Chapter 19- Rendered

Lanie's POV:

My forehead wrinkled as I kept looking at the message. I tried calling the number but the operator kept saying the same thing:

The number you have dialled is incorrect. Please try again later.

Annoyed, I stared at my phone. Page is really giving me headaches. He is really getting into my nerves. It's just took a few second when he messaged me but now I can't even reached him through this number. And it seems that the number does not exist at all!

Primo Angelo, that guy really! Ugh!

He's really playing a mind game which I hate! I really don't like this kind of game. My head hurts just from thinking of what he's doing. And Master Recoon, that one, he is also the source of my headache. Their silence in our groupchat creeps the hell out of me. It's obvious that they are keeping a secret from us!

"What are you waiting for?"

I almost jump when I heard Yshmael's voice. I'm too pre-occupied that I forgot where I am.

"They're already inside." He said, crossing his arm. He's one step ahead of me, I can't help but to looked up at him. "For sure, they are all waiting inside. Tell me, where will you wake up from daydreaming?"

"Huh?"

Yshmael shook his head, "You're really something, Maelanie. First, you threw yourself into trouble and now, you made the Mayor ans his wife wait."

I hid my phone when I heard him say that. Shoot! I really forgot why I'm here. I quickly run towards the main door.

Chuckling, he followed.

I waited for him beside the door. The Mansion's inside is huge and overwhelming, I shouldn't wander alone, I may be lost.

"What took you so long, Kids?" Mrs. Aronzaga asked when we reached the dining room.

"Nothing Mom. We just talked about the interview that she's doing for The Wardens. Well, If only you guys agree." Yshmael lied.

I want to praise him. He's really on another level! He is expert making white lies.

Yshmael glanced at me. "I briefed her about that do's and don't for the interview," he added.

He looked at me again and pulled out a chair for me. I smiled sourly.

I sat and faced the Aronzagas, they are really intimidating. Especially now that they are all looking at me.

"You really looks like your father, in his teenage days. His female and young version," the Mayor commented. "I'm sorry that I forgot to greet you earlier. I'm really worried about Laura," he added glancing at his wife.

I just smiled at the Mayor. I don't know what to say and he don't have to apologize. Me being here is unexpected.

"Well, we have a family issues and I think Maelanie's aware of that. She understood that," Yvan answered for me. "By the way, if that interview is for the The Wardens, I'll gladly participate to that."

I smiled as he winked at me.

"Me too," Mrs. Aronzaga agreed. "How about we do that while eating?" She suggested then faced her husband. "What do you think about that, Honey?"

"Hm... Let's do that then," the Mayor seems compelled by his wife.

We prayed first, then eat. And like what we all agreed, I'm asking some questions while eating.

The Mayor's wife and the eldest, Yvan Mortem answered all of my questions actively. The two family members are great at making the atmosphere comfortable. While the Mayor and Yshmael are just eating their food, nodding when needed.

The lunch slash interview went well. It lasted two and a half hours. And the way I see it, it's not really an interview, just a casual talk with them.

I don't know if I can find anything from their answer. All of the questions are about Hespheria. On how it became a prosperous and rich town. The projects regarding the town and everything.

It was an unplanned and unexpected interview but I managed to ask them questions.

"It's good." Mrs. Aronzaga said after I told them that I don't have any questions left. "This is the first time that we had an informal chat with someone who's not connected with politics." She added, her eyes are twinkling.

"I agree. I enjoyed it. One more thing, it's Maelanie and her presence is refreshing," Yvan added.

I smiled at both of them. It was the two of them who really participated in this interview. The other two? They are just sitting there like invisibles.

"Mom, we need to go. We need to return to Saint Augustine." Yshmael cut them.

I saw how Mrs. Aronzaga's smile fades.

"Why don't you just stay here for the night?" Concerned, she tried talking to her son.

That feeling again. The feeling of uneasiness, I felt that again. I also felt the tension that envelopes us.

"We can't, Mom. We need to go back and I don't want to use my name just for a lame reason." Yshmael refused.

My gaze shifted to each of them. Right now, I'm very sure of one thing, something is really going on and by their action, it's not good.

"Then, let Mario accompanied you, two. Asked him to drive for you, Yshmael." Yvan suggested.

"Yeah. We don't have any schedule for today so let Mario accompany you." The Mayor agreed.

Refusing, Yshmael shook his head. "No. Mario will stay here. His job is to secure your safety guys, not mine."

"Yshmael..." Mrs. Aronzaga's almost pleading.

Yshmael just gave her mother an assuring smile. "Don't worry, Mom. I know Hespheria like the back of my hand. You guys shouldn't worry. But give me a permission to use my motorbike," he turned to his father.

Mayor Aronzaga chuckled. He took a key from his pocket and handed it to Yshmael.

Yshmael stood. "We need to go back to the Academy." He grabbed my hand and pulled me out of my chair.

I vowed to his family members and bid my farewell. I followed Yshmael when he walked towards the main door.

"Wait for me here." He told me then hurried down the staircase.

"Lanie..."

I turned to the Aronzagas.

