Chapter 15

The water in the bathtub splattered as I jumped back in. My forehead hit the edge of it. Sebastian froze in shock but quickly closed the door.

"I-I'm sorry..." he said. I slowly raised my head, I could still see his shadow under the door.

What did he see? There's nothing left of me! Why did the towel even hang?! I don't have a face to show him anymore.

He probably didn't see my face. My back was already turned when he opened the door. That's all he must have seen of my back.

The shadow on the door disappeared and I heard Maria Florencita's voice, "What happened? We heard a loud crash upstairs," she said, I just submerged myself in the water again in case they opened the bathroom door again. Why was that broken? Of all the important doors in a house, that one was the one that was broken!

"Why are you here in my room, General Sebastian?" Maria Florencita continued, seeing the shadow under the door again and touching the doorknob. Was it Maria Florencita? Or was it Sebastian again?

"I-I'm sorry but I saw a light coming from your room and a shadow near your bathroom window. When I got to the living room, I saw you there so I thought a thief tried to break into your room" Sebastian explained, grabbing my cheek. It turns out he was late, which is why Ornina only mentioned Don Antonio as the guest earlier.

"I'm sorry if I went straight to your room. I didn't want to scare you all so I thought I'd find out who was here first," he continued, making me close my eyes. I wanted to go out and fight him. He shouldn't have opened the door! That's unethical!

But what can I do? It's happened. He's seen what he shouldn't have seen! My cheeks got even hotter and I felt so sorry for myself. It felt like everything was gone from me!

"W-what did you discover?" Maria Florencita asked, I think she was the shadow near the door because her voice was louder and closer. "N-nothing" Sebastian replied, causing me to breathe a little easier.

He must have been more embarrassed to have everyone know that he saw a naked body, so he just fought to save himself from the shame. What about me? How can I get justice?

I heard Sebastian say goodbye, the other housemates who were outside Maria Florencita's room also left. After a while, the door opened. I immediately sank back into the water, "Tanya?" Maria Florencita called in a whisper.

I lifted my head out of the water again, the rose petals clinging to my hair and face. "Don't worry, Sebastian didn't suspect anything," she said, her nervousness making her sweat. "He didn't see you either, did he?" she continued, I just swallowed nervously because of that question.

Should I tell the truth? That Sebastian saw... "No" I replied, Maria Florencita nodded. "That's fine, I'll go down again, I'll just drop off our guests" she said then closed the door again.

I was left speechless, it seemed like I also wanted to save myself from embarrassment. I didn't want others to know that someone had seen what I was most guarding. I was just submerged in water again. This was the moment I wished I could get out of the story immediately so I could forget this embarrassing incident.

THE NEXT DAY, I woke up early to get ready. I didn't sleep well all night thinking about my lost dignity. I just hope Sebastian can forget about it. I hope when he wakes up today, he won't remember anything about what happened last night.

My small room was near the wine cellar. There was a small bed, a mat, a pillow, and a blanket. There was also a large trunk under the bed to put clothes. Amalia's room was still more comfortable, but it was better than sleeping next to the voodoo dolls in the house of the ale that helped me.

I've been looking for my belongings in the sack for more than ten minutes. My hair is tied up tightly and I've put on my hat to hide it, I've also drawn a mustache with charcoal. I'm wearing a black shirt and brown pants, at least it's believable that I'm a man, fortunately because my face isn't big, I managed to cover it with two rounds of cloth on my chest.

When I opened the door, I was surprised because Maria Florencita was there, she had just knocked. "Have you seen my things?" I asked her, which made her think. "What things?"

"The sack I brought, my clothes and my shoes are in there," I said, making her think carefully again. "Didn't you put that near my room window?" she asked, I nodded when I remembered that I had put it there.

"Yes, that's it! Is it still there?"

"As far as I remember, nothing. I was the one who opened the window earlier."

"Halá! That can't be lost"

I thought carefully, it's clear in my memory that I brought it here to the mansion and left it in Maria Florencita's room. It can't be lost, it can't fall into someone else's hands because I definitely won't be able to take it with me when I get out of this story!

"I'll have Ornina look for it, don't worry, she might have just put it away," Maria Florencita said, I went out and closed the door of my room.

"Tanya" she said, "I can't call you Tanya anymore, what male name will you use?" her question made me think.

"James Reid" I smiled, she looked surprised. "Foreign name" she said, we were now walking outside their mansion. It was only five in the morning, she and Don Florencia were going to church first before eating breakfast on the way back.

