CONTENT AND TRIGGER WARNING: This chapter contains content that might be troubling to some readers, including, but not limited to, depictions of and references to death, self-harm and suicide, graphic violence, sexual assault, strong language and more.

Please be mindful of these sensitive themes and other possible triggers. Remember to practice self-care before, during and after reading.

LORELEI

HOME SWEET home. Or maybe not.

Wala pa ring ipinagbago ang bahay namin. It got that gloomy look and the melancholic feel from the outside. Hindi ito isang horror house o lumang bahay na itinayo noong panahon pa ng mga Kastila. Maybe the owner of the house reflected its aura? My dad was a no-nonsense and emotionally detached person kaya gano'n din ang pakiramdam kapag tumapak dito.

Pagtigil ng limousine sa entrance ng bahay namin, mabilis akong lumabas ng kotse at inakyat ang hagdanan papasok. Nakasalubong ko sa loob ang mga kasambahay namin na tila nagulat na makita ako. Hindi tuloy nila ako nagawang batiin. They must be so surprised to see me after months of my absence.

Tumuloy ako sa pag-akyat sa malawak na staircase hanggang marating ang second floor. I proceeded to the right wing and walked past a couple of doors. Sana'y hindi pa ipinatanggal ni Daddy ang mga gamit sa dati kong kuwarto. Baka ipina-convert na niya bilang guest room o bodega.

The door creaked open the moment I turned the knob and pushed the door. The room was dimly lit so I flicked the light switch. My queen-size bed, cabinet, and closet were here, pati na ang favorite lampshade ko sa study table. Strangely, it was the same room that I had left months ago. Neat ang pagkakaayos ng kama at pagkakalinis ng kuwarto. Did my father expect me to come home tonight? If he did not, then my room would be dusty and messy right now.

Humiga ako sa malambot kong kama at ini-stretch ang mga kamay ko. Kanina pa ako tinatawag ng higaan dahil sa sobrang pagod. Mukhang mapapasarap ang tulog ko mamaya. Napatingin ako sa headboard at napansing may nawawala. I almost forgot. Dinala nga pala sa apartment ni Tita Martha ang malaking teddy bear ko (na pagmamay-ari na raw ni Loki). I used to sleep with it and hug it tightly every night. Para kasing niyayakap ko na rin ang mama ko kapag kasama ko ang teddy bear.

Bumalikwas ako mula sa pagkakahiga at chineck ang aking closet. Nandito pa rin ang mga damit ko noon, maging ang uniform ko sa St. Bartholomew High. Isinara ko muna 'yon bago inilibot ang mga mata ko sa buong kuwarto. Not that much had changed since I left.

The comfort of my bed was seducing me again. My stomach then growled and my hand instinctively touched it. Oo nga pala. Hindi masyadong marami ang nakain ko kanina sa solidarity party. I totally lost appetite because of the series of cases.

Lumabas ako ng kuwarto para magtungo sa kusina. Malamang ay nagpapahinga na ang cook namin, pero baka may tirang pagkain kaninang dinnertime. I walked down the hallway, staring at the expensive paintings, delicately decorated walls, and lamps that illuminated the corridor. Dumampi ang kamay ko sa pader at kinapa ang design nito. Nakalimutan ko na kung ganito ba talaga ang itsura o disenyo nito.

Somehow, I felt like a stranger in my own home.

Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad hanggang narating muli ang staircase. Maingat din ako dahil ayaw kong makaistorbo sa mga nagpapahinga na. I was about to take a step down, but I heard someone's voice.

"Please, sir! For your sake, i-cancel n'yo na ang party!"

That was a woman's voice! Tanda ko pa kung kanino ang boses na 'yon. Napahakbang ako paurong at nag-tiptoe patungo sa gitnang kuwarto. Based on the layout of this house, that would be my father's study.

Sumandal ako sa pader malapit sa pintuan ng study. Dahil hindi nakasara nang maayos ang pinto, dinig na dinig ko ang pinag-uusapan sa loob. Thankfully, wala sa mga kasambahay namin ang nasa paligid. They would find me weird for acting like a spy inside my own house.

"I have already made my decision, Nancy. The party will push through."

"But sir, your safety is our priority here! We can't ignore the threat on your life!"

