Chapter 1: Chapter 1

People are running away from me. Their eyes looked so frightened, they look as if they have been caught in murder and like they are running, sprinting away for their lives.

But why are they looking at me?

I take a step forward just to get a hint of what is going on but my knees were shaking causing it to fall down the ground and my body – my body seemed to splatter down the cold hard ground. There is something buried in my chest and my breathing seems so heavy--so difficult.

Everyone seemed to mind their own lives, that they never cared about other people, they are so scared that it actually disgusts me.

How fragile can they be? That they never considered helping those who are in desperate need of a hand, just to save themselves. Cowards.

I let out a small chuckle but got choked in my own blood.

I-it hurts and it's burning.

I can feel my eyes streaming down its hot tears, but as much as my eyes welled up, the blood coming out of my chest flows down through my breast, through my stomach, through the ground where I lay still. It hurts so much that I can feel my insides crumbling and pleading for air. All of my organs feel like it's going to explode at any second and the cold burning sensation starts to envelop my body.

My mind suddenly relayed my life right before my eyes.

I had nobody. I never saw my dad and I never met my mom. I was an orphan. I heard that I was found in a box, freezing in the cold night, out on the streets, crying without anything a mother can ever leave away for her child, not a blanket, no anything. It meant only one thing -- I was never wanted in this world, that my own birthmother threw me away in cold blood, to die in the streets even though I was still an infant who never knew anything.

As an orphan, I was raised by the nuns – I lived a healthy life, a gleeful kid until I heard the story about how I was found half-dead in the streets.

I just realized how cruel this world really can be, that it felt like its vomiting me out of existence. Now, that I have only started gathering my feet up to have a good life, creating progress on my own, proving to the world that I was fated to live for more, I lay here, back in the streets, slowly dying.

I wanted to curse someone, I wanted to blame someone but it all happened so fast that I already forgot how I got in this mess.

Why is it so unfair?

Zach would understand, he was my best friend and he got answers for everything. I wish he experiences something better than this, he's a good person, even better than me.

Fuck.

My eyes started to close and I cannot feel anything anymore. My heart continuously seized its beating and I know I had to go, for I am tired of everything—of living, this cruel bloody world.

"Eve."

An anonymous voice whispered in my ears and I knew I had to open my eyes again, but it was so blurred out, I only managed to catch a silhouette standing before me and then everything turned into a vast of nothingness—only the deep dark pitch black.

*****

There were beeping sounds and chatter that filled my ears. But all of it deafens me, there was something whistling, the beeping makes my eardrums hurt, and the voices, all blurred up, gongs down to the depths of my ear.

I exhaustedly opened my eyes and the bright light blinds me. It feels so painful for my eyes, I tried to cover it with my backhand but a sting prevented me from lifting it up.

"Oh my god! Call the doctors! She's awake!"

Kate?

My eyes slowly became aware and adapted to the sight of the room that I was in. I was in the hospital room and the stings are from the needles attached to my body.

"You don't know how frightened we were!"

My best friend is here and he brought along some of my friends from the studio. Zach's sweet eyes is looking at me, blurry and sad. But they were all smiling and tearing up. Kate continues to sob as she caresses my head, our friends standing beside my bed, towering over me.

"What happened?" I managed to ask with my raspy, tired voice.

"You were in a coma for two months! Yesterday, your heart dropped, the doctors tried to revive you, you were dead for 3 seconds straight!" Kate's eyes never stopped clouding.

2 months? Dead? I don't understand a bit of what's going on.

"You are one hell of a fighter Eva." Zach tried to laugh but failed dramatically as his hand lays over mine. He is a sweetheart, he always cared for me ever since I was out wondering for life. He was always there for me when I needed him and he always manages to have a drink with me when life is dragging me to hell.

I tried to let out a smile and a soft squeeze on his hand. I was too tired; I could even barely speak. The doctor entered the room and she was a woman in her mid-age.

