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Hi I'm Amira, 25, a lawyer. I live here in the Philippines. Guess what? I'm nothing unique. I'm just like any other person in my occupation. Only that I don't accept criminal clients. I only accept victim clients, and well, also those 'criminal' clients but only those I know are innocent. One thing I have learned in my profession, is to see who's lying or not. But, love is blind.

One more thing, my life, is full of things i've never wished for. 

"Stay back! Don't touch her you-"

"I would shoot her if you don't shut up!"

Shout the man holding the gun followed by bullets shot in the air.

Screams.

Gunshots.

Dead pepole.

Blood covering the floor.

When will this stop? How did I got into this?

I feel sorry for the families, the children, waiting for their dads or moms to come home without knowing that they're forever gone in the world. I know that feeling, worst is I can do nothing for them.

"Me. Just take me instead. Leave her alone. Please. I'm begging"

"Oh look. Elexier pleading. HA HA HA! So this girl right her has that effect on you?"

The man pulled my hair so tight. It hurts. Please Dear God, get me out here.

"I said stop  touching her you-!"

Shouted the man, handcuffed. His mouth has blood already dripping. I can see crocodile tears in his blue precious eyes. I know it is already gonna fall anytime now.

I'm just there, on my knees, staring at him. He also stared at me, with sorry eyes.

No, my love. I forgive you now. It's not your fault. 

I can see in my peripheral vision that the man pulling my hair has gun now in his hands, pointing at my head. I heard it click, a signal that means that the bullet that will probably take my life, is ready to do its job.

'No matter how evil you are, Elixier my love, I'll always love you'

I'm a black canvas. A paper pure white. And yes, I wanted to have color. I wanted somebody to paint me. Elixier did. But instead of coloring me with paint, he painted me with blood. Well I don't regret letting him do that. Red is a powerful color. Red stands out. Red is fierce.

But fire is also red. That if it burns you, you'll turn black.

Life is meaningless without him. I'd rather burn myself in the color of red in the flames as long as I'm with him, than be safe as a colorless canvas.

And all went black.

"I haven't passed it yet. I haven't done it."

"Then you're dead again HAHA" Elocin said as she asked me if i have already done my thesis.  We're walking now heading to the library. The deadline is tomorrow so maybe I can still finish it later. I don't plan sleeping tonight. Well i don't sleep every night. How can you sleep hearing people in your house fighting? Things being thrown? Glass breaking? 

Elocin is my only friend. Since grade shool. She knows everything about me. Even the day of my period HAHAHAH. Crazy right? But that's the friendship we have. I looked at her and admirred her beautifuk eyes, pretty little nose, and plump lips. She is always the guy's dreams. She has a pretty face, pretty body and of course, a pretty attitude.

I live with my auntie and uncle 'cause my parents are dead. They died when I was just five. It's a sad story. They we're shot dead by unknown people. Until now i'm still waiting for the police report but i don't think it will ever have a report. I'm already 23 graduating college. That's the reason why I'm a law student. I will find who did that to them. Who ruined my life.

I'm also planning getting my own space. Apartment or something just to get away from where I live now. They have been like that for almost a year. I don't know what happened and I don't wanna know. All my life I have been so depressed. I love them 'cause they treated me like their own child so i can't carry anything more. I just pray they wake up one day, realize that both of them is at fault, and make it all okay.

At the library, I choose a law book, to read more about how will I defend my future clients. To give them justice. And justice for my parents too. If other people can't get it for me, I'll get it myself. 

"Hey Amira," i turned my head when i heard somebody called me. I saw the familiar face of one of my classmates.

"Hey, Mark. Anything I can do for you?" I asked.

"Oh no thanks. The Dean wants to see you," he replied.

The dean? Why would the dean want to see me? I quickly stood up and load my things on my small bag. They barely fits. Why am I thinking to when I decided to use this? But its not the time to think about anything now.

"Hey Elocin, I'll leave you for a minute. The deans requets my pressence,"

"Oh okay sure."

And then I walked to the dean's office. Why would the dean want my pressence in his office?

I knocked on the door twice and when I heard him signal that i can come in, I slowly opened the door to see him with my teacher.

"Have a seat, Ms. Qurino,"

I took the sit in front of my teacher, Mrs. Madriaga.

"Anything I can do for you dean?" I asked politely.

"Well yes, there is something we want you to do. You see, we want to get the partnership we always, always wanted to get with the Villamorannas. We all know how big their company is. We want you to do the presentation. And hopefully, after so many years, they will already accept the proposal."

