WARNING: This chapter may contain sensitive contents that may trigger or harm the reader’s mental health. Reader discretion is advised.
I woke up to the light hitting my eyes and hugged myself wrapped in a thick blanket. I immediately covered my eyes because of the glare and blinding light from the ceiling. When I was able to focus my eyes, I immediately turned around to find myself lying on a comfortable bed. I looked around and all I saw were princess-like tools and furniture as if I was confined in a palace. I hurriedly felt myself and check if I had any injuries, if I was hurt but I didn't have any wounds, burns, or any sign of being hurt. I was not exploited either. But when I fumbled with my cellphone, it was gone including my belongings except for the necklace that Marc gave me around my neck.
"Where am I?" I whispered into the air while holding the pendant of my necklace. I'm sure Dad is worried about me. For certain, they're looking for me now.
After a while, a maid in uniform entered carrying a tray with sliced ​​bread, tuna mixed with mayo, buttered broccoli, and milk. I followed her every move from putting the food on the table to getting another set of clothes from a room. I thought it was a walk-in closet but she entered another door and I heard the shower. After her duty, she left the room without even greeting me or looking at me as if I'm invisible.
I had no intention of touching the food served by the maid because as far as I remember I was abducted then the next morning I woke up in this room and I don't know my location yet. I have to do something so that Dad can locate me. However, why am I not chained, and why there is no guard in the room? Where are the men who kidnapped me? Aren't they supposed to get some ransom from my father? Are they the ones who are blackmailing my Dad and the reason why he has to keep me safe?
But then, this is entirely…
My fault.
A tear pricked my delicate cheeks again as I remember the voice of Marc resonating that time when an unknown group forcibly dragged me.
"I should have listened to him. I shouldn't have convinced him to go out and eat street food. Now look what happened, I'm here in a cozy bed I don't even know what will happen next to me. Right now, my loved ones are extremely worried while I am here locked inside."
On second thought, when I heard my stomach grumble, I weakly slipped on the pair of slippers under my bed and walked near the table where the food is served. I suspiciously smell every plate to check if there is something wrong with the food, but they all smell delicious. I picked the spreader and put a minimal amount of tuna mix on my bread then took a minute bite.
"Hmm, it tastes just fine." I took another bite but this time with the buttered broccoli on my fork. In no time, I consumed all the food on my plate as well as the glass of fresh milk. I also took a shower and changed into comfortable clothes. It was a refreshing shower when my eyes stopped at the black curtain, curious about the view of what the outside looked like. I was about to sneak a peek when the same helper in his late 60s entered the room though the way she moved doesn't look like her age because she was quick and attentive. Her shocked eyes warned me not to even try what I have in mind.
"Manang, where am I? And who brought me here?” I know I sounded stupid because obviously she won't answer but I still hope she will help me.
"Don't ask too many questions as long as you're here, don't do anything." Manang almost whispered to me and kept looking around every corner of my room as if someone was watching and listening to what we were talking about. 
"Am I under surveillance?" Again, I received no answer. 
Manang adjusted the curtain that I almost touch, then she snorted and I went back to bed.
What will they do to me? What do they need from me?
They don't have to chase me anymore because I already know everything. I know what happened to my real parents, and they can't blackmail our family anymore. Manang left again and I sat on my bed because I have no choice but think and wait. Staring at the ceiling and memorizing every corner with CCTV. I studied what angles I could not be caught because the mansion is also full of CCTV. Thanks to Manong Arthur who taught me very well. There are eight very small CCTVs in all corners of the room and I think there is one more at my door because before Manang left, she spoke somewhat like a name in a different language and I can't decipher. She nodded at the door before closing it.
When noon came, Manang returned with a new food tray. My dish was all seafood and I was very hungry because of its color and freshness. I didn't refuse because I don't want to die of hunger. Maybe I'm the only type who got kidnapped but I'm still greedy when it comes to food. It's better to die with a full stomach than be tortured with an empty stomach.
After half an hour of doing nothing, I thought of pretending to have a stomach ache and went into CR. It's good that there is no CCTV here in CR, unlike when I was in my bed surrounded by CCTV. I fumbled with all the personal hygiene items to make sure no recorder could hear me before sitting in the CR and my eyes caught a small window that was very high. I can't reach it so I took the small stool and sat down so I could have a hint of where I was. I struggled to reach the window and open it. The fresh air caressed me and I was amazed at the exquisite scenery I saw outside.
