parricidium. | 2

v.

    The clinic was small, but it was remarkably clean. Patients sat on brown leather couches, swiping on their phones or reading magazines from the coffee table. The receptionist's desk was just a few steps away from the coffee table. She was a young lady in her twenties. Her long blonde hair was neatly tied into a ponytail. She was dressed in white scrubs, as is customary for nurses. Furthermore, as I walked towards Doctor Stark's office, she paid no attention to me. I walked into the room and saw him hunched over a stack of paperwork.

"You know, there's this thing called knocking," he said as he looked up and met my gaze, fear flashing across his eyes. He abruptly rose to his feet. "Miss Lucy, please take a seat. What may I owe the pleasure to?"

"You incompetent fool." I glared at him. "Do you know what happened in court today?" I asked as I walked closer to him.

"Not at all ma'am."

"Eleanor Van Kox lives to see yet another day in the real world, due to the fact that she's quote unquote not guilty due to lack of evidence. She should be behind bars by now. You had one job."

"If I may, ma'am," He said. "You were the one who was supposed to plant the evidence."

"I was unconscious, gago. I fell down the stairs as I ran away from the rooftop. Hayst, I'm pretty sure you know what happened- I know for a fact that Kuya Drew texted you guys about me."

"But-"

"No but's. We must begin planning. I already have quite a few ideas. We must discuss this immediately." I ordered. "Get me the best men in the crew. The ones who joined you in the kitchen as you guys slowly poisoned the cake. The uh-"

"Sleepy? Sneezy?"

"Yes, them, as well as dopey, bashful, grumpy, and happy. That's the crew I need. Should I add bubbly too? No- Never mind."

"Absolutely, madame," He replied. "Anything for you, my royal highness." He smirked as he took a bow.

-

I went home to change into new clothes. I put on a satin silk dress, it's color like the fresh hue of blood, matching my lipstick and my Louboutin pumps. I grabbed the iconic black Chanel Classic from my shelf. Then I headed out of my closet and into my room, where I found Piion standing by the doorway.

"You look gorgeous, my princess." He says as he kisses the back of my hand.

"You look dashing as ever, my prince." I smiled.

We headed out of my room and into the elevator that takes us to the lobby of the hotel. We walked towards the exit and out into the open air. I breathed in the smell of fresh Makati air. Piion opened the car door, waiting for me to go in first.

"No." I say. "Let's walk."

"Hmm." He says as he shuts the car door. "Sure, I mean, it is quite literally across the street."

"Exactly." I giggled.

I forgot to mention that I live in Makati Shangri-La, which makes the Manila Peninsula just a street away. However, it is quite a hassle to cross the street. The street in between the two was Ayala avenue, which is a main street. To get across the street, I must walk a bit then go into the underpass, which is a tunnel made for pedestrians to go from one street to the other. We were met by the cold night breeze as we walked towards our destination. My arm interlocking with Piion's. I breathed him in. I just can't get enough of him. He is perfect. His jet black hair was slicked back, only a few strands falling. He wore a black suit, his necktie matching my dress. I loved matching with him. It made us look like two puzzle pieces that perfectly fit together, which we are. It was just him and me. Nothing could ever get between us.

We arrived at our destination, the Manila Peninsula greeted us with its marvelous structure. Two pillars with lions atop them stood on both sides of the entrance. The guard pulled open the door, welcoming us into a magnificent lobby. A majestic golden sun on the ceiling.

"Ah, Ms. Van Kox and Mr. Hardwood. Lovely to see you both here again." The hotel manager, Sir Stephen, said.

"Hello Sir Stephen." Piion and I said in unison.

"I believe you made a reservation, yes? Your table awaits you."

"Thank you."

"Please, enjoy your night."

Oh, I will. It will be eventful.

-

Piion was fast asleep on my bed once we got home. He drank quite a lot of alcohol, so I had to call Kuya Drew to come fetch us. I was in the kitchen, a glass of red wine in my hand, contemplating what I was doing wrong. An idea struck my mind earlier while I sliced the juicy wagyu steak we ordered for dinner, but I can't possibly do that, could I? These thoughts won't leave me alone, so instead I tried to occupy myself with other things. I looked around the kitchen. The white walls were a cream color owing to the warm yellow lighting. The countertops were made of marble. Then a silver shine flashed in the corner of my eye. On the counter, there it was, my answer. Shining under the spotlight, as if telling me to pick it up and hold it. I just couldn't ignore this opportunity now could I? It's either now or never. If I'm not going to do it now, I don't know when I will ever be able to do this again.

I grabbed it in an instant. The hilt of the knife fit perfectly in my gloved hands. I left the kitchen and up the staircase leading to the hallway. The hallway was dark with the exception of the candles on the golden candelabra. The door to the dark room was slightly ajar, the voice of the darkness calling unto me. There lay my father, sleeping peacefully, I hope he's dreaming of good things. I could hear Eleanor from the living room. Hushed voices came all the way from downstairs, she's probably watching one of the Filipino teleseryes that aired late at night. I stared back at my father.

"My beloved father, if only you knew how much love I have for you. I love you daddy." I whispered as I blew him a kiss. "You always did call me your princess, now I can finally be just that."

I smiled. I raised my hands before pushing it down with all my strength. Isn't that lovely, pierced right in the middle of the heart. Sweet daddykins is now peacefully asleep. White bed sheets were stained with red. I could just hear mommy tell me what a wonderful girl I am for bringing my dreams into reality. The sounds of the television were gone. Eleanor was coming upstairs. I rushed out into the hallway and hid inside one of the big curtains, pulling my phone out, ready to capture the scene. Eleanor went still once she saw the blood stains on the bed. She stood beside my dad. She pulled out the knife. That's my cue to press the record button. I waited a whole two seconds before coming out into the hallway and screaming with all my strength, hoping the whole household would hear it. I ended the recording. Eleanor turned and saw me.

"Please," She said. "I would never do this."

She cried. Then, realization hit her once she saw my phone in my hand.

"You did this, didn't you?" She cried. "You were his one and only daughter, he loved you so much. I was just in the living room, I heard you in the kitchen drinking water. Then you went up. You ungrateful unloving selfish brat. All we ever did was love you and give you what's best for you."

"I'd start running now if I were you." I suggested.

She ran out into the hallway, running for dear life. Good.

"HELP!" I screamed. "SHE'S ESCAPING! THE KILLER IS ESCAPING! HELP ME!"

"Lucy what happened? Are you hurt?" Piion asked as he rushed to my side.

I ran into his arms and cried.

"Eleanor." I cried. "She killed my father, and then she escaped."