The Girl Named Mirage

After the heartful laugh they try to calm down when they notice the annoyance on Mirage’s still pale face. Don Augustus cleared his throat to make it known that they needed to get serious.

It’s been a while since they started to talk to each other but they still haven’t introduced themselves. Nicolo then speaks in a very professional and charismatic way.

” Anyway, I’m Nicolo Esquibel. The current CEO of Esquibel Group of Companies. I’m your eldest and the most handsome cousin you’ll ever have. ”

” Okay. ”

Travis tried not to laugh again from the uninterested look and response Mirage gave Nicolo.

” I’m Dr. Travis Esquibel Williams. A resident neurosurgeon in this hospital. I’m the one that operated on you as per Nicolo’s request. I’m also your cousin, Nicolo and I have just a month difference. And oh, we’re the only cousins you have. ”

” Oh, thanks. ”

” I am your… grandfather. Augustus Esquibel. Your name is Mirage Arielle Zellar – Esquibel. ”

” It’s too long. ”

Don Augustus scratches his head as he doesn’t know what to say. Travis with a playful smile on his lips tries to be serious when he speaks.

” Regarding your condition, well, it’s still unknown when you will be able to regain your memories, months or years, who knows? But as your personal doctor, I’m going to monitor your development. We need to be careful as you have suffered a severe trauma and the swelling may come back. And we don’t want you getting into a coma again so don’t push yourself into too much thinking. You need to stay in the hospital for about a month to fully recover from the operation. We’ll slowly remind you of the things you need to know, bit by bit. ”

Mirage listens carefully. She needs to be okay so she can take care of Euphemia. And she doesn’t want to be comatose again for goodness sake. She doesn’t want to leave her child alone.

” You don’t need to worry about anything. Just get better as soon as you can for your baby. ”

She looks up at Nicolo. He speaks as if he reads her mind.

” You’re the one who found us, right Nico? ”

Nicolo’s a bit surprised. No one ever called him that. It’s always Nick. He’s a bit distracted before he could answer her.

” Yeah. You were hugging Euphemia on the shore while your head was bleeding. ”

” Was my baby in bad condition then? ”

” Well, a baby floating on the sea is something I couldn’t, no, I don’t even want to imagine but it happens to you and Euphy. But I guess you did your best to protect her. That’s why she’s fine despite the fever. ”

Mirage sighs in relief. She, too, can’t imagine her baby floating on that cold water.

” Where’s my parents? ”

Silence. They were caught off guard by her question. Though they knew that she’ll ask somehow about them.

Travis and Nicolo look at Don Augustus. The old man’s eyes panicked. He doesn’t know what to do!

But he needs to tell her the truth.

” Well, I don’t really know where to start. Your parents were living in South Korea. ”

Mirage quietly listens. Still wearing that passive look on her face and making it hard to figure out what she’s been thinking.

” And? ”

” They didn’t know you’re still alive. ”

” Oh. Is that so? ” she said, sounding indifferent.

” I’m… at fault. Really. I don’t really like your mother so I’ve done everything to get rid of her out of your father’s life. She asked me for money, I asked for you in exchange and to never show her face to your father again. She agreed. She believes that you are dead when the truth is, I ordered someone to switch you from a dead baby. I don’t want her to use you against me when the time comes. But I lost you. The family that took care of you all these years moved out and despite all the money I have, I can’t find you. And the money she asked for me that time was meant for the hospitalization of your father. I screwed everything up. ”

” Your mom left the Philippines and went home to South Korea. Your dad, after finding out all the horrible things that I’ve done, left me again and followed your mom. They’ve been living in peace since then so I dare not mess with them anymore. I can’t bring myself to tell them about you, I want to find you first to lessen my guilt at least… ”

An awkward silence filled the room. Her face was unreadable. No trace of emotion. And then she let out a sigh.

” Okay. Okay, I understand. ”

The three men were again dumbfounded.

” Don’t look at me like that. I understand everything that Gramps has to say but as I do have amnesia, I don’t have the slightest idea how to react about that. And even before I lost my memory, I don’t really have memories of my real parents so what do you expect me to say? Do you expect me again to be kind of dramatic or something? ”

Travis nodded with a slight hint of a smile.

‘ She’s definitely the female version of Nicolo. She won’t miss any chance to be sarcastic. ”

He clears his throat before he speaks.

” Well, I’m glad you’re taking all of this with great understanding. And any extreme emotion won’t do you any good and may trigger pain in your head so having that way of thinking is a bit impressive of you. ”

Don Augustus smiles but his eyes are remorseful.

” I think it’s wrong to bring this matter to you when you don’t remember anything, but we’re not sure when you will regain your memory. I guess, I’ll just face your anger when you’re all recovered. ”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

” Let’s just wait until I remember everything. ”

” We’ve started investigating since I’ve found you and Euphy. It’s just a matter of time until we could know more about you and your life before the accident. ”

” I guess you’re more than capable of doing that since you’re obviously well off. ”

” All the things that I have, it’s technically yours too. We’re family, you know. ”

” Right. ” is all that she could say. She’s trying so hard to process all of this but she doesn’t want to strain her brain so she wants to take a rest.

” Just take a rest and leave everything to us my dear. Let me make up for all the years that you’re not with us because of my selfishness. “