Prologue

THE RAIN was pouring heavily, yet her feet kept on moving with no direction. She was already shivering as the cold air bit into her skin. She walked barefooted on the empty road, yet her mind was consumed by one thought — getting away from that place. She blew out a loud and shaky breath as she continued walking to nowhere.

Hindi niya alam kung saan siya pupunta. Ang alam niya lang ay kailangan niyang makalayo sa lugar na pinanggalingan niya.

“Where should I go…” paulit-ulit niyang usal habang naglalakad at naghahanap ng masisilungan sa kalsadang walang kabahay-bahay at katao-tao.

Malayo-layo na din ang nalakad niya. She couldn’t hear the footsteps following her anymore. Maybe they got tired of looking for her. She had done this numerous times, yet this was the only time she truly succeeded in getting away from them. Without thinking about the consequences of her actions, she still managed to smile.

Nakalabas na nga siya ng tuluyan sa kagubatan pero ang mahaba at tahimik na kalsada naman ang sumalubong sa kanya. Wala ni isang bahay ang matatanaw sa lugar, tanging poste at mga kahoy lamang ang nakahilera sa paligid. Maybe it would take hours for a vehicle to reach the city. Kung lalakarin niya man iyon ay baka malagutan siya ng hininga. It would be a suicide for her if she do it.

All she wished for was for any vehicle to pass by and let her ride. With that, she can guarantee a successful escapade.

Patuloy ang paglalakad niya habang naghahanap ng kahit kaunting masisilungan. She was already panting when she squinted her eyes and saw a small shelter across the street. But as the rain poured even harder, her eyes start to become blurry as she crosses the street, not noticing or hearing the car rushing towards her and hitting her on her side.

The impact came fast.

Napaigik siya nang makaramdam ng matinding sakit sa kanyang tagiliran. It was a sudden and crushing force slammed into her body, stealing her balance in an instant. Ramdam niya ang malamig at matigas na bakal na marahas na bumangga sa kanyang katawan, enough to knock the air out of her lungs. Umikot ang kanyang paningin habang ang malamig at ang basang semento ang yumakap sa kayang balat. The screeching sound of brakes echoed in her ears just before everything faded into darkness.

HERO WAS pacing back and forth outside the emergency room.

Worry and guilt were visible on his face as his breathing hitched every second. He had just hit someone! He couldn't afford any scandals right now. Kakasimula pa lamang niya, he had to keep his name clean and just. And yet, here he was–having nearly killed someone.

He brought the woman to their own hospital, under his authority. Afraid that this incident might attract the media, he ordered the hospital to be temporarily closed. No patients and visitors are allowed to go inside without his permission.

He released a shaky breath and sat down on a chair near the closed doors of the emergency room. Pinagsiklop niya ang mga daliri sa kamay at ipinatong ang siko sa kanyang hita. He prayed for her to survive. He had seen a lot of blood pooled on the road earlier. He had been driving fast–too fast. The hood of his car was still bent from the impact.

With his trembling hands, he reached for his phone and called his friend. After three rings, the call was answered.

“What’s up, bud?” bati nito sa kanya.

“Emergency. Arison Medical Hospital,” he said briefly as he ended the call and shut his eyes off. Pabagsak niyang isinandal ang kanyang ulo sa pader sa likod. The physical pain didn't bother him but the thought of killing someone clouded his mind. His name. His reputation. Everything was at stake.

Minutes later, Ramses arrived and sat beside him, giving his shoulder a firm pat. “Everything’s gonna be okay, bud.”

He sighed but said nothing.

Minutes turn into hours as they wait for the doctor to come out from the ER. His chest tightened with every passing second until the doors finally opened and the doctor stepped out.

Kaagad siyang tumayo at lumapit dito. “Did the operation went well? How is she? Is she okay now? Is she stable?” Sunod-sunod niyang tanong, desperation is evidence in his voice.

The doctor removed his mask and gave him a reassuring smile. “She’s alive and stable…for now. We’re transferring her to the PACU for thorough monitoring.” The doctor slightly bowed at him.

The doctor hesitated before adding. “May we open the hospital now, sir? There’s a lot of patients waiting in line.”

He nodded and walked towards the PACU. Tahimik lang na nakasunod si Ramses sa kanya. His mind is still worried even though the doctor said the patient is already stable. What if when that woman wakes up, she’ll find him and sue him. What if with this accident, all his hard work will be put into a waste. His parents. Their business. Mababahiran ito ng dumi kapag nakalabas ang balitang ito.

Mukhang napansin ni Ramses ang pagkaaligaga niya at nagsalita ito. “I can take care of what happened, Florin, if you let me. Pangbawi sa nagawa ko sa kakambal mo.”

