New Life

"Adrasteia? Are you okay?"

"Huh?"

"I asked if you are okay."

"Ah, of course."

"Because your forehead is wrinkled, it seems like you are completely perfect in what you are reading."

"Ah, yes, it's beautiful."

"Really?"

I nodded and showed her the book that I was reading.

"Hmmm, it looks good. Is this crime fiction?"

"Romance and crime."

"Well huh, crime and romance. It's like he even found love in crime!"

"That's how it is."

"Wait, tell me quickly."

"Well, the star is Asunta Navo. She has a prosperous and beautiful life, she is the daughter of the richest businessman in the country, all her luxuries are granted, especially since she is an only child. Asunta was born beautiful, even when she was young people adored her, she had many lovers, but she only paid attention to one man, Crent Santos. A son of the politician who has a lot of criminal cases and illegal activities, he is currently involved in the illegal transaction of firearms. Even though there was evidence about Crent's father's bad behavior, it didn't change the way she looked at Crent. Instead of staying away from him like his father wanted, he took him as a tutor, Crent always teased him and he treated her special."

"I feel like that guy is bad!"

"Did you feel it right away, Sheina? Can't you just be really kind."

"Oh, Adrasteia. I know that, right. You're the first time you've come here, and I know right away what kind of woman you are. And I know you're kind! But come on, I'll give it the benefit of the doubt. Continue the story."

"Not until Candida Carols came into their lives, a new maid in the Santos mansion, she was hired to watch over Crent because his parents were busy with the case. Asunta is not used to being the second priority. When Candida arrived, Crent always put her aside. Out of her anger when Candida interrupted their tutor session, she accused Candida of stealing her expensive bag after Candida insulted her. She was banned from their mansion but nothing's gonna stop Candida from clinging to Crent who is just a teen at that time just like her."

"He did the right thing, go on." Sheina said as she reached for a bag of potato chips on her table.

"Crent didn't continue his tutor session with Asunta, which was a reason for her to be suspicious because he never canceled a tutor session with her. So she followed him out of the mansion. She found herself in the woods. Nearby her eyes landed on Crent's car parked on the darkest side of the trees. She noticed a head bobbing on his manhood. Then it hits her. Candida is abusing Crent's curiosity and innocence. She's corrupting her. Asunta is in rage, she couldn't think straight and she dragged Mariyah out of the truck."

"Out of shock, she couldn't believe how Candia is confident and not even scared about her going to jail because she's a pedophile. Candida only mocked her and that made her fuming mad. She grabbed her neck and choked her. The last thing she knew Candida was lying on the ground, dead and helpless. Everything went so fast, her fainting problem made it worse. All she can think about is whether she killed Candida or not," I said.

"Crent witnessed everything and told her to clean the crime scene and hide it. At first she was hesitant, she wanted to inform the authorities but she's scared of going to jail. Even though she's a spoiled brat she's not a killer. Crent convinced her to hide their crime, he's also an accomplice to it because he was there. Asunta doesn't have a choice when Crent puts some sense into her about the state of their family and social status. She is scared to lose everything because of a pedophile so she follows his orders. They buried Candida's lifeless body in the woods."

Her eyes are wide, actively listening to everything I say.

"After days of their crime, police are starting to look for Candida. She didn't tell anyone about that night, because that's what Crent said. It's the secret that will bind them forever. They need to be more careful and Asunta parents decided to send her to America to study and protect her from the bad guys of the town who are believed to be suspects of the disappearance of Candida, without them knowing that they can't protect their daughter from the bad guys because she is thebad guy."

"No way! Hell no! Is that true?"

"Uhu, I'm telling you the truth."

"So he was killed because of Crent? Huh? That stupid Crent!"

"Calm down, Sheina. You're too invested in the story I'm reading."

"Who isn't Adrasteia? Hello! That's so annoying! I'm also lazy to read, Unlike you who read a new book every day. I don't know how you manage to do that! Super amazing!"

"I'm not like Sheina either. I also have a tendency to get really wet every day. It's like you know that..."

"I know that Adra, I'm hungry every day!" She laughed.

Sheina and I have been friends since I moved here in Manila. Everything is good and nice. I have a good job, government employee.

