Moonlight Serenade

The Aisle of Medellin is Cebu's longest straight road. A seven-and-a-half-kilometer highway connecting Dayhagon and Curva in the heart of sugarcane fields owned by the Mangubat since the founding of Medellin until the present day.

The green and glorious field is the crown of Don Sebastian Mangubat and Donya Belinda Sanchez-Mangubat. And their daughter, Jewel Laine, prefers the small nipa hut on the opposite side of the field.

The peaceful atmosphere is something she appreciates about that location. From within the hut, she could see the green sugarcane field and the white road of the Aisle in the distance. But what she enjoys the most is that no one dares to interrupt her reading time.

It's an ideal location for her avid reader. Cool air, birds chirping, a peaceful setting -- "Miss Laine! Miss! Here are the books I've purchased!"

She blinked and raised her head. She'd just finished praising the stillness of the place when a loud maid shouted outside the hut. It felt like someone slapped her in the face. Jewel groaned and stood. 'Never mind the noise,' she reasoned.

She stepped out of the small hut and frowned as she saw Dalya smile as the girl approached her. Dalya was carrying two large bags, which she knew contained Pandayan and NBS books.

"Can't you shout, Dalya?" she grumbled as the maid placed the two large bags in front of her. "And why are you throwing these bags on the ground when you could just bring them with you?"

"But, senorita, Pedro told me that Don and Donya were in the mansion, and if they see me bringing these books there, they'll burn me alive! You know how strict your parents are!"

Did her maid just scold her?

Jewel shook her head and crossed her arms across her chest. "Fine," she said, rolling her eyes. "Place it inside the hut, and where is Pedro?"

Dalya made a pout. "He's waiting for you on the Aisle, Miss."

"All right, he'll be here later. There's a box inside the hut; put these books in it and wrap them safely; someone will fetch you later; bring the box straight to my room; I'll talk to Mama and Papa to give you enough time to deliver it."

Dalya gave a sheepish grin. "Why are you embarrassed about these books, Miss? Doesn't Donya prefer to see you reading?"

"Dalya," Jewel said, raising her brow and narrowing her eyes at the maid.

"Yes?"

"Why do you ask? Do you still want your daily tip in addition to your salary?"

Dalya's eyes glowed. "I'd like a tip from my lovely Miss!" exclaimed the girl. "I was only kidding earlier, Miss. Don't be too serious."

She huffed and stuffed the phone into her pocket. She knelt and crammed the erotica book she had been reading earlier into the bag alongside the newly purchased books. "I'll go. Keep an eye on these. Don't tell anyone what kind of books are inside. Are we clear?"

"Yes, Miss, I won't let you down!"

Jewel wore the summer hat that hung around her waist and the boots that were lying by the hut's door. "Did he bring Francisko?" she inquired, smoothing her waist-length black and wavy hair.

"No, Pedro rented a motorcycle at the Aisle entrance, and he can't bring Francisko into the city."

Her brows furrowed. She finished smoothing her hair and turned to face Dalya. Her pupils constricted. "Do you think I didn't know horses were prohibited in the city?"

"Of course not, Miss. You know Pedro can't bring Francisko, and I'm just reminding you," Dalya smiled.

Jewel's lips twitched as she walked past the maid, who was sweating profusely due to the scorching sun in the sky. "There's a refreshment inside. Wait for Pedro," she said as she marched out into the sun.

She heard Dalya yell, "Be careful, Miss!" but did not return the girl's gaze.

Dalya had been her maid since she was in elementary school. She was used to her maid's attitude, but Dalya couldn't keep her poisonous mouth shut all the time. Many people, including Ramos, had complained about Dalya's domineering demeanor.

The gardener recently expressed his displeasure. In front of the other gardeners, Dalya chastised the poor man. Her maid cursed, and Ramos silently accepted Dalya's hurtful words.

Ramos is unable to harm Dalya because she is a woman and there is a city ordinance prohibiting men from laying their hands on women (hurting women). Nonetheless, Jewel dislikes people who are unable to control themselves.

If Dalya couldn't stop herself from hurting others, her maid might offend people she shouldn't offend in the future. It appeared that she needed to discipline Dalya.

Jewel took a few steps alone in the hot summer sun.

Soon after, she noticed Pedro in the distance. He was conversing with a man wearing a large hemp hat. She could only see the stranger's pointed nose and thin lips. But because the sun was so hot and she was sweating profusely, she put aside her curiosity and focused her attention on Pedro.

She extended her hand to take the motor key from him. Jewel was only concerned with getting home as soon as possible in the hot summer sun.

