The Next Heiress

Chapter 16 - Need

CELINE SUAREZ.

The feeling is heavy.

It resembles to a truck.

That's leaning on my body.

Seems hard to endure.

But despite of sensing it, still, I find myself opening my eyes. As I wake up, a different room meets me. Green curtains, white walls, smells of antiseptic and fresh flowers. I haven't experienced this type of setting in a long time.

Am I in a different place? I ask myself, being confused at the moment.

Moments later, the realization hits me.

Yes, Celine. You are, my subconscious responds to my question.

Due to my findings, I instantly try to stand up from the bed that I'm laying on. But when I do so, an extreme pang halts me from lifting my back. My eyes shift to my legs. It comes from the right one, which is covered by a thick, white gauge bandage.

Painful, I tell to myself, laying back on the mattress.

As I stare at the surroundings once more, I couldn't help but blurt out; "Where am I?"

My head roams around.

"Why am I in a hospital?" I even add.

Suddenly, a young man walks closer to me. He taps my shoulders gently with his small hands. "Hey, shh," he whispers with a soothing voice. "Your doctor said you need some rest."

Again, I glance at my right leg. "It hurts," I whine, telling his pain to him like a baby.

"I know. That's why I'm here," Jim replies softly. His sudden, warm sentence sends weird sensations to my stomach, causing me to lower my head in shyness. He seems to notice my body's response to his somewhat sweet statement, so he opens his full lips to brush the awkwardness off. "Anyway, I've texted Mrs. Suarez this morning. She'll be here in no time."

I don't know what to say. Jim has been so kind to me these past few days. As I think about it, I haven't noticed that my eyes are just watching him as he stands up from a metal chair. Steadily, its black leather cushion arises until it completely forms back to its original shape.

My chapped lips part. He must be here for several hours.

"Wait. I'll get you a glass of water," he says.

Before the guy could continue to walk, I find myself grabbing his left arm. Feeling startled, his head turns back to me. He looks at me with curiosity.

"Jim...let me out of here."

"What? I can't do that," his forehead creases. "You still need to rest."

Because of his response, I've become stunned by my own request. Inside my mind, I'm already slapping myself.

What did you just say? My subconscious asks.

Fool! She remarks, making me feel worse.

I don't even want to argue with her since she is right. But what can I do?

All that I know is I have to do something. My gut is telling me that something is wrong. I know it, and I could feel it. As the strange feeling covers me, it grows stronger and stronger as if it pierces through every part of my body.

I can't bear it.

Unexpectedly, my eyes become heavy. An upcoming wave of tears is threatening to fall down to my cheeks. I could feel the heat forming within the area under my eyes until I couldn't hold it anymore.

"Please...I need to see him," I sob. My tone comes out like a c***k.

Are you serious, Celine?! My subconscious asks, hinting a great disappointment at my stupidity.

That's it.

I've just spilled to Jim that there is a person that I have to meet. Although it's indirect and somewhat discreet of his identity, still, I feel dumb for telling it to him.

I can't help it.

My heart longs for answers.

Hundreds of them.

I glance at him. His face leaves an impression of uncertainty. A few seconds later, the guy steps forward, and he bores his slanty eyes to mine.

"Who is he?" Jim asks.

"I saw him. He was at the party last night," I reply with a soft voice. "He even touched my back..."

"Oh, it's Derek," Jim scoffs.

Derek? My brows raise. Who is he? I find myself asking the same question that he has given me.

He scrunches his nose. "I apologize, Celine. I've already dealt with him. He's kinda a douche—"

"No," I interrupt. "He's a different person. I know it...I saw him."

Of course, that's true. I've really seen Tadeo with my two big eyes. The lights of the party guesthouse might be dim, and I may have drunk a little too much last night, but it's as clear as day that it is him. I know that to myself. So, why is he pushing that it was a different person?

Jim seems off with my response. He hasn't moved on to his position. His body stands there stiffly like a frozen plastic bottle inside the fridge.

"So, please let me," I plead. Teardrops are already streaming down my face. "He needs me."

I don't know.

In my eighteen years of life, this is the very first time that I've felt so desperate for wanting to see a person. My longingness for Tadeo is accompanied by my desire to know his current situation inside the artwork. Is he okay? How did he come out inside the oil painting? Have I made a mistake? Lots of questions start to flood inside my mind. Before I go crazy here, I just want to meet him.

Jim lowers his head. I catch the sight of his fists. They clench softly, then he hides them behind him. In spite of his odd reaction, he still manages to smile at me. "Don't worry, I'll let you meet him. Just take some rest first, okay?"

With his warmth, I beam, showing a large portion of my teeth. "Thank you, Jim."

He nods. "Just a minute."

My eyes observe him as he turns back to get out of the room. Somehow, his feet seem heavy. He drags them slowly until he reaches the door. Once more, he smiles at me before he closes it.

