Chapter 01: Runaway People

Shiloh's POV

May 17, 2042...

"WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS SHILOH?"

I turned my head down when I heard Mrs. Sanders yelled. The crashing sound on the table after she threw the papers filled the silent room. Everyone who was there was not saying a word. I could not speak because of shame and fear. I just stared at the papers that I was printing a while ago, and now on the floor. The papers were crumpled and she almost tore them in front of me. I did my best in writing the project, but they seemed unsatisfied.

Mrs. Lorene Sanders is the CEO of Syntax Press Co. I have been working for like... five years? I guess, dive years. She's in her late 40's but still looks like she's in her 20s. Her shiny blonde hair, tall and slim physique, and well taken care skin made her look young. She's a widow now by the way and the company was previously owned by Ben Sanders.

"Are you even taking this seriously, Shiloh?" Mrs. Sanders said while her hands on her hips, looking so done to me. "I couldn't see any improvement in your work. Damn it! This is not worth reading!"

Hindi na ako nagsalita dahil hindi ko na rin naman alam ang sasabihin ko. I am disappointed with myself. All this time, I am praying that I will have a breakthrough novel and to be praised by my customers-but none of that has happened yet.

"Sorry po, ma'am. I am going to rewrite and revise it," I said.

Kung nakakamatay lang ang tingin ay kanina pa ako patay dito. Ang talim ng tingin sa akin ni Mrs. Sanders. I mean, lagi naman s'ya naha-highblood sa akin pero binibigyan niya ako ng second chance.

Mrs. Sanders sighed heavily. "Tell me, Shiloh. Why is this output so bad? This is worse than your other mediocre work." She sat on the swivel chair and massaged her temple, then he continued, "Mr. Rory McDaniels will surely go mad if he had read this shit."

"It's my first time writing a werewolf story," I said, almost a whisper.

"What? Come again."

"It's my first time—"

"Holy shit! It's your first time yet you fucking took it. What's going on inside your head?" She yelled at me. Her voice made me flinch but I tried hard to stand firmly.

"Because no one is contacting me lately. I am desperate..."

She massaged her temple more, she's almost punching the air right now. "Shiloh Greene, listen to me..." She stared at me intently. I gulped as our eyes met. "Don't fucking do this again. I'll let it slide this time. But don't do it again. Understand?"

"I understand, Mrs. Sanders."

"I know you're frustrated or maybe you're mad, or hurt, because of our harsh comments to you. But Shiloh, we are just helping you, okay?" Her voice was calm now. She's always like after this whenever she nags at me. "We are family here at Syntax Press. You know that you need improvements, right?"

I nodded. "I know..."

"Okay, now go! Rewrite and fix this, you still have a week, darling." She clapped her hands twice the tempo of the usual clap and said, "Come on, move! Hurry!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

Pagkalabas ko ng office ni Mrs. Sanders ay hindi pa rin ako makahinga. Hindi ko ma-explain iyong nararamdaman ko. I am embarrassed because for the nth time, ako nanaman ang bunot. Ako nanaman ang napagalitan. Well, deserve ko naman. Pero minsan nahi-hurt din ako.

Umiling ako. 'Shh! Remove the negative thoughts!' Dapat ay lagi lang positive vibes.

"Naku, Shiloh! Bunot ka nanaman ni madam," sabi ni Thomas na nagtitimpla ng kape.

"Ano nanaman ginawa mo girl?" tanong ni Lilah sa akin. "Let me guess, pangit nanaman ang gawa mo?"

I was left silent. True naman ang sinabi niya pero bakit need niya pa ipamukha sa akin?

I tried to calm myself and gave her a small smile. "Mrs. Sanders just wants me to improve. I'll take her criticism positively," I said. Well, I have no choice. Hindi pwedeng magpaka-balat sibuyas ako rito. Ito lang ang nag-iisa kong trabaho. Plus, I am always optimistic with my job. "Marami pa kasi akong need matutunan."

This is my team, The Team X. Our manager or team head is Miss Marianne Torres. My co-writers here are: Thomas Guzman, Lilah Juegos, Karen Cruz, and Candace Francisco, the secretary of Miss Marianne. Among them, I am the worst writer. Yes, I know that. I have self-awareness and there's no point denying that. But I am trying... I am doing my best to improve.

"Why don't you quit?" Napalingon ako kay Karen na nagsalita. Nang tingnan ko siya ay bigla siyang nagkibit-balikat. "Suggestion lang naman."

"Kaya nga, girl... Lagi ka na lang napapagalitan."

I frowned. "I don't want to."

