I touched my forehead when I hit his hard chest. Even he held his back in pain. I immediately got up in shock and quickly tied my hair up to hide it in the hat.
I was about to run away to escape him but I was stopped when he spoke. "H-hold on..." I slowly turned to him. He was still lying on the ground while holding his hips and trying to get up.
"Are you okay?" I asked him then helped him sit up. I closed my eyes, my question was so obvious. He must have been crippled or had his back broken because of me. "What are you doing here?" I didn't understand why he asked that. He could have asked so many questions, especially since he had seen who I was.
I remembered that I couldn't say that I was here with Maria Florencita who met Lorenzo. "Oh, nothing. I just wanted to take a walk," I excused myself then looked at where the two were. Sebastian shouldn't see them here.
He stood up but he was still holding his hips. "C-can you walk?" I asked, he just looked at me. I forgot to use my deep voice so I was speechless. "I guess my throat is dry from the fog" I said using a deep tone.
He just looked at me, I couldn't look at him directly. I really had to leave so I could tell them both that Sebastian was here. Salamisim would definitely be in a lot of trouble if he caught up with Maria Florencita and Lorenzo.
Besides that, I know he'll be hurt if he sees the woman he loves falling in love with someone else.
He had already taken his sword and the lamp. I looked at him carefully, it didn't look like he was crippled or had a broken hip. "General, I really have to go," I said quickly, then quickly ran down the river.
Maria Florencita and Lorenzo turned to me, "Sebastian is here! Hide now, Lorenzo" I said, Lorenzo just stood up as if he wasn't surprised. Meanwhile, Maria Florencita covered her mouth and quickly ran towards me.
"Why is he here? Did he find out?" Maria Florencita's face almost turned pale. I shook my head, "I don't think so, he must have gone somewhere else" I said then I remembered that the witch's house was near here.
"Come on," Maria Florencita said, then pulled me back into the carriage. We were surprised when Lorenzo spoke, "I'll confront him man to man," he said seriously, causing us to gasp in shock.
Maria Florencita touched her cheek. It seemed as if Cupid's arrow had struck her heart because of Lorenzo's words. "Maria Florencita, go ahead of the chariot," I said to wake up her spirit.
I walked closer to Lorenzo, "Hide for now. Now is not the time to confront each other," I said, sounding like a mother scolding him. Maria Florencita was thrilled by what she said, but I wasn't happy because my story would be messed up again.
"But---" he didn't finish what he was going to say because I continued speaking while I was still smiling.
"No buts, go home" Lorenzo just scratched his head. I walked over to Maria Florencita and took her back to the carriage. At that moment, we saw Sebastian walking along the dirt road.
Maria Florencita stopped when her eyes met Sebastian's. Even Sebastian couldn't believe why the woman he was supposed to marry was here. He immediately walked towards us.
"It's late at night. What are you doing here?" Sebastian asked then looked at me. He probably didn't think that Maria Florencita was with me today. "I-I just went with Arturo because I couldn't sleep. I wanted to get some fresh air," Maria Florencita replied then bowed.
"What are you doing here?" Maria Florencita asked, Sebastian now looked away and helped Maria Florencita onto the carriage. "I'm just taking care of something," he replied and looked at me. I was the one who voluntarily climbed onto the carriage even though it was too high.
He was about to help me but I had already climbed up. "Do you want to come with us too? Are you just going to walk?" Maria Florencita asked Sebastian. He shook his head, "I left my horse near here" he replied then took a step back.
He raised his hat in farewell. I started the horse. I just kept my eyes on the road. I couldn't look at him anymore because I could barely count how many times I had argued with him.
TOMORROW, I can't decide whether I should go to our morning training or not. But if I don't go, what reason should I give? It will only increase my conflict with him.
So I got up and prepared to go to the riverside. I caught up with Sebastian there while he was polishing his sharp sword. He looked at me when he felt something coming, he turned his gaze back to the sword.
I just took a deep breath. Niyong wasn't there yet. He's always late. If he were here, at least the awkwardness between Sebastian and me would be reduced. "W-what are you going to teach us now? General" I held my throat. I couldn't help but stammer out of nervousness.
He didn't answer. It seemed like he didn't hear anything I said. I stood there facing the river, and I looked at him for a moment. He was still busy with what he was doing. I couldn't help but think that maybe he didn't recognize me last night?