"But, miss," Pedro sighed and crinkled his nose. "First, we have to pay the fare, which is a thousand for a round trip."

"Huh?" Jewel wrinkled her brow. "Are you serious?" she asked, drawing a breath as Pedro nodded. The hot breeze blew her hair away, and she clutched her summer hat to keep it from flying away. "Who pays a thousand for a trip?"

Peter gestured with his forefinger to the man he had been speaking with earlier.

Jewel turned to face the stranger. The wide smile on the man's lips was the first thing that caught her eye.

"He's the owner of the motor, Senyorita. Two thousand for the entire Aisle trip, but I asked for half the price earlier to deliver the books first to the hut, and you will give the other half because the money you gave me earlier was not enough because the price of books went up," Pedro said, clearing his throat before looking away.

Jewel shifted her gaze between the two men for a few seconds. She eventually fanned herself. "Why beating around the bush when you could just tell me earlier?" she grumbled as she took her purse from her pocket. She handed the stranger a thousand bills and said, "I'll run the motor. You know who I am, right? Just get your motor later at my father's mansion."

The stranger lowered his gaze to Jewel's hand. Pedro cleared his throat and reached for the bill before looking at her. "However, Miss --"

She raised her brow when it was Pedro who received the bill, but she didn't mind the strange expressions on the men's faces. She took a deep breath. "I'm not going to ride with anyone."

"Don Sebastian will be furious," Pedro worried.

Jewel raised her hand and folded her arms across her chest. She locked her gaze on Pedro. "We wouldn't have had any problems if you had just brought my horse, but Francisko is nowhere to be found, so don't make things difficult."

Pedro scratched his chin and turned to face the stranger. "Let me take you to the end of the aisle," the man who had been silent earlier said to her.

She shook her head. "No," she said, holding out her hand to the man. "Give me the key. Don't worry, I have a student permit here. You won't be harmed if there's a checkpoint ahead."

After a few seconds of silence, the man sighed and took the key from his pocket. She expected him to place the key in her outstretched palm, but he instead took her hand in his. Jewel arched her brow. She could feel the key between the man's palm and hers.

"Let go," she warned. However, the man simply smiled and tightened his grip on her hand, and drew her closer to the massive motor. Her heart beat faster. "Hey!" she exclaimed, but the man's grip was firm.

Was this the kind of yandere man she'd read about in books?

She turned to face Pedro, but all she saw was a sheepish smile on his face. Hah! Aren't Dalya and Pedro a good match? What's the matter with her servants? If someone tried to kidnap her, would they just smile sheepishly?

Her expression darkened. "Pedro!" she yelled, gritting her teeth. "Just stand there and smile!"

"All right, Miss. Have a safe trip!"

What the heck is happening? He didn't get sarcasm?

Pedro's carelessness irritated Jewel to the point of tears. "Ah! Just wait and see! I'll tell father!" She turned her sharp gaze to the man who was dragging her. "Let go! Don't you know who I am?"

The man grinned. "Everyone recognizes you, Jewel."

"Then let go, because my father will not spare you!"

Gideon approached her. He smiled and lifted her onto the motorcycle without saying anything. Her lips parted. "Hooligan!" she yelled as she attempted to jump off the motorcycle, but the man quickly stopped her.

He chuckled before getting on the motorcycle and did not give her another chance to jump because the engine suddenly revved up. Jewel grabbed his shoulder.

"Sir, let's meet at the mansion!" Peter yelled from behind.

Sir?

Jewel's pupils constricted. She knew it. Pedro would never allow someone untrustworthy to take her away. But... Who was this man?

She had never met Gideon.

The man's presence was unfamiliar, and so was the perfume he was wearing. So she was certain he wasn't from Medellin. And if the man was from Medellin, he didn't live here because she knew almost all of the son-rich men in town but had never seen the rude man.

On the straight Aisle, the motor picked up speed.

The wind slapped her across the face. A few strands of her hair fluttered freely to the front. Her eyes widened as she realized what was going on. They aren't even wearing helmets!

She raised her hand and placed it on her brow. Her hat was gone, and her face had darkened even more.

The engine came to a complete stop. She screamed as her face nearly collided with the back of Gideon's head. Fortunately, she was able to avoid it in time, and her face instead sank into his shoulder.

"Don't be such a reckless girl, Jewel," he said, grabbing her clinging hands and guiding them around his stomach. He even lightly tapped her hands.

Jewel took a deep breath. It was her first time hugging a stranger, and she shivered in annoyance. She clenched her teeth. "You're a jerk --"

"Shh," he whispered. Gideon turned on the engine and revved it up. She had no choice but to wrap her arms around the man.

