Chapter 2 The Book

Two days after my parents returned to the city. And I'm here lazily laying at my bed. I have never been out in the town since day one. I just don't want to roam and whatsoever. And today, I don't feel like doing anything. Insert Bruno Mars song.

"Princess." Followed by a soft knock.

I composed myself and sit up presentably on my bed. My back on the headboard, crossed legs, and a pillow on my lap. The door sprung open and Mamu comes out into my view.

"Your Papu is going out on the town today. Do you want to join him?" she asked.

I can feel her stiffness. She is scared of being rejected and for my reaction. Am I being immature?

I sighed. "Okay."

Her features become graceful. "Are you sure, Princess? Did I heard it right?" She uttered, nearly can't believe it.

I nodded. "I am sure, Mamu."

Okay! Go, get ready. I'm going to tell your Papu." she exclaimed.

She hurriedly goes out of my room. I can say that they are trying so hard for me to go out and have fun. The past few days is hard for me. I miss my Mom and Dad. Every night, I'm dreaming about them and me together. But I made a promise. So, why don't I give it a try?

I'm done fixing myself. I wear a simple green summer dress with my flat slippers matching my naturally curled long red hair. My skin is glowing due to the color of my clothes. It also hugged my body smoothly and show my beauty more obvious. Did I mention that I'm always the candidate of my school in any pageant? Now, you know why.

The sun is beaming when I finally stepped out of the house. I can feel the fresh air and the smell of the flowers all over the place. This is far from the toxic and polluted air and surrounding of the city. I guess, being here in the forest is good.

"Looked who's here. The princess is finally out of her castle." I can hear Papu's voice from my back.

I turned on him and smiled. "Good morning, Papu."

"You are more beautiful than anything, Princess," he said.

Looked at how sweet they are to me. I am so blessed and gifted with so many wonderful people around me. And yet here I am, acting like a stubborn brat.

We used the old car of Papu. It is a vintage old model of BMW that is still in very good condition. He said that this is his buddy since his teenage days. And he's now in his 60's. See, how old this car is?

"Are you fond of books, Princess?" he suddenly asked.

Books? "I don't think so, Papu." It depends on my mood.

"The town has a big library. Every week, the Hamsels will deliver and donating new and integrated kinds of books. Would you like to go there?" He was a little stiff.

I sighed. "I didn't know where it is, Papu. And I'm not comfortable here yet."

I heard his deep breath. Am I too immature? I'm just- you know, not in the mood. What are they expecting for a city girl like me? Did they want me to fit in and change in just two days? How am I going to do that?

"I'm coming with you, Princess. Let's borrow some books there together." Papu's voice is cheerful.

"Okay," I mumbled.

I need to try, right? Ohh, goodness. If this is not because of my grandparents, I'm not going to do this. I'm not wasting my precious time in this boring old town. I prefer spending my days in some malls and clubs.

We arrived at the town's public market. Papu needs to buy some food for our stock and he instructed me to stay here in his old car. I just nodded at him as a response. I don't want the smell of raw meat and fish. Plus the slippery floor and the noise. So, I prefer to sit my butt here than to get myself dirty inside that market.

"Hello there, pretty."

The car's window is open so, everyone can see me. And there's this guy who's brave enough to stop by in my view.

"I guess, you're new. I've never seen you before," he added.

"Good guess," I uttered.

The guy smiled that reached his eyes. He has this cheeky grin that can blow every girl's mind. He is cute and charming. But, not my type.

"Why are you here?" he asked. Curiosity is in his voice.

"What do you mean by that question? Why am I here in the car or why am I here in Casa Blanca?" I snapped. Irritation is in my words.

He chuckled. "You're funny. All of that. Why are you there in the car alone and why are you here in Casa Blanca?"

I took a deep breath. "I'm with my Papu. He's in the market. And my parents thought that I need some fresh air so, they threw me here in my grandparent's home."

He nodded. "Who's your grandparents?"

I didn't answer. Papu is now here, walking slowly towards us. He has three plastic bags that are full of different foods. The guy noticed his presence so, he moved backward and my grandfather reached his old buddy.

"Good morning, Mr. Novicio. So, you meet my lovely granddaughter." Papu said smiling.

So, he knew this creepy guy.

Mr. Novicio combed his hair upward. "Yes, Mr. Ubay."

My Papu nodded. He opened the door on the backseat then, he carefully placed all of the plastic bags on the couch.

"You have a beautiful granddaughter, Sir. Would you mind if I ask her name?" Mr. Novicio insisted.

Papu closed the door with a loud thud. He faced the creepy guy and forced a smile.

"Please, ask my Princess if she wants to introduce herself, Mr. Novicio,"

Papu said. Irritation is in his voice.

