled at her—voluntarily and not forced—even though this time I felt a little sad for the old woman. "Can I ask a question?" I said it shyly.

The lady's attention was immediately focused on me. "Well, yes. What is that?"

"Have you known Zachary for a long time? I'm sorry, you're just not familiar with me." I bit my bottom lip for fear of offending Aunt Victoria.

I immediately breathed a sigh of relief when she laughed. "I am right! He's your long time boyfriend, isn't he?"

"What?" I asked confused, wondering how our topic got there.

Aunt Victoria smiled. "It's been two years since I first saw him. I met your husband when they had a medical mission here," she said.

"I even felt sorry for that boy. Imagine, even though he has a sprained leg, he's still taking care of the patient," she continued, shaking her head. "So that's it, every time his duty is over, I invite him home. I cook for him and take care of him to make sure he eats at the right time."

"Their medical mission lasted a week. I thought we would never see each other again, but I was surprised after two days. Well, he knocked on the door. He was carrying a suitcase; he said he was going on vacation!"

I smiled when Aunt Victoria laughed. "Of course I let it go, especially when I'm alone in life. It's a pleasure for me to be with someone, even for a while."

I secretly bit my lower lip when I my hunch was right that Aunt Victoria was not with anyone at home.

"Then one day, while I was cleaning the room, I picked up that boy's wallet. So somehow, you're familiar to me because I've seen you before. Not in person but in photos. Who would have thought, until now you and Sakaryo are still together," said the old woman happily.

I felt that what I ate suddenly blocked my throat. I quickly drank water and tried to laugh.

"Did he say where he'll go?" I differ on the matter.

Aunt Victoria smirked, a joke on her lips. "It looks like you're craving for your husband, hija. That boy just went somewhere."

I automatically frowned at what she said. Even if I wanted to ask questions, I was consumed by shame, so I just pretended to understand them.

"By the way. Your husband also asked me to make sure you drink your milk," said the lady.

I couldn't help being impatient. I feel like Zachary is using the innocent old woman to spin me. I tried to smile at Aunt Victoria and nodded.

Why do you insist on making me drink the milk you bought, Zachary? Is there something mixed in there that you want me to drink?

Do you just pretend you want a child when the truth is you really don't?

I laughed in the back of my mind. Even though I lost my appetite, I still finished the food on my plate and helped Aunt Victoria when we finished. I also cleaned my body in the bathroom and got dressed before going back to my room.

"Angel," I called the kitten, and I walked over to the nightstand to get the bottle fed that Zachary had bought.

I frowned without a cat making a noise. I immediately looked around the paper bags, hoping that she had fallen asleep there, but I didn't even see her shadow.

"Angel?" I called again.

This time, I heard a soft growl. I quickly bent down and peeked under the bed when I heard the accented grunt. My eyes widened, and I quickly fell to the floor in exhaustion.

"A-Angel?" I uttered and took her out of there, trembling. "B-Baby. ."

I feel like I'm losing myself while carefully cradling the kitten's limp body in my arms. It's like she has no bones if she's weak. My tears gathered quickly and fell down my cheeks. My brain went blank; I didn't know what to do first. I'm afraid to touch her, but I don't want to let her go either.

"Hold on, Angel. Please... fight. Don't leave me, please..."

Using my remaining strength, I forced myself to stand up. I frantically looked for the phone that Zachary had left and quickly dialed his number. Even after that, he immediately answered my call.

"Hell—"

"Please come here. Please, please, please!" I cried openly.

"What happened? Are you okay?" I could feel his shock and concern in his tone.

"It's Angel..." I said it weakly in the middle of my sobs. "Hurry up, please!"

"Shhh. I'm almost there. Calm down; she'll be okay."

I didn't answer him, and I just kept looking at Angel. She is fighting. I know; I feel it.

"Atasha? Hey, I'm here."

I don't know how many seconds or minutes passed. I just saw Zachary in front of me with a worried face. He was also full of sweat, and his chest was moving up and down, obviously in a hurry.

"I-I can't lose her, Zachary. I can't," I stated while shaking my head repeatedly and tears streaming down my cheeks.