THREE: VLAZE

Who are you?" His voice was cold. I was terrified but felt a different horror. Horror for myself because instead of being scared my nerves calmed down.

His presence tickled me. It gives me having foreign feelings. I don't have a strength to make a voice and answer him instead I close my eyes. Once I closed my eyes I hear his last words before his presence slowly fade.

"Surely, I will find your roses smell ...."

I looked around the entirety of cubicle expecting somehow a man or even his shadow but no one is inside this cubicle except on me. I shook myself with madness before rushing back to class.

I didn't even understand any of our lessons because in that situation my mind was spinning. Thinking if all of those are just my imagination or real? Maybe I'm exhausted so my imagination got worsen. Is that because of what I’ve always dreamed? That even here and awake doesn’t stop me dreaming.

"Venice."

My thoughts cut when I heard Meg. I looked up at her. Hee shoulder bag was slung over her shoulder and she was standing in front of me. Then I realized that the class was over. I didn't realize it because of the depth of my thoughts.

"Oi. What fantasy is on your mind that you're daydreaming here. We're dismissed Madam." She sarcastically said.

"Tell me who you're fantasizing about–"

"N-nothing. I'm just tired Meg." I don't know if I sounded defending but on how I saw Meg smirked I know it was.

She didn't stop teasing me until we reached the gate. If she hadn’t just noticed Gello outside waiting she wouldn’t have stopped.

"You own me an explanation tomorrow. Just reminding you. Bye beh!" She kissed my cheeks and hurried away waving from me.

I even watched her until she got into their SUV. She turned to me and waved again before she left.

I couldn't help but smile at her awkwardness. I shook my head and approached Gello who was watching me in astonishment. 'What?' I mouthed him.

"Let's go." He was serious as if he didn't understand what I was saying. But then I didn't say a word. I don't want to tease him 'cause he seems to be in a bad mood right now.

We arrived home quietly. During our time together I just saw him quiet. He used to be quiet but not this so quiet. Not to point that the lizard noise on our ceiling I can already hear, as well as every drip of our tap water from the kitchen.

I've been watching him before, even when we're in the car. Maybe because he had a problem at work. I already told him not to work anymore. We can live normal without me graduating. And, I can help him. That way he wouldn't have to suffer anymore.

We eat silent. Only, the cutlery made noise.

When he finished, he went straight to the washroom with the food and washed it. Me, I only watch him.

"I'll go first and get a shower. Rosie." I almost jumped when he turned to me. He's with his usual gentle gaze but I can't help to bother with his silence.

I was about to speak when he immediately turned around and put the dishes in the container and went to the bathroom. I just closed my mouth and put away the food. I'm done too.

It was a long time before he came out of the bathroom so I put him to sleep waiting for him to finish. I just woke up feeling thirsty. It was already dark and only light from outside gave light so somehow I could still see the way to the kitchen. But before I went there I first peeked at Gello in his room and when I saw that he was sound asleep I went on.

It's not very odd to me whenever I wake up at the middle of the night but this night is different from the past night. I feel like there's someone watching me beyond those darkness.

Even though I was terrified, I kept going to the kitchen to get something to drink because I was really thirsty. It's strange that the more I avoid to looked at those eyes the more my throat get dry. But It only makes me more thirsty.

Relax Rosie, you're inside your house. Nothing bad will happen.

I easily drained a glass of water and ran back to the room without looking in the dark. I couldn't help but make noise because I was in a hurry to get to bed. I covered myself with my blanket but the chills never fade. I also turned on the light to have light.

I'm also cold but at the same time sweaty. I tried to close my eyes expecting that I will fall asleep.

I was stunned when I felt a cold hand on my leg. I screamed at the top of my lungs.

"What's wrong Rosie? Why are you screaming?"

I heard a few knocks from the door and I knew who it was based on the voice I heard. At that time I had a chance to leave the hood and look around my room.

"N-nothing! I'm just having ... my nightmare!" I answered back. I had no intention of getting up and opening him up because my body was still shaking which I had just noticed.

I no longer heard a voice from him but eventually I heard the doorknob turn and Gello's disheveled and drowsy hair came in.

