Part 1: People of the Light

Althea

Curling from its slumber, the city made no sound.

From the picturesque horizon, the sun was barely showing. Gentle droplets of morning drizzle fell quietly from the sky. Lights from lamps outlining the corners of the streets faded as the onset of daylight diluted skyscrapers, bridges, and vehicles.

The capital's heartbeat was immature creating a suffocating melody of silence that one can hear even the faintest whipping of the wind.

However, somewhere within the intertwining passages of the metropolis, audible stomping sounds with quickened paces echoed amidst the quiet setting. The strides were at a constant haste but were noticeably cautious.

At every step, the runner took speed. And at that speed, the runner sheds memories. Her breathing was shallow but steady. Determined to finish what she started.

It was the morning Althea decided to go for a quick run.

She ran like the face of the earth was her playground, her field. She ran like nothing else seemed to matter. She ran like she owned the road.

Althea didn't care about the cold drizzle touching her face as she sprinted through sidewalks and pathways. She bolted down the course, quickening her pace at every step, feeling the ground welcome every contact that her shoes made.

She figured, if she was not successful with sleeping, at least she can do something about the earth underneath her feet and the wind colliding against her face.

Last night, after the meeting with The Professor, Althea went home and wasn't able to sleep. At all.

She just tossed and turned on her bed, somehow wishing that the Sandman showers her with sleep dust. She was tempted to count sheep but then she thought that was ridiculous. Nobody does that anymore. It's either you would bask yourself in gauntlets of alcohol or take a pill or two.

So she stood up from her bed, went to her small work desk, and tried to do some scribbles.

Althea loves to create poetry and simple literary pieces. Usually, during moments when sleep was just impossible, she'll just write a poem or a short story and after a while, she'll feel calm and drowsy.

Althea sat down on her desk, took her pen and stared at a blank page of paper.

...

In silence I pick up the pieces of...

...

"Pieces of what? Nah, scratch that. It's stupid."

She crossed that out and threw the crumpled paper in the bin. Starting anew.

From the moment I've laid eyes on you

The sun seemed...

...

"Ah..."

...

"Hmm..."

...

"Seemed what?"

...

"What the fuck, I got nothing." Althea cupped her face in the palm of her hands, exasperated at her deficiency of words fit for poetry.

So she decided to run. At four in the morning, Althea decided to gear up and run through the blazing cold and dreary daybreak.

Aside from The Professor's remarks and misdemeanor, there are a lot of things going through Althea's mind - her dad's proposal, the brothers who are now enjoying their fucking freedom, and Jade. Not to mention her Good Samaritan who, until now, made no contact. This irritated the life out of Althea. Because she figured, a person who's willing take care of a complete stranger must have the intuition to contact the person she rescued. At least that's how Althea will do it.

Nonetheless, no matter how bothered Althea was with her unknown Good Samaritan, that was not on top of the things bugging her.

It was Jade.

Freaking Jade who Althea wanted to see at that very moment. If Althea only knew where Jade's house was, her feet might have taken her to that route.

Jade, who was able to tame her thoughts and calm the shit out of her. Jade, who wrote her name on her empty coffee cup and insisted that Althea sends her a message.

Jade who, until now, Althea has not contacted yet.

And it's killing her so much knowing Jade was just a phone call away.

Althea has constantly disputed with herself not to communicate with Jade no matter how much she was dying to talk to her.

Althea had her reasons. There are things needed to be done first. Work before pleasure.

For Althea, Jade was like a force of nature - beautiful yet dangerous. Yes, Jade was definitely a damsel but she's no way in the line of being in distress.

And it's driving her mad knowing that Jade was the type of person Althea would not want to know or even get close to. Not in repeated lifetimes. Which is why her fascination towards Jade somehow bothered her.

It bothered her in a good kind of way.

Althea would grit her teeth and curse under her breath whenever thoughts of Jade would cross her mind. And from the moment she met Jade, dangling from a tree, falling in her arms, having coffee with her, being at breath's length inside the elevator, Althea was unable to shake Jade from her thoughts.

What racks her brains out the most is the fact that she just had only two freaking encounters with Jade and she can't seem to get her off her system.

