Chapter 2: Unlucky Encounter
Early morning on Saturday, Ellie and Simon had no sleep at all. Both carried black bags under their eyes and the sign of exhaustion was visible.
Ellie spent her night scrolling through her social media while hoping that it would lull her to sleep. While Simon spent his night thinking of something he could say to Ellie.
It was still a shock for him to be reunited with her again.
8 years she was gone and yet he failed to find the courage to talk to her in those years. He felt like a complete fool for still being such a coward.
While Ellie noticeably changed. He felt proud and ecstatic to see her cheerfulness again; and her gummy smile that captivated his heart 20 years ago.
But he knows that he needs to set those feelings aside because Ellie will never see him the way he sees her nor she will even feel anything for him.
Even so, as long as he can see her happy he feels much more contented.
Despite his hangover, Antonio and the drowsy women, still managed to wake up early. Their motivation? The never-ending traffic in EDSA- they would like to avoid it as much as they could. Antonio, Marina, and Ellie will go back to Manila along with the Mateo family. While Antonio's parents will be left in their Hacienda.
Because of Antonio's throbbing head, they had to borrow one of his parent's drivers. Ellie's parents had a little argument about her father's drinking habit. It's not like she cares about it, but the way her father shows his sincerity and fondness toward her mother makes her wonder if she will ever experience that kind of love too.
Both families didn't bother saying their farewells to each other since they were headed to the same place. Instead, they bid goodbye and thanked Antonio's parents for the amazing feast last night. Without any shame, they wished for another one next time.
Oliver even joked about the next dinner of both families will be "pamamanhikan" -a tradition in the Philippines where the bride and groom show their way of honoring their parents before the wedding-, Ellie was embarrassed while her father seemed to support Oliver's idea.
Ellie was blushing because of Olivia's constant teasing, and it worsen as her eyes accidentally met with Simon. He rolled his eyes as he noticed her accidental glance at him. From the way he was looking at her, it looks like he was staring at her for quite some time.
What's his deal? It's not like I looked at him on purpose...
He quickly moved his eyes away from her as he was caught red-handed. Although he was used to keeping his expressions straight, he felt anxious to his bones. Cold sweats dripped down his back as he felt Ellie's eyes on him. He gulped down and clenched his fist to somehow ease his nervousness.
Not too long after what felt like an eternity of chatting and teasing, they all finally decided to take their leave. What an extreme relief for Ellie.
The trip only took 2 hours before they arrived in their homes. Luckily, they have managed to avoid the traffic.
Elli wasn't yet able to sleep in the car. She had hoped that the motion would sick her and finally make her sleep. But she was too distracted looking at the places and passersby on the street. It has been 8 years since she last saw this place, and nothing seemed to change.
The pile of garbage on some vacant lot, the same spray paints on the wall, homeless people on the streets; everything was still the way it was before. And yet she felt like something has changed a long time ago, perhaps, it was herself. She just hoped that it was for the better.
****
Baste jolted because of his mother's wake-up call, "Baste! Are you not going to wake up yet! You're late for your interview!". While his mother was nonstop yelling at him, his phone was alarmed for the 5th time. He only has 17 minutes left before gets late.
He instantly made haste to prepare himself for his job interview. He didn't bother boiling water anymore, besides, the ice-cold water will help him wake up his still snoring spirit.
His mother was downstairs, almost done ironing his suit. And while he was still in his towel waiting for his mother to finish, his mother nagged him to break his fast. He was oblivious while eating the fried rice and dried fish, he snapped to his senses when he accidentally burned his mouth with the coffee.
He drank a glass of water to push the meal down to his stomach. He hurriedly grabbed his suit and fled up to his room. He brushed his hair back with a gel to look presentable. He took several seconds of his time to check himself in the mirror.
Soon after, he grabbed his envelope and his bag and rushed downstairs. His 3 siblings were still half-asleep while his mother was constantly yelling at them to make haste. He kissed his mother goodbye and left a couple of money for them. Although his mother refused, he didn't bother listening to her anymore and just ran towards the door as fast as he could.
Only five minutes left before he gets late, he managed to call for a tricycle and made a deal with the driver to drive him to A.A. Building as fast as he could and he would pay him as much as he likes.
Fortunately, the driver was quite skilled and he managed to arrive within the time limit. The driver demanded an unfair amount of fee. Frustrated and aggravated, he doesn't have that much time to argue with the sly driver. The interview was about to start in just a couple of minutes so he let him take advantage of him.
Sweating from running upstairs because there were no available elevators, he pulled out a towel from his tiny bag and started to wipe the sudor on his face, neck, and cape. He was seemingly attracting attention from the people inside the room, especially from the ladies. As expected from the former campus heartthrob.
