It was five o'clock when Lisa woke up to her cellphone alarm. She let out a somewhat irritating noise and shifter her pink blankets so that it covers her shoulders and her chin. She is already facing a battle between waking up in time for school or shrinking her student responsibilities on her warm and comforting blanket. Why is it so hard to get up at this time? Lisa can't exactly tell you. All she knows is that, objects falls to the ground due to gravity, and she can already write a dissertation as to why gravity is very strong especially between 5:00 - 9:00 in the morning.

Lisa looked out the window just in front of her bed. It's still dark outside. Typical BER months in a tropical country like the Philippines.

Lisa could feel that her eyes were giving out and just before she could already picture out her coronation for being the Ms. Universe 2020, a loud shout dominated her room.

LISAAAA!!!!!

A voice, too loud not to be surprise. Lisa was awakened by the voice of whoever dared to shout at this time on a cold Monday morning. And she wished she had been born deaf. It was Mina, her blonde short haired little sister.

" Lisa, wake up." Said her 5 year old sister. "We gotta go to school na."

She now remembers today will be her sister's first day in kindergarten. They were enrolled in the same school and the child was so excited to enter the school.

" Mina, it's too early." Lisa said and groaned inwardly. "Sleep there first."

But the 5 year old blonde won't even listen. She continued to slap her sister while saying "awake."

Lisa surrendered and woke up against her will. Even if she doesn't want to get up and think about what excuse her has in case her comes in late, it doesn't make sense. Mina won't leave her alone due to excitement.

"Ok, I'm up." She finally said to which Mina yahoo'd somewhat violently.

Lisa took a bath and got dressed. She is already in senior high school and is in STEM track because she dreams of becoming an architect one day. The gap between her and her sister is far. Their mother had not been pregnant for a long time.

She wore her uniform consisting of a red dress, a black knee-length skirt, black coat and a black necktie. She also straightened her dark hair and she's already done. Unlike other girls her age, Lisa prefers to be simple. She does not want to invest in cosmetics and is a very big fan of natural beauty. Not because she is beautiful, she is lazy to spend time in front of the mirror.

She went to the kitchen where the father and sister were waiting. Her mom dies just after Mina was born. Her dad is already dressed in office clothes as he works in a government law firm as a lawyer. Mina is also wearing a school uniform.

" Be careful there. "Dad reminded Mina. " Follow what your sister says."

"Opo papa." Mina answered happily. It was pretty obvious that she was excited to study.

" It's only now that Mina is excited." Lisa said, smiling. Of course. Now that Mina will be in school for the first time, she'll be really excited. Lisa, herself, experiences the joy of the first day of school but in the middle of the school year, it also becomes boring to the point that she wished she would have a fever. Just one time please, so that she can escape school life.

Her father look at him gently. " What are you Lisa." He sermoned her. " Don't take the excitement away from her."

They all laugh.

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"Lisa, over here." Lisa turned to the sound of a female voice. It was her two best friends, Cleo and Dane who was waiting for her at the gate. With Mina in tow, Lisa went to them.

" So, it's the dwarf's first day today." Cleo teased Mina while Dane just laugh.

"Bleeehhhh." Mina responded.

Cleo and Dane are very different that Lisa don't exactly why they become friends in the first place. Dane is very girly while Cleo is boyish. Cleo was also so wild that one time their teacher gave a recitation, and because she wanted to get plus points, Cleo raised her hand even though her answer was wrong. Dane, on the other hand, is very reserved and very well-liked, especially among men. Once in every month, Dane receives love letters that Cleo sometimes envies. But even though they have very different habits, they managed to become best of friends for the longest time and Lisa admires them for that reason alone..

They have already taken Mina to the kinder department. She didn't even cry when being  left, unlike others who held their mothers' legs tightly and cried uncontrollably..

" That child is also ok." Cleo commented. "She is really accustomed to being left behind."

" Yeah, unlike others." Dane added.

Mina is really used to that. Whenever Lisa and their dad left the house, Cleo was always left with their neighbor. Because of that, she matured early than other kids her age.  She could do things that the elementary schooler dislikes like cleaning the house.

Their neighbor is happy and she is very open to leave the Mina with her because she is also alone at home, her husband has a job and they have no children so she is happy every time Mina comes to them..

The three friends went to their classroom before the bell rang. They were on the same track so the three were in the same class. They went to their respective desks to put their things. Cleo and Dane then went to Lisa's desk.

