Chapter 4 Invitation

( Sena POV's )

I heard the door chime again and thought that our customers were rather late and few. I went to the reception to meet the new client.

“Miss Sena Sontoria.”

The smile on my lips disappeared when I saw who called me. There were eight men in tuxedo waiting just beside the door. ‘Why are their faces bloody? Wait. They knew my name?’

My eyes widened. ‘Could it be an emergency? This is just a dental clinic and I’m not a nurse’.

“Sir, this is a dental clinic and not an ER for thugs.”

They look like the Guardia Civil of Spain. Only when I realized they look like the bodyguards surrounding the Herald Residence, I froze.

Wait! Could it be?

“Miss Sontoria, please come with us whether you like it or not. We’ll be using force if you decline.”

I have not answered yet when the two men dragged me out of the clinic. And the nanny, who was the only witness in the lobby, surprisingly stopped fanning herself. She must’ve finally felt the aircon.

The scumbags took the route at the back of the clinic. They were in a hurry.

“I can walk! Damn it! Let go of me,” I muttered while struggling to sync with their long strides.

As far as I knew, I wasn’t the pork barrel queen. ‘Was Napoles even treated like I was being treated by these men?

“Are you guys deaf! Let me go! I'm not going to run! I know what's going on and I'm going to face it!” I complained.

Just then, they freed my arms. I couldn’t believe I had to rant before they listened.

“Follow us.”

‘I just kept quiet but this is kidnapping, right?’ If I did something wrong, I should still go through a good and just process. Our Math Prof once told us that in order to get the answer right, do the process step by step. PEMDAS provided, do the mathematical process right.

“Wait, what do I owe you? Why the hell did you take me out of the clinic? This is illegal!  Where’s your warrant of arrest? I have no intention of joining your gang, I don’t even know any martial arts. And why in the right mind would I even think about it?” I tried in case I’d get an answer. I faked ignorance, as if they’d buy my acting.

Nobody answered. All of them wore the same poker faces so I was more nervous about going. I was like a candle that was melting fast.

“Hey! You guys took me out of the clinic alive, you should bring me back alive!” I tried talking but it wasn’t effective, like the whitening soap I used. Gave me rashes but not fair skin.

I had a feeling they wouldn't let me see another sunrise and lock me in someplace until I die. The kind of slow death I’d get from thirst, hunger, and intense desire to see the outside world again.

We waited for the elevator.

‘Is this my chance to run away?’ Nah, there’re eight tall men.

‘Doctor, please notice I am gone and call the Police. I need your help. I hope Tobby's nanny will speak about what happened to me. I’ll fan her, as much as she likes, even until it snows’.

It could’ve been better if I was arrested by the Police in uniform. At least I’d have the privilege to reason. Whatever happened to the special guest was an accident. They shouldn’t treat me as if I planned it all. ‘As if that person shits gold. How would I explain myself if he can’t understand Tagalog?’ Alright, I'd try Tag-lish or even Carabao English.

The elevator opened and one of the men beckoned me to enter another elevator inside the suite. There were plenty of security when I went in so I had that nauseating gut feeling that ‘he’s’ an important person to the country.

Papa God, it's up to you now.

He must’ve had sprained his ankle for real or had an injury that’s more than I expected. ‘But what would they get from somebody like me? Worst, I might meet the President of the Philippines in person’. I don't have anything for an autograph.

‘Mr. President, please help me. Don't worry, I’d vote for you no matter what position you’d be running for in the next election’.

An exclusive room greeted me when the elevator stopped. The marble floors were shinier than my future and everything was immaculate, as if cleaned minute after minute. The ladies that I passed by glanced at me curiously. They looked like first class flight attendants in poise and beauty but I didn’t like how prying their stares were.

Bruh, I’m not going to compete with your beauty. But duh, ‘ya bitches ‘ere just airplane assistants.

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 Herald 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 to 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.

“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?’ Not anymore. He’s the president of the country; he’s the father and I, the child.

@Death Wish