[ Sunday, July 17 ]
The 2-hour land travel time from the hospital to the pier and 7-hour boat ride that dropped us to another pier was dead exhausting. I never experienced being this drained. I couldn't help but vomit when I was in the boat, for I have this seasickness that I wasn't aware of. I've been on cruises before, but things seem to be so different when it comes to the boats that are used to carry commoners.
I'm not going to lie – I'm too used to the life of luxuries. So, adjusting from the fancy kind of life to the 'normal' kind of life feels all wrong. Daniel knows that this will be my concern, so he told me that I shouldn't come in the first place. But what can I say? I'm already desperate and I want to start everything from scratch. I can't imagine myself living the life of the woman I used to be – Amethyst Monteverde, the daughter of one of the richest man in the country, engaged to Vaughn Alcantara and will be married on the 30th day of December.
Was.
I was engaged. The damage had been done and mending things is something that feels like a joke. I no longer know what I feel about Vaughn. I still feel hurt and I want to believe that I still love him, but I can't afford to face him because of what he did. Of course, I can't run away forever. One day, our paths will cross again, but for now, I have to cool down the coals. If I'm going to talk to him right after the issue, I might say something that I'll regret.
"So, welcome to our second stop," Daniel spoke in a lifeless manner. He covered his mouth with his right hand when he yawned, a hint that he's also exhausted from the long journey.
My eyes widened a bit upon hearing his words. "Second stop, you said. Does that mean, there's a third stop? Gee, I hope I'm wrong. That journey was long enough."
"Are you complaining? I told you about this. You're not going to last. We still have one small boat ride tomorrow morning. Obviously, it's 11 pm, and nobody's going to take the risk to leave at this time of night. We can get the small boat ride at 8 am tomorrow. Don't worry, it only lasts an hour, and we'll be in Edevieth island. I mentioned that it's a dump wasteland now and that the government neglected it after the storm happened. Almost everything's wiped out, which is the reason why I volunteered to live there. The population's just around 70, I believe. Knowing the people like you, it'll be a great culture shock for you because the life there isn't the same as in the capital. For now, we have to look for a place where we can spend the night and we'll leave tomorrow." He looked at me after explaining. "How are you catching up?"
"Oh, I'm completely fine," deep inside, I feel like I'm lying but that's what I want to believe because it's normal since I'm adjusting from my old life to the new one. I can't say that it's a total lie. "A little shook, yes, but I can manage. The name of that island had me thinking, though. 'Friereworth' doesn't sound local. How come that island was named that way?"
"Just like the rest of the people in this country, you don't even have the idea that Edevieth exists, don't you? I'm not a history teacher and I don't know why that name was given to that island, but what matters is, it exists and it needs help."
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[ Monday, July 18 ]
The next morning, Daniel and I took the small boat ride that took an hour long. Everything felt fresh in the morning – the weather was fine, the wind blows my hair just right – not strong enough to ruin my hairdo, but just enough to make it lift off my shoulders and give me the chills. The sea was calm, for the waves were absent, and the sun gave its warmth that was felt on my skin.
For so long, I haven't experienced being surrounded by nature. It's been years since the last time I went to the beach. Looking back at what my old life was like, all I can see is a busy girl who's always in the office, in front of her laptop 'till sunset, attending meetings and having international flights with my dad for business purposes and that's that. Basically, that's it. Sometimes, I don't understand how some people can even see my life as something perfect. Living in a life full of luxuries also means a lot of stress. It's not like you'll just sit there and let the money come, because you run a company.
But none of those matters anymore, because that was the girl I used to be. Now, I'll be living on an island far away from the civilization, clueless on what kind of life is waiting for me.
"Welcome to our humble home," Daniel announced as he opened the door of his home. The flooring of his house was made of wood, its walls are all white, except for the doors that are brown in color which was obviously made of wood. The living room's door is a combination of wood and glass, which made things look classy. Unlike the other doors, it's the only sliding door around.
