Chapter 17

I just kept looking at him as the gentle wind blew. He was the first to step back. He took another bullet and put it in the gun. I couldn't read what was going through his mind right now. Did he know I was a woman?

I was about to speak but suddenly Niyong came in. "We already have a breakfast," he said, then raised the three dead birds he was holding. "What---" I couldn't finish what I was going to say when I realized that those three birds had been hit by bullets earlier.

Niyong immediately lit a fire. I got some firewood. Sebastian plucked the bird's feathers. "Wait a minute..." I said to him, rolling up his sleeve so it wouldn't get stained with blood.

I swallowed, "Maybe we can just not eat them," I said, Sebastian and Niyong looked at each other.

"Who?" Niyong asked. I pointed to the birds Sebastian was holding.

"They died because of us. If we hadn't shot them here, they would definitely still be alive today. What about their families waiting for them to come home?" I continued, Niyong's head snapped up. Sebastian just looked at me, emotionless.

"What... do you want to do to... them?" Niyong asked, his face showing that he was confused by what I was saying.

"Just bury them---" I couldn't finish what I was going to say because Sebastian continued to pluck the bird's feathers and said, "We'll eat them. That way, their deaths won't be in vain."

Niyong nodded then continued lighting the fire. I tried to speak again but Sebastian continued, "I'm sure no creature would want to die in vain" he stood up then walked to the nearby stream and washed the poor birds.

It was already seven in the morning when the three pigeons were cooked. "I'm just going to pick some santol," said Niyong, then walked towards the santol tree from a distance. I just stared blankly at the birds. I knew I was just inside the story but I still felt sad for what happened to them.

Sebastian took a cooked bird and handed it to me. "I'm not hungry yet," I said, he didn't say anything. He just ate it. He must be thinking that I'm a weak man because I can't eat the bird like he and Niyong could.

"Perhaps you also come from a wealthy family," he said, making me turn to him. "My doubts about your character are growing. If you do come from a wealthy family, why do you have to serve the Garza family?" I just closed my eyes. Almost half of my life here inside the book is doubted and judged by the characters.

"Can't I just feel sorry for the birds so I can't eat them?" I complained to him, he blinked twice as he bit into the bird meat. His face showed that he was surprised by the tone of my speech. I was already hungry but I really couldn't eat pigeon.

Sebastian placed his food on a leaf and wiped his hand, "It's still not clear to me how you got in as Maria Florencita's guard," he continued, my eyes narrowed. He's always interrogating me.

I looked up at the blue sky, as if he had asked me that before. I tried to remember what I had answered him before. "My friend who works for them helped me get in," I replied, the pigeon smelled of chicken so I had a hard time controlling myself.

"Who is that friend?" he asked, I looked at him and studied him closely. Why did I make Sebastian so smart and difficult to deceive? I'm having a hard time getting along with him.

"Just a secret. Do you know that's not allowed? I'm not allowed to give private information to anyone. Even if you're a general, I still wouldn't just give out personal information," I said, adding that it's clear in the Data Privacy Act.

 "It is also a big puzzle to me why Maria Florencita begged Don Florencio not to find out who the woman you brought to your room was. You were not even punished for what you did," he continued eating again.

It's also my fault why I'm having trouble now, if only I had stayed in the witch's house. I'm sure all I'm having trouble with now is grinding herbs and sticking needles into her dolls.

I looked at him, was he jealous because Maria Florencita saved me? After all, Arturo seemed like a threat to her and Maria Florencita.

"He also knows my girlfriend. Of course he doesn't want Faye to get hurt either," I said, almost finishing his food. It seemed like he enjoyed the bird even without the sauce.

"Where is your girlfriend?" he asked, something I didn't expect. Sebastian is the type who doesn't care about other people's lives, it just depends on if he needs to know something.

My eyebrows raised, "Why are you looking for her?"

"I'm just mystified by her. I've seen her before," my heart stopped when he said that. Did he remember Mary Faye Vasquez? "The way she was dressed in court was amazing. It was also a big puzzle to everyone how she got into the courthouse when the security there was so tight."

My shoulders slumped again. He had just seen me, the mad witch Don Severino had mistaken for that day. "She told me something in prison, that I would be freed from there with the help of Don Florencio. What she said came true. It seems she knows a lot," I became nervous again. I had said a lot to him that I shouldn't have at that time. He must have mistaken me for a spy again.