" I heard we have a new classmate." Dane's gossip.

" Really? In the middle of the school year?" –Cleo

"Yeah, I saw someone earlier in the office while we were delivering Mina." –Dane

"You have sharp eyes." Lisa commented her.

Just in time, the school bell rings and Cleo and Dane are running for their desks. Later, their homeroom teacher entered.

"You have a new classmate." The teacher announced. Lisa look at Dane and she gave Lisa an 'told you' look.

A man entered, about a bit taller than Lisa, jet black hair, and very lean body. At the sight of him, the women in the room were thrilled a bit.

"I'm Kai." The stranger introduced himself. And he said nothing from there. He just said his name and bowed a little.

There was silence.

"Well, Kai," the teacher interjected to ease the tension. " welcome to 11-B. you can now sit down."

The only vacant desk there are two rows at the back of Lisa's so he started walking towards there. The class watched his every move. Lisa was so concentrated on his facial features that she didn't notice that he was in front of her.

They locked eyes for a moment. His eyes were an ocean blue. But those eyes are familiar. Lisa doesn't know when she saw it but Lisa thinks she saw those eyes somewhere. It was like a slow motion. Kai was also looking at him. She could feel his gaze against hers. He has a strong aura. It's as if Lisa is drowning in his eyes. She tried to come to herself.

She blinked.

What was that?

Lisa did not realize that she was breathing deeply. She was out of breath.

When she woke up from the incident, she saw that the new student was already seated comfortably at his desk. Her teacher is already teaching on the blackboard. She looked at her wristwatch. It's been 20 minutes since the new student entered the room. She was shocked. What happened? She doesn't know how she felt before. The music in her ears, the coldness in the skin, the piercing eyes against her own, the feeling of being cornered against nothing. Maybe it was just her imagination, but it felt so real.

Lisa tried to concentrate on the lesson and the task given to them by the teacher. Little did she know that the new student thought deeply of her. He has been looking for her for a long time and now he has what he is looking for right in front of him. But Lisa didn't seem to know him. Her memories have not yet returned.

"hurry up." Cleo impatiently said to Dane and Lisa.

It's recess time and Cleo wants to hurry down to the canteen to be first in line.

"Just a moment Cleo," Dane said while taking her face powder.

"Oh come on sis." Cleo frowned. "I'm going to starve to death here yet you're still concern about your face."

"As if the vendors there will stumble upon your beauty and give us free food," Cleo added.

"My girl," Dane replied. "Beauty is everything."

Lisa smiled at her friends. Cleo and Dane are very different all the time, but whatever their difference in all aspects, the two are inseparable. Where Dane is, there is also Cleo and vice versa.

"Just wait." Lisa stop the two. "Let's see if Mina is ok first."

Cleo frowned. She is hungry. "That brat is ok. She can handle herself."

"But, I'm kind of worried too," Lisa said. Even though they are used to leaving Mina with other people. Deep inside Mina's heart, she still wants to be an 'ate' to her sister. Something that she hasn't done.

"Lisa." Dane comforted Lisa. "Mina can handle that. She's independent. She can do it on her own."

"Yeah." Cleo supported. "Besides, she won't learn if you always tail her."

Lisa thought. Maybe they're right. She's just being an overthinker. "Ok, let's go eat."

The cafeteria is full of students from different grade levels. There are three cafeterias in their school. One for the elementary, which has few users since elementary tend to bring food with them. So most of the parents are using it to hang out while waiting for their children to finish the class. One is for the high school department which is always full of students and the last one is for the teachers and personnel.

They can't use the elementary cafeteria and vice versa so the three friends have no choice but to wait for their turn.

"Hey look." Cleo gets the girls' attention. "It's Kai."

The three turned in the direction Cleo was pointing. It is Kai. Sitting alone in the corner of the cafeteria. Next to him is a group of women but they have a good distance apart.

"He is a loner," Dane said. "I wonder why he moved school."

"Does he have a bad record?" Cleo asked

"That's harsh Cleo." Dane's sermon to her. "Don't judge people."

"Must be. He has the looks of it." –Cleo

"You too. Looks like you also have a record in the guidance office." –Dane

"Uie that's enough. Let's just buy. Let him be if that's what he wants." Lisa stopped the two from bickering.

Lisa looked at Kai for a split second and—

Did she just see Kai look at her? That ocean blue eyes and the feelings she had earlier while looking at it.

"Uie Lisa." Dane shakes her. She must be in a trance again. "What are you going to buy?"

