Fragments of Memories 2: Beautiful Stranger

Chapter 1: Prologue

JULY 2012

Baclaran Manila

The rain was pouring heavily but there's no sign of rush in Elaine's steps. Meanwhile, others were

running and rushing to the nearest shelter to protect themselves from the rain. She, on the other hand,

didn't seem to bother as she took her way towards the Baclaran Church under the heavy downpour,

taking only her backpack with her.

She halted at the corner a few steps from the church, not caring that she was already soaking wet. She

looked up in the sky, letting the rain drip on her face. Based on the visible dark and thick clouds in the

sky, Elaine could tell that the rain will not stop any time soon.

She was unsure if the sky was sympathizing with her or was just plain mocking just like the people

around her. It must be the latter.

She continued moving forward.

Elaine was an illegitimate child. She grew up without her father. She spent her whole life under the care

of her mother, Betina.

Bettina owns a small pub house in Paranaque. She would beat the hell out of her daughter every time

she would come home drunk. She would cry hysterically, blaming her and the father she didn't even

meet why her life was a mess. Just like right now. The side of her lips was swollen after she was hit

with a bag when she answered her mother rudely.

As a child, she felt as though she was pierced right through her chest every time her mother beat her or

spat hurtful words at her. She was emotionally abused not only by her mother but also by their

overcritical neighbors. She sure grew up in a toxic environment.

There were tons of rumors about her existence. Rumor had it that her mom was flirting with different

guys and ended up getting pregnant at an early age. Another rumor that was spreading like wildfire

was that she was having an affair with a married politician that's why she could not tell her who her

father was.

A few years ago, every single day she would pray desperately that she would finally get to see her

father someday, hoping he could take her out from the miserable life she was having with her mom.

She had tried walking on her knees towards the altar. Not only in Baclaran Church, but she had gone

all her way to Quiapo Church and to different worship places she could ever think of.

Now, she's seventeen. Fearless and ungracious. The tears from her hurtful past had slowly turned into

grins. She's no longer the kid who would hide at the corner of the house to pity herself. The kid started

to stand for herself, even if she would appear to be rude to others, but it doesn't matter now. It was as

though she had grown fangs and horns over time.

She would want it to be like that. It looked rather fitting for her image. At her age, Elaine had finally put

herself together just to know as to why she existed, and to know about the man behind her existence;

her father. She wanted to meet him. She wanted to hear the answers from his mouth as to why he

didn't show up, why didn't he make ways to find her, and why didn't he have the balls to do the right

thing but had the balls to create a life out of their lustful desires.

Elaine made a turn when she reached the other corner of the street. Behind the Baclaran Church was a

small-scale bistro bar owned by an old man named Chito. That was her destination.

He was a former fortune teller in the place. She met him when she was fourteen. She would often see

him hanging around the entrance of Baclaran Church, who sometimes offered her bread or something

to eat.

She had gone to his bistro bar many times especially when she had nowhere to go every time she

would run away from home. It's been six sharp in the evening but the place didn't appear to be very

busy that night. There were no customers around except to this old man, with his back facing at her so

she could not recognize who it was. They were having a conversation with Drew, the bistro bar's

waitress.

She gestured to her telling her that she would just go directly into the small room at the end portion of

the bar. The 25-year-old waitress nodded, indicating approval. She had a few clothes hidden inside the

premises. Some of them were given to her by Mr. Chito since she usually visits the place for whatever

reason she had. When she found something to wear, she didn't waste time getting dressed right away

and headed towards the glass door beer cooler. She pulled it open and grabbed herself a bottle of

alcohol. She then walked towards the bar counter and sat comfortably on the stool, waiting for Macon,

the bartender, to come to her.

"What happened to your face?" Drew asked her.

"Where is Mr. Chito?"

"You were the third person who was looking for Boss today,"

Her forehead creased. "Who were the other two? Five - Six?"

"Well, it was Jemuel. He ran into me this morning and asked where the boss was. And the other one

was him," with her lips, she pointed to the guy who was sitting not far from us. "Mr. Tall and Yummy." Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

It was the guy that Drew was talking to earlier when she arrived at the place. He was occupying the

seat near the entrance. Since the place was a little dark, she could not see the face pretty well. Was he

a debt collector just like Jemuel? Or was he the in-charge of the loan shark that Mr. Chito had owed?

"He had been paying his obligation well, hadn't he?" she asked, referring to the loan shark payment

obligation.

"The bistro was slow these past months. The rent alone was buried under the debt payment. As far as I

remembered, it's been four months now since the last time we had paid for it and six months of

payment delay in 5-6 lending,"

Elaine brought the bottle into her mouth and took a shot. She winced in pain when the alcohol stung

her hurt gums.

She had consumed two bottles already and numbness began to saddle her up when the door slammed

open. Two figures appeared, accommodating themselves in. It was Jemuel and his staff. They headed

closer to the counter and hissed a call to catch Macon's attention. She took a glance at the latter. He

looked rather tense seeing the newcomer.

"Isn't Chito here yet?"

"N-not yet, sir."

"You're trying to hide him from me every time we come here, aren't you?"

Macon shook his head almost immediately. "No, sir. We're not..."

Jemuel took his hat off and without a word, whacked it to Macon's face. He was shocked but stayed

calm even though he looked scared. Elaine took a series of deep breaths and chose not to give any

comments. She watched Jemuel grab the poor bartender by the collar. She gulped her beer at once.

If there's something she can't bear to see, that is watching someone getting bullied or assaulted. She

knew how unpleasant it was to be helpless while someone's trying to hurt you.

