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TWO YEARS LATER...

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Jessy toyed with the remaining carrot cake on her plate. She loves carrot cake, but for some unknown reason, she doesn't like eating much today.

Nanny Aida shoots her an inquiring glance. "What's wrong-Jess?" she asked. "You don't like the taste? I added two tablespoons of honey in the ingredients for a change..."

She smiled at her. "Nana, it tastes good actually. Just that I'm already full. I can no longer finish it." She smiled fondly at the older woman in front of her whom she considered as her second mother. She calls her "Nana" ever since.

"Is there something bothering you?" Nana Aida asked her worriedly.

She sighed deeply. "Nana, where exactly is my parents now? Why are they not visiting me here? They don't miss me at all? They had forgotten that they have a daughter? The last time I've seen them was when am just five years old. I've waited for them to come home every day. Why they abandoned me?" she cried, her voice thick with emotion. Fresh tears formed abundantly in the corner of her eyes. Before they flood her entire face, her beloved Nanny was already on her side, hugging her tenderly, comforting her.

Nanny Aida felt a painful tugging in her heart. She knew that no amount of love and care can replace the longing Jessy felt for her parents which she desperately craves. She felt a bit sad knowing that she was a poor substitute. There's no doubt that she treats Jessy and Adam like her children, her flesh and blood. She tried her best to provide them support, guidance and paternal love every single day.

"Hush now, my child. Stop crying. You have to stay strong, okay? I'm sorry for all the white lies I been feeding you through the years, especially when you're still young. I have been telling you fake stories that your parents were working in some foreign land, they were all lies. I just want to protect you from the pain. But now that you are already fifteen years old...old enough to understand the truth, your parents suddenly vanished out of the blue the day after you turn five years old. Through the years I have been waiting for their comeback, waiting for them to call me and say they're okay and doing fine, but that call never comes. Then I become tired of waiting. I get used to the fact that they completely trusted me to take care of you."

Jessy tried to stop her tears from falling hard, yet they come in waves. It's useless keeping them at bay. She sobbed freely, feeling so utterly sad and lonely. Her deep longing for her parents' presence in her life was overwhelming to bear at this moment. "There's a big possibility they've already died a long time ago, Nana?" she's asking her again for confirmation. "B-because if they're still alive until now, they will at least try to contact you and me. Am I right?" she asked, a big lump formed in her throat. She felt an excruciating pain in her heart frightened of the thoughts of not able to see them ever again.

The older woman was fighting her tears as well. She needed to be stronger for both of them. She continues hugging the pitiful girl, hoping to convey to her...her deepest sympathy and affection. "Let's hope for the best my child and always prepare for the worst. But I'm hoping, praying and wishing with all my heart, every single day that they're still alive and you will be reunited with them soon."

"I hope so, Nana. I wish for that day to come." Somehow the thought of seeing her parents alive one day filled Jessy's heart with renewed hope.

"You're feeling okay now?" asked Nanny Aida softly. She's busy drying the girl's tears.

"Am feeling a bit okay now, Nana. Thank you so much for taking care of me."

"Aww, don't mention that, Jessy. You're like a daughter to me. I will always be here for you," she murmured lovingly.

"By the way, Nana. I have another question for you, am just curious. Who provided money for your salary and the salary of dozens of guards that were stationed outside the gate of the mansion? As well the funds used to pay bills, buy foods and other stuff for me and Adam? Who's money you are using every month to take care of our daily needs?" she asked curiously.

Nanny Aida felt uncomfortable answering Jessy's question. But she knew, that this girl in front of her was already a young adult and she will keep pestering her for an answer if she's not satisfied with her explanation.

Nanny Aida closed her eyes momentarily, trying to remember what happened a long time ago. When she opened her eyes, the words flowed freely from her mouth. "I did receive funds in my bank account every month for our monthly expenses. As for the source of those funds, I dared not ask or investigate who sends it, due to the reason that I'm being warned by someone I never meet, that was a long time ago. That 'person' told me not to ask so many questions and just spend the money accordingly. I stop asking questions from that day onward. As long as I received my salary and the guard's salary every month and have enough money to pay monthly bills and sustain you and Adam's needs, then I'm contented."

Jessy digested Nana's explanation slowly, word for word. Somehow the absurdity of their current situation is hard to accept and understand. "Maybe it's my parents or Adam's parents that was providing us money every month. W-what do you think, Nana?"

"Maybe...dunno. I don't have any idea, my child," Nanny Aida replied absentmindedly.

Silence temporarily engulfed them...

Then she speaks again. "So, it's true that my father is a vampire and my mother is a human being?" She has been asking this question a lot of times already in the past. This time she needed to hear her Nanny's confirmation once again.

The older woman nodded. "Yup, that's right."

She pouted. "But how come, I don't have fangs like Adam? I don't crave human blood. I don't have supernatural powers or special ability that vampires have," she blurted the questions loudly.

Nanny Aida shrugged her shoulders. "Silly girl. Have you forgotten about the prophecy I told you a long time ago? The one your parents told me before they vanished-?"

She did remember it clearly, to her it's like a myth way back then, not for real. "Ah, it's about the prophecy... when I turn twenty years old, I will become a full pledge vampire...then my power will be unlocked. By that time my blood already contains the power to turn vampires into humans, is that it?"

The older woman nodded. "That's right."

She shook her head vigorously, she highly doubted the legitimacy of the prophecy. "I don't think it's gonna happen, Nana." But deep inside she knows, it may happen in the future, only time can tell.

"I hope so, dear. I hope it's not true at all," Nana Aida agreed just for the sake of it, but she knew the prophecy will come true. How to prepare the girl for that unfortunate day is still a big question. She was gripped with fear every time she imagined what will happen to Jessy when she turns twenty years old? She closed her eyes, trying to chase away the image of Jessy screaming in pain and gripped with absolute fear, surrounded by thousands of vampires hungrily devouring her blood until she becomes a corpse. It was indeed a horrifying sight to see and it kept replaying in her mind just recently, the truth was hard to dismiss that Jessy was now nearing twenty years old. It saddened and horrified her deeply, what she will do when those times come? How can she protect this child she considered her daughter? 'God, please save Jessy when that time comes'...she prayed fervently in silence.

Jessy's eyebrows knitted together upon seeing the worried look on her Nanny's face. "Nana-are you okay?" she asked worriedly.

Nanny Aida stood up abruptly. "Yeah, I'm okay now my child. I'm just lost in my thoughts for a while. Anyways, am going to the market to buy some fruits and dairy. You finish your food okay....see yeah later."

"You go ahead-Nana. I will watch some new movies later," she brought her plate into the kitchen without finishing the carrot cake, it's no longer palatable.