"May we call on Lady Caress to join us with the bestowing ceremony." The emcee announced followed by an applause from the several attendees.
Care found herself rising from her seat.
"Shi! What is this, déjà vu?" Care inwardly panicked.
Like how it goes, Aster reached and gave her hand a light squeeze. Her heart began thumping crazily when she said the exact statement:
"Come straight to the table after, hmm? I feel uneasy tonight."
Chills ran through her spine as though somebody threw a bucket full of ice on her. She wanted to shout for help yet she cannot lift even a muscle in her mouth no matter how hard she tried. Further and further, she spirals down into a dilemma to believe what is meant to happen will actually happen! It doesn't matter if her decision is firm not to proceed to stage because she already has zero control of her body. She was now a puppet with somebody pulling the strings for her to move.
The struggle is real as her feet march towards the stage on its own accord. Deep inside, she was a total wreck: screaming and resisting. She would love to tear the cheque placed on her palm into hundred pieces!
"Be sure to produce good results. This is a huge opportunity to make a difference. Go, do it. I'll be cheering for you!" she spoke.
We are right on script, she mentally noted.
"Yes, Milady. It's my once in a lifetime chance. Don't regret cheering me on later. Good riddance!" he replied with the same cryptic lines.
As she goes nearer to Ramses, fragments of her impending murder flooded back so she braced for her fate... or so she thought she could prepare! The fear of experiencing the dagger thrusted to her chest for the second time allowed her to regain a bit of control. She succeeded in closing her eyes to save her from the live reenactment of her ultimate nightmare.
"Am I to die? AGAIN?! For Pete's sake, please no!" she pleaded to Heavens.
The lady was a thumb away regretting that she chose the mystical man who introduced himself as Gallus when she heard Eli's guttural voice a little earlier than expected.
"Aragon!" he shouted.
Automatically, she turned causing the dagger to land right on her ruby heirloom. She felt the incredible weight he put on his thrust but the gem stayed unscratched! The halls are filled with gasps of shock as she staggers back in order to expose Ramses' ill intention.
"Please drop the weapon!" she begged earnestly although her body was shaking.
The void in his eyes burst her hope into flames. Overwhelmed by emotions, Care took a step forward intending to take the weapon from him. She thought they could make an excuse! She wished him to go unscathed even though what he did should have been unforgivable.
"Aragon, run! What are you doing?" Eli yelled, distraught.
She did not pay attention. All her eyes could see was the young boy Ramses in the past. Harmless, kind and warm... that although he lunges for another strike, she stood still. Quickly, Eli climbed his way to the stage, shoved her aside and attempted to steal the dagger, but Ramses already struck it forward to Eli's stomach, not stopping till only the handle was left. He collapsed on her lap spreading a pool of blood on her immaculate white dress. Care whose face mirrored terror lost the ability to care of the meager details after witnessing what happened.
"Eli, oh my! No! No, Eli, wait!" She panicked.
A huge hand clutching her heart until it became harder and harder to breathe: this is what she felt. Her tears fell fast to his face one after another. She gathered him in her arms despite her hands trembling profusely.
Other men reached the stage before Ramses again grabbed the inconsolable maiden. They subdued him, ducking his face on the floor. He wriggled to break free akin to an enraged bull that feeds on destruction. His tears welled up, realizing he miserably failed to achieve his long plotted revenge. He barely has a meter to cross!
"Hypocrite! How dare you act as if you cared!? I bet you are comforted with what he did! After all, you'd let misfortune befall those around you as long as you're okay!" his mad voice boomed.
Every hurtful word he spouted was a sharpened arrow piercing her heart. His accusations hit home that she was compelled to raise her downcast head. The kind boy etched in her memory is fading fast, replaced by the image of a cruel monster. She only recovered as she felt hands covering her ears.
Hands of Eliseo!
His sluggish eyes unmasked how much pain he was in, nevertheless they were tender, not his usual indifferent stare.
"Don't listen." He muttered, respiring heavy exhales at the same time.