Chapter 16

What a delightful dream!

"Hmm!" She felt like she floated with the clouds as her body moved gradually across the room.

But instead of feeling the softness of those fluffy white cotton candy-like soft beds, she landed on a firm, solid, but comfy and pleasant surface.

Even the scent was heavenly as she savored its deliriously enticing, manly fragrance. It was intoxicating and addicting.

If this was a dream, I don't wish to wake up.

She wanted to stay in this position forever as she felt safe and protected. It was as if nothing could harm her.

"No!" She protested when she slowly lost the contact of the warm body against her skin. Instead, she felt the cold sheets underneath her body.

She reached with her hand as she tried to stop him. "Please, don't leave me." She could not see his face, but he felt familiar. It was as if she had known him almost all her life.

She must be intoxicated because when she opened her eyes, her vision was blurry. Even her words seemed to slur as she barely recognized her voice.

"I won't." The manly tone said, untangling his arm from her grip. "I will be back. I'm just getting a wet towel." He added.

At least, she believed that was what she heard in her muddled brain while the rest of the world started spinning.

But more importantly, she felt safe hearing his familiar voice. He would never hurt her. He might seem cold, arrogant, and insensitive. But deep in her heart, she knew he was a good man.

"Hmm-mmm!" She let go of him, agreeing with whatever he said. She finally lay on the bed, allowing the darkness to consume her.

Soon, she was laughing hard and loud, carefree and oblivious, as she enjoyed this glorious moment with her family and friends, believing nothing could ruin this day.

It was her 18th birthday. Her father and mother had just thrown her the most incredible party to celebrate her special day.

"Mom, Dad. You are the best." She hugged them after blowing the candles on her mouthwatering, multi-layered cake.

She could not ask for more caring and loving parents, believing she was the luckiest daughter in the world.

"Here is my gift, my little Princess." Her brother, William, handed her a big, beautifully wrapped gift, treating her like she was the most important person in his life.

Quickly, she opened it to find a fluffy, cuddly teddy bear underneath the covering. But she was too old for stuffed toys. Nevertheless, she loved it since it came from his adorable, goofy, but overly protective brother.

"Thanks, William. But I want to remind you, I am too old for this stuff." She did not want his brother to treat her like she was still a child he constantly needed to protect.

But he was seven years older than her. She knew he felt obligated to keep her safe, especially when their parents were not around.

"I'm sorry, but you will always be my baby sister." He would always insist.

Nonetheless, she always appreciated his concern, even if it was suffocating most of the time. She could hardly go on a date without him chasing her dates away.

"You know you can be a bully sometimes." But she loved him nonetheless.

Soon after, Tristan gave his present. It was a beautiful bracelet that she still occasionally wore until now. Then, his brother, Lucas, gifted her with a stunning necklace.

But she must have lost it since she had not seen it again.

Everything about that day was perfect until the party ended and everyone had to go home.

"The Preston had reserved the penthouse suite for us until tomorrow." Her father's best friend, Mr. Preston, gifted her the use of the hotel for her reception.

Her mother suggested they stay the night at the hotel since they were tired, but she insisted on going home instead.

She did not want to miss the routine they usually did on her birthday at home. After all, she was getting older. It might be the last time they would do this for her.

"Ok. Let's go home." Her father conceded, taking the keys to drive them home.

She could not contain her happiness as she rode the car with her family. But it ended up being the biggest mistake of her life. 

"No!" She shouted as the bright light rushed toward her.

What she thought would be the happiest day of her life turned out to be the worst.

Soon, what was once a dream transformed into a nightmare.

Her beautiful memories shattered into pieces.

"Take me instead." But the light did not come for her.

Instead, everyone she loved vanished in the blink of an eye, leaving her alone in the car, cold, afraid, and crying her heart out.

She tried to call them repeatedly, but nobody answered.

"Mom?"

"Dad?"

"William?"

But all her cries went in vain.

"Don't leave me."

But they did.

She lived.

Miraculously, she had survived the fatal car crash with just some minor injuries.

They died.

Her parents and brother were declared dead on arrival. They died before they could even reach the hospital.

How was that fair?

Then, the entire scenario would replay all over again, leaving her breathless, exhausted, and screaming. But nobody came. Nobody cared.

—Until now.

"Andy?"

"Andy!"

She could hear his voice calling to her. It seemed near but too far for her to reach. She could hardly see the light. It was as if she was drowning in the abyss of eternal darkness.

"Andy... Wake up!"

She thrashed against his grip, trying to free herself from his hold, but he did not let go. Instead, he continued to call to her until his voice reached her, guiding her out of the hole she had dug herself into.

"Andy, it is just a dream." He soothed her with his comforting tone.

Her brain recognized him effortlessly as her heart and body calmed down. Eventually, she realized it was indeed just a bad dream.

"Open your eyes, Andy. It is me."

Finally, she did. Then, she was not alone anymore.

Lucas!