"Paolo Avelino" I said, we reached the living room. She nodded. The other maid who was cleaning there turned to me. "Ah, I know, Joshua Garcia!" I smiled, we stopped in front of the living room door. "Is your last name Avelino or Garcia?" Maria Florencita asked, Tanya didn't have a last name.

"It's just too complicated. I'll just use a different name," I continued, we had already arrived outside. The carriage was already there, I grabbed the horse. "What?" she asked, the name I was going to use had to be unique and not attract attention.

"Bogart" I replied, Maria Florencita smiled. "I just heard that now! What a beautiful name for a handsome young man!" I blinked twice at her. Was she serious?

I was about to speak when Don Florencio suddenly arrived, Maria Florencita immediately approached and paid her respects to her father. "Father, I would like to introduce you to my new guard and coachman" she began, I started walking towards them.

Why am I nervous? No one would notice that I look like a woman. "It's Bogart, father," Maria Florencia smiled. Don Florencio looked at me from head to toe. "B-bogart?" he asked in surprise, as if he wasn't sure if that was a name.

"Ah, my name is Arturo. Others just call me Bogart" I smiled, thinking about changing it because I couldn't help but laugh at myself when they called me Bogart.

 "So, your knowledge of fighting and horsemanship is extensive?" he asked, as if I were in a job interview and I was now in front of the manager next to his secretary.

"Yes. A little. That's fine" I smiled then swallowed nervously. His face was surprised, "It seems like you're just a teenager, your voice is still clumsy and high-pitched" he said, Maria Florencita and I looked at each other in surprise. I forgot that my voice should be deeper.

I laughed with my deep voice, I even choked at the end. "Maybe I'm about to become a young man Ho ho ho" I continued and laughed like Santa Claus. Don Florencio nodded and laughed too then got on the carriage. Maria Florencita and I laughed because we make her father believed.

It was almost time for mass to start when we arrived at the church. I had a hard time getting the horse to run because I didn't really know how. Luckily, I remembered what Sebastian had done to get the horse we were riding to run.

Don Florencio almost doubted my ability, but Maria Florencita simply said that their horse seemed lethargic and sick, which is why it didn't want to run at first and its pace was slow until we reached town.

"You stay there, doggie" I said goodbye to the horse while stroking his face. I entered the church, Don Florencio and Maria Florencita had entered there earlier, they were warmly welcomed and greeted by the people as if they were of noble blood.

I stopped at the church door when a guard standing guard there spoke up. "Please take off your hat, sir," he said, grabbing my hat, as it was forbidden to enter the church with a hat on.

"Ah, okay, I'll go have a drink there first" I smiled, the guard's face was surprised but he didn't say anything. I walked under the tree. I didn't go inside the church because I couldn't take off my hat.

A little while later, it was getting warmer under the tree next to the church so I walked to the side of the church. There was no one there, I leaned against the edge of the rough wall. The mass wasn't over yet, I wanted to peek inside the church maybe I could see Father Emmanuel. I wanted to ask him why I saw him in court the other day.

Within a few minutes, I heard two familiar voices talking. I looked down the long hallway. I saw Don Severino and General Roberto walking down it. They were walking slowly while talking seriously.

"You still haven't found the witch?" Don Severino asked his son. They were walking slowly. I immediately hid behind a large wall on the side of the church and followed them with my eyes from there.

"Not yet, father. I strongly suspect that she has something to do with the rebels," Roberto said, noting that he was wearing the general's uniform that Sebastian had always worn before.

"Rebels? Isn't the rebel Berning a member of yours?"

"They have a large group, father. They are divided into two sides. Lorenzo's side is the one most people recognize. Berning's side is the one we will use against the Guerrero family. Perhaps the witch is on Lorenzo's side."

Don Severino laughed, "I don't care what side that woman is on. What's important is that we get her out of here early. How did she escape from you?"

"According to our men, they successfully threw the woman into the river but they were attacked by a man with a black cloth covering his face. He fought them off and rescued the woman. They were unable to follow where he went because our men were badly injured," I covered my mouth when I heard what Roberto said.

It's true that a man saved me, but who was that man?

"Do you think that mysterious man is a member of the rebel group on Lorenzo's side?" Don Severino asked his son. Roberto nodded in response.

"Try to find the witch. It would be better if you could also track down the person who rescued her."

"What is your purpose? Why do you want to find that woman? Father"

"Because she will also be our ace against Sebastian," Roberto was surprised by his father's answer. They stopped walking.

