Forgetting Mellaine

Second Game

Love. A word that somehow made me shed my tears and break myself several times. It was the thing that made me ran away from what I left behind. The raging fear crippling above, covering it was the only thing I felt. France was still trying, indeed, doing her best in making me feel better. The rain had already stopped since Robert left with the officers. Howard is currently making himself busy inside the kitchen – making macaroni soup and hot chocolate. I looked at the surroundings – I’m currently in Greys’ house. Amy sat beside me, waiting for my response.

I breathed deeply and wiped my damped face. The tears I shed a while ago are already dried. My body is telling me to get some rest, but my mind is still active – aching to be conscious of my surroundings and what’s happening right now.

“I’ll let you be the one to know who that person is.” He said.

Those words, those words that he said keep bothering me and still let me think who that person is and why he or she did give some help to Robert. I’m not the person who will dig into the past, but somehow I’m about to give consideration of having a communication with his family, not because I want to have a closure, but maybe they know that Robert is still alive or got some helpful information of the one who helped him. Perhaps that person is a post acquaintance of mine or maybe a close friend right now – realizing that he wanted me by myself to know who’s behind his escape.

I shook my head and didn’t ponder of the idea of interrogating those who’re around me. France wouldn’t do such things to me, neither the couple living in this house. I managed to convince myself that the person is not one of them, and that bad people got those black auras behind their shadows and the good ones are innocent and wear white things. A mock might just came from Death, giving me the premonitory chills down to my spine.

“I’m thankful I was able to trust my instincts.” France whispered, holding the greenish soft pillow on her lap. I looked at her.

“The moment I heard a heavily muffled sound coming inside the apartment, I was having some bemused and sudden doubts of what Brandon told me that you aren’t there and went to have some groceries for the two of you. To think of the incident of having someone bugged inside your house, I thought you wouldn’t dare to get yourself outside. And it was clear that he hasn’t washed his face either and his hair was fuzzy, which made me conclude that he was just woken up from his sleep. It’s been months that I know you, Me and I conceived that you’re not the person who will just let someone take care of your apartment, even if he’s your boyfriend. So I did ask some help with Mr. Stephen and the others.” She said. “So please tell us why did Brandon do such horrible things to you?” She added. Howard returned to the living room, bringing with him a bowl of macaroni soup and the hot chocolate. I still didn’t eat my breakfast. I looked at the clock, it’s four-thirty in the afternoon.

“He’s Robert…” I blankly said to them. I saw confusion in Amy’s eyes. Perhaps, his husband still didn’t tell her about my past. I sighed. “Brandon is Robert…my husband.”

“W-What? Can somebody tell me what’s going on here?” Amy asked in a baffled way.

“I’ve married Amy. I was married to Robert Brook. I know it’s complicated but I do hope you’ll be able to understand my situation. Our relationship didn’t go well…it was falling apart, when I decided to leave him…but an accident happened – our house was caught on fire. I was able to get out and he didn’t make it. The main reason I went to this town is for me to escape carefully from my past and to have a new start to live, maybe a chance for me to have peace. But, little did I know that he was able to escape from that fire with the help of someone – fake his own death, got someone to take the position of having me as the one responsible for it, got a surgery after, changed everything in him; his voice, the way he compliments and deals with people, his looks and even his ways of making a woman fall for him. He hid himself in the image of…Brandon O ‘Lier.” I sobbed.

“Oh, God…Mellaine…” Amy pondered, her hand plastered directly to her mouth together with her eyes, opened wide.

I got the second strike and I’m in this situation again. All it took was just single lovemaking in bed for him to reveal how cruel reality is with Robert. The mistake of being buried in such a deep trench was able to be pulled out again in the surface; now will be taking the advantage. I was still cautious, trying to withdraw from what happened a while ago. The sound of fear with the gunshots, the scream of those who’re worried are still alarming inside my ears. There’s definitely a weakness embracing me. Something that might lead me to traps and edges. Two officers are at the outside, keeping themselves on guard. I was thankful for them and to Mr. Stephen.

An idea I was thinking a few minutes from now came out of my mouth. “I need to leave.” I said. All of them are a bit of surprised – weren’t expecting such a thing from me.

“But you need someone to take care of you, Me?” France said with a worried face.

Care. It was a hard thing to have with trust. Perhaps, it would be safer if I’m alone by myself, by that no one will be included in his death list and will be punished. The thing is, I decided not to hold back myself but for me to face the devil itself and I will do my best to mend my own fate – the fate I got with my husband, that I wanted to cut and set free. Making complicated arrangements of my plans to lure him, I know it was hard. But somehow, I know there are still those whom I can truly trust, those who have no sense of danger.

