Chapter 14: Chapter 14

Peppermint couldn’t help but be nervous as though Kael hasn’t arrived yet. She could feel her heart thumping and her pulse palpitating while anticipating his arrival. She had a hunched that something must have happened for him not to answer his phone. She called the business expo where Kael should have arrived but they said that he hasn’t reported yet. He was the guest speaker on an event. Peppermint couldn’t help but fear every possibility. Her mind was playing tricks on her that she started tapping on the table as though it will ease her a bit. Peppermint was aware of his time of arrival. Kael told her about it so she couldn’t be mistaken. She was also the one who escorted him to the private plane until he slowly disappeared from her view.

It was already seven o’ clock but she hasn’t received any messages yet from the committee. Peppermint was in her horror state to a point that she was staring idly on her cellphone’s screen, waiting for any news or updates about Kael’s arrival. She started calling some of her friends who also had acquaintances who rode the same expo. Peppermint prayed and wished with all her might about Kael’s safety.

One hour had passed but there was still no news or any updates. Peppermint had a premonition that something did happen. Her hands turned cold, she picked up her cellphone on the desk. She dialed her friend’s number to ask for help. “His flight might have just been delayed,” Vanilla answered in between her frantic action.

“I can’t calm down, Val. You know how much I love Kael, right?” Peppermint felt like she was having an anxiety attack, she was having hard time breathing.

“Believe me Pep. His flight might have been just delayed or maybe he’s too busy to answer right now.”

“But Val, I still can’t calm down until I hear his voice. Please help me; I really need your help!” Peppermint couldn’t contain herself. She looked like someone who is begging to a god just to hear her wishes. It almost looked like she’ll start kneeling in front of her friend if that were possible. But can she blame her? This is just how paranoid she is when it comes to Kael.

“Okay, I’ll try.”

Her friend finally ended the phone call while she was there almost passing out from all the seconds passing by. She held her chest. Peppermint was still alive but it felt like her mind was dying from all the overthinking.

She folded the sleeves of her polo and squeezed herself from the suit. Coldness was sweeping her body while her eyes couldn’t be taken away from the screen of her phone. She was praying that the moment her phone vibrates, it would be no one other than Kael calling.

Out of her wits, Peppermint stood up from her study table. She looked at her watch and became even more panicked as soon as she realized it was already pass nine o’ clock in the evening. She started walking back and forth like someone who was possessed before finally picking up the phone again. She called the hotel where Kael should be staying at, but to no avail.

Her body felt like millions of bolts was electrifying her. Her knees gave up that she abruptly fell on her swivel chair. She won’t come home unless she’s avail to make sure Kael’s safety. She started walking towards the pantry for a glass of water to ease her dry throat before going back to sit on the same chair. She sighed to herself.

Kael was everything to her.

She loved him dearly and so was he to her. They had been in a relationship ever since they were in their first year college. Even though she was stubborn at times, Kael still understood her. He respected all of her decisions just like that time when she went to the States. Kael was obviously against it but never once failed to listen to her. Even with years passing, Peppermint can’t think of any times they fought heavily except for that one time when they fought due to her being demanding.

Kael never once broke her heart. He made her feel like she was the only queen of his life. He never missed out on any occasions even the smallest, that even she forgets sometimes. Even when they already entered the corporate world, Kael never forgot to invest his time for her. He was on the shoe industry while she, on the other hand sold Fragrances.

In conclusion, he gave her everything he had; his time, things she wanted and even his love for her. That’s why it felt like her world was crumbling, thinking that the man she loved couldn’t be contacted with nor can she see him.

The clock finally struck at ten o’ clock in the evening but there were still no news about Kael. Peppermint finally decided to go home; the place away from her parents. Her parents were strict. For instance, she’s not allowed to take a man inside her room. However, because Kael had always been polite with her parents, she had no problems meeting up with him. She even brought along the man with her home.

The moment she arrived home, a maid greeted her. She quickly asked if ever Kael had called home but to her maid’s shaking head. Peppermint was already at the end of the line, she finally wanted to kneel in front of God and start praying with a rosary but she stopped herself. Her friend might be right. He might not be contacting her because there were no signal or maybe because the flight was delayed.

She walked towards the bathroom to wash her face. She needs to remove all of the negative thoughts she have in her system. She also needed to stop mopping or else she’ll grow older earlier than she expected due to her frantic paranoia. She looked at her phone, hoping to glimpse a text message but there was none.

She went towards the stairs and decided to head to the kitchen. She rummaged on the fridge, looking for food she can eat. She wasn’t able to eat anything earlier due to her work and heavy tension. It even led her to almost passing out if she wasn’t able to calm herself down. She pour down some milk on her glass and was about to sit on the chair when she accidentally bump onto it.

The glass seemed to break as soon as it hit the floor. Peppermint saw how it broke. She quickly turned on the lights and the two maids quickly run up to her. They cleaned the broken shards while she on the other hand felt like she was on drugs. Her supposed calm demeanor now turned into a panicked state again.

