AWAKE

"Rian... " he called as the girl she loves hurriedly walk away from him. "Wait Rian!" he shouted again, but it was as if she can't hear him. Lately, he's been seeing this scene a lot more. The darkness gradually faded away, too. Now, she can finally see light. Weird though, because no matter how he tried, he can't seem to open his eyes.

"What about it?"

"I heard seniorito's engagement is approaching soon."

" Yes. It's supposed to be next month. But because of the tragedy...."

" Shhh! Shut your mouth! Our seniorito here is still alive."

Yago heard those two voices gossip. Unlike the other days, he was now able to hear things clearly. He can feel her muscles regain it's strength. Slowly, he again tried opening his eyes. It was hard, but with his effort, he was able to catch a glimpse of a blurry image of two young maids waiting on him inside the room.

"Did you see that?" the younger maid asked the other.

"See what?"

"Seniorito opened his eyes!"

"Are you nuts?"

When Yago heard their exchange, he once again tried lifting his heavy eyelids. That small movement was caught by the two maids who gasped in shock.

"Quickly! Call senior dela Vega! Seniorito Javier is showing signs of waking up!"

Javier? Yago asked himself confused. Did they just call me Javier?

***

"Atasha, are you sure it's this restaurant?" Ellaine asked while looking around the place.

" Yes. Madam told me in detail how to get here. She said she'll be waiting."

Atasha answered before turning around. She stopped a waiter to ask questions and he guided them to a reserved private room.

An hour ago, madam dela Vega, the mother of Ellaine's supposed fiance called Atasha. She said she's in Dan city to see her. Quite weird though, because only she and Atasha knew their location.

"Atasha, tell me the truth. Did you ratted me out?" she asked while they were standing in front of the private room.

" Of course not! Why would I?"

Atasha denied. Actually, it wasn't hard to find Ellaine when she's actually staying in a city where her fiance also stays at. She chose this city because she found out that Vier was currently staying here. Of course, someone was bound to see Ellaine here! Weird though, although they've stayed here for already a few months, Atasha can't seem to find the location where Vier was staying. Otherwise, she could have already created ways to match make the two of them!

"Come on cousin! Let's head inside. The madam has been waiting!"

Atasha knocked and then pushed the door open trying to escape scolding.

She walked ahead and stopped when she saw two women sitting at a table. She bowed her head, greeting the elderly woman.

Ellaine followed her cousin, and when she saw the young woman sitting across the madam, Ellaine was instantly stunned. What a beauty!

"Ellaine," the woman called as she noticed her. "Come! It's been a long time since I last saw you."

"Madam. Good morning!" she greeted. "This is... " she said, glancing at the young pretty lady.

"Come sit down first. This is a friend of mine. We met outside so I invited her for a meal as well. I didn't expect to see her here." she explained.

Ellaine chose a seat close to the young woman. As soon as she got close, she extended her hand to her with a smile.

"Hello! I'm Arianna Reid!"

Hearing the name gave Ellaine a surprise. "Ellaine", she said, introducing herself. She shook Arianna's hand kind of absentmindedly. Arianna Reid... Where did she hear that name?

"Ah! The airport's marriage proposal!" she blurted out.

Arianna smiled at the girl's reaction.

"I'm so famous now, huh?" she commented. "That was so embarrassing."

"What was there to be embarrassed about? I think it's quite romantic." Ellaine remarked on.

The elderly woman quietly listened as the young ladies happily chat. It looks like they already hit it off. Honestly, she liked both women. If possible, she wished she can have both of them as her daughters in law. Alas... his Vier is just too cold hearted. What kind of woman can ever move that brat?

"Arianna, what Ellaine said, is it true? Are you already engaged?" the madam suddenly interjected from the sidelines.

Arianna turned to the elderly woman with a smile.

"Aunt Coree, it's hard to explain. But since we're friends, then I'll tell you the truth.... I... have no intention of marrying anyone." when she said that, her smile suddenly turned bitter. The elderly woman felt something was off but she didn't have the courage to probe further. But, Ellaine was young and not too sensitive. She didn't notice the change in Arianna's expression and continued to ask questions.

"What do you mean you're not marrying anyone? Your boyfriend...."

"You know how it is in the real world. What you see is not always what you get." she answered.

Ellaine nodded. So all of it was just a show? What for? Ellaine was brought up like a princess since she was born. She was sheltered with great care her whole life. Arianna however, seemed to have been through a lot. Though she thinks Arianna was only older than her by a year or two, she seemed to be more matured and experienced. What an admirable lady, she thought with a smile.

***

Two weeks later:

" Seniorito Javier, your food is ready."

Yago nodded. Finally,after 10days of being starved, he can actually eat something at last.

After Yago first regained his consciousness, it took him three days before he can fully stay awake. It took him another five days before he finally regained some strength. Right now, although he can't walk straight yet, he can now atleast move his limbs.

Yago expectantly looked as the food was being served. His hopes however turned to disappointment when he saw his nurse carry inside a small bowl.

Porridge?

They want him to eat a small bowl of porridge? Can it even fill his stomach?

"Can you pass me a chorizo instead?"

he said joking.

"I'm sorry seniorito Javier. You can only eat light dishes for the next three days." the nurse explained as she brought the food over.

Yago furrowed his brows. Three days? They're planning to give him just porridge for the next three days?

"Did I just enter hell?" he stated aloud.

The nurse laughed.

" No seniorito. This is the dela Vega ancestral house. Not hell."

Ancestral house?

" Why am I here? And why are you all calling me Javier?"

"Because that's your name. Senior dela Vega brought you here to recuperate." the nurse explained patiently.

" No. You're mistaken. I'm not Javier. I'm Yago."

From the side, the two maids watching them started to gossip.

" Did seniorito Javier lose his memory? Nana had been taking care of him for the last six years but he doesn't seem to recognize her."

" Tch...he can't even remember his real name. How do you expect him to remember Nana?"

" But more than that, seniorito Javier has been acting strange since he woke up. Could it be that... he's not the real one? After the coma, some wandering spirit must've possessed his body!"

" Stop talking nonsense. You've been reading reborn novels too much!"

Yago held his forehead. These gossipmongers, can't they just keep their mouth shut and not add up garbage to his already messed-up mind?

"You!" he gestured for one of the maid to come closer. "Make a call to Diego dela Vega. I want to talk to my father."

Just as the maid was walking out of the room in compliance, an elderly man blocked the door.

"No need." the man said as he entered the room. "I'm already here. I came to talk to you about some serious matter... Vier..." he stopped as he look at the people around them.

"All of you, get out! I need to talk to my son in private!..." the man roared.