The Midnight Lies (THE PRESTIGE 3)

Prologue

Fairytales

I am always fond of fairytales. I mean, why not? I always wondered what it feels to be loved by a prince—a prince who is willing to take any spears for you. It's not that I want him to die for me. But—I have this fantasy all over my head that I want to have a long lasting love like them.

Pure.

Magical.

Cinderella was loved by a man despite of his social status; Belle loved a Beast which only implies that heart is much more important than looks. And oh, don't forget Ariel who sacrificed everything in order for her to get on the land.

I want a matured and responsible man who can handle my craziness, my immaturity and all. In short, I want a prince charming just like what I've read in the books. So, I began to wander what my story is all about. I tried to explore it. I do boyfriends here and then. I enjoy my youth to the fullest. I experienced lots of breakups but the pain isn't that deep. Masakit ba talaga ang break up? Hindi naman ata. Hindi naman ako nasasaktan e.

Hindi pa.

Hindi masakit kasi hindi pa ako talaga nahulog. I thought I was doing it right. I thought that was love. I thought breakups doesn't hurt.

Not until he entered my life.

When I thought I will finally experience my fairytale-like-relationship, a nightmare woke my senses to reality.

A cruel reality.

"Take me back."

My hands are trembling. Patuloy ang pag-agos ng luha ko dahil sa takot. Magpasahanggang ngayon ay nagpapaulit ulit sa isipan ko ang putukan ng mga baril.

I lifted my head to the man in front of me.

"Don't't you hear me!? I said I want you to take me back!" I shouted again pero mukhang wala siyang naririnig.

Kahit nahihirapan gawa ng suot kong wedding gown ay sinikap kong tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo sa sahig. He is just watching me intently, ready to face my rage. 

Lumapit ako sa kaniya. Galit na galit. "Ibalik mo sabi ako!"

But then again, I receive nothing from him.

Nothing.

No emotions.

No words.

"My fiancee is shot!" I exclaimed.

His jaw clenched.

"Naroon ang fiancee ko! He was shot! In front of my eyes! He needs me!" I shouted.

"Paano ka!? Paano kung mapahamak ka doon!?" His voice broke.

For almost four years, those were the first words he uttered after seeing me again.

I felt a different kind of pain by hearing his voice. The familiarity is killing me.

"I wouldn't risk your safety, Elene. You will stay here with me." Nahihirapan niyang sabi.

Why is he hurting? He was the one who left me without any words. And now that I am getting married, he suddenly showed up? And what worse is, he shot my fiancee! In front of me! In front of the altar!

 "And do you think I'm safe here?" I whispered.

Mukhang hindi niya inaasahan ang tanong ko kaya mas lalo pang bumigat ang nararamdaman ko. 

"Do you think I'm safe here? Knowing I am here with you?"

His jaw clenched repeatedly as if I hit something very sensitive to him. But it's true anyway. I am right. I'm not safe here. I am not safe with him. Not anymore.