Now Playing: Lego House by Ed Sheeran :)
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Chapter Twenty-four
“G-gabriel…”
He looks at me briefly before turning and walking away.
“Wait!” I panic when he disappears from my sight. “Sarah, can you please…”
“Let me, miss.” She helps me ease out of Claudia’s limp form. I stare down at her pale face guiltily before scurrying out of the brick house.
I catch Luke following his coven master towards the center of the clearing. Several houses together with the mansion are still burning, but the fighting has fortunately stopped. To my horror, some of the sprawled bodies on the ground that I have seen when we’ve arrived are already dead. Gabriel’s humans are lining them up on one side with loud cries of grief. His vampires are rushing back and forth the mansion and the well with full buckets of water to try putting out the fire.
The village is nearly, if not totally, destroyed.
I see nine humans, five men and four women, kneeling with bound wrists in front of the flaming, large house. Their faces are blank and their eyes are fully black. I don’t think they’re aware that they have been captured. I don’t even think they’re aware of anything at all.
Gabriel’s furious strides stop abruptly a few feet away from the prisoners. Luke marches on until his towering form faces the human at the beginning of the line.
“Who sent you?”
I have never thought that I would hear Luke speaking in a cold voice. When I look at him, I can’t see my dearest friend anywhere in that angry-as-ice face. I stand near Gabriel who doesn’t even turn his head at my presence.
The human gazes up at Luke vacantly. His expression is nothing but deadpan.
“I will ask you one last time. Who sent you?”
The man opens his mouth and I brace myself for the truth. He slowly exhales a long breath, further igniting my anticipation.
“The woman in the prophecy should die.”
I can hear wood crackling when the fire consumes what remains of the windows and doors. I can hear the owls’ hoots, crickets’ chirps and the gentle rustles of the trees’ leaves as the wind blows them into a soundless cadence. I can count the beats of my heart as it continues to pound nervously against my ribcage. If I just don’t think that it’s impossible, I swear I can even hear my blood flowing swiftly through my veins.
That’s how silent the village has turned after the human’s statement.
Luke turns to face his coven master; his red eyes are still terrifyingly inexpressive. I notice that the vampires and humans have stopped whatever they’ve been doing and are slowly gathering in a circle around us.
Gabriel gives Luke a wordless nod.
“No!” I scream loudly just in time when Luke rapidly and easily snaps the man’s neck. A gasp escapes from the human’s mouth before he slumps dead on the ground.
I watch in horror and with shaky breath as Luke brusquely advances towards the second human, this time a woman. The prisoners haven’t even spared their killed companion a glance. They remain staring blankly straight ahead.
“Who sent you?”
My eyes well with tears when Luke asks the woman the same question in the same tone of voice. I roam my gaze around and see both classes of Gabriel’s minions staring furiously at the prisoners. Even his humans have tightened their holds around their swords and daggers. I realize that members of their families may be included on that pile of the dead and that they share the vampires’ hatred for the captives, though they know that they’re of the same race. My teary eyes cease on their coven master who’s standing rigidly with crossed arms in front of his chest.
This is the Gabriel I have first met. One who doesn’t recognize morality and compassion.
“Answer the question or you’ll end up like this fool. Who sent you?” Luke’s arctic voice makes me avert my gaze at him.
And this is the Luke I have never met.
“The woman in the prophecy should die.”
I cover my mouth to stifle a sob. These humans are not sane when they’ve attacked the village. They’ve been mind-controlled by whoever’s behind this sick scheme. Sick, because involving humans in a war between vampires is just so twisted. I know that this is some sort of a message, and I know that it’s intended for me.
Luke faces Gabriel again to ask for permission. The latter shrugs his shoulders and nods.
“No! Please, please! No!” I cry out and run towards Gabriel. Glowing, red eyes shoot me an angry look which is full of warning. I’m trembling in fear as I face his menacing and authoritative demeanor. “Please… don’t kill them…”
Luke’s hands slowly release the woman’s head as he looks at us and waits for his master’s orders.
“Please don’t kill them…”
Gabriel’s stare is more scorching than the fire around us that’s luckily dying down. “Are your eyes fully open?” His voice is louder than thunder I think it’ll be able to shatter my eardrums. “Look around us! Look at what remains of my village! My home!”
“B-but---“
“Count how many of my minions and humans were killed! I know that these prisoners were just convoys of the vampires who had assaulted the village, but they had helped them kill my people. Did you already forget that Claudia was murdered in front of your very eyes? She sacrificed her life for you. It is only fitting we demand for justice.”
