Never Be Tamed

Chapter 4: The Mansion

Chapter 4: The Mansion

My last day on the hospital arrived. I walked out of my room which became my home for the last couple of days, holding nothing but a few things that the hospital provided for me.

Pagdating sa corridor, dalawang hindi familiar na tao ang naghihintay sa'kin. I've dealt with several unknown faces during my stay in the hospital, and every time hindi ko parin mapigilan ang takot ko tuwing bigla nila akong lalapitan para kausapin.

"You are invited by the Van Zanth for a meal at the mansion."

Itinuro nila ang naghihintay na sasakyan sa driveway ng hospital. Nawalan ako ng panahon para makapag-isip lalo na at mukhang nagmamadali sila. They both ushered me inside the car at nang maayos akong maka-upo sa backseat, they drove out of the hospital.

Ito ang unang beses na makikita ang bayan at hindi ko pinalampas ang pagmasdan ang labas ng bintana habang nasa byahe. Dumaan ang sasakyan sa isang town square, sa tapat ng isang school, sa kalye na pinaliligiran ng iba't ibang tindahan. There's cafes, flower shop, bookstore, bakeshops and grocery, and stores selling hardware and dry goods.

Maliit ang sentro ng bayan kung ikukumpara sa siyudad tulad ng Fabrice. But it was the same reason why the town looks neat and the people seems discipline. Walang kalat sa kalye, walang mga taong nagmamadali sa pagtawid. Every people I see seems to know everyone else.

Matapos ang ilang minuto, nakarating kami sa paanan ng isang burol. Sa itaas na bahagi nito makikita ang isang kakaibang estraktura... isang mansion. Hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ko na silipin itong mabuti sa bintana ng sasakyan. I've been to hotels and grand place because of madame, but I never saw something so mysterious like the mansion in front of me.

The car took the road that leads to the hill, surrounded by evenly trimmed hedges passed six feet and several towering trees. Bumalik ang kaba na nararamdaman ko. My hands were sweaty while they fidgeted on my lap.

What would they do to me?

Nakarating ang sasakyan sa tapat ng isang mataas at manipis na gate na gawa sa bakal. On a cursive letters made of steel, dalawang salita ang makikita sa itaas ng gate.

Van Zanth.

Nanlalamig ang mga paa kong lumabas sa sasakyan paghinto nito sa driveway. Isang babae ang naghihintay sa'kin sa paanan ng higanteng pintuan ng mansion.

It was the woman from the hospital. Ms. Laura Katherine. She approached me with a smile that lit up her face. Ang mansion sa likuran niya, hindi ko mapigilang pagmasdan. From the brick walls blanketed by green ivy to the columns and intricate archways on every tall glass windows.

"I'm glad you can come, Eleanor."

Hindi ako mapalagay habang nakasunod sa kanya pagpasok sa mansion. I gingerly walked behind her, nalulula sa mataas na kisame at higanteng staircase sa harapan ko. Isang malaking painting ang nasa paanan ng hagdan. It was a picture of the family. There's the alpha, Ms. Laura, Zackary and his twin sister I've never saw before.

There were several servants throughout the mansion who greeted us, followed by Ms. Laura's welcoming smile. "We have a guest for tonight. Her name is Eleanor." Saka ako babatiin ng mga tagasilbi nang may parehong ngiti.

We arrived at the dining room, which didn't look like a room but an entire hall. There were several people surrounding the long table. One of them was Sir Sebastian. The twins weren't with us which I preferred. I was never good with people my age.

Napatayo ang lahat padating ng alpha. Gusto kong yumuko, lalo nang dumaan ang alpha sa harapan ko bago tumungo sa kanyang silya sa dulo ng mahabang mesa. Ganito pala ang epekto nang makita nang malapitan ang alpha ng isang bayan. Ganito din ang naramdaman ko noong una kong makita si Zackary sa hotel sa Fabrice. This dignified air, ang kanilang pustura at tindig. It's a status that the madame could only dreamed of.