"Didn't that woman come when we were in the middle of Sebastian's trial in court? Because of her, the chief judge had the opportunity to divert people's attention to something else and postpone the trial of Sebastian's case for now," Don Severino said and continued walking, Roberto following behind him and listening intently.

"If that woman hadn't shown up, Sebastian would have been sentenced. But now they've had enough time to postpone the case and Don Florencio has done everything he can to save his daughter's future husband," Don Severino turned to Roberto.

"Didn't you notice the tactic they used? They diverted attention. Everyone's attention was turned to the prostitute and the trial was postponed. Enough time and opportunity were the reasons why Don Florencio was able to act and Sebastian was acquitted" Don Severino patted his son on the shoulder and looked him straight in the eye.

"So don't let Sebastian out of your sight. Watch his every move. Let's use that prostitute to put more pressure on Sebastian, who is a member of the rebels."

I was idly stirring the noodles I was eating. I was currently at Panciteria ala Pacita, my work hours were over and I thought I would have a quick snack after receiving my first paycheck from Maria Florencita earlier.

What Don Severino and Roberto want to happen is still in line with the flow of the story. They have to do that to pressure Sebastian and the rebels win at the end of the story. But what I don't understand is, what will happen if they succeed in capturing me and using me against Sebastian? That's not in the story.

A moment later, I stopped when I saw Aling Pacing, he passed in front of me and greeted Aling Lucia. Mang Pedro was next to Aling Pacing.

"I'm really worried, Lucia. I saw a picture posted in town of a woman that the guards are currently looking for. She's the woman who came to us last night and asked to work here," Aling Pacing said, sadness evident on her face.

"That woman probably committed a serious crime against an officer. It's a good thing you didn't let her stay. Your family will definitely be affected," said Aunt Lucia, Mang Pedro bowed.

"But I feel sorry for her situation. She has no place to stay and they are still looking for her. Poor kid. I feel like she's like my own daughter, it's like I've known her for a long time but I just can't remember," said Aling Pacing and held her chest.

I dropped my fork, causing it to fall onto the plate. They looked at me, and I immediately bowed. They wouldn't recognize me now because I was dressed as a man.

"I also have a strong feeling that we have met her before. It is not clear from our memories where or when, but it seems like we have known that girl for a long time," Mang Pedro added, then touched his wife's shoulder.

I glanced at them slowly. Could it be possible that they remembered the Tanya they had met before I edited Salamisim?

I SLOWLY walk back to the Garza family mansion. I can't get the possibility out of my mind that the characters in this story will remember me again. But how? What do I need to do so that they will remember me forever?

I stopped when I passed by the bookstore owned by Sebastian. I had to buy a notebook and a pen, I had to write down everything that was happening here so I wouldn't forget everything if I ever got out of this story again.

I opened the door, and found Niyong standing on the small stairs to arrange the books at the top. "Good afternoon," he greeted, coming down the stairs and welcoming me warmly.

I looked at him carefully, he didn't seem to remember me either. "How can I help you, sir?" he continued, politely. He was a little rebellious when he saw me as Tanya.

"I would like to buy a notebook, pen, and ink," I replied, he immediately nodded and accompanied me to a long table where there were blank notebooks and paper.

"How thick do you want, sir?" he asked, I looked at him. "Just like this," I said, then gestured with my finger.

I would like to remind him that I am the boss and that I am responsible for this world within the story, but what if he pushes me away and thinks I am losing my mind.

He tilted his head to the side and then imitated the measurement I said with his finger, "How many pages is it, sir?" he continued, I continued looking through the books. I was hoping to see the book of Salamisim here.

"About two hundred"

"Tuhandred?"

I turned to him, he scratched his head because of what I said. I miss this kid so much. It's a shame I can't spoil his boss's background for him again. "Ah, two hundred" he replied, i nodded and quickly took care of my purchases.

I miss shopping with him. I'm sure the things I bought for him are gone.

I was about to leave but he spoke, "Sir, are you the new coachman and bodyguard of señorita Maria Florencita?" I nodded in response to his question.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Niyong, I'm Señor Sebastian's coachman, I'm also the guard at this store," he smiled, took off his hat and placed it on his chest.

I nodded and smiled, I wanted to take off my hat and do the same courtesy he did but I couldn't because my ponytail would be visible. "It's nice to meet you too. Arturo by the way" I used a deep voice, compared to the two of us he was the one going through puberty, not me.

"How did you know that I was new coachman and bodyguard of Miss Maria Florencita?"