As I look around to see the house's features, two girls who were playing tag shouted and giggled as they see Daniel in a display.
"Shawn!" they said in a chorus as they ran towards him and hugged him as if he's their older brother that they haven't seen for years.
Shawn? Why did these kids call him Shawn? I thought his name is Daniel?
"So, I'm sorry if this isn't a villa like where you used to live, but you chose to come along so, bear with it. I haven't mentioned that I'm taking care of seven kids who are already orphans," he admitted. "They were homeless kids when I found them a year ago when the storm happened. Their parents were … some of them were lost and their bodies were never found, then some were just found dead. I adopted them." He broke our eye contact and the corners of his lips rose as he knelt down to the kids' level, pulling them to a hug. This is my first time to see him smiling full of sincerity.
For the record, he always talks cold, negative and lifeless as if he's a guy who's so done with life. I also thought that he's a judgmental person. But I guess I was wrong. Maybe he was just being mean to me because he was discouraging me to come with him because I'll be a burden. I really can't blame him for that.
The girl who had her hair braided slowly looked at me, giving me the 'from-what-planet-are-you-from' look. "Shawn, who is that tall girl with you?" she asked, her eyes still fixed on mine.
"She isn't tall, you're just short," Shawn chuckled and kissed the kid's forehead. My height is 5 feet and 9 inches and for a typical woman in this country, my height is above average. How can he see me as short? Was it because he's 6 feet flat? "Laura, she's Amethyst, and for a short while, she'll be with us. There's a long story why she's here but what matters is you're already aware of her name. Mind calling the others so that I can formally introduce her to everyone?"
Laura smiled shyly. "The rest are swimming at the beach, Agatha and I will." Ah, so I guess the name of the other kid is Agatha.
Laura and Agatha held hands as they step out of the house to call the others. For some unknown reason, seeing those two kids made me feel like someone touched a soft part in my heart. They're lovely. They look friendly, only shy. I can be wrong, but I hope that I'm not.
"Can I ask you something?" I said, and Daniel stood up straight to face me.
"Bring it." He commented, his facial expression blank.
"You said your name is Daniel, but the kids called you Shawn. What was that supposed to mean?"
Long before he answers my question, a familiar woman stepped out of the kitchen, seeing us. She was as shook as I am, for I wasn't expecting to see her here.
"Amethyst? What are you doing here?" Mrs. Barron asked, her eyes wide.
"I … I had no idea that Daniel's your son. How can the world be this small? It was like yesterday I attended your silver wedding anniversary! Where's Mr. Barron? I thought he's –"
"Cut it out," Daniel commented. "Let's not talk about my father, shall we? There are so many things to settle than that."
How can he possibly say 'let's not talk about my father?' James Barron is one of my dad's closest friends, yet, he doesn't seem proud of him. In fact, I can see hints of hatred. Does this mean, Daniel hates his father?
"Amethyst, can we talk? I have lots of questions for you about … everything. I'm not saying that you're not welcomed here, but it's just that, I wasn't expecting you here."
"Right, of course. You deserve to know why I'm here," I began, and Daniel left us alone, entering a room which I suppose, his room.
"I haven't told your son about everything and I wasn't expecting that he's your son so I saw him as some kind of stranger since yesterday. I'm sorry, I still feel lost about things. What was he doing in the capital yesterday, not far from my house?" Everything was a little too much to handle. I still can't believe that I'm with the son of my father's friend. He's a Barron. What is he doing here? His father is a politician. I witnessed a silver wedding last May, yet, behind that grand event, their family is like this? Separated? What exactly is going on?
Mrs. Barron's face fell and she looked away for a couple of seconds before speaking. She put a hand on top of her other hand and put her hand down to her lap as she sat on the couch. "Last Friday he told me that he's going to the capital because his father told him so. James told me that he bought Shawn a car as a gift for his birthday. But see, Shawn's very mad with his father, so I can imagine that he won't last in our house there for long. The reason why we're like this is a little personal so I don't want to talk about it. What I'm curious about is, how come you're here? Because I watched the news and you were declared missing."