He took a quick glance at him before shrugging his shoulders off. “Bribe? You can’t buy my approval for you to my sister even if you take the blame for all of this. Kaya ko.” Maangas niyang sagot dito.

He knew Ramses' pasts and beef with his twin sister. He might be his best friend but he can't trust him with Hermina.

He ordered the doctor and the nurses to place the patient in a private VIP room with only trusted healthcare workers taking care of her. He can't be reckless. Kaya siya mismo ang pumili ng mga nurses na maaaring makapasok sa loob ng silid and threatened them a little. He has to make sure everything is under his control. A single mistake can lead to his demise. Nakasalalay dito ang pangalan at reputasyon niya, at ng pamilya niya.

The patient was already placed in the PACU, in the VIP and private room. She’s still under monitoring by the nurses. The doctor gave him the results and tests of the patient. Hindi niya ito binasa at pagod na ibinigay iyon kay Ramses.

“You read it for me at ng may pakinabang ka naman.”

Ramses sighed heavily and didn't argue. “Patient, a she, was admitted at 11:49PM due to multiple fractures and internal bleeding.” Marahas na bumuga ng hininga si Hero sa narinig. He nearly killed an innocent woman because of his recklessness.

He had been slightly drunk and chose an unfamiliar route to avoid traffic and the crowd. Hindi niya inaasahang mangyayari ito.

“A pelvic fracture involving the hip socket, then fractures on the left arm and collarbone… lung contusion causing internal bleeding.” He paused before adding, “Wow.” Manghang komento nito. “She won't be walking normally anytime soon.”

Hero shot him a glare.

“What? You nearly killed this woman. I’m just amazed that she survived.” Ramses said casually. “But who’s going to explain everything when she wakes up?”

Hero crossed his arms in front as he stared at the unconscious woman through the glass. Nasa labas sila ng PACU, nakatayo at magkasabay na tinatanaw ang pasyente.

“I told you, I can take care of everything. All you have to do is to chill and watch.” Dagdag ni Ramses.

He glared at him. Mataman niyang tiningnan ang kaibigan. He can trust him with this but he knows Ramses has an agenda in doing so.

“And in return?” He asked.

Ramses smiled. “Nothing.”

He narrowed his eyes on him. “Don’t take me as a fool, Ramses. Alam ko ang likaw ng bituka mo.”

Ramses chuckled. “Honestly? Wala lang. I don’t want your sister in return. That patient just reminds me of someone—”

Hero scoffed. “Ang bilis mo naman magkamove-on sa kapatid ko.” He said with no bitterness in his voice. His sister’s business is not for him to butt in. Iyon ang napagkasunduan nila ng kakambal niya and that’s what he’s trying to do.

The smile on Ramses face faded as he stared at the patient lying on the bed. “I already promised you that I’ll stay away and leave your twin sister alone. And with this one, I’m willing to take care of everything, including her, for my own reasons. Just let me.” Seryoso ang boses na anito.

Hero shrugged. “Fine,” with that, he left him and headed straight to his penthouse. He trusts Ramses on this one. Alam niyang may isang salita ito.

DAYS TURNS into weeks and Vivian’s condition progresses. She woke up with her body stiff and aching, greeted by an unfamiliar face. Her mind struggled to process everything

Sinubukan niyang magsalita para magtanong pero walang boses na lumabas sa kanyang bibig. Anong nangyari sa’kin?

“Hey…” bati sa kanya ng isang hindi pamilyar na lalaki.

He stands six feet tall or so, with a lean build and is undeniably handsome. His features are sharp and there is a hint of mischievousness in his face. He looks like a mix of Turkish and Russian races.

He helped her sit up as the nurse entered to check on her. Her eyes were still glued on the man on his side. Sino ito?

The nurse assessed her condition first and asked some questions, starting from her name til what she can remember.

“Surname?” The nurse asked while checking on her.

She shook her head. “Vivian lang,” sagot niya sa paos na boses.

Then the nurse faced the man. “Her vitals are stable, I’ll inform her doctor right away. Let’s just wait for the doctor’s order for her discharge.” Masuyo ang ngiting imporma nito sa lalaking nasa gilid niya na nasa kanya lang ang tingin.

Kaagad na umalis ang nurse, mukhang napansin nito na wala sa mga sinabi nito ang interes nito, kundi nasa sa kanya.

Vivian was still trying to process everything. The man in front of her…was just so creepy! Kanina pa ito nakatingin sa kanya, as if he’s memorizing her every features. She cleared her throat and tried to talk.

“What’s happening?” She asked in a raspy and low voice.

The man went and sat beside her, eyes never leaving her face. Nagsisimula na siyang mairita sa mga uri ng titig nito sa kanya.

“I’m Ramses,” he said with a gentle smile on his lips. “You got into an accident.”