Intertwined Love and Deception

Chapter 2

It was past five in the afternoon when we reached San Rafael. The rain got heavier which made the place look like in its twilight. The whooshing sound of rain and wind was frightening. It made me realize that this was not just a thunderstorm. 

Was there was a typhoon that I failed to check before going here?

I raised my eyebrows when the driver stopped the bus. I made a quick peek outside the window. I could not see a thing except the shadows of trees. He told the passengers that the way to the bus station was not passable and this location was the best place to stop. I moaned in disbelief. I could not believe this was happening to me.

Feeling upset, I carried my backpack over my one shoulder and carried my small bag on the other side. I always hated bringing an umbrella but today I would appreciate it if I had one. I was carrying two small bags only, and yet with the weather and my situation now, I felt the inconvenience of carrying so much.

I got off the bus and ran towards the waiting shed. I was the only one who went in this direction, other passengers walked the opposite side of the road. I immediately wiped both my arms with my handkerchief and then immediately checked to see my laptop and gadgets were wet. My equipment is more important than me getting wet.

When the bus left, I became aware of my surrounding. I grew up in the city and I was used to seeing buildings, and bright lights. If not for the rain, this place would be stunningly beautiful. I looked around. I wondered if I was still on earth. That's all there is to it – plenty of trees, plants, the waiting shed where I was standing and a small house with a store in front. I wonder who buys at them.

I fixed my hair which was now damp from the rain.

"Hi. Good afternoon." I greeted the old woman who was reading a comic book. It looked like she has read it a few times. Some pages were torn already and the discoloration of the paper proved it was an old comic book.

The old woman looked up and smiled at me.

"Do you know where Paul lives?" I felt desperate already. However, Jeremy assuringly told me that everyone in town knew Paul. If I got lost, I could ask any passerby, they would surely direct me to him.

"Paul? Paul?" She was thinking as if the name was familiar to him. "Ah, Paul, I haven't seen Paul in a long time."

I bit my lower lip. I wanted to ask what she meant by a long time. Days? Months? Years?

I took my cellphone from my pocket but the battery was already empty. Feeling annoyed, I put it back in my pocket. Now, I did not know what to do. It was getting late and the weather looked really bad. I could not imagine spending the night in this old waiting area. Worst, I might die not of hypothermia but of silly thoughts about lurking monsters at night.

"I see," I said sadly. I was shivering a bit already.

"You can just go there if you want," she told me. "But you have to walk."

"Oh, It's okay. I don't mind." I told her. I was already thankful for the choice she gave me.

She stuck her head out the open window. "Do you see that tree?" She asked me and pointed towards it.

I glanced at the big, old fig tree she pointed. I wanted to laugh because it would have been close but because of the bad weather, I could feel it was a hundred, maybe a thousand kilometers away from us. I was forced to nod and smile.

"There's a road there. Just walk straight. There's no other house there except Paul's." She explained to me.

I nodded again. I can do it, I told myself.

"Thank you." I should bring her new comics to read when I come back. 

Before I decided to walk, I took off my jacket.

Good thing I was wearing a leather jacket. I used it to cover my backpack, just to make sure. I could change my clothes when I arrived at Paul's house, but if my laptop gets wet, I would need money to buy a new one.   

I took a deep breath before facing the heavy rain. I ran as fast as I could that when I reached the tree, I was panting. My chest was aching so I stopped for a while to catch my breath. Then I made a quick peek at the road. I was dumbfounded because it seemed like the road was short, maybe about a hundred meters, then the trail was gone because I had to pass through the woods.  I swallowed hard. They looked like giant tree warriors in the Maleficent movie.

It was as if I could hear my grandmother's voice telling me stories about scary creatures in the forest. But then, maybe, this place inspired Paul's style of writing. He was a popular documentary writer of folklores and mythical creatures so he must really want the feel and the ambiance.

I had to humor myself and try to entertain my thoughts. I took another deep breath before sprinting towards the woods. I looked pitiful running in the rain.

Already shaking from the cold, I sat down for a moment on the fallen tree. I was exhausted from running. I did not even know why I was running in the first place. I also have no idea how many minutes or maybe hours that I have been walking. It was getting dark, and still, there was no sign of Paul's house.

Feeling the despair and fatigue, with no flashlight, and just the rustling sound of the trees and heavy rain, I felt like if I ever encountered a werewolf here, I might just offer myself as its food.

"You cannot give up, Sayonara!" I told myself and wiped my tears.

I started walking. then it was there, from afar, I saw this big, modern house.

Jeremy kept on telling me how old the ancestral house was so they decided to have it renovated. I almost ran towards the house. I thought of Jeremy. Maybe if I tell him about my day, he would surely feel sorry for me, but he would definitely laugh at my story. 

There was a sigh of relief when I saw the house was bright. Thanks to the architect and engineers for using large windows to this house. I was amazed seeing its modern house design. The warmth of wood in its clean line exterior and the large windows that showcased the interior of the house excited me even more. I imagined myself being inside and watching the heavy rain outside. It was like a safe haven.

I did not ring the bell immediately. I glanced at my reflection in the glass window and saw how pitiful I looked. I squeezed my wet hair and tied it in a ponytail again. After trying my best to look presentable, I rang the bell a couple of times. When no one answered, I held to twist the doorknob but realized it's open.

Maybe Paul won't get mad If I go inside. Jeremy told me that he was already expecting me. So, I took off my muddy and dirty shoes, and then lifted the hem of my pants. I opened the door slowly, poked my head inside, and when it seemed clear, I entered the house.

When I felt the warmth and coziness inside, I breathed a sigh of relief. I wasn't much familiar with interior designs but the inside of the house has a sprawling space with minimal walls. The style was simple but elegant. I love the combination of colors. Whoever was the interior designer, I wanted to say he or she did a good job because he or she made it really look beautiful. But I was not here to admire Paul's house. I called his name but sounded like a whisper.

"Paul?" I called while walking towards the stairs.

No answer.

I sat down on the first step of the stairs. I really wanted to sit on the sofa. It seemed to be calling me and asking me to lie down, but I was wet and dirty. I looked sadly at the furry carpet in the living room. I waved goodbye to the carpet.

"Paul?" I called again, but I was the only one who heard my call.

I was waiting patiently when I picked up a smell.  Maybe when you are hungry, the sense of smell becomes sharp. I could smell cooked food. I swallowed hard as I touched my growling stomach. I stood up and followed the smell until I reached the kitchen.

"Wow!" I exclaimed as I saw the mouthwatering grilled chicken on the table. It was perfectly plated with vegetable salad on the side. Next to it was the tall glass with red wine in it.

For a short moment, I had forgotten about Paul and my purpose of being here. I just came over to the table and picked up the chicken leg. I was really hungry.

"Hmn..." I moaned. It was really delicious, or maybe I was too hungry that's why it was so tasty. After finishing the first one, I took another, then picked the wine glass. It smelled funny but looked delicious.

I was about to drink it when someone spoke.

"Who are you?"

I turned slowly to see who was speaking. I guess I swallowed the food without chewing it. I returned the glass slowly to the table and looked at the man in front of me.

I raised both my hands because he seemed ready to attack me.

At that moment, I thought Jeremy told me everything about Paul, but there was one thing he failed to tell me.

Paul was strikingly gorgeous.

My heart was pounding so fast that I couldn't take my eyes off his handsome face. Earlier this morning, I thought of going here as a sign of my catastrophic future. Maybe I was right.

My heart seemed to be in great danger.