Page 19: The Ride (part 1)

When Dave said we were going for a ride, I was not expecting him to actually take me on a trip to the mountains.

The moment we got back to the apartment yesterday, my manager slash bodyguard slash guardian demanded me to pack enough for the weekend and sleep early.

All of that did not make sense to me until the following day when he deliberately woke me up at four in the morning, pulling my sheets away, and howling at me to get dressed.

Normally, I would get angry at anyone who ruins my beauty sleep especially when it is that early. But when you're woken up too early and shaken up, your brain just doesn't have the time to think properly. Thus, my day began with Dave rummaging all over my apartment while I navigate through my things half asleep.

"You're awfully silent. Are you upset with the outfit I picked for you?" said Dave, his eyes on the wheel of his favorite banana colored mini-van.

I did not respond.

It's not that I did not like the lavender ankle dress and cream knitted cardigan―I loved it actually. Dave always sees to it that I'm well dressed appropriate to the weather and occassion after all.

That was not my issue.

It's been an hour now since we've left the city and so far I have not seen any signs to where we are going. We drove across a hug of trees, nestled in an open road forest, then smoothly entered a wide coastal road.

The bright half risen sun gleamed as it peeked out from the far edge of the ocean. I squinted my eyes, trying to gaze to the direction of the water that sparkled with every touch of the light. The clouds glowed orange and the sky dissolving into a dark purple from a distance then into a pale blue as it stretched closer.

I failed to notice that it had already been sunrise.

Beautiful.

"Don't worry. I'm not upset about that." I muttered, gazing into the horizon, rolling down the car's window, "I just don't have the energy to protest right now."

The cool wind that brushed against my cheek smelled like honeysuckle. Dave warned me not to stick my head out saying it's dangerous and that my glasses would fall, but I didn't listen. I wanted to indulge myself with the scenery. Looking at this view makes me forget who I am and what I'm living for. It radiates good energy that it makes me want to escape and leave everything behind. I never get the chance to appreciate nature this much especially when I'm in the city.

Although we have shoots that require us to travel from one location to another, I never get to enjoy it fully since I always worry about my wig coming off if the wind was too strong. That or if my contacts would accidentally move about in my eyeballs and would ruin the experience.

I rest my head on my crossed arms over the rolled down window. The view was just too amazing that I had to let myself bask on it while we were still on the road.

"So, where are we going?" I said, hoping he would tell me.

I hear him chuckle, "A place where no media or paparazzi can find us." he said.

I turn to him shooting him a confused look, "Dave, it's like quarter to six in the morning."

He glanced at me then back to the wheel, "Oh, you really don't know the power of media. They will get any chance they can just to get a scoop."

"Fair enough," I shrugged, "But what exactly are we doing out here? We've managed to reach the coastline and almost to the mountains."

He gave me a smile, "Fear not. We approach the destination where your questions shall be answered."

I scowled at him trying to figure out what he meant by it. Dave has always been the type to say things directly to my face without restraint. And yet now he's talking in riddles. What is going on?

As we entered another line of trees, I notice the road rising into a delicate slope. Despite the thick bamboo trees around us, I could still smell the ocean. I imagined the terrain around us and assumed the place we're going to is on a high altitude.

Twenty minutes later, Dave swerves the car to a cliff overlooking the open sea. The sun's flare tickled my eyelids to open up since I was half napping at the rim of the window. And when I opened my eyes, my jaw dropped. The view was breathtaking.

My eyes were locked on the turquoise ripples knitted across the vast water. I quickly unbuckled the seatbelt, rushing out from my seat. The tingle of the dewy grass slipping between my sandals felt amazing. I stretch my arms around me as I walk closer to the edge, inviting the wind to come and embrace me.

Inhale, exhale.

"Now, don't go too close the edge." said Dave who was just coming out from the driver's seat, "It's a thirty feet fall from here." he chuckled.

"Thirty?" I ask moving an inch closer to the edge just enough for me to see what's below. I carefully crouched down, gripping on the grass to take a quick glance of the altitude. My knees froze.

Below us was a wall of sharp rocks descending to the white sand. I could probably climb down with the amount of stepable ledges bulging out from its rough face, but falling from this height and crashing into those wedges―let's not think about that.

But following the trail of sand from the bottom of the cliff to the water was a beautiful beach, which made me feel better. The waves were crawling into the shore which made me want to jump over to the water and feel its rhythm against my feet.

I look up to Dave who was carefully watching over me watching the scenery. He catches my gaze and gave me a side smile.