I can only hope that my pleading gaze is enough weapon to penetrate his stone-cold heart. “That is not justice. That’s revenge.”
“There is only a fine line between those two.”
“But there’s still a line no matter what.”
Gabriel frowns. “So, what do you want me to do? Release them and pretend that none of these have happened? Who knows who they have killed among that pile? Half of my humans are gone, Andi, and so are my vampires. John, Michael… they are all dead.”
Oh my God. I remember those two. They’ve been in the car with me when I’ve been first brought to this village. They’ve helped in protecting me when we’ve been ambushed by Elijah’s men in the forest. I understand that they’re his most loyal minions. Now, they’re just piles of ashes on the ground that may have been already swept away by the wind.
“But these humans are being controlled, Gabriel. Can’t you see how empty their expressions are? They didn’t know what they were doing.”
“And is that already a solid ground for absolution?”
“No!”
I promptly look around and discover his people raising their arms and voices in protest.
“Kill them!”
“Let us have them, my lord!”
“They’ve killed my brother! They deserve to die!”
“Kill them!”
A loud, forceful chant of those two words starts and fills our surroundings. I weep as I roam my glance at them, at the bewitched prisoners, at Luke’s expressionless face and at Gabriel who’s becoming more enraged at his people’s call.
“P-please… spare them… I beg of you… my lord…” I struggle to let the words out of my mouth in between my hiccups. My eyes are already hurting since I’ve exhausted my tear ducts to produce more than what they can. “Please…”
Gabriel’s lips thin in a line. His jaw tautens in rage. I don’t think that I’ve been able to reach him. I even suspect that I’ve only managed to anger him more. His stone wall remains unscathed. I may have been trying to break it using a sewing needle all this time.
But I know… I know he’s still in there somewhere… I sob. “Please…” I crump my fists at my sides. “Please… Gabby…”
The voices of his minions lower down and later on dissipate. Silence, once again, descends upon his wrecked village as the people await for their master’s verdict.
Gabriel bows his head and looks away.
I bury my face in my palms and weep. “Gabby, please…” He can’t be this cruel. He can’t. I’m sure he isn’t.
“Gabriel…”
We all turn around and see Zach staring at the entire place with a horrified and – I know I’d be seeing more of this – furious face.
“What happ--- This is horrible…”
Gabriel gnashes his teeth. “I know.”
“Zach!” I quickly run to him, sobbing, and he sympathetically holds me in his arms. “Zach, please take me away from here. Please. I want to leave. I can’t bear to watch anymore. Please…”
I feel him looking up, maybe asking permission from the angry coven master.
I can’t think of him as my Gabriel anymore when he’s about to kill eight humans. They may not be innocent but still, they are not conscious of what’s really happening. They will die ignorant of their sins and I don’t think anyone can gain any satisfaction from that.
Except, of course, this coven that’s hell-bent in extracting revenge.
I now realize that I haven’t accepted everything about the man I love, and it pains me more thinking that I don’t know if I ever can.
“Alright.” Zach says softly.
I leave them all a sad, weepy look, especially Gabriel who quickly faces back, before darkness engulfs me.
The cool breeze passes me gently through the ventilation units of the greenhouse. All tiny lights around the trees and plants are lit up, creating a mystical place around me. I can smell lilac, or is that lavender, drifting towards me. I inhale a lungful of it in the hope that it can soothe my troubles, only to find out that they’re still there, still able to poison my already shattered heart.
I sigh, lean back against the bench, cross my arms and legs and stare up at the half moon and millions of stars.
Where is my life heading to? I have no idea anymore. Ever since I’ve been a child, I’ve always thought that life is pretty simple. You grow up, go to school, go to work, get married – if you’re lucky – and then die. For me, it seems like I’ll be skipping one step – unluckily – and will go straight to dying. A little too early compared to others though, but this has been my destiny since Gabriel has snatched me from my world and has introduced me to his.
I’ve never thought that I’d bother over my life’s complications. Why does it have to be complicated anyway if everything will just end up in death? What’s the point of overcoming struggles or weeping over defeats when all are bound to end one way or another? Why bother of the in-betweens when everyone is faced with the very same fate?
A picture of a smiling Gabriel flashes in my head.
I close my eyes tightly. I don’t want to cry anymore. I’ve bled my eyes dry last night. I have no tears to shed. My heart is crushed and I’m too weak yet to pick up the pieces, letting me feel the raw, stinging pain which I’ve thought I already have under control.