What? Me? Why me? I hate speaking infront of people. I want to politely shook my head, but this is the first time they will be asking me a favor. Maybe I should just forget about things that scares me then?

"O-oh, okay. I will do that dean." then i smiled to him. I know it's a weird one. I don't still know what to feel.

"Thank you Ms Qurino. And we are really eager to get the partnership so, we'll give you a little pressure," Mrs. Madriaga added.

"If you did not get the partnership, you'll need to repeat a school year."

WHATT? What the? Are they crazy? I'll just be doing them a favor and then WHAT? That statement made me pause a little. I feel my heart beating fast not because I'm happy, but because I'm scared and nervous!

"Uhm, when and where will the meeting be, dean?" I just asked even tho my voice is shaking.

"It's in Villamorannas Building. January 8."

What?! January 8? It is 6 today! Are they telling me that i would present it in two days?! I felt my hands turned cold. I'm so nervous.

"O-oh u-uhh, okay" I said.

"Thank you. You may now leave."

I nodded and I stood up. I slowly left the room and closed the door. When I am already outside. I took a deep breath and then I sighed.

Why did they just tell me now? It's already in 2 days! It made me regret saying yes! I want to cry.

I went back to the library, to Elocin, in a bad face.

"What did the dean tell you? What happened?"

I sighed.

"He wants me to do a presentation for the proposal to Villamorannas Company. And girl, it's in 2 days! Why didn't they informed me earlier?! And whats worse is, if I didn't get the partnership, I'll have to repeat a year!" I said almost hysterically.

"Oh, HAHA. What a pressure. You can do that, hopefully" then she chuckled, teasing me. Is this girl really my friend? 

When I arrived at home, I went straight into my room, change in pajamas and sat on the table to do some research about the Villamorannas.

I cant do anything now but to research because I cant already say no as I already said yes. Another sigh escaped my mouth before typing on g****e.

'Villamorannas Company' is a construction company, biggest in the Philippines.

CEO: Elexier Villamorannas

I opened more and more articles about  the company and learned more about them. So, they import products all around the world and their CEO's bank account gains thousand every second. Their company is really famous. How come I don't know them? I've heard the company name before but i don't really know them.

I also tried to search photos of the CEO but no picture showed. If he's a world famous CEO, why don't he have information in the internet? I also tried to search his name on social media platforms like f******k, Intagram, twitter, snapchat, but no account showed. I guess he's a private person.

I have one more problem, what should my presentation be about? Should it be about why should they accept the partnership we're offering? Yes maybe thats it! But, yeah,why should they accept it? I need help. It's still 7 p.m. maybe I can just sleep at Elocin's boarding house.

I quikly got my jacket up, and rode a taxi to my bestfriend's boarding house.

The taxi driver is creepy. He always looks at me though the mirror. Somebody get me outta here! Or, am I just paranoid? I hope so.

Few minutes passed until I realized that the route is changing. I am already dying inside because of nervousness.

"Uhm, Mister, this is not the way to Paranaque. I-if you don't know the way you can just leave me here?" I said nervously.

The driver just smirked! A creepy one! 

"Please mister. Stop the car!"

He's still not listening. And now i'm panicking!

If I scream, nobody will hear me. If I call the police, could they respond quikly? I don't know where I am now so they won't locate me! I can't also jump out of this car because it locked!

I reached out for the steering wheel and started to shake it.

He tried to get me off it but I didn't.

"Get you hands off or we'll crash in the tree!"

I didn't listen. But  we'll really gonna crash! But if I let go I'll also be in danger!

"AHHHHHH!" I screamed as I see that we'll bump to another car!

I let go of the steering wheel and covered my head waiting for the loud crash!

Few seconds passed and...... I'm alright. I'm alright? I'm alright! We didn't crash! The driver of the black car stepped out the door and angrily knock on the drivers door. It's my chance to get away! I quikly reached for the button to unlock the door and got out.

"Sir, Sir! He's tryna kidnap me! I rode him to get me to my friend's boarding house in Paranaque but he changed the way! Please help me!" I souted and reached for the man who went out of the car.

He just looked at me angrily and turned to the driver. He didn't say anything and walked away.

"Sir, Sir please help! Do you know where this is? Can you atleast tell me so I can call my friend!" i begged. He didn't even looked at me! He's rude!

"Sir please!" I grabed his arm and he turned to me, still wearing his angry eyes. 

