*Mielle's POV*

I woke up by the sunlight struck straight to my face. I stretch my arms out wide then I opened my eyes, I almost fell out of my bed as I scan the whole room. What am I doing here?!

I immediately jump from my bed and was surprise to see that I'm wearing a white silk night gown. What the hell?! I remembered wearing a pair of PJ's before going to sleep last night!

The double doors swung open and then Hans came in with a tray. He's my butler, by the way.

"What a pleasant morning, Young Lady" he said as he placed the tray on top of my study table.

"Hans, What the hell is happening?!" I asked, hysterically.

I can't calm down knowing that I'm in the mansion! How did I get here in the first place?! Then I suddenly remembered that I once saw the witch in Baguio! Does that mean she brought me here?!

"I'm serving your breakfast, Young Lady" he answered.

"How did I get here?!" I asked as I took a seat.

"You entered the door, Young Lady" he answered politely.

What kind of answer is that?! I'm getting more impatient, I'm still confused!

"I have to go Young Lady, enjoy your breakfast" he said then he left my room.

I walked back and forth, trying to remember what happened but it was all just a blur! I walked towards the door and it was freaking locked!

"Let me out!" I shout

I started knocking the door but no one's answering me! Damn it! I searched for my phone so I could contact Amanda but my phone is nowhere to be found! I sat down and calmed myself, I sighed deeply.

"This isn't real" I whispered to myself.

I quickly run towards my walk-in closet, there's a secret elevator inside, it's connected to the dungeon. And of course, the elevator isn't functioning at all! Sumilip ako sa bintana, there were Imperial guards around the mansion, I don't think it's possible for me to escape from this place!

Napaupo na lang ako sa sahig, it's useless. I'm getting more hopeless, wala na akong kawala dito. Damn it! Maghihintay na naman ako na makasal sa iba and that would be the perfect time to escape but of course I'm sure mahihirapan ako, knowing them sigurado akong magdadala na sila ng maraming guards para hindi ako makatakas.

What am I going to do?

I glanced at my bed, it's my last resort. I won't end this without putting up a good fight! Gumapang ako sa ilalim ng kama and I pressed a secret button then the secret cabinet opened. I took a gun and some bullets as well as the silencer. Yep there's a cabinet under my bed, filled with guns and bullets. It's for safety purposes.

Tumayo na ako then I gently pulled my chair para maiharang sa doorknob, I even pushed the sofa towards the door just to make sure to give them a hard time entering my room. I started assembling my gun, I pulled the safety pin then I aimed on the window then I pulled the trigger.

The sound of shattered glass made the Imperial guards run towards my room, I quickly pull the curtains down at pinagkabit-kabit yun then I tied it to the pillar at ginamit yun para makababa ako mula sa third floor. I mentally cursed myself dahil bitin yung curtain! I have to jump or else mahuhuli na naman nila ako.

I jump, fortunately madamo yung nabagsakan ko kaya hindi ganon kasakit yung pagbagsak ko. I quickly run towards the maze garden, yes there's a maze garden, then I suddenly remember that I'm not good in directions.

"Great" I mumbled under my breath.

I can hear the Imperial guards running, nagsisisihan pa sila sa pagtakas ko. Napatigil ako sa paglalakad, I feel like I'm not the only one who's in this freaking maze!

"Where is he?" I asked myself.

Damn him! He should be helping me by now but that bastard is nowhere to be found! What kind of bestfriend is he?!

Someone grabbed my arms then I ended up slamming on his chest, I rolled my eyes then I step on his foot, bago pa sya makasigaw I covered his mouth using my hands.

"You're late" I said through gritted teeth.

"You're so stupid in entering this maze, you don't even know where to go" he said.

I hit his head, ang kapal ng mukha nyang tawagin akong stupid!

"I have no choice, you moron" I said.

"Stop giving me names" he said.

"I can name you with names that I want, jerk" I said.