He didn't say anything and didn't mention that I was a woman. I felt like touching my forehead. It's also possible that he didn't really see me because it was dark in the forest and he was only carrying a single lamp. Right!
So, can I talk to him again normally as if nothing happened? I watched him for a moment. No matter which angle I look at it from, I'm still the one who's higher than him because I'm his author. I shouldn't be nervous or stuck with a character.
I took a deep breath then walked over to him and sat on the big rock where he was sitting now. "Niyong should be punished. He's always late," I began as if we had been friends for a long time.
He stopped what he was doing and looked at me. He should really thank me because I gave him such a handsome face. He and Lorenzo are both handsome in different ways. Sebastian is a mixed race, has brown eyes and slightly brown hair. Meanwhile, Lorenzo's build is Filipino. Moreno, handsome and has a beautiful smile.
"Niyong must have run a hundred times to punish him and come in early," I continued, surprised when he suddenly picked up another sword that was beside him and threw it at me.
He stood up and took his place in the middle, I blinked twice at him and looked at the sword I was holding in shock. "Defeat me in a duel" he said making me stand still. I blinked twice again. Does Sebastian want to kill me?
I looked around, there was no one else here. If he was going to kill me here, no one else would see. "Are you serious? We don't even have safety gear?" he ignored what I said, raised his sword and started swinging it in the air.
I just close my eyes every time he swings his sharp sword in the air. It's like he's playing fruit ninja.
"One... Two..." he started counting, I immediately stood up. When he started counting, Niyong and I always panicked.
"Wait a minute. Are you serious about having a duel?" I asked again, hoping that somehow there was a bit of a joker in his blood so that I wouldn't always take his words like this seriously.
He just continued to show off how good he was at holding a sword. I just looked at the sword I didn't want, it was a bit heavy and his trick was that it wasn't as shiny as his.
"Because if Yes, I'm really at a disadvantage. We're not wearing any safety gear yet. What if you stab me?" I continued but he didn't seem to be listening. After a moment, he stopped and looked at me.
"If you don't want to get injured or die. Do everything you can to block my attack," he said, then quickly turned around and in less than a second I realized that the tip of the sword he was holding was pointed at me.
"Tell me the truth... What is your true identity?" he asked seriously while looking straight at me and suddenly he pulled off the hat I was wearing with the tip of his sword. I was almost speechless at what happened.
In an instant, he managed to remove the hat I was wearing, revealing my long hair, which was now in a ponytail. "I've been suspicious of you for a long time. I wasn't wrong because you're hiding something behind that outfit," he continued, unable to move from where I was standing. I've been thinking all night about what I'd answer him when he asked, but now I can't say anything.
"You are the woman who was caught in court. You are also the woman who is being pursued by the Garza family's personal guards. What is your purpose in their family?" I was just stunned by him, I couldn't believe that up until now, no matter how many times I edit Salamisim, he still mistook me for a spy.
I was about to speak more but suddenly we heard the rustling of tall plants in the forest. Sebastian immediately walked towards it, I also grabbed my hat and quickly put it on.
"Señor---" Niyong was stunned as he pushed aside the tall plant. Sebastian's sword was now pointed at him. Niyong dropped the mangoes he was carrying and raised his hand in surrender.
"I-I've picked the mangoes you ordered earlier," he continued, then looked at me. Sebastian lowered the sword he was holding and walked back to where he was sitting earlier. I immediately went over to Niyong and helped him pick the mangoes.
"How long have you been here?" I asked him almost in a whisper. He nodded, "Señor Sebastian and I came here at the same time. You're always the one who gets caught late, you should be punished," he replied, then quickly handed Sebastian the mangoes.
I was just speechless between the two of them and the mango I was holding now. Did Sebastian intentionally push Niyong away so that I could talk to him alone?
It was already eight in the morning when we finished practicing. Niyong and I, who were holding the sword, almost broke our arms. We were both lying on the ground now, Sebastian had us run fifty yards back and forth from the ends of both rivers.
Sebastian stood up and pointed his sword at me. "You, follow me," Sebastian said. Niyong and I stood up at the same time and turned to him. He was now walking back to town.
"I'm not coming with you, señor?" Niyong asked, raising his hand as if he were going to recite to the class.
"You can go home now," Sebastian replied to Niyong without looking back. Niyong and I looked at each other. "You will definitely be punished, brother Arturo," Niyong told me, then quickly stood up, grabbed his things, and walked home.