"Get in," he said coldly.

"H-huh?" that's the only word I uttered as I am so shocked.

"I said get in! You're wasting my time!"

He said and closed the door of his car aggresively. I ran to his car as fast as I could to get in. Whew!

I didn't dare to talk while on the way. But a loud silence enveloped the car. The air is more intimidating that way. And I don't reallly like it. For times, i just look at him. Thick brows, long lashes, sharp jaw line, red lips, all manly features. Hard manly features. 

"What's the adress of where you're going?" He asked seriously without looking at me.

I told him the adress of course. 

"Uh-uhm. T-thankyou. If you weren't there at that rode, or if you didn't get out of the car, something bad must have happened to me." I said, stuttering.

He didn't reply

"Why are you there in that kind of rode anyways? Nobody goes there?"

He didn't reply again. 

"That rode, they say, is haunted. You might see ghost there. Aren't you afraid?"

What a dumb topic.But having a topic is better than having nothing at all!

He looked at me with serious face. He's intimidating! I can't stand his stares so I just faced ahead. Then something caught my eye.

In his streering wheel there is 'Villamorannas' attached. It's like a sticker. Does he work in that company?

"A-Ahem, d-do you work for Villamorannas Company?"

He looked at me with still serious eyes. Won't he stop?

"The sticker, it says Villamorannas. On monday, I'll have a presentation there. I have searched information in the internet, but I can't seem to find enough.If I didn't get them agree with the partnership, I'll have to repeat a year! What is it like there?" I asked again.

Is it hard for him to speak? He's so cold. Is he a mafia? HAHAHA just kidding. I don't know why, but when a person is so private, I'm concluding that they're hiding something. Is the Villamorannas CEO a mafia? HAHAHA why am I like this?

"Cause you know, there are rumors that their CEO is a mafia" I whisper, laughing a bit. You know, just to lighten up the mood? HIHI

He looked at me, i don't knowif that expresion is shockesd or angry.

"There are? Who told you that?" He said seriously.

"Yes there are! Because he is so private. Maybe he's hiding something. Ohhh what if he really is a bad guy huh?" then I chuckled.

He is still serious. And I know he wont give me information. 

"He doesn't have any picture in the internet. Maybe he's ugly HAHAHAHA! Maybe he's a fat man and full of wrinkles HAHAHA! "

I was laughing when he suddenly hit the break. I almost hit my head on the dashboard!

"Hey, be careful!" 

"Get out!" he shouted

"W-what?"

"I said GET THE OUT!"

"H-huh? You'll really gonna leave me here? It's already late!"

"GET OUT! NOW!"

I was terrified at his scream so I quikly got out the car. When I got out, he drove so fast that in just a few seconds, I can't already see his car.

What's wrong with him?

Good thing it's already in the city and I guess I can walk the distance of the apartment from here. But still. He's rude! Why leave a lady in the street?

In a few minutes, I already saw the apartment i'm going. I went staright to my bestfriend room.

I don't even have to knock. I opened the door and saw her watching netflix while eating popcorn, just chillin'.

"She turned her head to me, just for a half second, then continued watching.

"Why are you here?" She asked with mouth full of chips. 

"I"M TIREDDD! So many things happened just this night! I'll tell you tomorrow."

She just nodded and continued watching.

"Btw, I'm here cause I need your help. The dean wants me to do the presentation for the partnership offer of our school to the Villamorannas Company. Good night! Well, for you. But for me it's a bad night."

Her apartment is big. It has two rooms and I always sleep on the other one when I'm here.

I quikly dozed of as soon as i jumped on the bed.

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

"I want to be like you Daddy! An engineer!"

"Oh really? Well then, should I bring you and mommy in my office tomorrow?"

"Yes pleaseee!"

Dad chuckled at my response. He went to my mom for a sweet kiss. I couldn't wish more. I've already have it all.

It was a happy day. We ate, play, they bought me so much toys. I have always known that I'm so lucky.

I was sitting on the bench of the park waiting for them because they went to buy me ice cream. Not so long when I saw them walking towards me with my ice cream. Then suddenly, my dad fell on the floor. He is now covered in blood. My mom kneeled down the floor to help my dad but she is also shot by a man in the head. I was so shocked. The gunshots are loud. 

I cried.

It's terrifiying.

They died. Infront of me. I saw it. I saw them died.

Then the man who killed them turned to me. He pointed the gun to me and..... shot me.

"AHH!" I screamed as I woke up. 

It's a nightmare.