C H A P T E R  9  :  R E A L I T Y  V E R S U S  I L L U S I O N  Reality is merely an illusion. Albert Einstein  ~   “Who are you?” I stare at the stranger in confusion. I know who he is, he was the man in my dream, but I have no idea that he could visit me in reality as well, standing on my porch with a mischievous devil may care smile across his lips. I thought dreams are just fickle of our own imaginations.  “My apologies, where are my manners?” he replies, though he does not look sorry at all. “My name is Remliel Deveraux. I believe you are Julie St. Matthews, Katherine’s daughter.” I blink. “You know my mother?” So I have been dreaming about my mother’s friend?? Ew, how gross is that?!  “I’m here on her behalf, actually.” He smiles again, yet it still doesn’t reach his eyes. There’s somet

C H A P T E R  1 1  :  C O N F U S I O N   Your intellect may be confused, but your emotions will never lie to you. Roger Ebert   ~   “No, you’re mistaken,” I shake my head firmly, refusing to pretend to be Juliet again. “My name is Julie. Julie St. Matthews.” A voice in my head is asking me if I was trying to convince her or myself, but I shut it off. With almost everyone I met saying thinking that I am Juliet, I can’t help to doubt the truth. “Oh, I’m sorry.” She raises her hand and tucks a few strands of her blonde hair behind her ear. “You just remind me of someone from my childhood. You both look so much alike.” “Was it by any chance, Juliet Matthias?” I decide to ask and see if there’s an opening. I know I am not going to pretend that I am Juliet, just like what I did with the nun, but I know if I say the correct name, there is a chance that she migh

C H A P T E R  1 3  :  L I E S  A N D  W A R P E D  T R U T H  Be careful who you pretend to be, you might forget who you are.  ~   “I’m sorry, Ms. Saint Matthews, but according to the record that we have, the house at 211 Roberts Rd, Ardmore, PA 19002 does belong to Mike Dawson,” says the short plump guy in a white dress shirt and brown pants. A gold-framed spectacle hung on the bridge of his nose. I frown. “Are you sure? How about the Saint Matthews? Do you have any records of them, their whereabouts?” I fish out my phone and text Stella while waiting for Pete, the officer, to search through the data on his computer. He’s the first person here who doesn’t mistake me for Juliet. Maybe the fact that he’s a fan of my books has something to do with that. Stella, call me as soon as you get this. I think Mom and Dad are missing.

C H A P T E R  1 5  :  O F  F A N T A S Y  A N D  S U P E R N A T U R A L “Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.” Aldous Huxley, Complete Essays 2, 1926-29   ~   When I wake up the next day, it almost feels like nothing changed. But deep down in my heart, I know it did and there’s no turning back. I quickly take a bath and go to my office. I grab all the documents I got from Pete, along with the phone records, and head outside. I am about to knock on the door when it swings open, revealing a good-looking man in a suit. Two blazing hazel eyes stare back at me. A mysterious smile appears on his face as the corners of his lips turn upwards. “Julie,” his deep voice caresses my name in a way that sends shivers on my skin. “What can I do for you?” “Remliel,” I slightly nod. “I need your help.” He swings the open wider and lets

If tears could build a stairway,And memories a lane,I'd walk right up to HeavenAnd bring you home again.- Sarah Lugo, If Tears I put the bucket of flowers on the ground by the tombstone. "Mom, Dad, Nate, I'm sorry that I haven't visited you these last two years. I promise I will visit you every year and tell you boring stories about how's life been treating me. I promise I'll keep you updated so one day when we meet again, there's nothing you miss and it feels like you've never left."I feel his hand on my shoulder and turn to him. Even in a casual sweater and jeans, Remliel still looks as good as he's in suits. I lay my head on his shoulder and he holds me tight.Sometimes the hardest part isn't forgiving others, it's to forgive yourself.Remliel helped me to regain my memory but as the memory came back, so did all the pain and suffering. It wasn't easy to deal with. I remember the day I committed suicide. I was blaming myself for their death. Because they weren't supposed to be