47 Prologue (1/2)

In the usual morning sky, amidst the vast field of flowers and greeneries, two silhouettes were laying under a cherry blossom tree in comfort.

A young man was resting his head on the lap of a young woman, who was humming him a lullaby.

Closing his eyes, the man had a peaceful, contented smile on his lips as he listened to the soothing sound of the woman's humming tunes while the latter was looking at the former with affectionate eyes. Her soft long hair was falling in each side of her face, and humming tunes echoed in her lips, which made the man smile even more.

”Hey . . . ,” he said after a while.

She stopped, and stared at him on her lap, whose eyes were still closed. ”Hmm . . . ?”

He held her eyes, a soft smile on his face as his brown eyes captivated her in a spell. Unable to look away.

Pausing for a moment, he continued with a serious voice. He reached out and held her cheeks in all gentleness. ”After you graduate . . . let's get married.”

”. . .”

”. . .”

She couldn't speak from the sudden surprised. Needless to say, she was stunned from the explosive 'out of the blue' proposal.

When she recovered, he continued, ”By then, I'm sure I'm already a worldwide renowned actor.” He then smiled, beaming a boyish grin. ”I'll definitely be able to take care of you for the rest of your life by then,” he said as he flipped his thumb in a confident pose.

She blinked before she laughed and giggled, which made him frowned as he rose from her lap.

”What's with that laugh? Don't you believe me?! I'll have you know I'm very popular! My popularity is flourishing and limitless. Sponsors, movies, dramas, and different advertising companies are luring me in, you know! That's how famous your boyfriend is!”

He continued boosting while she giggled. He got angry and pushed her beneath him, pinning her on the ground with nowhere to retreat.

The giggles and laughter gradually stopped. She stared at him with adoring eyes while his expression turned solemn. Their eyes were reflecting each other's faces, flickering with different emotions of love. He held her cheek as he leaned in closer while she couldn't break away from his heated gaze.

”I'm serious . . . After you graduate . . . Let's get married,” he repeated, tone softer and gruff.

Her eyes moistened, shining more than usual. Her happiness was radiating as she replied, a low, ”Mmm . . .”

Little by little, their breaths turned faster, synchronizing with one another while their lips touch in a soft kiss. Her eyes closed, letting him kiss her. She was drowning in so much happiness and contentment she almost sobbed in joy.

”I love you . . .”

”I love you too . . .”

Bit by bit, they were lost in each other's kiss while his hand slowly traveled on her body.

”Don't worry. I'll make sure it will hurt.”

GASP!

Her eyes flung open, feeling the air was so tight. The hands which were caressing her were rougher and bigger. The gentle lips which were kissing her were savage and domineering while the kind brown eyes she dearly loves turned dark, ruthless –– sharp.

AaahhHH!!

Satele rose from her bed, gasping for air. Beads of sweat coated her face while her clothes were damp from sweat. Her breathing was forced and labored, desperate in each inhale for air.

*pant *pant

*huff

Eventually, she realized that she was having a nightmare, and her stiff shoulders gradually relaxed. But she didn't loosen her hold on the quilt, which she was so tightly grasping between her fingers –– clutching it closer to her body while the sheets twisted around her limbs. Her dark terror-stricken eyes glimmered as her breathing stabilized.

A nightmare.

It's just a nightmare . . .

. . . A nightmare . . .

She continued to comfort herself. But deep down, she knew it wasn't just a nightmare.

For almost two years, she dreamed the exact dream that always ended in a nightmare. Only to be awakened with the reality that the ordeal was both real and very much worse than the fragmented memory her brain was showing her.

Instead of relief of waking from the horrible delusion, she was pained as the trauma made fresh and new once more –– day after day after day . . .

However, even so, no matter how many times the nightmare came, she welcomed it the next –– hoping for it even. Because the beginning was the only time that she could be with him. Seeing his loving eyes and warm smile. Hearing those tender words and feeling those warm caresses that she was still having a hard time believing that he was no longer part of her world –– part of his world.

Her tears, which she didn't know were already falling on her cheeks, continued to drift freely. Her hand covered her eyes while the other continued to grasp the quilt against her body. If she didn't cling to any fabric, she felt naked underneath the blanket. A feeling which brought unfathomable disgust to herself and bile boiled from her stomach and rose to her throat. She swallowed the salty lump back down.

Still a bit shaken, she went out of bed and walked towards the bathroom to clean herself –– cleaning the filthy lingering images of that night out from her mind.

----

Eric came home late as usual from the hard days of work. It was a Sunday. Thus his whole day was occupied with work though he requested some time off since he had to do his and Evangeline's projects and a.s.signments.

In the past, he had no problem balancing his study and job, but now that Evangeline came into the picture, he had to cut some time off to accommodate her.

It had been two days since that event with her. At the memory, his down curved lips kicked up a smile.

That's right. I'm going to fetch her tomorrow to buy ingredients. His smile progressively turned playful as a mischievous idea kept playing in his head. He couldn't wait to see her reaction when she saw what he had planned for her tomorrow.

He kept his happy and eager thoughts throughout the night. Even after he took a bath, his brain was still formulating plans. Images of her different expressions at seeing what he had in store for her dominated his entire mind. He even went as far as to ready his clothes for tomorrow.

Though he tried to conceal it, he was looking forward for morning to come.