The guy turned on me. "Would you mind?" he asked.

Smile plastered on my lips. "I am Rougehan Marou Ubay."

A cheeky grin formed on his face. "Nice to meet you, Rouge. I am Jerox Manuel Novicio, the Mayor's only son."

That's why he has this weird aura. He is brave and bold because of his status and position here in Casa Blanca.

"Excuse me, Mr. Novicio. We need to go." my grandfather said.

I rolled up the car's window. I don't like that Manuel, guy. He seems dangerous and an asshole. There are some people that even if you didn't know them, in just one looked, you already have this feeling that they're some kind of a bad person.

"What's with that guy, Papu? He's weird." I said out of the blue.

I saw him frown. "Don't come near him, Princess. He is a trouble magnet." Sting and disgust are present in his words.

There's something strange with that guy. Power and authority are the black aurae that are circling him. He wants to respect and obey him with everyone. I can say that he is somewhat manipulative. Let's not go near him. He is a living danger.

Like what Papu said, we go to the town's library. It is in the center of the village beside the Mayor's Office. The whole building is made of luxurious fine woods. It's like a structure comes from the past. If the library is beautiful on the outside, well, it's more wonderful here on the inside. The books are well-arranged and synchronized.

"This is amazing." I blurted out, unashamed.

I heard Papu chuckle. "You've never been in a library before, Princess?" he asked.

I shooked my head. "I was. But, not as terrific as this."

"Go, on. Choose the book you want and we'll borrow it. I'll wait for you here." He is pushing me to get going.

I nodded at him and walked between the first and second shelves. I stormed in it further without anything in mind. I don't know what kind of book I want. If there is a book that can catch my attention then, that would be the one I pick. I want something spectacular.

As I silently walking down the aisle, I saw the stairs to the second floor. Papu didn't say that I can't go up, right? So, I grab the opportunity and went upstairs. There are many books in here. It is all slightly looked fragile. I think this floor is intended to be the place for all of the old and ages books.

I went further, shelves by shelves. My neck is starting to be painful because of too much looking up. I keep on eyeing every title of each book but still, nothing caught my attention. Until there is a weird feeling starting to cover my whole body. Goosebumps spread all over me. There is a strange presence that keeps on poking me. It calls me. Ohh, goodness. Please, tell me that there is no ghost in here.

The unpleasant aura made me shrivers. My feet are now moving on their own. I don't know where to go but, I just keep on walking like someone is controlling my whole body. Then, I finally stop in a front of dusty shelves. And a thick brown book caught my attention. Even though questions clouded my mind, I stretch my arms and took the book.

"This is weird," I mumbled at myself.

"What are you doing here?" an unfamiliar voice echoed at my back.

"Who are you?" then, another man's voice joined in.

Footsteps are coming in my direction. I took a deep breath and turned to face the intruders. Only to found out the two handsome men. They are twins because the two are similar in so many ways.

"Who are you?" He has a serious face.

"She's beautiful." the other guy said, almost a whisper. "And smell so good too." then, he sniffed into the air.

What are they, a dog? Sniffing is not a proper act of normal people.

I gulped. "I- I'm Rougehan Marou, Valencio Ubay's granddaughter." I breathe out. "Obviously, I'm here to borrow some book."

The serious guy frowned and raise his right eyebrow at me. Then, the other one just chuckled. I give them my death glare while composing myself. I need to get out of here. I'm not comfortable with these jerks. So, with all of my strength, I bravely walk in between them. Suddenly, the world became so slow. Time freeze and everything was gone. In all of a sudden, it seems like the three of us are the only ones around. The air becomes thick and hot. I can feel their stares and I can hear their breathing. What's going on?

I shooked my head to clear my mind and bring myself back to reality. And in an instant, we are back in the library. I hurriedly calmed myself and walked fast through them. I try to manage my steps to make them bigger so that I can move away from them. I walked down to the staircase and run towards Papu. He startled a bit when he saw me.

"Princess, what happened?" he asked. Worries are all over his face.

I'm catching my breath. "N- Nothing, Papu. I- I found a book."

He eyed me suspiciously but nod eventually. "Okay. Let's go to the librarian."

A fat old woman greeted us when we reached the counter. She is charming for a 65-year-old lady. Name and age are on her nameplate, placed on the left side of her breast.

"She is a goddess, Valencio." She is referring to me.

"She is, Rosa." my grandfather agreed.

Rosa turned on me. "May I have the book, beautiful."

I smiled at her and give her the book. She is writing something in her logbook.

"I signed it under your name, Val," Rosa said to Papu.

My old man nodded. "Of course."

After she does everything in her logbook, she handed me back the book. I thanked her and so does Papu. Then, we left the library together and jumped in the old car.