Chapter 3

As I opened the door of my condo unit, Nicole immediately showed up out of nowhere. She was looking at me with a curious face. I just walked passed her and immediately lied my back on the sofa. I rested my head on the armrest and sighed.

Thinking of what happened yesterday is making my head throbbing. I lied about what I said to Elijah. I remember everything of what happened last night. I am not that drunk, I was just tipsy. I remember his touch on my waist, how his hand covered my mouth not to make any sound while the guys are outside the comfort room, and how he managed to have a gun with him in that situation.

I felt someone sat beside me so I looked at her. She was holding already a glass water before she gave it to me. I thanked her and drank it fully.

“Where have you been?” she asked. I looked at her before I put the glass of water on the center table. “I was just late, but I really remember you saying that we will celebrate your birthday.” she added.

“I'm sorry, I was drunk last night. I slept on my brother's condo.” I lied again. She shouldn't know what happened last night. She'll freaked out. She doesn't need to know everything about me.

I heard her sighed before she hugged me shortly. "Forgiven. But next time call me." I smiled and nodded at her. “By the way... I forgot to tell you. Someone's been looking for you. He's name is Elijah.”

I stilled on my sit when she mentioned his name. I slowly looked at her with widen eyes. She looked at me curiously.

"What did you say?" My voice almost shivered while asking it to her.

"Well, last month, I saw him on my grandfaher's birthday and he mentioned your nam—"

“Why didn't you tell me about it?”

“I forgot about that until I saw him last night outside Madrigal Towers.” She shrugged while still has the curious look on her face. “Wait, why are you reacting like that, huh? I just told you about him 'coz maybe you know each other.” she even added.

I sighed and looked away. I was carried away by the thought that Elijah might come here. Knowing the fact that he also knows Nicole which is my friend, I don't think I can still escaped from him. Our world is really small and we might bumped into each other again. And hiding from him won't be easy as I thought.

“I don't know him,” I answered my friend whole staring at the clock in front. I don't want to see him again.

“Oh, okay.” She said. I just smiled as a response.

After few hours of staying in my condo, Nicole went out and bid goodbye. She said that she's still has a date with her boyfriend. Good to know that they're already back together.

It was already late evening and I was about to go to sleep when the door bell rang. I sleepily went to check on it. I saw my brother waiting outside with someone on his arms. I immediately opened the door and checked on the woman he's carrying.

“Hey, sis! Might if we'll sleep here for tonight?” he asked. I still check on the person he's carrying and nodded. It was Ziena Santiago. But when I looked up, someone else is also with him. My eyes widened and almost gasped while staring at him, intensely staring at me.

Someone cleared a throat. “Rielle?” My brother William called me. I looked back at him before opening the door widely for them to enter.

After I closed the door, I went inside last, following Elijah and my brother (with Ziena, the one he's carrying). I can feel my heart beating too fast as I stared at Elijah's back. I don't know why he's here, but one thing is for sure, I can't act like I am stil affected with his presence.

It's already been six years and yet, he still can affect me just like before.

My brother went to the vacant room while I went straight to the kitchen and ready a drink for them. William sometimes comes in my condo together with Ziena, the woman he's currently courting. It's not a surprise that they are here.

But Elijah is here! I don't know how to react nor how to approach him after what happened last night. I am good at pretending that everything's alright but it won't last long. I don't know how to response when he ask me about him or if he will ask if I remember everything already.

I just sighed thinking of those things. I should calm down. I was about to walk to the living room when I heard a voice that almost make my knees shiver.

“I didn't know that your brother is the famous Aragon William Rivera.” I can feel playfulness on his voice. I slowly looked at him and nodded.

'I can do this. I will pretend like nothing happened.' I reminded myself as my eyes are shut closed.

“Yeah. Didn't know you researched about me.” I even smirk to hide my nervousness.

His eyes still looks at me intently as if he's looking for something in my orbs. “I should know about you. I just helped a 'stranger' from those dangerous people.”

I stared at him as my smirk slowly faded. There were something on his eyes which I can't determine. It's something deep. And the way he considered me as a 'stranger' give an exquisite feeling inside me. He really didn't remember me at all.

“What do you mean?” I pretended that I didn't remember anything. “Aside from partying last night, did I do something?”

“No. You passed out.” He smirk. “How is that?”

I bit my lips as I sense that he's playing along. This could lead to something. I keep myself stern while still staring at him.

“I am not a fool, Rielle.” His voice immediately went serious after that. “Don't you dare lie to me again. I won't buy that.”

“What do you want me to do?” I asked. “Do I need to remember those dangerous gangsters and let myself traumatized by how they almost killed me? Do you want that?!” My voice begun to rise.

I don't care of what he will think of me. I just want to show him that I don't want to meddle with those things at all.

My life is so simple and kinda outrageous. But because of what happened yesterday, my world turned upside down. I was now surrounded by fear knowing that someone might looking and wanting to kill me. I am being paranoid of even going outside.

“Rielle.” He uttered my name but it didn't stopped me from my outburst. Since he already opened it up. I let myself be vulnerable right now.

“No. I shouldn't have remember what happened but because you opened it up, I remember it again. Those guys shoots bullets on me that it almost killed me!”

“What bullets are you talking about, Rielle?” I immediately got stilled when I heard my brother's serious voice—screaming peril and danger.