Like his father
In the tranquility of her sleep, Chantrea found herself once again in the enigmatic world of her dreams. A hazy forest enveloped her, its dense foliage dancing with a faint silver glow cast by the luminescent moon. The scent of damp earth mingled with the intoxicating aroma of wildflowers as she wandered deeper into the ethereal woods.
In these recurring dreams, a sense of familiarity permeated the air—a familiarity intertwined with an inexplicable foreboding. Amidst the moonlit silhouettes, two figures emerged, stirring a blend of curiosity and apprehension within her.
One figure, a man, exuded an aura of raw power, his presence commanding reverence. His piercing eyes held a depth that seemed to transcend time, and though his form was human, something primal and untamed lurked beneath his facade. He moved with the grace of a predator, his gaze following her every step.
The other figure remained elusive, a mere shadow flitting at the edges of her consciousness. This being, veiled in darkness, seemed to tease her from afar, his whispers lingering in the recesses of her mind. His voice, though gentle, bore an unnerving allure that tugged at her subconscious.
Chantrea's heart raced as she grappled with the unsettling dichotomy of these dream beings—a werewolf and a vampire, an inexplicable duality that perplexed her in this nocturnal world. Their presence cast an enigmatic spell, leaving her bewildered by the cryptic messages and emotions that swirled within her dreamscape.
The dream world, an amalgamation of beauty and mystery, beckoned her to uncover its secrets. Yet, just as her curiosity reached its zenith, an ominous sensation tugged at her consciousness. A discordant note reverberated through the serene ambience, shattering the dreamscape like shards of glass.
Reality pierced through the dream, mercilessly dragging her back to the waking world. The tranquility of the forest dissolved, replaced by a chilling void that gripped her heart.
With a gasp, Chantrea's eyes fluttered open, her breaths shallow and labored. Panic clawed at her as the remnants of her dream lingered like fragments of a forgotten melody. It took a moment for her senses to ground themselves in the present, to shake off the ephemeral remnants of the dream world.
Then, stark and jarring, the sight before her snapped her back to reality. Adrian, the enigmatic figure who had intertwined himself in her life, was locked behind the cold, steel bars of a cell.
Her heart sank as she grappled with the abrupt transition from the haunting dreamscape to the harsh reality of Adrian's incarceration. The dreams—vivid and unsettling—felt as though they were echoes of a hidden truth, an enigma she couldn't decipher.
Fragments of the dream flickered at the edges of her thoughts, the lingering presence of the werewolf and the vampire haunting her waking mind. The inexplicable connection between these dream figures and the tumultuous events unfolding in her reality left her bewildered, a knot of questions tightening within her chest.
"Where's Adrian?" mommy asked as she glanced at my back.
Her forehead puckered when she saw Adrian walking with the guy that I assume to be the chief or detective. The policemen are following them.
"Why is there a police?" Mom.
"Madam, that was backstage earlier."
"They're in the backstage?"
"Yes ma'am, right when you left, they came."
We were outside the building, my parents' three cars were parked directly opposite. I saw our body guards waiting with them.
It looks like we just followed them out of the building. They still haven't left? Adrian said goodbye to me a while ago, I thought they had gone first.
My parents are watching them just like Rich. Who looks like he's watching an interesting show better than the run way a while ago. My eyes shifted at them.
Adrian's face was calm, I don't know if he was just trying to show he was calm or if it really was. It's not like me whose heart is pounding with nervousness.
"Why Adrian is with them? What happened?" I didn't answer Mommy's question because even I didn't know what was going on.
What does Adrian have to do with the dead body found? Have you seen the body of that woman? Why did Adrian look for him and not me?
I just came home here in the Philippines, I was immediately met with problems. It is impossible to see the body of that woman and if it is seen, it will not be recognized for the amount of time that has passed.
I can't help but question myself at this moment. Did I really make the right decision to go back here?
My hands usually don't sweat but right now it's sweating like hell. I stared at it for a second, I crossed my arms to hide my shaking hands and sighed heavily.
