CHAPTER 5: Escape

- LIA -

It didn't take long for the train to reach the next station. I immediately got out of the train when the doors opened and ran towards a mall.

This may sound dumb, but I think it is a good decision, especially when I heard various men in uniform telling others to secure every station on a walkie-talkie. I didn't even bother looking back at the exit of the station. I walked normally and blended with the other passengers.

Maybe I am lucky right now, because as I left the station together with the other passengers, the station suddenly closed. I heard someone talking over a megaphone saying that no one is allowed to go in and out of the train station. They said that a criminal rode the train and they're trying to seize that criminal.

Me? A criminal? No, but I guess Dennise is.

I went to a nearby mall and walked around as if no one was chasing me. I don't think they will search on a mall just to find me. Maybe they will think that I am hiding somewhere where no one can see me.

Although I'm not sure with my decision, I still push it through. While walking around, I try to formulate a plan on how I can leave Spain without getting caught. I entered different stores, trying several clothes that I will never buy. I even went inside a fast-food restaurant and just stared at the people eating because I don't have any more money to spend.

I actually still have money, but I don't want to spend more right now.

I left the restaurant because the customers were giving me a judging look. They must have felt uncomfortable because I was staring at them as if I am going to snatch their food.

I walked around, eating the biscuit I have just so I can ease the hunger I'm feeling. Even if I have walked far from the restaurant, I can still smell the aroma of the fried chicken.

"Huhu, I want to eat fried chicken," I cried while munching the biscuit.

I was thinking of my hunger and what to do next when I remember what happened in the train station.

The fact that the man earlier was able to close all of the train stations means that he has more power than what I imagined earlier.

What if he tried closing the borders of the whole country?

A part of me was screaming that question, saying that I should book a flight and leave today before he can close the borders. The other side of my brain was saying that I am being dramatic and that I'm overthinking again. It is saying that the man might not be that powerful to close Spain's borders, that maybe he only has influence over Barcelona, or maybe he owns the trains here.

I chose to listen to my panicking side.

Minutes later, I find myself walking in the airport. Like I was in a hurry, I went to the receptionist to book a flight home.

"Good evening, ma'am. How may I help you?" the lady asked me with a huge smile.

"Hi," I said while catching my breath. "I would like to book a flight to Philippines." My stomach hurts, aah.

The lady typed something on her computer. "May I know the departure date, ma'am?"

"Tonight, or early tomorrow," I answered. I put my passport and valid IDs on her table.

"Let me see the availability of slots, ma'am. Please give me a minute."

I nodded at her. I was still catching my breath from walking such a long distance from the mall to the airport. As much as I wanted to ride a taxi or bus, I didn't do it. I was thinking that another driver will kidnap me, and when that happen, I don't think I can escape again!

After answering the necessary forms and going through a lot of process and questioning, my schedule was already set. I'm bound to take a flight back to the Philippines, tomorrow at 3:00 AM.

It's just 7:20 in the evening. There's still almost 7 hours before my flight.

I decided to stay in the airport and wait for my schedule. I didn't stay in the waiting area, thinking that someone might recognize me as Dennise. I walked towards the area where there are only few people. There are large circular sofa bed, and when I said large, it is really large. I think more or less 15 people will fit if they sit here.

I lay down on the large sofa. I put my backpack in front, just above my belly and secure the straps on my shoulders. I placed my handkerchief on my face. I closed my eyes, not caring about the other noises of the people around me.

Suddenly, I woke up since the noises became louder. I opened my eyes slowly as I remove the handkerchief.

I'm not sure how many hours have passed since I fell asleep. But when I look at the large calendar, I saw that I'm still in the same day.

I looked around and saw that there are more people in the area than before. Thinking that there are still some people looking for me, I left the area and went to the nearby comfort room.

When I entered the cubicle, I grabbed my phone from the bag to check the time. There is only 8 minutes before midnight. I decided to spend the next hour in the cubicle, listening to my favorite music, "Come Back Home" by 2ne1.

