Biting the Bait

“I don’t remember consulting any therapist.” Airi paced—a habit she developed since she had returned to the province. “Why do people have to keep me thinking a lot these days?”

“Do you want to go for a walk? But not the sea,” Manang Crising said. “Maybe you need a new place. A new environment.”

“I don’t think Jiro would allow that.”

“He doesn’t need to know,” the old woman said. “Besides, he’s having a meeting in his study today.” She smiled at Airi, giving her assurance. “Don’t worry. I’ll come with you.”

“Who is he meeting with?”

“Your two friends.” Aling Crising put emphasis on that statement, making sure she was heard. “Honestly, I just noticed that even before you came here, they had been meeting a lot.”

Airi looked at the old woman with scrutiny. Her tone and emphasis on words hinted to her that she was on to something.

“We used to be classmates in high school,” she said. “That’s why they’re close.”

She said that in defense of her friends and Jiro when she realized that the maid really wanted them to look bad to her.

“Maybe you’re right.” Aling Crising inhaled and sighed. “Maybe I’m just curious because they had been talking about you long before you even came here. I’m old. And old people sometimes have this habit of sticking their noses in other people’s business.”

Airi forced a smile but didn’t respond.

“Oh, about my invitation… do you want to go with me?” Aling Crising asked again. “I heard that writers like you need to be in various settings to have plenty of inspiration when writing.”

“I really need to ask Jiro about it. It’s a breach of my contract to leave this villa without him knowing.”

“I understand. It’s okay. But if ever you change your mind, don’t hesitate to tell me, okay?”

Airi nodded, but she didn’t see the scornful look Aling Crising gave her when she turned her back.

*

Back in the room, Airi switched the laptop on to start writing. However, Aling Crising’s probing bugged her to annoyance. She closed her eyes to calm down, but her curiosity just wouldn’t sit.

She stepped out of the room until she found herself standing outside Jiro’s study room. Shaking a little, she pressed her ear and two hands to the door to eavesdrop. Murmurs filled her auditory sense. She recognized her friends’ voices.

‘So, they really go here in secret. I wonder what they’ve been hiding from me.’

She pressed herself even more until the door budged, startling the three, whose faces went from vibrant to pale.

“Riri???” Jiro stood and rushed towards her, catching her from the fall. “Are you alright?” His arms tightened around her waist, but she struggled to let go.

“I’m fine,” she said before pushing him away. She then sharply glanced at her friends, making sure they knew how she felt about them being secretive. “I didn’t know you were coming,” she uttered coldly.

“We just arrived,” Zai-zai said. “In fact, Jiro was about to call you to come here.”

‘Liar!’ Airi’s mind screamed. ‘You’ve been here for almost half an hour!’ She kept that protest to herself and could only clench her fist. “Fancy coincidence, don’t you think?”

The three sensed her sarcasm.

“Apologies,” Jiro said. “I needed to talk to them first regarding another press conference.”

The two were shocked and stared at him with a querying look as if to say why so sudden?!

“I want to announce the launch of our book,” he continued. “I’m asking their permission first. I mean, I would like to get their permission  and ask them to convince you to come and be there with me.”

She decided to go with the flow and not let her misjudgment of the situation take over.

‘I know they’re keeping things from me. Let’s see how long they can keep up their lies,’ she told herself. At the back of her mind, she was still debating whether to trust what Aling Crising was hinting at.

**

The day of the press conference arrived. They held it at Jiro’s recently opened resort.

Only two personnel from every existing local and national media station were invited to come to prevent a huge crowd. Jiro didn't want Airi to become overly worn out from seeing so many people.

The conference began in a normal course, with Jiro promoting his upcoming book and introducing Airi as his ghostwriter.

One of the interviewers remarked, "Of all those who published a book, you are the only one we know who proudly broadcast having a ghostwriter."

“Well, I don’t think there’s something wrong about having a ghostwriter, especially since I know I’m not gifted in writing.”

“Mr. Sondian, you mentioned that the book is about a special girl who you badly want to remember. Will writing that book help you remember her?” another interviewer asked.

“I hope so. My therapist advised me to write everything I remember about her. And that’s what I’m doing.”

“Mr. Sondian, a few years ago, some paparazzi leaked a video of your proposal to a girl right after your high school graduation.” Another reporter from a different network stepped forward.

That question stunned everyone, especially Jiro and Airi. Terror was all over his face. As much as he wanted to stop the interviewer, he couldn’t. The press conference is aired live on all media platforms.

"Isn't the woman you proposed to the author next to you? Back then, she accepted your proposal. Doesn’t that make her your fiancée? How come you’re still looking for another mystery woman?”

Jiro was speechless at first. His face went from vibrant to dull… pale lips and averting eyes. “All of you are aware of my current condition… my amnesia.” He glanced at Airi. And when he noticed that she was becoming uncomfortable, he held her hand to his and gave her an assuring smile. “If she is the same person, that would be great!”

However, the same reporter probed him again. “But you mentioned in your recent press conference that the girl who was captured in the photo with you in the villa is special to you. Does that mean you already know it was her? Why are you still hiding the truth?”

Gasps and gossip filled the hall. The reporters looked at each other and exchanged questions.

Silence became the new music permeating in the air. Silence that brought tension and confusion to those who were present.

Airi’s querying glare terrified Jiro. “What is she talking about?” she hissed under her breath.

“We’ll talk about it later,” he replied.

She clenched her fist. “I want answers now.” Although that was almost a whisper, Jiro could feel the tremor of shock in her voice. Her teary eyes blazed with anger fueled by the feeling of betrayal.