Heiress (Hanazono Series #2)

Heiress 18: Breaking Down

Lavalee’s POV

*ROAR

I woke up in the middle of the night when I heard Mnemosyne’s roar. I sat up and Mnemosyne ran to my bedside so I tapped her head lightly and caressed her fur.

“What is it girl?” I asked and she ran to the door so I opened it and followed Mnemosyne out of my room

We went downstairs and I saw Jace entering the door. He seemed surprised to see me awake.

“Hey.” My forehead knotted when I saw he has a bandage on his shoulder.

“What happened to you?” I asked him

“This is nothing.” He shove off so I walked near him and pinched it earning a glare and groan from him

“Nothing, huh?” I said sarcastically

Mnemosyne sat on the side of the sofa while looking at Jace so I tapped her head.

“Go back to our room, Mnemosyne.” She whimpered at my oreder but when I tapped it again twice she ran back upstairs.

“Your wound should get treated.” I said but he shook his head that confused me

Don’t tell me he’d let his ego get the best of him?

“Don’t mind it.” He said so I pulled him to the couch and took the first aid from the kitchen.

“Wag ka na mag-abala.” He said and I rolled my eyes at him

“Let me see it.” I said and removed the bandage

“Who the f**k did this?” I asked him and he shook his head

“Press this on your bruises.” I told him and gave him a cloth with ice inside

“Don’t bother.” He said but I took out an alcohol and sanitized my hand before holding a cotton ball and started cleaning it.

I prepared a basin of warm water and I’m using it to clean his wound.

“Where did you get  this?” I asked while cleaning

“I told you – I need to know to do the right treatment.” I cut him off and glared at him

“Just a small fight during an investigation.” He said and I raised my brow at him

“Small fight, huh? Two wounds probably from bullets and several bruise. Liar.” I said and rolled my eyes at him

“Two wo – your left shoulder and right side of your stomach is bleeding.” I cut what his was asking and pointed at the wounds I’m reffering to.

He looked at his bleeding wound and groaned in pain when he suddenly moved.

“Take your shirt off.” I ordered him and he looked at me like I’m crazy.

Oh please. I’m so used with treating people, even a guy’s build and abs won’t bother me anymore. I’m professional in treating wounds.

“What? – Or you want that to get infected?” I cut him off again and he did, he removed his shirt so I managed to clean his wounds.

I placed a disinfectant liquid on a clean cotton ball and pressed it lightly on his wound. I needed to blew it lightly to remove the stingin sensation, I know the feeling of the sting, it’s irritating and painful.

“Bakit marunong ka manggamot?” he asked me

“Because of my siblings.” I replied keeping my focus on treating his wounds.

“Why?” he asked again

“Chismoso mo, bro.” I told him giving him a hint that I don’t want to talk about it.

“Who treated this earlier? It’s not done correctly, no offense meant.” I asked him

“A colleague.” He replied and I started putting the gauze and cloth bandage on his wounds.

“There. It should get cleaned and the bandages and gauze should be replaced twice everyday and you shouldn’t move too much to avoid making it bleed again.” I said and cleaned up

I brought the first aid back to the kitched and placed all the cotton balls and gauze with blood in an aluminum bowl full of alcohol.

I brought it outside and placed it on the table and took out a lighter. I lit one cotton and because of the alcohol all the gauzes and and cottons began burning.Watching the dancing flames, memories began right before my eyes as if the flame is retelling and showing me the story I hated the most. The story that wouldn’t have existed if I chose to stay in the first place.

I shouldn’t have gone to that camping trip. I should’ve stayed with Eomma and Freia back then. I had doubts and I wasn’t feeling good but because of my desire for adventure I ignored it.

5 years ago, if I chose to stay, Eomma would still be here, Freia wouldn’t be traumatized, Samantha and Ray wouldn’t even exist from the first place, Freia would’ve been healed. Icey wouldn’t have to mature for Freia’s sake, Ni-sama wouldn’t have to carry the burden of having the family empires under him, he wouldn’t be pressured to ace up fast. We would still be a complete family with our younger brother who was just introduced to us, Fuego, Freia’s secret twin.

“Why are you crying?” I felt a soft cloth pressed on my cheek.

I didn’t notice I was crying. Again.

“I miss Eomma and Appa.” I answered and accepted the handkerchief he gave me

“You can go to them.”  He said but I shook my head

“If I do that, it’ll wreck my sisters and brothers more.” I said smiled bitterly

“Losing our parents are too much damage to be handled by my siblings, especially by my sister, Freia. If I choose to be selfish and go to Eomma and Appa, who would keep them stable?” I replied and I didn’t notice I was crying again

When the fire died, I smiled and turned my back from the aluminum bowl.

