Shipwrecked Hearts

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The smell was very faint, but it was familiar. This scent has always calmed me down, it made me feel home, safe and sound. I cannot mistaken it. I only know one person who has this scent—Maximo. As if on cue, the scent dispersed into nothingness. Maybe I am just overthinking? Maybe I smelled wrong.

"You suddenly look lonely." Saad ni Aurelius. Taranta naman akong tumingin sa kanya, that's when I realized I fell silent for a few seconds and he must have worried. "Are you nervous?" He asked.

I shook my head. "Sorry, hindi ko sinasadya. May naalala lang ako." Sagot ko. Thankfully, Aurelius no longer bugged me about what that is. He seemed to respect my personal space and the secrets I have. It is not that I do not trust him and I know he knows that. It is awesome that Aurelius Sarmiento is a very understanding man.

Once Aurelius parked the car, sabay na kaming lumabas. I no longer waited for him to open the door for me because I know such chivalries don't necessarily apply to me and it would also save Aurelius the trouble of going over to my side.

While we walked towards the hotel that this lady named Saavedra Stilinski owns, Aurelius slid his arm on my waist to the other side. "I only realize it now but you're wearing a backless dress."

"Yes." I smiled.

"Aren't you cold?" He asked.

Umiling lang ako. "Sanay na ako sa lamig." This cold air of the night is compared to the countless nights I've spent on the sea, with Maximo. I unconsciously smiled at the thought as we walked towards the entrance of the hotel. "Sanay na sanay." The only difference this time, is that I have no man to share the cold with.

Nang nasa loob na kami ng hotel ay sinalubong kami ng mga nakaunipormeng babae, "Mr. Sarmiento." Saad ng isa, tila kilala itong si Aurelius. I no longer wonder why, of course, since he told me he was a friend of Saavedra Stilinski who happens to own this establishment. As to how I found out? She named the hotel after herself.

"Indeed." He responded.

"Ang pagdidiwang ni Ms. Saavedra ay nasa grand hall sa ikalimang palapag." Saad ng babae matapos ang ilang sandaling pagtitig kay Aurelius. Malagkit ang tingin nito sa kanya at tila wala namang paki si Aurelius. Nang napansin ng babae na matigas akong nakatingin sa kanya ay namula siya't agad na umiwasa ng tingin.

"Let's go." Saad ko. Hindi na ako naghintay pa at nauna na akong maglakad kay Aurelius, the cloth that ensnared the skin on my back disappeared. Tumungo ako sa elevator at sumakay. Sumunod naman si Aurelius. I pressed the 5th floor button. The door closed automatically and I felt it go up. A few seconds later, the door opened, then the sound of orchestra greeted us. The entire floor was actually used for this woman's celebration. No wonder why this was called the grand hall.

Sabay kaming lumabas ni Aurelius sa elevator. Bumungad sa amin ang mga maharlika, everyone were wearing extravagant dresses and jewelries, lalo na sa mga babae. It was noisy but it was tolerable. Napansin ko na lahat din ay may mga kasama, right, they required everyone to have partners. That is why I am here because Aurelius has chosen me.

"Mr. Aurelius?" Tumingin kami ni Aurelius sa isang matandang lalake na biglang sumulpot.

"Dr. Rostova." Ani Aurelius, tila kilala ito. Tumingin sa akin ang matanda nang may pagtataka, as if on cue, Aurelius held my hand and smiled. "This lady is my partner, she is Kira Renaissance."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Madame. I am Dr. Hemsworth Rostova." Tumingin siya sa kanyang relo, "I need to go. It was nice meeting the both of you." He said. Tila nagmamadali naman siyang umalis sa silid.

"He is the private doctor of the Stilinski family." Bulong ni Aurelius sa akin. "But of course, that's only a stage. He is actually working for the Imperial Navy."