"Prevention is better than cure. Have you heard of that saying, Jewel?" he asked gently, but it appeared to her that he was mocking her for her ignorance.

Hah!

She considered pushing this man aside and taking over the engine. Who cared if this conceited jerk fell on the Aisle's dusty road?

"Hello?"

She coughed and took a deep, long breath. "Haze?" she asked, looking out onto the balcony. "Have you returned home?"

"Yes, and why did you call?"

She sighed and decided to get out of bed. She went out to the balcony to have some fresh air. It was three in the morning and darkness was still around. The Mayor of Medellin's lighthouse shone in the distance. Another deep breath. All she could hear were crickets hiding in the dark.

"I had a dream," she whispered on the phone.

"Well, that's to be expected."

"No, I mean, I had a strange dream."

The other line burst out laughing. "That's... well, what's your fantasy little girl?"

She frowned. She thought of Hazel's drunken face, grinning from ear to ear, in front of her. "Come on, Hazel. Stop spouting nonsense, okay? I need someone to talk to, then you're like that?"

Because of the accusatory tone in her voice, Hazel fell silent. She took another deep breath before telling the story. "It's strange."

"What's strange, Laine?"

"I've dreamed of something," she sighed, whispering.

"Dreamt? That word again? How can I help you if you can't quit saying strange, dreamt, whatever?" Hazel said, annoyance evident in her voice.

Jewel knew that Hazel was not in her right mind so she did not make a fuss about the girl's tone and said, "I've dreamt of something."

She closed her eyes tightly. She felt her cheeks burn red in embarrassment as she tried to make the right sentence to describe what she had seen in her dream. "Sex. I've dreamt of it."

"Ah? That's it, little girl? "

"Come on, I've dreamt about someone having sex with me!"

On the other end of the line, laughter erupted. She slapped her forehead and frowned furiously. She still had to take the phone away because Hazel seemed to be on her side because of how loud the laughter was.

"What's that, Laine?" Hazel asked, chuckling. "Are you serious? If yes, you need to get a guy right now!"

She rolled her eyes. "Hazel!"

Even though she couldn't see her reflection in the mirror, she could tell how red her face was. It was her first time to dream such a lewd scene and she was uncomfortable. She had no one to talk to except for Hazel who was closer to her, and even though she almost choked on embarrassment, she had no choice but to vent out her weird feelings.

"Oh?" Hazel teased.

She pursed her lips. "I'm not the kind of girl who daydreams about it," she said to defend herself. Then she bit her bottom lip.

The truth was that... sometimes she really daydreams of a guy but it was not explicit! And she was not out of her mind to admit it. She could not bear the shame of admitting her secret, even though Hazel was her friend.

"Don't worry, I think that's normal. Tiara called me last night and said that she and her boyfriend are doing that in her dream. Hush now, little girl."

Hazel laughed, and it was clear that the girl had been to Furry, a bar in Bogo City. Jewel tried to ignore the small noise coming from the other end of the phone because it sounded like kissing.

She cleared her throat. "I-I think so," she said, scrunching her nose. "Are you still --?"

The girl on the other end of the phone cut her words off. "How does it feel, though?"

"Feel?" Her eyes narrowed.

Hazel chuckled. "Doing that with someone in your dream?"

Jewel gulped and fanned her hot face. "I just feel... something wet down there," she said over the phone.

"Is he attractive?"

Jewel raised her brow. "I don't believe so."

"Husky bedroom voice... Charming smile?"

"No..."

"I believe you're looking for someone to satisfy you, Laine."

"I think that guy is weird..." she recalled the man from her dream. She knew he had a face, but she couldn't recall what it was like. His big arms and elegant physique were the only things she remembered. But recalling the man in her dream, she could not help but shiver. Her hair on the nape stood.

She gulped.

She exhaled deeply. "Haze? Go to your bed and sleep, I'll hang up now."

"Please greet the man of your dreams on my behalf," Hazel joked and chuckled.

Jewel shook her head. That girl was drunk.

Before returning to her room, she took another look at the gleaming lighthouse. She was startled when she noticed someone standing at the headboard of her bed out of the corner of her eye. When she turned around to look, she saw no one.

She laughed as her head shook. She must be hallucinating. Her hand reached for and closed the bathroom door.

She left the room and went down to the living room while it was still dark. She noticed a few maids cleaning the mansion. They smiled as they greeted her.

"It's still too early in the morning, Senyorita, and I didn't see Sir Gideon leave the room, so he won't be able to accompany you outside."

She only smiled at Aling Teresa. "I can do it. Don't tell anyone I left early."

