Chapter 4 | The Truth, Distorted Reality and Paranoia

[Location] At a Cafe somewhere near Makati, Philippines

Two ladies sat on the table as they engaged in a conversation of their own. The staff and the other patrons of the cafe would seldom steal glances, as they were captivated by the beauty and demeanor of the two.

The two seem to be accustomed to the gaze of the strangers around them as they continue to mind their own business not even paying a single glance at what's happening around them. A common trait of the Elite, who are well exposed to criticism and judgment.

...

“Mom... What do you think of this place?... You know I’ve been thinking of asking dad to acquire this place...” The younger lady whispered to the older woman beside her who seems to be her mom.

Hearing this, the older woman smiled. She has been trying to imprint the interest in business to her daughter ever since she was little but the age today had too many leisures and distractions. Had her daughter only invited her out for a simple cup of coffee, she would’ve thought that her daughter, again, is planning to ask her to buy something expensive but hearing her daughter say something from a business perspective for the first time, her tears couldn’t help but well up.

‘She’s finally growing up…’ She thought to herself. Subtly glancing sideways to secretly wipe the tear away from her left cheek. She then proceeded to ‘Scan’ the environment of the shop.

She quickly noticed the smell of oakwood plus coffee beans blending in the air. The smell of the shop was well-modulated, strong but not irritable upon long exposure. Invoking a lively and productive atmosphere.

The blocks of space are well intended and balanced inducing a well-intentioned feeling of privacy and solitude while still being able to keep the sense of company that you get from a typical coffee shop. The wooden chairs and tables are well defined and at the right level to provide comfort. They are crafted with such aesthetic mastery complementing everything from the doorstep up to the bar and the staff members.

Glancing at the well-mannered staff members as well as the barista’s, she didn’t notice even a single wrong move at their role. All of them invoking such a genuine smile on their face making the illusion that all of them are enjoying serving customers. Or are they? She took one glance before shrugging off the thought.

Taking a look at the cup of coffee at his hand. She hasn’t seen the menu yet but looking at coffee in hand, she immediately gauged that it is a lot more expensive than your usual Starbucks. Probably something that only the middle to higher class families would be able to afford.

yet looking at the other guests, she quickly deduced that some if not most of the other guests are from the low to middle-class bracket. They seem to be here for various occasions and they seem to talk in whispers as if they were trying to protect the serene atmosphere of the place…

For a coffee shop to be a place where people gather and celebrate. It only means that this place has satisfied them and has brought beautiful memories for even a low-class family to come back here and celebrate.

Finally looking at the prices on the menu, her forehead immediately wrinkled. Although she was delighted by the food and the level of service. Selling coffee at the price of a lobster is simply just ridiculous. She then looked back again at the low and middle-class families who were celebrating not too far besides them.

Conscience creeping up to her as she looked at the brainwashed families with pity.

‘Even in business, there’s still something as such, called etiquette.’ She groaned to herself.

…

… ...

“By the way, Mom, aren’t you excited to try NOIM out? When I heard uncle that you’re gonna be playing I got so excited.” The daughter asked breaking away her mother’s chain of thoughts.

“I’m only there to manage the guild. Nothing else.”

“Oh come on Mom. Aren’t you excited?”

“You’ll just be fighting and fighting. What’s there to be excited about?”

“That’s everything to be excited about!”

She briefly paused after continuing. Getting to the point she asked...

“The question I asked you earlier. You like this place don’t you? To be honest I am already thinking about asking dad to acquire this business for me if not, just invest in it. But I figured I should get your opinion first.”

“...”

She didn’t answer and continued staring at the coffee at her hand. Finally taking a sip. she was about to recommend her nephew to acquire this company then she noticed the taste of the coffee.

She has been all over the world and has tasted coffee from hotels to executive and 5-star restaurants, high-end coffee shops but none of them were as good as the coffee she’s holding right now. She was bewildered. The taste was ridiculously strong and flavorful but surprisingly not irritative nor painful to the tongue. There was no hint of acidity on it, and the texture was completely different being incredibly thin but thick at the same time. It was as if the coffee was melting inside of her mouth almost making her moan in the process...

“So do you like the place?”