"Hello, Eva Reiss. How are you feeling?" She checked the IV fluid if it's running well.

"Fine." I nodded my head once but a sting in my head made my eyes twitch.

"Does your head hurt?"

"Yes, a little."

"It's because your brain is trying to adjust from everything. It has lost a lot of oxygen when your heart rate dropped down. It is a miracle for you to be alive, we all saw your heart rate go flat."

The doctor looks at me worried and amazed at the same time. I smiled at her to assure her that I'm fine.

I think I need to be alone for a while. I want to get my brain working together.

The doctor talked with Zach and Kate while Cathlyn smiles at me holding my hand. Cathlyn is one of our girls, she doesn't talk too often but she always has time to cook. I actually think she prefer culinary more than literature but I haven't asked her about it since it'll mean invading her private life.

I don't ask too much questions about my friends nor do I open up too much of my own. I'm just glad that they are here and I'll be glad to be with them once things go loose.

"Do you want anything to drink or eat?" My silent friend asked.

"Yes, please. I also wanted to think on my own for a while."

"Okay." She lets go of my hand and took the people outside of the hospital room.

I let out a deep breath, gathering my weak muscles on my arm to prop myself up so I could sit down. It hurts so bad that I can just lay down all day, but I cannot stay here any longer.

Two months is a very long time.

Who is paying my bills!

I gathered my thoughts, recovering the lost memories before I was brought in the hospital and lay like sleeping beauty. I dug up my memories harder but nothing comes in it. I was shot they said, and the wound is still painful after the surgery. Who would even do that to me?

Shivers run up my spine when I think about my chest being holed through by scalpels. I shook my head, the haziness never went away as if I drank bottles of beer the other day and suffer a painful hangover right after. I closed my eyes and arch my back to stretch but images started to fill my head.

I held my chest, remembering the hot blood that rushes in my body after I lay on the cold ground. It was so painful and I don't want to experience it again. Tears started prowling in my eyes but I shut them down and breathe.

I never thought I'd live again. I thought it was all over.

"Eve."

An anonymous voice sinks in on my mind.

Who was that?

There was someone right there when I was dying but all I caught was a shadow hovering over me. Then that's it. It was a man's voice but it wasn't Zach, he'll never call me eve. And the voice was solemn, it was deep but it was tuning to hear.

I wish I could meet him.

I lay down on my bed, like a centenarian lady groaning due to arthritis. I let out a raspy breath and groaned in pain. I am so tired this day and I just want to sleep.

"Eve." I woke up to the voice that calls me from my slumber. My eyes batted the whole room but there was no one, the room was darker than usual so I closed my eyes and forget about it.

Later that night, there was it again—the voice! I never tried to open my eyes since there's always nothing when I do. But a gentle peck laid on my lips making my eyes sprung open. A man sits beside me in my bed and his blue eyes shine through even in the dark. His hair was shiny black and his complexion was fair, his body is fit as well as the shape of his jaws. He wears a pitch V-neck shirt making his chest barely visible, even from my blurry eyes- I know, I know how toned he was. There were chains on his pants, a gothic design that made him look even cooler and hot. He was dazzling—he was gorgeous and I have never met him before.

What is a man like him doing here?

I felt my heart race through my chest when he leaned down, his face closer to mine. His lashes were long, he stares with his beautiful blue eyes, his gaze was damn sexy, giving me a cold but burning look.

"See you at home." His grin was wicked but it left my throat dry.

"Eva!" I blinked several times after I hear Zach saying my name several times as he waves his hand on my eyes. Was I daydreaming? I was sitting and I didn't even know that there were people. I don't know how long I've been sitting but the man who just went away felt so real. I laid my finger on my lips, remembering how soft his lips were.

"Hey, Eva!"

"Oh, I'm sorry Zach. I'm just a little bit—uhm, dazed."

"It's okay babe." He pinched my cheek gently as if he was being playful, "Cathlyn and Kate are working right now, and they have sent me to bring this food to you."

"H-how long have you been here?"

Zach's face crumpled in the middle and he pouts, he held his fist on his chest, "Aw, am I not really someone you could lay your eyes on? I have been here ever since the day we met."

I laughed all of a sudden, seeing his jesting sad face. He is cute, his eyes were green and his dark brown hair was trimmed well, with only some strands hanging on his face. He chortles as well, he smiles, revealing his dimples at the side of his cheek.

"Eat now before you spoil your food."

I nodded. My body feels lighter than it ever was before, and I might have him take me out on a stroll down the hospital. He opened up the wrapped lunch box and the umami scent escaped from it making my mouth water. It was a stir-fried shrimp with java rice at the side, one of my favorite Cathlyn dish. I ate to my fullest—I've never felt so alive! I wiggle my body for every bite since it was so delicious. Zach laughs at me as I do so and I laugh with him.

My tummy feels so full and Zach had already taken away the lunchbox, and washed it on the sink of my hospital room.

"Oh, you still have something left in the side of your mouth."

He says with his expressive emerald eyes. I wiped the left side of my cheek with my backhand. He gets closer to me and stands beside my bed.

"No, silly, on the other side."

Before I could wipe it off again, he brushes his thumb on the right side of my mouth, his smiles can actually melt you, maybe if I hadn't looked at him the way I do now—I can fall for him as well. Nah, both of us see each other as siblings anyway. Still, the innocent look in his eyes and his sexy charm made women line up for him, he never had anyone though. Laugh escaped from my lips.

"Is there anything funny?" He sits by the side of my bed.

"Why don't you date someone? You'll be a good boyfriend." I giggled and his eyes rolled at me.

"What?" I gave him a light slap on his arm as I tease him.

His gaze turned grave as he looked at me, making me drop my jokes off.

"I want to tell you something."

What is he going to tell me? I felt nervous but I didn't know why, I lifted my brows up for him to know that I was listening.

He lifted his hand, and wrapped it around one of mine, but I never pulled away.

"I— "

What is he about to say? I don't even know if I want to hear it.

"I'm gay."

I burst out laughing, I know he was joking but that got me. I don't know if it's because the joke was funny or is it because it's better to hear him say that than the thing I was thinking. I am scared to lose him, like, I don't want this kind of relationship to end.

"Why? It's true."

He shook his head, and his shoulders were shaking because of laughter. My body reached its limit again, and I felt tired. I yawned knowing that my eyelids are turning heavier.

"I'm going to take a nap. Can you take me downstairs later? I need to stretch my legs."

"Sure babe." He loves calling me with endearments, but I never hated it. Zach is too sweet and I love that about him. We've been friends for about five years and we never changed, nor did we try to sleep with each other. The first time Zach and I met, he just sat down beside me and started telling me a lot of stories about the book he is writing. I was amazed by him, he is a talented man and he never irritated me the way other men do. He makes me laugh, and he makes me comfortable with him in just the way I am.

*****

The moment I woke up, Zach had a wheelchair ready, we went down the hospital so I could, for once, feel the breeze of the air. He brought me to the garden in the hospital and we stopped by the fountain in its grounds.

"I feel hungry."

"It's only been one hour, Eva." He grinned as he leans back with his arms supporting him in his resting position. From this angle, his gorgeous tanned skin actually contemplates the color of his eyes and hair. His jaw tenses as he grits his teeth, feeling the sun's fading rays, and it really looks good, he looks great but somehow I can see that he's under his deep thoughts, I wonder why. I at least want to see him happy with someone than being stuck with me.

"I'm serious Zach. Why don't you try to go out with someone? It's better than you, always bothering me around." I beamed at him.

"It's better to be stuck with your old lady senses than date, nowadays."

"What? I am not an old lady, Zacharias! Damn you."

He snorted, giving the 'you-asked-for-it look' with his tranquil green eyes.

