The owner is listening intently to Ilaya's words. But he knew that she didn't tell what truly happened. He was sure that's it's to protect their feelings. Especially Mars. Then she heard Ilaya continued
"So, the moment the killer entered the room. I pretended to be unconscious while holding a sharp wood. I picked it up inside as I shattered the chair. Then, I… slashed his face when he closes on me"
Owner thought to himself
'It's not that easy as you said isn't it? I am a police officer once and knows that a deranged man like that wouldn't leave anyone without some measures of restraint'
He continued to listen as he countered anything she said in his mind. Through that, he got a clearer picture as to what actually happened
…
As Mars listened to Ilaya's narrative. She held her tears that threatened to come out. She knows that Ilaya is keeping the details of the true events to protect them. Her guilt kept gnawing at her and she didn't know what to say
"So, I ran outside while leaving the killer. Of course, he chased me outside. I ran through the dark forest as I ran into my friend who… happened to be in the area. Yes. That guy saved me. Then, he was shot by the killer and my other female friend arrived and saved him"
'From me'
Ilaya couldn't help but finish her words in her mind. She felt disgusted at herself at that time. Then, she shook her head as she finished
"Then, she brought me and my male friend to the hospital. Well, their hospital to be exact and I recovered there. Then, I rested for a few days before coming here. Then, here I am!"
As Ilaya finished. They room turned silent as Ilaya thought
'It seemed that they both knew that I covered a lot of details with white lies. But they didn't say anything about it. Then, is it better if I just didn't say anything?'
Ilaya sighed in her mind
'No, at least, I did tell them or they'll be burdened with guilt'
Then, she thought of something as she said to them
"Ohh! I also have a gift for you two. My gift had been delayed, but I'll give it to you now"
Ilaya pulled out the bracelets from her pocket as she gave one each to Mars and Owner. She suddenly felt embarrassed when she gave them the bracelets and she shyly said
"Umm… here. That's the one I bought before I was kidnapped. So… it's my gift"
Then, Ilaya observed the two of them pick up the bracelets as they studied it. Then, the owner said to her
"Couldn't you have picked a different design? You think a heart shape will suit a burly man like me?"
The owner joked as he laughed. Then said sincerely to Ilaya as he put the bracelet in his wrist
"Thank you for your gift"
Ilaya laughed too as she said
"I kind of guess that you will not like the design! But Mars will like it so just suck it up. Haha"
Then, Mars got up from her seat as she sat next to Ilaya and hugged her tightly. Ilaya was startled and endured her crushing hug. Her heart hurt, but she felt very comfortable and happy with her warmth. Then, as Mars was not saying anything. Ilaya asked her happily while she snuggles closer to Mars
"Nee-chan, did you like my gift?"
Mars couldn't endure it anymore as she cried while still hugging her. She noticed something extremely miniscule in the bracelets
'Blood. There's blood in her gift'
Mars was sure that it was blood as she always noticed that kind of stain in her cooking knives. She thought that it's kind of ironic that the dried blood was located in the heart design of the bracelet. And also tragic. She said softly to Ilaya
"Yes. It's beautiful. Thank you for your gift, my little sister"
As Ilaya heard that, she thought that all her suffering was worth it. The fact that they loved her is a reward that she'll never be able to repay. Ilaya hugged her tightly as she wished that this moment would never end
But, all things must come to an end. Her body trembled violently as her heart pained so much that she let out a groan
"Ughh!"
Mars became startled as she hurriedly looked at Ilaya and said while panicking
"Ilaya! What's wrong? Are you okay!?"
The owner hurriedly stood up as she checked her condition. Ilaya yelped from pain while she was being checked by the owner. Then, Mars finally asked her boss
"Boss! Should we call an ambulance!? What's happening to her!?"
The owner said to crying Mars
"Calm down. We'll call an ambulance if her condition persists. For now, get some ice in the fridge. She's burning"
Mars immediately ran outside the room to get the ice. Then, the owner asked Ilaya who's in pain
"Ilaya. Can you hear me?"
Ilaya nodded at the owner, she felt so cold and her heart was aching so much. She thought as she gritted her teeth
'What's happening to me? Why is this always happening! It really hurts!'
Then, Mars entered the room as she hurriedly said to the owner
"Here's the ice! Do what you need to do boss!"
Then, the owner carried Ilaya and put her in the folding bed. Then, he pulled up her shirt as he put the ice packs in the center of her chest, where the heat is located. Also, her temperature is so high that it's abnormal
'Why is the chest the only one heating up? And her other body parts are so cold. It's really strange!'
Then, Ilaya suddenly felt that the ice was numbing her pain as it slowly vanished. The pain soon returned to the prickling pain that she could handle. She looked at Mars who's crying and the owner who's deep in his thoughts. She sadly said to them
"I'm sorry. I gave you trouble once again"
Mars neared her as she kneels on the floor and cares her head. She concernedly said to her
"You're not causing trouble. It's alright"
Ilaya felt sad. She came here to cheer them up, but instead caused worry for them. She nearly cried from frustration
'Why? Why do I always cause suffering to others? I just want to remember my past and live a normal life. Maybe I'm really cursed'
As she thought of that, she became scared and nervous. She suddenly had a terrible idea as she asked Mars
'Curse. Could it be?'
"Nee-chan. Can you hug me? I feel cold"
Mars immediately hugged her as she pet her head
"Alright. Is it better now?"
Ilaya felt warm as she felt the terrible pain appear again. Her eyes widened as she trembled violently
'No… No! Not this!!'
Ilaya cried at the realization that her idea is most likely correct. Mars was startled by her sudden crying as she hugged her again to comfort her
"Are you okay Ilaya? Is it hurting again? It's alright, I'm here. We're here"
Then, Ilaya forced her tears to stop as she got up from the bed. She looked at them and said
"I'm really sorry nee-chan, owner. I need to head somewhere. I'll be back again"
Then, Ilaya didn't bother to wait for their reply as she rushed out of the restaurant. Then, she dialed Ivana as tears appeared in her eyes
'No, I can't accept this! I will never accept this!'
Then, Ivana picked up her call as she said to her
[You better have a good reason for disturbing me. What is it?]
Then, Ilaya immediately said to her in a pained voice
"Kyora!… I- I think I know my curse now!"
Ivana's voice on the other line lingered for a bit before saying to her
[Where's your location?]