The Mayor's wife held my hand. "I'm sorry that I can't accompany you back though I'm the one who brought you here."

I smiled at her, "It's alright, Mrs. Aronzaga. I understand..."

I totally get why they are so worried.

I thought that Yshmael is just exxagerating things but now I understand why they are acting like this. They taking the threats seriously. And by the way I see it, it looks that the target of those threats is the only woman of the family.

She's the weakest among them and I'm sure that's the reason my the male members are really worried about her safety.

The Mayor approached us and put his arm around his wife. "Trust Yshmael, Maelanie." He simply said.

I nodded though I'm still doubting his son.

"I'll see them go, Mom, Dad. You should go back inside," Yvan told his parents.

I agreed and assured their Mother. "We'll be fine. Don't worry."

Mrs. Aronzaga's still worried, her husband held her hand and walks her inside. I saw Mario and a few bodyguards beside them.

"Sorry for that, Maelanie. The election is just around the corner that's why we're taking extra measures for our safety. You know, dirty games from our enemies," Yvan explained.

I nodded, "No worries, I understand, Mr. Aronzaga."

He chuckled. His tone and Ysmael's are alike but still different.

When Yshmael chuckles, it's like he's mocking, but with Yvan, it's sweet and nice.

"You don't have to address me as your superior, Maelanie. I'm just a few years older than you. Just call me by my name, Yvan."

I scratched my head, "Sure, Mr. Yvan."

Again, he laughed. "And don't call me Mr., you're making me feel old."

We both laughed. As for his request, I offered my hand for a handshake.

"Nice meeting you, Yvan Mortem Aronzaga."

Playfully, he accepted my hand. "That's so witty, Little Miss. Anyway, nice meeting you too, Maelanie. I never thought that the name they gave me is really nice."

I stared at him surprisingly.

He let go of my hand and put his on his pockets. He faced the grand staircase and let his gaze lingered at the fountain.

"I did not mention this in your interview earlier even though I want to. Because if I do, for sure, Mom will get hurt. And I don't want to upset her. But I really want to tell you this side of my story," he said. "I am not a real Aronzaga, Maelanie. I'm orphaned."

I'm stunned. I don't know what to say. I just looked at his face.

I never thought of that. From head to foot, he looks like one.

He smiled a bit.

"It was years ago when my whole family burnt to death. My parents, my five siblings and our home, they all die in that fire incident," he paused. "The Aronzagas, despite the distance, came to rescue us. But they are late. I survived that incident, yet I was left alone. Mom and Dad, my parents now did everything for my family. From my family members wake to their burial. I was young back then, traumatized and full of injuries so I let them do everything... Later on, an angel came to find me."

This time, Yvan smiled sweetly. "Mom, Laura Aronzaga asked me to be her son. To be Yshmael's big brother. That time, I want to refuse. I don't want to change my name, that's the only thing  my family left me. But Mom, her smile melted my heart. I said Yes, then the rest is history."

I looked at him with a light heart. Atleast, his story is not tragic at all. "Did you regret it?"

He shook his head. "No, never. They treated me as their own. They love me. That's why I vowed to protect them. I won't let anyone take my family, again."

He seems sweet but like Yshmael, he really cares.

"That's good to hear." I said. That is what family does. Protecting each other despite the danger. "You may not be related by blood, but by heart, all of you are family."

His smile widened, "Oh, my bad! I'm sorry for being a chatter. That's not what I really want to tell you."

I giggled. That's maybe the reason why he's different than the youngest Aronzaga.

"I want to apologize to what Inspector Luegas did."

My smile faded.

He rubbed the back of his head. "I'm really sorry, Maelanie. Saint Augustine is entrusted to me. And when that incident happened, I really panicked. I asked Hespheria's Investigation Department for a thorough investigation. I never thought that they'll investigate poorly. They wanted to impress me, that's why. And I never thought that they will involve one of my students. I'm very sorry, I'm sure you were surprised."

I forced a smile. That incident is still fresh.

Yvan Mortem held my hand. "I'm really sorry, Maelanie. I should have apologize first but I have to settle the problems first. And I want to tell you that I sent Inspector Luegas and his team to the farthest barangay so you won't see him here. I know that seeing him will make you uncomfortable."

I nodded. "I was really surprised amd scared, but I understand."

He really looked apologetic. "Sorry for that. By the way, I heard that you lost your computer. Do you want me to replace that for you? So that I can atleast be at ease."

I laughed. "No need for that. The semester will be over soon."

Pouting, he shook his head.

"Alright. Alright." I said laughing. He looks like he won't accept a no for an answer.

He smiled widely. "Good! I'll make sure that your new computer will be the best brand."

I nodded.

"Coming or not?"

We both turned to Yshmael.

My heart almost jump out of my ribs. This is the first time that I felt attracted to this stone man!

"Go on. Take care, both of you." Yvan told us.

I smiled to Yvan then walked towards Yshmael. I wore the helmet he handed me.

The motorbike released it's sound.

"Take care!" Yvan shouted.

Yshmael nodded at his brother. I waved at him before we took off.

❤