I had no choice but to follow Sebastian. My whole body was almost numb from exhaustion. I wanted to complain but I was too tired to talk. Besides, there was no other way to get out of the forest than to walk.
I was stunned when we arrived at their mansion. As soon as we entered, the guards appeared, guarding the entire perimeter of their home. Sebastian walked ahead, and I followed him.
We haven't talked since a while ago. I really don't have the energy to talk anymore. I just want to drink water and rest. My eyes narrowed before we entered their house, I remembered again when he brought me here but let me run away home alone.
"Good morning, sir" greeted Manang Conching, she stopped when she saw me. "Good morning too, sir" she greeted me and smiled. I just nodded and smiled a little. They really treat men differently. If I were wearing women's clothes now, I would definitely get sharp looks and the maids who were busy cleaning the house would start whispering.
Sebastian stopped at the door, I almost bumped into him from behind. "Sebastian is here" I heard Don Antonio's voice. He greeted Sebastian. "Where did you come from?" Don Antonio continued then looked at me.
"You're Maria Florencita's coachman and bodyguard, aren't you?" he asked me, I just nodded. He was very different now compared to how he judged me before when I was flirting with Sebastian. It was actually better that I was dressed like this, I was staying away from issues.
Speaking of issue, the old Don is also here. "Don Severino has been waiting for you for a while," Don Antonio said to Sebastian, then they walked towards the living room.
Sebastian turned to me and Manang Conching, "Manang, if possible, please escort my guest to my room" Sebastian said, Manang Conching nodded then motioned for me to follow him.
"I brought some wines from Europe" Don Severino smiled at Sebastian. Manang Conching and I slowly climbed the stairs. I turned to look at them, they were just standing in the living room. Sebastian just looked at Don Severino.
"I would like to clarify the misunderstanding that has been brewing between you and my son Roberto. Our families have been close friends for a long time. I hope it will not be broken," Don Severino smiled, passing everyone by with his deceptive smiles and words. That is the character Don Severino.
I didn't hear what Sebastian said. There's nothing he can do about the events. As the next scenes and chapters progress. His position will also be restored but in the middle of this story.
"Come here, son. What would you like to drink?" Manang Conching asked me. I was now sitting in a rocking chair by the window. There were so many books in Sebastian's room. "Even just water with ice," I replied, Manang Conching turned to me as if to ask if I was serious about what I said.
"Ah, it's just water," I said, but they didn't have any ice yet and it was difficult to bring in ice, which is used for really big occasions.
I just leaned back in the chair and closed my eyes for a moment.
I was startled when I heard the men discussing where to put the sacks of rice they had just carried. I stretched out my hand, and saw the porters and maids talking below.
I was surprised when I saw Sebastian. He was lying on his bed reading a book. I saw a glass of water sitting on the small table next to me. I also stared at the food next to it. Grilled fish, rice, and mango.
I was taken aback, "W-how long have you been there?" I asked Sebastian, he stopped reading and looked at me. "Eat lunch first" he replied then continued reading again.
"Is it lunch time?" I asked him in surprise. It was only nine o'clock when we got here earlier. "It's two o'clock in the afternoon. There are many people sleeping so don't make any noise there," he replied. I just fell silent, no matter how loud this dubidubidiwapwap is.
I drank the water and started eating. "Uhm, Sebastian, where can I wash my hands?" I asked, he looked at me. I showed him my palm. "I was going to wash my hands. Besides, we should always wash our hands before eating so we don't eat the germs," I continued. He just stood up then walked to a door and opened it.
"Just pull the bucket—I'll do it," he said, then went first into the bathroom of his room. His room was on the second floor. He pulled a rope on the side that was connected to the well below. The faucet wasn't modern yet, so getting water was also difficult.
He rolled up both of his sleeves then pulled the bucket and placed it on the shelf next to his bathtub. "T-thank you" was all I could say. He was wearing a white polo shirt now and the first two buttons were undone.
He came out of the bathroom. I immediately washed my hands and came out then went back to the rocking chair to eat. "Have you eaten yet?" I asked him, he just nodded. I moved the rocking chair behind him so he couldn't see me eating because I was so hungry now.
After a few minutes, I leaned back in my chair due to my fullness. I even got a little choked up, causing Sebastian to look at me. "Excuse me," I said softly, then stood up and walked back to the bathroom in his room to wash my hands again.
He may think I feel at home now, but their wealth also came from me. It's only right that I also claim this mansion as my home.