D-Death threat? My dad received one?

"My relatives, colleagues, and partners have confirmed their attendance tomorrow. If I cancel the event, can you imagine the shame that it would bring to me and my family?"

"I know it's embarrassing to make last-minute cancellations. But they will surely understand once we explain to them that it's due to security reasons. They also won't want you to be harmed, sir!"

"We will double the security so no one can ruin my party. I trust that they will do their jobs properly. If they can't assure my safety, then why am I paying them twice their salary?"

Walang nagawa ang kausap niya kundi ang manahimik. There was no point arguing with my father. One would always find themselves in the losing side. Kaya nga noong bata pa ako, lagi akong tumatango at sumusunod sa mga pinapagawa niya.

"Have you bought the dress for my daughter?" My dad broke the silence.

"Yes, sir. But I don't know Miss Lorelei's taste, so I bought ten of the best designs. I'll present them to her tomorrow morning."

T-Ten? Those dresses must have cost thousands of pesos! What would we do with the nine that did not suit my taste? Itatapon? Ido-donate sa charity?

"Make sure that all eyes will be on her tomorrow. Call the best hairstylist, call the best make-up artist. I want her to look like the princess that she is."

"Understood, sir. Is there anything else?"

"None. You may leave."

"Thank you and good night, sir."

The woman inside was wearing high heels, judging by the noise her shoes were making whenever they struck the marble floor. Tuluyang bumukas ang pinto ng study at lumabas ang isang babaeng naka-ponytail ang buhok. The rectangular spectacles worn before her brown eyes reflected the light from the chandelier.

"Miss Nancy!" I hissed twice, prompting her to turn in my direction.

"Miss Lorelei!" Nanlaki ang mga mata niya na parang nakakita siya ng multo. Nilapitan niya ako at hinila ang aking kamay. She brought me to the end of hallway, meters away from the study. Sumilip pa siya roon na tila iniiwasan niyang makita ako ni Daddy. "Totoo ngang nakabalik ka na! You have no idea kung gaano ka namin na-miss dito."

Niyakap niya ako nang mahigpit hanggang sa halos hindi na ako makahinga. I returned her embrace and patted her back. Na-miss ko rin siya at iba pang mga tao rito sa bahay.

"Naging malungkot na ang bahay na 'to mula nang umalis ka!" dugtong niya. Lumawak ang ngiti sa kaniyang mga labi. "My gosh. Hindi ko ma-express kung gaano ako kasaya na makita ka ulit! Akala ko'y nagdyo-joke ang papa mo nang sabihan niyang uuwi ka rito."

Pinunasan niya ang kaniyang mga nangingilid na luha gamit ang puting panyo. She had never changed. Hanga ako sa kaniya dahil nasisikmura niyang makatrabaho ang demanding kong ama. Kung ibang tao ang nasa posisyon niya, baka first day pa lang, nag-resign na sila sa trabaho.

"Kumusta na po kayo?" tanong ko. "Mukhang stressed na stressed kayo, ha?"

"Heto, nahihirapan pa rin minsan sa daddy mo. Ang tigas ng ulo niya! Uy, huwag mo akong isusumbong, ah?" Natawa siya bago biglang sumeryoso ang kaniyang mukha. "May pinoproblema nga ako ngayon. Ayaw niyang makinig sa akin kahit ilang beses ko siyang pakiusapan."

"Tungkol saan?" Nagkunwari akong walang narinig kanina. Hindi ko rin kasi alam ang buong detalye kaya mabuti kung manggagaling mismo sa kaniya.

Muli siyang napasilip sa hallway, balisa ang mukha niya. Nang wala siyang narinig o naramdaman na papalapit, humarap na siya sa akin. "Your dad received a death threat three days ago. We received a mail from an unknown sender. Nang buksan namin ang package, it contained nothing but five orange seeds."

"O-Orange seeds?" My eyebrows furrowed.

"We thought that was just a prank. But your dad consulted a good friend of his. The latter told him that the seeds meant danger." Pasulyap-sulyap siya sa hallway habang nagkukuwento. "Are you familiar with Sherlock Holmes? That fictional detective?"

Tumango ako. "A bit. My friend in Pampanga is a fan of that detective. Why?"