My job is okay, the salary is just right. I know deep in my heart that I have a passion for something else, perhaps art and painting but I don't know why I never pursue it.

Maybe because Mom doesn't want it. I remember before that she wanted me to get rid of the paintings that I did, when I showed it to Alta she said it looked beautiful.

Even now, I never tried to paint again even though Mom wouldn't see that I was painting.

Because Mom's intuition is strong, she seems to know what's going on around me. I think she knew me better than I knew myself for the past four years.

"Come on Adra, keep going and maybe our lunch break will be over. The story is still good!"

I smiled and continued telling her about the story.

"Five years later, Asunta became a successful and famous international model. She came back to the Philippines for a fashion show, where she is the star of the runway. On the other hand Crent became a mayor. Asunta and Crent saw each other again for five years. Instead of a happy night, celebrating their successful life, A detective went to the fashion show to arrest Crent and told them that they found a body meters away from his mansion. Asunta knew the detective was familiar to him but she shrugged it off. She is concerned about Crent so she went to his mansion. Instead of hugs and kisses from Crent she was greeted by none other than Hanna Carols.

"Candida's younger sister. Crent hired her to be her maid. Asunta protested but Crent did nothing about it, saying he's guilty about what they did and that is the only way he could help the poor girl. Soon enough, she found out that the detective who arrested Crent the night of her fashion show was actually the detective who handled the case of Candida five years ago."

I'm always with Sheina because she's like Alta who shakes and talks. I also miss that one, because since I found a job here in Manila that Mom recommended to me, we rarely see each other, but she comments on my stories on Facebook and Instagram. That's even a heart. He likes to comment on some nonsense.

Sometimes we also do vi-video calls because I rarely see you in person. He has also met Sheina and it seems that the two of them had a great vibe. Sheina is like Alta's copy paste. I don't know if the two are twins, if they look alike, that's what I would think, if not. They both speak and speak very fast.

Seems like Alta is always with me, even though she is not technically here.

"Hannah and the detective seem to have a relationship too. Not long after that Asunta kept on receiving death threats, she was attacked at her home. The trespasser is not caught. Asunta safety is at stake so they decided to go back to her hometown Riqueza. On the celebration of her Dad's recognition award in their mansion, the trespasser called her to meet with him. It turns out that he's Candida's boyfriend. He saw what happened that night. He's seeking help from Asunta but she doesn't know why. Terrified of what he will do to her as the trauma of her past flashes before her. She didn't know what to do until Crent showed up and shot the only witness of their crime. For the second time she's involved again in a crime. No matter how hard she runs away from trouble it always finds ways to ruin her. Crent ordered her to go back to the party and not let anyone leave the party yet because he needed more time to clean the evidence and blood stains." I continued.

We are working on a government job. It seems boring because it is really boring. Even though Sheina is boring that's why sometimes I actually bring a book to read during our break time and free time.

He always tells me stories because he likes watching movies more than getting wet. He said he was not patient with this.

I do not know.

There's something pulling me to read a lot of novels. It's like something inside me is looking for something missing.

Like an important part of me is taken away.

"Oh! Crent just made everything worse! Because the boy will tell everything! Nah! If only I could tell Asunta, I would tell immediately! Girl you need to run! Crent is a very red flag!"

I laughed at her statement.

"So what happened? Go ahead!"

"She was trembling, her heart thudded wildly. She was lost again in the dark. Her senses came back when Ben showed up. He questioned her for roaming around without her bodyguards but she reasoned out. Before she could even talk about something else Hannah showed up with him. She tried to keep her cool. To stop Ben from leaving the party, he asked her to help her into her room and lay on the bed, her head resting on Ben's lap. She was admiring his gorgeous face but she couldn't keep focus because of the things that happened. She wants to forget everything even in just one night. And she did it with Ben. Days later Ben and Asunta got closer and he decided to re-open the case years ago, thinking it might be connected to Asunta's death threats. Someone is still sending her death threats even though Candida's boyfriend is dead. He can no longer see what is happening as her life is falling apart. She can no longer be a model and attend fashion shows. So she decided to run away but her car was sabotaged and the car brake was not working."

"It's Jusmiyo! Is it really even his car that keeps up! It's too bad!"