I love him, but then what? I can’t stand by and just watch as he orders his minions to kill. I can’t support him when he decides to go dark because I know, deep down in me, that he’ll be able to pull me easily, too, in that direction.
“Andi?”
I whirl my head around and find Luke standing behind me with both hands in his pockets. He looks normal now. Guilty, in fact. I quickly stand up and step back.
He heaves a sigh. “I’m sorry you had to witness that, firefly.”
I swallow a heavy lump in my throat.
“Please understand. Our home was destroyed. Our humans were murdered. You witnessed how Claudia was killed. You’d even slain a human to---“
“Please don’t remind me of that.” It still haunts me in my dreams and even when I’m awake. The feel of the blade sliding through the man’s flesh, the trail of fresh blood coming out of the wound, the look of surprise in his glazed eyes… I can still replay everything in my mind with certain clarity.
“We were furious, Andi. A coven is a family for us and both Gabriel and I treasure those who’ve served us throughout the centuries. Seeing them like animals that were slaughtered wound us deeply. It’s hard to explain, but I’m sure you know the feeling of losing someone you hold dear.”
My lips slightly quiver. Just when I’ve thought that I have no more tears to spare, I can feel them filling my eyes once again. “I just… I never thought it would come to this.”
“Neither did we. Of course we know that there’ll be a war and we’ve been preparing for it. We just haven’t expected that our enemies will strike us personally one by one. First, Dina’s coven and now, Gabriel’s. They even have abducted the witch and until now, we have no explanation on how they’ve done it. Everything’s going to change, firefly. Everything’s going to get worse.”
“I don’t know if I can still do this…” I whisper in a very small voice.
“Is it because of Gabriel? Andi, last night… you were making him choose between his family and you. His minions demanded for justice or revenge as you’d called it. They were the ones who were originally related to those who died. They lost their brothers, sisters or even parents in that attack. If Gabriel was angry and anguished, they felt ten times worse. You couldn’t blame him if he was bent to do their plea. He was in a difficult position, torn between his obligation to his people and his love for you.”
Love? He hasn’t even spared me a tender glance last night. All I can remember is that cruel and mad face silently ordering me to step aside and shut up.
“I think I shouldn’t be the one discussing this with you.” Luke walks towards me and I fight the urge to flee. I can remember his expression, too, that speaks of nothing but cold murder. “Gabriel is in the library. I know he wants to talk to you.”
Well, I don’t know if I want to talk to him.
“Don’t run away from your problems, firefly. No running anymore, remember?” He gently holds my hands and encourages me to look at him. There, I see the Luke whom I’m very well acquainted to. Smiling, amber eyes. Boyish, crooked grin. I let myself memorize every inch of his face to replace another Luke who’s also been present in my nightmares.
I nod, slowly release him and walk away.
“Andi?”
I turn and find him already sitting comfortably on the bench I’ve vacated.
“I know you won’t go to the library.”
I try so hard to hide the shock in my face.
Because he’s right. I plan to go directly to my room and sleep. Maybe cry my heart out again, now that my tear ducts are already working properly.
“But if you still care to know, I should tell you that Gabriel didn’t kill those humans, Andi. He’s holding them captive and even orders that they remain unharmed. Imagine his minions’ outrage upon hearing that.”
I abruptly sag, making me take a swift step back. I attempt to steady myself as a heavy gush of relief and more rhetorical questions fill up my head.
Luke smiles. “After everything that happened, he still chose you.”
I raise my hand to knock at the door, only to withdraw it for the nth time. I quickly walk away and stop at the edge of the stairs. Damn it. I stroll back towards the closed door and raise a hand again.
What should I even tell him? Should I apologize? For what? Should I demand for an apology? For what? After all, he’s considered my request of not killing those humans. Hell. What should I do?
I can’t do it. I can’t talk to him. I’m a coward. I know. I just have no idea how to face him after what happened last night. I turn around again and head for the stairs, only to stop at the first step. Again.
The door, all of a sudden, opens behind me.
I nervously face back and discover Gabriel at the entrance. He’s staring at me with an unreadable expression on his face.
“Do you want to come in?”
How come he’s calm while I’m freaking out like this? It’s so unfair. “Umm…”
“You’ve been walking back and forth out here for the last ten minutes. You should be exhausted.”