Her premonition wouldn’t stop acting up on her. She really had a hunched that something must have happened to him. She almost even broke her phone from all the typing she’s been doing. She called her friend again but she wasn’t answering. She also called the hotel but the answer was still the same time.

She brushed her hair using her fingers and scratched her nape. She quickly went upstairs to her room and decided to pay a visit to Kael’s parents to ask for help. She wouldn’t let out this chance slip; she has to tell his parents sooner or later about Kael.

After several minutes, she already dressed herself with a new set of clothes. She knew it’s already this late but she couldn’t help overthinking. Riding her car, she quickly drove towards his parents. It almost even looked like she’d destroy the doorbell as she started ringing and as the maid arrive to open the door for her; it looked like she only woke up. She asked where Kael’s parents were and coincidentally they were already walking downstairs, in their night clothes.

"Mama Paula, Papa Harold. Kael is missing." As soon as she said those words, the two frantically walked towards her.

“What did you say hija?”

“Kael hasn’t arrived to Cebu yet until now. I already called the hotel where he was going to stay but they said there were still no reports. I also called his friends and some of his acquaintances who attended the same expo but there were still no news.” Peppermint said filled with anxiety.

“Gosh, Harold call Guio and tell him to follow to Cebu quickly!” Kael’s mother almost looked like she’ll pass out at any minute due to the incident.

“I hope nothing bad happened to him. I thought he already arrived hours ago?” His mother then added and drank a glass of water to calm herself.

“I also thought the same Mama since I even escorted him on the private copter. He even told me what time he’ll arrive that’s why I’m confused and worried that he hasn’t arrived until now.” Peppermint let out a deep sigh. She couldn’t help but mop in fear about Kael.

“Have you called the others involved in the Expo? Maybe they know something?”

“Unfortunately, I already called them. I even kept checking on them but they still don’t know what happened. I also already asked for help with my friends, especially one of them since her husband is also included in the Expo.” Because of what she said, Kael’s mother couldn’t help but worry even more. Her lips couldn’t stop trembling and her eyes widened in fear that something must have happened.

“Kael, my son, where are you? I hope nothing happened to you.” She bursted into tears while her husband tried to calm her down. He rubbed her back gently and hugged her tight. Kael was their only son and they loved him dearly. After comforting his wife, Kael’s dad named Harold rose up to his foot and called someone.

“Yes Guio, bring the other helicopter and go to Cebu. Please know what happened to my son,” he mentioned, almost weakened on his knees. “Yes, yes. Please do it now. Thank you.” After ending the phone call, he quickly went back to his wife and let her cry into his arms.

When Kael’s mom named Paula was finally able to calm down, Peppermint stood up from her feet and said she’d be leaving now. It was already around three o’ clock in the morning. She was feeling out of breath and she needed to rest already. Even though the fear was still residing in her chest, she still kept on insisting that he was fine. She was already on her way out of the mansion when her phone rung.

She quickly answered the phone and put her phone near her ears. Anticipating what she might hear, Peppermint was engulfed with so much nervousness and anxiety while waiting for the speaker’s voice.

“Hello, is this Ms. Peppermint Vuenarobles?” The one to talk on the other side of the phone was an unfamiliar voice.

“Yes, this is me. Why?”

“I’m the organizer of the Expo that Sir Kael Del Carmen was supposed to attend to. I just wanted to tell you that he won’t be able to attend.” The speaker suddenly paused for a few seconds. “We’re saddened to say this but while having our orientation, we received some news.”

“What? Tell it to me straight! What happened to Kael? Why can’t he come to the Expo?” Peppermint couldn’t help but shout. Her face couldn’t even be painted by anyone, not even Pablo Picasso! It felt like something was strangling her while she waited for the words to come out.

The voice from the other side of the line sighed heavily before speaking, “We’re saddened to say this to you ma’am but the helicopter Mr. Kael Del Carmen was riding crashed around six o’ clock in the evening. We’re currently looking for his body.”

As soon as she heard those words, it felt like time stopped. Everything collapsed even her knees. She couldn’t contain herself anymore. Her eyes were widened and her body frozen, she asked, “M…miss, tell me you’re just joking right?” Peppermint choke out the words out of her throat.

“I’m sorry to say this ma’am but it… it’s the truth.” As soon as she heard it, she finally collapsed on the floor crying.

Kael’s missing?

“Hija what happened?” Peppermint forgot that she was still outside the mansion of her boyfriend’s house. The parents quickly stood their frozen on their feet as they saw her sobbing uncontrollably. Kael’s mother quickly ran towards her.

“A… A-auntie, it’s about Kael.” Hearing her choking the words out, Kael’s mother slumped her shoulder due to shock and afterwards, everything turned black.

The last thing she saw was Kael’s parents while having a frantic panic. They hastily brought her to the car and while she’s at it, the last thing she thought of was Kael.

Kael is everything to her. If she loses him, it feels like she’ll die.