Let the Light Begin

Chapter 8: Night Changes

''Lavinia, you are not in a position to say those things to my granddaughter!'' Grandma said and hugged me at the back.

''Mom, she needs to hear this! Because of her, all the people that surround her are dying. Don't you see? First Bradley, then her mother, Divina, and last year, my husband, Henry. You are a curse on this family. You shouldn't be here! Seeing your face makes me want to vomit!'' I can’t talk and think of what she said. Maybe it’s true that I really am.

''Lavinia, I said, stop; she is still my granddaughter. If you can't respect it, respect me!'' Grandma is shouting, and I don't want her to stress out because of this. I held her shoulder, and I shook my head to stop defending myself.

''It's okay, grandma, I will leave this house tomorrow.'' She immediately cries, and Tita Lavinia shakes her head and goes to her room. I saw Landry looking at me with his angry emotion. ''You are the only memory that I have for my son Bradley. Don't leave. I'll talk to your Tita about this.'' I just hugged her. I think this is good for both of us, for them. I can barely see them here because of me.

''This is for good grandma. I will come to visit you soon for now. I should learn how to be independent.''

‘’No. I will choose your own apartment and will pay for it.’’

''No, grandma, remember when dad told me. For me to be able to stand on my own, I should do it on my own. Everything will be okay.'' After a long talk, she agreed on what decision I had made. I want to prove something to them that I can. I am not just a Guillaume. And, of course, I want to live simply. I took her to her room, and I went to my room. This will be the last day I will sleep here. Another day for tomorrow. I know I can do this, right, mom and dad?

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I woke up early in the morning to pack all the things that I needed for my apartment. But before I go, I should first find the apartment that I will stay in. I immediately packed all the things that I would need. I know that there is something that Tita Lavinia and Landry have a bitterness over me. They actually wanted to see me; they were nowhere to be found every time I went home. The house is so quiet, and I only usually have myself. I thought to myself that I was used to it, to being alone. But now, I realize it is so sad to be alone. There's no wrong with having a phase in life that sometimes feels lonely, but I just know I am still searching for the happiness I had sixteen years ago... I am walking down the street near my school; I should find an apartment near my school so that it is not a problem.

''Hello, good morning; I saw this signboard here. Is there an apartment good for one?'' I asked the lady, who was currently sweeping the floor.

''Ah yes, it is available. Come, I'll show you. I am the landlady.'' She shows me the place, and for me, it is pretty good.

''I'll take this one, I will just get my things, and I'll move later tonight. Here is the payment for one month.'' She took it and gave me the key.

''Are you too young to move in?'' She said, and I smiled. ''My grandma suggested that I move alone on her birthday gift to me, since I am now twenty-one years old.'' White lies; she nodded and smiled at me as she was contented with my answer.

After that convo, I locked the apartment and walked home. I should arrange my stuff immediately so that I can catch it by night.''Ouch!'' I was dumped into something that made me fall out.

''I'm sorry-- ANNIE?!'' Familiar voice? I lifted my head, then I saw Gill, oh it's Gill. ''GILL?''

''What are you doing here? ‘’ Gill asked while he was getting the things that were dropped.

''I'm sorry, let me help you with that!'' I picked up all the things.

''So back to my question, what are you doing here?'' He asked again, and I am not good at lying.

'' I was looking for an apartment, my grandma's gift is to live alone'' His looks were not satisfied with my answer, but he smiled again.

''Did you already find one?'' I just nodded for answer.

''Anyways, thank you! I just need to get all of my things. I will move now,'' I said, then I walked past him, but then I saw him near me also walking on my path.

''Uhm, where do you think you're going?'' I said to him, and he just smiled and pat my head.

''Let me help you with your things. I have my car with me, we can go to your house to pick up your things.''

''No, it's okay! I can handle it, Gill. Thank you so much!'' I don't want him to know who I am. He knows me as Castro, and if he rides with me to my house, he will eventually know who I am.

''Look, Annie, you are not new to me, so it's okay! Come on!'' He grabbed my hand and ran towards his car. How am I supposed to explain to him that I am Guillaume?

We are now in his car ''Put your address here, Annie,'' He said. I typed my address, and after that, I could hear the silence in his car.

''Are you relatives with Landry Guillaume?'' He asked. I think there is no turning back on that question. I know this will happen.

''He is my cousin. I am also Guillaume.'' I said. ''But your surname is Castro?''

''I am just using my mom's surname,'' I said, and I could see his shock at the answer that he heard.

''Well, I'm not expecting that because I didn't even see you at that house.'' He said. I thought he was the one who would be shocked, but also me.

''What did you just say? Do you always come to my house?'' I said.

''Landry and I were childhood best friends. When his dad died, I was the one who was at his side.'' How come that I didn't even see him come to our house?

''I have known him for too long, and I am always going to your house whenever he calls for me. That's why I am not

expecting you and Landry to be cousins.''

''What a small world indeed,'' I said. Now I've been asking myself about Landry. We don't have many encounters, and now it's just a small world for us with Gill.

''Here we are. I will wait for you here'' I nodded and went to my room to get all of the stuff I packed this morning. I didn't see any signs of anyone in the house. Maybe they are all in the office. I will just call my grandma later for an update. I was walking down the stairs when I heard screaming outside. I looked at the window then I saw Landry shouting at Gill.

'' HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME, GILL!''

I immediately ran towards them, and Landry saw me. He looks at me straight with his eyes. He immediately slapped Gill. I know it was a firm slap because it echoed throughout the entire villa. I don't know what happened, but I pushed Landry.

''What the hell, Annie?'' Landry said, holding my wrist. Since he is firm, I don't know what to do, but someone behind my back punches him.

I was shocked by what happened. Gill is looking at him angrily. ''Don't ever lay your hand on Annie, Landry. I don't want our friendship to be ruined just because of this.'' Gill grabs my hand. I immediately reacted to it because it was so painful. When he realizes what he has done, he eases. ''I'm sorry,'' he said. I just nod, and he looks at my wrist and gets his medical kit on the back of his car, and puts an ointment on it. After that, he drives silently.

The entire trip was silent, and I didn't want to speak anything about what happened earlier. I am still in shock at what happened. I don't know why Landry did that. When I look at Landry, all I can see is what he always looks at me with my entire life. I know that he is angry because of Tito Henry's death. But a while ago, I could see the jealousy. Is it because I'm with Gill? After an hour, we are now in my apartment. He just parked at the side of it and took all of my things.

''You need to buy some things for your apartment,'' Gill said after he put all the bags on the floor.

''Yeah, I will meet tomorrow with Zyreel and Jenlyn,'' I said, and looked at him. I realized he had blood on the side of his lips. Maybe because of the slap that Landry did to him. I ran towards my staff and got my medical kit, and put an ointment on his lips. He was shocked and just looked at me.

He holds my hand and just looks at me. I don't know what to do. He is so close to me that I can feel his breath. ''I'm sorry that you saw what happened earlier.''

''It's okay. Thank you for helping me, Gill''. I immediately took my hands away from him. He just smiles, but I can see his

sadness in his smile.

''You're welcome, call me if you need anything.'' He went outside and waved his hand before he got to his car.

I don't know, but I felt tired. I just washed and went to bed and thought about what happened earlier. Still question why Landry reacted to that to Gill. Did Gill do something that triggered him? This was a night change for Landry and me. Small world to both of us.