Mending Heart's Affliction [Phoenix Countesses: ETHEREAL MAIDENS SERIES I]

Chapter 71

Delusional Stepsister

Upon arriving at the 28th floor, I was greeted by an eerie emptiness. Tahimik at dahan-dahan akong lumabas sa lift at tumungo sa penthouse corridor habang nakikiramdam sa paligid.

I made my way down the ornate hallway, the echo of my footsteps on the polished marble floor reverberating in my ears.

Doon nakita ko ang pigura ng isang babae na nakatayo at nakatalikod sa direksyon ko. She was facing the Grand Fountain in the middle.

Sigurado akong siya iyon. Wala ni isang tao sa floor na ito kundi kaming dalawa lang kaya hindi na ako nagdalawang-isip pa na lapitan siya.

Victoria, her black gown and mask concealing her identity.

She had been waiting for me, standing beside the elegant water feature. My heart was heavy with anger and resentment as I approached her.

The memories of that traumatic day when I had almost fallen off the cliff and was saved by Arik had haunted me for so long. Hanggang ngayon ay naniniwala pa rin akong siya ang may gawa non sakin.

"Victoria," I said, my voice trembling with emotion.
"Where's William?" I demanded.

Victoria hesitated, her gaze shifting nervously. "Celeste, you don't understand. We have to talk, but not here."

Nangunot ang noo ko. Pansin ko ang tila pagkabalisa niya, ngunit sa paniniwalang isa lang ito sa mga tactics niya ay hindi ko iyon pinansin.

"Talk? You and William killed my mother! I'm not leaving until I get the truth—!"

Hindi pa nga ako natatapos sa sasabihin ko nang bigla na lang may mga nagsulputan na mga lalaki. They were all dressed in black tuxedos at may mga maskara din! Who are they?

Their sudden appearance caught us both off guard. Before I could react, they overpowered me. Lalo na nang sakupin ng isa sa kanila ang bibig ko ng isang damit na may kakaibang amoy.

At maya-maya pa, tuluyan na akong nawalan ng malay.

~~

I stirred from a deep slumber, disoriented by the strange sounds around me. Bago pa man ako makadilat ay gumuhit kaagad ang sakit sa katawan ko at doon ko na napansin na hindi ko maigalaw ang mga kamay at paa ko.

"What's happening?" I whispered.

Slowly, I blinked away the grogginess and took in my surroundings, discovering the reason for my immobilization. Kumalabog nang husto ang dibdib ko nang makita kong nasa isang upuan ako't nakatali!

Ngunit hindi lang ang mga kamay at paa ko—ang buong katawan ko ay may kadena na nakatali sa upuang ito.

Mabilis kong tiningnan ang buong lugar kung nasaan ako habang ramdam ko na ang pagpapanic sa puso ko. Na lalong tumindi lang nang mapagtanto ko kung anong lugar ito.

It was an abandoned warehouse, shrouded in darkness and a musty odor. The surroundings were filled with metal and drums. I was dead center, and all I could see were remnants and shattered concrete walls.

Muling may kumalabog sa kung saan kaya mabilis na nilingon ko iyon. It was like metal on metal na sinasadyang ikaskas sa isa't isa kaya naman halos mabaliw ako sa sobrang sakit non sa tainga.

"H-Hello?" I stammered. "Is there anyone here? Can someone help me?"

Natulala ako bigla. Kasabay ng pagpanting ng tainga ko ay ang huling senaryong naalala ko. Na habang kausap ko si Victoria kanina sa penthouse ay bigla na lang may mga nakamaskarang mga lalaki ang sumulpot!

Si Victoria ba ang may kagagawan nito?

"Help! Somebody's here!" I screamed, but no response came, only the relentless, grating noise from the metal.