A Twist Of Time

three

"What were you thinking, lady? Manuel could have seen you! You could have been shot! The Japanese could've taken you! Are you mad? We are in the middle of World War II!" Sergio angrily exclaimed, walking around his office making wild hand gestures. He looked so stressed, it was almost funny.

"But I didn't." I continued playing with the horse figurine he had on his desk. He groaned.

"That is not the point!" he replied through gritted teeth. "If you were the President of this country and saw someone running through your lawn in a misbehaved manner, wouldn't you get mad?"

I raised my shoulders. "I wouldn't, I would let her escape."

Internally, I was laughing hard. I could play this sarcastic game forever and I wouldn't get sick of it. But he did, though. "One more unrealistic reply and I'll have you out of this house."

"Yes! Thank you!" I jumped up and went for the door, but he ran after me and grabbed my shoulders.

"I forgot that you wanted to get out of here in the first place. Anyway, let me rephrase that. You will not get out of this office unless you give me a serious reply."

I turned around as my eyes met his. "Nah, I'll pass."

He ran a hand through his hair and opened the door slightly. "Margaux, please bring her to her room. She's just making me stressed the more we talk."

Margaux then swiftly ran inside the room and took me outside. She sighed. "That's the millionth time you've angered him! He's got a long patience but you're making it shorter as time passes! Gamitin mo 'yung ulo mo!" (Use your head!)

"Well, he's got me trapped in here, what do you think my attitude will be? Parang walang pakeelam na hindi ako taga-dito?" (Like I don't care that I'm not from here?)

"No, I thought that you would've thought of respecting the vice president." She looked around. "Don't do this to Manuel Quezon. He's got a strong personality and you're lucky enough if Osmeña doesn't tell this to him."

I nodded as we arrived at my room. I waved her goodbye, slamming the door, and flopping myself down on my bed. Was I stressed? Yes. Why? I wanted to get home because I haven't checked my Instagram account in days. Also, I miss life there. The door opened suddenly, revealing Margaux's head popping inside.

"By the way, get ready for tonight. There's a ball and I'll be bringing you as my guest, since you're Miss Turner and all that. Please get ready."

She closed it quickly, leaving me shocked. What was I supposed to wear?

I sighed, but remembered that I had a huge closet in my room that had more clothes than I could ever imagine. I ran to it and opened it. It still had that one dress I saw while looking for the cotton dress I wore yesterday. It was a red dress whose top was tight but had a frilly skirt that went all the way down to the floor.

I pulled it out and tried it on. I literally looked like some sort of flopped pixie that was pulled out of the hat when Disney was running out of ideas for movies. Sighing, I thought that this was good enough. It was better than going in that dirty cotton dress.

I hung my dress on the closet handle and took a short nap, only to be awaken by Margaux violently shaking me awake.

"Miss! You're almost late for the event! Quezon's going to be there and we are not allowed to arrive beyond the time given!" she screamed into my ear. Getting up, my head bent so low that it nearly hit the bed. I was so tired for some reason. "Miss!"

"Alright! Help me get ready and I'll come with you." And she did. Margaux took the dress from my cabinet and helped me into it, giving some advice on how to walk in it since I was visibly struggling with the edge.

"And you're done! Come with me, miss. Oh, and, please try to not get mad at Sergio for earlier. He's stressed. And you're still known as Miss Raven Turner, since investigation regarding your case hasn't started yet. Maybe it'll start tomorrow," Margaux went on, holding my arm securely as we walked down a flight of stairs. The creme walls were now decorated with various embellishments, making the place look like a palace. Houses were seen through the huge glass window separating the left and right columns of the Malacañan.

When we arrived at the bottom of the staircase, it was practically deserted. Nobody was walking around except the guards who looked serious. Margaux looked alarmed as she pulled me to what seemed like the back door of the event hall. She opened it and talked to a guard. I looked away and saw a lady in a Baro't Saya walking around nonchalantly. She caught sight of me and headed towards my direction.

"Ikaw ba si Miss Turner? Naku, hinihintay ka na ni Manuel! Nandoon na sila sa loob, samahan nalang kita. Ako pala si Aurora, asawa niya," (Are you Miss Turner? Oh no, Manuel's already waiting for you! They're already inside, I'll just come with you. I'm Aurora, his wife, by the way.) she friendly said. I smiled at her, but it was taken back when she pulled me inside. The whole room fell into silence.

As if I was shot by Elsa's magical powers, I was frozen. And their looks were, too. But I was lucky when Quezon stood up from his seat and raised a glass.

My sigh of relief was interrupted like how my smile was as Sergio headed to my direction with a blank expression on his face.

"I'll be talking to you again later," he whispered. He then plastered a smile on his face as he gently guided me to where I was supposed to be sitting. I was right next to Margaux's seat, but the fact that she was going to be near me didn't calm my excitement. I guess Osmeña was finally sick of my bullshit and was sending me home.