I stare at the ceiling. With a cloudy head, I let myself drown in an endless pit of thoughts. Before these negative hunches take me over, I tap my cheeks repeatedly in an attempt to calm myself down.

✥━━━━━༺◈༻━━━━━✥

JIM SALVADOR.

My feet move at a slow and heavy pace. I watch them as they lift and set down each one, in turn, never having both of them off the ground at once. The funny thing is I find myself laughing at it.

"Imagine if we walk with feet moving together in the same direction," I tell to myself softly. "That would be difficult and...very weird."

"Sir?" A voice suddenly startles me from talking to myself like a jackass.

I look up to her. "Uhm...yes?"

It is a woman, dressed in an all-white uniform and a cap. Her right hand is in her pocket, while the other one holds a folder record. With her face and build, I suppose she appears to be in her late twenties. She stares at me with a hint of concern. Seconds later, her downward-turned lips part to speak.

"Are you lost?" The lady asks me with a tone that sends affable vibes. "Do you have something to ask? I just got from the nurse station."

"Uh—I'm going to fetch my friend's mother on the ground floor," I reply, giving a small smile. "Thank you for asking."

The nurse beams at me. "Okay. If you need anything, just dial 9247 on the hospital's telephone. Our staff would gladly accommodate your concerns," she nods her head.

"Sure, thanks again," my head nods in return to acknowledge her reminder.

After hearing my response, the lady walks past me. I continue sauntering until my eyes find an elevator. It opens, and I step inside. Luckily, there is no person. I close it and press the button with "G" as its number. Since I'm on the sixth floor, it takes a few minutes before I go downwards.

Finally, the elevator opens again.

On the ground floor, everyone seems so busy. There is the reception with two pleasant-looking ladies talking to people. Some are walking back and forth. A couple of doctors walk past by my side. Another one is a nurse assisting an old man on a wheelchair. As my eyes shift to the waiting area, I spot a middle-aged woman sitting on the silver gang chair.

"Mrs. Suarez!" I call out.

Her head turns in the direction of my voice. When she sees me, she gives me a bright smile, then she stands up from her seat, jogging toward me.

"How is Celine? Is she fine?" She asks, her face immediately changes into a worried expression.

My head lowers. "I apologize for being irresponsible. This wouldn't happen if I just take care of her."

"No, please don't say that, Jim," Mrs. Suarez shakes her head. "Though she's old enough for me, I still don't prefer her drinking."

"Oh...about that...yes," I chuckle in a nervous manner. "I'm sorry about that too. I didn't get the chance to stop her."

"It's okay. It's her decision," the woman smiles in assurance. "Anyway, are there minors?"

"Uhm..." I scratch my nape in embarrassment. "Yes, a few of them. Mostly, it's my classmates waiting to turn eighteen next year."

"Silly lad," she snickers. "Well, you were lucky that your party wasn't caught by the police last night."

I bow my head. "I will be more careful next time, Mrs. Suarez."

"Good. Come, let's go," she nods, smiling once more.

Mrs. Suarez starts walking toward the elevator. Quietly, I trail her from behind. After making sure that we are both fully inside, she closes the door and asks me what number she must press. Using my pointer finger, I point at the button with a six number.

As the elevator begins to move upwards, an awkward silence spreads around. I stomp my feet repetitively in a soft manner to entertain myself. Seconds later, she opens her red-stained mouth to speak.

"I think I'm not a good mother," she blurts out, making my eyes widen.

"What do you mean?" I ask, being curious at her sudden negative thought. "I think you and Celine have a good relationship."

"I don't think so," Mrs. Suarez stares at me, scoffing while shaking her head. "I've been putting a lot of pressure on her lately," she lets out a deep sigh.

I lift a brow. "Like...?"

She tightens her hold on her shoulder bag. "Giving an obligation that she doesn't even want to be in."

"I think you have your reasons," I answer, pinching my chin. "Whatever it is, I'm sure you're just thinking for her own good."

A smile grows on her wrinkled face. "Thank you so much, Jim."

The elevator bell rings, opening the door widely for us. We step outside, and we saunter in quietness until we reach the door of Celine's room. Mrs. Suarez twists the doorknob, and she opens the door slowly.

To my surprise, her eyes broaden in shock. She places her right palm to cover her opened mouth.

"What happened?" I question with a tensed tone.

Mrs. Suarez steps inside. Before I could follow her, she stops me from entering by raising her hand in front of me. "Jim, thank you so much for accompanying my daughter," she tells. Her voice is shaky. "I really appreciate it, but I think you have to go now."

"Why so sudden?" I remark, crinkling my forehead. "Is there something that happened?"

I try to look at the view behind her by peeping at the space of her neck, but she keeps moving from side to side like she wants to hide it from me. What is wrong with her?

"Please," she insists. Her tone is becoming stern. "I can handle this."

From there, I step back and nod. "Okay."

"Thank you," she breathes hardly.

Before saying goodbye, I nod my head to her, then she smiles at me in an awkward manner. The feeling is so odd. It seems like she's just putting a bright face to drive me away.