“I do.”

“So… Tell me what do you think, should I ask dad to acquire it?” The daughter was immediately vigorous as soon as she heard her mother’s approval. The mother took a deep breath before continuing.

“How did you find this place again?”

“I passed by it a month ago...”

“You really are too young.”

She laughed as she looked at her naive nephew. A few droplets of tears even falling from the side of her eyes. Even she would not sell this not even after being offered a million times the amount of the current worth of this shop.

The owner was passionate enough to improve the shop to a level where even a wealthy business owner like her could only dream off. yet, her daughter wants to acquire it?

“Mom I want it.”

“...”

“Mom!”

*Sigh* There’s no harm in trying. At the very least she’ll be able to meet the skillful person who owns such a place. She paused briefly waving to the waiter...

“Go call the manager.”

…

… …

… … …

“I forgot to tell you, Alice and Isabella are gonna be visiting today.” Edizon mentioned, still sitting in a cross-legged position as he stared outside through the window.

“That’s great. They’ve been mentioning coming to this place ever since our second year in college.

I’ll go reserve a table for them.”

“Right. You mentioned there’s something you want to talk about.” Edizon muttered as he took a sip of coffee. His eyes immediately became sharper as he observed me with complete intent.

I shuddered as I recalled my vision upon trying to answer his question. Edizon’s expression remained blank after seeing my reaction. I must be somewhat pale right now as I noticed he was giving me time to recollect myself. After a few seconds, he also stood up then invited me to his office.

“Let’s go. It would be better if we discuss this in private.”

…

… ...

[Location] Edizon’s Office.

“So. What is it about?”

I proceeded to tell Edizon about the nightmare. I told him everything. The killing, the journey towards mankind's last ‘Sanctuary’. My teammates, everyone dying including my parents. Most importantly pointing out the man that was branded to be a harvester. The same man who tortured and killed everyone in the end.

After giving it much thought, I even mentioned my reaction earlier when I saw my parents. He then took one glance at me before turning around and saying...

“You should stop watching horror films for a while.”

Infuriated by his judgment and lack of interest I immediately voiced out my anger.

“That’s not it! Listen to me. IT WAS ALL REAL. I KNOW IT. I REMEMBER THE FEELING DEEP THROUGH MY BONES. I...”

Hearing myself break out of composure I immediately tried to explain...

“Sorry… I keep getting this terrible feeling that the vision I saw is related to NOIM. The technological advances that we suddenly achieved these past years, the struggle for power, the killings, humanity's struggle for survival.

Everything in that dream felt so real and I know it is. Believe me. I know it by heart and not by memory. It even feels like I lived through all of it...”

"It's highly unlikely that such things are possible." Edizon said it plainly. Looking at me with a strange gleam in his eyes.

“But… everything was so-”

Just when I was about to finish my sentence, Edizon grabbed the knife hidden within the drawer and swiftly plunged it towards my neck. Just when the knife was about to gut my throat, I somehow used the momentum of Edizon's stab to quickly disarm him and at the same instant, use the knife to aim at his throat, stopping only a millimeter away.

"Real…"

I trembled as I dropped the knife to the ground. Ignoring the fact that Edizon just attempted to murder me... My hands are still shaking as I reimaged what just happened.

"Shit…"

I couldn’t help but curse out as I completely failed to express myself. Everything happened in an instant, Edizon's motion was so swift and unexpected that even some professionals would fail to dodge it yet somehow I was not only able deflect the knife, I was even able to redirect it back to his throat, only stopping a millimeter away as if everything was calculated.

…

… ...

Processing what just happened, Edizon held a curious face as he sized up my disoriented self. Knowing Edizon, he had probably already noticed that there’s something wrong with me and decided to keep it to himself as he plotted all of this ahead of time.

It took me a while to calm down, but I eventually did. Just when I was about to speak out, a sound nearby the door echoed throughout the small room. It was Karina, one of the staff members of the shop.

“I… didn’t see anything...”

“There are two guests that want to meet you outside… I- ah…

I'll let them know that you're unavailable…" The woman’s voice trembled as she tried to exit the room as fast as possible.

*Slam!*

…

… …

… … …

To be continued.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***