"No offense ha... pero ang boring mo kasi talaga magsulat," sabi ni Lilah sa akin.

I know that. I could feel that. Whenever I read the words I wrote... they felt soulless and empty. Parang walang emosyon sa bawat hinabina salita. Iyong ang problema sa mga gawa ko. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko siya maayos.

"Kaya ko pa naman mag-improve," sabi ko. I tried to smile to hide the pain. I should get used to this by now, but I don't know why it still hurts. "It's possible to improve. Mrs. Sanders believes in me."

Umiling si Karen. "Bahala ka, sis. Basta sinasabi ko na sa 'yo."

Biglang sumulpot si Thomas na may dalang mug. "Itigil niyo na nga iyan. Alam niyo naman na mahal na mahal ni Shiloh ang pagsusulat. Just let her be!" Umupo siya sa harapan ng working table niya. "Hangga't hindi siya tinatanggal, e 'di walang problema."

Nagkibit-balikat si Lilah. "Basta sinabihan na namin siya. Girl, nakakapagod din kaya pagalitan ni Mrs. Sanders 'no."

"Hay! Tama na nga 'yan. Balik na sa work," suway ni Thomas.

I just went back to work, I have to rewrite Mr. Rory McDaniels' project. Kailangan ko ito maayos at maipakita kay Mrs. Sanders na kaya ko. I can't lose this job because I still want to write, and this is the only thing I can do.

"Shiloh, Miss Torres wants you to go to her office," Candace informed me.

I nodded. "Okay."

Inayos ko ang papers sa mesa ko at pagkatapos dumiretso ako agad sa opisina ni Miss Torres. Kinakabahan ako dahil baka pagalitan niya rin ako. Sigurado ako na nakarating na sa kanya na pinaglitan nanaman ako ni Mrs. Sanders.

"Come in..."

Marianne Torres is just a year older than me, she's 28. She graduated with an AB Communication Arts degree at De La Salle University-Manila. She's a talented writer, a novelist and screenwriter, but for some reason she quitted her job. She was a screenwriter for famous films such as "She's That Girl!" and "Maybe, Maybe" that had a huge success. Her father was a screenwriter too, but then, she chose to be here in Syntax Press Co. I know that she can have a job in a bigger company but she chose to stay here... for unknown reasons.

Pagkapasok ko sa office ni Miss Torres ay nakita ko na busy siya sa pagrereview ng mga documents sa table niya. Pansin ko ang ang hindi pa nagagalaw na mga papel.

"Miss Torres..."

Umangat ang tingin niya sa akin. "Oh, you're here..."

"Pinapatawag niyo raw po ako."

Tumango siya. "Yeah, I have something important to tell you."

"Uhhh... Ano po 'yon?"

Huminga siya nang malalim bago niya ako tignan. "Shiloh, I know you love writing and you've been part of Syntax Press for almost five years. But..."

I think I know where this is going. "But?"

"I am sorry..."

"Po?"

"Your project with Mr. McDaniels will be your last project here in Syntax Press," she informed me. I almost lost my breath. I couldn't find the right words to say. Nakita ko ang expression sa mukha ni Marianne, mukhang malungkot siya para sa akin. "I'm sorry, Shiloh..."

I closed my mouth and gulped for god knows how many times. I tried to suppress my tears and my voice from cracking. "I-I understand..."

No, I couldn't. I am trying despite my flaws and shortcomings. I am doing my best and I've been loyal to this company for many years. Bakit ngayon pa? Hindi pa ba pwede ang second chance.

"We're giving you a week to finish Mr. McDaniels book. Plus an extension of one to two months and if no one contacted you, we have to let you go-"

"W-Wala na bang second chance para dito, Miss Torres?"

Hinilot niya ang sentido niya. "Alam mo na marami ng chance ang binigay sa 'yo."

"But, I love this job..."

"Business is business, Shiloh. I know you know that," she said.

I left her office, heartbroken. The news broke my heart so bad that I feel that every part of my body became numb. I had never before been so devastated like this, I loved writing wholeheartedly. I always believed that I had a secure career, a stable job in my passion, but once it was taken away from me, I realized that there was nothing left from me.

Nasa harap ako ng gate ng bahay namin. Ilang beses akong humugot nang malalim na hininga. Hindi ko ipapakita kay mama na problemado ako. For sure, she will ask, and she will interrogate me. I know it might affect her too.

"Oh, SHiloh. You're here... Come join us. Nakapaghanda na ko ng dinner. Tinulungan ako ni Joe," sabi ni mama sa akin pagkapasok na pagkapasok ko ng bahay.