I'm really coming back home, and I'm wishing that there will be no hindrances in my flight.

"Come back home, can you come back home?" I sang quietly in the cubicle while swaying my body from left to right.

I put that song on repeat. I'm not sure how many times the same song played that hour, all I know is that I find it peaceful and calming even though the real meaning of the song is devastating.

In the middle of listening to it, my alarm suddenly goes off.

I sighed heavily. It's time to leave Spain.

My vacation days are still not over, but because of what happened earlier, I don't think it is still safe for me to stay here in Spain. I will just spend the rest of my vacation in the Philippines, hopefully.

I walked outside the comfort room and went through a security check. They scanned me and my backpack. Since my bag only have clothes and other essential items inside, the process became fast. I went through the immigration, answered their questions, and went to the boarding gate.

While waiting for the flight personnels to go to the departure gate, my hands became very sweaty. I'm very nervous. I tried to calm down by taking deep breaths but it's not working.

My mind is in chaos. What if they suddenly find me here? What if they close the borders before the plane can take-off? What if -

A voice saying that we can now go to the departure gate and enter the plane stopped me from panicking. I got up and walked fast. Every second is important. In every second that passed, I'm sure that the people who are chasing me are also doing something.

I entered the plane. When the flight attendant pointed my seat, I didn't waste any second. I sat down immediately. I was hugging my bag. My heart is palpitating and I'm stopping myself from telling the flight attendant to fly the plane off.

After some minutes that feels like forever, the captain finally announced that the plane is taking off.

When I heard that, my lips formed a smile.

I'm finally coming back home.

- Kelleon -

"How can you not find her? It's impossible for her to get lost! Search for her! Don't stop until you find her!"

I massaged my temple after giving orders to my men. That Dennise; she's gonna escape again. I can't let that happen.

"Mi hijo, don't stress yourself on her," my mom's voice soothed my ears. I looked at her and saw her giving me the sweetest smile she has.

"We will use every connection we have so that we can find her," she assured me. "Now, go and take a rest. Let Mama handle this for now."

I smiled at her. I'm very lucky to have a mom like her in my life.

"Gracias, Mama."

She caressed my face, just like what she's doing when I was still a little child that's innocent from the dangers of the world.

"I'm happy that you're not blinded by love anymore, mi hijo."

Because of what she said, my mind suddenly flashbacked to the past. It went back to the time where I'm still deeply in love with Dennise; the time where I'm always giving her everything that she wants and follow her like a good dog.

I gave her everything. From her material needs to her emotional needs. I gave her all my love that I almost lose myself.

In our years of relationship, there's only two things that I wasn't able to give her: marriage and intimacy.

As a man of principles, I want to marry a successful woman. I want Dennise to achieve something in life. That's the only thing I asked her, but she can't give it.

My request is not just for me, but for her. However, she looked at that like I was telling her that she's useless.

I'm thankfully that I didn't marry her right away. Like the other women who wants to be with me, she's only after my money. I'm after her presence, but she's after my pockets. I'm after her love and attention, but she's only after my connections.

After she left me to marry another wealthy man, I finally realized that she doesn't really love me. She only loves my money.

My mind went back to our encounter earlier in her old bedroom. After two years, my heart beats again. When I looked at her, the memory of her younger self flashed on my eyes. It felt like I went back to the first I saw her.

She was eating a burger while sitting on a bench. She was talking about random stuff with her friend. She has the loudest laughter I heard in my entire life. But for some reason, her laughter sounds like a music to my ears. She was clapping as she laughs. It was weird, but I find it attractive.

She has the brightest smile I've ever seen, and that smile brought light to my previously dark world.

I shook my head. No, I'm not blinded by emotions anymore. I can't let her use my love for her to manipulate me again. Trusting her was a mistake, and I'm here to make her pay for breaking the trust I gave her.

"I will get the necklace back, Mama. I promise."