Lunch

I stared outside the window of the plane, it's been a long time since I visited Aklan... after the Glass house was built I haven't stepped on that island, I built that place to honor my sister, but after building it all I wanted was to forget about it, I smiled to myself, I really can't decide when it comes to this, what a bad habit this is. The plane began taxiing, I felt that tingle down my spine whenever a take-off or landing, I clenched the armrest, and began to pray, I never got used to this, damn it.

Soon as the seatbelt light was turned off, I finally breathed a sigh of relief, I don't even understand why I'm so uncomfortable with air travel, I have multiple trips every year, the privilege to go anywhere I wish, enough money some people just dream about, and I have a job that I love, coupled with the ability to buy almost anything I wanted, but here I am still uncomfortable in a plane. I shook my head and smiled to myself, this is just a forty-five minute discomfort I'll survive.

When the plane landed in Caticlan, I was welcomed by Miriam and Lyra, they were so excited to see me that for the first time in a long time I forgot that I was being pursued by demons from hell. Miriam is a petite woman early fifties, her hair usually pulled back in a tight bun, very little wrinkles, a perfect tan, an enviable poreless skin and a pair of thin tattooed eyebrows, she's fifty but she can pass for forty, genetics goodness. Miriam hugged me tight. She was always sweet, she was lucky to get married to the old batchelor Jomarie Castello, they don't have any biological kids since Jomarie had an accident when he was in his early thirties, but when they got married in their forties they adopted four kids all of which were siblings, and wanted to keep them all together, now all the kids are in their teens and twenties and it's been ten years since they tied the knot and wanted to relive the moments, i can't help but wish sana all.

If only I wasn't single. Oh right, I said I don't need a boyfriend, well nevermind my last thought.

With her was Lyra Gemlym, a Licensed civil engineer in the Philippines but born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. Lyra being half British didn't get her dad's height, light brown eyes, shapely nose, and fair skin. Lyra was the only engineer that I had met that had the confidence to wear her stilettos to a site visit, a muddy site visit, how she survived I have no idea. I smiled at her and she hugged me tight, I missed her. After our last project they had her work with a different architect, it's been a year or so since we last had a project together.

"Wow, you flew out on the first available flight", she told me in excitement.

"Yeah, it's not everyday you get to visit the thing that made your career a career", I joked as she laughed, I missed this girl so much.

"You don't look that great though", said Miriam, noticing my bandages and my limp.

"I had a few stunts to do this week and got myself on the wrong side of the stairs", I laugh, it's not that easy to explain that I almost fell to my death in my dad's condo, or a demon dog almost ripped me to ribbons. They laughed, they helped me with my bags and got to the Castello's van, they drove me to Astoria Boracay where a reservation was made for me for a week, it's near the beach and it would be a good chance for me to relax for the moment, to think how to outrun this curse, or maybe decide to find and kill that guy who wants me dead, before he actually kills me.

"So the wedding will be tomorrow morning, at the house, we really want you two to be there because you made our dream home come true", said Miriam as we sat in the lobby waiting for my room to be prepared.

"Okay, and if I'm correct your guys have dinner tonight as a pre-party right, to acquaint the guests with each other?" Lyra asked

"Yes, we really want everyone to be comfortable with each other, I mean we only have like thirty something guests and it's a small intimate party."

I nodded, okay, small crowd that's nice.

"Where will that pre-party be held?" I asked in curiosity

"Oh right, it's gonna be held in a tent set up in the garden of the house, we got the planners and caterers to turn the place into something ethereal, then change it again for the ceremony."

Before I could answer the front desk called my name, "well ladies I guess I'll see you tonight, for now I'll just lounge about and relax." Miriam hugged me and whispered, "we know your going through a lot right now, that's why it meant so much for Jom and myself that you came."

I smiled and hugged her back, after that warm moment I went to my room. My room was amazing and it had a great view of the ocean but I had returned to my bags, I still needed to unpack, I had to buy few dresses and shoes for this weekend, I wanted to look like the normal me again - well dressed, stylish and ready to mingle with anyone and anywhere, I am after all the most fashionable child of the Villafuerte family.

Riiiing, riiinnnngg!

I almost jumped when my phone rang, calming my heart, I picked up the call, it was one of the most unexpected calls I got so far, it was Albert Saldivar.

"Hello", he said

"Yes Mr. Saldivar how can I help you sir", connecting my earbuds to phone's bluetooth, connected, put my phone down and continued to unpack

"Ah", a long pause.

"Sir you still there?" I asked since he wasn't speaking

"Yes, yes, I'm here, I mean I got your designs, and they were not exactly the ones I wanted, can we talk about them?"

Timing, really isn't this guy's best suit.