Two freaking encounters and she's acting like a raging lunatic deep inside.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

Althea would curse even more the moment she realizes that she's been trailing off with high hopes of being with Jade every single day.

This is not right, Althea thought. Fuck it. I should be devising plans and dealing with my issues than thinking about the sultry eyes of Jade.

And her smile. Man, that smile can really melt even the coldest heart.

And the softness of her skin.

What. The. Freaking. Fuck! I am going out of my mind, Althea shakes her head and focuses on more important tasks at hand. This was not supposed to happen.

Althea didn't, in her wildest dreams, expect that she would see Jade again after the scene she pulled off inside the Supreme Court.

When she saw her yesterday standing like a portrait of an angel inside the coffee shop, it felt like Althea's irritation was dissolved. Vanished.

Which is unfair. Because Althea already devised a good comeback in case she would see Jade again. But that, too, disappeared the moment their eyes locked.

And now, she can't fucking stop thinking about her which drove Althea crazy.

Jade was the living image of sophistication and class. And Althea despised everything that's connected with luxury, politics, and class. Somehow, Jade became a forced exemption. Althea didn't realize that there are people like Jade who would bend her pride.

Jade was beautiful. No denying that. Her pretty face can put any man on his knees.

Man, Althea scoffed. What if it's a woman?

She's been meaning to send her a message yesterday. As soon as Jade stepped out of the elevator, Althea wanted to immediately text Jade and thank her for putting up with her during the elevator ride. She even tried rummaging, inside her mind, the right words to text Jade while arguing with herself if she would back out from entering the den of the dragon also known as her father's lair.

Jade, jade. You occupy my mind. I'm afraid you have also conquered the depths of me.

These thoughts are not gonna get her anywhere.

So she decided to do a quick run around her neighborhood. It'll be good for her mind and body. It's a good distraction.

When the eyes wander, the mind is occupied. Well, that is what Althea thought. She believed that running around town at four in the morning would help her mind ease off  her worries.

But, no. Her mind is just constantly playing tricks on her.

Flashbacks of yesterday's elevator ride trickled Althea's mind.

She remembered Jade's hazel eyes, transparent and certain. Eyes that hold profundity that Althea was not expecting to see. She talked like she was the master of her universe but then she was also unsure and definitely clumsy. And when she laughed, God, when Jade laughed, it seemed like Althea's broken pieces were put back together, fixing her up in ways she never imagined.

And goddamn it, Althea wanted to be fixed desperately.

She wanted to look away. She tried her best to avoid Jade's hazel eyes. She tried her very best not to inhale Jade's scent. She tried her best not to be washed away with weakening emotions. Emotions that were foreign yet familiar.

But every fucking time Althea tries to disregard Jade's existence, she fails. Because right this very moment, as she pounds her soles hastily against the road, all she can think of is how Jade's lips curved, how her eyes crinkled, how her hair flickered...

Goddammit!

Althea knows her path very well. She knew where to turn and when to cross. She has memorized every corner and has counted every stride. But today, there was something unusual about her run.

Althea was... distracted.

She was supposed to turn to that corner but she was thinking about her father's offer. So she retraced her steps and turned to that aisle.

She was supposed to cross the bridge, but instead she went underneath it. Her mind was juggling thoughts of The Professor and Jade at the same time.

Still, Althea did not stop. She just ran. She might have been distracted but she knows where she's going. Time is irrelevant to her at this moment. She just knows that directions didn't matter for as long as it would lead to the same destination... and result.

She jogged past the park, that familiar walkway. She jogged past everything.

Her breaths were jagged when she reached the steps of her apartment. She barely broke a sweat but the panting was palpable.

Catching her breath as she leaned against the wall of her apartment, Althea looked up to the sky and exhaled. She waited until her breaths were calmer.

Althea went up to the second floor and went inside her apartment. She went to the fridge, drank some cold water and immediately checked her phone. She was expecting some sort of communication from her dad or Batchi. But there was none.

Good, she thought. Althea doesn't want to be bothered this early.

However, what made Althea a bit irritated is that there was not one message from her Good Samaritan.