"Tell your boss if he's not going to pay his debt, I'll burn this bar down. Do you understand?" he

threatened, tapping the bartender's face with his palm many times over.

"Shame on you," she grumbled, interrupting the fuss. Her eyes fixed on the beer.

Jemuel's attention shifted to her. Without looking, he knew how sardonic her grin was when he let go of

Macon. He edged near her.

"Hey, kid. Listen up. You should not interfere with the elderly if you don't want to get yourself hurt. All I

know is violence when I'm cranky and I don't care even if you're a kid,"

Elaine scoffed. She finally turned to face him.

"I can see how old you are. You're wrinkly and all and yet you're still acting like a childish thug,"

"What a rude bitch! If your parents didn't teach you manners, then my hand will!" Jemuel lifted his

hand, threatening to slap her hard on the face.

She arched the corner of her mouth, showing a sarcastic grin. She scratched her brows, whispering.

"What's up with my cheek and it's everybody's favorite part to hit?"

His forehead crumpled. "What did you just say, dummy? Are you cursing at me, huh?"

Elaine stood from her seat, sliding her hand onto her pocket, and stared at Jemuel from head to foot.

"You’re not only a childish thug but also a deaf one, that’s what you are,”

"Stupid bitch!"

"S-sir, Mr. Chito is on the way..." Drew interrupted the commotion, looking pale in fear. She stepped in

between them but since he's fully triggered, he just pushed the waitress harshly. Drew staggered on the

counter.

Elaine's vision had turned dim and quickly grabbed him by the collar. His eyes turned red in anger but

Elain doesn't seem to falter. There's no hint of fear in her eyes.

Even when Jemuel lifted his hand to slap her, Elaine didn't even flinch... But nothing landed on her

face.

"Cut it off, Mister. She's just a kid. Just drop it,"

Elaine rolled her eyes. A kid?

She glanced over her shoulder to identify who it was. That old man in a button-down sport shirt that

Drew was talking with earlier ago. Jemuel grabbed his hand back from that man's grip.

"This bar sure has a crapload of meddlers, huh. Hey, this is not your business to deal with so don't step

in unless—" before he could finish his words, Elaine had quickly picked up the empty bottle, and as

quick as a flash, she smashed it hard on the old hag's head. Debris splattered everywhere.

Drew screamed. Jemuel dropped on the ground, completely knocked out. The meddling man could not

believe what he just saw right before him.

"SO, your boss didn't hit her at all, is that what you're trying to mean, Mr. Gomez?" The officer-in-

charge was talking to Jemuel’s staff, trying to get some information that could help resolve the

situation. He had the statement folder in hand, containing each of their reports. They all ended up in the

police station after the incident.

"Yes, chief,"

The investigator turned to face her, his eyes filled with doubts and questions. Elaine uncrossed her

arms. At the other side of the desk were Jose and Jemuel, his head was bandaged.

Drew and Macon were fidgeting on their seat next to Elaine. She could not trust their acting power and

prowess. On the left side, was the meddling guy. She found out later on that he was a fresh graduate of

Medicine. His arms were folded across his chest, listening intently at them. He was the one who gave

first aid to Jemuel right before the cops came into the picture.

She guessed she's all alone now. All she could do to get out of this situation was to rely on her God-

given talent; making up stories.

Elaine sniffed aloud, enough to get their attention. Macon and Drew stared at her in utter disbelief when

she started sobbing. Jose and Jemuel looked at each other hearing her talking in a crack voice; the

thing that she didn’t do back in the bar.

"W-what do you mean, sir? You are trusting them more than I? I am the victim here. I didn't do anything

wrong,"

The investigator cleared his throat.

"I didn't say I believe them or even you. There's no CCTV in the bar hence this should be investigated

thoroughly before we conclude. That's why I need you to cooperate," he explained.

Elaine faked a tear, wiping it off of her eyes as dramatically as she could. With trembling lips, she

extended over the desk of the officer-in-charge, pointing at her puffy lips. Even the doctor beside her

shifted his eyes on her, particularly on her lips.

"Do you know how painful it is to be slapped hard on the face, Sir? Has someone ever done that to

you? I can barely feel my face anymore. That's how terrible it was," she then leaned closer with a

serious look on the face. "My parents never laid a hand on me ever. But this man just did it to me and

it's killing me because nobody seemed to care. This is abuse. I deserve justice to steer clear of future

trauma!"

She sniffled once again for more dramatic effect before turning on her heels and slumped back to the

chair. She leaned backward, wiping her eyes even though there weren't any tears coming from it.

"She's lying, Chief! I didn't do that to her. That kid was rude as hell. She clearly does not have respect

for the elderly!"

The investigator cleared his throat. His constant sighing trying to weigh the situation seemed to exhaust

him.

"This won't end with different stories on each side," he turned to the doctor who had been silent for

minutes. "How about you, Doctor? Tell me what you have witnessed there. Let's put an end to this,"

Elaine turned to her side to face him. He was looking at her. No. He has been watching her closely.

"I'm not a licensed doctor yet, Officer," he cleared up.

Elaine earlier decided to call him good-looking. She was observing him fleetingly when he rushed to

Jemuel to aid him. She can't find the exact words to describe the man. Being a doctor does not fit him.

He was rather qualified in the modeling industry or showbiz. Hollywood, perhaps.

"Tell me what exactly happened," the investigator commanded him.

The police officer was asking him a question but why the heck does this guy keep looking at her? Is he

going to rat her out? She gave him a warning look. He should not dare.

He glanced away from her and said, " Yeah, I was there, Officer. I saw everything,"