"Just call me if you need me," I inform her. "Goodbye, Mrs. Suarez."

The woman hasn't replied. Instead, she steps outside carefully and closes the door in a quick approach. The small preview of the room lasts for only a few seconds, but there is one thing that I'm sure of.

Celine is not on her bed.

✥━━━━━༺◈༻━━━━━✥

CELINE SUAREZ.

"...Tadeo?" My voice trembles in fright.

My bare feet have been doing their job for about ten minutes, but still, there are no traces of the man that I need to see. In each step that I make, my heart showcases loud beats inside my body, cooperating with my anxious nerves.

I gulp down. "Where is he?"

The letter is right. I could recite the magical verse anytime and anywhere I want. This sudden trip back to the world inside of that antique painting is proof that it really works. It still shocks me, and I can't believe that I've done it since this is a risky decision.

Jim might be back in the room.

Together with my mom.

If that happens, what should I do?

I erase the negative thoughts that are trying to invade my mind. My head is already filled with apprehensive things, and it is intoxicated with medication. I don't have to entertain any more of them.

I just need to find him.

"Tadeo...?" I call out once more.

The grassy ground welcomes me for the third time. Its soft crinkling sound makes me feel nostalgic. I remember the first time that I went here. Probably not the best one since all that I could recall is that overwhelming experience. Imagine, going to a very dark place, floating and feeling unsure of where you will be taken, then heavy energy will drag your body towards the bottom of an endless pit.

It's frightening.

I wonder why it didn't happen on my last visit and today, I tell to myself. Maybe, it's only for first-timers?

My feet continue to walk while I gaze at the surroundings. This place is incredibly beautiful. If this could be found in the outside world, it could pass as a house vacation for those people who long to experience life in the province. Simple yet wholesome. Living inside a Nipa Hut with a meek and unique aura sounds great. Plus, a small bridge to try passing through would be nice. Then, a flowing stream where everyone could try the cold water to soothe their nerves—seems exciting. Oh, don't forget the water well.

And yes, my favorite part.

The huge trees at the back of the Nipa Hut.

Like they protect that humble abode with their green leaves and thick branches.

"Could he be in there?" I ask myself.

With my eagerness to see him, I try to speed up my pacing.

Right foot.

Left foot.

Right foot.

Left foot.

Right—

Unfortunately, my right leg feels deep stings, like there are hundreds of little knives stabbing it. I stop for a minute to check the white gauge bandage. My fingers peel the medical adhesive tape off to peep at my wound. In a surprising manner, it has a caterpillar-like shape that is secured by several stitches. There are some evident lines and drops of blood around it. Quickly, I paste the tape back to my skin, then I bite my lips, suffering in silence.

"No," I groan. "I need to find him."

Once more, I dart desperately. Despite the ache, I manage to make it to the spot of the tall trees. My eyes close for a few seconds, panting on my knees. I glance at my leg and squeeze it in an effort to numb the pain.

After doing so, I start to scan the location. The right part of the place has nothing to see, and the same goes for the left one. There are only trunks of trees, and their massive roots, stomping the grass mightily. As my head shifts to the middle, my lips can't help but to form a smile. The engraving of his special message for me is there, facing me several meters away.

Ikaw ang buhay ko.

(You are my life.)

I stare at the sweet carving, admiring it even from afar. Seeing it at this moment gives me the strength to endure the pain that comes from my right leg. My eyes wander around the tree until they drift to the lower right part of it. Suddenly, I catch sight of something strange. There is a head of a person peeking behind the trunk. It is facing in the other direction.

But it isn't moving.

As my eyes follow the direction of the head all the way to the feet, a shocking message hits me like a truck.

It is him.

"Tadeo!"

Quickly, I rush behind the trunk of the tree. As I meet him, my eyes widen in horror. He is laying on the ground, unconscious. Thick stains of mud are scattered around his white-colored polo, and his black faded pants are drenched in blood. I step closer to his position, letting my knees bend on the soft ground. My hands are shaking in fear as I try to examine if his pulse is still beating.

"Please stay with me," I whisper, bawling my eyes out. "Please."

Relief washes me when my fingers recognize the tiny pumps from his wrist. I heave out a deep sigh and wipe the tears off my cheeks. Gently, I lift the fabric of his pants to check his legs. What I find out is something unusual, making my palms cover my mouth in shock.

Tadeo and I have the same wound.

A caterpillar-shaped line that imperfects both of our right legs. It looks deep, just like mine. There are still quite a few drops of blood coming out from it.

"Could it be..." I glance at his face. His eyes are still closed, matching his pale lips. My fingers caress his cheeks which are blemished with soil. Slowly, I lean my body even closer to him, being careful not to pin myself a little too hard.

"I am sorry," I whisper to his ear, brushing my cheek against his. "I would never abandon you again..." my eyes close, letting the last several teardrops fall down to my face, as the back of my right hand caresses his cheeks.

"...I promise."