Visual of Elysian (Abstract Series #2)

Chapter 18

I wiped my sweats as I continued to jog. It's Saturday, and I decided to go for a run because I have nothing else to do. Sumasakit nga ang mga buto ko sa katawan dahil sobrang tagal na nang huli akong nag-exercise. All I did before was sit down and study.

Sa pinakamalapit na park lang naman ako tumatakbo kasi hindi naman talaga seryoso itong ginagawa ko. It's just to kill time. Mamimiss ko lang ng sobra si Aid kung mananatili akong mag-isa sa apartment.

"Hey! Miss!"

I came to a standstill and turned around. A tall man stood there with my wallet in his hand. He appeared extremely serious, even though he was dressed similarly to me in jogging trousers and a shirt.

"You dropped your wallet," he boredly said and handed it to me.

I accepted it and smiled a little. "Thanks." Sobrang occupied ko yata kaya hindi ko napansin ang pagkahulog ng wallet ko.

He called me again just as I was ready to resume my thing. I gazed at him with a furrowed brow.

"You're Ave Ledesma, right? The model," he said it flatly, as if he was only clarifying something.

"Yes. What about it?" I asked him.

He shook his head. "Nakikita ko kasi ang pictures mo sa mga billboard. I am quite a fan."

I chuckled. "You don't look like you do. May fan ba na kalmado lang tuwing nakikita ang idol nila?"

"I am excited to see you. Hindi lang halata." He even forced a smile.

I rolled my eyes sarcastically and simply walked this time. Napapagod na kasi ako. I gave him a sidelong glance when he strolled beside me.

"I learned from one of your interviews that you enjoy reading," he told me.

My lips curved into a smile. "Fan nga kita."

"I told you," he said and chuckled. "What a coincidence! I liked books too. May alam akong bookstore na steal prices lang ang mga books nila. Do you want to come?"

"I'm not even sure who you are. I'm sorry, but strangers do not inspire confidence in me. Sorry if I ever offend you," sincere kong saad.

"No problem," he assured. I stood there watching him take something from his bag. It was an ID. He showed it to me. "Kairo Hayns Piedad. Medical Student from UP Diliman. My dad is a friend of your dad, so I won't do you any harm."

I nodded hesitantly. Sobrang inosente naman niyang tingnan pero syempre, nakakaloko kaya minsan ang looks. I will be hypocritical not to admit that he's quite good looking.

"Cleanse him of that desire for camaraderie, if you can. But above all, I need him back sound in mind and whole in body. A few brave injuries would not go amiss to mark him as a good soldier. Your fortune will rise with his, I promise you," he uttered those words with the proper accent.

My eyes widened when I realized what he was talking about. "Court of Fives by Kate Elliot!"

His eyes gleamed and nodded several times. "Jes is quite cool for defying his dad. Hindi ko kinukunsinti, okay? It's just that she's quite courageous for following her aspirations despite her father's wishes."

"I know, right?" I exclaimed. "I hope we can be Jes sometimes. She is fearless and understands exactly what she desires."

"Kaya ng—" He was cut off with his phone ringing from his hand. He excused to answer it.

Nanatili lang akong nakatayo habang nakatingin sa kanya. Is it better for me to stay or should I leave? However, it would be impolite to depart without properly farewelling him.