"Of course that's not the end yet so let me continue. Good thing Ben is patrolling in their mansion and he saved her. He put her in a safe place, their rest house to prevent her from running away. Asunta is slowly falling for him but it slowly fades when she sees Hannah and Ben locking lips behind the precinct. She was broken and betrayed. She left Ben's rest house. She ran to Crent's place but her parents told them to go home. Ben confronts her about the DNA he found on the dead body of Candida's boyfriend. She doesn't want to incriminate herself so she confronts him back with what she saw. The argument adds flame to their burning and breaking hearts. She was out shopping trying to calm herself from the stress but then she saw her face on the news. It was all out, she's a criminal in everyone's eyes. She tried to go home but the police were there so she ran away and went to Adrian hoping he could help her but he only hurt her. She caught Crent and Hannah having sex. Hannah confessed that it's all her doing, she was playing all of them. Asunta tried to put some sense into Crent but he couldn't help his madness for her. She has nowhere to go, she falls down from grace. Everything was lost and she couldn't accept what happened. She knows she'll never survive in prison with all the judgment and shame of the people so she decided to end her life and drove the car on the edge of the cliff. Letting the ocean take all her pain away."

"Hey! The gossip is over! It's back to work, the break is over!" said one of our co-workers.

I stopped talking to Sheina and continued with work.

After our work, Sheina immediately approached me.

"Hey, go ahead with the story tomorrow, have you finished the story yet?"

"Not yet Sheina, but I'll read it later." I promise.

"Okay, okay! Will Alessandro pick you up? Will you go home together?" This is a question.

"I'm not sure if it's still busy."

"Let's go together." She suggested.

I nodded at her.

We went home together because we both went the same way.

I looked at my phone when it lit up.

Mom texted me.

Mother:

What time did you and Alessandro go home?

I can't help but sigh. Mom really is pushing him to me.

It's embarrassing.

It is starting to get awkward.

The person is just my friend but this Mom is terrible if she can think. He thought we were dating.

I don't know why Mom keeps pushing me to Alessandro. Kind a like what Asunta felt with Ben when his father is forcing her to love him instead of Crent.

But Asunta's father didn't make a mistake because Ben is actually kinder compared to Kay Crent, who is the one who harmed Asunta and ruined her life.

Fuck!

The story speaks to me. Relate to my story. But I didn't kill anyone or anything. I'm not to blame for any crime.

The only crime I did was leaving Colmillos.

To me it was a crime, leaving my hometown, where I grew up, where I learned how to love.

How to love books.

"Hey! It's a full moon today!" Sheina said.

I looked up at the sky.

I can't help but smile and be drawn to the moon.

Ever since we moved here Mom always banned me from looking at the moon, she wants me to avoid everything that is connected to the moon.

She doesn't want me to paint, she doesn't want me to read or watch vampire movies.

Even in fantasy he doesn't want to watch me.

I don't know what happened with Mom. She's so scared about something. She's not like that before.

As I remember, he didn't forbid me that much before. He just doesn't want to paint. But now there are too many.

Sheina and I went home together. When I got home, I found Mom waiting for me.

Ever since we moved here in Manila, mom is like this. She's always waiting for me.

"Hmm? Alessandro isn't there?" she asked.

"I think he's busy Mom."

"Hm, maybe. What did you say? Did you text?"

"No, Mom."

"Okay nevermind, let's go and eat but I'll talk to Alessandro and maybe stop by." She smiled.

"I don't know why he didn't pick you up today. He always picks you up, maybe something bad happened to him?"

"Or maybe he doesn't want Mom? Then why are you so worried about Alessandro. I'm your daughter Mom." I joked.

"Of course you are! But he is also a family now. Another thing is that since we came here, he was your very first friend and never left you. He is very kind. He even helped you get a job. Not only that, very kind. Handsome and very polite! Good job, tall! Beautiful body! where are you That kid is the full package."

I raised my eyebrows at Mom.

"Do you like him, Mom?" I asked.

She dropped the ladle.

"What are you saying? Of course not. What I mean is you two would be a perfect couple."

"There it is," I said and sighed.

"What? It's true!"

"We are friends Mom."

"Your Dad and I were also friends before."