"Merong isang Sherlock Holmes short story kung saan pinadalhan ng limang buto ng orange ang isang biktima." Parang nagkukuwento siya ng horror story sa sobrang intense ng mukha at boses niya. "Do you know what happened to that man? He died!"

"You think this is a legit death threat?"

"Your father makes more enemies than friends everyday. Hindi na kataka-taka kung may magpapadala ng pananakot sa kaniya. We mostly dismiss them as idle threats. Hanggang salita lang ang mga pagbabanta sa buhay niya."

"But this one is different? Is that why you're convinced na baka totoong may magtatangka sa buhay ni Papa?"

Inilabas ni Nancy ang phone niya at in-access ang kaniyang gallery. She showed me a photo of flowers with missing petals and leaves. That's strange.

"These flowers were found in another package addressed to your father. Whoever sent these flowers and the orange seeds must be the same person. The details on the packages have the same penmanship."

"Have you figured out what they mean?" I asked.

"Your father consulted his friend again, and the latter revealed that something bad might happen in his party." Mabagal niyang binigkas ang sumunod na salita. "Death."

Napahawak ako sa aking baba habang tinititigan ang mga bulaklak. Mabuti't na-solve na ito kaya bawas na ang alalahanin namin. Makapagpo-focus na kami sa mismong banta.

Biglang hinawakan ni Nancy ang aking mga kamay. "Please convince your dad to cancel the event tomorrow! He's as stubborn as a ten-year-old kid! He won't listen to me. Maybe he will listen to you."

Napabuntonghininga ako. "Miss Nancy, you've been with my dad for years. You know him very well. My opinion means nothing to him. Kahit lumuhod tayong dalawa sa harapan niya, his decision is final and irrevocable."

I might not get along with my dad, but I cared about him. I would talk to him if there was any chance in turning his no into yes. Kaso walang kapangyarihan ang mga salita ko. Kaysa magsayang ako ng laway, mas pipiliin kong manahimik.

"Kung hindi talaga magbabago ang isip niya, wala akong choice kundi sundin ang gusto niyang mangyari," may buntonghiningang sabi ni Nancy. "I'll ask Douglas to triple the security in the party tomorrow. 'Yon ang tanging magagawa natin para masigurong walang mangyayaring masama sa papa mo."

Douglas is the head of our security detail. He had been with us for almost a decade now. Under his watch, ni minsa'y hindi nalagay sa peligro ang buhay ni Daddy. If he was effective at his job, no harm would come to my dad tomorrow.

"Speaking of party, binili kita ng sampung dress para bukas." Napawi ang kalungkutan at napalitan ng ngiti ang pangamba sa mukha niya. "Sana'y may mapili ka sa mga pinamili namin kanina. Your dad instructed me to make you look gorgeous—very gorgeous—tomorrow."

Kung ako ang tatanungin, mas gugustuhin ko ang simpleng itsura at pananamit. Ayaw ko nang masyadong agaw-pansin. Ayaw ko ng sobrang make-up. Hindi coloring book ang mukha ko na dapat lagyan ng iba't ibang cosmetic products.

"You must be tired. Dapat siguro'y magpahinga ka na muna." Nancy patted me on the head. "We have a big day tomorrow. I hope you would, uhm, like it."

Her voice cracking told me that something important was going to happen tomorrow. Pero hindi niya nagawang sabihin sa akin kung ano 'yon. I wondered what that was.

Hinatid niya ako sa aking kuwarto at nagpaalam na babalik sa kaniyang room. My hunger went away as my mind became preoccupied with the looming threat in my father's life. Humiga ako sa kama at iniunat ang mga braso ko. I stared at the light on the ceiling, trying to figure out if there was anything that I could do for tomorrow.

But my mind eventually turned blank. Naubos na yata lahat ng deductive juices sa utak ko para makapag-isip. How many cases did we close today? Three? That was too much for my brain to handle.

I shut my eyes and let the darkness embrace me. I wanted to have a good sleep tonight.

"Lorelei? Gising na."

Bigla akong napabalikwas mula sa pagkakahiga. I thought that I heard a gentle woman's voice. Lumingon-lingon ako sa paligid at pilit na hinanap kung saan galing ang boses na 'yon. Walang ibang tao sa kuwarto maliban sa akin. Hindi pa naman siguro haunted house ang bahay namin.

