Unforgiven Sins

Cinyla’s POV

It was an amazing and unexpected moment. How did he know that the tulips are one of my favorite flowers? He is one point again. I seemed to be beside myself watching what he gave me. I smelled it again and wished that the smell would not go away. It just happened yesterday but I feel like it was just a while ago. I stood up and walked around, Ruby and others are already back to their home while I need to stay here. What else does he need to know?

Until I remembered what happened yesterday, I rushed to my bed where my black bag was.Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

“Is it here? Where is it?” I almost spilled the contents of my bag just to find it.

Until I see a piece of paper. “Finally I find you. I got it!” I waved the piece of paper in the air and stood up.

What could this be about, besides, is it possible that it’s was connected to the man who entered my room last time? I was confused now until I realized that I needed to call Josh.

I got my phone from my bag and dialed his number. After a minute, he answered. “Hello? Cinyla?” he said from a distance.

“Hi Josh! Yes, this is Cinyla. Are you busy? I really need you right now.”

I don’t know if the right words came out of my mouth or if I was really direct in my aim and I just hope he doesn’t give me malice.

“Oh, what happened? Yes I’m free I’m just reading some cases book here.” He explained while I was looking at the piece of paper.

After saying it, I immediately found a seat and prepared myself.

“Are sure? I mean did I disturb you, Josh? I hope your connection is okay and tomorrow because I will tell my boss that we talked.”

“Huh? What do you mean?” he asked.

“Okay, let me explain first Josh. Actually, I’m still here at the resort in Baguio where we vacationed but suddenly a mystery arises here. I need your help, I mean we need your help.”

“Because you are the only one I know who is familiar with codes and ciphers. It’s so weird, because I think the person who make me weird and fear before is the person who creates some mysterious right now. I hope you can help me and understand me. Hello, Josh? Are you still there?” I stopped being emotional and checked my cellphone to see if the line is still connected or if he got disconnected.

“Yes, I am still here. Go ahead, tell me the code.” I could almost catch my breath when I heard his voice.

“Sure the code is ! 4#{35*/. Did you get it?”

“Yeah, I got it! I wrote it in my paper, I will repeat it and let me know if what I heard is correct. ! 4#{35*/, is that correct?” My eyes were focused on the paper until I also answered. “Yes, that’s right! Do you know what that means?”

“This is basic code. Detective code. You need to be careful, Cinyla. I think the person who wrote this is the father of your boss. Is he still alive?”

My heart almost gave out, swallowed in no time. “W-What?” I stuttered to him because my mind wasn’t functioning properly.

“The code that you mentioned means I’m here son. This is weird, Cinyla. I don’t understand the purpose of that man. But you said you are in the resort right? Can I go there so I can further investigate?”

“Yes of course!” I stood up and was happy with what he asked. This problem should be resolved.

“I’ll just text you the address, I’ll just go to see sir first. Thank you, Josh.” Even though he was far away, I smiled because he never let me down. He knows everything. He is the greatest detective ever!

“Anything for you, Cinyla. I will wait, be careful. Be careful.” This reminded me that my heart rate seemed to speed up again and I felt a chill.

“Noted, Josh. Goodbye!” I ended the call because of the strange coldness I felt. I check the air conditioner but it is not open. Why am I cold and sweating?

I just close my eyes for a while and breathe. I was suddenly scared and a lot of things were going through my mind right now. I was hoping it would end.

I didn’t leave my room, I just called Sir Ben. He needs to know this. I quickly looked for his contact number and called it.

“Sorry, the person you are calling is out of the coverage area.”

I try to call him again but I hear the same reminder from automated agent. Why can’t I call you now? Answer me!

I’m already circling inside my room, I will try for the third time, fourth time until someone knocks on my door.

I bit my lower lip and slowly approached the door. I didn’t open it, instead I checked it first. Since I am still in resort, the door has a super small circle that you can see if who is the person outside.

I hurried to open it. “It’s you sir, I am so sorry.” I hugged him. “Why didn’t you answer? I’m scared…” While I was hugging him, he closed the door and hugged me too.

“Calm down, I am here. My phone is drained. I know you will call so I better went here to say that you can’t call me. What happened?” he asked and touched my face. I didn’t realize that my eyes were wet. “Hey, why are you crying?” he asked again.

“No sir, I was confused. I was totally scared of especially that you didn’t answer my call. I called you many times but you never answered.” I act liked a child and reporting to her daddy.

“Ohh, I am so sorry for that. My phone is totally drained a while ago. I almost just put it in the outlet when I went to see you today. What happened.?”

“Did your father know this place? Is he still alive? I am so sorry to ask this, I know this is not the right time.” Even though I know he no longer has a father, I still ask him. I hope he will not be mad.

“W-what?”