I pursed my lips at what she said. I knew it. Mom really likes Alessandro for me. I don't understand why she likes him so much for me. Although it's true that Alessandro is handsome, tall and a full package.

I'm not interested in him. He is my friend. I don't see him more than that.

Even Sheina used to have a crush on him.

I looked up from my phone when it vibrated on my pocket.

Even Mom saw what it was.

"See? I told you he is coming!"

It's Alessandro.

"Mom, you are so much more excited than me," I said.

"Why? He might propose—", she cut herself off.

My forehead creased because of what she said.

Proposed?

Propose what?

Fuck shit.

Is this what I'm saying? I got up from my chair and grabbed my bag.

"Where are you going?" Mom asked.

"Don't leave, Alessandro will come later!"

"I'm just going to take my stuff upstairs, Mom. I'll be back." I reasoned.

Before he could speak, I stepped forward, he was sure to stop me.

Once I reached upstairs I left my bag in my room and took the book that I was reading. I went up to the rooftop and locked the door.

I sit on a sofa I put here. I opened the book and read it where I left off earlier.

I need to escape from this world. Since I can't actually do it. This is the only way I can escape it. I can be whoever I want when I read books. I was there with them. I was the one exploring my own journey. Not caged and limited to what others dictate me or want me to do.

Two years later, she is alive, opposite from what other people believe. To them, she was dead after that suicide attempt on the ocean. She was forced to turn into a life of crime. She was saved by an old woman but she left her care, scared that she would turn her to the police but she ended up being involved in a gang of thieves who use her beauty to lure men so they could steal from her. She wanted to get out of the gang but the gang leader told her she could only get out once she agreed to rob a mansion. She doesn't have a choice but to agree, just to get out of her miserable situation. She was shocked to find Ben in the mansion so as he, the woman she loved who he thought was dead was in front of him, turns out it's their cousin's property and let him use it to catch the gang of thieves.

She badly wanted to run from him but she injured herself and he caught her, convincing her to stay. Asunta tried to sneak out of the mansion and planned to car napped a car in the gasoline station just to get away from him but the car she stole was his. They both reconciled and forgave each other for all the lies and heart breaks they caused. But this time Ben is eager to turn her in to seek for the real suspect, he firmly believes that Asunta is innocent because of her fainting problem. As he says, anything can happen in the blink of an eye. Asunta doesn't want anything to do with the police because the evidence is all pointing at her, so she convinces Ben not to bring her to jail. As an advance birthday gift, Ben invited her parents to visit the rest house without knowing their daughter was there.

Asunta was shocked to see them, and so were her parents. They share an emotional reunion after years of pain and suffering. Her parents continue to visit the rest house every week. On the dinner date with her parents, she was confused as to why Hannah was calling Ben so she answered it only to hear a desperate girl begging for his attention and love. That moment she knew that Hannah was in fact delusional. Craziness is running through their blood and veins, just like her pedophile sister. On her birthday, her parents came to the rest house, they didn't have any idea that an unwanted visitor was following them. While they are chatting and enjoying the meal, the doorbell rings and Asunta opens it without even knowing who is in front of the house. Hannah's eyes widened and she stiffened right where she stood when Asunta opened the door, she became hysterical. She brought the media together with her to prove that Asunta is alive. She keeps on insulting her and suspecting her of killing her sister.

Fuck shit.

Asunta seems to have a bigger problem than me. I mean, clearly it's far way worse.

She is blamed and condemned for something she didn't do. It's not all his fault. He really only loves making people.

Loved a man who didn't love her...

A light crossed in my head that made me drop the book.

I held my head because of the pain.

I looked up at the sky. Full moon.

Why do I always feel like this whenever the moon comes around?

There's really something weird with me and the moon. I don't know what it is and Mom won't let me find out about it.

I shook my head, trying to remove the thought in my mind.

I picked up the book again and continued reading.

Asunta couldn't take any insults anymore so she grabbed her hair and warned her that she would be right next to her sister if she didn't shut her lying mouth. Asunta doesn't care anymore. Her reputation is already stained, nothing worse that could ruin it. She was sent to prison, her cousins ​​found out about it and flew to help her, especially her friend, Emory, one of the best lawyers in the country. Even though the issue about the Asunta case weakened their company's still striving, they still have enough money to hire four attorneys for Asunta. While Ben lost his job because he hid the suspect, he sacrificed his passion profession for love.

