Chapter 3

“I’ll treat you guys to drink if Sadie will call me ‘kuya’ (brother in Filipino).” Sage joked as they talked with his bandmates.

“How is it possible for her to call you brother when she’s not even calling your brother Loren that?” Andrei replied.

There are plates of food on their table and there are also a few beers but the hard drinks have not been released yet because it looks like it will be tonight.

“You know you should black mail her, before she could take blood, tell her to call you ‘kuya’ first hahaha!” Vincent sighed sipping a glass of beer.

I winced at what he said and watched them as they had fun. Ricci was also at their table who was quiet but laughed every time they joked. Luke was also there but just stared at his glass and seemed to have a world of his own.

My attention was focused on his eyes. Something in his eyes is telling me that he’s bothered by something. That he was carrying something heavy and that did not escape my observation.

You know, I’m usually silent, but I’m not blind. I observe and know things before they could even tell me. Especially when I stare into your eyes, no matter how good you are at fake a smile I will know what you are carrying inside.

And I get excited every time I see the hardship and pain in those eyes. It’s not normal but I don’t care about people so I don’t stop myself from smiling every time I see them hurt.

The sound they make when they groan in pain, the way their face crumple in sting sensation, makes my lips rose to smile. It’s addicting and I love that shit.

“Sadie, I’ve been looking for you for a while!” Moli’s voice from behind me, causing the whole 5 pm to look at me in the distance.

Vincent spilled the beer in his mouth when he saw me and coughed a few more because of the pain. I smirked before I looked at Moli who’s running down the stairs. She looks like she came from my room. This girl, tsk.

When she got close to me she frowned as her gaze traveled all over me.

“Are you seriously gonna wear that until tonight? There’s a party later and your daddy’s business partners will be attending! That can’t be!” She sat down so I frowned.

“Then I’m not going-”

“Oh my god!” She covered her ears as if she heard something painful to listen to.

The corner of my lip rose and I left him there to go straight to the garden where my older brother Loren’s daughter was, and Celine who was probably his wife. Cohen is the child’s name and he is now pouring out the marshmallows he is pouring into the chocolate fountain.

It’s my birthday but why the hell is there a chocolate fountain and too much sweets here? Am I some kind of a 7 years old girl?

I just stood behind him and waited for him to turn to me. It was a long time before that happened because he was so busy eating. When he finished, he turned around completely, so our eyesight was correct.

Her slightly narrowed eyes widened and seemed to even choke on the marshmallow she was eating. The area around his mouth was not dirty because he ate well. This boy is afraid of me so I also like to try him. Fortunately, Loren and Celine are gone.

“What are you doing here?” I asked in a low tone.

The child blinked and simply looked around for help as she slowly cried. When he didn’t answer I widened my eyes at him. He let out a cry and quickly ran to where Lea and Gavin were.

People were shocked because he suddenly cried and looked at me. I just looked straight at Cohen who was crying and squeezing behind Lea’s back. Lea also frowned and tried to calm the child down.

I couldn’t help but smile and marvel. That child is my favorite.

“Happy 20th birthday, my daughter…” daddy said while smiling. He’s wearing his fedora hat again to cover up his almost bald head. Everyone is in their formal and elegant dresses while I’m wearing my most comfortable one. High neck still.

“Thanks,” I replied and averted my gaze.

I rolled my eyes and frowned at the crowd. Is mother Ida here? I haven’t talked to her since last month, but I sent an invitation so hopefully she’s here even if I can’t see her.

When will this end? It’s late but why do they seem to be just starting? The crowd, the noise. I don’t like them.

“My gift is already in your room, you can check it later.” Dad said so I nodded without still removing the wrinkle off my forehead.

“Smile, this is your birthday…” he added so I turned to him and stared. He was smiling but his eyes seemed sad. Why? He is rich, we are all here. Why is he sad? Because of that I smiled.

“There… you look more beautiful when you smile hija,” he said.

I smiled because he didn’t know why I was smiling now. He nodded at me before turning his back to greet the guests.

