Take Me Part I

We are going to have our final lunch together as an engaged couple together today. The day after tomorrow, we get married. I heard that Jo and Ven were invited to come and they promised to attend. I am yet to receive a message from them that they've already arrived here in France.

I had my hair cut short up to my neck making me look more mature than I was. It feels lighter too and it helps me to breathe properly because right now, things are too heavy for me to handle. Three months. It's been three months since that day and even until now, I'm still hoping for things to end. I don't want this. I never wanted this.

"Miss Valoria, your ride has arrived," the maid informed me.

"I'm coming," I took my bag from my vanity and went outside the mansion. Mark was waiting patiently in his car. I smiled at him, it's not forced this time, somehow he grew inside of me and I'm actually comfortable being around him. His touches became warmer in my skin and even the ring seems prettier now. But I'm not sure if it's just my brain trying to trick me into liking what's happening but I'm sure in my heart that I don't like this. I have to pretend, don't I? I have to pretend that everything is okay so somehow I would feel okay.

"Where do you want us to go?" He asked.

"Wherever you want to bring us," I punch the belt to its place.

"Alright then," he started to drive. "Don't argue with me later and tell me that you don't like the place I chose though."

I chuckled.

We ended up in the restaurant where we had our first lunch together. Ordered a different food this time because we both realized that we were just trying to impress each other. It's been nice until something feels different.

Mark was talking. He's telling me about the business his family has. He's also telling me his plans for Valoria Corp. to merge with their family business right after we get married. I appreciate him for not leaving me out of this kind of things unlike what my mother did. She just thought me how to become a good listener and know when to shut my mouth. Though I think that the reason why he's telling me all this was because he knew that it was my brother's hard work that really skyrocketed the corporation. He continued talking. He was talking about shareholders and stuff when I felt a sudden pop in my ears. Suddenly, something doesn't feel right. I let my hearing move to a longer perimeter to hear what's going on. A loud car is coming this way. Someone is trailing behind it. I looked outside the glass to see what was about to come. It's been a while since my heart raced this way. A Subaru car stopped just right in front of us, spitting out an overly huge guy wearing a military get-up.

"Henry," I murmured. As soon as I realized that, I felt my hands trembling. I need to take Mark somewhere safe.

"I'm sorry?" Mark called my attention.

"Oh, nothing." I tried to hide by taking the flower vase in the middle of the table to my side.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Trying to cover my face from the sun, it burns me," I reasoned.

"Oh, that's a strange way to cover yourself. Here. A menu book instead." He seems to think of this as a game.

"Thanks." I took it and hid with it. From what I could hear, they're trying to sense me. How do I hide? In no time he'll be able to detect me with his GPS mind. If I move away from here he might notice me more.

"You're not touching your food." Mark pointed out.

"Oh, I'm sorry." I took a fork and pierced a pork piece from the plate.

/Sapphire./

I froze. I almost dropped my fork from the sudden telepathy. He's here too? No, impossible. It's just an illusion. But can the illusionist affect my hearing too? The last time he chased us we were able to escape due to my great hearing. He must have discovered a way to trick it.

/Sapphire./ I heard the voice in my head again.

"Aaron," I mumbled. My body suddenly shifted its course. Mark's not the center of my gravity anymore; it was someone else's again. After days of trying to convince myself to believe that I'm fine and after forcing myself to like Mark I just went back to zero by just mentioning his name. I hate myself for speaking his name once again. I looked at Mark who's wondering what could be happening to me again. This familiar warmth, why am I feeling this again? I thought I'd moved on.

/Where are you? I need to find you before Henry does./

I closed my eyes. It can't be. He can't be here. I don't want to see him anymore. I peek outside. Henry is still around. I get a feeling that he's blind. He was just in front of us. He would've slammed the glass window to get into the restaurant if he wanted to.

"There you are," a familiar voice on my side said. The voice traveled over my body sending shivers in my spine. No, I don't want to turn my head to face him.

"Sapphire, who's this guy?" Mark asked. His tone is different from a while ago. He sounded tough all of a sudden.

"Who are you?" I heard Aaron asking him back. Henry turned his head to his side.

I immediately turned my face away from the glass and accidentally faced Aaron. Wearing the same get-up he wore when he first met me minus the face mask. His wonderful onyx eyes looked directly at mine without hesitation. His stare isn't as cold as it used to be before. It seems right now, he is pleased to see me again.

"Who is he?" he found a way to ask while pointing at Mark.

I can't stay like this. "Him?" I dropped my fork on my plate to free my other hand and sat properly like a prim and proper lady while still trying to cover my face from Henry with the menu. I fixed my white slacks and pastel pink coat and my hair. "His name is Mark. He's my fiancé." I looked directly at him. Yes, that's right. Gather your strength, Sapphire.

He was silent for a moment. His face has the word 'hurt' written all over.

He is now just standing right in front of me trying his best to breathe, "Fiancé?" he asked. The word seemed like a bomb to him.

"Yes, that's right. Whoever you are, get out. Waiter!" Mark called trying to dismiss Aaron.

Aaron rolled his eyes towards Mark and punched him to sleep.

I was shocked that it made me stand up from my seat. "Aaron! That's my fiancé you just punched!" My sudden burst alerted Henry of my presence.

Aaron glared at me and he pulled my right hand. The same hand where my engagement ring is placed. "We have to get going," he muttered and pulled me out of the restaurant. He led me towards another expensive car and opened the door for me. He then went to the driver's seat and started driving.

"But Mark?" I asked worriedly.

He notched a hard look at me as if Mark's name is a curse word now.

"I'll check on him later then," I said.

He breathed heavily. Rude. "What the hell are you wearing now?" he asked, still focused on the road.

I frowned. "Clothes?"

He clicks his tongue dismayed with my sarcastic answer. He didn't say anything after that and continued driving.

"They're gone now, you could drive slowly now," I muttered. He did slow down a little and let his muscles relax a little. "Why are you here?" I asked.

He didn't answer me. Avoid as many questions as it is today then? Fine. Silent treatment it is.