Let Me Save You Then

WELCOME TO THE PHILIPPINES

LOUISE's POV // Present.

Shaking her head in amusement, with a small smile plastered on her face, Louise pushed her door open, switch on the lights and entered at her new flat. Welcomed by the cold air-conditioned room, making her shiver a little bit as she was wearing a quite thin long sleeved turtle neck shirt. She saw all her luggage and baggages at the center of the living room.

Her eyes immediately roamed around the flat. The living room is spacious, walls painted in cream color. It has a thirty-two TV attached on the wall, and small cabinet below it. It has two couches, a long sofa and a round center table with tulips inside the vase. Louise picked up the flower and smelled it, smiling before putting it back. Beside the vase was a stock of magazines, a brochure of the whole complex on top of it. And the whole floor of the flat was a marbled tiles.

There was two large sliding windows just right beside the living room. She opened it and took a look. Cold yet fresh breeze welcomed her, and was at awe when she saw it was overlooking the city. It's just already nearing four pm, but the sky had already turned grey; rain threatening to pour. Buildings after buildings can be seen around, vehicles passing each other in the gloomy Monday afternoon. Louise couldn't quite hear the noises from below, and was thankful for that. She closes her eyes momentarily, took a deep breath and took in the cold wind. She smiled at herself and closes the window again.

Louise stride inside more, strolling in the right side of the flat and found a decent size kitchen. Above it was a wooden cupboard shaped and structured into an L. A sink underneath the cupboard, and surprisingly, it has a microwave oven on it already. The kitchen also has a marbled bar table and three stools. She walked inside the kitchen, exploring more of it. Connected on the kitchen's bar table, was a flameless stove and another oven- one for baking. Louise smiled as she thought about the things she would cook and bake. Below the cabinet, just beside the sink was another cabinet. She pulled each one and found nothing. Realizing she hasn't had any utensils and plates and such for her flat yet, she plans to go shopping tomorrow.

Her eyes wandered around the kitchen more, finding a double door refrigerator, and beside it was a bin; two bins actually. Beside the sink, on the right side was a two white creamy door. Louise twisted the knob on the first door and pushed it open only to see it was a bathroom. She turned to open the next door, and saw it was a laundry room. She nodded on herself, pleased at what she saw.

Louise walked out of the kitchen, passed the living room and turned to the left hallway of her flat. There was a two step stairs and a plant on the first flight. She saw three doors; the first two facing each other, while the other one was in the corner. She reckon it was all a bedroom.

She opened the first one on the left; the room was spacious, the wall of the whole room was painted beige and it has queen-size bed on the center, with a maroon colored rug underneath. The bedroom floor has a wooden tile. Another flat screen TV was attached on the wall and below it again was a small cabinet. The room has a bookshelf on the far right corner, beside it was another sliding window. On the left side of the bed, in Louise's guess, was a closet. An oval, human size mirror beside it. While on the opposite side was another door. And if her hunches were right, it would be a built-in bathroom.

Louise stepped out of the room and closes the door before proceeding to the other rooms. She opened the door opposite to where she came from, took a peek and saw that it was just the same. She closes it back and went to the last room. She twisted the knob and pushed it open. This time, the room was a meter or so larger than the first two. She entered the room and roamed around. It has the same queen-size bed on the center, but it has a walk-in closet rather than a regular one. A television set in front of the bed, beside it was a built-in bathroom. Large enough for a bathtub, a shower, a sink and a toilet. On the left side of the bed was bedside table with a lampshade sitting atop. At the far end corner of it, was a vanity mirror. Opposite to it, just a length away from the walk-in closet was instead of a sliding window like the previous two room, was actually a sliding door. She opened it and found out it was a balcony. Overlooking the other side of the whole complex. Louise gasped as she looked below, smile crawling on her face. Nineth floor below her balcony was a massive infinity pool and she can clearly see a jacuzzi in it. The pool was lit and each corner has a post standing to light the whole area. Louise planned to go there, maybe tomorrow evening after she finished shopping. And with that set in mind, she went back inside and closed the balcony door.

She eyed the whole room again, deciding that this is gonna be her room, and with that said, she got out the room and went back to the living area to get her things. Once she carries all her luggages inside her room, she sat down at the bed before flapping out.

And that's when it hit her, she sighed as she thought about the life she had lived for the past two years. Skipping from one country to another.

After she moved out from their house in Doncaster, she first went to Santorini, but had to moved out again since her father had tracked her there because apparently, one of her father's nosy business associate knows her and told her father about their meeting. Then she went to Florence, to her Nans' and Paps' home. Louise wasn't even surprised when her grandparents actually waited for her to come to Italy. Her mum had ringed them up a couple of times to know whether she was with them or not. Her Paps had told her that her mum and father only stopped calling when they supposedly found her in Santorini.

Even though she loves her grandparents so dearly, she only stayed there for nearly three months before she decided she had to move out again because she wanted to try to work and be more independent but her grandparents won't let her. That and, her mum had also know that she was there. She then went to Seville, in Spain and she actually got a decent job there but sadly, it only lasted a month since her parents, mainly her father, kept on bugging her. Demanding her to come back at once. As much as she was enjoying her new life in Seville, she had to leave it yet again. But this time, her Nans and Paps interfered and helped her out. Her Paps gave out a false yet unsuspecting information and location, telling that she was in France and so her parents- or her dad, for that matter, sent out a "search party" to look for her.

Louise sighed recalling her last call with her mum, week before her flight to the Philippines. She hesitated to answer it at first, but then gave in. Hearing her mum cried broke her heart and she too, started crying silently. Surprisingly for her, her mum actually didn't ask nor pleaded her to go home. Instead, she told her how much she loves her, to take care and that she'll be waiting for the day Louise will return to her. Louise just responded about how much she loves her mum, and her brother Ashton and promised to come back when everything is better. Though she reckoned it wouldn't be, anymore. After that call, she changed her number. Only adding both her grandparents' number together with her mums, just in case. And a week after, she found herself inside an airplane. Flight bound to the Philippines.

Louise heaved another long sigh, covering her face with both her hands. She then got up, went to get a sleepwear inside her luggage. She plans to unpack tomorrow first thing, and went inside the bathroom to have a quick shower because she planned to sleep early since she was utterly exhausted. Once she was done with night routine and got changed, she crawled back to her bed. Tucking the duvet up to her neck. She sighed at the comfortable feeling, and not long after, sleepiness and tiredness came to her. Yawning, she closes her eyes and called it a day.

Louise woke up to the sound coming from her phone. Groaning loudly, eyes still shut close, she capped out her phone. The sound stopped for a second before it rings again. Annoyed from getting her sleep disturbed, she opened her eyes and sat up the bed. She's about to get up and find her annoying phone when she felt something on her foot. Alas, it is her stupid device. She rolled her eyes and sighed. Knowing that it was her Nans, Louise brushed her hair using her fingers before answering it.

"Ciao nonna. Hai chiamato?" Hello, grandma. You called?

Louise asked. Voice thick from sleep. She gave out a soft yawn before saying, "Oh, perdonami" Oh, pardon me

She heard her grandmother hummed in the other side of the phone before speaking, "Ciao Louise"

Louise fought to stay awake as she was still having a phone call with her. Tried her best not to yawn.

"Scusi?" Pardon? Louise asked. She didn't heard clearly what her Nans was talking about since she was in the middle of battling herself to stay awake.

"I said, have you already arrived in the Philippines? And why are you dozing off? Are you alright?" Her Nans asked, voice thick with accent. Louise sighed, having totally forgotten to call her up as soon as she landed from the plane.

"Hm, arrived," She checked her wrist watch and found out it was already two in the morning

She yawned again, not able to control it this time, before answering,

"thirteen hours ago. I'm sorry for not being able to call you immediately after the plane landed. I was really tired from the flight and after getting settled in the flat, I fell asleep instantly." Louise explained, laying back to the bed, pulling the duvet back to her neck

"It's alright. I understand. What time is it there already?" Louise heard noises from the other side, her Nans talking to one of their maids.

Once she finished talking was Louise only responded with a low, "two am"

Her grandmother let out a surprised gasped. Forgetting the different timezones.

"Okay, alright. I won't hold you any longer. I just called to inform you that you're already enrolled and that you'll start your class on Monday next week"

Louise just hummed and softly yet slowly responded with okay as her head was already heavy with sleep. Her Nans chuckled on the phone and mumbled something. But Louise only understood the word, "Good night, Mi Prinsesa" from her

And she was only able to construct a small "G'night" before she dozed off to sleep again. Phone falling from her hand

Louise woke up around ten the next morning, daylight hitting through the balcony door. She sat up yawning, while stretching her body. Her body suddenly stiffened when she saw an unfamiliar room, looking around, Louise relaxes when she remembered she was in her new room. She sighed, realizing this will be her new life now. Well unless she goes back to London, which will never happen.

Louise walked to the balcony, opening the door and embracing the warm morning weather. She leaned on the balcony's railing and took in the scenery. Being on nineth floor really has a benefit, since all you get is fresh air. She looked at the sky and smiled when she saw birds flying freely.

Thank goodness it hadn't rained last night because if it did, Tuesday morning won't be as beautiful as this. Sky so blue and clear.

She looked down and saw the infinity pool. It wasn't that crowded like she thought it would. Maybe it is because it's Tuesday and people got to their errands already.

With that in mind, she walked back inside the room. Eyes scanning around. When it landed on her things, she glanced at her wrist watch seeing it's almost noon and she hasn't had her breakfast yet. She stretched her body side to side while yawning, marching towards her luggage. She kneeled down and slowly, one by one she got it out of the compartment and put it in the bed careful not to ruin its fold. Once everything was out from the first luggage, she then proceeded to the next one's and did the same.

After ten minutes or so, Louise got up and stretched her feet. It slowly got numbed and she almost fell as she wobbled. Legs too numb from kneeling, it somewhat left a red bruise.

When she felt she could walk again without wobbling, she went to the walk in closet. And once again both mesmerized and pleased when she saw the insides of it.

The walls covering the whole area was cream and was divided into two sections. It's kind of surprising to know how huge it actually is from the inside. Each sections both have glass sliding door separating it from the other.

She pushed the first one on the left, and saw that it was also spacious. This section has a lot of cabinets built on it. Three large equally divided cabinets, and small drawers below it. Louise thinks its meant for the shoes and other small things that could fit through it such as bags. She got out and proceeds to the other one. This one's for the clothes. It has two large open cabinets each side; both have a rack where you can hung your clothes at. Obviously.

Facing the door was an area sectioned equally; for make up kits, jewelries, perfumes and such, and was covered with a glass.

Once satisfied, Louise got out and went back to her stuffs. She picked up all the neatly folded clothes and went back inside the closet. And carefully set the clothes on the extra space and one by one put her clothes in a hanger. She, of course organized it accordingly. And went out to gather her other stuffs.

Since she hasn't got much stuffs, considering she only brought few when she planned to run away and bought the rest while she skipped from one place to another; she finished it quite quickly. She put all her bags and suitcases on the other part of the closet, once she was done tucking away her shoes and heels that she brought along with her. In case I might need it, of course.

Once she was done, Louise sat back down at her bed and stretched her arms. While scanning the room, her mind thought this will be my home now. Sighing, she got up, picked up her wash bag and went to her bathroom to get her day started.

When she entered, she looked around and saw that it was another spacious wooden tile bathroom, with a shower and a bathtub on the far corner. The sink was placed just infront of the door, and it had a big circular mirror attached to it. Louis was fascinated. And on the left part, just an arm long from the shower, it has a cabinet glued to the wall; Louise reckoned it's for shower stuffs, so she put all her things in it.

Once satisfied, she stripped off her clothes and went under the shower. A bath would've been nice, but she has to start her day and buy things for her apartment. With that in mind, she started taking her shower

After she was done cleaning herself, she walked out of her bathroom naked. Since she lives alone, it was no problem to her and went straight to her closet. She scanned through and grab her brown knitted cardigan, pair of tight blue jeans, and her newly bought adidas shoes. Louise went to the other side of her closet and picked out her favourite necklace; it was a circular locket that her mum gifted her. It has a photo of the four of them taken during her sixteenth birthday. She sprayed her favorite perfume and went out of the closet.

Louise then walked through her vanity mirror and grabbed a hair blower to dry out her hair before combing it. She then did a once-over herself and when satisfied, she grabbed her phone, wallet, her room keys and put it on her purse. She planned on buying all the needed stuffs for her apartment that day so, after checking out her flat, she walked through her door- making sure to lock it once she's out, and that she didn't left both her keys inside.

When she was out, she glanced at the door next to hers. Hm, neighbors huh?

A small smile appears on Louise's face at the thought of her new neighbor. Ace Harriet. Hm, wonder if I'd see her today. With that thought in mind, with a smile still plastered on her face, she walked through the elevators. When she entered, she immediately pressed ground floor. Louise was humming quietly on the short ride, and when she the elevator opens, she stepped out and went directly to the front desk.

When she saw whom she was looking for, she went to her and approached her and with a smile on her face, she acknowledged Louise,

"Good morning, Miss Poulston. How may I help you today? How did you find your stay at our complex?" Samantha, the girl at front desk before asked, a smile still visible

"Yeah, hey. Ahm, I love it, thank you. Anyway, hey, about the biometrics that you said yesterday? Ahm, can we do it tomorrow? I'm going out today to buy some stuffs for my flat so I can't entertain you" Louise explained with a small smile

"Of course, ma'am. We were about to call you to inform you about it, but of course. So if you need something, just press 9 on your intercom and we'll entertain you immediately."

"Alright. Thanks"

"Do you need anything else, Miss Poulston?"

"Nope, that's it. Thank you. I'll get going now"

"Have a good day, Miss" With a nod on her head and a "you too", Louise went out the complex and called a cab.

But before she could dial a number, someone tapped her shoulder. And because she was too focused on her phone, Louise didn't noticed someone approaching her, so she flinched and jumped out, before she turned at the culprit

"Jesus Christ." muttered while subtly putting her hand on her chest. Glaring at the person next to her, which by the way, is laughing at her

"Oh my God, you should have seen the look on your face!" Neesha, the Irish lass said, still laughing.

"You freaking scared me!" Louise groaned at her, but with no avail since Neesha was still laughing at her

Louise breathe in and counted to ten, and just like that, Neesha's laughter died down

Clearing her throat, she said, "Okay, okay. I'm sorry. I won't do it again"

"What do you need, Irish?" Neesha's eyes widened at that, mouth gaping until it formed into a wide, toothy smile.

"Oh, sassy. I like that." grinning, she continued, "Anyway, I saw you leaving, so I called you but you didn't heard me. Are you going somewhere?"

Louise hummed and said, "Yeah. I'm going to the mall to buy some stuffs for my flat. Why?"

"Oh. Can I come?"

"Pardon?"

"Yeah, can I? I don't have anything else to do at the moment. Zarri and Ace has classes today, and I don't." Neesha nonchalantly shrugged while Louise was gawking at the Irish lass, eyebrows shoot upwards

"And why would I do that?" with a raised eyebrow, Louise folded her arms on her chest and faced Neesha

Raising her palm, Neesha showed her her finger while saying, "Well, first of all, I don't have anything else to do. Second, you don't know anyone here, and you don't know this place like I do. And lastly, I'm bored"

Louise contemplated, but Neesha is right. She's new here, and she doesn't know anyone- except for her neighbors, that is. She might get lost or something.

Before she could say something, Neesha added, "And oh, I have a car. You don't have to wait for an uber and it's totally free if you let me tag along"

Seeing the determined face of her new neighbor, Louise sighed in defeat.

"Okay, fine. You can come"

With a triumphant cheer, Neesha pulled out her phone called someone. Face beaming with happiness.

"Hey, Steve? We need a ride. Yeah yeah, I'm at front already." Louise looked around while listening to Neesha's one sided conversation on the phone.

The sun's fully out now being twelve noon, and it's really starting to get hot outside. Louise momentarily regretted wearing a cardigan, but she opted not to change seeing her Neesha finished talking. Next time I'm going out, I won't wear sweats. Damn, it's hot here

"Yes, alright. We'll wait here. Thank you" when she's done, she put her phone back and face Louise; smiles brighter than the blazing sun.

"He'll be here now. So, where are we going exactly?"

"Ahm, I'm going to the nearest home depot to you know? Buy some stuffs for my apartment."

"Home depot? Hm okay, I know some. Let's go?" Neesha answered as a car stopped infront of them. Louise's eyes widened when she realized something,

"Oh. That's the car from yesterday" not knowing she voiced out her thought, until Neesha looked at her weirdly

"Huh? Oh yeah, the airport" the Irish lass answered while giggling. Louise blushed.

Grinning, Neesha hummed, "C'mon, let's get going before the sun's heat burns us." with a reluctant look, they ushered inside the car. Neesha telling the driver directions

"So Louise, how do you find the Philippines so far?" Neesha asked her when she finished talking to the driver. Louise feeling light when finally, she's out from the sun's heat.

Louise cleared her throat before she looked at Neesha. With a soft hum, she answered, "It's alright, I guess. Haven't explored it yet, so I don't know."

"If you don't mind me asking, where are you from, Louise?"