He grabs my hand then he pulled me towards the exit. We were surprise to see the Imperial guards, naghihintay sa amin.

I quickly pulled him back inside the maze, we run as fast as we could at mukhang naligaw na din sa loob ng maze yung mga guards.

"Wow, we entered the maze again, yay! Lead the way" he said filled with sarcasm. I darted a glare at him.

There are several exits in this maze, I'm sure makakalabas din kami. I just hope that the exit na mapuntahan namin ay yung malapit na sa gate.

"What now, Young Lady" he asked with a freaking smirk on his face.

"Shut up, I'm thinking" I said.

"Woah!" he said.

"Of course, since you're not capable of thinking" I said then I smirked at him.

We reached another exit and we ended up in the pool area of course may Imperial guards na rin na naghihintay. This is useless. Bumitaw na ako pagkakahawak ng mokong na 'to. I was about to run inside the maze...

"Stop right there, Young Lady!"

A familiar cold voice roared around the area, it made me froze for a moment but it will not stop me from leaving this place.

"Is that how you greet your mom?" she asked.

I faced her and flashed smirk. Wow, she mentions the word 'MOM'.

"I don't remember having a mom" I said coldly.

She raised her brows at me then she commanded her guards to get me but the moron stand in front of me like a shield. He keeps on throwing punches with every guard na makakalapit sa amin.

"I'm not a damsel in distress, you bastard" I said then I pushed him away.

He just smirked at me then he let me throw some kicks and punches to the guards. One of the guards got the honor to punch my face, I tasted the metallic taste of blood, I even spit on the grass. Napatigil silang lahat.

Everyone was so shocked to move. It's the first freaking time that someone punches me in the face. I pulled the moron's gun and pointed it on the head of the guard.

"Any last words?" I asked.

"Hey, calm down" the moron said.

*Bang!*

I glanced at my night gown; I felt a hot fluid flowing from my chest, the silk white night gown is now stained with blood—my blood. My vision is becoming blurry but I saw the witch holding a gun and it was pointed at me.

*Splaaaaaaash!*

I quickly opened my eyes; I swam up and gasped for air. I held my chest tightly, tinignan ko kung may dugo but there's none. I scan the area but the guards are nowhere to be found, puro balloons yung pool, there's a pizza like floater, number 2 and 0 hanging on the tree and there's a faint modern music playing.

"Masama yata yung gising" I heard someone said.

"I told you, you shouldn't have thrown her on the pool" It's the beast.

I turn my gaze at them.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIELLE!"

*boom!*

I'm soaking wet then nagpasabog pa sila ng confetti, now nakadikit na sila sa akin. Their whole squad was here, greeting me a happy birthday.

"You should've just waked me up instead of throwing me on the pool, Alexandrei" I said.

Hindi ko tuloy malaman kung matutuwa ba ako or maiinis. May mga pagkain sa table, balloons around the garden, may cake din akong nakita and their gifts are on the couch.

"Thanks, hindi na sana kayo nagabala" I said.

"Drei, insisted in throwing a small party for you" Gabby said.

"Yeah, since you always tend to forget your birthday" Alexandrei said.

I really intend to forget my birthday because I don't think it's special since I'm always celebrating my day with the maids and butler. I remember my debut, I danced with different bachelors but I didn't get the chance to dance with my dad. My family is not present in my debut, not even my lolo and lola.

"I think you need to change your clothes, devil" I heard the beast said.

Lumapit sya sa edge ng pool kasabay ni Gabby, both of them reached their hands for me. Why do I feel like I just want to stay in the pool?

Someone cleared his throat to ease the tension; it was Alexandrei at sya na rin yung tumulong sa akin para makaahon sa pool.

He handed me the towel pero hinila nya ako papalapit sa kanya then he started rubbing the towel to dry my hair, Damn Alexandrei! Do I have to remind you that you have a jealous girlfriend?

"You grew up to be a fine and beautiful lady" he said as he rubs my hair.