It might be a piece of bad luck but he saw it as an opportunity to practice the script he made all night. He was the last one to arrive and was also the last one among the 50 applicants in line. He went to a restroom to freshen himself up, he pulled out his script to memorize his lines once more.
He refused to stay inside the restroom any longer but he regret it afterward. The room was airconditioned and it was unhelpful for his current state. The ends of his fingers were sweating in cold and he couldn't stop moving and shaking his lower limbs. It was an hour before his turn but it felt like a momentary to him.
His number was called along with the other 4 applicants. The people at the desk were noticeably tired and disappointed. Seemed like no one has passed their standards yet. Before he completely made his way inside the next room, he signed a cross and prayed. Let out a deep breath and continued his way inside. The other ladies who were called with him were battling each other for the seat beside him.
He sat down on the chair and his body was stiff and strangely uncomfortable. As he shifts his attention in front where the heads of the departments were sitting, his heart sank. His face turned pale and all of his senses went numb. He was aghast when he saw a familiar face among the staff in front of him. "Mr. Sebastian Angeles" his name was called several times but his mind was lost in space and his ears were abnormally deaf.
"Excuse me" Ellie's lower body was almost paralyzed from her shock. She excused herself as she felt her breathing become suddenly difficult. Her nightmare is back right in front of her.
She rushed towards where the restroom is, she lifted her hands to her vision and it was shaking in tremors. Her lower limbs were no exception, she was almost stupefied. And no matter how much she wiped her cheeks, tears won't stop coming out of her eyes.
"Mr. Angeles?!" he was unconscious in complete repetition, his awareness and senses came back as he saw her step out of the door. "Mr. Angeles?! Are you okay?" asked again with a strong accent and higher tone. "Y-yes, sir?! I-I am good" the piercing and constant ringing in his ears stopped, and he was able to speak before he was disqualified. The concerned eyes of the crowd gazed upon him, and even though he could feel the different emotions behind those stares he was too distracted by the fact that he saw his long-lost love.
He knew it wasn't a dream, everything that occurred was part of his reality. But he can't mess this up now, that will be the only moment he could finally find the light within the dark existence of poverty. Unable to still comprehend everything, he still posed with confidence and a charming smile that would- hopefully, get the head officers' attention.
The interview ended within 30 minutes and none of the head officers' seemed to express any satisfaction on their faces. They all looked incredibly professional, except for the lady who suddenly ran away and never came back. Baste could hear the murmurs and whispers of the applicants who were in the room with him and even those nosy folks outside.
Inside him, he was confused. He felt all of the possible feelings he could say, his brain was incapable to fathom the emotions smoothie in his head and it led him to be completely numb. But the only thing he was aware of, was the urge inside him to find Ellie.
But what was he even going to say to her? It has been years since they last spoke to each other, and their last conversation didn't end or even went well. In fact, it was horrible. The vicious words he released from his mouth, and the raunchy memories of how he made her reputation ill and rotten. His reluctance to help her from her bullies even though he was certain of the reasons why she was being tortured physically and verbally. Everything was still fresh and painful, especially for Ellie who suffered more than he did.
He doubts Ellie would even like to think of him.
He was walking his way out; subconscious of his surroundings when he bumped into someone. Without even looking back, he cares not about apologizing. Simon on the other hand was familiar with the man who was currently in a state of obliviousness.
"Mr. Angeles?..." without being confirmed by his theory, he rushed towards the nearest elevator. To his luck, an elevator opened beside him and he quickly pushed down a number of the floor he believes where Ellie is. The head officers were chatting with each other and the other staff was busy tidying the place. While Ellie was nowhere to be found within the room, no matter what corner his eyes went. An employee who was inside the room managed to recognize him and told him where Ellie went.
He hasted towards the restroom not caring about the female sign above the door. There was no one inside, fortunately. While Ellie was inside one of the cubicles trembling due to her panic attack. She was hyperventilating and was near to losing her consciousness. Without hesitation, Simon wrapped her around his arms while stroking her hair and caressing her back to calm her down. After certainty of Ellie having no signs of being able to calm herself down, he carried her out of the restroom and asked someone to call for an ambulance. He cursed loudly as he realized everyone was too slow to respond to his request.
His cursing continued as there were no available elevators he could use.
He tightened his grasp on Ellie's body and ran downstairs. Ellie passed out in his arms as her body slowly turned blue. Simon was sweating heavily and his heart won't stop pounding. He could feel the valves in his neck and head beating loudly, but he knew his anxiousness won't help him. Fortunately, the security guards were quick enough to realize what was happening. His car was quickly brought to him by a valet, he swiftly put Ellie's body inside the car. He was driving while praying subconsciously, hoping to God that He won't take Ellie yet.
Not before he could confess her feelings for her.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone