Safe In Your Sound

Chapter 1: Runaway

Born with everything, but what's the use when you can't do what you want, or be the person you want, and be with someone you love? Everything seems to be easy at first, but as time goes, and I grew, I learned that not all were perfect, even with the money and fame, my life isn't perfect.

Unlike what everyone thought, it was actually hell. Living on the ground of gold, I stood as a worthless stone, lost in a world I grew up, an alien in my own land.

"Miss, your father is waiting for you," my father's secretary told me. Even with the news, I stayed silent, not even wanting to get out of the car. The car door's open for me and the secretary stood there waiting as well as the other guards. After everything that happened, I don't think I can bear to see him now.

I hate him. I hate the fact that he was right. Everything he told me about the world I want to discover was far more imperfect than I thought it would.

It was my fault. If I didn't ran away, then I wouldn't fall into this situation. However, I don't regret anything.

"Spencer," I called dad's secretary.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Tell Dad, I'm sorry. I'm flying to the states. Please don't look for me. I want to get my mind off from all that happened. I hope you understand."

He did not say anything but I assume he knows what I was talking about. And I'm sure he will relay the message to my father very clearly. He nodded slowly and sighed before closing the car door.

I'm sure father would want me to do this too. If I see him, he would only tell me to go. So, I just went ahead of him.

It was after my heated argument with my father, when I ran away. I had my handbag loaded with cash, had my wallet with fake IDs — yes, if I want to get away from my father then I should get rid of my name first — brought a new phone, and already searched for the place where he'd least expected to find me.

I already planned everything from the start and was just waiting for the right time to do it. When my dad called me up in his office about his plans for me, I was still hoping he'd give me time to at least enjoy my life, go on a vacation away from his strict rules. But he didn't. And it lead us to a heated argument.

That same night, in a casual white tee, black knee-ripped jeans, and white sneakers, bringing my army printed duffel bag, I carefully and successfully escaped the mansion which has been my prison for twenty three years.

With the help of my research, I rode a taxi to the bus terminal in the city and eventually found myself riding a bus that will take me to a far province. I know I could go somewhere farther. I had the choice to book a domestic flight to Cebu or Bohol and from there travel through land to a secluded place like a small barrio but I chose to go north of Luzon. I knew dad would probably have his men search the Visayas Islands as he knows how bad I wanted to travel there so I discarded that idea.

It was one-thirty AM when I arrived at the terminal, thirty minutes after I left the mansion. I rode the bus that would take me to La Union. It was the best place to stay hidden. It is the least place anyone would think of. The bus departed at two, and it took seven hours of travel from the city to the town of Bauang, where I first arrived. It was already nine in the morning and I haven't had any breakfast.

There was a convenience store located at the town center. There were no restaurants nearby, only a fast food. I was actually planning to eat at the fast food but the place was packed by locals. So, what I had for my hungry stomach was a cup of noodles, a burger sized dumpling with a filling, and a cup of instant coffee. It wasn't that bad, really.

But I always thought there would at least be a carinderia here. The convenience store was just a walking distance to the waiting shed where passengers would wait for a transport.

I have lived as a princess my whole life but I am not arrogant like what others think. I am also not ignorant of the fact that people are not living the same way as I am. Of course, when I planned all these, I am aware that I will not be able to live the same fancy life. I have prepared myself in living like an ordinary person.

From Bauang, I took a jeepney going to Naguilian -- where I plan to stay. It is not a remote place but it is the least town that is traveled to by tourists. Bauang is like a center of trade, as well as San Fernando. Naguilian is a more residencial town and not commercial.

Another reason why I chose to stay here is because I know dad has no connection and no influence in this province.

And speaking of my father, I know he probably contacted his friends and my friends about my sudden disappearance and have his men trace my location as soon as possible. But I'm sorry, dad, I got ahead of you. I left my phone at home. And only brought the new phone I bought the other day.

It was a quarter to twelve when I arrived at Naguilian's town proper. The busy market of the town was the first thing that caught my attention. There were tricycles waiting in line for passengers to call them. One of the drivers saw me and asked where I was going trying to get me to ride his tricycle. But, I am not really sure.

Now that I've reached the place I wanted, I do not know where to go next. I don't know any place that offers an apartment for rent, or even just a room for rent.

I shook my head right away and went to the stalls nearby. An old woman was attending to the store, she had one customer who bought some kilos of rice. After her customer left, I came to approach her.

"Excuse me," I uttered. She looked at me as I spoke, and eyed me from head to toe. I smiled. "I'm looking for an apartment that is for rent. Or maybe a room? I just arrived here and I don't know—"

Before I could finish my sentence, she cut me through.

"I'm sorry, miss, but I don't know anything either. If you really need a place to stay, then maybe you can ask those drivers. I'm sure they know better than I do," the old woman said gently and pointed at the tricycle drivers on the other side of the street.

I looked at them from where I was before turning to the old lady again. "Thank you, ma'am."

She smiled at me with her stained and incomplete teeth showing. I smiled back at her before turning around to walk back and ask the drivers for help like what the grandma told me.

"Uhm, excuse me, sir?" I tried to approach a middle-aged man who was sitting on the motorcycle of his trike.

"Hm? Going somewhere, miss?" he asked.

"Perhaps, do you know where to rent an apartment? Or just a place that offers a room for rent? I just need a place to stay." I explained.

He surveyed me from head to toe and I fell conscious about myself. I clutched on the strap of my duffel bag that I was carrying on my right shoulder. When I checked the mirror one last time back at home, I was pretty sure I looked like an ordinary young woman of my age. But now that these people kept on studying my whole appearance, I'm starting to think that I look weird in their eyes.

"Don't you have any family here? Or a friend that you can stay at?" He asked and I shook my head as a response.

He gasped and raised both his eyebrows at me. "Then why are you here in the first place? People like you who came from another place often comes here to visit their families. You don't know anyone here and has no place to stay."

I swallowed hard. He's right. But I was thinking there would be a lot of place that I could stay in. And I never thought they would be interested why I was here. Most people who came across a stranger like me would not care about anything. But I guess, people are different in distinct places.

Although feeling a bit out of place now, I still tried to smile. "I'm looking for an opportunity here. That is why..."

I was still thinking of a good reason why I came here but someone came that caught the man's full attention.

"Orly!" The gray haired man exclaimed while watching the person walking to us. I turned to look at the person too.

Approaching us is a man, tall and has a fit built, a tanned complexion and his hair disheveled. He was wearing a blue polo shirt that fits his body well, faded denims, and ragged rubber shoes.

I naturally surveyed him from head to toe before returning my gaze up to his face. And before I could get a good glimpse at it, I flinched at the way he stared back at me. His brows were creased as he looked at me as if I have done something wrong to him.

"Going home?" the trike driver asked the man who is now standing beside me. Because of his height, I suddenly feel small. I'm five foot seven but that is nothing compared to him.

"Yes, manong. But... I see you have a passenger," the man said slowly as he looked at me again.

I pursed my lips and held my bag tightly. The driver also looked at me but this time his smile faded. Feeling a bit embarrassed, I looked down. This is not what I had in mind when I planned this.

"Ah!" the middle-aged man exclaimed suddenly making me look up to him. He then turned to the person beside me.

"You're renting an apartment right?" he asked the man. My eyes slowly went to the man and back at the driver.

"Why do you ask?"

Yeah, why is he asking?

"This woman is looking for a place to stay. I was just thinking if there is still an available room for her?"

My eyes widen in shock. "What?" I uttered and immediately covered my mouth after. That was supposed to be just a thought.

My face heated up in embarrassment and I'm sure it shows because of my fair skin. I bit my lip and all I could do was stare down at the rough road. I could feel their eyes were on me and that made me even more conscious.

"I don't know. But I think there's still... one available," the man said and the driver was really delighted as if he was the one who was actually looking for a room.

"Did you hear that, miss? He said there's still one available. Your lucky, he came. You should be thankful," the driver commented.

But honestly, I don't know if I should be happy with that or not. I mean, am I gonna live with this guy?

"What are you waiting for? Hop in," the driver said. It was only then when I realized the man was already sitting on the motorcycle, behind the driver.

Even when I am not sure about this, I went in the cab. I don't really have any choice right now, do I?