"The people are looking for me? For real?" I looked away and faked a laugh. I shook my head as I look at her again. They were looking for me after everything, huh? I'm not hurt. In fact, I find it funny because, why? Weren't they expecting that I'll be gone for everyone's sake? Summer and I may be friends, but without me, she'll be the heir of The Crown. Without me, Sasha would rejoice.
Without me, Vaughn can continue being kind with Sasha. Nobody needs me. The people would appreciate my absence even more, so what kind of drama did these people just started? Now, all I can say is, it's fake. They're all fake. None of these matters anyway. It may take time for me to adjust, but I certainly will.
"If that's the case, then can I ask you the favor to keep me here? See, I had issues back in there and after my car accident, going back home isn't the best option that I have. It's personal and too painful to discuss so I don't think I can at the moment. I'd appreciate if you'll keep me for at least a month or two. I've basically lost everything, but I'll do my best so that I won't be a burden in this house. Please, Mrs. Barron. I just …"
"I get the idea honey," she commented as she pursed her lips. "I think I know why. You have everything, but you said you lost it all. I don't know what happened, but I think I can imagine what happened. You said enough, for now. I'm hoping that one day, you'll fix it and tell it to us." She closed her eyes, trying to process everything. "I've heard about your wedding on December. Are you telling me that you lost that one too?"
The truth is, I don't know. I mean, I believe I already lost it, but the idea that I haven't heard what Vaughn has to say still makes me think. However, everything was too much to handle and I can't afford to see him because up until now, I'm not in a good mental and emotional state. What I'm saying is, I don't even know what I feel, I couldn't understand myself. I think I'm mad, hurt, confused, hopeless – I don't know what to think anymore. It's too messed up. Things would be better if I already managed to cool down.
"Yes, that too," I answered, holding back my tears. I can't afford to cry again. I'm tired. Too tired. Everything is draining and all I want to do now is forget.
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A few hours later, I knocked on the door of Daniel's room, hoping that I'll get an answer to my questions. The kids were already eating dinner, but long before they do, they introduced themselves to me because Mrs. Barron said so. There's Agatha, 5 years of age. Laura, 6. Casper, 7. Jerome, 10. Bianca, 12. Yuna, 14, and lastly, Gabriel, 16. It's strange that one of the kids has the same name as my father. Not everyone was friendly, and I can't blame them. My existence in this home was too out of the blue.
Everyone was surprised seeing a stranger who'll live with them for the next one or two months.
"Come in," Daniel said, and I turned the doorknob and pushed the door open. He was sitting on the edge of his bed, his face blank.
"Did you have a good sleep?" I asked awkwardly, trying to break the ice.
He looked at me and rolled his eyes. I don't understand why he's acting like this. When it comes to the kids, he's totally a different person. But when it comes to me, he shows me the person who's always so done with life. That kind of person who only has this motto, 'life sucks.'
"I believe that's not the question you'd really want to ask." He replied, which is right.
I sighed before continuing, hesitant to ask but I will anyway. "Why are the people here calling you Shawn, but you introduced yourself to me as Daniel? Also, your mother told me a bit about why you were in the capital and she said you're going to meet your dad. If you're going to meet him, then why were you –"
"I can't answer all questions at once," he said, cutting me off. "My name is Shawn Daniel Barron. I didn't lie to you since Daniel is my name too. I just want a little change so don't see it as a big deal. Just call me Shawn if you want to since everyone calls me that anyway." He shook his head and pulled himself back to the bed, his head resting on his arms that are crossed. "When I was in that bridge, I was done meeting my dad. I was about to visit someone else but then there was this reckless driver who was too depressed and wanted to suicide," he chuckled. "No offense, but the part about who I was planning to meet is no longer your business."