I placed my hand on his face because the piercing gazes of his girl are tearing my skin. If looks could kill, I would probably be dead by now.

"You go change your clothes, ako yung pumili ng susuotin mo ngayon" he said.

"I just hope it's not a very long denim skirt and an oversized shirt" I said as I rolled my eyes at him.

I headed straight to my room at naligo na. I let the water run down to my head, damn that dream it felt so freaking real!

I clutched my chest; it felt like the bullet is in my chest. The witch shoots the gun at me, kayang kaya nya akong patayin. I ignored my thought at naligo na lang ng mabilis. Lumabas na ako ng bathroom then I saw a red floral dress that has a note on it.

Happy Birthday to my most beautiful cousin in the world!

-A

Of course, I'm the most beautiful, dahil ako lang naman yung pinsan nya eh! I wear the dress then pinunasan ko yung buhok bago itali.

I quickly got down from the stairs, I saw them having fun, laughing and joking around. I walked towards them but them someone grabbed my hair at tinanggal yung pagkakatali ng buhok ko.

I glared at the beast beside me. He's just standing there like he did nothing!

"Oi kayong dalawa ah" I heard Nadia teased then the others joined her in teasing us.

"Gabby ok lang yan, makakamove-on ka din" Alex said as he pats Gabby's shoulder.

The latter just cursed at him then they burst out laughing. I never thought that I would be celebrating my birthday with them, hindi rin naman kasi kami masyadong close, especially me and Arielle.

Naupo na ako sa tabi ni Nadia then the beast sat beside me. Most of them are giving us meaningful gazes, well except for Gabby and Arielle.

"Iba yung chemistry eh" Thor said then he laughed.

"Bagong loveteam ng pinas! Kabahan na yung JaDine, KathNiel, LizQuen, AlDub, JoshLia" Ken said.

We just stared at him, anong sinasabi nya?

"That's so gay, Ken. Fanboy ka pala" Alexandrei said.

Napahawak ako sa tyan ko, nagugutom na ako. I took a glance on the table, puro pizza! My mouth started watering, I know it's gross pero gutom na talaga ako.

"Pwede na bang kumain?" Kat asked.

I'm glad that she asked!

"Bawal pa" Gabby answered.

Kat just glared at him then she pouted.

"Gutom na ako" I said.

Gabby stood up then he went to the table tapos bumalik syang may dalang platter ng pizza. Nilapag nya yun sa center table, I pushed it towards Kat and nodded at her. Kumuha sya ng isang slice.

"Kumuha na din kayo" I said as I took a slice of pizza.

"Mukhang pizza talaga" I heard the beast mumbled.

I ignored his remark, anong magagawa nya? It's my favorite! I took a bite and damn it! It tastes so damn good! Pagtingin ko sa harap, nakita ko si Gabby na nakatingin sa akin. Ahm?

"Ano?" he asked probably referring to the pizza.

I cleared my throat and fought the urge to take a huge bite from this heavenly pizza.

"Masarap" I said.

Mukha naman syang nalugi sa sinabi ko. What? Sinabi kong masarap!

"Si Gabby kasi nagluto nyan" Ellena said.

"Really!?" I asked, mukhang nagulat pa sila sa reaction ko.

Then Gabby just smiled at me shyly. How come? Ang galing nyang magluto! This pizza tastes so freaking good! Mas masarap pa sa Shakey's, Pizza hut and Yellow cab!

"Di mo naman nilagyan ng gayuma to?" the beast asked as he took a bite.

"Hahaha, why would I? Girls love my cooking skills enough to make them fall for me" Gabby said then he smiled at me.

*Coughs. Coughs*

"Mielle tubig oh" Ken said then inabot nya sa akin yung baso.

Such confidence, I'm amazed. Gabby isn't bad at all, he has the looks; his smiles are somewhat alluring, he's sweet and gentleman and God! He cooks! He cooks so good lalo na yung pizza!

"Ingat sa playboy, marami ng nabiktima yan" Nadia said then she laughed.

