Chapter 44 Chapter 44

Chapter 44 Chapter 44
THE courage and determination he saw on the face of the young immortal was the same courage Aliyah used to show whenever they faced a bad situation.
"Aren't you afraid?" They were now outside Luneta Park, heading toward his motorcycle.
"Of what?"
"Of what we’re about to face. The map will tell us what danger and creatures lie ahead."
"Then let's just look at the locations on the map and not what it says. How about that? It's a good idea, isn't it?"
"It is a good idea. A very brilliant idea. Your suggestion is so good that I want to throw a farewell party before we leave," he said to the girl sarcastically.
Back then, he and Aliyah would watch the girl on TV whenever Aurora had a fashion show. Aliyah loved watching Aurora's face on the screen because she said the girl was beautiful and had a gentle face. When he told Aliyah back then that he thought the girl was an immortal, Aliyah didn't believe it because she said she couldn't feel it, so they made a bet.
The night the wolves took Aurora, the news spread immediately. It was exactly what was written in the Book of Tigo. They were eating at a 5-star restaurant then.
"So, I won. What’s my prize now?" he remembered asking the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
"You, what is it that you want?"
"Will you give it?"
"Of course. I stand by my word, and since you beat me, I’ll give you whatever you ask for..."
When he heard that, he didn't hesitate to kneel and pull a ring out of his pocket.
"It’s only you that I want, Aliyah, so I hope you agree to be with me for as long as I live..." he said emotionally, and when she said yes, applause erupted from the mortals inside the restaurant.
He smiled bitterly because no matter how he looked at it, the things that happened between him and his girlfriend would remain only memories.
"We'll just drop the motorcycle off at my house and proceed to where we're going." He referred to the bike once they reached where it was parked.
"Do you know where we're going?"
"Nope." He put on his helmet before mounting the bike. He always brought an extra helmet, so he gave it to Aurora. "Get on. Hold tight because I drive fast," he warned her.
The girl got on his bike and held onto his shoulders. "You said you knew where we're going?"
"I didn't say I knew, but I know the place we need to pass through before reaching Garantiara."
"And where is that?"
"A resort on Biliran Island. Agta Beach Resort. Hold tight, Aurora," he said and started the engine.
After half an hour, they reached his condo unit.
"You must be very rich..."
"Every immortal is, especially those who have lived a long time."
"Do aswangs live long too?"
"Depends..." was his short answer.
"Depends on what?"
This lady is very curious, he said to himself.
He headed to the kitchen, and Aurora followed him.
"Depends on if they eat humans."
"So, the life span of aswangs who eat humans is long, like that?" He laughed because it was obvious the girl didn't get what he meant. "Why are you laughing?"
He placed meat that had been marinating in soy sauce and vinegar on the stove. He was going to cook food for their journey.
"Because you misunderstood what I said." He leaned against the sink and faced the girl. "What I mean is, our lives as aswangs will be longer if we don't 'hunt,' because then there’s no reason for humans to kill us." He also took an apple and ate it. "Are you hungry?"
"Yes, actually. I'd like some rice before we leave."
"I have rice here, but it's cold. Do you even eat this?"
"Of course."
He served the girl rice and a steak dish. "Just make do with that for now. Once this food is cooked, we’ll leave."
"How many hours is the trip to the place you're talking about?"
"It will take us two days by land and sea, or 45 minutes by air plus four hours by land to get there."
"What? That’s too long! We can't waste any more time, Arnold!"
"I know, and that's why you, Young Immortal, will be taking me there using your ability to teleport."
"Is it safe there?"
"We’re living in a world where you need to face bad elements every day; that's why Agta Beach is a very safe place."
IT WAS 11:50 p.m., and she and Arnold were leaning against a Talisay tree filled with fireflies, enjoying the fresh sea breeze. They had been in that spot for a while, waiting for dawn because, according to the 450-year-old aswang, it’s safe to travel to Garantiara once it’s light out.
"Are you like vampires and wolves who only have one mate for life?"
"Nope. We’re not that possessive and dominant, but we do care for our present partner."
"So, there's a possibility you'll love someone else again?"
"Maybe yes, maybe no. I haven't really thought about that right now, especially since Aliyah just died."
"Do you also know that—" She looked up at the sky, her attention snapping away from him as it felt like a giant log slammed into her chest.
When she looked at Arnold, his face was dark as he stared at her!
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