chapter 1: nightmare

A hand wrapped around my neck, in a dark alleyway with no people around. A mysterious person came out of nowhere and tried to choke me to death. This person is wearing all black from head to toes. With a black cap and a black mask.

He has dark eyes with a bushy eyebrow and the rest of the face, I can't figure it out

I tried to scream for help, but his hand was holding my neck tighter as I gasped for air. I tried to make a breakthrough by kicking him in the crotch but to no avail.

I am getting weaker as time passes, I'm starting to faint as my vision becomes blurry. I can only pray to God for a miracle

Then the person who is holding my neck suddenly said

"I'm sorry, this will only take a few seconds. Don't worry, I don't want to kill you. I just want you to be mine"

Then he removed his mask revealing a smile. Then only I began to pass out.

I woke up gasping for air, sweating like crazy, screaming like a maniac. As if I saw a ghost. Then I looked around me and I could see that I was in my bedroom. Right beside me is my husband who just recently woke up to my frantic scream.

Comforting me with words I want to hear

"Baby, baby. It's okay. It was just a dream. I'm here"

hugging me tightly to his chest until I can hear his heartbeat. the beat of his heart made me feel safe and relief, knowing that he is by my side

"Let me get you some water, do you want anything? Food.....icecream" my husband said

"Water" I said

"I will be back, just breathe okay?"

As he leaves the bedroom, I feel a sign of relief that it was just a nightmare. But as I touched my neck, then I suddenly realized that it was no nightmare. But a memory

It happened back in highschool in 12th grade. when I walked to my usual pathway from school to my house. It was 8pm at night. A man suddenly appeared behind me and holding my neck, I begun to passed out.

Then I woke up in the hospital and sitting right beside me was my classmate who will soon be my husband. His name is felix and he saved me that night.

According to him. He saw a man dressed up in all black carrying me at his back. He screams at the man and sucker punch him in the face. The man fell down on the ground along with me. He tried to pull out a knife. But thankfully Felix knew and stomp his hand until it no longer had the knife.

Felix tries to get him arrested. As soon he pulled out a phone, the man removed his hand from felix foot and run away. Felix tried to follow him but he couldn't just leave me behind unconsciously. So he decided to call the ambulance and get me to a hospital.

My lovin felix, who is my knight and shining armor.

Felix has a handsome appearance with dark slight curly hair,and handsome dark eyes with thick eyebrows. He is also physically fit and stand tall at 6 foot 2. You could say that he kinda looks like Penn Badgley or Henry cavill. But damn I am so lucky to have him as husband

Well you see, I don't really have the most unique looks and I just look like an average girl. With brown hair, dark eyes. Pale skin, stand tall at 5 foot 1 .and kinda skinny with no curves at all. Sometimes people couldn't believe that a hunk like him could be married to a stick figure like me

"Hey. I'm back. Got you some water. And I have some milk and cookies. It always calms me down after a horrifying nightmare" felix said

I grabbed the water and Felix sat down beside me asking "so….. Isn't the same dream again?"

I nodded. He then talks to me with comforting words to calm me down. And we talk throughout the night until I fall asleep. Then he grabbed the blanket and pulled it toward us he hugged me and cuddled with me until morning

The smell of brewed coffee, the morning breakfast being laid on the table. Good morning radio tuned in:

"Good morning (with a smile). Did you sleep well?" felix said

"Yeah, I did. shouldn't I be the one who makes breakfast" I said

"You slept well, So I did not want to bother you. Don't worry you will make breakfast next time. For now just eat and drink coffee"

The good music of the radio makes breakfast even better until:

"Breaking news, there has been a report of another missing girl in Quezon city. That's about a third case this month. Those girls haven't been found yet. According to the police report the girl was walking toward school and was abducted during the day—--" felix turned off the radio

Felix can see that I was shaking, and looked so pale. But then he said:

"Hey how about I will give you a ride toward your office. Then picked you up when your shift is over. Does that sound good. Aleria?"

"Umm…. no, I don't want you to get late because of me. I'm fine, I can go there by myself and besides my workplace is bustling with people, no one is going to abduct me in front of crowds" I said, in a cheering voice

"How about this, I will come pick you up at 8 oclock, that's probably the end of your shift"

"Then we could grab dinner at that new restaurant. And probably get something at a convenience store for protection" felix said as he put his head between my legs and looks at me with those puppy eyes

"Felix, not now. I need to get to work." as I pushed him off then got my bags and stuff standing at the door as I looked back seeing him disappoint then I said

"Okay, fine. I'll see you at 8"

"Great, I'll get some reservations." felix said

I am aleria vena cova, I worked at lux and deluxe corporation as a company lawyer. I deal with company decisions and give them advice on the best possible legal ways to improve the company, and also deal with complaints.

"Atty. cova" said by CEO assistant

"Yes?" I said

"Mr. dela reyes, request for your audience. He needed to speak with you urgently"

The CEO assistant led the way to his office, and I followed.

"Please stay here and wait for the mr. dela reyes to call you."

"Ok, thank you"

As I patiently wait for the door to open. I can hear a bunch of commotion and laughter. "Mmm….. probably got himself a deal and needed me to evaluate" thought in my head

*door open* "atty. Cova, Mr. dela reyes is waiting"

Then I step inside. And I saw a person sitting opposite to mr. dela reyes. Only his head and shoulder that I see. His hair was dark and his neck kinda pale white. He kinda looks tall

"Ahhh, aleria. come in." mr. dela Reyes gestured to me with a happy look on his face.

Then the man stood up and was now facing me. Wearing black suit with a red tie. I was kinda shocked when I saw his face. He looks so familiar

He has dark black hair. Bushy eyebrows and dark eyes. He is very pale white and kinda looks like a Korean actor, I think his height is about the same as Felix . Then he smiled at me and that's where it hit me. I realized that he looked like the man who choked me back 15 years ago