They laughed, ngumiti lang ako. I noticed Arielle, she's so quiet na parang ang lalim ng iniisip nya.

"Happy Birthday to You~~"

I immediately rose from my seat after hearing that voice, nahulog pa yung pizza na hawak ko sa sahig! All of us are so shocked to move. Arielle's jaw dropped halos lahat sila nanlaki yung mata na para bang nakakita ng multo.

"I know I grate crash and I'm uninvited. But hey! I deserve to be here!" reklamo nya.

I turn my gaze at her, then she just jump in front of me to give me a tight hug. Damn it!

"Happy Birthday, B!" she said.

There goes her endearment! 'B', she usually call me that pag may kailangan sya or trip nya lang. I think mas ok na yun instead na tawagin nya ako by my name—real name.

"Nakakatampo ka, hindi mo man lang sinabi na may party ka pala" she said then she pouted.

"It's a surprise party, kaya hindi ko alam" I said.

She just smiled at me then she hugged me once again. Ang tagal na rin kasi naming hindi nagkita or nagkausap, she's busy and so am i. I pulled her to face everyone na mukhang gulat pa rin well except for Alexandrei. I took a quick glance at Arielle, damn it! I just hope hindi na sya maalala ni Rae.

"I know you know who she is" I said.

Rae is just smiling widely at them and they just started at us in Awe.

"Rachelle Cruz everyone, unfortunately she's my best friend" I said.

"Anong unfortunately? Ang swerte mo kasi bff mo ako!" she said.

"Oh My Gahd!" Kat said.

"Parang kanina lang nakikinig ako sa kanta nya tapos ngayon nandito na sya sa harap koooooo!" Nadia said.

"Grabe ang ganda mo" Ellena said.

Rae just smiled at them sheepishly tapos napayuko pa na parang nahihiya. I rolled my eyes, if I know natutuwa yan sa sinasabi nila.

"Mas maganda pa rin si Mielle, wala nga akong binatbat dyan eh" Rae said then inakbayan ako.

"Pareho lang kayong maganda, magkahawig na nga kayo eh" Thor said.

Natawa na lang si Rae tapos umupo sa upuan ko na katabi ni beast.

"Nagbake ako ng cake for you" she said then nilapag nya sa table yung cake box.

Hindi pa rin sila makapaniwala na may artista sa harap nila. I motioned the beast to move at naupo ako sa tabi nya.

"What are you doing here? Hahanapin ka ng manager mo" I asked.

"Duh! It's your birthday and you always forget about it" she answered then bigla na lang syang napayakap sa sarili nya.

"Geez, pinaalala mo pa si Manager tuloy ngayon pa lang naririnig ko na yung sermon nya" She said.

"Just let her stay here, for a while Mielle" Alexandrei said. Wala naman akong magagawa eh.

I don't know why pero ang awkward. I can't say that there's tension pero parang ganon na rin eh.

"Talagang nakakalimutan mo yung birthday mo?" Alex asked.

I nodded.

"Yeah, simula nung malapit na syang mag nine, dun yung first time na makalimutan nya yung birthday nya. Kaya lagi akong pumupunta sa kanila pag birthday or kung busy ako, yung mokong yung nagpupunta sa kanya" Rae answered.

Umiral na naman yung pagiging madaldal nya, damn it!

"Mokong?" Ken asked.

"Yeah, yung isa pa naming best friend na may crush sa kanya hahahaha" Rae said.

I rolled my eyes.

"Woah! Guy best friend, nasan sya?" Kat asked.

"He's busy" I said.

"Ehem kabahan na yung dapat kabahan dyan" Alex said then he took a glance at the beast.

Rae shriek like a psychopath! What the hell!?

"Ay bakiiiiit? May nagkakagusto ba dito kay Mielle?" she asked.

"Wala" I answered firmly at natahimik na lang sya then kumain ng pizza.