"She's a good fortune teller. Her predictions are always right," I said, feeling my voice tremble as I said that. She shouldn't notice that I was nervous. "Why do you want to know who my girlfriend is? Do you need anything from her? Ha," I changed the subject. He was surprised again by my tone of voice. He must have been weirded out by me because my emotions were constantly changing.

"You two are acting out of character," he said, making me think about what he said. Even I was confused about my role in the story. We were silent for a few seconds, he was now looking at Niyong who was picking santol from the tree.

I smiled to myself as an idea entered my mind. "But the truth is, isn't she pretty?" I smiled, she looked at me in surprise. "My girlfriend is pretty, isn't she?" I repeated, the smile never leaving my lips. I noticed that her ears also turned red, it's fun to tease a Sebastian Gurerrero.

"It's not important to talk about that," he said, then ate the last piece of meat. I sat up straight and faced him, "We men usually talk about beautiful ladies. Isn't it?" I smiled, he ignored me. He just continued eating while his ears and cheeks were still red.

I patted his shoulder as if we were close. "Tell me the truth, you're attracted to her. I won't be angry. Faye is really pretty. Kind, hardworking, smart, sexy---Ah, her body shape is beautiful and her smile is just so attractive. 'Right? Right?" I teased then patted him a few more times while laughing.

"She's beautiful, isn't she?" I repeated, he moved away from me because I was already touching his shoulder.

"No" he replied causing me to stop and gape at his answer. "What no?!" I shouted which surprised him, he even dropped the bird bone due to the shock.

"She looks just normal," Sebastian continued, causing my head to heat up even more. "She's beautiful! Maria Florencita is prettier, but Faye is more real. She's the one who created Maria Florencita and all of yo---" I didn't finish what I was going to say when I realized I shouldn't continue.

"Forget what I said. You have no taste. You always wear the same general uniform. You only have the same hairstyle. Are you a statue?" I started, pointing at her hair that was neatly styled with a hairbrush.

"I think I only saw three outfits on you, the white polo shirt you always wear to bed. Do you wash that? Also your black coat, it's so hot here in the Philippines and you wore a coat? Are you okay?" I turned to him annoyed.

Sebastian blinked twice while looking at me. He was stunned when he heard what I said. I was still annoyed by his answer. His character is still too honest and straight to the point so I was even more annoyed.

I looked at him, he was still looking at me in surprise. It seemed like he had no intention of taking back what he said and saying he was just joking. "There you go. Consume all of that until you become a pigeon" I said annoyed then stood up and walked towards Niyong who was still climbing the santol tree to cool off.

"THANK YOU for the food, brother Arturo" Niyong smiled when our noodle order arrived. We are now eating at Panciteria ala Pacita. It's noon, I stopped by the bookstore earlier to buy a pen because the one I bought earlier was worn out.

I invited him to eat at Panciteria so that he and Lolita could meet. "Just tell me what else you need. I'll take care of it," I said then patted his head. He happily started eating. Sebastian is on a strict diet and he controls the nutritious foods they eat so Niyong doesn't eat much.

The Panciteria was also almost full. We were sitting by the window. We noticed that people, especially the street vendors, immediately moved to the side to make way for the soldiers who were marching in the middle, led by Roberto.

They also surrounded a fancy chariot in which Don Severino was riding. We followed their high-headed walk in the middle with our eyes. "They are using the army for their own personal gain," said Niyong, then continued eating noodles.

Roberto and Don Severino are using the army for their safety, security and to intimidate other citizens who stand in their way. "I feel sorry for Señor Sebastian" he continued, I looked at him. If only he knew that he would also be ruined because of Sebastian in the next chapters.

"Señor Sebastian values his position as a general. He worked hard for it for several years. He didn't ask his father for help," he said, and I breathed a deep sigh of relief. Sebastian will regain his rank as a general, but not yet.

"I don't really understand why people think badly of the army? Even though the truth is that they are just following orders. They are just doing their sworn duty well. To defend the country, maintain peace and prevent chaos."

"What's wrong with what they do? That's their duty, but almost all citizens think they're bad people," NIyong continued, making me speechless with what he said. I'm one of the people who wrote to make the Guardia Civil under Sebastian's leadership villains and evil. Because they're the ones who exterminate the rebels who are the protagonists of my novel.