When I came out of the bathroom, I caught up with Manang Conching, who was clearing away my food. She looked at me, as if surprised that I was using their boss's bathroom. She just shook her head as she walked out of the room because it looked like I had no shame as a guest.
"T-thanks for the food. I need to go home. They might be looking for me---" I couldn't finish what I was going to say because Sebastian put down the book he was reading and grabbed a trunk from under his bed.
My eyes widened when he pulled out the sack where I had put my clothes and belongings. I immediately grabbed them and hugged them because I was sure I wouldn't be able to leave the book naked.
But I was also stopped when I realized why he had my things. "I saw that in Maria Florencita's room the night I saw you at..." he couldn't finish what he was going to say when he glanced at the bathroom.
He closed the trunk and put it back under the bed. "I knew it didn't belong to Maria Florencita, so I took it to find the person who broke into her room," he continued. I don't know why I can't move. I can also feel my cheeks getting hot. What he saw that night will never be erased from his memory.
"Don't try to pretend that you're not that woman. I've known for a long time that you're not a man," he said, which surprised me even more. I was actually planning to tell him that I'm a man. There are also many men who prefer to grow their hair long.
"You can fool everyone but not me" he added then looked straight at me. At the same time, the wind slowly moved the white curtain on the window of his room. "It doesn't matter to me if you continue that pretense but I want to be sure that you have no bad intentions towards Maria Florencita and her father" he said while looking straight at me.
He could take me to prison now. He could punish me and exile me far away but it seems he has no intention of doing that.
He sat back on the bed and looked out the window. The sky was clear now and even though the sun was shining brightly, the breeze wasn't hot.
"W-why are you doing this?" I asked him.
"Maria Florencita has grown close to you. I don't want her to hate me when I send you to prison," he replied without looking at me. I don't know why I felt sad at his answer. It was because of Maria Florencita.
I turned around and was about to leave but he continued speaking, "Besides, what you said that Don Florencio would help me get out of prison is a big puzzle to me," he continued, I was stopped but I couldn't turn back to him.
"My whole thought was that my father would find a way to exonerate me. That's why I can't believe what you said about Don Florencio helping me." I didn't know that he didn't remember me at that time. He didn't know that he believed that I could see the future.
"But don't think I'll just leave you to your own steps. You might be a spy, so you know a lot about Don Florencio's every move," he added, causing me to frown and turn to look at him.
What he said earlier was okay. I don't think he's still harboring doubts now.
"What are you going to do with that knife?" he asked then looked at the sack I was holding.
"Huh?" I opened the sack, there was my red gown and heels. "I don't have a knife here," I replied. He stood up then took the bag from me and took out my silver shoes with very high and sharp heels.
"What is this weapon called?" he asked seriously, causing me to gasp and blink twice. My eyes darted back and forth between him and my high heels.
I don't know but I suddenly laughed. He just looked at me while I just clapped my hands in joy. "What are you talking about? It's just a shoe" I replied then held my stomach. I laughed even more because he was serious about what he said.
I took the heels from his hand, sat on his bed then took off my shoes and put on the heels. "These are just shoes. Some people wear them to grow taller" I explained to him then stood in front of her.
"Oh, right, I'm already tall." I continued, then measured my head, which was now level with his lips.
I stopped when I found myself staring at his lips. Even he was surprised by what I did because it seemed like I was bringing myself closer to him. I immediately took a step back but I lost my balance, I just felt him quickly grab me from behind.
We stared into each other's eyes for a few seconds until he realized he needed to get me up properly. I quickly took off my heels and put them back in the sack. He looked away when I did that. It was then that I realized he wasn't supposed to see a woman's feet.
I just closed my eyes in annoyance then quickly put on my black shoes. "I-I'm leaving" I said then quickly left his room. He had already seen my body in the bathroom and even my feet which were not supposed to be seen by women, he had already seen them.
I THOUGHT about giving Doggie a bath. I'm not doing much because Maria Florencita hasn't been out much these days. That's good so I can also avoid the dangers outside.
But I can't help but think about Sebastian. What is he doing now? Does he think I'm going to let go of a woman and be too vulgar for anyone to see?
I rubbed Doggie's back carefully, "Is it possible that he thinks that many people have seen my body that's why he's reacting like that? 'Shouldn't he marry me because he's seen it---" I stopped when I realized that I shouldn't have asked that.
"I-I mean, he has the right to react but he shouldn't judge me. He shouldn't think I'm a woman to be let go" I continued, Doggie just ate grass and kept nodding at what I said as if he was telling me to just keep talking.
