"You guys look after Mom," Alice said from the other end of the line, hanging up before I could even get a word in.
To be honest, I feel like I barely recognize her lately. She's changed so much since Camille barged into their lives. The Alice I know is the type of girl who is simple, quiet, and would always put her mother's well-being above her own. That's the Alice I've loved for years—so why did things end up like this? A problem doesn't grow this big without a root.
I stayed home today. I didn't join Bryle and Oliver in their search because I didn't want to play a part in a drama. I refused to pretend to "search" for someone who was intentionally hiding—especially when I'm the only one she's actually talking to. As long as she's safe, that's what matters.
Infairness, for a moment, I actually forgot about my own struggle of finding a decent boyfriend.
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
I felt a vibration on the bed. I snatched up my phone and saw a message from Alice. My heart skipped a beat as I opened it.
Alice: Bess, come find me. Here's the address: ********* ** ***.
"Wait, OTW!" I replied instantly.
I scrambled out of bed, changed my clothes, and rushed to the living room.
"Dad, can I borrow the car? I have somewhere important to go," I asked my father, who was sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper.
"Sure, just drive safely," he said, handing me the keys. I gave him a quick, tight hug.
"Thank you, Dad! Love you!"
"Love you too, sweetie."
I hopped into the car and started the engine. My chest was tight with anxiety. I don't know why, but I was just so worried about her. Ugh, why did she have to run away? She knows I'm available 24/7 if she needs a place to stay.
After a long drive, I finally reached the destination. I spotted Alice immediately, sitting outside and waiting. She met me with a beautiful smile, though her eyes were brimming with unshed tears. She threw her arms around me.
"I miss you, Bess," she whispered.
"Then come home so you don't have to miss me," I teased, pulling back to wipe a tear that had escaped onto her cheek.
"Let's go inside. Masyadong maingay dito sa labas dahil sa mga ibon," Alice said. She was hiding out in a heavily forested area—definitely a place where no one would think to look for her.
She completely ignored my "come home" comment. Typical Alice.
"Wait, Alice... whose cabin is this?" I asked, looking around in confusion. It wasn't possible for her to have acquired a house in just one day of being "missing."
"It belongs to Ruoxi," she answered simply as we stepped inside.
The interior was beautiful and airy. It was clear that this "Ruoxi" was taking good care of her.
"By the way, who is Ruoxi, Bess?" I asked, realizing I had never heard the name before.
"Oh, right. Ruoxi is a new friend. She had an appointment to attend to, but she'll be back soon," she explained.
I scanned the room. Alice handed me a mug of hot coffee. It was a bit chilly since we were in the middle of the woods, so the warmth was welcome.
"Thank you," I said. I noticed a staircase and decided to explore. The loft was gorgeous. The cabin followed a triangular A-frame design, and the upstairs had a glass wall facing the bed, looking out into the trees.
Hayss, I'm adding this to my "Future House Goals" list for when I graduate and get a job.
I went back down and found Alice sitting on the sofa, staring blankly into space. I sat beside her. "Anong nasa isip mo, Bess? You okay?" I knew that look—she usually only did that at school while staring out the window.
"Nothing, Bess... I was just thinking. What if Camille and Tito were telling the truth? What if I really am adopted? If it's true, who are my real parents? Are they still alive? What are they doing right now?" she asked softly.
I went silent. Was she really adopted, or was it just another one of their schemes to drive a wedge between her and Tita Suzette? Tita hadn't given us a straight answer, so we couldn't be sure.
"If you were adopted, would you look for them?" I asked.
Alice leaned her head on her hand, resting her elbow on the back of the sofa. "I don't know. So many years have passed. If I am adopted... why my real parents didn't ever look for me?" She looked up at the ceiling. "Who are they? Why did they abandoned me?"
"Well," I said gently, "if they hadn't, I never would have met you."
She looked at me and finally gave me a genuine smile. "I guess you're right. If that hadn't happened, I wouldn't have a friend like you. I'm so lucky to have you, Kianna. You're the only person I feel I can trust right now."
Sometimes, life throws you into the most complicated situations, but it also gives you something beautiful to hold onto. If I were in Alice's shoes, I'd be grateful too—because no matter how messy the world gets, there's always one person willing to offer a shoulder to cry on. A true friend is the anchor when you're sinking.
*Outside the Cabin*
Rou watched from the shadows. He had intended to go inside, but he stopped the moment he saw the white car parked in front of the cabin. From a distance, he could see Alice and Kianna laughing and talking.
She couldn't risk being seen by Alice's friend. It would ruin the plan she had meticulously built.
"I'll come back when she's alone," Rou whispered to herself.
She turned and disappeared into the trees, leaving the two friends unaware of the eyes watching them from the dark.