"I do not know what to say, but you really are like family to me." Mariano spoke with such overflowing emotion.
Antoine calmly nodded.
"I really want to embrace you right now. I feel so alive and happy." he held his arms wide. "Come, brother dear!"
"Forget it." he refused.
"Can I hug Bianca instead?" he was quick to point at me.
"No." I answered. "Would you like to die? Again?"
"Now, I want to cry." He slumped back on the bed and hugged the pillow tightly.
Mariano had been released from the chains and seals that have restrained him for days. He is still very pale and weak but somehow Hermana Auring's medicine seemed to work.
She brought him rice porridge to eat.
"Here, let's start with a soft diet."
"You're so nice. But, I'm fine and I really want to eat with you in the dining room. Then, I'll go and wash the dishes, alright?"
He took the tray from her and put it in a nearby table. As he tried to stand up, he stopped and sat back on the bed. He closed his eyes and held his forehead.
"How are you feeling?" she asked.
"I just felt a bit dizzy." He looked around with his eyes squinting. "Isn't it too bright in here?"
The room was a bit dim as all our windows were closed.
She observed him and shook her head disapprovingly.
"I suggest you go on bed rest for three more days. You look so pale to me."
"Nah! I can manage." He attempted to stand up again, holding on to a nearby table for support.
"Don't make me break your neck again!" Hermana began scolding him. "Why can't you just stay still?"
"Alright! Alright!" He lay down on his bed, pulled the blanket up to his face and then closed his eyes. "Why am I surrounded by violent ladies?" he murmured.
"Are you saying something?" I inquired.
"Zzzzzz..."
That following morning, Hermana Auring left to go back to the hacienda*.
(A vast land with a dwelling house)
I was getting some fresh air in the backyard when I heard someone whistling at me.
Then, another whistle.
"Pssst..."
I shuddered.
I must never look back at all cost!
If that is a spirit or demon whistling at me and I turn to look at it, I'm doomed.
Carefully, I stepped back and walked briskly back to the house, ignoring the series of whistles.
"Hey!" I heard from behind me.
I began running. A chubby boy with rosy cheeks, in ancient Greek clothing, and wings on his back blocked my way.
If I'm not mistaken, he's Cupid or Eros from mythology. He is that ancient god of love who shot anyone he pleased and brought misery to the world for doing so.
"Leave me alone!" I screamed at him.
"Don't be angry." he tried to pacify me. "In fact, I'm doing you a favor. You should be honored because you've seen me. You're very rare. My arrow just won't work on you." He scratched his head full of golden and curly hair.
"What do you want?"
"I have a quota or my mother, Venus, will lecture me for days."
"So? Who cares?" I bluntly told him.
"If I make a man fall for you, I have the quota for a hundred years. I can go on vacation in Mt. Fuji!"
"I shall pass." I started walking, wondering why he chose Mt. Fuji as a vacation spot. He could have chosen a warmer place with lots of food.
He followed me.
"There are two men in there. Just choose one!"
Antoine passed by the window and searched for me. When he saw me talking with Cupid, his eyes widened and gestured for me to move away.
"I think I'll just choose for you." He aimed his arrow at him.
"Stop it!" I yelled and tried to grab the bow and arrow.
He flew away from me and quickly released his arrow, going towards Antoine's heart.
He simply caught the arrow with his hand. Then, he took out a gun and aimed at the god.
With the way Antoine looked, he really was going to shoot the god.
He is going to finish off Cupid for good.
For world peace!
"I think he's very upset. I have to go now. Goodbye, for now." he excused himself.
Poof!
He disappeared as fast as lightning.
Antoine and I checked if all doors and windows were closed to make sure that no unwelcome arrows would strike anyone.
"I will check on Mariano upstairs."
To my dismay, I saw him standing near an open window.
"Close that window, now!" I shrieked.
"Why? Is there something wrong?" he asked.
I saw a flash of light enter his heart. Mariano held his chest and leaned on the wall.
"What was that? I feel funny." he wondered.
I went to the window and saw Cupid flying happily in the sky.
"I have my hundred years of freedom!" he cheered for himself.
As much as I wanted to confront the annoying god, I checked on Mariano if he is alright.
He was eerily silent.
"Antoine! Come here, please." I called, sensing trouble.
"I..." Mariano said in an almost inaudible voice. "I..."
He darted towards me and embraced me tightly. I cringed and tried to push him away.
"I love you!" he declared. "I love you, Bianca!
"Eeek! Antoine!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. "Let me go, or else I will be kicking some balls!"
"Nah! You won't. Do you want to see something grander than balls?"
"Oh my Lord! If you aren't shot, I will kill you!"
"What is going on?" Antoine inquired as he tried to pull Mariano away from me. The latter pulled me closer to him with no intention to free me from his hug.
"It's that stupid Cupid, he shot him!" I stated pitifully.
"I love you, Bianca." he said happily. "Please say you love me too."
"Stop it, Mariano! Release her." Antoine firmly said.
He ignored him and he rested his head on my shoulder.
"Let her go! Now!"
"Shhh...how grumpy! Don't disturb us, Golden boy." Then, he whispered in my ear, "Would you like me to prepare breakfast for you?"
"Alright. Just let me go." I agreed for him to free me.
"Sure, Love." he complied. As he released me, I ran behind Antoine's back.
"Are you alright?" he asked with concern. I covered my face as I was blushing in shame.
"I don't know."
"Should I forcefully tie him up?"
"No. Just stay by my side."
Instead of being annoyed, I felt so sorry for Mariano. He is still recovering from his vampire transformation dilemma and then he was shot by Cupid's arrow too soon. I saw heart-shaped images coming out of his chest. His aura was of bright red.
"I won't let you out of my sight." Antoine assured me.
He did prepare breakfast.
On my plate were pancakes filled with butter and maple syrup. He added hash browns too.
"These look tasty!" I praised his culinary skills. He sat beside me and stared at me like I am the only girl in the world.
"Eat well, my love." he told me so sweetly.
I took a mouthful of the pancake. He stared at me with his lips parted, enjoying the scene of me eating. I took his cup and poured hot chocolate on it.
"You should be eating too." I urged him as I do not like being watched on.
"My dearest is so caring." He graciously took the cup and drank from it.
"Bianca." Antoine interrupted.
"Hmmm?" I replied in a jiffy as I forgot his presence by my side.
"I want one, too."
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Sir." I poured chocolate on his cup too.
Mariano sliced a pancake and put it in a fork.
"Here." he was about to put the food in my mouth when I held his hand to stop.
"No need. I can eat on my own."
"I insist, please." he pleaded. "Just this one. Let me serve you."
"Just one, OK?"
He nodded with a twinkle in his eyes.
"Sure, Love."
I took the food in my mouth. He smiled contentedly.
Suddenly, Antoine gripped his fork tightly and opened his lips like he was about to protest.
He stopped, put down his fork and shifted his gaze on his plate instead.
Then, he looked at me with the saddest eyes I ever saw.