“Miss Sadie, can we take a picture of you-”

I passed the photographers blocking my way and went straight to the seat that was for me. It’s already 5pm on the stage prepared here in our office. There are also spot lights scattered and you are all focused on them.

They said they prepared a song for me that I didn’t know anything about, but instead of talking to annoying people here, I’ll just watch them. While waiting for them to start, I quietly asked if someone would hug them even though I didn’t believe in God.

Andrei has already tested the drum set and Luke is also tuning his guitar along with Vincent’s bass guitar. Ricci is already there and plugging in his keyboard. Sage on the other hand is talking to Luke while holding a mic.

The guests focused their attention on them as they finished and Sage spoke. The surroundings were dark but the spot lights were still there and the light was raining down on the band.

“Happy birthday Sadie,” Sage started and they all cheered when Andrei started with the drum.

“Said it happened last night

About 10 to 11 when I first laid eyes on you…”

It was like a fool for women to tremble because of them – especially in Sage’s voice. I didn’t feel happy in my body even though the song was for me. I don’t know why they still do it even though I obviously don’t like it. They make people very happy and it really irritates me.

“You’re my pretty little ehu girl

Who made me a fool in love

Got my heart all in a whirl

And now it needs coolin' off

You set my heart on fire

And now I don’t know what to do

You set my heart on fire

And now I’m so in love with you my ehu girl…”

I folded my arms and stared at them without emotion, obviously not entertained with their number. While listening, my mind was flying about our practicals this next so I had to study and practice especially in venipuncture. Plus, we also had to bring our own patient that day, and big advantage really when my patient’s veins were out.

I thought. Which of them can I draw blood from?

Si Sage? But I will get blood from him yesterday in the same cubital area so he might not consent tomorrow. My eyes widened at Ricci, my eyes narrowed as I strained to look at his hand. He is my last choice when I choose all of them because I have to soak his arm in lukewarm water so that his veins will be visible even if you can see a little bit, I don’t know, sometimes it’s not that clear.

I often draw blood from Loren because her veins are really obvious and beautiful. He was also willing to take blood all the time because he said he knew what I was going through. Celine only scolded me then because I really abused her husband’s root so I was a little embarrassed. Just a bit.

Gavin was always absent, but in my third year I had his blood drawn again. Because of the beautiful veins in his hand, I practiced with him several times when we were still in Manila.

Andrei, I no longer hope and coward that one. Vincent? Well he’s one call away. He was probably the most blood they lost in their band because of me. It wasn’t once, of course I spent about two days or more before he took blood again.

“Pretty little ehu girl

Who made me a fool in love

Got my heart all in a whirl

And now it need coolin' off”

When I shifted my gaze to Luke, who was playing the guitar, my eyes were fixed on his hand. I’ve noticed for a long time that his hands are really beautiful even though I’ve only seen him a few times because his roots are as obvious as Loren and Gavin’s. But I didn’t tempt him because he was always away.

They canceled their practices and gigs for the past months because Sage is always away and goes to El Nido. They are the same as Luke. I don’t know what’s in there.

My eyes narrowed as I watched his veins, even though I was here in my seat they were clear to me. It’s like being soaked in hot water when his veins swell. I was so bitten on my other lower lip while watching that, you add that his fingers were moving. Damn I want to touch his arms.

I didn’t realize that the song was over and people were clapping. When Luke let go of his guitar I blinked. Because I was looking at his hands I went back to trance when it moved so I looked up and was surprised to see that he was also looking at me.

Not just him, but the whole band as well as the guests. I frowned in astonishment, why the hell are these vein Greek looking at me?

“Sadie?” Sage called using the mic so I turned to him with a frown. “So how was the song?” He asked more.

Then they are asking for my opinion? Why? I have no interest in the song, my attention is in their hands. And when they play, I can observe their hands properly I want more! I want more, they need to perform more!

“Good.” I said. Vince and Andrei laughed at my answer and just nailed Sage before they played another song.

When I turned my gaze back to Luke without emotions, he picked up the guitar again and put on its strap. I focused my full attention on him. I want your veins and blood, Luke. And I will do anything to make you my patient in the practicals.