"Oh sorry," Lisa said and bought herself something to eat.

They sat at the right side of the cafeteria. They were facing Kai's table. Lisa faces Kai while the two have their backs on him. She could still see Kai looking at her and it felt uncomfortable. She fidgeted on her seat for a while, conscious of her face or whatever.

"Are you alright Lisa?" Dane asked when she noticed several times Lisa moved from her seat.

"Uh. Yeah, I'm fine." Lisa replied with a smile.

She does not want to conclude or put a meaning whether positive or negative. "Come on, let's eat."

"So Lisa," Cleo asked between bites. "Any plans this afternoon?"

"hmm" Lisa could not speak because she was still chewing food. "We will go out for dinner with my sister. Sort off, congratulations for surviving the first day of school."

Dane and Cleo laughed. "Really?"

Lisa smiled at their reaction. "Yeah. I mean really, we'll go out later with papa."

"Ahw. That's sweet Lisa." Cleo said. "You know, you are so lucky to be adopted."

"Yeah. That's why I'm thankful." Lisa replied.

"Not all adoptive children get to experience that kind of treatment," Dane added. "Well, who doesn't want to love you. You've been a great friend."

Lisa was touched by what her friends said about her. Yes, Lisa is indeed an adopted child. She was adopted by his parents a year ago. And before that. Well, Lisa could not tell.

"So, do you still remember your past?" Cleo brought up the subject.

"Cleo, don't put pressure on her," Dane said.

"No, It's ok. I mean, I don't remember until now." Lisa told them. Lisa thought of it for a while. She doesn't remember anyone or anything before a year ago. The only thing she can remember is that she is Lisa. Well, it is a name everybody calls her.

"It's ok Lisa." Cleo told her smiling. "We will make a lot of memories from now on."

Lisa smiled at the thought.

At one corner, Kai is still looking at Lisa. The girl doesn't remember her past. Lisa doesn't even know him. He searched for her for several years. It's been decades. 200 years more or less, and now he has found her. The sight of her makes his blood boil.

Is that the feeling of being a protector? Kai asked himself. He cannot take his eyes off the woman he had been looking for.

Kai knows that Lisa notices his stares. He made her feel uncomfortable. But he can't just take his eyes off of her.

His ocean blue eyes meet her gaze. She was still as pretty as he last saw her a hundred years ago.

Kai still remembers her as if it was yesterday. And of course, about the incident that happens on that day. The day he lost Lisa. Those years were very terrible Kai. He felt more protective when Lisa was out of his sight. His blood boils to the point that he's about to explode. He wants to unleash all the anger and frustration. He can't live without Lisa. If only she remembers who she is.

With that, Kai cut his gaze to Lisa, went away from the cafeteria. His blood boiled again when he turned his back on Lisa. The thought of not seeing Lisa frustrates her again. But seeing Lisa smile like that, he could bear the frustration. She used to smile like that to him. Kai missed those smiles.

It was already 3 pm. Their classes are finally over.

"Well, see you, tomorrow guys." Lisa bid them goodbye and Dane and Cleo also do the same.

"Yeah, be careful." –Dane

"You too." –Lisa

The three friends parted ways and Lisa, together with her sister Mina went to their dad's office.

Their dad will be out at five o'clock so they will wait for him for their dinner tonight.

"So how was school?" Lisa asked Mina who was happily humming and nursery rhymes. "Looks like you enjoy yourself there."

"yep," Mina answered happily. "Our teacher was kind."

"Oh really?" –Lisa

"mhmm" –Mina

"That's good. That means you'll be back tomorrow?" Lisa asked

"Of course I will," Mina exclaimed very excitedly.

They made their way through the city and found the building where their dad was. They entered the building and told the receptionist that they were waiting for their dad. The kind receptionist leads them to the lounge where they can wait. The building has a large lounge. The whole ground floor was the lobby. It is very spacious and surrounded by gigantic vases. In them are red roses. In the center of the ceiling is a bright chandelier that illuminates the entire floor. At the left side of the main door is the reception desk and at the right side is the lounge full of light brown sofas. Further inside is the cafeteria where employees could buy and eat lunch.

Lisa and Mina were seated at one of the sofas. Under the table are magazines and comic books that you can read to kill the time. Mina went ahead to get a princess comics while Lisa went to the newspaper shelves to read one.

