5 - Caught for the Second Time!

"Aragon, run! What are you doing?" Eli yelled, distraught. 

Care heard him and still she cannot take her eyes off Ramses. Her heart got ruled by fear for her estranged friend's life. She froze in place like a statue. Years may have passed but she will forever be indebted to him. For the young lady, his sins were forgiven before he even asked for it.

 "He will end up in jail if you can't stop this! You must stop him! Stop him!" Her conscience clamored. 

Once again, she was back as a little naïve child. The boy Ramses in her memories clouded her logic. Harmless, kind and warm... that although he lunges for another strike, she stood unwavering. What she did not anticipate was being thrown aside seconds later. The next thing she knew, Ramses already stabbed Eli while she watched unblinking. Eli, then, fell to her lap. 

"Am I paid?" Eli asked so randomly it shocked her. 

"Huh?" she mumbled, perplexed. 

"Instead of crushing my heart, I lay my life for you. Is that enough?" he croaked, his eyelids closing.

"No, no, no! Eli! NO!" she shrieked and rose from bed. 

By her sudden sharp inhale, the scent of lilacs engulfed her nose. Realization hits her it was just a bad dream after hearing the monotonous beeping sound of a patient monitor. She puffed a breath at the sight of ceilings adorned with the galaxy inspired chandelier sparkling like embers of light. It soothed her agitated nerves. 

Arnaldo, her father, hastily approached her bed. His weary and swollen eyes widened in surprise.

"My poor daughter!" he cried out. 

Affected by his emotional outburst, the young lady bit her lower lip to stifle her sobs… or so she thought she could because when he pulled her for a tight embrace, two bawling voices were heard from the room. 

Moments later, there was nothing left to cry. Right there, she beamed at him then rested her head atop his chest. She listened to the erratic rapid beat of her Daddy's heart. Thus, she patted his back slowly. 

A week has long passed since the incident. Looking back, the Aragon couple were on the balcony when things happened. Helena, his wife, had an anxiety attack earlier that evening so Arnaldo accompanied her. Though, he badly wanted to cheer for his unica upstage. By the time the news reached them, it was too late. He didn’t arrive on the scene since he ran into his child already lying on the stretcher. Immediately, his knees dropped feeling his world crumble upon seeing his young goddess as pale as a ghost, appearing lifeless. She barely breathed that night and so was Arnaldo. 

"Thank heavens! Thank you!" he exclaimed again and again, his clasped hands raised in midair at the same time. 

Care slept for a week. A WEEK! Doctors found no clear cause, especially that she was unharmed. Nonetheless, the hospital ran multiple tests and received no alarming results. Hence, the Aragons were given the hardest advice: wait patiently. 

"Da..." She trailed off because her throat was as dry as the Sahara desert. 

He offered a glass of water which she drank in one gulp. Suddenly, memory fragments of Ramses slashing across her face replayed in her mind. She dropped the glass in her panicked state and sprinted fast to the bathroom. In front of a walled mirror, she gazed at her reflection, feeling her own skin. She stared at it motionless. 

"What's wrong, sweet pea?" Arnaldo probed, standing at the doorway.

Apparent worry was written on his face and it reminded her of Eli. 

"Shi, Eli!" She blurted. 

She abruptly turned to her father, "How's Eli, Daddy?" 

His father's face shifted to a grim expression that she concluded as a bad sign. Instantly, the spacious room somehow became suffocating. Her faint energy was being sucked by guilt causing her knees to wobble. Unless Eliseo Manaloto is alright, she is terrified she will never recover! 

"The truth is..." 

She clutched his arm, begging him to continue. 

"... you are indeed perfection itself, my little queen! The good boy's certainly fine b'cause I personally checked up on him yesterday. I am humbled that you immensely care for your knight in shining armor but you should look after yourself first." He remarked in a teasing undertone. 

She blushed at his insinuation but tried her best to hide it by frowning. 

"It's natural to worry about the person who saved my life! And Daddy, you overdid it by adding  suspense! You say I am your greatest treasure yet you'd want me to faint due to distress?" she complained. 

Arnaldo simply laughed. The defensive undertone of her daughter delights his heart. He knew his little queen appeared feisty on the outside whereas very fragile inside. The doors opening halted their movements. A woman dressed in sleek corporate attire entered, a basket full of fresh fruits dangled on her arm. Instantaneously, the room was encased in an awkward silence. Care sweated despite the cold temperature as her mother gazed at her. 

For the young lady, the minute felt years! With nonchalance, the missus proceeded in putting down the fruit basket to the table. 

"Glad you're fine." she said. 

Her voice sounded indifferent as usual yet it pricked Care's heart a little. 

You don't look glad though, she badly had the urge to add yet lacked courage to do so. Instead, she replied, "Thanks, Momma! Sorry for worrying you." 

"It can’t be helped. You are my daughter, after all." 

