Chapter 62

The library has the same exterior as the great hall and living room of the manor, though it has that usual creepy vibe of old libraries. Maybe it's because of the solid narra bookshelves that towers the walls. Carla hoped the bookshelves are screwed to the floor or attached properly whatever the method is. If it happens that one shelf accidentally fell on someone, for sure she won't be able to treat that person however she tries. It's a sure case of dead on the spot accident. "So no one uses this library anymore, Di?" Jovie asked. "Since Grandpa died," Dianne asked. "Even his grandchildren?" Jovie asked again. "None among us are interested in those books," Dianne answered. "Who would want to read about plants and trees and whatever botany is all about?" "Hey, don't be like that," Ria said. "Your grandfather wanted you to inherit his career." "Yeah, but I'm more into fashion and clothing and Avant Garde," Dianne said. "Didn't your grandfather feel sad about it?" asked James. "I guess he did," Dianne answered. "But being the spoiler that he is, he just let me do whatever I want." "Rich people are really extraordinary, eh?" Jovie asked Joven. "You're also rich, Mayor," Joven said. "But you're richer," Jovie said to Joven. "Being the endorser of a detergent soap. Do you even wash your clothes?" Everyone laughed at what Jovie said. "I do wash my clothes. You just need to put them in the washing machine, then you'll wait for it to finish. Then, it's done," Joven asked. "Whoa! That fancy washing machine where you just put the clothes then you just leave it until it's done, and the clothes are all dry," Jovie said. Carla smiled at her friends' banter. Somehow it wasn't so bad that she decided not to leave. Honestly, she really enjoys the company of her former classmates. It's really fun to be with them. Except for that one classmate of theirs. And she doesn't know why she looked at the man she's trying to avoid. Because of that, she realized he is staring at her. And worse, their eyes met. Carla's heartbeat quickened again. She looked away immediately. And to divert her attention to make her heart stop racing as well, she decided to look at the books in the shelves. "Madame, where are the limited-edition books?" Jovie asked. "Here," Ria answered. She brought Jovie on one side of the library. Everyone went with them, except for Carla who intentionally went the other way. Well, she's not exactly that far from them. She's just in the next bookshelf, trying to keep away from that person she wants to avoid. She read the titles of the books in the shelf in front of her. Those were not botany books but are actually literary classics. She was enticed to try one. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. She opened the book and read the dedication written on the first fly leaf. ‘My friend Kiko, I know you love this book very much. I had the chance to secure a first edition copy here in Spain, and I immediately remembered you. Make this my birthday present to you. May you always have good health, and I know you're very fond of your plants, but I hope you take some time to eat their kind to make you healthier. Kidding aside, I know you love your vegies. Regards to your wife and children. Your friend, Iking.' The dedication was signed by Enrique Nelmida, dated 15 April 1943. Carla gaped at the book. If Jovie is looking for limited editions, then surely this is one of them? Not only is it a first edition Harper Lee, but it's also signed by a national artist. She can't help but be amazed. She remembered when she saw that first edition Noli Me Tangere in Ria's library. So Enrique Nelmida's friends were also affected by that national artist's hobby of collecting first edition books? She wondered what type of a friend the famous writer is. If Ria would be her basis, she can say he's that good friend who can do everything for the people dear to him. Even buy an expensive literary piece for a birthday present. "Carla..." She almost dropped the book she's holding. Good thing she was able to lean on the bookshelf to secure the book. The furniture moved a little and Carla realized it might not be solid narra. Joshua is standing by her left side. He looks anxious. "Sorry. Did I scare you?" Joshua asked. Carla looked away. She put the book she's holding back to the bookshelf and pretended to look for another to get away from Joshua. She felt him follow her. "Carla... I hope we could talk. You know–" Carla suddenly felt Joshua near her, as in his body totally touching her back. She was pressed to the bookshelf, and she suddenly heard like some papers or cardboards were thrown to the floor. Her heart raced because of the suddenness of whatever is happening. And also, because Joshua's body is touching hers. "What is that?" It was Dianne. Carla felt her other classmates rushing towards them. It's surprising that she can still feel anything other than Joshua's body next to hers, because it seems like all her senses are focused on the guy who is literally squeezing her towards the wooden bookshelf. She felt Joshua move away from her. "Are you okay?" She looked at him, worry written all over his face. "What happened here?" Again, that was Dianne. She is looking at the papers that scattered on the floor behind Joshua. Their other classmates also looked at the bunch... "I saw the box fall down," Joshua said. He looked at the box and papers on the floor. "That is weird," Dianne said. "That is tucked safely up the shelf. It should never fall down." Carla saw the fear that suddenly crossed Joshua's face. Her other classmates are also looking at either Dianne or the papers on the floor. Except for Ria who is looking up the shelf. "Are you alright?" Dianne asked Carla and Joshua. "Yes!" Joshua said quickly. "Very okay. Totally okay." Dianne frowned. Joshua looked like scared or at least very nervous. She looked at Carla instead. "How about you?" she asked her. Carla nodded. "Yeah." She was safe because Joshua protected her. She suddenly felt something that she immediately pushed away from her system. "I'll call the maid to clean that up," Dianne said before going out of the library. "Those files look so old," Jovie said as she looks at the paper on the floor. James went to the bunch and took one piece of document. "It seems they are Dianne's grandfather's files." Their other classmates imitated James. They also looked at the other documents on the floor. Even Carla looked at the papers as she tried to calm her heart to stop it from racing. "Ri, this looks like your grandfather's letter," Joven said as she handed the envelope to Ria. The latter took the envelope. It's so old the white paper is already brown. "That box is a time capsule," Jovie said. "Oi! We might find some love letters made by Dianne's grandfather to her grandmother," Mark said. "Why, are you going to copy them?" Jeralhd asked his friend. Everyone laughed at what Jeralhd said. "My grandfather never wrote love letters," Dianne said, already back from talking to the maids. "He hates writing. Most of the letters there are from his relatives and friends, specifically Ria's grandfather." "Oh! Love letter of Enrique Nelmida to Francisco Guevarra?" Joven asked. Everyone laughed again. "Letters, but not love letters," Ria said. She also looked at the letters on the floor. "Lolo said that Lolo Isko loves reading a lot, so whenever he has an idea of a story, he writes it to him before he publishes them. Lolo Isko is his number one critic." "So, we can have these auctioned, eh?" Jovie asked while looking at the letter of Ria's grandfather that she's holding. "Go ahead, Mayor, if you want the ghost of those two patriarch to come after you," Mark joked. "I'm not afraid of ghosts," Jovie said. "Come to think of it, Ri," Dianne said as she stoop down to look at the letters on the floor. "These letters are priceless. What if we take them to the museum?" "Or, why don't we make a museum?" Ria asked instead. "You'll make a museum?" Joshua asked, obviously amazed. Well, he's not the only one who was amazed at what Ria said. "Thinking... Well, my grandpa's books would just be wasted if they will not be appreciated by others," Ria explained. "I'll ask the maids to look for others what we can put on that museum you're thinking of building," Dianne said. "I'm pretty sure Lolo has more letters on the other boxes..." She looked up. "It's just really surprising that they fell down." Carla once again saw the panic on Joshua's face as he looked at Ria. The latter frowned at his bewildering reaction. It made Carla wonder why Joshua looked at Ria like he was asking something, and why Ria reacted like she was reprimanding him.