"But it's still dark outside, and it's dangerous-"

"Manang..." she said, smiling and motioning to the elderly lady. "I'm big enough to take care of myself. I can do it. One more thing, I won't leave the hacienda. Just a quick walk through the woods. Promise."

Aling Teresa smiled and accompanied her to the mansion's front door. "Take care, Miss."

"I will, Manang," she said, turning around.

She went straight to the stable and was correct in her suspicion that Peter was up and bathing the horses there. The man smiled at her and took a step forward.

"Oh, Miss, the road is too dark. I can't let you leave early."

"I can do it."

"Oh, Senyorita! Senyorito Gideon should be here, so I can make sure you get home safely when the sun comes up."

She fixed her gaze on Peter. "I'm not fooling around with you."

He shook his head and scratched his chin. He then looked past her. "Sir, Senyorita is that stubborn, so it's up to you."

Her brow furrowed, and she retreated. She noticed Gideon. The man's brows were knitted together as he looked at her. "What a brat. This early?" he mocked.

Her fist tightened. She hadn't gotten over the man's sarcasm on the Aisle. She almost fell off the motor due to its high speed. And why was the haughty man awake?

"Pedro!" she exclaimed. She quickly turned to face the attendant again, but that scumbag fled. While fleeing, that servant reminded them to be cautious on the dark road.

Jewel clenched her teeth. She wanted to smack Peter in the face, but he wasn't in sight. She realized at that point that the two men had agreed to corner her when she went for a run.

Gideon laughed from behind her and took a step closer to her. "You know you can't ride alone, Jewel."

Her lips formed a thin line. "I know what's best for me. Don't treat me like a child."

"Then stop acting like one."

"I'm not!"

Gideon was silent for a moment before asking. "Do you despise me?"

"At least you're aware!"

"Why?"

"It's none of your concern."

She entered the stable without saying anything. She picked up Francisko, strapped on a saddle, and rode away with the horse. She heard Gideon yell but did not respond. When Gideon followed on his favorite horse, Gina, she enhanced Fransisko's speed.

"Jewel!" he exclaimed.

She kicked Fransisko in the shins. The horse took off faster.

"Listen to me. You're running in the wrong direction. Stop the horse!"

But she didn't pay attention. Her life in the mansion had been disrupted for a few days.

She recalled her father's smile when he saw Gideon. He stated that the plan to unite the two powerful families in Medellin would be initiated sooner And she isn't a moron for not knowing what binding it is.

She tightened her grip on the reins and kicked the horse in the shins. Francis took off faster.

On that fateful day, she realized her life was about to change, especially after learning that she would marry the Mayor's only child, Gideon Manasseh Hernandez, the following summer.

"Wait a minute-"

Perhaps it's too late to seek assistance. She went straight into the Medellin River's dark and peaceful waters. Even her favorite Francisco was in danger. She quickly clasped her hands to get back on the surface of the water. She cursed in her head over and over. In the cold water, her muscles trembled and her chest tightened.

She desperately searched the riverbank but couldn't find it in the dark. She gradually became overwhelmed by fear. Which way should she swim?

She pumped her fists and stomped her feet, and she screamed when an arm wrapped around her neck. As she raised her head to breathe, she was yanked back.

She felt the ground behind her and realized she'd almost got drowned in the water. A hand gently patted her back to release the water that needed to be released.

She was leaning helplessly against something hard and hot. She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths.

"You, stubborn brat, will you listen to me next time?"

Jewel opened her eyes, but all she saw was the silhouette of a man.

Gideon lifted her and climbed to the lower part of the cliff where Gina was staying as the sun rose in the east. Jewel looked around but couldn't find Francisko. She took a deep breath and paused for a few moments before opening her mouth to inquire. "What happened to Francisko?"

"He got lost in the river. I'll send someone to look for him when the sun comes up. Can you stand?"

She blinked and turned her gaze to the dark river, but there was no movement there. When she thought about what happened to Francisko, sadness crept into her chest.

"Jewel," Gideon said once more.

"Y-yes, I believe so."

Gideon eased her down. As the chill traveled down her spine, she felt the dry and cold ground on her feet.

She realized she had no shoes at that point. The man had taken her boots off earlier, and she didn't have the strength to stop him at the time.

Her heart was still pounding loudly in her chest, and she could still feel a slight tremble. The terror she felt had had such an impact on her that it made it difficult for her to breathe.

Gideon suddenly removed his jacket in front of her. Her brow furrowed, and her face creased. She shifted her gaze to the side and tightly closed her eyes. "Don't get naked in front of m-me!"

She heard a faint laugh from him. "Am I?" Gideon wondered.

"Yes, you're n-naked!" she exclaimed, biting her lower lip.

