Chapter 2 Plunged into the Dark River

"Hello?"

She coughed and took a deep, long breath. "Haze?" she asked, looking out onto the balcony. "Have you returned home?"

"Yes, and why did you call?"

She sighed and decided to get out of bed. She went out to the balcony to have some fresh air. It was three in the morning and darkness was still around. The Mayor of Medellin's lighthouse shone in the distance. Another deep breath. All she could hear were crickets hiding in the dark.

"I had a dream," she whispered on the phone.

"Well, that's to be expected."

"No, I mean, I had a strange dream."

The other line burst out laughing. "That's... well, what's your fantasy little girl?"

She frowned. She thought of Hazel's drunken face, grinning from ear to ear, in front of her. "Come on, Hazel. Stop spouting nonsense, okay? I need someone to talk to, then you're like that?"

Because of the accusatory tone in her voice, Hazel fell silent. She took another deep breath before telling the story. "It's strange."

"What's strange, Laine?"

"I've dreamed of something," she sighed, whispering.

"Dreamt? That word again? How can I help you if you can't quit saying strange, dreamt, whatever?" Hazel said, annoyance evident in her voice.

Jewel knew that Hazel was not in her right mind so she did not make a fuss about the girl's tone and said, "I've dreamt of something."

She closed her eyes tightly. She felt her cheeks burn red in embarrassment as she tried to make the right sentence to describe what she had seen in her dream. "Sex. I've dreamt of it."

"Ah? That's it, little girl? "

"Come on, I've dreamt about someone having sex with me!"

On the other end of the line, laughter erupted. She slapped her forehead and frowned furiously. She still had to take the phone away because Hazel seemed to be on her side because of how loud the laughter was.

"What's that, Laine?" Hazel asked, chuckling. "Are you serious? If yes, you need to get a guy right now!"

She rolled her eyes. "Hazel!"

Even though she couldn't see her reflection in the mirror, she could tell how red her face was. It was her first time to dream such a lewd scene and she was uncomfortable. She had no one to talk to except for Hazel who was closer to her, and even though she almost choked on embarrassment, she had no choice but to vent out her weird feelings.

"Oh?" Hazel teased.

She pursed her lips. "I'm not the kind of girl who daydreams about it," she said to defend herself. Then she bit her bottom lip.

The truth was that... sometimes she really daydreams of a guy but it was not explicit! And she was not out of her mind to admit it. She could not bear the shame of admitting her secret, even though Hazel was her friend.

"Don't worry, I think that's normal. Tiara called me last night and said that she and her boyfriend are doing that in her dream. Hush now, little girl."

Hazel laughed, and it was clear that the girl had been to Furry, a bar in Bogo City. Jewel tried to ignore the small noise coming from the other end of the phone because it sounded like kissing.

She cleared her throat. "I-I think so," she said, scrunching her nose. "Are you still --?"

The girl on the other end of the phone cut her words off. "How does it feel, though?"

"Feel?" Her eyes narrowed.

Hazel chuckled. "Doing that with someone in your dream?"

Jewel gulped and fanned her hot face. "I just feel... something wet down there," she said over the phone.

"Is he attractive?"

Jewel raised her brow. "I don't believe so."

"Husky bedroom voice... Charming smile?"

"No..."

"I believe you're looking for someone to satisfy you, Laine."

"I think that guy is weird..." she recalled the man from her dream. She knew he had a face, but she couldn't recall what it was like. His big arms and elegant physique were the only things she remembered. But recalling the man in her dream, she could not help but shiver. Her hair on the nape stood.

She gulped.

She exhaled deeply. "Haze? Go to your bed and sleep, I'll hang up now."

"Please greet the man of your dreams on my behalf," Hazel joked and chuckled.

Jewel shook her head. That girl was drunk.

Before returning to her room, she took another look at the gleaming lighthouse. She was startled when she noticed someone standing at the headboard of her bed out of the corner of her eye. When she turned around to look, she saw no one.