I can tell he's concerned about me because whenever I'm having a nightmare he slept with me. He even brought a pillow and a mat. "I'll sleep here." He sleepily said. He yawned also then trow his pillows and mat to the floor.

"Gello. -"

"I know what will you say Rosie ... I'm sleepy. You should too." Then he closed the light. Before he could even close, I stopped him.

"Just open it. I can't sleep with the light closed."

"Hm? Then goodnight Rosie."

I slept well thanks to Gello. The next day I woke up at noon and it was the weekend.

The only case was that Gello didn't have a weekends so I was home alone again. He didn't even wake me up before leaving. I'm not upset because he left some food. I don't have the right to sulk because what he does is for us, for me, for my education.

All I can do is not to be a burden to him.

Since I have nothing to do and will do now, I just cleaned the whole house so that when Gello arrives later, the house will be clean and airy. Lightweight when he return.

The house isn't too dirty because I clean it often so I finished it easily. The only thing that lasted longer was the warehouse at the end of our house. During our time here, I just noticed that this house has a warehouse.

My sneezes are steady because of the dust I breathe. Lots of stock to use and almost everything can still be used if cleaned.

I organized them from usable to useless. And categorize them.

The last thing I sorted out were the scattered books. Not everyone is familiar to me because I think it’s old fashioned. I put them neatly on the bookshelf I cleaned a while ago.

I almost ran out of time organizing because of the sheer volume of books, there are a few more big and thick.

A crash stopped me. The book I just put on the other shelves fell.

"How come it fell? I did arrange the book properly, huh. Tsk, and I put it on the bottom but still, it fell. Aish."

I could do nothing but return it but even before I could return it I was distracted by a familiar letter.

"Vlaze Kingdom?" I read.

I remember once hearing this name. I don't know where but it was familiar to me. Out of surprise I opened it. I even had a hard time because the pages were so close together that it was so old.

But the moment I managed to unfold that I was exposed to a terrifying picture of a familiar place. From huge trees, huge gates and lofty palaces. A cold wind enveloped me of recognizing the place. It was the same palace I saw in my dreams.

If anything has changed, it is the more frightening and dark thing I saw in the dream.

I almost lingered on that page because I couldn’t take my attention off the picture of the Vlaze kingdom. This book is written for the history of the kingdom long ago. And base on this book the kingdom suddenly vanished without any traces and no one know how and why. They did investigate this phenomenon but they can't solved it. Even the ruler and the citizens vanished along with the kingdom.

It's amazing why I dreamed of it even though I don't remember we studied it nor I don't know my connection to this. What have I got to do with this? In my past life? Maybe. But it's impossible. I don't believe in past life. Reincarnation thay called.

The book mentioned the family of the ruler of the Kingdom. There is no picture to describe them except the translating kings. The greatness of their previous ruler, king Johnny Walter. Sadly he died from strange ill.

I was held to my chest as I felt strange. I don't know why but all of a sudden my chest tightened for a moment and I quickly read the name of a brave king next to king Jhonny. His son, Dracula Vladimeer Walter.

As I focus on his name written in this book, suddenly I remember that day inside the cubicle, the whispers, presence and voice of that man. Shocks! What am I thinking?!

I didn't realize it was afternoon because I wasted my time reading the book. So I hurried to get ready so that Gello and I could have our dinner ready.

"Ok done!" I shook myself before starting to head for the door. I rolled my eyes again all over the room to see how everything was in order, I couldn't help but stare at the book again. I shook myself before closing the door.

I prepared Gello's favorite adobo. And because of stupidity I burned the meat. Hayst it is still can be, maybe. Still edible.

I hurried to the door when I heard Gello's voice to greet him. The happiness can't be taken away from me.

"Yes. New York? .. ah I- I'm sorry sir but I can't accept ... Yes po .... Yes, thank you. I'm sorry sir."

My smile faded and was replaced by a frown in astonishment at what I heard. What does he mean New York? And he can't accept what?

"What is it, you can't accept what Gello?" I was kind to him. He immediately put down the phone he was holding and his eyes widened and turned to me. I cross my arms and look at him.

"R-rosie. That's.. nothing. Just at w-work." He said then exceed. I can sense his shutters voice so I quickly wrinkled my forehead.