"I know what you're thinking." he said.

"You do?"

He reaches his hand at me, pulling me up from the ground.

"That face says you want to go to the beach." he said letting go of my hand.

I almost gave him a smile but instead I waved my hand on the air saying, "Not really." acting breezy, avoiding eye contact.

I peeked at Dave's face hoping for a nod, but his expression says a lot on how he's not buying my pretentiousness.

"I'll show you the staircase later." he walked away, heading for the van.

I stared at him, wide-eyed, "There's a way down?" I run after him.

"What? Did you think you're going to jump thirty feet down to get to the beach?"

I scoffed, "Yeah, right. I knew that."

The doors of the backseat were already open when I caught up to him. He glanced at me pulling out my small baby blue luggage strapped with two crossed rainbow belts and handed it to me, bolting the handle up for me to receive.

I managed a small "thanks" as I took it from his grip, when he suddenly pulled out two black suitcases the size of a boom box used for parties. I flinched.

"Did you bring your house with you?" I ask, pointing at the luggages that had landed on the ground in front of me.

Dave was panting from the weight he just lifted, "Oh these?" he replied as if bring two huge suitcases on a short weekend trip was normal, "The one in the right is your shoes and dresses and the one in the left is your accessories." he grinned.

I arch an eyebrow trying to register what he just said, "But I already have my things here." I said patting my luggage.

"That," he continued, "Is Eve's luggage."

He pats the black bags beside him, "These are Hera's battle equipment."

Oh my gods. I open my mouth about to say something, but the words won't come out. Not only has my brain stopped working, but it's totally rejecting any sort of indication that I am not going to relax in this weekend getaway.

"Don't worry," Dave's voice said in a soothing tone, "Company won't arrive til noon so you can still relax for the rest of the morning." he said shutting the doors of the van, beeping it to a lock with his key.

I was about to ask him what he meant when a gust of wind blew through me, making me hold on to my cardigan. As soon as the wind dies down, I see Dave gleaming a smile at me.

"Now," he grips at both the luggage, glancing back at me, "Let's go to the place we're staying for the weekend. I'm sure you'll like it."

I wearily look around us then up ahead desperately searching for the cabin he speaks of, "I don't see a cabin. We're in the middle of nowhere." I said.

Dave gave me a confident smile and proceeded for hike with his two wheeled bags on both hands. I followed after him, not having a clue where exactly we were going. As much as I hate not having the explanation I deserve, I'd rather not listen to anymore riddles from this dude so early in the morning.

If there is one thing I am thankful for right now, that would be this paved road going up on a ramp surrounded by trees. At least it isn't making life difficult in pulling the bags up. The walk wasn't that long. It took us only about three minutes when Dave came to a complete stop at the end of the path.

He waited for me up at the summit of the short hill we just hiked up, his hands at his waist like a mom encouraging her child to hurry up. I huffed to his side pulling my luggage and was speechless of what we were looking at.

In front of us stood a tall blue roofed two-storey mansion. It had a wrap around porch and a garden within its perimeter covered in rose bushes on both sides. The walls were painted ivory, with auburn cinder blocks at the base, perfectly fitted at the wooden floor of the porch. At one side of the garden, was a small pavilion made of white collumns with a marble tea table in the middle, arranged with a floral centerpiece, and two bamboo woven chairs adjacent to each other.

I snap a turn to Dave who already had a smug look on his face, his arms stretched open to the direction of the house. Proudly glancing back and forth like he was waiting for a praise.

"Is this yours?" I stuttered, in a tone of concern.

He brushed me off with a cackle, "Of course not!" he exclaimed, settling for a smile,

"This was your mother's."

He said it in such a calm tone that it startled me so much I didn't know how to react.

He tapped my shoulder giving me a sharp grin then walked towards the rocky path towards the front door, dragging his suitcases behind him. This dude just left me there, standing, wide-eyed in shock.

It took me a while to register what he said. It's a lot to take in especially when you barely know anything about your own family. When I did, I couldn't help but yell, "My mother's?!"

Even without an architect's eye, I already knew this mansion was amazing. Despite it being ancient looking, there were no cracks or gashes. Sure, there was a little bit of moss creeping up from the foot of the wall, but that was it.

The inside looked better than I imagined.

From the entrance, a huge spiral staircase that has red velvet carpets flowing on its steps greets you. I immediately thought of all the hotels I've been to. The foyer looked like one of those lobbies―high ceiling, a waiting area on the right and two open arched passages on both sides, which I assumed to be the way to the dining area and the living room.