My cheeks heat at that. I’ve forgotten that his hearing is keen and he can basically smell me anywhere in this house. I look down at the hem of my shirt which I’m not aware that I’ve been twisting in my anxious hands. “I… I’d like to talk to you.”
Gabriel widens the opening and motions for me to come in. I quietly slip inside and stand a few feet away from him as he closes the door.
He, then, walks towards the large window overlooking Lizzie’s greenhouse. He grabs a golden chalice from the reading table and drinks while gazing outside.
I gulp. “I’m sorry… about your village.”
Gabriel shrugs and takes another sip from his drink – blood, I presume.
“Where are they now?”
“I’ve evacuated them to my other base in Morocco near the Ouzoud Falls. The place is well-hidden. I doubt Elijah’s men will find them there. At least, they’ll have difficulty trying to until I can figure out where to move them again in case of a second attack.”
“So, Elijah’s our enemy?”
“One of our enemies. I’m sure the real culprit is giving orders and hiding in the shadows.”
“Are… are they alright?”
“What do you think, Andi?” He asks without looking at me.
I bite my lower lip when I realize that it’s a stupid question. Of course, they’re not. Some of them are still in mourning and they’re currently forced to adapt to a new home. “What about the remains of your mansion? The houses? The…”
“Dead?”
I clear my throat again. I know he’s devastated and I can’t understand how coolly he takes it all in.
“We decided to burn them together with the mansion. The village is nothing but ruins right now. Your kind may have found it already especially after that big fire. You may be able to watch it on the news. I’m certain they’ll be speculating about an occult that has been hiding in their forest.”
I’m sure that that’s what the reporters will feature. Nothing more interesting to catch their viewers’ attention than a discovery of secret cult doing who-knows-what rituals in a concealed part of the forest. “T-thank you for sparing the humans’ lives.”
He silently settles his empty cup back on the table before looking again outside the window. “Claudia was like a mother to me. I was there when she was born. She grew up to be a strong and indomitable woman. I even thought sometimes that she was the one who was more than five hundred years old and I was the mere human. I could trust my own life with her. She had cared for me in her own subtle way. I know I hadn’t been that good to her, but I tried by showing her that I would also protect all of them from any harm.”
I hold on to the back of a chair when I feel my knees weaken.
“I know each of my humans and vampires. I know their names, their hobbies, their likes and dislikes. Michael loved to fish, while John loved sleeping more than anything in the world. I see to it that I’m knowledgeable about them. I don’t want them to be just shadows behind me. I don’t also want them to blindly follow whoever’s assigned to them as their coven master. I know that they had been bound by their ancestors to servitude for all eternity. The only way that I could pay them back was to offer them a home. Not just a house, that’s merely an infrastructure, but a home.”
Warm tears find their way down my cheeks as I stare at his back. I can feel every thread of his grief. I’ve forgotten that he’s the one who’s suffering the greatest loss since he treats his minions as his own family. His humans may have lost a sister or a father. Gabriel lost everything and almost everyone.
“And I was supposed to be the father of that home. One who swore to provide them with everything that they need, to incite guidance and discipline and to protect them with my own life. And I had failed them. I had failed in my own avowed duties.”
“I’m sorry…” I now realize how hard last night has been for him. If I haven’t been there, he could have satisfied his minions’ rage and anguish by killing those humans, but I’ve intervened and I’ve only added to his burden. “It’s not your fault. Your village was attacked because of me.”
I witness Gabriel lowering his head. Is he crying? God, I don’t want to see him like this. It will step on my already crushed heart. I have no other choice. I have to do it.
I have to leave.
Even when my heart, body and soul are screaming at me not to.
“If the witch just didn’t declare that stupid prophecy, everything may be as it were right now. Your village will still be intact. Your humans will still be alive. No devastation. No traitors. No war. Do you realize that all I ever brought in your world are danger and suffering? Yes, I gave you a chance to regain mortality, but was it all worth it?”
His silence, on the other hand, has successfully pulverized at what remains of my squashed heart.
I start to weep. “If we continue on pursuing the fulfillment of the ritual, more people will die and I don’t know if I can live with that. We don’t even have Beatrice anymore to see it done. If we give up on this now, maybe the vampires will stop their revolt. Maybe the Council will be able to earn their trust back and restore peace in your world.” I hastily wipe my eyes, though I deem the action useless. “I’m not angry about the abduction anymore. In fact, I’d like to thank you for everything that you’ve done for me. I know the nuisance and… frustrations that I’ve caused you. I apologize for all of that.” I will never forget those brief but wonderful moments that we’ve shared. I will always think of you. I will always love you.