Ngumiti ako sa kanya. "Okay po."

"May problema ba?"

I knew it! Kaunting pagbabago lang sa boses ko ay napapansin na agad ni mama. Pero umiling ako agad at ngumiti. "Gutom lang 'to. What's for dinner?"

"I cooked your favorite... adobo!"

"Great!" I smiled, and then I asked her, "Where's dad?"

"Oh, upstairs."

This is my small family. I am the eldest, and I have two younger half-siblings, and one step-brother. My mother married Joe Greene, a US citizen, when I was 17. So, after they got married, I changed my surname from Ynarez to Greene. Then my younger siblings came, Shaun James and Sheryl Janine, they're twins by the way. Despite having Joe Greene, I never felt that he's a father to me. But, I still call him 'dad' because it's my mother's request. Actually, Joe only cares for his children. Yep, I never met my real father. That's why I always yearn for family. Real family.

The one I can call home.

Matapos ko magpalit ng damit ay agad na pumunta na ako sa dining area para sa family dinner namin. I was a bit late, they already started eating.

"Mom, what's the noise outside?" Sheryl asked while eating her food.

My forehead creased, I just noticed the honking sound of trucks from outside. Kung hindi pa sinabi ni Sheryl ay hindi ko pa mapapansin.

"Ah, someone is moving next to our house."

"It was Sanchez's residence, right?" Shaun asked.

"Yeah. Someone bought it because the Sanchez's will be migrating to London."

"That's great," Sheryl commented.

I wonder who is our new neighbor. Siguro ay dapat namin siya i-treat by giving him some treats. Maybe I should send him something tomorrow. It's my day-off tomorrow by the way.

The door opened after I hit the doorbell. Today is my day off so it's a perfect time to get to know our new neighbor.

"Hello," he said.

A man in his 40's... No! 50's! I am not sure. But he's kind of aging so I guess he's around that age. He's tall, around 6'2 or 6'3, and his body still looks good. His skin is pale and has some freckles, and his hair is a bit blonde with white hairs. I guess he's an American or European? Even though the old age is obvious on his face, you know that he was really handsome in his youth. The type of handsomeness that could bend someone.

He smiled and the lines beside his mouth was a sign of his age, but it somewhat made him attractive. "How can I help you?"

"U-Uhh... I am your neighbor." I showed him the heart-shaped brown box with a red ribbon on top. "I baked this cookie for you."

He smiled again. "That was so nice of you." He glanced at the box and then looked at me again. "What's your name?" he asked.

Damn! His voice is so nice and calm. I feel like I've heard it before.

"Shiloh... Shiloh Amehlia Greene."

"You can call me Uncle B."

He offered his hands, I shook it. "Nice to meet you, Shiloh."

I don't know if I am just exaggerating or what, but his voice is so pleasant to ears. I feel like I could listen to him talking for hours. He has a speaking voice that voice actors would die for.

I smiled at him. "If you need any help, I could help you. Don't hesitate to call anyone in Greene's residence."

"You guys are so kind." He motioned his hand and added, "Why don't you join me for a coffee and let's eat this cookie."

I agreed to join him because I wanted to become a good neighbor. I entered his house, it was so empty. He asked me to go to his garden at the back of his house. His garden is more full than his house. There was a table and chairs there, perfect for coffee time while watching the green plants.

"So, Shiloh... How old are you?" he asked.

"27."

He was taken aback. "Really? What's your profession? Are you still studying or working?"

"Working."

"What work?" he asked.

"Writer-Ghost writer to be exact."

"Oh! That was cool."

"Thanks," I said.

"That was a promising profession. I hope that you're enjoying it."

I looked at him while he's preparing the coffee. "How about you? How old are you and what do you do in your life?"

He smiled. "Me? I am 67, so I am already retired."

"67?!" I screamed because I was so shocked. 'You don't look like 67. You look like you're in your 40s."

Uncle B chuckled. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"I-I never thought about it... I was surprised."

"The world is always surprising, Shiloh."

"Nakakaloka!" Tumawa na lang ako. "By the way, do you understand the Filipino language?"

"Of course, I am Filipino."

"What the heck?!" I was surprised once again. "H-How?"

"My mother is Filipino-Spanish and my father is American. Sounds like a pretty good combination, right?" He chucked and sat down. He handed me the coffee that he made. "Take a sip."

I took a sip, and it tasted amazing. "It's good."

"Thanks."

"So why did you move here, Uncle B?" I asked him. Then I added, "You know, it's pretty peaceful here. Pero medyo malayo rin ito sa bayan. Kailangan mo pa mamasahe palabas or kung may kotse ka, mas convenient."