Dave was standing at the foot of the stairs, making this stupid smile.

He gestures for me to come closer, which I obliged. He jingles a group of keys bound by a wooden hibiscus keychain at my face, dumping it at my open hand. I stare at it―four or five keys at most.

"And this is...?" I mumbled.

He grinned, "You'll be needing that to open the hibiscus suite upstairs."

My heart started backflipping in my chest.

"A suite?" my voice almost to a gasp.

"Yes, leftmost side of all the doors. Now move along and settle down. I have to check the kitchen."

He left his bags behind the stairs and disappeared into the left passage humming to himself.

I look up from the first step and see this a dome of crystal windows above, welcoming the light in for a natural luminance on the stairway.

I hesitated to go up at first, but the curiosity was killing me. I pushed down the handle of my luggage and reached for the side grip, pulling it up for a good carry. I didn't bring much so the bag was fairly easy to lift.

The stairs had a good fifty short steps. Lucky it wasn't that steep or I would be gasping for air by the time I got to the top.

I thought the first floor was huge, but the second floor―MINDBLOWN.

When you land on the final step, you are greeted with a great room leading to a glass door for the balcony. Around me is this huge hall with mint green walls, surrounding me with multiple entrances that I have no idea where it goes. I do hope one of them is Narnia. I squeal in my head, my imagination running wild.

"I am so tempted to roam around right now." I thought to myself.

Then I notice something hung against the wall up ahead. Near the door to the balcony were two maple table pushed to the wall on both sides. I walk to it and saw two portraits on opposite walls.

I put my luggage down, gazing upward to the frame.

To my left, was a portrait of a man and a woman of middle age. The man was wearing a soldier's uniform, pinned with multiple badges and medals on his right chest. His hair was pushed back, and a peach fuzz was growing on his chin. To his right was a woman in a blue Victorian dress, hair pinned up and a subtle smile. She was holding on to his arm so endearingly that it made my heart sting.

"A couple?" I mumbled.

I turn to my right and the portrait surprised me. A little girl around the age of seven, laughing with her eyes narrowed and cheeks red as roses met my gaze. She wore a ballerina tutu while holding on to a basket of painted eggs on her lap. This portrait must have been taken during the Easter season.

But that wasn't it. I wasn't entranced by the colorful eggs. It wasn't the tutu or the basket. It was...

"Mother." I whispered.

I would know. It was definitely her. Her hair pale as moonlight and eyes like the calm ocean. Even from the picture, I can remember her smell. A nostalgic scent of roses as she cuddled me close to her heart, humming in my ear as I fell asleep. I wrap my arms around me reminiscing the tiny bits of memory I have of her.

A trickle of tear was about to fall when I heard footsteps coming up from the stairs.

"Oh sorry," Dave paused, "Did I interrupt something?"

I pouted, "Nothing."

I puffed my chest out and picked up my bag, heading towards the left side of the hall.

"Last door." he reminded.

"I know already!"

The hibiscus suite wasn't hard to find. It literally had a hibiscus logo on it's keyhole.

I pulled out the pool of keys from the side pocket of my cardigan and picked out the biggest key from the group. I slipped it in, concluding that was the right one, and it really was.

"Huh." I shrugged and proceeded to open the door.

Oh my Hera.

When they say suite, I expected something like a huge vanity, a little tea area, a huge bath and an enormous bed. And that was it.

But with this, all of that jumps out of the window.

Inside was the size of two mansion apartments combined, with my own foyer and waiting area at the entrance. You ever get to have one of those early royal stationaries where it's either sea green or old rose matched with it's rough textures and a scent of flowers? Yeah, that was the wall of this one, but in the lightest shade of peach.

I put down my luggage next to the ottoman, and slowly walked my way in, trying to breathe in case I accidentally faint from the excitement.

Further in was my sleeping area―a king sized upholstered bed stood over a three tier platform with flowing tulle drapes overhead. Two candle lit lamps stuck on both sides of the wall and a bell sitting on the side table, which I had no idea was for.

I know. 'What in the world?' But it doesn't end there.

Across the room was a sliding door that leads you to another huge room. I see a panel of light switches on the wall next to the door so on instinct, I pressed it all which lit up the entire shabam.

