Chapter 8

• (Kayla POV)
• The fountain in the lobby caught my attention next. The Black Devil Catfishes, the design and lighting, and everything about the room was a big thumbs up to the great Interior Designer.
• “Ma’am, keep walking,” the lady said when I stopped for a moment to see the texture of the wall. ‘As if I’m going elsewhere in this place’.
• It was my first time inside the lavishly popular Kayzer Hawk Residential Building. I usually just stared from the outside every time I pass by towards the clinic. Its yard was huge, and the aesthetic made the Malacañang Palace pale in comparison.
• Most local celebrities, visiting iconic stars, important tourists, and well-known businessmen frequently stayed there so security was expected to be so tight. There were cameras everywhere that can live up too many years to record anything it see. A live drama vibe; like Big Brother’s House minus the housemates. To cut it short, the place was for the filthy rich people.
• I stared outside the high window to see the huge rooftop pool of its lower tower. It was amazing. I was reminded of Boracay when I saw the people there basking under the Manila heat in two-piece swimsuits. Lucky them that their foreign skins refused to darken under the brutal sun. This is not a Boracay vibes.
• “Miss,” called one of the bruised bodyguards again.
• Yes alright, I’m going to apologize to the president. If only my ID knew how not to put me in danger. Plus, I just had my share of karma.
• I walked straight inside until I realized I’ve overdone my steps when they called my last name again. They were all standing beside a double door that looked too heavy to be pushed by bare hands. There was a carving on it, a dragon that stared right into my soul waiting to eat me.
• Fantastic. If that door falls down, whoever standing beneath would surely have his skull crushed. Anyway, it’s not the time to get funny with myself. Aren’t I nervous?
• Haist. Not anymore. He’s the president of the country; he’s the father of this nation and I, the child.
• When they opened the door for me, I heard a wailing. It was a man begging for his life as he got beaten up and until he was thrown into a china vase. Never did I imagine I’d see something like that out of the movies and television series.
• What's happening? A thud? Kicks?
• Wait…
• I looked at the thugs that brought me to that place. They are badly beaten. That’s bullying! Whoever the bully is.
• The floor was bloodied and in a desperate rush of helplessness, I gasped. I raised my gaze and saw the guys blocking the door.
• The next event was rather inhumane. A sadistic guy repeatedly smashed the wounded man on the floor with a golf club. In a snap, I suddenly recalled my fate and why I was there. The guards just bowed their heads, and nobody dared to stop it. Instantly, I felt everyone’s silence and the unspoken terror inside the room. I feared for them more than for myself.
• The room was dimly lit although the other rooms were drowning in bright lights. Weren’t they able to pay their electricity bills or was it because someone died there?
• I clenched my fist and decided anytime I’d be throwing punches too. The guy on the floor was physically huge but he was just begging and weeping for mercy. I was suddenly annoyed.
• What kind of a man is he if he doesn’t know how to fight? And why am I here? Am I and the rest of the guards just their audiences? Am I going to raise my scoreboard too to give them that ‘madlang people’ feels? (Madlang People, the audience of Philippine entertainment noon shows in Showtime)
• Let me give you a score of, let’s say seven out of ten.
• “Continue,” said a voice in his elegant tongue.
• Who it is? His voice was the authority on this room.
• It was the guy who leaned close to the window and was playing with his glass of drink. Then all of a sudden, his eyes were on me. I saw vengeance when our gazes locked. I might’ve gotten everybody’s attention but, upon his word, the sadistic man started beating his prey again.
• I just shut my eyes tight when I heard his dying whimper and asked myself quietly why there were such people in the world. Sadists! And why did the poor victim cowardly refused to fight back?
• Why?!
• Are they doing it for money? Why would you even let money hurt and enslave you! Common people, fight back!
• I just snapped.
• The little pool of blood that was previously a few feet away from me was now flowing under my shoes.
• I think I am just dreaming. Yeah, I'm just dreaming. I tried to laugh at myself.
• ‘It's just a dream my dear. Fun fact, I can also fly like Peter Pan’.
• No, not a dream but a nightmare.
• “Enough,” the boss by the window carelessly threw his wineglass like a banana peel.
• The injured man immediately stood up although he’s struggling to move. After him, another man was shoved to the ground in his stead. To my surprise, it was my brother.
• Was he there because he’s asking for forgiveness about my mistake? If not, what did he do to deserve that punishment?
• I shook my head disapprovingly. Our parents didn’t raise us like that. We do not beg. It’s always an eye for eye and a fair fight when we’re challenged.
• “Start,” the boss ordered.
• In every blow, the pangs and cries of the victims were music to his ears. There were such people in this world. They weren’t humans but demons in man’s clothing. That was my brother’s voice for f---‘s sake!
• My blood boiled when countless strikes of the club hit him. ‘My buffoon of a brother got defeated like that? He, of all people?
• He’s a steelhead in riots, damn it! This dream is stupid. An utterly stupid dream it was.
• Kayla, please fix your imagination because it sucks.
• And stupidly enough, I stepped forward and told him… “Brother, they’re beating your sorry ass in my dream. I think you need my help. My ape brother wouldn’t let any thugs mess with him!”
• Then, the beating stopped.
• Don’t worry Elder bro, your ultimate attention-seeking sister is here to rescue you. I’m gonna back you up!