Chills ran through Care's whole body immobilizing her momentarily. The blank stare her mother gave was too much so she bowed her head to avoid the heated eye contact. His father must have sensed her vulnerability because he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. 

"Helena!" Arnaldo chided, "At least show some feelings! Our daughter almost died!" 

Care jolted a bit, affected by the chilling statement. Indeed, she held onto dear life!

Come to think of it, she realized. 

She was at loss how she survived unscathed. Her head reacted with a throbbing pain forcing her to dismiss the hazy memories in the meantime. 

"Very well, then! I'll show some when she really dies." Ena countered. 

"How dare---" Arnaldo about to strike, enraged. 

"Daddy, it's ok! Will you just please call Aster? I wanna see her!" Care cuts him off. 

Calling the Nguyen's made her mood sour. Aster was told to have gotten ill due to that traumatic incident therefore Care was not able to talk to her. Plus, Arnaldo forbade visitors. And the worst, her Momma stayed probably to spite her!

Without other options, she insisted to her father that she urgently pays Eli a visit. Since they were admitted in the same hospital, he conceded and here she is at the front of Eliseo Manaloto's room.

Newly hired bodyguards Teddy and Harris chaperoned her. Their body built as well as height were similar to bouncers in nightclubs. This made her look like a mafia boss rather than a regal queen. What a wrong impression to give people! 

She was about to grab the doorknob until her words that night echoed in her ears.

"He is as poor as a rat. As poor as rat... poor as rat! R.A.T." 

Battling against shame and guilt of her mean statement, her hand hung in midair. She inhaled and exhaled then looked at her other hand holding a bouquet of baby’s breaths. Afterwards, she attempted to reach the doorknob then stopped midway. Failing to do so, she repeats the ludicrous effort.

Teddy and Harris surrounding her blocked the curious eyes of passersby. The two are more than enough spectators. They had separate opinions in mind of why the ever poised Caress Aragon hesitates opening the door. It wasn’t the case of physical strength, they are sure of it.

"Milady, it’ll be my pleasure to deliver the bouquet along with your gratitude. Would you mind waiting here?" Teddy suggested. 

She glared at the impudent. 

"Nonsen..." She realized the condescending pitch on her voice so she faked a cough before continuing calmly, "It's fine! I'd love to personally express my gratitude." 

Their unnecessary movements and exchange of knowing looks hindered her to compose herself. Aware that the two nuisances grew impatient as time passed, she was pressured into making a choice. 

"What!?" She snapped. 

"Yes, Milady, what?" they threw back the question, acting dumb. 

"Nothing, just turn your back at me for a minute, please. I'm too shy to face my hero right now so I need to prep!" She rambled. 

Her face flushed bloody red as her cringy wording slipped her tongue. Hero, my ass! 

"Did I really say that?” she thought, horrified. 

They remained standing like idiots at the doorway for minutes. It might be her lucky day as the time worked in Care's favor with no one going in and coming out from the room. 

"Lady Caress must be in love. Cupid's arrow struck her heart in the midst of imminent danger. Men in town would weep. Eliseo must be born under a lucky star. Despite not belonging to Alta Sociedad, he had admirers including our lady." Teddy murmured. 

"Nah, he earned it! By saving our lady boss, it is justifiable for the Aragon family to give him the hand of their princess in marriage." Harris whispered back. 

Being at an obviously close proximity, they were chatting for her to eavesdrop intentionally! She fisted her hands while feeling her pride stomped on until nothing of her confidence was left. For a girl of her caliber to submissively offer herself out of being indebted means an insult. She finally cannot resist facing her bodyguards. 

"Who do you take me for? A silly princess in a children's book!? I ain't falling for a one-time heroic act! I may be grateful but that's it! In the first place, I didn't ask that pauper to save me so why am I expected to give my heart in return!" She whined running out of breath at the end. 

They were pale as paper. At first, she assumed it was due to the fact that she is known as soft-spoken, forbearing and kind in nature. In short, her display of such a snappy attitude might be shocking for them. However, as soon as she heard a baritone voice clearing his throat, she was paralysed on the spot. Destiny screwed her!

Why does the door open from the inside coincidentally at the same time she blabbered carelessly?

Everything was in slow motion as she turned to confront her doom. The one who cleared his throat demanding her utmost attention is no other than Eli! Beside him were family members in perfect attendance. They represent a picturesque photo of a close knit family. Mr. and Mrs. Manaloto smiled but the rest of their children scowled and raised an eyebrow at her. 

"What the... no one... No one ever looked at me that way before! UGH!" she revolted inwardly. 

"So what brings Miss Perfect to a mere pauper's room?" Eliseo, smiling, asked. 

Her heart forgets how to beat for itself, shamelessly going frenzy for the guy in front of her. Unlike the previous times when he was either sarcastic or indifferent, his voice now is just pure tender. Never mind the statement, what mattered was how he said it. 

Why?