Chapter 2 | Bernice
1100 Words
Bernice saw the gruesome death of her father, leaving her speechless. She can remember every detail of what happened that day, and she will never forget the day she becomes an orphan. Bernice promised to avenge her parents from the people who murdered them.
When Ephraim took her to Italy with her Aunt Magdalene, she also met Dimitri, Ephraim's son, and became a family. Growing up, Dimitri is a big brother to her protecting her from everything that will harm her. There is only one thing she couldn’t do to Dimitri. She can’t read his mind. Ephraim, whose real name is Silas Guideville, is a billionaire in Italy that owns hotels, restaurants, and winery.
Ephraim married Magdalene for publicity and to cover the truth of his immortality. Bernice lived in Italy like a princess. Ephraim didn’t break his promise to his father to take care of her like a daughter. Not only that, but she also grew up with a loving family. Bernice has everything in life, but despite the luxury, Bernice feels different from everybody. She can read people's minds, and telekinesis is normal for her but not for others. Ephraim always reminds her of how unique and most powerful Luna she will be until the car accident that made her lose her memory.
A year ago, at one of her ramp modeling shows, she met Raquel Santillan, a talent manager with her models for the annual European Lingeries Fashion Show. Bernice met Raque a few more times after the fashion show.
Bernice is a woman who has an angelic face. A gorgeously proportioned body, but she’s not as feminine as she is. Bernice androgynous —a hermaphrodite. She dresses womanly, but she also shows manly characteristics. Bernice is attracted to Raque, and they became close friends. Eventually, Raque asked her if she wanted to try a modeling career in the Philippines rather than in Milan.
Excited to get back to her roots, Bernice agreed. Ephraim did not allow her to go, but she booked a flight without him knowing. Little did Bernice know her brother Dimitri was on the same plane with her. A few days after her parents arrived too.
“What made you think I’ll allow you to go to this country alone? It is not yet time for you to be back, Bernice. How can you defy me?” asked Ephraim.
“Babbo, I got this endorsement modeling job offer, and I want to give it a try.”
“You can’t lie to me, mi Bambina. I can read your mind.” Ephraim looked at Bernice, fumingly disappointed.“Tell me, where did you see him?”
“At La Quinta, Babbo.”
“I am warning you, mi Bambina. Do not set foot on that place again, or it will be the end of you.”
“But Babbo,” Bernice insisted.
“No, buts Bernice. I will only allow you if Dimitri shadows you—at all times.”
“Fine, Babbo!”
“Silas, what are you two talking about?” Magdalene asked.
Only Ephraim, Dimitri, and Bernice know the truth about her abilities. Since they moved to Italy, she was secretly trained by Ephraim to master her power as a shaman. Her wizard power must be in full bloom when she goes back to Senadosa.
Dimitri Guideville, Bernice's adopted brother, is aware of his immortality. There is only one thing that Bernice can’t manipulate or persuade him. He blocked her from reading his mind and only allowed her when situations got rough. They often get into trouble back in Italy because Bernice has a woman's beauty but acts more manly than Dimitri. She is a master troublemaker. When no one is watching, she uses her ability, especially to the people who bully her.
“Bambina! What did you do?” Dimitri yelled at Bernice when she blew up a can of soda inside her classmates' lunch bag.
“That’s just right for her for calling me a witch, brother.”
“Why are you getting mad at her calling you a witch if that’s the truth?”
“Brother, Babbo said I am not a witch—I am Luna.”
“A Luna shouldn’t do evil things to others. You are the chosen one. You will be the leader of our kind.”
“Brother, I don’t understand. We are not the same. My skin doesn't shine under the sun.”
“That’s because I am only half-breed.”
“Then what am I?” Bernice asked.
A question that Dimitri avoids when Bernice asks. She must not know the truth until her twenty-first birthday, and it will be soon. Before he hop-on a plane, his father Silas called him to chase after Bernice. Luckily, he could smell the wolf scent of his adopted sister. There is no need to chase after her because he already found her. Bernice is an angel to the eyes of the many but an evil inside. Dimitri can’t do anything because his father, Silas, whom Bernice called Babbo, spoils her much more than his own son.
Dimitri was supposed to meet with Raquel Santillan, Bernice's friend in Manila. It was not a formal meeting but rather a suprise visit to Raque. Without his sister knowledge, Dimitri booked his flight to Manila. Then, he found out that Bernice is also on the same flight with him.
Bernice pretends she was surprised when he saw Dimitri at the Air Italia passenger's lounges. A show she practiced from the time she smelled Dimitri’s presence in the plane.
“Brother, what are you doing here?” Bernice asked with her poker eyes.
“Don’t act like you don’t know, Bambina. You know exactly why I am here.”
“What are you up to this time?” Dimitri asked.
“Nothing. I am meeting with Raque at La Quinta to sign my modeling contract with them. It’s a pretty good offer. Housing, travel incentive, stipend, and million-dollar salary brother.”
“Aren’t you already earning millions in Milan?”
“Brother, this is different. Babbo has nothing to do with my fame on this one. It’s all on my own. I will be famous in the Philippines without Babbo’s influence. Can’t you just be happy for me?”
“Fine! I’ll support you on this in two conditions.”
“Spill the tea!”
“I will be your bodyguard, and more importantly, give up, Raquel. She’s mine.”
“No, brother! She’s mine.”
“Then, stand your ass up. We are catching the next flight back to Milan.”
“No! Okay! I will break up with her. Just give me some time. I can’t live without her.”
“Bernice, you are a beautiful woman. You can’t be in love with another woman.”
“Brother, I am. I love Raque more than you know.”
- Writer