I looked back at her. Adrian took a breath in his car then got in, his body guards did the same as the car was separated from him. Adrian can't see me. His car left first.
The other policeman was the first to follow Adrian's car. My gaze stayed on the man I was facing earlier. Before entering the police car, the man first turned our direction so that our eyes met.
His cold eyes darted at me. My eyes remained on him, figuring out where I saw his face. I'm not sure if I met him before but he's really familiar to me. His stare didn't last that long. He looked away and got into the police car then drove.
"Does Adrian have a case or something?" mommy asked.
"He definitely committed a crime Diñana, just like his father." daddy said as if he was sure about that.
"Adrian is much better than his father, Daddy."
"Indeed, but still he likes him."
I sighed heavily. "It's been years now... but still your opinion about Adrian never changes daddy."
"Because it's true," he said emphatically.
"It's in their blood, Chantrea. I never like a Manansala as your friend but you two are bonding so I let it happen. Never thought that friendship would last this long. Better end what's going in between you too, Chantrea. He's no good for you," daddy said seriously.
"Miguel stop that. Your son just came home."
It got stuck. "I'm just reminding your son that he's a Calejo, he doesn't fit in just Manansala."
He shook his head. "You see now, it looks like there's going to be a case."
The tension in the air lingered as Chantrea's family discussed Adrian's unexpected encounter with the police. Despite her efforts to calm herself, the rapid beat of her heart echoed her unease.
As they settled into the cars, her father's words reverberated in her mind, a stark reminder of the persistent prejudice against Adrian's family. The history between the Calejos and the Manansalas carried a weight Chantrea wished she could erase, but its shadow loomed over her budding relationship with Adrian.
"He's not a killer," she whispered to herself, a plea more than a statement, willing her father to see beyond the past. Her own inner turmoil battled with the memories of her own transformation, the secrets she harbored about her own supernatural nature. Adrian's world was unfamiliar, but it was not one of darkness and malevolence like her father perceived.
The car ride home was silent, the tension palpable, each member lost in their thoughts. Chantrea glanced out the window, her gaze fixated on the passing scenery, yet her mind remained entangled in the recent events. Her thoughts swirled between her past, Adrian's mysterious connection to the police, and the potential consequences of his association with them.
Arriving home, the grand estate stood in stark contrast to the turmoil within her. As her parents exited the cars, Chantrea lingered for a moment, her eyes fixed on the horizon, contemplating the uncertainties that loomed ahead.
Her mind wandered back to the time before she was thrust into the world of supernatural beings, a time when life seemed simpler. She yearned for those days of innocence, the days before werewolves and vampires became a part of her reality. Adrian's presence in her life had brought both excitement and turmoil, challenging the boundaries of her former existence.
Gathering her resolve, Chantrea stepped out of the car, the echo of her father's disapproval still resonating in her mind. The cool evening air embraced her, and as she ascended the steps leading to the opulent mansion, she squared her shoulders, ready to face whatever awaited her.
Inside, the opulence of her family's home juxtaposed the storm brewing within her. She navigated through the grand halls, the memories of her past life swirling alongside the present uncertainties. The dichotomy between her human past and the supernatural realm she now traversed weighed heavily on her shoulders.
Her thoughts momentarily shifted back to the forthcoming fashion show—a world she knew well, a world where she was celebrated for her beauty and grace on the runway. It was a stark contrast to the recent turn of events, a reminder of the two worlds she straddled—a life of glamour and the hidden secrets of the supernatural.
Taking a deep breath, Chantrea readied herself to step into the glamour and chaos of the fashion world once more. The dichotomy between her dual lives—a past she yearned for and a present she navigated with uncertainty—played out like a theater performance in her mind.
As she entered the world of glittering lights and camera flashes, Chantrea masked her inner turmoil behind a facade of poise and confidence. Her footsteps echoed on the runway, each step carrying the weight of her past and the enigmatic future that lay ahead.
"He's running for mayor dad. It's normal that he's with the police. He worked hard to get to his current position, so your judgment of him is inappropriate. He's not like his father. He's not a killer." Unlike me.