“I know. I’m not leaving because I don’t trust you, I’m leaving because I don’t want anyone of you to get hurt.

Amy became upset and a bit frustrated. That’s no good for her condition right now. She shouldn’t deal with stress the best way that she can.

“You don’t have to worry about us, Me. We all want to keep you safe at all costs, and I guess your mother will be happy to know that you did make some good relationships with your friends regardless of what happened. You’ve dealt with this all on your own for years, maybe it’s now the time that someone, us, to give you some comfort and love. You can trust us.” Amy, with her cracked voice, said.

Howard looked at me warily, slowly offering me a bowl with the soup. I sadly admitted that I haven’t eaten anything since morning. My tummy rumbled as soon as I saw the food. I freed myself with the worries for a while and dig in with my food. It was delicious. It’s still hot; warmth like the one they’re giving me now. A tear fell on my cheeks as I eat, a sign of how truly, indeed, grateful of this friendship. It was a gift I received from being unknown. I can tell how worried they are, the fears they’re having; I can tell they are true to themselves and what we are sharing right now is a bond that somehow cannot be broken easily. They are my…family.

The whole afternoon, they made me feel how thankful I am to have them in my life. France helped me with my things, the necessary ones, and packed them inside my bag, transferring them to Amy’s house. They decided to stay, including France, making herself not to come to work tomorrow. Howard, his steps are bouncing, hurriedly walked towards us, holding tight his phone with his right hand. His face was able to tell us that something wrong had happened. “I think Mellaine is right. It’s better if she stays in a place where no one will know except us and Mr. Stephen.” He said.

“But why would you push her suggestion all of a sudden?”

“To keep her safe and also us. I know a place where we can hide and somehow take care of her. I thought that if we’re going to stay here in our house, maybe that person who helped Brandon before, I mean Robert, will make a step here and make his plans successful. To think we still don’t know who that person is, but one thing for sure Mellaine is able to recognize that person if he or she will reveal.” He added.

“So where are we going?” France asked with a bothered face. I knew her well. I’ve seen that face before just like how she met her Mr. Gregory back then.

“To our rest house. It’s just near the lake and the hill that we visited.” Howard directly pondered.

“Hell yeah. That house will be safer than here for us. We might as well ask for some help from the local authorities there if something will happen. We happened to pass by a little village back there, right? We can also call Madame Rosette anytime.” Amy said.

“Then what are we waiting for?” France directly blubbered.

We packed our things, get those stuff that are necessary and also equipment for self-defense. The news had already been scattered to our other friends, including Johann who used to be neighbors with Brandon. The only thing they still do know is that Brandon wanted to get me killed by myself, not including the fact that he’s my husband. The officers were able to escort us to the place and still stayed for our own security. We kept Mr. Stephen updated with the things happening with us right now. It’s six in the evening – everyone was exhausted, worn-out faces, slouching bodies are showing off around the place. The Grey’s rest house was a bit secluded but you can still see the village from a distance. Somehow it will take us twenty minutes to get there. The trees surround us like we are part of its own, embracing the house under its shadows and thick green and yellow leaves. It was getting darker and the sounds of those tiny creatures began to lurk, crawling and ticking on the vast grounds. Amy cooked us dinner with the help of France – fried fish, spam, mashed potatoes and rice. The officers are still there, outside. Howard offered them dinner too and a hot cappuccino for them to eat. After that, we filled ourselves with the food that the two women have prepared.

___

The moon is shining. It was beautiful, I thought. Mom used to love seeing it at night. My depressive side was starting to show off, like ravaging fowls flying towards me. The lights are dimmed, enough for us not to get someone’s attention and will be able to notice that we’re inside the house. Sitting on one of the corners, besides the well-tainted window, I was able to give myself a personal space and a perfect time to evaluate and think of those whom I met in this town, carefully assessing them each. France decided to take a nap together with Amy on the red couch. Howard was at the kitchen, washing the plates. Everything seems fine, but the truth, it wasn’t. This is just an illusion, I reminded myself.

