Is blood really thick enough? Are roots too shallow to choose the risk of betrayal?
When friendship was valued more than family, it must've been so bloody bad in that blistering home.
If sticking up for others at the expense of shedding yourself from your own kind was so easy, it would've been easier. If love was as superficial as intrinsic relations, then nothing would've been a problem.
But there's histories and tales and cultures. No one's allowed to break that.
Mouths and perspectives could filter the wrongs of the world, but it'll never be fixed just because a bunch of rational people wanted to.
August 21, 2018 (Tuesday) 6:00 PM Cardeal Hotel, 40th floor
"I guess it's my time, eh?" Bryner gave Mair a thrifty smile from his dehydrated lips, begging for a drink.
He pulled out two cards – one for the confirmation of his identity and the other for his hotel key. "And… up to the rules, we are! Any other restrictions, Miss Alejandro?"
Mair cleared her throat and gave the special guest her own signature polite smile, the one that affects your breath for a second. "These are more than enough actually, Sir Bryner. And please… I am not Miss Alejandro."
"A'right," Bryner nodded. "Sorry, lady. Thought you were somewhat related to 'im, 'coz --" He gestured his fingers circularly in front of her face. "You resemble his face at some parts."
"I'll be taking that as a compliment, so thank you sir. You are now permitted to go outside. Please return on or before the indicated time as per the rules."
Bryner went out of the hotel.
August 21, 2018 (Tuesday) 6:07 PM Cardeal Hotel, 40th floor
The laptop's screen flashed against Angelo's face.
The rapid clacking of keyboard and the heavy blows of an air conditioner were the only sounds one could barely hear in his room.
His fingertips tapped, not a single mutter coming out from his mouth, continuously thumping till he's satisfied with his words.
The girl he chatted last time in an online dating chat room who agreed for a meet up, but never met at all became his dose of pill during his solitude days in the Cardeal Hotel.
"This girl is probably that one working on the Ly Café," Angelo thought. "Lyka…"
August 21, 2018 (Tuesday) 6:07 PM Cardeal Hotel, 40th floor
Mair sits on her bed inside her room given to her by Paul, a special space within the Cardeal Hotel of the fortieth floor.
As she silently fiddle around her cellphone, a seething agitation springs up her heart. A winged heart invisibly floats in a roaring excitement amidst the tranquil air.
She smiled against her cellphone as sweet messages fill her mind.
August 21, 2018 (Tuesday) 6:07 PM Cardeal Hotel, 40th floor
Faura lit up her cigarette before inhaling in her lungs the toxic nicotine. She rested her hand over the windowsill as she gazes out of the lighted metropolis.
The aesthetic combination of spectrum lights helped calm her nerves.
A light knock from outside her door caught her attention. She went around and received the package by the deliverer.
Going back inside her unit, she threw the packaged box on the bed. It was a box of chocolate cupcakes.
Continuing her mindless stare at the overview of the city, she blew off grey smokes out of her warm and corrupted lungs.
August 21, 2018 (Tuesday) 6:07 PM Ly Café
At the staff room of Ly Café, Lyka is preparing herself for her incoming work shift at exactly 7:30 pm. She wore her uniform and fixed her make up.
August 21, 2018 (Tuesday) 6:07 PM Cardeal Hotel, 40th floor
"May I perhaps…" Scarlet rested her arms on the golden contemporary counter. "…invite some guests here? He'll just be staying at my unit."
"Yes ma'am, you may," Paul Alejandro answered politely. "However, you must inform in the record sheet at least a day or two before they could enter your unit. Their names and contact numbers are required for security purposes."
"Alright. Thanks, Paul."
"You're welcome, Miss Scarlet."
Scarlet wears a revealing purple tube top paired with a brunette colored shorts. With her heels clicking against the tiles, she went back to her unit and grabbed her cellphone lying on her bed.
"Permission granted." She texted those two words to her client as she bites on her French bread, her face flashed with boredom and indifference.
August 21, 2018 (Tuesday) 6:07 PM Cardeal Hotel, 40th floor
Ivan sipped on his cocoa drink.
He reads on with his keen eyes and his fingertips tracing the heavy words from the Bible.
2 Kings, chapter seventeen, verse eighteen. Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only.
"A very convenient prejudice," Ivan leaned against the backrest of his mahogany chair whilst sipping on his warm drink, soothing his throat down to his stomach.
There's this massive wrath and clanging chaos going on with the images in his mind as the words from the Bible conjures up to his senses.
After reading a few more verses, he closed the thick and heavy book, then finally closed his eyes to relish the lingering cocoa flavor from his hot tongue.
August 21, 2018 (Tuesday) 6:07 PM Cardeal Hotel, 40th floor
Sopheirin, in her morbid imaginations, sat across the pure white canvas while clutching on her paintbrush.
She was feeling very unsteady and within the spectrums of her colors, she felt like it could stabilize her. There was a ghoulish depiction of cries from a helpless woman with a dying dignity and honor.
There was also a strong arm and chains and authority; it all belonged to a man.