A Twist Of Time

ten

Sergio's really a man of his words. He actually did let Hisako and I sleep in his room and he somehow found a way to be able to rest on the floor. I felt sorry for him in the middle of the night, since I couldn't sleep and saw him shivering, so I gave him a spare blanket we had. After that, I was able to start my rest on the bed.

The morning after, he was combing his hair in front of a mirror while looking conscious about his appearance. I laid in bed, silently watching him, until he turned and saw me.

"Hello Miss, good morning. Thank you for the blanket last night, by the way." He started arranging his bow tie. "I have to go to a meeting today, so I went to Jane and told her to make the two of you and Margaux a special breakfast. Is that alright with you?"

"Yes, it's okay," I murmured in a half-asleep state of mind. It was a shame he had to see me looking like a monster out of a children's book with my brown hair all over the place.

"Good, I'll leave then. Don't get in trouble with the soldiers and see you later." He left the room quickly. I was still too lazy to get up, but forced myself to and quietly woke Hisako from her sleep. She yawned and agreed to come with me to the kitchen when I asked her to. We went there, with luckily, no soldiers plotting to kill us.

Jane was talking to a man, about half a centimeter higher than she was.

She looked at my direction and smiled. "Good morning, Miss Valerie and you, you little girl."

"Her name is Hisako," I remarked with a smile.

"Alright, Valeria and Hisako. Osmeña told me about the two of you this morning, and though I hate to say it, I found it very nice of him to do this for the both of you." Jane's eyes widened while she presented the huge pile of food on the table. "Oh! You haven't met Elpidio, right?"

I turned to the man and gasped. Elpidio Quirino himself. "I haven't, but I know about him."

"You must meet him! He's a very close friend of mine and his children are kind. Elpidio, meet Valerie. Valerie, meet Elpidio."

He took his hand out to shake. I shook it, him returning it with obvious glee. I immediately liked him.

Elpidio Quirino was one of my favorite presidents; we studied him in our history class and I found him very dedicated and sincere to serving his country. He wore a beige suit with a wacky purple tie; adorning this, his smile was a real one, not looking forced. "It's nice meeting you, Valerie," he greeted.

"The two of you must eat before the food gets cold. Is it okay if we dine with you?" Jane inquired. I nodded.

"Sure. All of this looks delicious, wouldn't mind sharing it with you."

We ate the breakfast Jane cooked. It was delicious, and it made me wonder if breakfasts were always like this back at the palace because if it was, I regret starving myself every morning.

After eating, Hisako pulled my shirt, calling my attention. "Yes?"

She pointed to the doorway where Margaux was standing. She had a clipboard in her hands like the first time we met. "Hello Margaux! Good morning."

I couldn't look at her the same way, though. She seemed so different in my eyes ever since I found out the truth about her. It was like she wasn't her. "Good morning to you too, Miss. Mind if I join?"

"Formal? Go ahead." Margaux took a seat beside me but didn't eat, instead, she started talking to me.

"Sergio will be gone for the whole day, and we haven't heard from Manuel in a few days. I guess he's busy. But I have to tell you something."

"What?"

She pulled my arm and whispered, "That soldier who attempted to kill you was fired by Sergio this morning before he left."

"Wow, poor guy. I feel sorry for him."

"Don't be. He nearly killed you." She sat back again. "Anyway, we have the whole day to the three of us and it consists of not getting killed by the remaining soldiers and the Japanese. We can just hang out in our room with Hisako."

Agreeing with her plan, we said goodbye to Jane and Elpidio, of which they both happily returned. We sneaked out silently so that no soldiers may catch us. Once we got inside the room, Margaux shut it with all five locks.

"There. Safe. I'm just waiting for the day we can go back to the palace and we can be free at last," she said while fishing her keys in her pocket. 

"We're going back?"

"Yes, of course. We're not going to live here forever, especially you, when your case isn't ruled over and you could get arrested if it doesn't push through."

"Arrested?" She nodded. "For what?"

"I don't know. I just heard it from one of the Nacionalists. Apparently, they know about you."

I furrowed by eyebrows. "How?"

"Somebody told them, I guess. How else?"

"I don't want to get arrested, alright? Rule me over as Raven Turner-change my name into Raven Turner-I wouldn't care. Just don't arrest me."

She shrugged hesitantly. "I'm pretty sure something about your name's going to change soon, but it's not going to be Raven Turner."

"Who's going to change it and why?" I was so frustrated, I didn't even care that I have been bombarding people with questions since yesterday.

"I can't tell you who, but it has something to do with your la-"

The doorknobs and locks started shaking. "Wait, I'll answer your question later." Margaux got up and unlocked all of the locks, revealing a slouched Maribeth. "Yes? Do you need anything?"

"Naiwanan ko 'yung walis ko. Kukunin ko lang," (I left my broom. I'll just get it.) Maribeth made her way in without Margaux even telling her it was okay to. Margaux shot a confused look at me then at the back of Maribeth. She took her broom quickly and ran outside. Margaux locked the door again.

"What was your question again?"

"I-who's going to change my-nevermind. I think it's none of my business anyway, though it's my name."