“Let’s go inside, it’s late.” I said and went back inside the mansion

I’m about to go to the staircase when Jace pulled me and hugged me.

“You can cry.” He said and I began sobbing

I didn’t speak, I chose to be weak but I won’t put my family in trouble. I cried and Jace was just there hugging me while I let myself be vulnerable and cried.

“Everything’s gonna be fine.” He assured

“You’re strong.” He cooed me but I sobbed because this remind me so much of Appa.

Appa may be cold and serious, people are scared of him but he’s sweet and caring to us, he’s sweet and geltle with Eomma, he’s strict and supervising but still caring to the three of us while we’re growing up ang he treated Freia like a princess she is. He was always there to protect us, burning himself to keep us safe and warm but because of me, he lost his other half, he lost our Eomma.

No matter what people say, I’d still be Lavalee Flamelinne, the adventurous daughter who chose to have fun than protect her family. The worthless heiress who wasn’t able to prove her worth as the Hanazono Empire’s heiress, the daughter of Arkin and Lyrae who wasn’t even bringing any honor to the family name apart from troubles and mischiefs.

That Morning…

I woke up when I felt Mnemosyne l*****g my cheek.

“Morning, Mnemosyne. How did I get here?” I asked and tapped her head.

I stood up and took a container of sushi from the small fridge and fed Mnemosyne.

“How did I get here, huh, girl?” I asked her and tapped her head

“As if you’ll answer noh?” I chuckled and carressed her fur.

I stood up and went to the bathroom. I took a bath and did my beauty essentials before coming downstairs with Mnemosyne on my trail.

“Ohayo.” I greeted them and sat on the table with them

“Ohayo, Lav.” Chelsea and Jess greeted back while Irene raised her brow at me

“Ī kibun, e?” she teased with a raised brow

(Japanese: Good mood, eh?)

“Ā, damare.” I said and rolled my eyes

(Japanese: Oh, shut up.)

“Kare ga sakuya nani ga okotta no ka o shittara, anata no kahogona kyōdai wa dono yō ni han’nō suru nodeshou ka.” She said making my eyes widened

(Japanese: I wonder how your overprotective brother will react once he learns what happened last night.)

“Nani? Ittai nani o hanashite iru nodesu ka?” I asked her but she smiled at me teasingly

(Japanese: What? What the heck are you talking about?)

She didn’t see us last night, right? ‘Cause if Irene did see us, she would tease us endlessly.

“Bakagete iru?” Irene teased me

(Japanese: Playing dumb?)

“Jinan bam-e il-eonan il?” Jess asked while looking at us alternately

(Korean: What happened last night?)

“Geunyeoege mul-eobwa. Geunyeoneun anda. Gyeolgug, geuneun dangsin-eul dangsin-ui bang-eulo delyeogassseubnida?” Irene replied and smiled at me mischivously when she said the last line

(Korean: Ask her. She know. After all, he carried you to your room, right?)

“Irene, geumanhae geugeos-eun jaemi eobs-eo.” I said and she went silent

(Korean: Irene, stop it. It’s not funny.)

“Um wala kaming naintindihan.” Caspian said while scratching the back of head.

“It’s alright, it’s nothing important.” Chelsea said and looked at me confusedly

Jace’s POV

“Where are you going?” I asked Lavalee when I saw her going out after our breakfast

“You noticed me?” She asked like it’s impossible for me to notice that she’s sneaking out.

“Yeah. Where are you going?” I asked her and she sighed

“We’re going to the park.” She said and I looked at her confused

“We?” I asked her and she showed me her pet tiger that’s inside her bag

“Let’s go.” I said and went to her car

“Huh?” she asked confused

“I’ll drive you there.” I said and she tossed her keys to me.

She rode the car and placed her tiger pet on the back seat.

“Where to?” I asked her

“Here.” She said and showed me the google map on her phone

While I was driving she kept on caressing her pet.

“Where did that came from?” I asked her and she looked at me

“Mnemosyne? She’s my baby sister’s experiment.” She said and brought it near me

“An experiment?” I asked her and she nodded

“A science experiment, she said she’s bored so she created Mnemosyne.” She answered

“Mne – What again?” she chuckled when I almost baffled while saying her pet’s name

“Mi – Ne – mo – sin. Mnemosyne.” She said and hugged the tiger again

“Where did you get that? Mnemosyne?” I asked not removing my gaze from the road

“Titan Goddess of Memories. Mnemosyne, she gave birth to the nine muses in Greek mythology.” She replied and I heard her tiger roar softly.