She laughed as her head shook. She must be hallucinating. Her hand reached for and closed the bathroom door.

She left the room and went down to the living room while it was still dark. She noticed a few maids cleaning the mansion. They smiled as they greeted her.

"It's still too early in the morning, Senyorita, and I didn't see Sir Gideon leave the room, so he won't be able to accompany you outside."

She only smiled at Aling Teresa. "I can do it. Don't tell anyone I left early."

"But it's still dark outside, and it's dangerous-"

"Manang..." she said, smiling and motioning to the elderly lady. "I'm big enough to take care of myself. I can do it. One more thing, I won't leave the hacienda. Just a quick walk through the woods. Promise."

Aling Teresa smiled and accompanied her to the mansion's front door. "Take care, Miss."

"I will, Manang," she said, turning around.

She went straight to the stable and was correct in her suspicion that Peter was up and bathing the horses there. The man smiled at her and took a step forward.

"Oh, Miss, the road is too dark. I can't let you leave early."

"I can do it."

"Oh, Senyorita! Senyorito Gideon should be here, so I can make sure you get home safely when the sun comes up."

She fixed her gaze on Peter. "I'm not fooling around with you."

He shook his head and scratched his chin. He then looked past her. "Sir, Senyorita is that stubborn, so it's up to you."

Her brow furrowed, and she retreated. She noticed Gideon. The man's brows were knitted together as he looked at her. "What a brat. This early?" he mocked.

Her fist tightened. She hadn't gotten over the man's sarcasm on the Aisle. She almost fell off the motor due to its high speed. And why was the haughty man awake?

"Pedro!" she exclaimed. She quickly turned to face the attendant again, but that scumbag fled. While fleeing, that servant reminded them to be cautious on the dark road.

Jewel clenched her teeth. She wanted to smack Peter in the face, but he wasn't in sight. She realized at that point that the two men had agreed to corner her when she went for a run.

Gideon laughed from behind her and took a step closer to her. "You know you can't ride alone, Jewel."

Her lips formed a thin line. "I know what's best for me. Don't treat me like a child."

"Then stop acting like one."

"I'm not!"

Gideon was silent for a moment before asking. "Do you despise me?"

"At least you're aware!"

"Why?"

"It's none of your concern."

She entered the stable without saying anything. She picked up Francisko, strapped on a saddle, and rode away with the horse. She heard Gideon yell but did not respond. When Gideon followed on his favorite horse, Gina, she enhanced Fransisko's speed.

"Jewel!" he exclaimed.

She kicked Fransisko in the shins. The horse took off faster.

"Listen to me. You're running in the wrong direction. Stop the horse!"

But she didn't pay attention. Her life in the mansion had been disrupted for a few days.

She recalled her father's smile when he saw Gideon. He stated that the plan to unite the two powerful families in Medellin would be initiated sooner And she isn't a moron for not knowing what binding it is.

She tightened her grip on the reins and kicked the horse in the shins. Francis took off faster.

On that fateful day, she realized her life was about to change, especially after learning that she would marry the Mayor's only child, Gideon Manasseh Hernandez, the following summer.

"Wait a minute-"

Perhaps it's too late to seek assistance. She went straight into the Medellin River's dark and peaceful waters. Even her favorite Francisco was in danger. She quickly clasped her hands to get back on the surface of the water. She cursed in her head over and over. In the cold water, her muscles trembled and her chest tightened.

She desperately searched the riverbank but couldn't find it in the dark. She gradually became overwhelmed by fear. Which way should she swim?

She pumped her fists and stomped her feet, and she screamed when an arm wrapped around her neck. As she raised her head to breathe, she was yanked back.

She felt the ground behind her and realized she'd almost got drowned in the water. A hand gently patted her back to release the water that needed to be released.

She was leaning helplessly against something hard and hot. She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths.

"You, stubborn brat, will you listen to me next time?"

Jewel opened her eyes, but all she saw was the silhouette of a man.