"Kuya Arturo" Niyong called and then grabbed my shoulder. I couldn't stop choking on my food because of what he said earlier. A moment later, Lolita suddenly came over and handed me a glass of water.

I immediately drank it and leaned back in the chair. I held my throat. "Do you need another glass of water, sir?" Lolita asked while smiling at me. I couldn't understand why she was smiling when I almost choked to death.

"No more. Thank you Lolita" I said. Niyong and I were surprised when Lolita came closer to me, causing Niyong to back away because she stepped between us. "It's okay, sir. Just tell me what else I can do for you. I'm ready to do anything" Lolita said using her gentle voice that she only uses when talking to Niyong.

Niyong and I looked at each other, I blinked three times, then looked back at Lolita, who was now blushing and smiling at me. I also looked at the kitchen where the other cooks were peeking through the door, following Lolita's words.

I was stunned for a few seconds until I realized that it seemed like Niyong and Lolita's side love story had gone off track again because of me.

THE NEXT DAY, Maria Florencita accompanied me to their newspaper printing house. Maria Florencita was greeted politely by an elderly man. I remembered that he was the man who had called me crazy and ordered Lorenzo to throw me out.

"Good morning, señorita" he greeted with a smile that made his gums show. "It's hot inside. Your clothes will get dirty too" he said, Maria Florencita just smiled gently while holding her fan.

"I just wanted to check inside," she smiled, Mang Tino bowed and then accompanied us inside. As soon as the door opened, the workers stopped and quickly put on their outerwear. Most of them didn't have any outerwear because it was really hot inside.

My eyes widened, I didn't expect the bodies of the men working here to be so beautiful. "Four pack to six pack abs are the thing to fight for here, sis" I whispered to Maria Florencita who was surprised by what I said. Mang Tino walked first, "Ah, I mean it's beautiful inside" I smiled, Maria Florencita nodded then smiled.

"I also enjoy seeing how newspapers are made, so I come here often," she whispered to me. I wanted to tease her that she was also happy to see abs here. We continued walking towards the room where the finished newspapers were piled up, ready to be distributed to the town.

But before we entered the room, Maria Florencita stopped walking and turned to the left where Lorenzo was also looking at her. I smiled to myself, I was thrilled by the two of them. Maria Florencita was the first to look away, she hid her red cheeks behind the fan she was holding.

They entered the room, I looked at Lorenzo again then followed her inside with a smile.

IN THE EVENING, Maria Florencita called me to her room. I went to the kitchen to drink water but I was stopped when the maids who were cleaning the kitchen stopped. They all looked at me as if they were ready to sentence me to death in court.

"W-why?" I asked, they followed me with their eyes until I finished drinking the water. I looked at the glass I was holding, "I-I'll wash this" I said, they must have been annoyed because I added another dish to wash. The Garza family had just finished eating dinner with the other guests so they were doing a lot of washing up now.

I was surprised when a housekeeper in her fifties suddenly stabbed the knife she was holding into the wooden chopping board. "You," she pointed at me, and the other housekeepers started to approach and surround me.

"W-what's up?" I asked, trying to smile but they were all looking at me seriously. It looked like they were in a sorority and were planning to start my initiation.

"Where is your girlfriend?" the ale asked boldly.

"Ah, she's gone home to them," I replied, which is why they've been looking at me like this for the past few days. It turns out it still has something to do with the woman in my room.

"Did you hit that girl?" someone asked close to my ear, I even held my ear because of the loudness of her voice.

"N-no"

"Perhaps you used flowery words to make her surrender herself to you."

"Huh? You're wrong... There's no surrender---"

"And after you got your wish. You left her in tears and let her die at the hands of the guards!"

I was leaning against the wall, they were slowly walking towards me. "She didn't die? She went home to them" I insisted, I was still alive. It's just that I hadn't gone home to my real house yet.

"That's how you men are. You take advantage of our women's weakness! You will shower us with promises and curses that you are ready to grab the star, swim the ocean and climb the mountain for us but when you get what you want, you will leave us like a withered flower on the road!" shouted the ale, which everyone agreed with.

I just closed my eyes. I can't tell them that I'm that girl too.

"That woman is definitely pregnant, so hold her accountable!" they continued, repeatedly hurling cowardly, baseless, and insensitive words at me. I just let them speak and then slammed the glass I was holding down on the table.