Upon entering, you'll walk in to a path of lavender faux fur as you scavenge along your wardrobe. The cabinets were locked, which I think explains the tiny keys along with the main key. But further in was a huge white vanity with bulbs erected around the rim of the mirror. I found the switch at the corner of the table and the warm light blasted on my face which made me flick it back off.

"Err..maybe later." I backed off.

To the right from the vanity was a stained glass door with roses engraved on the handle.

I pushed the door and to my surprise, it was indeed the bath. And when I say 'the bath'―it is THE. BATH.

It was half the size of my apartment. Close to the door was the toilet, which I may say, has more buttons than my television.

To get to the bath, you have to go down three steps and you'll see a small bubbling pool in the middle surrounded with gold plated ivory tiles. I look around and was relieved to see the shower area on the left. The shower area was mostly made from gold, which made me worry of the cost it took just to build that, but nevertheless, relief.

I decided to leave the bath and head back to my living quarters. This was a lot to process and it was still seven in the morning.

I walk towards the windows hoping to get some fresh air and notice that I have my own balcony. I have never been glad to see a door and swing it open.

Now that the wind is breezing all over my body, my mind has slowly cleared up from the overwhelming discoveries I had just experienced.

I took a deep breath and it never felt so good. The air smelled of roses.

I walk towards the railing and was glad to see the ocean under the clear blue sky. Then, the image of my mother came flashing in my head.

I don't have plenty of memories with my mother. Nobody told me what she was like as a person. I've only come to know her through her recorded shows and albums full of her pictorials as a model. It always made me sad knowing I would never have the chance to be closer to her, and yet here, I don't feel the same loneliness when I remember her.

I try to think again of that memory with her when she was holding me. I remember I was playing somewhere and then I tripped on the ground wounding my knees. My mother ran to me and tried to calm me down from crying. She held me up to her arms and nuzzled my cheek with her nose. And that was it. My only memory of her. Everything after that was already a nightmare.

"You're scowling." said a voice, looming from the shadows of my room.

"Geez Dave, don't scare me like that!" I yelled.

He came in to the balcony laughing, "Sorry. I wanted to check on how you were doing."

"I'm fine." I protested, "But I need an explanation Willis."

His eyes widened, "Woah, okay okay." he held his hands up, "I'll answer."

I sighed, "Is this really my mother's house?"

Dave walked to me, leaning to the railing beside me, and looked up to the sky.

"Technically this was one of the Louvre's vacation houses. The house got transferred under your mother's name when she turned sixteen as her parents' gift to her. But when she was younger, her parents along with her two younger brothers came here for summer vacation all the time."

My eyes stung, "I thought she was the only daughter?"

Dave looked at me, "The only daughter, yes. But she wasn't the only child of the main family."

I cupped my face, "I never knew."

"It wasn't mentioned." Dave's voice trailed off, "She wanted to protect her baby brothers. Ursula never wanted to burden her family further because of her recklessness."

Hearing her name made skin crawl. I wanted to ask more about my mother. I wanted to know more and see her in a better light other than how the media played her. I wanted to have something other than the image Heiress painted her to be.

"You're scowling again." said Dave, carefully studying me.

"Was I?"

"You were." he pinched my cheek which made me wince.

"Cheek. Cheek!" I yelped, pushing his hand away.

"Oh sorry." he chuckled.

"My face is my treasure you know! Stop treating me like a kid."

His face softened, "How can I not treat you like one when you've been through so much?"

I fell silent.

Not only was he showing me a pained expression, but my heart sank from the words he just said.

"You're acting weird." I pushed him.

"Am I?"

"Yes you are!" I yell, "First you drag me all the way here without a proper explanation and now you're acting all mushy."

"Mushy?" he bobbed his head to the side.

I glowered at him, "That's not the point! You dragged me here without an explanation!"

"That's what's making you all flustered?"

"I am not flustered!"

He fanned away from his face, "Alright alright no need to get mad."

I crossed my arms, arching my back to the railing, "Well Mr. Willis? Mind explaining how I'm supposed to find my answers here?"

He grinned, "Since you're smart, let me ask you a question. Who is that one person that you would consider to have known you so well?"

"You." I instantly replied.

He nodded, "Later today, the person who is closest to your subject of concern will be joining us for lunch."

I stared at him, trying to read his eyes. My mind went blank then the dots started connecting. I suddenly had an interest at my feet. My hand covered my mouth upon realization.

Of course! If there's one person in this world who knows Cherry or Niko better, it would be that person!

I snap my neck at Dave, clapping so loud that it startled the birds to fly.

"Miss Lily.."