Devian. Her name entered my mind. That woman; the woman who almost get me killed in an exchange for money. Perhaps those attitudes, those certain hints of despair on how she looked at me; those certain anxious movements she does every time I am around and is able to catch her attention – it was all for money. Maybe…maybe she needed the thing so bad that she laid herself in Robert’s pits and offered herself to be one of his puppets. I felt bad. I felt bad that he managed to make Devian a servant – did guilt ever wrap itself on her, telling her that what she did is totally a work of a devil? Did she even cry for doing such things? A deep sigh came out of me.

I stared at him – Howard, with somewhat a tired look. “You’re thinking of that person?” He asked. I saw one of the officers went inside their vehicle, snatched a cigarette and lit it, the care window is open. A light grey smoke came from his mouth, he was enjoying himself.

I nodded silently. “Could it be…?”

I know he was talking about her. A sense of possibility hit me, like a flash. I’ve seen her before; the way she looks at me like a rival to him; always aware of her capabilities and had the fear of not being good enough. But it can’t be. She can’t do such things, it’s too horrific. But as what Mother told me, never trust anyone, especially those who got those secret grudges and hate for you.

Howard is about to say something when two alarming shots caught our attention from the outside and a white, sullen smoke suddenly lingered inside the house – a tear gas. It was scattering all of the place. Howard rushed to France and Amy, immediately assisting them up. We started coughing. The fire alarm is not working too. Where are the officers? I couldn’t see anything.

“Mellaine! Where a-are…y-you?!” France asked

“I-I’m here!…” I said between my coughs.

I got a glance outside and saw the officers lying unconsciously on the ground. No. What’s happening? The same knowable adrenaline rushed to me. I saw France and Amy slowly losing their consciousness, falling themselves on the floor.

“H-Howard.” I said with a low voice.

“M-Mellaine. I-I’m coming there.” Howard said, taking each of his heavy steps towards him when I saw a blurry vision of a woman walking behind him. A loud crash was made as soon as the person hit Howard on the head using a vase – it was shattered on the floor, together, Howard fell on the ground with the others. No. this is just a dream. A dream that I should be waking myself up.

A hand pulled me from the smoke, grasping me with all his might somewhere near the open doorway where the smoke is not too bad. I turned my gaze, the time stopped, everything seems to take so slow, but my heartbeat is pumping, it was beating so loud that I can hear it myself as soon as I saw his face…Robert…how..can this be?

He grinned. A total symbol of danger. He flushed a little of it, when the person who hit Howard walked towards him. She held her hand around Robert’s arm – with a quick smirk plastered on her face, a total success for her. Natalia…

Anger ran through me, letting me held a hand towards her, but she immediately held it back. “I didn’t know you weren’t that surprised at all.” She said calmly. Robert was still holding me by the arm. I glared at both of them. Howard was right; my instincts were right. It was her. It should have been her from the start, but why? Why would a woman like her will ever want to help Robert in seeking revenge on his own wife? Is if for love? Is it for a promise that he offered her that if she’ll be able to kill me, they will be like a prince and a princess with their own happily ever after? Perhaps, the answer is yes. Natalia, a woman who doesn’t take failure as a normal thing; a woman that thinks that no one is better than her, that she will always be at the top; and a woman who is head over heels to Brandon, no to Robert. Then I guess, they already know each other from the start – even the time that I am still together with him. Did they have a secret relationship back then?

“Surprise!” She laughingly said, a mock. “If you are wondering how my dear honey…” She ran her finger on his cheeks, like a sweet couple, making him have a soft chuckle. “was able to get himself here and no one had ever noticed, even the officers…mmm…let’s just say, money is everything, Mellaine. Especially to those who are really in need of it.” She added.

They got help inside the prison. How dare her to let the law resides on her own hands. Tears rushed on my cheeks as I saw them. How could you do this to me and to the others?

“And yes. I am the one who helped Robert escaped the fire back then, when his own wife decided to leave him there all by himself. Perhaps, I should be the one who needs to be called as his wife. To think that I don’t care if how many times he will take a surgery to change his looks, he’s still the Robert I love from the start. Didn’t you know we are childhood buddies?”

I looked at her.

“Well, I guess he didn’t tell you then. Why am I even bothering myself in sharing my own love life with you?” She chuckled. I turned my gaze to Robert who seems to enjoy how Natalia is boasting about their own love story. You can have each other, just let me be at peace.

Robert forcefully dragged me outside the house.

“We’ll be having our game again, my dear.” He said with a steady tone. His eyes are killing me, barely keeping myself on the ground. The surrounding was dark. I looked around, there was no one. The village is still at the distance and just before I could take some steps heading there, it will be Robert’s gun who will stop me.

“Let’s play hide and seek…”