"You can see for yourself."

She inhaled deeply and slowly opened her eyes.

She looked at Gideon and noticed he was wearing a shirt and had his arm crossed across his chest. The man's lips curved into a small smile. His deep and enticing eyes were filled with amusement.

She averted her gaze from him. As the dew passed over her wet skin, she hugged herself. Jewel inhaled deeply and rubbed her hands against her arms. She bit her lower lip to stop her teeth from chattering. "Can we please go home? It's c-cold."

They were standing in the shade of the gemelina tree, and she was watching the man hang his wet jacket on the tree's low branch.

He examined her from head to toe before lifting her on top of Gina.

Her teeth seemed to chatter even more. The cold seeped through her skin, and she felt trapped in a freezer for hours.

"Hang on tight, I'll take you home," Gideon said.

"But it's c-cold up here," she grumbled, her voice shaking.

He let out a long sigh. "Persist a little longer, Jewel."

"And y-you don't want to..." She paused and shut her mouth. She took another deep breath but ended up sneezing. It was bitterly cold sitting on horseback, and she was having trouble breathing.

She looked at Gideon, who was standing nearby, and wondered if he would ride with her and hug her to soothe the cold.

She shook her head and blinked. 'And why would he do something like that?' She mentally chastised herself. Gideon was completely unaware that she was in pain.

When Gideon spoke to the horse rather than to her, her face became even more perplexed. She sighed and turned her gaze forward.

She could hear birds singing in the trees as dawn broke on the horizon. The chill was still biting into her muscles as she rode on horseback. Gideon was walking slightly ahead, holding the horse's rein and guiding the horse in the right direction.

Her bite has nearly bled her lip. The surroundings became colder as time passed.

Perhaps it was the dew caressing her still-wet clothes.

In the cold, she could barely feel her fingers. Her legs and toes had also frozen. Cold tears streamed down her cheeks. She had shivered for the first time in the cold.

She was now kicking herself for not listening to Gideon. What caused her to become so defiant? The more people try to stop her, the more courage she'll have to do what is forbidden.

Gideon blurted out, "Jewel."

"Y-Yes?"

"Are you all right up there?"

"Well, Uhm... I-I'm dying?"

When Gideon stopped the horse, her hope returned. She cracked a small smile. Finally, Gideon must have heard her complaint. She imagined Gideon climbing up and hugging her from behind to relieve her pain.

She closed her eyes, pretending she didn't mind if Gideon climbed up. 'He should beg,' she thought. I won't let him ride with me unless he begs! '

A cold hand, however, gripped her leg. She was taken aback. She awoke dazed, looking down. Gideon was holding her leg and staring at her.

She clenched her teeth and fixed her gaze on Gideon. Gideon tightened his grip on her leg when he noticed her teeth chattering. She swallowed hard. What Gideon did seemed to dry up her throat even more.

Gideon took a deep breath and smiled. "Come down; I'll catch you."

Her lips drew apart. Did he ask her to come down? But what about the previous thing she imagined? She took a deep breath and kept her disappointment to herself. "W-Well, my l-legs won't move?"

Gideon locked his gaze on her for a few seconds. "Stay still."

She pouted as she averted her gaze. Fortunately, she didn't say what was on her mind. She would have embarrassed herself in front of the Mayor's son.

Her face contorted in bewilderment. Was she turning into an attention seeker for Gideon? She puckered her lips. No. Her future husband ought to irritate her.

Husband... Her heart raced wildly at the thought.

She was brought back to reality when she felt Gideon rub both of his palms against her leg. Her eyes widened, but her mouth remained closed. She then took a deep breath and closed her eyes tightly.

But she couldn't help but be curious, and she looked down on the man who appeared to be rubbing her legs seriously. She watched as his hand moved up her smooth and cold leg, then down to the five toes on her left foot. Gideon even drew a circle on her skin, causing her cheek to turn bright red.

'What is he up to?' she thought.

She opened her mouth to ask him, but she quickly shut it when Gideon began singing an unfamiliar song.

She fixed her gaze on Gideon's face. As he hummed a song, he had a small smile on his lips.

Jewel was dazed as her heartbeat quickened. Gideon's grip on her leg loosened, and she sensed his tenderness. Even though she didn't fully understand the song, it was pleasant to the ear, and she was drawn to listen more.

Gideon raised his head, and their gazes met. He smiled. "Are you still cold?" he questioned.

"Uh, not so much."

He nodded and continued to rub her leg while singing. There was something in his voice Jewel couldn't figure out.

She was able to move her toes after feeling the heat from Gideon's palms. Gideon, on the other hand, continued to hold her and touch her skin.