I glanced over at my bed full of presents. And who the hell decided to dump them here? There is a trash can in the kitchen, why did they even think of putting it here?

I rolled my eyes and carried one by one the boxes, paper bags and others without wrappers like the ugly and big teddy bear. It’s just cluttered in my room e.

Scattered on the floor were gifts mostly with branded logos, I came across the paper bag Vincent gave me this morning so I took it out of curiosity. When I opened it there were piercings that glowed beautifully.

My face lit up and my eyebrows rose, it’s just my taste. Thumbs up for him. I threw it on the vanity table and looked at daddy and Loren’s gift.

There is a key to a house in the Royal Village from daddy, and a key to a Mercedes AMG G63 from Loren. It was my dream car that I would have wanted to buy with my own money when I had a job. But because he gave it, it’s okay. One thing out of my bucket list then. I’ll just look at it tomorrow. I was blown away by the PHLEB kit that is complete and has five more lab gowns included from Celine. At least useful.

I put them in the drawer of the bed side table and put away the designer dresses that Lea gave me, I wanted you to throw them away because I wouldn’t wear them especially since I couldn’t hide my scar then. Luckily Gavin’s gifts are high neck so I can definitely use that. The rest, I’ll just give away. Moli would like it for sure.

When I remembered Luke, I quickly looked for his gift, he saw the useless gifts of Ricci, Sage, and Andrei that were pure make ups but I still could not find Luke’s name. That guy, he didn’t give me a gift? Not that I am dying for his gift, though, if I can’t take advantage of it, will throw it away too so I just shrugged and went to the bathroom to take a shower.

It was two o’clock in the morning and just before twelve o’clock, the loud guests were exhausted. Sage and Loren with Gavin and the band are still having a drink in the garden. Lea, Celine, Cohen, and dad are already in their respective rooms. We drank earlier but I said goodbye early because I was early tomorrow.

When I finished showering, I wore a turtle neck sweater and pajamas. I went out to get some water and put it on the bed side table which I always do when I meet Sage who is blushing and apparently taking ice from the refrigerator.

“Sage,” I called so he quickly turned to me. We’re just the people here because the helpers are resting.

“Oh, why sister Sadie?” He was sarcastic so I stared at him and pushed him to get bottled water.

When I got it, I stepped aside so he could go back to the refrigerator and watched him take the ice.

“What is it?” Then he asked again because of the length of time I stared at him.

I pursed my lips before answering. “I have something to ask-”

“Damn my hands still hurt, can you not see the amount of blood you took from me yesterday? Maybe next week again, not now.” He cut off what I was going to say so I raised an eyebrow and almost laughed because his face seemed troubled.

“No, not that.” I defended and smiled slightly.

He raised an eyebrow and stopped what he was doing. He slowly dropped the ice bucket in the refrigerator and faced me.

“Uh-hmm?” He asked.

“Can I get Luke’s number?”

Shoot. His previously troubled face seemed to be erased with a twinkle.

“Sadie Trinity.” He was serious so my shoulders dropped. He took a deep breath and pointed at me with his index finger. “I want to make this clear to you, don’t fancy anyone from my band-”

“The fuck?” Now I’m the serious one. “I don’t like him if that’s what you’re thinking.” I harvested hard so the meeting of his eyebrows was removed and he seemed to be breathing easily.

“Then why do you need his number?” This time, he’s more calm.

“Well… I saw his arms, and… you know…” I trailed and his face instantly lit up in joy.

“Nice, that’s right. He’s the only one you’re going to talk to and we’re all going to rot with the amount of blood you took. Here,” I raised a brow when he reached for his back pocket and handed me his unlocked phone.

I smirked when I found his number and memorized it for 30 seconds because I don’t have my phone with me. I smiled and handed it back to him. I turned my back on him and walked away carrying my water bottle.

“Thank you?!” He shouted from behind me as I was still recalling the numbers in my mind. You’re welcome, Sage. I smirked.

_______

Note: ‘Ehu Girl’ by Kolohe Kai