"I won't explain anymore. I'm sleepy, friends," I said bluntly, then quickly walked out of the kitchen to escape them.

"They said that?" Maria Florencita laughed when I told her what happened earlier in the kitchen. Sitting in her chair while I combed my long hair. I was still wearing my shirt.

She was lying on her bed reading a book but couldn't continue reading because she was more interested when I told her what their housekeepers do to me.

"Marry yourself now so they can settle.," she joked, then laughed again while covering her face with the book because it wasn't appropriate these days for a woman to laugh with her teeth exposed.

"It looks like they really won't let me go. I want to show up tonight. I'll scare them like I'm a ghost and tell them that if they don't stop Arturo, I'll visit them every night," I said, causing Maria Florencita to laugh even more. I was serious about that idea but she just laughed.

After a few minutes, she got tired of laughing. She stood up and opened her closet. "By the way, I'm going to leave for a while," she said and put on a black hood. I stood up, "Where are you going?"

I remembered that this was the scene where she and Lorenzo would meet at the riverside. She had successfully passed the message earlier to Lorenzo when we went to the newspaper printing house. I returned to my seat and combed my hair.

She walked behind me to look at herself in the mirror, "I haven't shared it with you yet. Can you promise that this secret will be just between the two of us?"

I nodded and smiled, I knew what it was but it was just exciting to have a girl's top secret. She came closer to me and whispered in my ear, "I'll have someone to meet at the river" she smiled and her cheeks turned red.

"Just stay here. I need you here in my room" my smile disappeared because of what she said. What other ideas were running through Maria Florencita's mind. "Just lie down on my bed and sleep. I'll be back before dawn" she smiled then took the rest of what she was going to bring.

 I wanted to tell her that even though I wasn't in her room. No one would know she wasn't there. "Just sleep until I get back" she continued, I stared at her soft and clean bed. It's been a long time since I slept on that kind of bed.

"Be careful, girl" I said, she was already in front of the door. "Girl?" she asked in surprise, I jumped on her bed. "Just be careful of who you meet" I smiled then got under the blanket. She smiled and quickly went out.

I'm not afraid because I know they won't be caught. I turned off the lamp and left the only candle lit next to the bed. I closed my eyes, it seemed like I could catch up on sleep now.

I should tell Maria Florencita that we should just sleep next to each other since I am the author of this story. I laughed at that idea, I immediately imagined the look on her face like Sebastian and Niyong's when I give them trivia.

I lost track of time, I don't know how long I had been asleep because I was startled awake when I heard the door from the bathroom slowly open. I looked at the candle, it was still lit but about to die out because the candle had melted.

"You came back early," I said, then turned around in bed and pulled the blanket over me. "Let's go for now. My back hurts from being in bed," I continued, but I was shocked when I felt him sit on the bed and I saw the shadow of a person wearing a salakot.

I immediately sat up in shock. Even the man sitting on the bed was looking at me in shock. "Where is Maria Florencita?" I asked Lorenzo who was looking at me without blinking. "A-aren't you the woman who lost her mind? What are you doing here?" he asked in shock while pointing at me.

"Aren't you two supposed to meet at the riverside? Why are you here?" I turned around, we were just throwing questions at each other. he shouldn't be here. Where is Maria Florencita?

I was about to speak more but suddenly there was a knock on the door. "Señorita, Señor Sebastian is here. He wants to talk to you," Ornina said from behind the door.

Lorenzo and I are both statues. No one should see him here. Neither should I, nor should Sebastian see me here.

Lorenzo immediately hid under the bed. I followed him and hid there while tying my long hair but my tie broke. "As your father ordered, señorita, he can come in. I'll just stay here opposite the door," Ornina continued.

"What are you doing?" Lorenzo said almost in a whisper, his face showing that he was also panicking.

"I'm hiding. Isn't it obvious?"

"They'll know that Maria Florencita isn't here," he insisted, we were under the bed and it was really cramped here.

"So, where is Maria Florencita? And why are you here?"

"I'll answer your questions later. For now, go back to bed and pretend to be Maria Florencita," he said, I was stunned by what he said. He had a point. No one, especially Sebastian, can know that the woman he's going to marry isn't here right now.

"Okay. Okay" I said then quickly got out from under the bed.

Before I could even return to lying on the bed, the door suddenly opened and the first thing I saw was Sebastian's familiar face every time he was troubled by the death he saw in his dreams.

************