The master bedroom felt as cozy as a winter cabin, bathed in soft, golden light filtering through the heavy curtains because of the luminous this mansion lights outside.
Everything about the room exuded warmth—a plush bed with a knitted throw, polished wooden furniture, and the faint aroma of jasmine from a scented candle on the nightstand.
In the center, Jane laid in her plaid pajamas adding a touch of familiarity. Her face, pale but alive, sent my emotions into a whirl.
"Jane! Putangina mo!" I choked out, voice breaking as I lunged forward, wrapping my arms around her in a fierce embrace.
"Buhay ka nang hayop ka!!" My voice cracked again, the words heavy with relief and disbelief, as I tightened my hold on her. I had thought I lost her, but here she was, warm and real.
"Teka! Yung IV Line!" she protested, pushing me back with a laugh, gesturing to the IV line carefully hooked above her bed. I quickly glanced at it, making sure it was intact, then hugged her again, even tighter.
Her warmth—oh, God, the feeling of her heartbeat under my fingers. Memories washed over me: holding her hand on that bridge, willing her to survive. Thankfully, she had survived. My heart soared with gratitude.
"I know who kidnapped you," I murmured, my voice dropping.
"Wag muna english...nananakit ulo ko..." she replied with a weak grin, rubbing her forehead. "Sino?"
"His name was Detective Styx. I think Veloz knows his full name." I paused, gesturing toward the hallway.
"Can you sit?"
"Yes."
Inalalayan ko siya sa pagtayo at nilipat ko ang wheelchair sa tabi ng kama, hinawakan ko siya sa kanyang braso at, "1...2...3!" Pagbilang ko ay iniangat ko siya kasama ng pasuporta ng kanyang kamay at inupo ko siya sa wheelchair dahan dahan.
"Tara, baba tayo para kumain." I circled around her wheelchair, placing my hands on the handles to guide her. As we reached the door, Elijah appeared, his usual calm demeanor softening slightly as he held it open for us.
We exited the bedroom, and I caught sight of the grand staircase spiraling down to the first floor. "Boys!" I yelled, catching the attention of the two waiting at the bottom. "Buhatin niyo si Jane pababa!" I called out.
"We have an elevator," Elijah interjected with a smirk, pointing to an elegant elevator across the hall that I had somehow missed.
"Oh." I felt a twinge of embarrassment, but before I could say anything, the boys had already started up the stairs. Halfway up, they stopped, realizing their efforts weren't needed.
"Oo nga pala, may elevator naman," Johnson said with a chuckle. Eugene shook his head, "Oo nga!" He laughs and they kept coming anyways, their eyes on me as they sauntered closer.
"Gwapo naman ng mga to." Jane whispered with a sly grin, her eyes suddenly squinted and I prepared myself for it.
"Teka, Johnson ba to?" Her eyes squinted, trying to recognize who Johnson was.
"Yup!" I say while remembering the difference of Johnson months ago.
Compared to him looking baby faced last time, he grew a beard and buzz cut, his lashes grew longer and his eyebrows grew thicker. He lost face fat that made his cheek prominent, but not too much. It just helped shaped his face.