"We saw you this morning at church. Señor Sebastian asked me who you were, I learned that you were a new worker at the hacienda so that's what I told our señor" he replied, I blinked at his words. They were there this morning? Did Sebastian see me? Does he still remember what happened last night?

"Don't worry, sir, Señor Sebastian doesn't suspect you. Our señor is just really careful with new people who come into contact with his family and the Garza family," Niyong continued. I was about to speak more, but the store door suddenly opened.

"Good afternoon, sir" Niyong greeted Sebastian. I looked at him in surprise, he glanced at me for a moment then walked towards a room. I felt my heart flutter, I was nervous. It seemed like he didn't recognize me.

"Why is your face red, sir? Are you feeling bad?" Niyong asked, causing me to come to my senses.

I sighed and adjusted my hat, "I was out in the sun for a long time... That's why my skin is like this," I replied, then looked back at the room where Sebastian had entered earlier.

Niyong came up to me and whispered, "That man is our señor Sebastian Guerrero. The one you serve will be married to," he whispered, biting my lower lip hard. I need to get out of here, Sebastian might think I'm the one he saw last night in the bathroom.

"Here you go," Niyong said, then handed me my purchase. I also handed him the payment. I was about to leave, but suddenly the door to the room opened, and Sebastian came out. He had changed his clothes. He was now wearing a white polo shirt and black pants.

I was stunned by him for a moment then came to my senses when Niyong spoke, "Would you like to eat a snack, señor?" Sebastian just shook his head in response to Niyong, he was looking at me now. Those captivating eyes were hard to avoid.

I looked away then nodded to Niyong to say goodbye but I was stopped when Sebastian spoke, "Wait a minute..." he said, I slowly looked at him. He started to walk closer to Niyong and me while he adjusted the button at the end of his sleeve.

"What's your name?" he asked while looking straight at me.

"Huh?" I don't know why I said that. I held my mouth because I forgot to use my deep voice so I froze and then straightened up. "Ah, my name is Arturo, señor" I replied then swallowed nervously.

"How old are you?" he asked, his face serious. It felt like I was at a job interview again.

"23"

"Where do you live?"

"At the Garza family mansion"

"I mean, where are you from?"

I frowned, Sebastian's question was too much to ask. I wanted to answer him with a curt "In my mother's womb" but he might send me to prison for disrespect, so I tried to be as formal as I could.

"In north, sir"

"Why are you here in Manila?"

"I'm here to work," isn't it obvious? I smiled so he wouldn't think I answered him poorly.

"How did you get into the Garza family as a worker?" I bit my lower lip. It seemed like he was doubting my character.

"Ah, they just happened to need a new worker so... I applied---Ah, my friend helped me out" I smiled then nodded to myself. I didn't want them to notice that I was nervous now, my knees were shaking too.

"Friends who also serve them?"'

"Yes... It seems that way" no matter how much I smiled Sebastian couldn't be moved. He walked over to a table then sat down on a chair and opened a book.

"Who is that friend? What is his job in the Garza family?" I just swallowed. He was investigating me.

"A-at their newspaper printing house." I couldn't think of anything else to answer. I just hoped he wouldn't ask that question. He nodded then looked at me again.

"What happened to your forehead?"

I touched my forehead, I just put medicine on it earlier, I had a small scratch from when it hit the bathtub last night.

"Ah, I dump into the door. Luckily I didn't get lump" I smiled, looking at Niyong who just motioned for me to calm down because his boss just wanted to make it clear that I wasn't a spy or an enemy.

"Aren't you Maria Florencita's bodyguard?" I nodded in response to her question. "Who was the woman in Maria Florencita's bathroom last night?" My eyes almost popped out at her question. Even Niyong was surprised because he was talking about the bathroom.

"Señor, did you see someone taking a bath in the bathroom?" Niyong couldn't finish what he was going to say because Sebastian suddenly stood up. He realized that he shouldn't have asked that because he would definitely be embarrassed.

He held his forehead, I couldn't breathe. He saw! He saw! He saw!

"You can leave now," Sebastian said, then gestured for me to leave.

"Señor, what did you see?" Niyong chased after, a look of surprise on his face. Sebastian walked back to the room he had entered earlier. "W-what kind of snack can we have?" he changed the subject then went back into the room and closed it.

I was left speechless and the truth that he had seen me kept running through my mind!

IT WAS getting dark so the streets were full of people. Niyong and I were walking home, Sebastian had gone home first, a kalesa had picked him up earlier. I also helped him with his bags. He told me a lot about his jobs and how many years he had been serving the Guerrero family.