I gotta do something about this.

---

"Althea! You're a bit early today." Richard at the counter beamed.

"Hello, Richard." Althea responded, her eyes wandering around the display. "Indeed, I am early today. I have to make an... err... early delivery." She searches along the wide varieties of cakes and pastries on display.

"Seems as though you are looking for something in particular. What is it that you specifically need, Althea?" Richard courteously asked.

"Here!" Althea reached for a gift basket that's settled above the coffee rack, perfectly arranged with a cookie box and a couple of coffee packs of different flavors and brews.

Richard smiled, "Well, whoever will receive that goodie basket will be thrilled."

"I hope so," handing over Richard a couple of bills. "Umm... Do you have a card to come along with this? I wanted to write a short message." Althea inquired.

"Yes, we certainly do. It's actually included in the purchase."

"Great."

After writing down something on the card, Althea went out of The Beanery full of certainty. It's a good thing that she was able to wake up- No, strike that. It's a good thing that she was not able to sleep. Coz if she did sleep, her mind wouldn't work wonders and would've not thought of this very bright idea in this very bright morning.

Althea finally figured out what to do with her Good Samaritan. The plan is really simple. She would purchase a goodie basket, drop by her Good Samaritan's condo, and personally thank her. Probably have breakfast if she's up for it. Besides, it's quite early for someone to be up. So Althea was hopeful that whoever her Good Samaritan is, would still be there in her condo at this very moment, probably doing some stretching exercises as she gets up from bed.

It's now or never, Althea thought in confidence.

The anticipation of meeting her savior for the first time made Althea's heart quicken.

---

Althea stood in front her Good Samaritan's door, at six in the morning, with her fist held high and her other hand holding the gift basket, wondering if she should knock.

What is it about doors and Althea? It's becoming a thing these days.

I mean, it's already six in the morning. She should be up by now. She argued with herself. But, am I ready to face my Good Samaritan? What would I say to her? Gahh! Here goes nothing.

"Excuse me, hija." A woman's voice interrupted Althea's attempt on knocking at the door.

Althea's heart sprung, startled by the voice that came out of nowhere. All the while she thought she was alone.

She looked at her side and saw a man and a woman, most probably in their late fifties, standing just a couple of meters away from her, both staring at her, amusement outlined their face.

"Po?" The only word that came out of Althea's mouth as she wondered who the strangers were.

"May maitutulong ba kami sa iyo?" The woman asked.

"Ah..." Althea trailed off. "I... Umm..." She felt blood rushing to her cheeks as soon as she realized how ridiculous she looks with the gift basket on her hand.

At six in the freaking morning.

Well, this is embarrassing.

"Are you here to see our daughter?" The man ushered.

Daughter? Shit. Althea's eyes widened, her jaw dropped.

"Daughter? She's your..." pointing at the closed door. Her forehead creased. "Yes. I mean, no. I mean, yes. I mean..." Althea swallowed hard and scratched her head.

Damn it, Althea! Keep it together!

She can see the couple is now smiling at her, probably entertained of her stuttering and her humiliating situation.

"It's okay, hija. Harmless kami. I'm Oscar and this is my wife, Amanda."

"Soon-to-be-ex-wife." Amanda spoke, her brows arching up at Oscar.

"Amanda," Oscar warned, nudging Amanda, "this is not the place."

"Oh! Nice to meet you po. I'm Althea." She let out her hand and motioned for a shake.

"Oh, nonsense, Althea. Here, let me give you a hug." Amanda walked towards Althea and wrapped her in her arms. "Oh, it's so nice to meet a friend of our daughter." Amanda tightened her squeeze. "Since she moved here, she did not make mention of any friends."

"Amanda's right, Althea. Natutuwa kaming makakilala ng kaibigan ng anak namin. I have not recalled a time when she introduced a friend to us." Oscar seconded.

Amanda let Althea loose.

Althea cleared her throat. She can feel her cheeks burning from embarrassment. "Actually, I have not known your daughter long enough. In fact, I have no idea how she loo-"

"There you are Mr. and Mrs. Tanchingco!" A woman from behind interrupted, cutting Althea's confession of her encounter with her Good Samaritan.

