Chapter 12: Six Years Ago pt. 5

Six Years Ago pt.5: **Meeting with 17



**9 Hours ago

Beads of sweat trickle down on Xander's forehead as he walks along the roads of Dasmariñas. It was three in the afternoon and the scorching sun sends a burning sensation on his skin as he is on his way to the person he lost when he landed on the country. That person is the only one he know on that foreign land and if he's leaving, he should leave with him.

That man was his mother's follower. An orphan his mother took in and grew up with him 4 years ahead. He don't know his name. He only calls him 17 for that was he told to call him.

They trained their body and fist together, and when his mother left, 17 became more or less his guardian. He followed him anywhere he goes like a shadow on his trail. He came with him when Xander entered the underground city and became a member of a cartel.

He followed and protected him in the dark up to this day where Xander's life is threatened by his very own brother because of inheritance fight.

Xander is a lucky man, having someone like 17 who lured the enemies alone buying time for him to flee. That night, if 17 hadn't made himself as the bait, Xander wouldn't have the chance to survive with those wounds. 17 exchanged clothes with Xander and made the hitmans follow him facing the danger alone.

He's a loyal man. With his looks and bearing that screams manliness, many dreams of becoming his woman but those dreams will forever remain as dreams for them.

You can say that 17 is the epitome of *"tall, dark, and handsome"* man. Born with mix Spanish and Mexican blood that resulted in that tan skin of him. His handsome and masculine appearance basically makes ladies turn their heads and look at him flirtatiously or with admiration.

Both guys radiates a completely different beauty from the other which makes them stand out in any crowd they're in.

Xander is panting when he reached an abandoned bungalow after an hour of walking.

The structure was ten meters away from the road with tall trees covering it from the sight of any passersby.

Its paint was already wearing off revealing the gray hollow blocks beneath with signs of corrosion. The broken window glasses made its barren inside visible to Xander who was inspecting the surroundings.

He's pondering whether he came at the right place or not. But it was the GPS location that 17 sent. He looked at his phone again and confirmed that he is in the right place.

The door creaked as he opened it to enter. He was welcomed with the dusty smell of air circulating in the inside that caused him to sneeze. Dirt and cobwebs filled the corners of the living room.

At the end of the hall emerged a shadow of a tall man. At an instant he knew it was 17.

A smile made its way to Xander's face as he walked closer to him.

"Hey buddy!" 17 smiled as a reply revealing his face from the dark. He looked haggard— with dark circles and eyebags, his curly hair was messy too.

That afternoon they planned their escape back to where they originally belong. Xander told 17 how he survived that night after parting ways.

They talked for about 2 hours.

"I'll send you an address, meet me there one day from now." Xander said as he stood up.

"The ship will sail at dawn. We must be there before day break." 17 replied in a husky voice.

"Got it. Let's meet at 3, don't be late." Xander bid his goodbye.

17 scoffed and smirked as he watch the man's figure come out of the door.

They're lucky 17 got some connections at the port on that area. One of the workers were once part of the organization they're currently in. That man will help them smuggle themselves out of the Philippines back to Spain.

17 brushed his hair and massaged his forehead. He tossed his cigarette to the ground and stepped on it. He stood from the stool he is sitting on and went back to one of the empty rooms.



**20 hours and 30 minutes before Xander's departure...

"I'll be back at 12 tonight, you can eat dinner ahead. No need to wait for me." Rian instructed Xander as she opened the door not waiting for him to reply.

"As busy as always in the morning huh" Xander sighed as he watched her dash her way to school.
*She should quit and find another part-time job that will make her go home earlier. She isn't getting enough sleep for her age.

"Now, it's time for me to get busy too" He said motivated as he stood in the middle of the messy living room with a mop and pail at hand.

During his couple of days staying there, they seem to have formed an imaginary contract which states that the one who have his life saved will save his savior from her house chores.

Rian had already told him that it's not necessary but he's willing to pay her in any form that he can. Besides, he can't bear to watch the surroundings in disarray as it is now.

Remembering how Rian left this morning, he noticed the change of her attitude towards her. She left this morning with a cold tone, not even bothering to look back. It was just yesterday night that she was smiling giddily after giving the brand new clothes she bought for him.
*Is it because I'll be leaving tomorrow?

It was breaktime and Rian was sitting looking outside. She was staring out the window in a trance.
*He will leave tomorrow. Time flew faster than I thought. After tomorrow, will I ever see him again?

The time that she spent with him for two days started to flash before her eyes. Despite the short period, those times brought her happiness that might take forever for her to forget.
*I hope his farewell won't end up into a very dramatic one. It would be great if he would just walk out quietly at dawn.

She was lost in reverie and didn't realize that her teacher had already entered their room for their next subject.
*Ugh, why am I even thinking about that man. Now, I've missed my snack.

Rian hurriedly walked to the restaurant. It's been a while since her grandmother have visited her. She might come today. And her intuition didn't let her down as she saw an old woman dressed in elegant clothes seated at table twenty.

She didn't went to the table instead, she went straight into the kitchen. After a while, the manager came in.

*"Rian, kailangan ka dun sa table twenty."*(Rian, table twenty needs some assistance.) The manager said in ordering her to go out.

"Yes Ma'am" , she smiled.
Granny has set out the secret password.

"It's been a while." Her grandmother said as she looked at her wiping the table from the spilled wine.

*"Kumusta? Ayos ba ang lahat?"* (How are you? Is everything ok?)

"*Yes po lola, thanks to you"*, she replied as she continue to wipe the table.

(***Lola*** is an affectionate or honorific term for an elderly woman. It translates into grandmother in English)

*(When speaking to someone who is older or in a position of authority, Filipinos frequently utilize the words po and opo to convey their respect.)

"Hmm, that's good to hear. Continue to lay low, don't attract too much attention. Konting tiis nalang apo, you're almost there." Her grandmother said before she left. She nodded as a reply and continued to work that night.

*"Konting tiis nalang apo, you're almost there."* (Be patient my child, you're almost there)

(***Apo*** means granddaughter or grandson in Filipino)

That's what she said. From the moment Rian was old enough to understand her life's circumstances, her grandmother explained and taught her many things. From the way they would be communicating till the day she turns eighteen. This age doesn't only opens her to legality but also to the house of De Castro. This means her grandmother plans to officially introduce her to the family once she turns legal.

And now that she's already 17, is the crucial time for them to not get found out by her dad and dad's wife.

For the mean time, they'll continue to interact as a waitress who wipes the table of the customer who had spilled her drink.

Her grandmother will also continue leaving grocery packages at her apartment's door every fortnight.

It didn't came from her grandmother's mouth but she have the slightest clue that her grandma wants her to inherit the company.

This idea alone thrills her to the bones. But what's more thrilling is the idea that her father and his wife might discover her anytime and ruin everything that her granny had planned.

Yes, her father whom she shares flesh and blood with despises her. And she also feels the same towards him. Ironically, that man is the man her mother loved dearly, and she was the result of that said love.

Sometimes she'll wonder why her grandmother is so fond of her despite having legal grandsons and granddaughter who are more rightfully entitled to the inheritance.

She's dying of curiosity but she can't being herself to ask her grandma.

Her granny must have liked her mother so much that she concerns herself on taking care of her even though she's a fruit of an illicit affair.

If given the chance, she wants to run into an unknown land. Live a new entire life leaving everything behind her. But how could she abandon the grandmother who gave her everything she needed to survive and is striving now to give her the previllages only her half-sister and half-brothers get to enjoy.