Nagkwentuhan na lang sila, then I remained silent habang nakasandal sa balikat ni Rae. Good thing she can't remember Arielle or else mabibisto na ako dito.

"Why don't we give our gifts to the birthday girl?" Rae asked.

"Ay gusto ko yan! Excited na akong makita yung gift ni Clyde eh" Alex said.

Why? Is there something with the beast's gift for me? Actually I wasn't expecting him to give me a gift though.

"Yeah, I'm excited too. Nakita ko parang notebook eh" Alexandrei said then ngumisi sya ng nakakaloko kay beast.

"Game, ibibigay yung gifts tapos dapat i-explain kung bakit yun yung gift" Rae said.

I don't know how many times I rolled my eyes since Rae came. Ang daming alam eh.

"Ako na mauuna" she said then she handed me a box.

Binuksan ko yun. What is this?

"Phonebook yan. Nakalista na dyan yung names, contact number, facebook, basic info ng mga single na lalaki na kilala ko and I'm sure na magugustuhan mo sila" she said.

I stared at her with no expression written on my face, ang ganda ng gift nya.

"Parang gusto ko yung gift mo" Kat said jokingly.

"Eh kasi naman 20 ka na tapos wala ka pang boyfriend, talagang sasabihin ko kay mokong na ligawan ka na eh para at least kilala mo na sya tapos close na kayo tapos bagay pa kayo" she said.

"Oh come on, Rachelle" I said then she pouted.

"Nacucurious tuloy ako sa mokong na sinasabi nyo" Ellena said.

That jerk! Sana mabulunan sya kasi pinaguusapan namin sya ngayon. How dare he invade my dreams!

"Joke lang may isa pang box sa loob, pero makakatulong talaga sayo yung phonebook na yan" Rae said, I just glared at her then kinuha ko yung isa pang box. It's a Pandora bracelet with a crescent moon charm.

"She always loves the moon, kung pwede nga lang bilhin yung moon baka binili na nya eh" natatawang sabi ni Rae.

"Thanks" I said.

Then Kat handed me her gift, it's a little black dress, quite revealing pero maganda. She told me na bagay sa akin ang magdress and black compliments my fair skin color. Then Nadia gave me a shoe box, it's a black pumps. Sabi nya partner daw ng dress. They're curious about how do I look when I wear something formal and girly. Nadia thinks that I really look sophisticated in a dress.

Ellena handed me a box and it was filled with make-up. She chose that gift para in case na may formal event, may magagamit ako para maayusan yung sarili ko, though hindi ko naman daw kailangang mag-makeup. I just smiled at her and thanked her.

Then Arielle handed me a paperbag too, it's a book entitled Sherlock Holmes. My forehead creased, I read mystery novels but how did she knows? She said, she asked the beast and the latter told her to give me a mystery book. I asked the beast why but he just shrugs at me. I thanked Arielle and she just nodded at me.

"Boys naman!" excited na sabi ni Kat.

Thor and Alex handed me a box. Naghati daw sila sa pagbili ng gift. I think it's quite expensive, nahihiya tuloy ako. It's a vintage Polaroid camera, since they knew that I love photography naisip nilang camera ang iregalo sa akin. I thanked them.

Then Gabby and Ken shared on the same gift also, it's a condenser. Then my heart starts to beat wildly, naalala ko na naman na pinatapon ng Witch yung mga gamit sa Recording room ko sa mansion a long time ago. They said, tinanong lang nila si Alexandrei kung anong magandang gift and the latter told them to buy a condenser.

I was about to glare at Alexandrei but he's gone, ngayon ko lang napansin na umalis pala sya then bumalik dala na yung gift nya. I bit my lower lip to contain my smile, naiinis ako!

"Obvious naman yung gift ko kaya wag ka ng magulat" he said then he handed me a guitar.

"Omg! Jamming na ituuu!" Rae said.

With shaking hands, I held the guitar. Hindi ko na maalala yung last time na nakahawak ako nito, since the witch prohibited me to touch one or anything about music, she doesn't even let me sing.