When we arrived in the park she sat down and allowed Mnemosyne to run freely.

“You’re not afraid she’ll hurt someone?” I asked her and she shook her head

“Nope, Mnemosyne’s domesticated and calm.” She said and looked ahead

She whistled and Mnemosyne came running towards here

“Good girl.” She tapped Mnemosyne’s head

I was just watching her play with Mnemosyne on the grass and I can’t help but think about what my Mom told me when I called Lavalee a spoiled heiress before I even knew her.

The way she talk, walk and in everything she do, there’s no denying she came from a prominent family so seeing her play with her pet and sitting on the grass without any mat or anything is quite amusing. I expected her to stop carrying Mnemosyne now that she ran on the ground but she didn’t.

“Hey, Jace, come play with us.” She invited and Mnemosyne ran to me and licked my face I saw her chuckling while walking towards us.

“See? Even Mnemosyne wants you to play with her.” She said and carried Mnemosyne

“Fine. Fine.” I surrendered and I was surprised when she tapped my shoulder

“Taya.” She said and released Mnemosyne on the ground again

“What?” I asked confusedly when she step back a little far from me

“You’re it.” She said and smiled widely while Mnemosyne is running in circles around us.

It?

Her smile faded when she noticed I wasn’t moving so she walked towards me and sat beside me. Mnemosyne jumped on my lap and licked my hand. I looked at her confused while she caressed Mnemosyne’s head.

“You didn’t get it, do you?” she asked laughed which made me confused

“I wanted to play tag and you’re the it. Mnemosyne’s going to chase us both if you get to catch her.” She explained and I nodded my head I placed Mnemosyne down and stood up. I offered my hand to help her stand up and she stood up.

“Taya.” I said and Mnemosyne ran away and I did too

“Unfair!” she said but chased us too, oh wait she’s chasing me.

We played and played and I can’t believe she’s actually playing like a kid.

“Gotcha.” I told her and wrapped my hands around her waist

“What the?! I didn’t see you, I thought you’re chasing Mnemosyne.” She said and Mnemosyne jumped on her arms

“You think?” I asked her not letting her go

“Yeah, but that was fun.” She said and I let her go.

We decided to sit under a tree and rest. I stood up to buy water and snacks on the near convenient store but while I was paying I saw Lavalee enter the convenience store with Mnemosyne on her trail.

“You are aware that pets aren’t allowed here, right?” I asked her when she got in

“Oh? You’re here lang pala.” She said and carried Mnemosyne

I was confused when she took a gum and placed it on the counter

“What’s that for?” I asked her

“I’ll pay later.” She said and smiled at me

“It’s okay.” I said and the cashier punched the gum.

“That’s 99 pesos, sir.” The cashier said and I took out 100 pesos then we went out.

I handed her the water bottle and she drank it then took the bubble gum. We went to a line of street vendors and I was a little taken aback when she pulled me to one of the vendors.

“What?” she asked me

Everything that Lavalee’s doing everyday is surprising me. It’s not like how I see her as before.

“Don’t tell me this is your first time?” she asked while we’re waiting for the ones ahead of us

“No, I just didn’t expect you to eat street foods.” She smiled at my answer

“I don’t really eat these at first but Ravien kept on insisting I try to, he even brought one from here to Japatrein just to give me then I learned to like eating it whenever we’re here.” She said and smiled

“Manong, three cups with five calamares po.” I looked at her confused when she spoke Filipino while buying

“What? You think di ako marunong mag-Filipino?” she raised her brow at me

“You always speak English.” I pointed out

“Duh! You’re speaking English rin kaya. You’re the one who grew up here naman.” She said and paid the vendor after getting the cups of calamares.

She gave me the two cups then carried Mnemosyne while holding one cup we went back to the the tree shade

“Why three?” I asked her when she sat under the shade.

“One for you, one for me and one for Mnemosyne.” She replied and held one calamares with her fingers and fed Mnemosyne.

I placed the cups on the grass and took the stick and ate one. I noticed that she’s just playing with Mnemosyne and she’s not eating so I took the stick from her cup and took one calamares and placed it in front of her mouth.

She looked at me confused so I held it in front of her again.

“Eat it.” I said and she smiled before holding the stick and eating

“What? You’re jealouse, Mne?” she asked and caressed Mnemosyne

Mnemosyne growled at her before turning her back which made me confused

“Mnemosyne’s jealous.” She said and whistled so Mnemosyne immediately came back

“Jealous?” I asked and she nodded

“She’s jealous of me.” She said and I realized why

I took a calamares with my hand and positioned it in front of Mnemosyne, she ate it and I heard Lavalee laughing.