"After all, I'm the one who's really lost. How can I get justice? I can't report him to the police here. I can't rant on social media either." I didn't notice that I was rubbing his back quite hard, causing him to move his legs.
"Sorry, Doggie. I'm just really annoyed by what's happening right now. And here, listen carefully..." I poured water on his back and now I'm rubbing his other side.
"He said he wouldn't report me because he didn't want to hurt Maria Florencita and feel bad for her. Wow, that's amazing!" I continued, then I walked in front of Doggie and touched his face.
"I feel like I'm obligated to tell Maria Florencita that... Sebastian is so loving! Just love him, sis, because he helped me and he doesn't want to hurt your feelings. That's really cool!" Doggie nodded at what I said while still continuing to eat.
I just laughed, "I thought he was concerned about me that's why he didn't want to report me. It turns out, he'll only do that for Maria Florencita's feelings." I took a deep breath and then squeezed the rag I was rubbing on the horse.
A few moments later, I was stopped when Mang Juan suddenly arrived at the stable where I was bathing Doggie. "Arturo, someone is looking for you. His name is Lorenzo," he said, stopping me for a moment. "Get some rest first, hurry up and bathe the horse. It'll make him sick," he ordered, then walked out first.
"Okay. I'll follow you outside," I said and then turned to Doggie.
I could already see Lorenzo from afar, standing outside the stable. He entered through the Garza family's gate because he was also a worker at the newspaper factory, so the other staff recognized him.
"Why?" I asked him, he turned to me then smiled a little and handed me a coconut. "That's delicious" he said, then took the other coconut he was holding and showed me how to drink the soup inside it.
"coconut juice tastes better with milk and ice," I said and drank it. It was also my first time drinking buko juice right out of the coconut because there was no straw. "I'll bring carabao milk next time and as for the ice... Is that the cold stuff they put in drinks and desserts?"
I nodded at what he said while still drinking the coconut juice.
He took the coconut from me when I finished drinking it and placed it on the ground. We were now standing in front of the stable and next to the firewood storage. There were workers coming to put the firewood they were carrying outside.
"The truth is, that's why I came here to apologize to you," he said, then rubbed the back of his neck. He also took off his straw hat and placed it on his chest.
"I was just filled with jealousy because I saw you making Maria Florencita smile. I didn't fully realize that those smiles were just because of your friendship as both women," he continued. I just stared at him, as he spoke for a long time.
I just nodded, "That's nothing. I can't blame you for this handsome face of mine," I said to him. I also laughed when I remembered his look when he was jealous of me as Arturo.
"And you're just more beautiful as a woman," he continued, causing me to stop and look at him. He was just looking at me now as if we were the two stars in a movie about to kiss in the next scene.
"Hey!" I disobeyed him, causing him to be surprised. I suddenly remembered Lolita. The main character in my story can't be charmed by others. "Lorenzo, listen," I began, then took a deep breath.
I raised my index finger. "Imagine this is you," I said, then raised another finger and touched my two index fingers together. "And this one is Maria Florencita."
He was like a cat looking at my two fingers and following them. "You two are destined for each other and should stay together. No one else can break your love," I continued, then showed the other fingers, which meant other characters.
"Love? I just admire her. And I think she's just happy to talk to me," he said. I just rolled my eyes. I won't let another character stray from the path.
"That's it. She's going to fall in love too. You're going to be lovers too. Trust me," I nodded to him, but he remained confused by what I was saying.
"Okay. Stop. Just don't fall for someone else. Don't be a two-timer," I disobeyed him, he scratched his head. "You're really saying some things that I don't understand."
"What I mean is, don't cross two rivers," he bowed at what I said, then nodded twice.
"By the way, I want to know what you told me before," he continued, the sun was setting now. It looks like he left work early. I'll tell Maria Florencita about the salary deduction for those who leave early.
"Which one?"
"You told me something about the upcoming mobi. I couldn't understand the whole word but it was close to those words that were new to my ears so that night I went to a teacher I knew to find out what it was," he said, I was stunned by what he said.
That's why he didn't make it to the forest that night to save Maria Florencita from the thieves because he was thinking too much about what I said when they thought I was crazy.
"The truth is, I believe in visions brought by mysterious beings. I felt that what you said back then was something very important that has been bothering me to this day," I blinked twice at him. I didn't know how to explain to him that there would soon be a movie adaptation of my story but he couldn't be the actor in the movie.
