Ether of Anarchy (Manchester I - ON HIATUS)

Chapter 17

A/N: It is good to be back, readers!

Due to the author's busy schedule, progress on this chapter came to a halt for several months. However, after much anticipation and dedication, it was being continued just yesterday.

To fully appreciate the developments and nuances in this new chapter, we encourage you to consider rereading the story from the beginning. This will help you better grasp the flow and connections throughout the narrative, ensuring you don't miss any important details.

Thank you for your patience and continued support! We truly value each of you and can't wait for you to dive back into the world we've created together.

Happy reading!

-

Days after the sembreak began, I flew to Palawan in position of my dear friend Race for Continue's branch grand opening. I argued a couple of times with her regarding this matter since I could not leave my work behind and it was a waste of time na sana ay mailalaan ko for my work but then she offered me double pay as a representative for her place in Palawan.

Which I took immediately kahit labag sa loob kong ang hassle. She already paid for my 4 weeks stay considering that I would be staying for 3-4 weeks starting today. I am now in the plane and just about to take my sleeping pill.

Then a kid approached me, "Have we met before?"

I arched my brow, "Pardon, young lady?"

"Do I know you?" she crossed her arms.

I copied her, leaning forward, "Do I know you, kid?"

"You're definitely not my mom," she nonchalantly said and leave.

"What?" I whispered to air.

Weird kid. Ang bata ko pa kaya para maging ina.

"Here is your glass of water, Miss," a woman in a flight attendant uniform caught my attention.

"Thanks."

I was about to drift into sleep when a phone call disturb the effect of the pill, "What, Race?" it says on the screen.

"I just want to remind you that you have a meeting to attend later afternoon for the clearance of the site," she said.

"I know. Can I sleep now?" I slur.

I heard her chuckles, "Yea, sure, Lia. I owe you a lot, please enjoy your stay there," at least she sounds sincere.

"Will do," then I hung up.

"You can't keep running from home, Amalia. You must be here."

I jolted awake from a dream I wasn't familiar. But I recognized the voice, it was Mother. I blinked a few times, trying to shake off the remnants of the dream, but the voice lingered, echoing in the back of my mind. It had been years since I had heard her like that. My heart thudded in my chest, and for a moment, I almost felt the pull of that past again. The past I thought I had left behind.

A heavy sigh escaped my lips, and as the fog of sleep slowly lifted, reality came rushing back. I glanced around the cabin, my eyes scanning the familiar surroundings of the plane. The hum of the engines, the soft clink of the seatbelt signs, the muted conversations of the other passengers—all of it reminded me that I wasn't in the middle of some old memory. This was real.

And then it hit me—the plane was about to land.

After making my way out of the airport, I found myself driving to Alkiviadis Lux Resort. Thankfully, Race's had been kind enough to lend me her range rover for the duration of my stay, sparing me the hassle of navigating the back-and-forth commute over the next four weeks. The car was sleek, comfortable, and an oasis of calm compared to the earlier turmoil. It was a small luxury, but after everything that had happened, I welcomed the peace.