I want to tell him to face me, so that I can look at his face one last time, but I can’t. I just close my eyes and think about those fascinating, blue eyes, arched eyebrows that are capable of teasing and scaring, narrow nose that I love to touch with my own, the lips that have driven me into oblivion and the tall and large frame that still baffles me because it should have broken my frail body since we’ve first hugged. I want to remember everything about him and take them with me as I try to return to my normal, boring life.
“I will ask Zach to return me to California.” I force myself to appear and stay calm, though the latter is harder to achieve than the former. “Don’t worry. I will never tell anyone about your kind. No one will believe me anyway. You can even have me followed forever to make sure of that. G-gabriel…” I produce a fake cough to cover up the tremor in my voice. “I’m sorry… for everything that you’ve lost.”
I would like to say more, but I couldn’t. Not if he’s giving me the cold shoulder. I know when I’m not wanted and I don’t have a habit of forcing myself in a situation where I am not welcome.
Goodbye, Gabby… I can’t even say it out loud. What a coward. I know. So be it. I swiftly turn around and walk towards the door.
I step unto the hallway and gently pull the door close. I shut my mouth tightly as a wail threatens to erupt. I can’t believe it’s as easy as this to throw everything away and say goodbye. Easy? I watch as warm drops of liquid hit the floor. Huh. I’m even crying my eyes out again. When will this stop? Is there even an end to all of this? Well hello, sleepless nights, it’s nice to meet you again.
I head towards the stairs with heavy steps. Gabriel Montgomery III. I will never forget him. I know in my heart that I will never find someone like him. I don’t even have the slightest interest to search. Maybe it’s also in my destiny to walk alone in this earth until the ends of my life.
I scream in surprise and stop short when Gabriel suddenly materializes on top of the stairs. I cover my mouth with both hands and slowly retreat when he walks towards me.
Gabriel stops, exhales heavily and runs both hands through his hair. He then stares at me like he’s just gone through the nine circles of hell and back. If I don’t know him, I could have sworn that those are lingering tears in his pained eyes.
“I may very well lose everything, but I cannot and will not lose you.”
My hands weakly drop to my sides as I look at him dumbfoundingly.
“If the witch had not proclaimed the prophecy, then we would not have met. My quiet village would have still been there. My people would have been alive and would still be living in fear of me. There would be only darkness. Despair. Loneliness. Do you realize that what you had brought in my life were light and laughter? It was all worth it, Andi. You are worth it.”
I gaze at him now with more tears in my eyes.
“I beg of you… do not give up. On the ritual. On me. I vow I will protect you with my life, and this time, I will not fail. I promise not to harm humans anymore if you order me to. I can’t assure you that things will get better, but please believe that we can fulfill the prophecy. I do not know how, but have faith. I will do everything to see it done. I…” Gabriel sighs. “I know I can be difficult to deal with at times, but I swear I will try to change. I will compromise and do anything to keep you by my side. It’s selfish. Damn, I am selfish. I will even try to change that, too, if you like.”
I silently sob. I watch him hold his head as he closes his eyes and winces in agony.
“I love you.”
I gasp just in time when he raises his face and gazes at me intensely.
“I have lived for five hundred years and I have never thought that I would say it or even feel it.”
He loves me... He actually loves me… I absent-mindedly take a few steps forward.
“You may not believe it. You may think that I am only saying it to keep you here for the ritual. You may even assume that I am just using those trivial words to get a taste of your blood or to lure you into my bed. Yet, I swear on my mother’s grave that it is true, and I am ready to---“
I cut him off by throwing my arms around his neck and kissing him hastily. Tears continue to pour from my eyes, but I’m smiling against his lips. If not for Gabriel’s quick reflexes, we could have been rolling down the stairs right now and have eventually broken our necks. He fortunately catches me and instinctively takes two steps down while I remain on the top flight, making me almost reach his height. I push him against the wooden wall and grab the collar of his shirt. I kiss him desperately, hoping to let him feel how happy he’s made me.
Gabriel holds my face and coaxes me into a gentler pace. He nibbles my mouth with slow, exasperating kisses. I can hear his laugh as I try to entice him back into a faster and rougher rhythm, but his lips and tongue remain on their leisure, but still mind-blowing, movements.
I step down on the same level of the stairs as him and hug him tight. I bury my face against his chest as I feel his strong arms around me. “Say it again.” I whisper.
“I love you, Andi.”