Tanchingco. So that's what the "T" in JT stands for. I wonder what the "J" is. Althea thought, puzzled.

The three of them looked over and saw a young lady standing near the couple.

"Stephanie, I thought we'd be waiting long." Oscar acknowledged.

Stephanie. Right. I saw her at the reception area. Althea was somehow relieved when Stephanie interrupted the conversation. She was becoming uncomfortable a while ago. She felt like her intestines are curling up inside her that she would vomit.

"Pasensiya na po kayo Mr. Tanchingco. Hinanap ko pa yung head ng security. Siya po kasi ang may hawak ng master key dito sa building." Stephanie reasoned.

"Okay lang yun, Steph. We are aware that you have protocols. Pasensiya ka na rin dahil naabala ka pa. Tinatawagan kasi namin yung anak namin kanina to inform her that we're dropping by pero hindi niya sinasagot. So baka tulog pa siya. Ayaw din namin siyang magising kaya ayaw na namin siyang katukin. Much better if we'd go inside unnoticed and prepare breakfast for her." Amanda responded.

Althea is beginning to feel jittery. Her gut is going crazy and her mind is just telling her to leave.

"Okay lang po yun, Mrs. Tanchingco. Trabaho ko po yan." Stephanie walked towards the door and unlocked it. She turned the knob and left the door ajar. "Ayan po. Puwede na po kayong pumasok."

"Maraming salamat, Steph." Oscar smiled.

"Walang anuman. Maiwan ko na po kayo."

And at that moment, it's just the three of them again. Althea swallowed deep.

"Althea, tara. Pasok ka." Amanda requested.

"Ah..."

"Oo nga naman, hija. Join us for breakfast." Oscar convinced.

Fuck. This is not how I imagined it to be.

"Actually, I'm late for a morning meeting. I do have to politely decline. Dumaan lang po ako dito to drop this off." Althea smiled apologetically, feeling the dripping of sweat rushing down her back.

Amanda looked at Althea with concern and asked, "Are you sure? It won't take long, Althea. We already bought breakfast. We just have to set it up."

Althea pursed her lips, "I'm afraid so, Mrs. Tanchingco. I'd love to but I can't be late for that meeting." Of course Althea was lying. She just wanted to get out of there. Imagine the awkwardness inside that room.

Althea has accepted the fact that her much anticipated revelation of who her Good Samaritan is has got to wait.

"Well, in that case," Oscar spoke, "I'll make sure that my daughter will get this." He took the gift basket from Althea's hand.

Althea handed over the gift basket. "Thank you, Mr. Tanchingco." She looked at her watch, pretending that time is of the essence. "I have to get going. Don't wanna disappoint the people waiting for me."

"It was nice meeting you, Althea. I do hope we see each other again... when you're not in a hurry." Amanda suggested. "Dinner one of these days, perhaps?"

"Sure thing, Mrs. Tanchingco. Dinner sounds great."

As soon as the couple entered the front door, Althea exited down the stairs of the condo with a smile on her face.

---

Jade

Groggily, Jade sat upright from her bed.

Her eyes still shut, squinting from the darts of sunlight penetrating through her windows. She cleared her throat and inhaled the fresh morning dew.

Isang hinga para sa nakaraan. Isang hinga para sa kasaluk-

She stopped in the middle of her chant when she heard clunking of utensils. She opened her eyes and listened carefully. Then she stood up from her bed and walked towards the door.

Fuck.

Jade rubbed her eyes hoping that what she's seeing is just an apparition. But when she realized that she's not dreaming, Jade rolled her eyes at the fact that her parents are inside her apartment, preparing breakfast.

Dear Lord, why are you punishing me early in the morning?

"Mom? Dad? What are you doing here?" Jade closed her eyes and massaged the bridge of her nose. "No, wait. Let me rephrase that... How did you manage to get in?"

"Good morning to you, too. It's nice to see you too, Jade." Amanda greeted Jade with cheery yet sarcastic tone.

"Stephanie. She procured the master key." Oscar answered as he sat on the couch and turned on the TV.

"We tried calling you on our way here but you're not answering your