Flashback (2)

***ARTEMIS***

I listened as Kyle told me how he met our mother.

"My older half-brother, Hong Hao He, snuck me out of China and brought me to her. That was how we met. It turned out Hao He had always been in contact with her and kept her updated about me. It wasn't until two years ago that I was finally able to convince my father to let me live with her."

"When did you find out she had cancer?"

"Last year." his voice broke. "She collapsed on her birthday. We had to admit her to the hospital and that's when we found out she had stage three liver cancer."

"Was she alcoholic?"

"You can say that. She went through a lot of stuff after all."

We stopped outside a private room. I read the name posted outside;

'Ellen Chen.'

Kyle opened the door and whispered for me to come in silently. He walked ahead of me while I took my time taking short strides, although I stood frozen at the door.

"Hey mom." I heard him greet in Mandarin. "I have a surprise for you."

"Xiao Xue'er, don't tell me you spent a lot again just for me. You should save your money for the future."

I observed her voice. It was very gentle, but weak. It made my heart throb.

'I guess this is what the Filipinos call 'lukso ng dugo'[1]? A feeling one gets when they're near a close relative?' I thought.

"Well, I did spend some money."

"Xiao Xue'er…"

"But I did not buy an item."

"Ha?"

"Mom, I want you to meet someone. That's your cue!"

I emerged from the corner I was hiding and walked slowly towards them. My eyes never left the sickly figure lying on the bed. She was nothing but flesh and bones and had sunken cheeks .

"Uhm, my name is-"

"Artemis." she said gently.

"How did you-?"

"You're Artemis right?" I nodded. "I was right then. Kyle told me about you. And he was right. You have my long honey-colored hair, my thin lips, my cheeks, my skin color and even my cup size."

I instinctively crossed my arms over my chest. Yes, they were on the smaller side but I had never undergone surgery for them. In my line of work, since I don't specialize in seducing men, the smaller the better.

"Ma, she's sensitive about them." Kyle warned in a joking manner.

"Oh, sorry." she switched to English. "Nice to meet you, I'm Ellen Chen."

"Artemis Hunter." she suddenly chuckled. "What?"

"Your father does know how to pick his names. I guess I can't really hate him forever after all. Artemis is my favorite goddess in Greek Mythology. I guess he really 'did' listen to my ramblings back then."

"You don't… hate him?" I choked, a little surprised at what I just heard.

"Not as much as before anyway. But whatever hate that is remaining I'm sure it will fade sooner or later." she smiled. "You seem to be very accepting about all this."

"I guess I got that from you as well. Dad doesn't have the same level of nonchalance like me."

"Maybe."

There was an awkward silence between us, but Kyle broke it by starting another topic. That day, I got to know more about my mother and older brother. Now that I think about it, it was the most normal day I've ever had.

My mother was discharged a few days later and I decided to have them stay with me in one of my safe houses. My mother once mentioned she liked the sea so I chose San Remigio for us to live for quite some time. I also took a vacation from my assassination career.

I made it clear with my dad. Surprisingly, he agreed. I did not threaten him or became a raging b*tch towards him. Or at least I was not able to. Maybe he really did have a soft spot for me or Luke was able to convince him through a few dangerous means, like making a deal or something. My stepbrother was good at those kinds of things.

My mother only had a few months left to live and she wanted to spend it with me and Kyle. Those few months were the most mundane day I had ever had. I was able to live the life of a normal fourteen year old girl. Mom would braid sometimes my hair and we played in the beach or in the cove under the house if the weather outside was too hot or too cold for her. She even taught me how to cook a few of hers and Kyle's favorite dishes.

She also shared to us a few stories about her.

"Hey mom, you're half-Chinese, but why were you living in Canda?" I asked one time while she was fixing my hair.

"Let's see… My grandparents left China during the Republican Era and settled down in Canada. My father, your grandfather, was born there." she answered.

"Eh? Did you visit your relatives in China, mom?" asked Kyle.