The chance of Asunta winning the case is impossible than anything but Ben devises a plan to catch Crent from telling the truth. He believes that it was Crent doing not hers, he only put the blame on her. So Ben devises a plan to catch him. One night he kidnapped Asunta in the prison and when the guards were alerted, he was cornered. He took her as his hostage, saying he was blinded by love to the point that she became the reason why he lost his job and his passion.

Hannah on the other hand came to the scene and urged Ben to kill Asunta in front of every police in the area. Crent, who happened to pass the street hoping to visit the old park where he and Asunta used to spend their time, saw the police rushing to the park. Curiously, he went and witnessed Ben holding a gun under Asunta's throat while Hannah was shouting to end Asunta's life while she pleaded. His heart broke as he watched the only woman who loved her plead and fight for her life trying to prove her innocence in the crime. Asunta met Crent's gaze as tears started to pool in his eyes.

For the first time in two years this is the only time he saw her and she was shocked at how distraught he was. On the edge of the intense scene where the police are preparing to shoot Ben to free Asunta, fear arises to them. Hannah confessed that she killed many so she could be together with Ben in prison if she killed Asunta. On the verge of everything Adrian shouted, throwing the words of truth that set Asunta free from the cage and prove her innocence. He revealed that he killed Candida Reyes.

He agreed on going with her in the woods to kill her so she couldn't talk ill of his father in court. He knew how greedy she was and he knew that the other party offered her bigger money so she could put his father in jail. He didn't want Asunta to be part of his crime but he didn't have a choice, he took advantage of Asunta's fainting problem and put the blame on her, making him innocent and chaining Asunta on his side, keeping her forever. But it didn't go as well as he planned. His conscience has been killing him for years. Guilty of ruining lives, especially those who are innocent.

I stopped reading when I heard an engine rumbling down below.

I stood up and peered down. I caught a glimpse of Alessandro's descent.

He looked up. Our eyes met eye to eye.

A smile formed on his lips as he looked at me.

I smiled at him sparingly.

I was the first to look away and return to where I was sitting earlier. I continued reading.

I'm sure Mom would go up here in a minute.

I shook my head from the thought and tried to focus on the book.

Hanna and Crent are sent to prison. While Asunta cleaned her reputation, Ben is suspended for his act that turns out to be his plan to save Chantrea because he knew that Crent loves her until now, he saw how he went crazy for Asunta when they thought she died. He pleaded for him to bring her back and save her the way he couldn't. Asunta is still charged for the robbery and stealing she did when she was still part of the crime gang. After she bailed from it. She helped her parents get back on track with the business. Instead of going back to fashion shows, Asunta chooses to live in the rest house, at peace with nature and the only man he loves.

For she vows to never conform to the law, but she will let herself be greedy for peace and love of the only man who loves her more than herself. Who believes in her even if the world didn't. And for anyone who would break their faith and union, she wouldn't hesitate to fight and commit a crime.

I'm overwhelmed when I finished reading the book. Asunta is willing to commit another crime for the person she loves because he is the only one who stands with her when she needs the support of everyone close to her. When everyone turned their back on her, he stayed with her.

"Adra! Where are you? Alessandro is here!"

Just what I thought. Mom is here.

I look up at the sky, to the full moon.

I can't help but wonder, what am I willing to do for the person I love?

If I will love someone...

But I haven't.

I haven't fallen in love with someone yet...

But I don't know why I felt like I did before. But I have no memory of it. Or maybe it's just in my dreams since I like to daydream and read.

The stories are getting into my head.

"Adra! There you are, come with me. He is here. I told you he will come to see you! Let's go."

I sighed.

"Oh come on, Adra. Why don't you give him a chance? You are lucky he is making an effort to see you, unlike any other guy who doesn't even make a small effort. Besides it's been years I'm sure he is not waiting for you anymore."

I frowned at what Mom said.

"What?"

His eyes widened. "Huh? Nothing."

"Mom, you said something—" I was cut off when Alessandro appeared behind Mom. Smiling ear to ear.

"Hello, Addy."