"Oh... I'm currently not in Manila sir, and I don't think I will be back in the next few days, would you like me to arrange a meeting after I get back."

"Where are you?" I sighed, this guy.... I mean he does have a right to ask, but does he really need to ask that? This beginning to frustrate me

"I'm in Aklan, I'm attending a wedding", I tried to force a smile, "but I think I will be back by next week. Why don't we set up a meeting then?"

"So am I!" I heard him say, he sounded excited

What?! Oh no...

"Well, good for you then sir", I began thinking about an excuse to end the call, "I need to finish unpacking I'll just have my assistant call you for the meeting Sir."

"Since we're both in Aklan, can we talk it over lunch?" Persistent guy.

"Lunch? You mean like today?" Please say no.

"Yeah! Where are you staying? I'll pick you up!"

I muted my phone for a moment, and cursed at the guy on the other end, I took a deep breath and went back to the call, "how about, we just have lunch here in my hotel, I kind of have some plans in the afternoon."

"Okay great, I'll be there around eleven thirty, which hotel again?"

"Astoria", this man is just... I really have no words for him anymore, then we finally said our goodbyes.

I slumped down on the bed facing the ceiling, this mattress felt amazing, I thought as I laid there, the blue sea and sky was outside, all I can think about was lounging on a chaise lounge while sipping a daiquiri, I sighed, but maybe tomorrow before the wedding I can walk, I mean limp on the beach. It was around half-past ten when I finished putting away my stuff, I decided to take a bath and get ready for the unexpected lunch meeting. In the back of my head I could have gone to the spa if not for him, but he is a client and I must indulge him.

I wore an embroidered white maxi dress with a pair of leather strapped sandals, it's hot outside and wearing something comfortable is important, it's a good thing that I brought a neutral bag that can complement any look and of course fit my drawing tablet inside. I put on some blush and headed to the hotel restaurant to meet my client. I asked to be sat near the window with the view of the beach, as much as I wanted to go to the water I still wanted to comfort of the air conditioning while I'm in this meeting, the party will start at about seven and Lyra and her boyfriend will pick me up at around 6 to get to the house on time, so we should wrap this meeting my two so I can have enough time to do my hair and make up for the party, good God, I hope we finish this meeting soon.

"Architect Villafuerte?" I looked up from my phone and my jaw almost dropped, what a good looking guy, for some reason Mr. Saldivar looked different today, his hair combed back, he was wearing a white shirt under a cream colored blazer that matched his pants, he was wearing a pair of loafers and a silver watch. He's had a haircut since the last time we met, which was during that dinner date. He smiled at me sheepishly, I stood up and held out my hand, "Mr. Saldivar, it's great seeing you.", I said offering the chair opposite me, we sat and I waved for a waiter to get the Menu.

"It's quite lucky that you and I are on the same island", he said as he browsed the menu

"Well, I'm attending a wedding of a friend", I responded, my eyes kept being drawn to him, I tried to focus on the menu and deciding what to eat.

"Really, so am I, I have been invited by the Castellos, I think you know of them."

I looked at him with my mouth half gaping, uh-oh... I forgot he was acquainted to Miriam and Jomarie, stupid! "Yes, actually, I'm going to their party later tonight", I responded.

"Why don't we go there together?" he seemed excited as he invited me.

"I'll be going with some friends, and I wouldn't want to be a bother. Anyway, have you made your decision, lets order", I called for a waiter and gave him our orders.

Soon as the orders were taken I began discussing business, avoiding any topic about the wedding. I brought out my laptop and showed the designs.

"Well you see, it's not that I don't like the designs that was shown to me, it's just that I really want it to be like the Glass house", he said, "but not necessarily the same, I want something a bit different", then he went and showed to the first design that I presented the old spanish inspired house, "actually I really also like this design since the building that currently stands there has an old spanish feel to it, but can you modify this that can have a sunlight, it would be a very good."

Before i could answer the waiter came in with our order, as the waiter placed the food I was looking down my tablet redrawing and editing the design to get ready to show him, then there was a hand across my screen, "Architect Villafuerte, lets eat", said Mr. Saldivar.

I looked up to him and smiled, I was beginning to be absorbed by work, "thank you." But as I looked, behind him a dark figure looked at me grinning, I felt a chill down my spine.My eyes scanned my wrists instantly, I was wearing Annie's bracelet, this was impossible, Ciel said that I will be safe as long as I kept the bracelet on. I looked back at Mr. Saldivar he was motionless, nothing was moving, it did the same thing that Ciel does, it can suspend time. I should run, but I couldn't move, was I paralyzed, either by fear or something else. It's here to kill me, I felt the dread creep under my skin.

As I looked it in the eye, I felt pressure on my throat, as if I was being strangled, my sight began to go dark, I felt my tablet slip through my grasp and after that everything went black.