Whether that was a ghost or not, I got better things to do. Bumangon na ako't naghilamos sa bathroom. I washed my face with cold water and wiped it with the fresh towel. Tiningnan ko ang sarili kong reflection sa salamin. Medyo magulo ang buhok ko at halatang inaantok pa ang aking mga mata. I had another case to solve today. Maybe I could ask for Alistair's help since he would be attending, too.

Bigla ko ulit naisip. Talaga yatang nahawa na ako kay Loki na laging sinusundan ng mga kaso. Kahapon, sa dati kong school. Ngayon, sa mismong bahay namin. Sana'y may paraan upang makontra ang sumpa na 'to.

I finished my breakfast at the dining hall where I sat alone at one end of a long table. Our cook served a plate of eggs and bacon with garlic rice. Meron pang kasamang fruits na nasa isang platter. Did I eat with my dad? No, he asked for his breakfast to be brought to his study. Medyo nawirduhan nga ang mga kasambahay namin dahil usually, sa dining hall siya kumakain. Ngayon lang daw siya muling nag-agahan doon. Either he did not want to eat with me or he knew that I did not want to share the table with him.

The birthday celebration would be held at night so I rested all day in my room. Kailangan ko pang bawiin ang pagod ko kahapon. I might need my full faculties in the evening.

Bandang alas-kuwatro ako nagising dahil sa sunod-sunod na katok sa kuwarto ko. Gaya ng sinabi ni Nancy kahapon, ipinasok sa loob ang isang rack kung saan nakasabit ang sampung dress. May dala-dala rin silang isang tall mirror para makita ko ang buong katawan ko habang suot ang damit. Gusto ko pa sanang umidlip, pero hinila ako mula sa kama para mag-try na.

There were too many choices to choose from. Merong revealing na kita ang cleavage ko. Merong iba na exposed ang aking likuran. My dad instructed Nancy to make sure that all eyes should be on me, but I did not want to attract too much attention.

In the end, I chose the light blue dress with a ribbon around the waist. Mabuti't hindi ako masyadong nag-gain ng weight kaya fit na fit sa katawan ko ang damit. It exposed my thin arms and my neckline, but it was wholesome.

"Perfect!" Napapalakpak si Nancy habang pinanonood ang pag-ikot ko sa harapan ng salamin. "Ikaw ang magniningning na star of the night! Everyone's going to be enchanted when they see you in that dress!"

"My dad is the star of the night." Kumurba ang mga labi ko, muling tiningnan ang aking itsura sa salamin. "Siya ang ise-celebrate natin tonight, hindi ako. Sa kaniya dapat ang lahat ng atensiyon."

"You're his princess, so all eyes will be on you as well. You have to look the part. That's why . . ." Muling pumalakpak si Nancy sabay lingon sa pintuan. Pumasok ang dalawang babaeng kulot ang mga naka-highlights na buhok at may mahahabang eyelashes. Base sa mga kit na kanilang bitbit, they must be the hairstylist and make-up artist who would transform me from a simple maiden into a royal princess.

Naligo muna ako bago ako humarap sa kanila nang naka-bath robe at may tuwalyang nakapulupot sa ulo. "I prefer to look simple. Wala masyadong make-up. Wala masyadong arte."

"You heard the girl!" Nancy walked around the three of us. "Make her look simple . . . but elegant!"

Ipinikit ko ang aking mga mata at hinayaan silang simulan ang pag-aayos sa akin.

AS THE orange skies turned dark, cars began driving into our residence. Sumilip ako sa bintana ng kuwarto ko at may nakitang limousine na nag-park sa tabi. Karamiha'y luxury car ang sasakyan ng mga attendee ngayong gabi. Knowing the influence of my dad, he must have invited politicians, businessmen, and other guests with standing in the society. Kaya nga kung ika-cancel niya ang kaniyang party, talagang kahiya-hiya sa mga bisita. I somewhat understood his dilemma.

Nasa west wing ng Rios residence ang function hall kung saan gaganapin ang party. Pagpatak ng alas-siyete ng gabi, lumabas na ako sa aking kuwarto at dumaan sa isa pang hallway na nagkokonekta sa wing na pagdarausan ng event. Through this pathway, no one would notice me entering the hall.