"I missed hearing you sing" malungkot na sabi ni Rae. They started asking me to sing for them. I don't know pero, nahihiya ako.

I missed singing too, pero lately kumanta ulit ako and the beast heard it. I glance at him, he's already looking at me, it's as if he's waiting for me to strum the guitar and sing.

"Super ganda ng boses nya, guys. Mas maganda pa sa boses ko!" Rae said, hindi naman makapaniwala yung iba.

"It's true" I heard the beast said.

Napatingin kaming lahat sa kanya then nagulat naman sya. I think he's thinking out loud, kaya nya nasabi yun.

"You heard her sing?" Alexandrei asked.

Wala namang nagawa yung beast kundi tumango na lang.

"That's unfair! Ako yung pinsan mo tapos ang tagal tagal na nung last time na narinig kitang kumanta, I think you're just 10 years old back then" reklamo ni Alexandrei.

"Kanta naaaaaa" Alex said.

I sighed, and then I started strumming the guitar.

Style (intro)~~

Damn it felt so good! I continued strumming, dalawang beses kong inulit yung intro dahil natutuwa ako sa gitara.

"Kakanta ka ba or pinapaasa mo lang kami?" Rae asked.

I smiled at them.

"Midnight, You come and pick me up, no headlights. Long drive, Could end in burning flames or paradise Fade into view, oh, it's been a while since I have even heard from you"

"Heard from you" Rae did the second voice. She's always like that, kapag kumakanta ako bigla na syang sumasabay. Akala nya glee.

"I should just tell you to leave 'cause I Know exactly where it leads but I Watch us go 'round and 'round each time"

"You got that James Dean daydream look in your eye and I got that red lip classic thing that you like" Rae started blending her voice with mine.

"And when we go crashing down, we come back every time 'Cause we never go out of style we never go out of style"

I continued strumming; I missed how our voices blend. Tinapos ko na yung pagstrum. Then there they are—dumbstruck. Well they didn't expect me to sing or at least they are not expecting to hear Rae sing with me.

"Ang galing" Nadia said.

"Your voice gotten much better" Alexandrei said.

"She's a total performer. She's good at dancing and singing, the acting part can be enhanced through workshops. Sobrang nanghihinayang ako nung tumanggi syang maging artista noon" Rae said.

My hand flew towards my forehead. There she goes again. It's true, sabay kaming tinawagan ng Production Company but since the Witch knew about that, hinarang nya yung pagtanggap sa akin, she threatened the company para hindi ako tanggapin. She doesn't want me to enter showbiz, pinalabas lang na tumanggi ako well in fact it's the witch's fault.

"That was a long time ago" I said as I took a drink.

They feel the tension, I don't want to talk about it. That was the time that I really got mad at the witch, she doesn't want me to pursue my passion in singing, instead she force me to do dancing at pumayag na ako thinking that it would made her happy.

"OK si Clyde na" Alex said.

They started teasing the beast, mas lalo tuloy akong nacurious sa regalo nya. The beast rose from his seat at umalis.

"Maliit na box yung nakita ko eh, parang size ng notebook" Ellena said.

"Yeah I saw it too" Alexandrei said.

Everyone was waiting for the beast's return, mukhang mas excited pa sila sa akin. Then the beast came in with a huge rectangular box. Akala ko ba maliit lang?

"Ano yan?" Alex asked.

"Where's the small one?" Alexandrei asked.

The beast just glared at them, tinignan ko yung box. Masyado syang malaki at mukhang mabigat.

"Open it" the beast commanded me.

My heart starts to beat faster than normal, what's inside this box? I'm sure it costs a fortune at bakit naman sya magreregalo ng mahal?

"May nakita akong isa pang gift sa table" Rae said as she raised the box.

Napatayo yung beast para agawin yung box na hawak ni Rae pero bigla nyang binato sa akin at nasalo ko. The beast cleared his throat at napatingin na lang sa sahig.