"That's what I like about here... peaceful and far away from people."

"How about your family?"

"They're fine and I always contact them as much as I can."

I looked around his garden and his house. "Contact them? You're living alone? You're living without them?"

"Yeah..."

"But, why?"

"Because I am running away..."

My forehead immediately creased. Ano ang ibig sabihin ni Uncle B? That was a bit of a weird answer. "Why? Are you some sort of criminal or like... a bad person?"

"You know..."

"What?"

He chuckled. "People ran away for different reasons..."

"Then, why? Why are you running away?"

He looked at me intently while sipping his coffee. Then, I saw him take a bite of the cookie I made. "When you eat cookies everyday, no matter how much you like it you will get tired of it. You'll get fed up." He filled his now empty cup with coffee. Then he added, "I lived my whole life pleasing people and tolerating the noise that this world made. I got fed up. So, I wanted to live here to run away from that."

Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko. He seemed like he went through a lot, yet he looked calm and cool about it. "It must be hard for you..."

"Sometimes you need to learn the hard way, Shiloh." He looked at me intently and said, "The world is harsh, and most of the time life will fuck you up. You gotta learn to deal with it to survive."

"I know..."

He chuckled. "Glad you're aware."

Uncle B was so nice, even to my siblings. I brought Shaun and Sheryl to help Uncle B in his gardening. He was so talented and my young siblings loved it whenever he show-off. He played piano for them and sang them the songs they used to sing in their school. Uncle B's speaking voice is immaculately good, but his singing voice is so melting. Like a marshmallow melting on fire. It seemed like he was enjoying, and we got along with him easily.

I was preparing to leave the office now. When Thomas suddenly asked me. "You seemed busy. Anong pinagkakaabalahan mo?"

"Deadline ko na kay Mr. McDaniels."

"Pero glowing ka," biglang sabat ni Candace.

"We have a new nice neighbor, an old man, and I was enjoying accompanying him. He's the nicest..." I said to them, "And my siblings like him too."

"Well, glad that you're happy," Candace said.

Busy ako na nagpi-prepare ng gamit ko nang bigla nanaman na nasalita si Lilah.

"Girl, Beau retired from show business na pala?" tanong ni Lilah kay Candace. "Favorite pa naman siya ng mom ko. Pinanood kasi namin last night 'yung last movie na ginawa niya raw."

"Girl, kaloka ka! Last year pa retired si Beau. Paka-late mo sa chika!" sabi ni Candace lay Lilah.

"I can't believe na 6o plus na siya. He looked too good and young pa," sabi ni Lilah.

"It's Ackehurst's genes, I guess. Ay! Speaking of Ackehurst, kakabili ko lang ng new Maroon Ackehurst bag! Pak! Luxurious!" Tumawa si Candace matapos ipagmalaki ang Ackehurst bag niya.

"Ang bongga! Asensado na ang bruha!"

"I also got a limited edition of Beau Hayes Ackehurst photo with his signature," sabi ni Candace at winagayway ang photo.

"Hoy! Ang swerte!" Agad tumayo si Lilah at sinilip ang picture. "Patingin! Patingin!"

Out of curiosity ay sinilip ko rin ang picture. Hindi naman pinagdamot ni Candace at pinakita niya sa amin ang picture. When I saw the picture, my jaw almost dropped to the floor. I stared at the photo, then blinked twice to make sure I was not seeing things.

This man... this man is...

"That's Beau Hayes Ackehurst? The famous actor and one of Ackehurt's heirs?" I asked.

"Girl, saang galing kweba ka? Never mo pa nakita si Beau?" tanong ni Lilah.

I shook my head. "I saw his old films before and... gosh! Why the fuck I didn't noticed. That's why he's so familiar-"

"What the heck are you talking about, Shiloh?" tanong ni Lilah.

"N-No... N-Nothing! I have to go now."

Mabilis akong umuwi at agad na hinanap ang mga magazines na sinusubaybayan ni mama. Pati na rin ang mga old films na pinapanood niya. Damn! I need to confirm it! I need to make sure that it was him. But I can't find it! Fuck! I-search ko na lang para mas madali.

Then, his picture showed up.

"Damn... Why the hell I didn't noticed."

I scrolled more photos and then I went outside. I saw Uncle B staring at the sunset and the bird flocking above the electric wires. He was smiling, and at peace. I stared at him and the photos on my phone.

Yes, it's confirmed.

Uncle B is none other than the dashing Beau Hayes Ackehurst.

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