"Seriously, you must enjoy your time with someone rather than being stuck with me. I'm old enough to take care of myself, and I'm not the lost girl from way back before." My eyes were rolling as I explain myself.

He went down from where he was sitting and goes behind me, starting to push my wheelchair, and leaned his head down to say something to me.

"I am with you because I want to have that free beef roast every day, not because I want to babysit you."

I smirk, I remember how Zach and I will always go to the beef roast stand after work. He will always have that line about not having any money, forcing me to pay for us right after.

"You are so gonna make me poor."

We filled the air with laughter and chatted our way up to the hospital.

"Zach, who do you think did it?"

I utter at him, as I lay down on the hospital bed. Zach is arranging some of the things he brought with him.

"I don't know." His eyes were uncertain and he is angry. I can see how mad he is even though he is far away. He walks toward me and sits beside the bunk.

His gaze softens immediately when he laid his hand on my head, caressing me, like a newborn child.

"They said that it may be a stray bullet."

"Well, that means I am unlucky enough to have it pierced right into my chest." I snorted.

"Whatever it may be, I won't let anyone hurt you." His eyes were deadly serious.

I won't let anyone hurt you.

My head suddenly felt a sting of pain that made me rattle. It hurts. The last words of Zach echoed in my ear making me want to scream in pain.

"Babe, what's happening?"

I can feel Zach holding me on his arm but my mind was terribly static-like my antenna have been played with. I can see a silhouette—a man, offering his hand to me, mouthing me some words. I won't let anyone hurt you...

Who is that?

I heard Zach whisper something in my ears—what is it? The pain subsided but my eyes feel very heavy.

One week later

"I am effin ready to go!"

I shouted in my hospital room as I stomp my feet from left to right. Kate and Cathlyn laughs at me and we talked about so many things that I have missed in our office. They also talked to me about Zach, and I felt uneasy knowing how he would always fall asleep at our workplace. He's been my caretaker for the past week and I guess he barely gets some sleep because of it. I want to make it up to him. But I don't know what to do.

Kate drove me back to my house and all of my miseries slowly dissolved knowing that my precious place hasn't been ransacked by robbers. I sighed, seeing my single-story house giving my eyes, the proper gleam of colors white and brown.

"Thank you Kate! I owe you." I hugged her from the passenger's seat and opened the car door and stepped outside.

"Are you sure you don't need any help?" She beams at me from her car window.

"Nah, I got this. I want to have a proper reunion with my house."

She then waved her good bye and I ran towards my porch. I opened up the door and I felt peaceful. Nothing has changed, the brown concrete floor, the white walls, my small kitchen, my cream sofa—everything feels nostalgic. I missed this house.

This house was my first accomplishment in life, I bought it for a fair price after I saved a reasonable amount on the bank. I am never going back to renting apartments, I want something to be called mine and this is it. Slowly, I bought all the stuff that I needed to live alone—of course, Zack helped me too, by arranging and designing it, the way it is now. That's why he also knows this house like the back of his hand.

I filled my cheeks with air while slouching on my sofa. I pinch the soft couch and buried my face on it.

I suddenly feel that something was wrong when the air blew on my head. I haven't opened any window yet. How would the air blow in here? My heart suddenly beats like hell; I say that I don't believe in the supernatural but I think I am just really scared that it might be real. I walked lightly, without noises emitting from my every step and opened the door to my room.

Fuck!

My eyes widened and my heart seemed to want to have a heart attack.

A man was sitting on my bed, with his head tilted at the side making his shiny black hair flow with the current of the air that enters from the open window in my room. His gaze was cold but his lips were curled lightly. I never even dared to move since I know who he is-- he was the one who came to visit me the night at the hospital—the one I thought to be a dream. The man with that intense blue eyes.

"Welcome home, Eve."

His deep voice in a British accent. His smug face and mischievous grin made me gulp my throat in.