"Dalawa yung gift nyaaaaaaa" Nadia said.

"Kinikilig ako jusme" Ellena said.

"Open mo na yung malaking box" Kat said.

"No yung maliit muna" Thor said.

Then they argued kung ano yung una kong bubuksan, Rae sat beside me then she pointed at the small box kaya yun na lang yung binuksan ko. Everyone went silent, waiting for me to open the gift.

A Photo Album, eh?

Napatingin ako sa beast, he took a deep sigh then our eyes met.

"Nakita ni Manang yung camera ko nung nagtanong ako sa kanya kung anong pwedeng iregalo sa babae, she immediately knew that it was you then sinabi nyang yan yung iregalo ko pero I don't think you would like it" the beast explained.

I opened the album.

"Oh my gahd"

It was a picture of me as the black swan, nakaside view ako at medyo natatakpan ng arms ko yung mukha ko. The next pictures are taken in Baguio, mga stolen shots ko, candid shots. Most of them are pictures of me while smiling.

"Gahd, di ba ito yung pinost mo sa IG?" Ellena asked.

"Oo, yung may caption na belle" Nadia said.

"I remember Mielle calls him Beast" Alexandrei Added.

It was a picture of the sunrise with my silhouette. I stared at my pictures, he captured all of these?! Napuno yung album ng mga stolen shots ko, not to mention the shots are great, akala ko talaga hinahanapan nya ako ng pangit ng picture.

"Kinikilig ako" Kat said.

"Iba din" Alex said.

Sinara ko na yung album then I return it to its box.

"Hindi ko dapat yan ibibigay sayo" the beast said then I raised my brow.

"Why? Do you intend to keep those pictures instead?" I asked.

Narinig ko naman yung mahinang tili nila Nadia.

"O-Of course not! i-itatapon ko yan" he answered.

I smiled at him.

"Thank you" I said.

He pushed the huge box towards my direction.

"Yan talaga yung regalo ko" he said.

Tumayo ako then pinatong sa table yung box, it's heavy. Lumapit naman yung beast para tulungan ako. I slowly opened the box and the next thing I know, I was already hugging the beast!

Everyone became silent, then nakita ko si Arielle, shocked expression is written on her face that's when I realized that I was really hugging the beast, I pushed him away then I cleared my throat.

Awkwaaaaaaard~

I should start practicing myself to stop hugging someone every time I felt overjoyed. The beast gave me an Olympic bow and arrows complete with its accessories. And hell! This is the latest model!

"You're really good in Archery; I think you would make a good representative of Institute of Finance in the upcoming sports fest" He said habang nakahawak pa sa batok nya.

I can't help but smile at him. I think this my best birthday ever! Everyone stayed for a while pero nung hapon na umalis na din sila. Alexandrei presented on taking the girls home kasama ni Alex, then sabay sabay na umalis si Thor, Ken and Gabby, umalis na din si Rae then the beast was left here with me.

"Thank you" I said.

"Dalawang beses mo na yang sinabi" he said.

"Fair enough, dalawa yung gift mo sa akin" I said.

Natahimik kami, it's not an awkward silence just a plain silence. I started cleaning the area and was hoping that the beast would help me, but he did not. Great, just great!

"I have to go, Happy Birthday Mielle" He said then I froze, he just called me by my name—not really my name but he didn't called me Devil!

Umalis na sya then ako na lang talaga yung naiwan dito, nilinis ko yung paper plates and plastic cups at nilagay ko sa trash bag, kinuha ko yung phone ko then lumabas ng bahay para itapon yung basura. I was about to open the trash bin but then someone grabbed my arms, nabitawan ko yung phone ko at nagulat na lang ako nung nilagyan ako ng posas. I am handcuffed with him!

"Come with me Young Lady" He said in a firm voice.