I repeated the question to him but this time I was looking into his eyes so he knew that I was serious.

“He is now in heaven, just two years ago,” he explained while his eyes were on the floor.

I couldn’t speak. It’s like I’ve been taped and my mouth won’t move. This is so unbelievable. We have been the same since my dad died two years ago.

“I am so sorry, but I don’t think that is my father. He is almost dead. Who is that detective? I want to know him, Cinyla.”

“I’m sorry sir, I didn’t know he was gone. That’s what Josh came up with, I’m here son.”

The color of his face almost changed. “Really? Okay, I’ll send him over so we can find out the truth and who is that man who entered your room last time. Where is he?” he said seriously while looking at his phone.

“They are at home, actually want to come here to investigate further. I know he can solve it. I will send you his full address so you can pick him up. I will message him to be aware of him.” I smile to change the vibe around me even though I feel like something is different.

I also noticed that he was carrying a paper bag, what was it for? I just focused myself on something else because maybe I was just assuming.

“Here, get this. Eat it after we take our breakfast. I know you will like it.” He reached for the white paper bag that I noticed earlier. I raised my eyebrows but simple words came out of my mouth. “Thank you, sir. I mean, Ben.”

I peeked inside the white paper bag and smiled. How did he know that I love cookies?

“Is there a problem?” I guess he noticed my weird reaction.

“Nothing, how did you know that I loved eating cookies, Ben?” He just looked into my eyes preciously and smiled.

What is that for? His smile is so precious.

“Actually, I just remember my dad. When I am looking around at my store on the 5th floor. I saw that cookie and I bought it. My dad brings me that whenever I feel sad,” he explained which makes me feel conscious.

“Do you also like cookies or just your daddy loved doing it?” I asked and put the white paper bag I was holding on the table next to me.

“Not really but it makes me feel happy after eating it. What about you? I just now really know that you want that?”

I swallowed in no time. Why did I say that earlier? I prepared myself first because he might be surprised by what I say. “My dad and I loved this. We ate cookies every weekend-like one of our bonding time. So I was surprised when Ben mentioned it a while ago. Like, we have the same explanation. Even this is not totally my favorite, but we have the same point.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful! Well, I think we really loved our dad.” He laughed a little as I sat up on the bed and rubbed my eyes.

“W-Wait sir,”

I rubbed for a few seconds as if sand had entered my right eye.

I heard his footsteps. “What happened? Let me see and blow that.” It stood beside me and helped me.

He blew my eyes and I felt a strange tension between us. He looked at me after I was recovered. I felt a strange body heat and I felt like I was melting in his eyes and his lips were naturally kissable lips.

“I think I am okay, sorry I went to bed suddenly.” I immediately diverted the strange scene between the two of us. I don’t want this to turn into something I’ll regret later.

It also stood up and distanced itself from me. “Y-yeah, pardon me. I just want to see your face closely. Anyway, just text me about the message. I’ll just deliver your food. Don’t worry it’s not poisonous or anything. I don’t know when we can go home. I need to settle this first.” He went straight out of the room and I just nodded. I also followed to lock my door.

I turned around and held my heart. The speed of its pulse, the speed of events.

Do I still care for him? I close my eyes in the meantime and take a deep breath.

“Okay Cinyla, breathe. Exhale, Inhale, exhale inhale.” Until I feel calm and remove the distractions from my mind. I just went to the white paper bag and opened the cookies. I took one and slowly tasted it.

I closed my eyes slightly while savoring its taste. This is tasteful but I want him.

I immediately covered my mouth and I don’t know why I suddenly thought of that. I finished the piece of cookie in my hand.

I just put aside the cookies in front of me. “I think it has a strange mixture.”

I just got my phone on the table and texted him about Josh’s address. Instead of paying attention to my feelings, I chose to fix what was right.

I also texted Josh that someone will bring him here. I just hope that when they meet, they will come to an agreement. Until I heard a bell from my door.

I went straight to the door and peeked through the small hole to see who was outside. There was a lady outside with a cart and food on top. I immediately opened it, “Good morning, ma’am. This is your next breakfast. Can I come in?”

I nodded in agreement to his question.

“Enjoy your food ma’am. I also bring hot coffee and water.” She smiles and leave me.

“Thank you!” I chased after him and closed the door.

I went straight to the table and a paper caught my attention. Paper that looks weird. I took it and read it.

Hi Cinyla,

Enjoy your food. Sorry for the weird thing that happened earlier, I don’t mean anything about that. Yet, you’re still gorgeous. I hope soon, we can have our time to show our feelings again.

143

– Ben Chua

I bit my lower lip. I almost went blank at what he said. I also thought about the number. I know this, but is that the meaning, right? Is that what he wanted to say?

143 means I love you?