Chapter 25: The Mansion
I almost forgot that The Unus is still a thing. It's an annual event held by Nightfall Clan wherein all other clans are invited to celebrate union and peace.
"Lilly's getting better." Kristan stood beside me. Hawak na niya sa kanyang braso si Lilly. Nakangiting bumati siya kay Mr. Billy. "Hello, Sir. How are you?"
"I'm pleased to see you good, Mr. Admiral." Mr. Billy beamed a practiced smile on his lips. He's a vampire too and my father's right hand, but sometimes, he's more like a robot.
I turned around to see Hestia, still standing under the covered area and looking so terrified to step into the daylight.
"You didn't take fresh blood, did you?" I rolled my eyes.
"I really think the Philippines isn't good for vampires, is it?" she asked. "Hello, Mr. Sandoval. I think I need an umbrella!"
"I will get you one in the car!" ani Mr. Sandoval.
Sumama na kami ni Kristan papunta sa sasakyan para si Mr. Billy na lang ang bumalik para sunduin si Hestia. Nakasimangot ako habang si Kristan ay kinakausap ang pusa.
"Behave, Lilly. You are not allowed to wander around, do you hear me?" I heard him say. "Gusto mong kainin ka nila?"
Good thing he's aware that bringing his cat into the world of vampires is an absurd idea. Lilly is technically food. I just hope he will keep an eye on her.
It was freezing inside the car. Kristan and I sat in the back seat while Mr. Billy came back to fetch the burning vampire. What was she thinking by thinking coming back here unprepared was a good idea? She could have gulped a gallon of fresh blood before she agreed!
"Come out." Nilabas ni Kristan si Lilly mula sa pet bag saka inupo sa kanyang kandungan. "Are you hungry? I forgot to bring you some food."
One more thing. The Unus. Sa tingin ko ay wrong timing ang pag-uwi ko. Now that I am here, I'm sure father will try to lure me again just to attend the said boring decade-old shitty event.
Union and peace? There's no such thing as long as we are divided by clans. Alam ko naman na ang pakay lang ni Papa ay ang magyabang sa ibang pangkat. They will shake hand and stab each other's back later.
"Hey." Kristan captured my attention. Medyo nagulat pa ako dahil nung pagkaharap ko ay nakangiti siya sa akin. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For letting Lilly stay in your room?"
I just nodded.
What's to be grateful about that? I first declided to help them. Wala rin naman sa intensyon ko na iligtas ang alaga niya kaya ko pinanatili sa loob.
Sa hindi kalayuan ay natanaw ko na si Hestia na naglalakad habang may hawak na payong. Napangiwi pa ako dahil napansin kong umuusok ang kanyang balat dahil sa tindi ng init.
"Why is she so stupid?" I asked in disbelief.
"That must hurt," Kristan said, and I agreed.
"Not just painful, but also bad for the skin."
Nagmadaling sumakay sa tabi ng driver's seat si Hestia. Mabilis na naghubad siya ng damit at jeans hanggang sa matira na lang ay bra.
"Oh, fucking hell. I'm burning!" she screeched.
"Do you need some help?" Kristan asked.
My brows automatically rose in disbelief that he had the guts to ask that question while looking straight at her, almost half-naked. She's literally just wearing a bra and panties.
