I Fell In Love With My Murderer’s Dupe

CHAPTER 2

Elara’s POV

“Ms. Valentino can now be discharged, Sir,” the doctor stated with a smile.

“Thank you,” Florenze replied before turning to look at me.

“Let’s go home now, okay?”

The moment we stepped out of that hospital, the cold breeze of the air hit my face. I roamed my eyes around and I could not help but be amazed. Outside, below the blue sky and the bright sunlight, stood skyscrapers and vehicles that ran around the air. It was really long. There were tall buildings around, too with big screens and different pictures flashing around. The quality were great, it was full of color. The whole city was made of glass and steel in my eyes. Everything around me is made of advanced technology.

Did I perhaps travel into the future?

I can not even spot a small and weakly-built cottage for shelter. Is this my new beginning? Is this the life I have to get used to?

I still have the cardigan that I weaved in my hands. Before I get used to this, I need to look for an explanation behind this phenomenon.

“Is that a new clothing you’re weaving? I never thought you would get back to it as you said a sewing machine is faster and more convenient,” Florenze said, breaking the silence between us.

He is now the main reason why I wanted to know what is going on. I need to find out what the prophecy Lord Nicol was talking about? Why did I have to time travel and be with someone who looks exactly just like him? How could I ever get used to this life if it was with the man who bore the exact same face?

Moreover, the moment we paid for the bills was the moment I found out that this Florenze man was supposed to be my husband of 3 years.

Flashback…

“That would be all, Sir. I’m glad your wife is okay now,” the staff stated with a bright smile.

“Thank you. I’m happy, too,” Florenze replied, glancing at me.

“You two look so good together. I can’t believe it’s been 3 years since your marriage!” Another staff member butted in.

Wife?! Marriage?! 3 years??

I am convinced. I definitely inhabited a body from the future! AAAAAAAAHHH!

End of Flashback…

I shook my head, trying to disperse the memory from my head. This is not real. I refuse to believe it is.

I focused on the road in front of me and oh, good heavens, did I just spot a sparkly boutique across the street?

“Do you want to go home and rest first?” I heard Florenze ask, I really did. But the sight of a woman sewing a dress caught my attention, except she wasn’t doing it manually. She is using a machine! Unlike what I got used to!

I ran towards the store. It was a small building, its front covered with transparent glass. The name of the shop was plastered at the top. It was traced with light bulbs to make it more appealing. “Olivique…”

I have always loved anything related to clothes. I was once a weaver, after all.

I did not miss the small chuckle that escaped my husband’s lips as I skipped through the store. I opened the door and a bell rang. I went inside and scanned the area.

“Wow… this is heaven,” I quietly exclaimed.

Sparkling gold and silver dresses welcomed my eyes. It has a variety of tops, skirts, cardigans, it has everything.

I can feel Florenze trail behind me, his hand swiftly sliding to snake around my waist. We really look like a couple. Well, we are but it’s not me who he was married to. It was another Elara, obviously.

I could even feel his gaze on me. It was weird. Who would not find it weird when someone who used to look at you with blood thirst is now looking at you with a mixture of amusement and adoration?

I chose to ignore that feeling and focused myself on wandering around the racks. A gasp escaped my lips as I spotted an extremely lovely dress. It was a mermaid-like dress, its bottom reached the floor. It was covered in glossy pearls, it looked like it was flowing and dancing along the ocean’s waves. This was crafted with passion, definitely.

“This is the best thing I have ever seen in my whole life!” I exclaimed, my body instinctively turning to Florenze.

His gaze followed mine and his face contorted with admiration. “That would look so good on you,” he said, with his annoying smile.

It was not annoying. It actually looked sweet but it was annoying for me somehow. Most of all, I had never been good at accepting compliments.

“Miss Elara! I’m glad to see you again!”

A petite woman with red curly hair emerged from the rack of dresses. She walked towards me and pressed her cheek lightly against mine. Does this woman know me?

“Hi, Olivia. My wife wanted to check what’s new in your store,” Florenze was the one to speak up wearing his wide grin.

Olivia’s face was not something I would recognize but deep inside, at the back of my head, tells me that I recognize her. Despite being technically a stranger, her name, her voice, and even her figure was all familiar. I feel like my stomach dropped as I realize it would be hard for me to figure out the people related in the original Elara’s life.

Olivia’s eyes sparkled with joy. “Oh! That’s insanely great timing ‘cause I’m actually working on something, right now. I plan to showcase this in the upcoming Fashion Week.”

Olivia, unaware of my uneasiness, continued to discuss her latest craft. Her enthusiasm is contagious but I feel like I’m an outsider that is desperate to join a conversation that I’m not even included in.

Florenze might have sensed it as he squeezed my hands, his concerned gaze meeting mine. His husband senses are something else.

“Elara, baby,” he started, gentless etched in his voice, “I think we should go. You look sick.” It was obviously a lie but Olivia seemed to be convinced. This woman is easy, too.