One of the news that Lisa read was the news about a body found near the bridge not far from their house. It is not yet known who made it but Lisa found the news unusual. The body was pale and dry. That means all of the blood is already drained before it was thrown and abandoned. It's like it was sucked by a vampire or something. It's scary to think that whoever did this, Lisa hoped that he or she would have been caught and jailed. This is the first incident that happened in Lisa's hometown.

"Scary." Lisa was a little surprised when Mina spoke.

Mina looks at Lisa. " You look so serious when you read."

Lisa patted Mina's head. "It's nothing, Mina."

"Oh. You are already there." The sisters hear a familiar voice from the elevator to the right.

"Papa!!!" Mina cheered as she runs to hug her dad. Their dad hugged her back.

" Well, how was your first day?" Dad asked Mina.

" I enjoy it, dad. I want to go back tomorrow." Mina said happily.

"Well, that's good." Lisa's dad scoops Mina into her arms. " As a reward, we will eat at the restaurant you always point out."

Mina's eyes sparkled. "Yehey!!!"

Lisa got up from the sofa, put the newspaper on the coffee table, and gathered their things. she smiled as she also greeted her father with a hug.

"Let's go," Lisa said. It was already 6 pm and she was very hungry. She thinks Mina and her father also feel the same.

They went to the parking lot where their family car was parked. It was a red honda civic bought by Lisa's parents about 5 years ago when he was promoted as a lawyer. The car is five years old but it still looks new because her dad is very careful with his things.

Their dad opened the front seat and went inside. Mina and Lisa also did the same at the back. They arranged their school bags and fastened their seatbelts. Their dad arranged the rearview mirror before turning the engine on and they went their way.

The mall was a 30-minute drive from the law office. The vehicle entered the mall parking lot."We're here," Mina said excitedly.

They got out of the car. Mina and Lisa left their bags inside as it was more comfortable when they were carrying nothing while strolling.

Their father both lock the doors and the windows and left the car. They locked the car first then went to the elevator up the mall.

The coldness of the air-conditioned touched Lisa's face. The mall was cold and refreshing. Mina was holding their dad's hands while Lisa was at their back following them. They reached the very lobby of the mall where you can see a giant fountain with chairs and benches that you can see around.

At the right side and left side of the lobby are the escalators to the upper floors. Mina is excited to step on the escalator at the right while Lisa and her dad try their best to keep up with her excitement.

The escalator leads them to the floor which was filled with fast food and restaurants. Mina was fast to go to the newly-opened restaurant. The little girl was looking forward to eating at this restaurant. She heard that they have a so-called happy meal where she can order a certain meal and she will get a free toy from it.

"Can I get this doll dad?" Mina pointed to the poster that says 'Happy Meal Available'.

Their dad smiled warmly. "Anything my dear." and Lisa smiled at the two.

She is very lucky to be adopted into this kind of loving family. Now that she thinks about it, what would her previous family look like? Why is it that she can remember anything from her life before? Who is she? Why is she here?

LISA

Lisa immediately looks behind her. Did she hear a voice calling her name? A male voice to be exact? What is happening? She feels a sudden shudder, not from the aircon thought. She feels something strange as if someone is following her. Who could it be? She wondered her eyes around. Looking at passing people. Who is it? Who's calling her?

"Lisa." Her dad called her attention. "Are you not ordering your food?"

Lisa was snapped back to reality. Maybe it was just her imagination. "Uhmm. Yeah." She went to her father who was lining up for food.

"I'll have the ala king dish." She said. Her father nodded and pointed her to the table where Mina is already sitting. " Just wait for me there."

Lisa nodded in response and went to her sister.

Minutes later and the food was already on their table. Mina was so happy to get her toy which is a kind of porcelain doll about finger height. The doll was dressed in an old-fashioned dress that covered its toes. She kept on smiling while eating the food they ordered. Lisa also eats with gusto. She was really hungry and can't stop devouring the food. Their dad was looking at them smiling and eating.

"Well, how was work dad?" Lisa asked her father while eating.

Their father smiled. "Oh, it was still the case some days ago. You know, what you read in the newspapers today."

"Are you talking about the abandoned victim in the bridge." -Lisa

"Yes, somehow, the city mayor cannot be stopped if the culprit is not caught." Their dad replied between munches. "So he gave the case to us."

"hmm." Lisa hummed.

"But I already made progress upon the case." their dad added.

" Well, just be careful papa," Lisa said to him and their dad smiled.

At the corner of Lisa's eyes, she saw a boy wearing a uniform. Was that...

Kai?