He took a heavy step into his room and lock it so I couldn't reach him. Lately he's been busy in his works and yesterday he was quite and in deep thoughts. I didn't understand that before but now I can't help but be upset especially from what I heard before.

I humbly went back to the kitchen and there he waited. I have a lot to ask him.

He didn't look at me when I got to the table so I gasped.

"Gello." I call.

"Hmm." He just kept putting food on his plate. "You did cooked this?" He asked without looking at me. He knows. He knows that I will catch him if he look at me.

"Gello." I repeat. ".. are you hiding something-"

"Fvck! Sh*t!" He was cheap all of a sudden so I was stunned. "What did you put here?" I blushed suddenly.

"h-huh? I accidentally burnt it. Hihi. Isn't it delicious? You can stop eating that.– DON'T!" I shouted when he eat up again.

"It's delicious. You can persevere. "

"Oi! I worked so hard just for you!"

"Ows. How sweet of my Rosie." I blushed in annoyance at the tone of his speech. He's teasing me.

"Aish! Leave it there!"

In the end we didn’t talk about what I heard because he was purely teasing me because my burn adobo. And every time I open the tapic there he changes it immediately. We talk about also about my cleaning, even in my studies just to avoid his.

" Gello. When are you going to tell me what you're hiding?" I asked him. A week ago and only now can I talk to him in depth again.

He turned to me curiously but the shock was still obvious. As soon as he opened his mouth I preceded him because I already knew what he was going to say. He'll keep telling his lies.

"I know you're hiding something. You've been acting strange this past two weeks, I know. I can sense. Please tell me. If you're having a hard time, you can stop studying and help—"

"You won't stop. And I'm not having a hard time Rosie."

"Then why you'd always change the topic when I asked about your work? I'm burden–"

"Rosie." He stopped me. He knelt in front of me and looked up at me. "... You're never a burden to me. Don't say that." I just snorted and averted my eyes.

I heard him sigh heavily then catch my chin to face him. "... Ok I'll tell you but promised me one thing. You won't lead me in my decision." I nodded hesitantly out of a desire to know what he was hiding. He took a deep breath.

" Well.... My boss offered me to go overseas. But not for work only but to study and free all even my allowance. I just need is to work for him, but I refuse."

" Then, that's great!– wait, what? You refused? Why? "I asked confused. It's a good opportunity for him. What was this 'monkey' thinking that he declined the offer!

"I can't leave you alone here–"

"H-huh?" I almost had nothing to say because of him. He cuped my face. "Listen carefully Rosie. You're the only family I have. I can't leave without you. To leave you here alone. We've been together since then–"

"That's it Gello. We've been together for a long time. We've been together since we were kids. So I think this is the right chance for us to get separated."

"What the hell are you talking about ?! You promised me Rosie." I was stunned. Regretted to nod earlier.

He never spoke to me again after that night. I know I made him upset and worst I made him angry. He can't blame me for being desperate to get us separated cause it will be benefits for both of us. We can't just depend on each other. We need to be independent because the time will come when we will have our own family. We can't always depend on each other.

I'm not saying I'm going to have a family but if fate gives me a chance to love. Maybe. I can't tell. We can not say.

"We can communicate with each other through Skype, F******k, twitter, messenger. There's a lot of social medias in the world now Gello. We're not totally apart."

He any longer didn't say a word after I finished my sentence. He just quietly eats at the table. Three weeks ago we only had the opportunity to talk about it again.

"You can't change my word. Rosie. I will stay." He finality before he stand up and go the kitchen sink. He is still busy today.

Even before he got close to the door I stopped him.

"Please. I'm the one to listen to now, Gello."

He didn't speak when I said that instead he just averted his gaze. I 'm desperate. This is the right for us. We need to bite these chances we only have. I knew Gello would understand me in my decision.

It's not just for me that his world revolves. He needs to free himself. He need to continue for his life without me, the responsibility.

I am just his responsibility when my mother died but not forever he will be obligated to me. My mother also wants him to go on with his life with his freewill. Achieving not his obligation but his passion. Succession.