Well, I'm speechless.
This is not the ideal filthy abandoned building with strong asphalt odor in movies nor with cruel kidnappers torturing their captives. The outside was all green trees, a healthy forest with abundant fruits like mangoes, avocados, and other fruits that I'm not familiar with.
Apparently, I panicked when the other door creaked open, and I need to get out now without looking obvious that I'd done something against the law. Again, it was Manang whom I don't know the name but she looked kind and obedient, so I decided to call her Manang Mabait temporarily. To be honest, when I first saw her earlier, even though she didn't look at me, I felt an inexplicable connection. My gut feeling tells me that she is a good person and somehow, my fear of my situation is reduced because I have someone with me.
I immediately returned to my bed still holding my stomach pretending that I'm still hurt. She was carrying a cassette player and placed it on the table after putting down the tray I had eaten from earlier. At first, I was confused about why she was carrying that old dusty player and the way she nervously pushed the button to play it. One thing that caught my attention was her bleeding arms, where did she cut herself?
"Manang, what happened to your arm?" She automatically covered her arm and left the room without a word, in a hurry and horror as if there will be a ghost that will jump out from the player. Again, she didn't look at me and directly closed the door.
"Certainly, it's a deep cut from a knife. But who did that to her? Why are they using this poor woman?" I was about to chase Manang to help her bandage her cut when a familiar deep voice echoed inside my room from the cassette player.
"Brie, I love you."
The man who owned that voice was no other than Mr. Fuentes, the father that I resented.
Then a soft giggle came out after the man's voice that for certain from my Mommy Sabrina. It was my first time hearing her giggle and it's making me cry. She's as sweet as seraphim and when she played Yiruma's My Memory, it warms my heart, and I can feel how sweet and loving she was to her dearest. Yet, my Dad easily abandoned us and this piece will remain as her sweet memory. As the music plays, the ambiance of the air changed and I knelt in front of the cassette player, crying the pain of what could be and what-ifs inside my head. Just hearing her play the piano, I can imagine all the photos inside that black album flashing back and melting me in melancholy, yearning for her, thinking how things would be if I had the chance to see her and hug her.
"I love you too, my dearest." Her angelic voice made me cry more and from that moment, I opened the player and got the tape out. My eyes almost popped out of my sockets when I saw my father's complete name. 
Is he the villain behind all this? 
Why is he doing this? What is his purpose?
Alejandro B. Fuentes!
I shove my tears away and before another tear will fall, I fiercely walked towards the door and knocked loudly. In my rage, I kicked it so hard, screaming in tears, forcing with all my strength to break the door, and I made sure that my fury was clear in the camera.
"LET ME OUT! WHOEVER DEVIL WATCHING UP THERE, LET ME OUT!" I demanded with my index finger pointing at the CCTV on the door.
"Manang, please help me get out of here! I need to go home!” I cried while knocking on the door, pleading until I'm down on my knees with despair.
Unfortunately, no one's here to help me. I just leaned against the door until someone knocked and opened it. Manang came in again with the same tray as earlier with food for my dinner.
Manang's arm is now bandaged which relieved me but this time, her lips are bleeding. She was bending down to put food in front of me and when I noticed that she was taking a packet from his pocket. She was having second thoughts as she was about to mix it with my food. I immediately turned off the light so that the CCTV would not record anything. Manang let go of it in shock, then I immediately came to her. I stepped on the package and then picked it up from the floor.
"Manang, we have to get out of here. I know they are hurting you so come with me. I assure you my family will help you when we get out of here. Please, help me escape!" I am begging her now and even though there is no light in the room, I know she can see me begging.
"Manang, don't worry because I have a plan." I lowered my voice to convince Manang and nothing could be recorded of our conversation. I held the packet tightly and then handed it back to her. It was slightly opened so I got enough powder on my finger. His hand was shaking and for the first time she looked into my eyes, she felt sorry. Guilt and pain were carved on her kind face when she looked closer to me.
She shook her head and bowed, "You look so much like her. I can't believe that you got all her features. I can't do this to you." Manang said tearfully while reaching for my face.
"Do you mean, you know Mommy Sabrina?" She nodded sadly and I can see how tormenting for her to look at me. The sorrow in her eyes as if she got reunited with her only daughter.
But what is she doing here? Why is she here? And why is she following the orders of whoever is behind this?