I faced him and my hunch was correct, he's an Imperial Guard. Hinila nya ako papunta sa isang van, dahan dahan kong kinuha yung baril sa tagiliran nya at tinago ko yun sa likod ko. Wala kaming ibang kasama kundi yung driver lang, siguro naman kaya ko ng takasan to.

"Who ordered you to abduct me?" I asked.

Hindi sya sumasagot. I looked at the window at nakita kong nasa dulong part na kami ng Mountain Ville, malapit sa Mansion ng beast. Kinuha ko yung baril at tinutok yun sa ulo ng Imperial Guard.

"Stop the van or I'll shoot his head off" I said.

The driver immediately stopped the van, binuksan ko yung pinto at hinila yung Imperial Guard palabas. I placed the gun on his back and motioned him to walk palayo sa mapunong part ng Mountain Ville. To my surprise, may biglang dumating the Imperial Guards at humarang sa daan namin.

Nakaramdam na ako ng takot at kaba, I don't think I can escape them. Damn that witch! Sya lang yung pwedeng gumawa nito sa akin!

"Drop the gun, Young Lady" sabi nung isang guard.

Inuutusan nya ba ako? Who the hell is he?! Tinutok ko sa sentido ng guard yung baril then all of them aimed their guns on me.

"How dare you aim your guns at me?" I asked plainly.

"Young Lady, we are just following orders" the other guard said.

"Don't talk back at me and I'm not asking for your opinion so shut up!" I shouted, I've got no chill at this moment.

They all stood firmly in front of me, medyo nakababa na yung baril nila.

"Drop your weapons, now" I said. Pero parang wala silang narinig, kaya sinipa ko yung guard na nakaposas sa akin at napaluhod sya, I aimed my gun on the back of his head.

"Drop your weapons or I'll shoot his head off" I said calmly.

Damn them! Hindi na sila marunong sumunod, they deserve a one hell of a punishment.

"I said drop your weapons, you morons deserve a beating so don't wait for me to get back in that mansion and make your life a living hell" I said.

Binitawan nila yung mga baril nila sa lupa, some of them raised their hands in surrender.

"Now on your knees" I said calmly pero nagtinginan lang sila. I pointed my gun upwards then

*BANG!*

"KNEEL!!!" I shouted.

Lahat sila lumuhod then I aimed my gun on the chains of the handcuffs. I pulled the trigger at napasigaw naman yung guard na nakaposas sa akin, sinipa ko sya his face met the ground, I took that opportunity to run away from them.

I ran as fast as I could, they're tailing after me, nakarating ako sa part the village na puro abandoned houses na. Hindi ko alam na may ganito dito.

Lumiko ako at nagtago sa gilid ng poste, looks like hindi na nila ako makita, madilim na din kasi at kahit hindi ako comfortable sa dilim, tiniis ko para hindi nila ako mahuli.

"Search the area, the young lady is must be somewhere hiding!" utos nung guard.

"Faster, you airhead! The sentinel doesn't like waiting" he added.

Sentinel? May bagong sentinel? It's the head of the Imperial Guards, the sentinel leads them, imperial guards ng president, vice president even the imperial guards of my grandparents. Basically, the sentinel is responsible for the safety of Rosa Familia.

I took a deep sigh at hinintay silang makaalis then I resume on running, I was about to make a right turn papasok sa maliit na pathway, someone grabs my right arms then my back ended slamming against the wall.

I felt the sudden pain on my back. Hinila nya ako papunta sa harap nya, inikot pa nya ako then my back slammed on his chest, his left arms is on my neck, making me gasp for air.

I tried to attack him on his abdomen but he just dodge it, sinubukan kong kumawala pero pagod na ako and he's strong.

"Let me go, you bastard" I said through gritted teeth habang pinipilit ko pa ring kumawala.

I felt him breathe against my ear that sends shivers down to my spine.

"Still feisty as ever, B" He said then tinakpan nya ng panyo yung ilong ko.

I knew it! Damn you bastard!

I inhaled the scent coming from the handkerchief then everything went black.

*End of Chapter*