I went with Meg when she invited me to go for her Korean friend's birthday party. Not because I was sad but the opposite. I am happy now because I was successful in convincing Gello to go abroad. I know he's angry but I've known him for a long time so I know how his intestines work. He will be cold and serious all the time when he got angry on something. Someone and probably me.

He will be angry now but in the future he will be thankful to me. I trust him. He's a brave and ideal man I only knew besides from my father.

The party went on but I didn't join even though they forced me, especially Meg. I don't drink alcohol and also Gello will get mad by any chance. He might get even angrier with me and worse if he changes his mind again. That is not possible.

"Rosie right?" I turned to Meg's Korean friend as he leaned over me.

"Yes." I answer him.

He handed me his glass of alcohol. I just shook my head and looked at Meg again who was purely sexy dance in the middle of the dance floor. We are in a bar now because it is the venue. Actually it's my first time here so I haven't seen the runs in bar a bit yet. What's going on but based on what I see I'd rather just not come back here.

I'm not innocent for this kind of stuff but I'm not into it. I don't like this.

I jumped in my seat when I felt the Korean hand on my waist. Without a shovel-goodbye I got up and left the bar.

Then I also noticed that it was midnight. Shocks! I'm fvcked up on Gello! There were some miss calls from him as well. Why do I do it because it's senilent mode. Tsk.

Suddenly there was more than my hand so I let go of the keypad I was holding and fell into the man who smelled alcohol. His smells were familiar and it was the korean birthday boy. I wasn't wrong when I looked up at him.

" You're my type. Don't just run away in my own party." He whispered with a wicked smirk.

I was immediately nervous and struggled with him. " I'm sorry for being rude to you but I need to go. "

" Go where. To your boyfriend? Forget about him and stay here. I'm here, I can be your boyfriend for the meantime and your friend Meg is still here— "I didn't finish him and I slapped him hard. How dare him!

He grabbed where I slapped him and caressed it before stared at me coldly. He was also blushing from drunkenness.

My god! No one is even trying to find him out here.

“Rude girl.” Then he pulled me. I struggled but he was too strong even though he was drunk. He's a man that's why. He dragged me to the parking lot where his black car was.

"You beast! Where are you taking me! Release me—"

"Let's call it a night, baby. It's time for your punishment."

I was horrified by what he said especially in the tone of his speech. I struggled with all my might to get rid of him. I also shouted but no matter what happened, no one came to help me.

He rang his car as we approached. But even before he could open the door of his car, in an unexpected event he was thrown into the next car. With the force of his fall there he lost consciousness. But thanks God he's not dead! Shocks!

But I still can't help but wonder how that happened. There is no strong wind here and if there is, it is not enough for him to fly like that. I was even more terrified.

" You again. "

I looked behind me when I felt the cold air touch my skin. That dark familiar voice.

I looked around the park just in case I saw the owner of that voice. But when I saw a shadow of a man from far away. It's in the dark so I don't see much of him.

It's amazing but I've just heard his voice nearby but why is the shadow so far away. Or that's not the owner of the voice.

"Hello? Are you the one who speak?" I shout.

I didn't want to come because I was scared. Maybe what else could he do. What if he's a kidnapper. It didn't speak, it didn't move so I just kept staring at it. Even before I wanted to leave here.

"Shall we meet again .... Roses Smell."

At the same time he uttered again the disappearance of the shadow. There I felt the weakness. I looked at the unconscious Korean man. Should I leave him? Yes! He harassed you!

But then I called some help but I didn't tell the truth especially the part that when he blew besides his car. I leave him to the guard.

I didn’t know how I got home as long as all I knew was I was tired and shivering. I was nervous to enter the house because I knew Gello was waiting. And I don't expect him to open up to me so well.

Why did I come? And Meg. Aish.

Holding my breath I turned the knob. What I hope will open up to me is that nothing I can get into. Even in the kitchen or in his room there was still nothing. I couldn't wait for him because I was already asleep. The next day I found him on the sofa asleep. He snore and smells alcohol.

'He drunk last night? That's why. Tsk. '

It was not new for me to see him drunk. He's not a teen age boy. He's an adult. He didn't drink often and only now did it happen again. Maybe it's because of my insistence that he accept his boss's offer.

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Enjoy Reading!

Thank You!

God Bless!

- ErnEst_odrE_5v -