SAIRO

xvi. staged

Chapter 16 : Staged

Viola's POV

I slowly lifted my heavy lids as the white ceiling in front of me became dim. I let the breeze of the wind that came from my left pass through me while lying straight on the mattress until my vision cleared. I turned my gaze to my right and found there was a white curtain with the wind dancing down its hem.

I turned to my left and found Luis leaning against the wall next to the window peeking outside in the yale blue sky with his arms crossed. What just happened?

His serious face turned to me as I look away. I cleared my throat before speaking. "W-where am I?"

"Hospital." he answered shortly as I lifted my stripe gown top over the thin white blanket and found a bandage wrapped around my stomach. "You just fainted earlier. The doctor said it's a good thing you didn't have a fracture or injuries. Magkakapasa ka nga lang."

I clenched my fist. "I said don't ever take me here."

"But I already did."

You know what? Fuck you.

He really insisted. Didn't he wonder if I had the money to pay the doctor? We even lack money buying a dish. Hospital bills pa kaya?

"Don't regret it. I've already paid the bills and your medicament." he added reason for me to frown to look at him.

"Tch. Even so. You'll probably charge me."

"I won't. Promise." he answered as I just stared at him. "Oo nga. Mamatay kaman."

"The fuck what?" I raised my voice as he moved his head away smirking. I stared at him for a moment and averted my eyes away when my cheeks attempted to heat up. Is he messing up with me? Nevermind this is even better. How can I thank him?

We fall silent for a moment as he broke it. "By the way, you may leave later," he said as he got no response from me. "May I know your address so I can tell your parents about this? I can't stay here because I have stuffs to do,"

"If that's the case, then leave. I don't want my parents to know anyway." I precipitated. "I don't want them to worry about me, specially mom. She'd better just think I left. I can get out of here later, so it doesn't need,"

He frowned. "How about your friends? Where do they live? Someone you know should know this."

"I don't think so." Diana no longer knew me. Celeste is mad at me. Who else is my friend? No one, but only them. All I have to do is clear my name and get everything back to normal. But what I told them will stick in their minds.

Then the men plan to kidnap Diana. I wanted to warn aunt Lydia but I couldn't get close. I had no choice but to just catch whoever would sneak in on them. I want to ask Luis for help but I didn't want to tell him my next move. It's hard to trust especially since Diana told me that he was carrying a knife back then according to Percy. But he saved me. If he were a murderer, he would have killed me earlier. Is that enough to trust him?

I found him heading for the door as before he opened it, I stop him. "Wait," he stopped as it took me a while to continue. "C-can I ask a favor?"

"And what is that?" he empathetic said.

"Can I trust you?"

He faced me with a frown as I sigh. "I-I have no one to approach. I would like to ask for your help," I stated as he just stared on to me. "Sorry if I sound demanding but, if it's okay to you, can you help me catch the kidnapper who'll try to kidnap my friend and catch the ghost that is disparaging me?"