Louise's immediately tensed up before she calmed down like nothing happened. A forced smile on her face "Italy"

Neesha stared at her thoughtfully, scrutinizing her, making Louise fidget on her seat. "Italian? But you sounded British though? I, for sure knew that accent because I grew up in England and Ace and Zarri are both British, obviously" Neesha asked nosily. Looking at her expectantly

Louise tensed up at that, so she tried averting the topic from her. "You grew up in England? But you sounded a lot like an Irish?"

"Oh, yeah. I'm from Mullingar, in Ireland. My family moved in England when I was ten"

Sensing the changed of topic, Neesha sighed and opt not to pry anymore. They just met anyway. I'll try some other day

Both ladies were silent the rest of the ride until the car stopped at a parking lot. Louise was just staring outside the window. Looking out at the scenery they passed through. Both Neesha and Louise then went out the car, Neesha telling the driver to just wait inside the car

"Are we taking a trolley or not?" Louise pondered for a minute, mentally listing all her needed stuffs. "Yeah, we should"

When both girls entered the home depot, both felt relieved to be out of the heat. Louis went to grab a trolley, Neesha following beside her

"So, where to first?" Neesha asked while looking around. There were a lot of people inside, but not actually too crowded or too noisy

"I need to buy plates, mugs and glasses, and utensils. Some pans too maybe" Neesha hummed and they both started walking. Aisle to aisle.

They didn't thought they'd be putting a lot of stuffs, so after an hour or two, Neesha and Louise were now standing at the cashier. With two trolleys full of Louise's things.

When they're done in the check out, and their things were put on a bag and cartoons inside the trolley, they rolled it outside. Neesha calling her driver to help them carry it

"Hey, thank you for helping me out" Louise smiled genuinely at Neesha. Grateful for her help.

"Anytime. Is that all you need?" Neesha asked, both stepping inside the car. Louise thanking the driver for helping them too

"Actually, ahm, I need to buy clothes and stuffs. I ahm, I only brought a few of mines when I packed" she confessed truthfully. small shy smile offered to Neesha

Neesha hummed and smiled at her in return. Muttering a quiet okay, before facing her driver

"Bring us to the mall then, Steve" she then fetched out her phone and typed something. A cheeky smile visible on her face

Louise's eyes widened, lips forming into a small o. "Oh, you're still coming? You're not, ahm, you're not tired?"

Neesha glanced at her sideways, face still focused on her phone. "Nah, it's alright. Though I'm kinda hungry" she then pat her tummy to prove her point

"Oh" Louise looked at her wrist watch, noting it's already three in the afternoon. "Erm, we can eat first before we continue shopping. 'm sorry it's kind of late now"

"It's alright, babe. Don't worry. But yeah, let's eat first then we'll buy your clothes" Neesha hides her phone back on her jeans. Both now having small conversations, Louise maintaining safe answers as she talks.

Neesha wants to ask more but she knew she's not in the place. Maybe one day. With a smile on her face, she stared at Louise. Louise returning her a small smile

Not long enough, they arrived at the mall. Steve parking it not far away

"You can go back to the complex, Steve" glancing at her phone, she continued, "I think Ace and Zarri's class will be done in an hour or so. I'll just call you once we're done-" before Neesha could finish her sentence, Louise interfere. Her blue eyes round

"Erm, what about my stuffs?" Her Irish neighbor looked at her and stiffened. Forgetting that they indeed bought Louise's things before suggesting it.

Scratching her head, Neesha uttered a small "Oh yeah. I forgot"

"Ahm, miss ...?" Steve spoke, looking directly at Louise

"Louise"

"Right. Miss Louise, I can bring your stuffs to the complex and leave it at the front desk if you'd like? I'll instruct them that it's for you" The driver offered with a smile. Louise was a bit hesitant, but Neesha kept on blabbing her to accept it

With a defeated sigh, Louise agreed. "Okay, just leave it under Poulston. Thank you"

When Steve leaves, Louise and Neesha both walk inside the mall's entrance. Louise was looking around while making small talks with the Irish lass

After walking and looking at each displays, they're now stood outside a Chinese restaurant

"This okay with you?" Neesha asked her, "Or we can go to other restaurants if you like"

"Nah, this is fine. I'm hungry too, so let's go?"

They entered the restaurant, and immediately looked around for a table. When they spotted one, they walked to it and got settled down

Both ordered and started eating once it arrived. Having yet another small talks. Neesha mainly the one initiating it.