PROLOGUE

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The rain was pouring as I waited a taxi cab. Kagagaling ko lang sa Palm Institute para mag-apply sana bilang Psychology Instructor, but sadly hindi ako natanggap.


I held my transparent envelope at walang dalang payong. The Korando vehicle crossed and make a stop. The man came out at may hawak siyang payong.



"Excuse me Miss," lumapit siya sa akin. "Are you lost?"



"No... E, nag-aabang lang ako ng masasakyan pauwi."



"I will take you home," offer niya sa akin.



With no idea, sumama lang ako sa kaniya sukob sa dala niyang payong. At sakay nang sasakyan, agad nag-sink in sa utak ko ang hindi niya pamilyar na mukha. Maybe he's in mid thirties or fourtees and he wore business attire.



"If you don't mind, saan ka ba galing?" Medyo cold ang kaniyang boses.



"From Palm Institute," tipid kong sagot.


"Are you a student from P.I?"


"No. I'm an applicant."


"I see. So, saan ka ba uuwi?"



Binigyan ko ng tingin ang isang magazine from the distance. "Rain La Costa." Hindi ko agad napagtanto kung bakit ito ang isinagot ko sa kaniya.



"Do you know him?"


Gusto ko sanang sabihin sa kaniya kung gaano ko kakilala si Rain pero alam kong matagal na 'yun.



"He's an icon, he is famous and rich and all people knew him."



Ngumiti sya, "That's great."


Sandaling katahimikan ang umikot sa pagitan naming dalawa.


"May dadaanan muna ako. So, okay lang ba sa'yo na ma-d-delay tayo sandali?"


"It's okay Sir, no problem."


"Call me Albert," giit niya at ngumiti. "That's my name."



"I'm Ashleigh, and nice to meet you."



Tumigil kami sa isang private place. It was a huge place having garden, artworks and stone carvings outside.


"Wait me here, I will be right back." Tahimik siyang bumaba ng sasakyan at pumasok na rin sa loob.



TOWN OF COST. It really looked like a big and expensive mansion. And yes, relaxing area lang naman ito nang mga business minded people.
Looking around, most of them had their cars with assistants, bodyguards and drivers.


I was staring back on the magazine and Rain still looked good with his own style. As I kept my eyes on him, I realized how everything changed.
I picked it up and began to sigh.


I'm even right.




When the man came out, I put the magazine back on its respective place.



"Pinaghintay ba kita, Ashleigh?" He leaned on and started the engine, and drove the car. Nakatingin pa rin ako sa magazine.



"No, it's... It's fine." Nilingon ko ang labasan, hindi ko maiwasan ang isipin siya ulit, and maybe he's happy.



"How old are you, Ashleigh?"



"Twenty-eight."



"At, pwede ko bang malaman kung saan ka nakatira?" Knowing that hindi niya alam ang address ko kaya siya nagtatanong.



"Cape Condominium."



"CCU? Yeah, malapit lang iyan sa Venson Café."


And since alam niya ang location, agad namin itong narating ng walang aberya.



"Right here."


He stopped the car beside the street. "Are you sure dito ka bababa?"



"Thank you, Mr. Albert."



Inabot niya naman sa akin ang payong. "Bring this one."



"No need."



"You should." Sandali ko itong tiningnan and even the rain outside has keep on falling.



"Sorry, but thanks." Tinanggap ko ito at ngumiti.



He smiled. "Have a great day."



"You too, thanks."



Bumaba na ako ng sasakyan saka lumakad.
Pasimple ko siyang nilingon habang umalis papalayo. That man saved me from the middle of heavy rain.


The man who was a stranger.

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