Somehow, what happened earlier had already left my mind, but fortunately Sebastian didn't suspect me. It seemed like I had convinced him that I was a man, so I was safe. "Mr. Arturo..." Niyong called.

"What are you doing? Just call me sis—Ayy! brother!, you're too formal" he couldn't have noticed that I made a mistake. I held my throat, it felt like it was swollen because I had been speaking in my deep voice for a while.

"Thank you, brother Arturo," he smiled, and I nodded. I also walked briskly as if I was going to start a fight on the corner to look more manly. "Do you have a limp in your leg, brother Arturo?" Niyong asked, then watched my gait.

I just laughed and then told him, "This is how the arrogant bpoys walk. No one can stop me when the people around on the road see me," I boasted, then showed him a little arrogance.

His head tilted again, "What? Si-ga? Pora? Tam-bay?" I stopped and adjusted my walking. No matter what, Niyong's innocence always got in the way of my jokes. "Nothing, we just called each other in the barrio where I grew up," I laughed then hit him again.

A few moments later, we stopped walking when Lolita suddenly blocked our path. Her smile reached ear to ear, her cheeks were flushed and Niyong almost melted under her gaze. "Hello, Eugenio?" Lolita smiled and her eyes widened three times.

"I brought you something to eat," Lolita smiled, then her eyes widened again. It was as if I couldn't keep up with the situation, as if she had just hated and scolded Niyong. I wasn't used to seeing her like this.

"Thank you very much, but I'm still full," Niyong said, then looked at me. "We have to go," he continued, walking ahead. Lolita chased after him, trying to give the food she was holding.

I continued walking and followed them. They were cute to look at anyway, but it was scary to see Lolita acting so cute.

Everyone was shocked when Lolita tripped because a running child hit her. The food fell to the ground and she collapsed on the dirty road. Niyong didn't notice her, she just kept walking.

People were looking at Lolita, I knew that was supposed to happen because it was part of the scene in the story. But I couldn't help but feel sorry for Lolita, somehow she became my friend and I treated her like a sister. She always held my arm whenever we walked and she also ate secretly with me inside the Panciteria when they had something delicious to cook.

I walked over to her and helped her stand up. I also wiped her arm and clothes which were now covered in dust. "Please forgive him, Niyong. He's just full," I said then looked at her.

She was staring at me with tears in her eyes, "You have to endure all of this. In the end, your care for Niyong will pay off," I continued, smiling. In the end, niyong will also fall in love with lolita, so I will definitely follow the progress of their story.

I picked up the food he had spilled on the ground and handed it to her. I nodded and then walked with Niyong again.

IN THE NIGHT, I started writing in my notebook, I also brought some books that I had been reading earlier. I wrote in the notebook what I needed to remember. Through this, I might also have a clue as to why this is happening to me. I would also have an idea of how to get out of the story.

It was late at night, I couldn't sleep yet so I went out for a while and hung out in the Garza family's garden. There were guards outside. I lifted my foot and placed it on the opposite bench.

I also brought a lamp, I wanted to write inside the room but it was too cramped and the ink might spread on the mat. I thought about it carefully, it seemed possible that the characters might remember me again. I had to figure out how.

I continued writing, I also drew. Their looks were exactly how I described them in the novel. That's why I feel heavy every time I see Sebastian's sketch. I know him but I just can't remember those times.

I stopped writing when I suddenly saw a shadow from the side. In surprise, I lowered my foot that was resting on a chair and stood up properly. ""Why aren't you sleeping yet, Arturo?" asked Mang Juan, the butcher of animals. He was holding a torch of fire.

"Ah, I'm just finishing something," I replied, looking closely at the tall man with him. "I'll just call señorita Maria Florencita, señor Sebastian," Mang Juan said to the person he was talking to. Sebastian took off his hat, causing me to look at him.

Mang Juan hung the torch of fire on the side then entered the mansion. Sebastian was wearing a black coat. I was wearing a loose white shirt, pants and a straw hat. What was he doing here in the middle of the night?

He probably going to court maria florencita, why doesn't she bring flowers? Lorenzo is best at it because he know how to court her. And, Lorenzo, he always makes Maria Florencita excited.

Sebastian looked at me, I immediately looked away and quickly picked up my books, notebook, ink, and pen. I looked at him then quickly bowed and quickly walked away.

But I had only taken seven steps when he spoke, "Faye..." he said, stopping me.

A gentle breeze blew, causing the plants and flowers in the garden to dance. I slowly turned to face him. My heart beat faster at the fact that he remembered my name!

**********