“Shitto suru hitsuyō wa arimasen, Mnemosyne.” She said and caressed Mnemosyne

We continued eating and she continued teasing Mnemosyne and Mnemosyne’s acting like a little kid who’s hiding behind me. I find it cute, actually.

“Stop teasing her, Lav.” I told her and caressed Mnemosyne’s fur.

Weird. The tiger didn’t even get mad the first time I touched her.

“Aww my baby Mne is sulking .” she teased Mnemosyne again

“Lav, stop it.” I told her and placed Mnemosyne on my lap

“I’m just kidding, Jace. Mnemosyne can’t ignore me for long.”  She said and whistled

Mnemosyne walked towards her with her head down low.

“Aww, I’m just kidding, Mne.” She said and caressed Mnemosyne

I leaned on the tree and she did too but she ended up leaning on my chest instead because the tree trunk isn’t that big for us both.

“You know, I’ve haven’t done this for a while now.” She said and I looked at her confused.

She haven’t done what?

“The last time I set foot here in the Seryphil was five years ago and the last time I played tag, that fun game was when I was 12, with Freia and Icey.” I remained silent as I listen to her

One of the things I learned about her is that she’s not the spoiled heiress I thought she is. I remember what happened on our first encounter where she thought I was gay because I insisted on getting the dress.

“It was the last time we were able to play because we had to mature. Even my youngest twin sibling, Freia and Fuego who were 4 years old back then, we had to mature because we have no one to guide us throughout. We have imo and uncle but of course at some point they have to leave us to handle things on our own.” She hugged Mnemosyne while speaking

“I’m here. I won’t leave.” I hugged her to show her that everything is going to be fine

“You surely won’t, but I will.” She whispered the last part inaudible

Suddenly we heard several squeals and shrieks coming from a direction

I released Lavalee from the hug and she stood up so I also stood up.

“What’s that?” I shrugged my shoulder but we went there.

“Police officer.” I said and showed them my badge

Lavalee was just following me from behind. I saw what the commotion was about. A girl is lying on the grass cold so I immediately checked her pulse.

“She’s dead.” I looked at Lavalee who’s just looking at the girl

“How did you know that?” I asked and stood up because I didn’t feel any pulse and she isn’t breathing anymore

“She’s pale and her nails are already discolored.” She said and touched the girl’s had with a stick

“She isn’t undergoing rigor mortis yet meaning she’s been dead for less than 6 hours.” She said and suddenly we heard police siren

The spectators were told to leave and police lines were place on the area. Some spectators didn’t leave but some did.

“Oii! Scott!” one of my colleagues, Francis, said when he saw me

“Nandito ka? Paano yung binabantayan mo?” he asked me

“She’s murdered.” His attention shifted to Lavalee when she said that

“Don’t worry about my fingerprint being inked here, I applied glue as you can see.” She said and showed me her hand that has white things that seem like a dried off skin

“Glue? What for?” I asked her and she looked confused

“So that my finger prints won’t stick? You didn’t know that, Jace?” she asked a little confused while currently holding a small white container

“Sino yan, Detective? Girlfriend mo?” Inspector Sariin asked me

“No.” I answered

“What’s your basis?” I asked her

“Well, I’m not really sure but I’m pretty sure that the autopsy will say something about the cause of death, it’s possible that it would be cardiac arrest.” She said and placed the container on the ground again

“Mnemosyne.” I called her when Mnemosyne’s about to touch the white container

“*chuckles Don’t worry about Mne, Jace, it’s just a mint case.” She said and Mnemosyne jumped on my arms

“Anong nangyayari?” Inspector Del Mundo asked and they became startled when Mnemosyne growled

“Mnemosyne.” I tapped her head and she stopped

“Mne’s sleepy.” Lavalee said and took her pet

“Wait for me in the car.” I told her but she raised her brow at me

“Nah. I want to explain.” She smiled when she said that

“Detective Scott, anong nangyayari?” Inspector Del Mundo asked me

“We ran here when we heard squeals.” I answered shortly

“I have a hunch that she’s poisoned because obviously there are no blood but there’s also a possibility that she got a cardiac arrest.” Lavalee butted in

“Lav.” I chastised her

“What? It might help, Dreice.” She said like it’s nothing and shrugged her shoulder

“Ipa autopsy niyo yung bangkay.” Inspector del Mundo said and the Forensic Division arrived