"Hmm… I went there once, for vacation, but I can't say I'm close to them." she grinned. "The Chen Family I belong to has a very long history you know. I was told that certain Chen Clan went way back to the former Han Dynasty."

"Many families claim their origins go way back in Han Dynasty or even before that." Kyle replied. "The Han Dynasty was called China's Golden Era and even to this day, many call themselves Han Chinese."

Mom and I just stared at my brother, and then we broke out laughing.

"What?"

"Mr. Know-It-All." I teased.

"Yeah, my brother had always been such a geek.

"That's fine though. It makes him cute." Mom said.

We were very happy. But as much as it was all fun and games, it was very short lived. My mother collapsed again and the doctor said nothing could be done. With that, we took her home and tried to make her happy on her final days.

On her deathbed, Kyle and I were always with her. Even on the day she died, we also stayed with her. Each of us taking a side of her bed.

"Mom…" Kyle called, already crying.

"Any day or any time now. I can feel it. I can feel my life slowly slipping away from me." mom said weakly. "But you know what? I'm happy. I mean, I already have two angels by my side."

"Ma!" Kyle cried even more.

I was just staring at them, devoid of emotion. To be more precise, I did not know how to react. Well, I did and I was very sad, but my tears refused to come out from my eyes.

"Even if your fathers were jerks and took you away from me, without them I wouldn't have the two of you. Thank you for coming into my life, even if we only spent a short time together. My precious babies." she gripped my hand as tight as she could and was probably doing the same to my blubbering mess of an older brother. "You two, the last few months I spent with you were the happiest moments of my life. Well next to the days you two were born. Both of you thank you for forgiving me and accepting me as your mother."

I stood frozen on my seat, unable to take my eyes off of her.

"I'm sorry if I wasn't there for you your entire lives. I'm sorry I was not there to spend your childhood with you. But remember, never hate your fathers. They only dud what they thought was right."

I silently listened while Kyle continued bawling out.

"Shh… Kyle. Look at me and listen. You watch over your sister, okay? Protect her, even if she's good at beating someone up." her statement made me crack a smile. "She is your family. She is your mei-mei[2]."

"Yes mom." replied my brother.

"And Artemis. Oh, my baby girl. Don't resent your father. I know even back then, he's living a dangerous life and he took you from me because he was afraid I'd be in danger if you grew up in my care. Tell him… tell him I forgive him. And you two have to promise me, that you will stop killing for him and live your life that way you want it."

"Mom��"

"Promise me."

"Okay. I promise."

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I can no longer be there with you and for you. I could've taught you many things." she started crying. "Both of you, I love you."

As she finished saying those words, she closed her eyes, her hands became limp and she stopped breathing. Kyle cried harder and a tear finally escaped from my eyes. Sobs came out from my mouth and the tears came gushing out. A feeling inside my chest just rose up and I couldn't stop myself from crying.

***

"-temis? Artemis?!" Xander's pulled me out of my trip to memory lane and brought me back to reality.

"What?" I inquired.

"You're… you're crying."

"Ha?"

I touched my face and he was right. I was crying.

"What's wrong?" he asked worriedly.

"Nothing. I just remembered something really sad from a long time ago. Eight years ago, I think." I answered. I tried to be nonchalant but I could feel my voice almost broke.

"I see. Oh yeah, Kyle's back from his errand. We should get back inside."

"Yeah, okay. Just let me enjoy the fresh sea breeze for a bit. I'll follow you inside a little later."

Xander nodded his head and headed inside. I turned to the sea one last time and reminisced once again. It was the very sea where Kyle and I scattered our mother's ashes, just as she requested on her last few days.

'Mom, don't worry about me. I'm living my life the way I wanted, just like you wished. There are a few bumps on the way, like being a witch, and Kyle and the people around me having superpowers, but I'm happy. I'm very happy.' I thought, like I was sending a telepathic message to my mother who was somewhere out there.

I smiled towards the sparkling blue sea and then went inside.

Note:

[1] Lukso ng Dugo – the explanation was in the statement itself, but to be more precise it was akin to instinct and/or gut feeling.

[2] mei-mei – Chinese term for little sister.