I raise my head and look at his eyes. He looks serene now. I guess he’s unloaded some of his inner burdens by finally admitting his real feelings for me. He’s smiling, too, as he brushes my tears away and I feel so relieved since I’ve thought that I would never see it on his face again. “I love you, too.”
Gabriel shyly smiles and pulls me in his arms.
“Say it again.”
“Now, that’s just being abusive.”
I laugh and heave my face to him. “Kiss me again?”
He instantly grins. “You don’t even have to tell me twice.” He lowers his head and claims my eager lips.
“Well!”
I quickly pull back and gaze at the bottom of the stairs. I find Zach and Lizzie smiling at us.
“I told you that wasn’t a scream of a woman in danger, darling.”
“I only thought that Andi was in trouble.”
I hide my blushing face against Gabriel’s chest. Oh, God. This is totally embarrassing.
“She was not in any danger, Lizzie.” Gabriel says and nonchalantly embraces me even in front of our teasing audience.
“I’m beginning to think that some of those rumors in Layla’s cupboard are true.”
“Shut it, Zach.” Gabriel guides me up until we’re both in front of the library’s door.
“Oh, so you’re planning to use the library now? Fine with me. You have to observe the golden rule in it, though. Silence is very important in a library, Andi…” I catch Zach giving me a playful salute as he leads his wife down the stairs. “Well, good luck with that.” He chuckles and disappears from our sight. “Expect screams now, darling, and this time, don’t panic, alright?”
I roll my eyes. “How come you’d let that man join the Council?”
“Believe me. You are not the only one who has asked me that.” Gabriel embraces me once more.”Let’s go home and get you to bed.”
We’re not finished yet. His threat echoes in my head and makes my eyes go wide. What happened to not using those romantic words to get me to sleep with him?
He laughs at my expression. “Andi, I’m only talking about sleep. It’s late. You’re tired. You’ve been through a lot since last night and I want you to rest.”
“Oh.” I sigh in relief to Gabriel’s further amusement.
“And I want your full attention – and energy – when I take my claim.”
My nervous eyes lift up abruptly to his.
Gabriel gives me a wicked grin. “Because I will need you to keep up, sweetheart.”
He kisses my forehead, making me feel like I’m a four-year-old.
“I’ll be here tomorrow. I have to talk to you about the Council’s current plans. I will fill you in with all the details.”
Really? I’m glad to know that he won’t keep anything from me anymore. It surprisingly feels good to be finally included in a discussion that significantly involves me in the first place. “That’s nice. Thank you.”
Gabriel stands up from the bed while still holding my hand. “Thank you. For everything. For merely breathing... Now, sleep.” He commands sternly and smiles before vanishing out of the room.
I stare up at the ceiling and beam wide. Maybe things aren’t as bad as I’ve deduced. At least, I now have him. I realize that I’m no longer alone in this bizarre and cruel world.
I laugh crazily at the memory of that man’s face while delivering those words.
I can now envision both of us after the completion of the prophecy. I can imagine him letting his handsome face bask at the soft, warm rays of the sun. I can think of us running and laughing along a strip of shore. I can picture him sporting a tan after a whole day of swimming at the beach. I can visualize us in this house, in the kitchen, teasing each other while cooking his – would be – favorite dish.
Maybe I can hold on to those thoughts, since his smile and laughter are capable of giving me the strength and determination to go on and do what I have to do.
I turn to my side and sigh. I wish I can fast-forward everything to that time. Because I know that a lot of things can still happen in a few weeks, or even in a day. I’m scared. I’m afraid that this moment won’t last long and will eventually shatter. I’m frightened that everything that I’ve dreamed of about us will remain as that. Only a dream. And I will still lose everything in the end. Especially him.
I notice a small, pink gift box beside the alarm clock. It’s surrounded by a thin, silver ribbon with a tiny card looped through it. I stare at it curiously and smile. Oh, that man is sneaky as a thief.
I excitedly sit up and grab it. I lean back against the headboard and open the card. An elegant script bearing my name is the only thing that’s written on it.
I fumble with the ribbon and successfully untie it. I open the box enthusiastically and discover a small scroll inside. A letter? A love letter? Seriously?
I can’t help but giggle as I unfold it.
Andi,
Your life is in great peril. I, myself, am not in a safe place. I’m risking everything by sending this to you. But hear me out, child. You must leave this house immediately. I can sense, even from here, that you’re inconspicuously scraping elbows with the threat. Trust no one, Andi. No one.
Beatrice