Do You Wonder?

re07: hit you like a brick

07: hit you like a brick

Old, worn out red walls with lush green plants were the ones that greeted me when I opened my eyes. Where am I? This isn't the Montreal castle, that, I am sure of. I was wearing a different gown when I looked myself in an old, dirty looking glass. It was pink of all colors— and my necklace immediately changed its color. It was a deep carmine, the attachment (the one gran-gran gave me) changed its color as well. I smiled at my own reflection.

The heels of my feet felt cold as I walked around the old castle. A certain door made me stop in my tracks. Since I was a curious cat— pun intended, I opened the big double doors—— the place was breathtaking. It was a throne room that looked really old with vines covering the area. It looked amazing. Butterflies were swirling around me as I walked to the throne where a rose sat. It was dry, as if already dead. But it held such beauty that mesmerized me, so I picked it up. A gasp fell off my lips as the flower slowly regenerated. How is this possible?

"Good of you to visit, princess Maria."

My head snapped to where the sound came from. It was the cat, again. He was smiling from ear to ear as he jumped off the tall window and landed on his feet in such swift manner. "This was your gran's home. I was her pet, to be exact." He paused, sitting on the throne and purred. Which I thought wasn't possible when he's in his human form. "Until someone betrayed them. He was greedy—— he couldn't get enough." He sighed and took out a cigar from his pocket.

"You see, I can't tell you what happened. But that shiny item dangling on your neck?" Unconsciously, I held the pendant. "Yes, that. That's a memory gem. You can't force the memories to come out. But they will reveal them to you in time. That is, if they are triggered." I looked him in the eye, he just shrugged and smiled as he stood up and offered me his hand.

"A dance, milady?"

I chuckled as I placed my hand on his. Dancing along an invisible music that didn't seem to matter. And I felt lightweight. Like I was as light as a feather. It was a pleasant feeling, I can tell. When he had stopped, the walls were back to normal. As if it was never abandoned in the first place. It was more breathtaking now than it was when it looked old. I felt a smile linger on my lips as I saw slight wisps took forms of silhouettes, dancing around the dance floor.

It was a memory.

"Princess Maria, you need to leave. Immediately." He said and vanished. Leaving me stuck in the middle of the dance floor. The last thing I remember was being pulled into a corner by none the other cheshire cat. "Ssshh. Keep quiet." He said while he took his hand away from my mouth as footsteps can be heard from across the room. Hushed sounds came after, followed by lewd sounds.

"How nice of his grace to clean up the place for me." A familiar voice said along with a fit of soft, obnoxious giggles. I wanted to peek. My curiosity was kicking into my system, making me want to see, to make sure that it wasn't him. I silently prayed for the heavens that my assumption is wrong. But it seems like the heavens didn't hear my silent prayer when a deeply smooth voice answered. "Of course, anything for you, my sweet."

I walked closer to where the sound came from. It hit me like a brick. For once, I prayed that what I saw wasn't real. That the man eating another girl's face wasn't him. I stilled, looking at them exchange their mouth fluids. They were too busy to even notice me. 'I am right here!' My mind wanted to scream but I couldn't find my voice. But all I could muster was a small, almost inaudible whisper.

"Patricio..."

The place seemed to be silent enough to make the small whisper loud enough for him to hear. He froze in his spot, horror evident in his eyes as he met mine. "Arielle..." he whispered back, eyes fixed on me, giving me a look that clearly says: 'I can explain'. But my eyes are traitors, they gave me away as tears started to dart down my face. But when I saw the woman he was with... the brick became a building.

"Ari, I can explain——"

"Explain what, Lia?" I snapped, small whimpers escaped my lips as I saw the cat look at me from across the room. He shook his head, as if saying that he mustn't be seen. And I understood that—— I almost didn't even notice him there since he disappeared. "Please, listen—" I took a step back, avoiding Lia's arms. "Where were you?" His voice almost broke— it was almost a whisper. But his tone was accusing. "Arielle, I need to know." He added, trying to reach for my hand but I backed away.

"MONALISA ARIELLE, ANSWER ME!" He screamed, tears running from his eyes. Sadness, anger, confusion and a mysterious emotion flashed in his eyes. I didn't even flinch when he screamed. Even if it echoed multiple times, I didn't falter. Must be the pain. I looked at him, eyes now cold taking him by surprise. For an instance, his eyes flashed pain.

But I was too hurt to care.

I laughed bitterly, taking Lia by surprise as well when I removed the necklace she had given me. "I feel like I don't need to keep it, Lia." I said as I crushed the flower gem— but I made sure that I was able to remove the memory gem before doing so. She repeatedly said "I'm sorry" but I was too numb, too numb to even feel pity. I was too broken. "How long?" I asked, voice almost as soft as a whisper.

"T-two weeks after you left—"

My eyes darted at the man who broke my heart. "So all of it, was a lie?" I asked, he seemed to realize it. He just found out that I'm not from Wonderland. He tried to come closer but I immediately backed away. "Arielle," he called out, but I shook my head. I was never the Monalisa Arielle they knew. I stepped backward with his every step until Lia spoke up.

"I really didn't mean to... to fall in love with him," Lia looked me in the eyes, tears ruining her mascara, her eyes lowered afterwards when she whispered my name. "I knew you liked him... but I did too and you weren't there... and I... and I took the chance." Tears welled up in my eyes again, but my eyes were cold. "Believe me, he's still in love with you—— he," she stuttered as she composed her next words.

"He's never stopped loving you. He ma-made it clear to me t-that it... all of it was nothing to him."

"If you think that would help, it won't, Lia."

"Please forgive me..." she looked me in the eye, sadness evident in them. The next word that slipped from her lips held sincerity as she had cried harder. "Please forgive me, princess Maria." Even though she had said my real name, I still can't think of anything but the hurt I felt when I saw them both together.