"Ah, it was just about food. I was hungry and looking for food, so I thought you were the baker I always buy bread from. The baker who looked like you told me that they were about to make a new bread called mobi," I excused myself, hoping that compared to Sebastian, I would be able to convince Lorenzo more easily.
Finally, Lorenzo just nodded to himself and scratched his head again. "I want to taste that bread too. Please take me with you when you go there," he smiled. I was about to enter the stable but he spoke again.
"I hope it's not too late for us to be friends..." he said then extended his palm towards me. I remembered that he managed to tell me his full name before. I hoped that he wouldn't tell me his last name now because he shouldn't include me among the people he trusts.
"Of course," I smiled back and shook his hand.
"My name is Lorenzo Cortes," he continued, causing me to be speechless again in front of him.
"Has the mass started yet?" Maria Florencita asked, I can't make Doggie run fast because I feel sorry for him when I hit his body to make him run.
"Maybe not yet. There's Filipino time," I replied, apparently Maria Florencita didn't hear because the market was quite noisy.
I was surprised to see Lolita, she was standing on the side of the road and waved at me. "Good morning, Mr. Arturo!" she shouted excitedly, causing me to quickly run Doggie.
When we arrived at the church, mass had not even started. I was about to accompany Maria Florencita into the church when suddenly someone called out to her. "Madam..." we both turned around.
"Good morning" he smiled then walked towards Maria Florencita and took off his hat and saluted the girl. Maria Florencita was surprised by what Roberto did. Even I was looking at them in surprise.
THAT same afternoon, I went to the bookstore. I still can't get what happened earlier out of my mind. Don Florencio and Maria Florencita were supposed to go to the Guerrero family mansion. There's nothing in the story that Roberto would invite them. And above all, why would Roberto look at Maria Florencita like that as if he were expressing his feelings for the girl?
"Niyong" I went inside. I called Niyong's name three more times but there was no one inside. It was almost dusk. I needed to buy the papers that Maria Florencita was asking me to buy.
I opened the door to the pile of books where Sebastian and I were locked up but he wasn't there. I also opened another door next to it, "Niy---" I stopped when I saw who was sleeping there.
There was a small bed there and a study table on the side. The room was cramped but I could immediately feel Sebastian's comfort there. He was sleeping there wearing his white polo shirt. I watched him for a moment. Even though I kept reminding my brain that they were just characters, I often forgot that because they seemed so real.
I was about to leave but I glanced at the familiar book on the study table. It was the book with the title Salamisim written on it but there was no writing inside. I slowly closed the door and walked over to the table to take a closer look.
I need to know why I'm in the story. I also stopped when I saw the lamp next to the book. That's the lamp that when it goes out, I can get out of this novel.
A moment later, I heard Sebastian moving. He was having nightmares and sweating. I immediately sat on the edge of the bed and woke him up. "Sebastian!"
I called his name three more times until he opened his eyes and sat up in shock. His eyes were now filled with tears and beads of sweat were forming on his forehead.
"You're-you're dreaming," I said, I could also feel his deep breathing as if he had run a very long way.
I didn't know what to say. I knew he had dreamed about his death again. "W-what is your true identity?" he asked, causing me to freeze.
"W-what do you mean?" I knew he wanted to convey something deeper to me besides me being Faye, Tanya, or Arturo.
"What are you doing in my dream?" he said while looking straight into my eyes. And at that moment I noticed that the light of the lamp was starting to burn. I immediately stood up and picked up the lamp. There was no air in this small room but it seemed that the wind was extinguishing the fire inside it.
I remember that every time Sebastian mentioned his dream, this lamp would go out and I would be able to exit the story. But I don't know why I'm not ready to exit now. I haven't got everything sorted out yet and I don't want to re-edit the story just because I can't remember everything that happened in the novel.
"What do you have to do with my death?" he continued, and at that moment the fire inside the lamp flickered even more.
I immediately opened it for some unknown reason but I turned it off first and blew out the air. The lamp went out. Darkness reigned all around and I couldn't see anything until I heard the door open and saw a light from the candle.
"Brother Arturo, what are you doing here?" Niyong asked. I looked at him in surprise and when I turned my gaze to Sebastian. He lost consciousness again.
I couldn't believe what had happened. I managed to stop myself from coming out of this story. And more than that, what did Sebastian mean when he said he saw me in his death?
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