I was stunned when she hugged me tightly, the hug of a mother who has been waiting for a long time and misses her child. I let go of Manang's hug and looked her straight in the eye just as she was about to drop the packet again. I couldn't think of any other way right now so I forced her to do my plan so we can both get out of here alive.
"Manang, I know you are a good person but we have to do this. Trust me Manang.” Manang nodded deeply, then I went back to my place earlier and pressed the switch so that I knew the angle of it would not be visible to the CCTV.
I was nervous as Manang's hand trembled while she put a teaspoon of white powder in my juice. All I did was pray where I am standing while watching her do whatever the mastermind wanted. Certainly, whoever he is he wants me dead.
Lord, I know we are not very close but this time I badly need you. You are my only hope. Please help me escape from this wickedness I am in. I surrender everything to you Lord.
Manang carefully mixed the juice and then left without looking at me. And at the last moment, before she finally turned and left me in the room, I bravely drank the juice without hesitation. I was in tears as I drank it and before I was halfway through I dropped the glass and reached my neck because I couldn't breathe. I fell to my knees near the broken glass and grabbed the leg of the chair and slowly fell to the floor with my eyes closed. Less than a minute later the door opened again and I heard heavy footsteps enter the room. I felt a finger on my neck and a woman's laugh echoed inside the room. Clapping her hands as she backed away from where I was lying.
"How could she look so much like her? Like mother, like daughter." I was horrified to hear the familiar soft female voice again.
I was wrong. 
 All this time, I thought it was my biological father trying to get rid of me. 
It's Mrs. Fuentes.
She laughed again as if it was a great achievement to kill someone and see me lifeless in front of her. My system can't process that she was behind all of this. But why? What is her reason?
"I didn't expect that killing another pest of my life would be EASY as slicing a cake. Finally, I can have all the inheritance for my son.” Her wicked victorious laugh was like venom slowly poisoning all the organs of my body.
"How unfortunate tho that you didn't have the chance to know who killed your mother." Gradually, I am losing my hearing but I have to hear what else she's going to say. Any moment now and I will totally lose my senses. I tried persisting but the poison devoured all the remaining strength and the last thing I heard was an unexpected revelation.
"It's none other than the orphan named Marc."
***
"Wake up! We have to leave now!” I gasped for breath after waking up with Manang shaking my shoulder and I couldn't believe I was still alive. I looked around and we were in the cemetery and next to me was a pit prepared for me to be buried alive. In horror, I retreated from the pit as only a foot left and I would fall and be buried alive under the ground.
Manang was helping me to stand up and I was confused by what was happening. Many questions are running through my mind but I will ask after all this. The important thing is that Manang and I can leave this hell now. We still have a long way to go to the main highway and I'm still weak and panting from walking.
"Jessica, we have to hurry or they will catch up with us." I nodded and forced myself to speed up until Manang and I got a taxi.
"Manang, what is your name?" Manang made me lean on the headrest and then gave the address of the mansion to the driver.
"Belen, and I am the Nanny of your late mother since she was a child." Manang touched my face, reminded of my deceased Mom.
"Manang, why do you have my phone? Why am I still alive?" I asked weakly while Manang kept looking back, restless. It's not that I don't want to live, I'm grateful but I really can't help asking.
"It's a long story and I'll tell you everything when we arrive at the mansion because we're safer there." She was chasing her breath as she handed over a CD that he had been holding.
"What is this?"
"No matter what happens, don't lose it. This is the evidence of the death of my dear Sabrina." Manang hugged me tearfully and whispered my thanks to her. Despite everything that happened, I am also grateful because I found Manang Belen who knows my Mommy Sabrina very well. Now I have my hopes high to get to know my Mommy more and to give her the justice that she deserves. I was so lost in the hug when I looked in the rear-view mirror that the driver was also looking.
"Ma'am, someone is following us!" Manang Belen and I exchanged nervous looks at what the driver said, then she hugged me tightly from the side again like a mother protecting her child.
"Speed up the car Manong! Don't let them catch us." I begged the driver and he followed. It was the same van that abducted me then two familiar white vans arrived leveling side by side with the black van.
Manang hugged me tighter and made me bend down when we heard a gunshot from behind. We don't know where it is coming from or where it hit. The screeching tired and the detrimental honks from behind as vehicles collided were as loud as the beating of my heart. The last thing I knew was Manang covering me, the taxi speeded up even more when we heard another gunshot.