I nodded, devoid with emotions. There is nothing wrong in the interaction but something tells me I should be wary of her. She screams danger. At least, for me. When I get home, I should probably look into Elara’s life more as I navigate about my past. Maybe I could get my answers.

Florenze managed to pull us out of the conversation. He guided me toward his car and helped me into the passenger seat.

“Are you okay?” He asked, his voice was soft.

I looked at him in confusion. “I don’t know,” I whispered. There are just a lot of things going on right now and I feel like my body is catching up to the stress. I could not think nor feel well.

“You’re shaking,” he said. He took my hands in his and warmed them with his own.

I was?

I didn't even notice as I was busy thinking of something else. It would take an insane amount of care for someone for you to notice such a tiny detail. Maybe, Florenze is not so bad after all. The Elara I’m staying at was in good hands.

The drive home was silent. But I can feel his gaze on me from time to time. He reached for my hand again, intertwining our fingers. I will not deny that I was taken aback but I am too tired to react. I don’t know why but I squeezed his hand back. Just a little comfort, for now.

Florenze turned off the engine as we pulled into the driveway. This was our home. It was simple yet big enough for the two of us. The design is minimalistic compared to the grand decorations of the homes back in my time. However, the palette and the overall look of this house still screams wealth. The materials used might be highly expensive. It was crafted so well I could not spot a single crease or c***k on the walls. What a well-planned home.

The quietness welcomed us as we stepped inside. I felt like my body was out of its usual purpose. Everything I am doing right now is a force of habit, robotic, I may say.

It was a long day for me and I barely moved on from the killing. But right now, apparently, I’m about to live with a guy with the same face. Life is definitely torture, indeed. If only there is something that could take me away from this for a short while.

-

Gush of wind, trees swaying sidewards, butterflies flying around, and the scent of flowers enveloping the whole area. Around us were women wearing pastel pink silk dresses and men with pastel pink - themed tuxedos. Ah. This seems to be a wedding – a garden wedding.

“Do you take this woman as your beloved wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, till parted by death?” The priest in front of us spoke.

“I do, Father,” Florenze replied without wasting a second, glancing at me with lovingness etched on his face.

The priest turned to look at me as he reiterated, “Do you take this man as your beloved husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, till parted by death?”

I glanced at Florenze anticipating my answer but I couldn’t get myself to speak. The silence stretched around the garden. All eyes were on me as they wait for me to respond. But I did not, could not.

Florenze’s eyes then started turning red as his clothes morphed into the same clothing Lord Nicol had – his black tux with his cloak floating on his back.

“Elara, you will pay!”

I screamed in fear. No. I have already escaped this man. Florenze was supposed to be different.

“Elara!” No…

“Elara!” No!

“Elara, wake up!”

I rose up and sat on the bed gasping for air. A nightmare. Thank God, it was a nightmare. It felt like it was real that I choked on my breath.

Arms came circling my body, embracing me into a tight hug. I can feel the light kisses he planted on my temple, in hopes to calm me down.

“It’s okay. I’m here, baby. Okay? I’m here,” he whispers as he runs his fingers on my hair.

I could barely move a limb from the shock. It has been a day only since I was killed. It is understandable that I am still coping with the trauma but that nightmare, yet alone, reminded me of the fear that crept up my body when I met the Lord face to face.

Florenze loosened his hold on me and cupped my face.

That face is horrendous!

I couldn’t help but cry – fear, sadness, disgust, anger, every emotion came doubling down on me. I needed air. I wanted to be away from him for a while.

I didn’t utter the word as I unclasped his hands on me. I exited the room. It seemed like I fell asleep on the couch last night and he carried me all the way here. As soon as my feet stepped on the floor, reality hit me.

“I should start figuring this out.”

I closed the bedroom door behind me. The hallway stretched out before me. It was a minimalist design with cool monochrome colors. Sunlight filtered through the curtains with height from the ceiling to the floor. The floor seemed to be a polished marble. It was cold to step on. The house, although minimalistic and modern, had an unexpected warmt, probably from the hint of beige accented through the furnitures.

As I wandered, I met a pastel pink, marked with a simple “Elara’s” sign. It piqued my interest so I reached for the handle.

Opening the door revealed a comfortable space in white and pastel pink. If I am into silver and gold, the old Elara definitely had an obsession with pastel pink. I couldn’t care less. It’s adorable. There was a large wooden desk at the center and a silver laptop rested on top. This room seemed like a workspace.

I was intrigued enough to move deeper into the room. On one wall, I can see my moodboard. There are sketches, magazines, and even pictures of people being pinned, connected with a pink thread. It looked like investigating a crime scene with how detailed it was. Elara really invested her time in this.

It is kind of heartwarming, at least for me, that the body I transferred to shared the same passion as I do, although in a different way. What are the odds, right?

I looked around and spotted a small drawing table tucked into a corner. It had a few sketches, tons of drawing pencils, and more crumpled papers. I walked towards the area and I realized at the right side sat a journal with a cover that looked so torn and faded, like it had been abused.

What is this?

The cover had a calligraphic design for its name, “Life.”

I opened the journal and the first page sent me into oblivion.

“What…?”