Guests in their high-end coats and gowns started pouring in. Bago sila tuluyang makapasok, kinailangan muna nilang dumaan sa security na nag-set ng metal detector sa entrance. Chine-check din ang mga gamit ng mga dumalo at kinakapkapan ang mga suot.

Our function hall was decorated with dark blue wall and ceiling drapes. Tablecloths with the same color covered the round tables at the center. Classical music—my dad's favorite—played in the background while everyone was chatting with one another, waiting for the program to start.

I clutched on my chest as I walked toward the crowd. I'm the daughter of the celebrant, so people might start greeting me and asking me questions. Good luck sa akin kung paano ako makikipag-interact sa kanila.

"You look stunning tonight."

Natigil ang mga paa ko sa paglalakad at dahan-dahang lumingon sa lalaking nagsalita. If it were not for his neatly combed hair, I would not have recognized Alistair. He wore a white coat over a sky blue long-sleeved polo shirt with scarlet necktie. He looked as manly as ever. Kung hindi ko siya childhood friend, I might have fallen for him.

"H-Hey," nahihiya kong bati sa kaniya. This was not the first time he saw me in a dress, but I somewhat felt awkward sa harapan niya. "Wait, were you expecting me to come out of that door?"

"You're not the type of person who wants to attract attention, so you would rather slip inside the hall secretly." He jerked his thumb toward the door where I came from. "Kung papasok ka sa mismong entrance ng hall, siguradong pagtitinginan ka ng mga bisita sa ganda mong 'yan."

My cheeks turned red. Kapag galing sa kaniya ang compliment, siguradong genuine 'yon. Pero hindi ito ang oras para tumanggap ng papuri. I got to tell him something important about the attempt on my father's life.

"Al, I need your help." Seryoso ko siyang tiningnan sabay hila ng sleeve niya. "Something bad may happen tonight. We need to be on guard—"

Itinaas niya ang kaniyang kamay kaya agad akong napahinto. "Alam kong importante ang sasabihin mo, pero may gusto muna akong ipakilala sa 'yo."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "I've just told you that there could be danger in this party. Mas importante pa bang ipakilala mo ako sa ibang tao kaysa malaman kung ano ang panganib?"

"Don't worry, this will be quick. Let's go?" Hinawakan niya ang wrist ko at hinila ako patungo sa crowd. Muntikan na akong natapilok dahil naka-heels ako. Could he slow down? Kanino ba niya ako ipakikilala? Sa girlfriend niya?

Tumigil kami sa tapat ng mesa sa isang banda ng hall. Nakatalikod sa amin ang isang babaeng may straight na buhok na lagpas dibdib ang haba. She wore a crimson cocktail dress, almost revealing too much of her skin.

"Meet our friend." Napakumpas si Alistair sa kaniya.

Whoever that girl was, she turned to me. At first, may nakapintang malawak na ngiti sa mga labi niya, 'kita pa nga ang mga mapuputi ngipin. But as soon as she saw my face, her eyes widened in surprise. Muntik pa niyang nabitiwan ang hawak na baso.

"W-What are you doing here?" tanong niya. Sa tono ng kaniyang pananalita, parang kilala niya ako. Familiar din ang kaniyang boses. Saan ko na nga ba narinig 'yon?

"Have we met before?" tugon ko habang pinagmamasdan siya mula ulo hanggang heels. Parang nakita ko na noon ang mukha niya. Saan na nga ba . . . ? Biglang nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Nagtitigan kaming dalawa, tila hindi makapaniwala na magkaharap kami ngayon at nasa iisang lugar kami.

"Lorelei!"

"Jamie!"

Ako yata ang dapat magtanong sa kaniya kung ano ang ginagawa niya rito. Bakit nga ba nandito siya?

"Excuse me?" someone spoke behind me. That monotonous voice was also familiar to me. "I hope you're not trying to steal my date."

I turned around to confirm my suspicion. Isang lalaking magulo ang ayos ng buhok, laging inaantok ang mga mata, at naka-poker face ang bumati sa akin. Nakasuot siya ng dark gray three-piece suit na mukhang mas malaki sa kaniya. "L-Loki?!"

q.e.d.