✔ Through Alternate Realities

Capitulum 15

"THIS way, m'lady."

It felt like a dream.  

A dream never wants to wake up from. Ever. Pero base sa mahinang classical music na pumapailanlang sa paligid at sa dami ng mga taong nakasuot ng magagarbong damit, alam niyang hindi ito isang panaginip. When the man wearing a silver mask escorted her to the ballroom, she instinctively curtsied and sashayed her way past the barricade of bodies.

Naalala niya ang sinabi kanina ni Link bago siya nito hinayaang pumasok sa loob.

"Reality TG-01001010. This timeline stretches far back to the Victorian era, when England colonized Eastwood. Hindi ko na ipapaliwanag kung paano nangyari 'to sa mundong ito. Believe me, it will only give us a headache."

"So, in this reality, I'm some kind of...?"

"You're the poor daughter of a shoemaker. Sa tulong ng mayaman mong ninong, nagawa mong makapuslit dito para makita ang prinsipeng hinahangaan mo. It's like a Snow White story, 'yong may deadly sins---"

"Cinderella," Mel automatically corrected. "At wala namang deadly sins sa istorya ni Snow White, ah?"

Link blinked. "Oh. Iba yata ang nabasa kong kwento. Well, alternate realities are really twisted. Sometimes they don't make sense at all. Hahaha! Anyway, enjoy the evening! Sunduin na lang kita mamayang alas-dose para medyo dramatic."

Mel rolled her eyes at him. "Darating ka rin bang naka-karwahe?"

"Maybe." He winked.

Nonetheless, Mel was thankful that Link gave her some privacy. Inilibot ni Mel ang kanyang mga mata sa paligid. The giant chandelier hang above them, bathing the entire ballroom in a fluorescent glow.

'Nasaan na ba ang prinsipe?'

Of course, that's Evan.

Kahit na hindi na niya ito tanungin kay Link, nakakatuwang isipin na alam na agad ni Mel kung ano ang katauhan ni Evan dito. It's like she knows this by heart.

Maybe she does.

Alam ng Mel sa reyalidad na ito kung sino ang hahanapin niya.

Napangiti na lang siya.

'Mas madali sana ang paghahanap kung hindi lang ito isang masquerade ball.' Isip-isip niya bago inayos ang kanyang pulang maskara at sinimulan ang libutin ang ballroom.

Soon, amidst the muted colors of vintage gowns, sparkling jewelries, and the dizzying scents of perfume, Mel found herself gravitating towards a man wearing a golden mask. Hindi na niya napigilang ngumiti habang naglalakad papalapit dito.

Sa hindi niya malamang dahilan, nakaramdam ng labis na pananabik si Mel.

She smoothed her lavish gown, a smile on her crimson red lips.

"Your Highness."

Nang magtama ang kanilang mga mata ni Evan, bumilis ang tibok ng kanyang puso. Noon, palagi niyang binibiro ang boyfriend niya na bagay siguro nito ang mga damit pang-prinsipe. Ngayon, napatunayan na niya ito sa prinsipeng kaharap niya.

"Pardon me, but do I know you, miss?" He asked politely, taking in her figure.

"A few minutes ago, you didn't."

Evan chuckled. "You're quite attractive, I'd give you that."

"Then, perhaps, you would also like give me the next dance?"

The violins blared throughout the hall. Bodies shuffled in pairs, preparing for the dance. Makalipas ang ilang sandali, inilapag ni Evan ang hawak niyang wineglass at yumukod sa kanyang harapan.

"It'll be my pleasure, miss."

He gently took her hand, kissed it, and guided her towards the center of the ballroom.

Mel felt like she was living in a fairytale.

Namalayan na lang niyang isinasayaw na siya ni Evan sa nakahihipnotismong musika. Nakahawak ito sa kanyang baywang. Sumabay sa kanilang galaw ang kanyang pulang bestida. Their bodies moved in sync. Their lips a few inches apart.

His brown eyes were intoxicating.

"Evan, I..."

He spun her around and pulled her close.

His lips against her ear, making her shiver in delight. Soon, he sensually whispered, sliding his hand lower to her waist...

"Don't think I have no idea why you're here, miss."

"Hmm?"

Sa isang iglap, naramdaman ni Mel na kinuha nito ang isang nakatagong punyal sa kanyang gown. Humigpit ang hawak ng prinsipe sa kanya. His voice sounded colder than it was a few seconds ago...

"Ikaw ang assassin na ipinadala nila para patayin ako, hindi ba?"

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