Behind The Mask (On-Hiatus)

SECOND

I saw the man getting the newborn baby from the woman’s hand and carrying it. They are talking about something that I cannot hear. I decided to come closer and when I did, I saw the woman’s ear. It is long and pointedly sharp. She has this beautiful platinum hair and golden eyes just like mine.

While the man doesn’t have any pointy ears but he has orange-red hair and I can feel a powerful aura coming from him. I tried to peek at the newborn’s face but I cannot see it clearly but I am sure that it is a girl. All their faces are blurred except for their eye and hair color. I saw the woman caressing the newborn’s face. Somehow, I feel a strange warmth enveloped my heart. A tear formed in my eyes when I saw her kiss the forehead of the young baby.

‘We love you so much, our Mira,’ the woman said in a very painful and heartbreaking voice.

As I heard those words from the woman, I felt my heart squeeze. When I look at them I can see how amazing they are. The baby is so lucky for her to have caring and loving parents which I never had.

The woman continued to caress the baby’s face when she held her hand. ‘My baby mama and papa have to send you somewhere far away.’ Then she continued with a stuttering voice ‘W-We are so sorry my Mira, m-mama, and papa, we cannot protect you …’ This is the last word I heard from her when her words become unclear, all I can hear is her crying. My eyes suddenly become blurry, I feel dizzy, and the last thing I saw was they hugged the baby and placed it in a basket.

As I open my eyes again I see that I’m back in my room. ‘I think I fell asleep in my dresser.’ I noticed that I am still holding the small fairy statue in my left hand so I decided to place it back in the drawer and lock it. I place my hand on my face but I feel something hot and wet in my cheeks. I looked at the mirror in front of me and saw tears falling from my eyes. ‘Why am I crying?’ I ask myself.

That’s when my phone rang, I picked it up and saw that it was just an alarm. I let out a heavy sigh and headed to my bed. As I lay down I tried to remember everything from my dream. ‘How many times did I dream of it again? ‘I ask even though I know that nobody will answer my question.

I stared at the ceiling for a while pondering and letting myself to be buried with every single thought and question I wanted to be answered. I didn’t even notice the time I fell asleep.

The next morning I did my usual routine. I wear my usual office attire and my black wig and brown contacts. I hurriedly went down when someone texted me about the updates I’ve been waiting for. ‘Hey, girl! I already informed Becca that everything’s done.’ I playfully replied with a silly GIF to her text.

I went straight into the dining room to bid goodbye so they’ll know that I’m leaving even though I know they will not care even if I stay or leave the house. The door to the dining room was slightly opened so I can clearly hear their loud voices. I entered the door and saw all of them chatting and laughing while eating happily. ‘I wonder if they can still laugh like that if everything about them is revealed.’  No matter how you look at them, you can see that they really look like a real family.

 ‘How I wish I can be part of that too.’ That is what I thought in the past but not anymore.

“Good morning,” I greeted as I flash a sweet smile. They all stopped laughing and went silent as they turned their heads in my direction. I noticed that Mila’s face turned sour and my mom raised her left eyebrow. As usual, my dad ignored me and continued to eat his food silently.

“Hey, Ela, come sit here,” Jerwin, my brother said as he energetically tapped the chair beside him. When he calls me with that nickname gives me goosebumps. No matter how many times he called me by that nickname, I still cannot get used to it. I slowly shake my head and flash another smile again.

“Uh, I’m just here to bid goodbye. I’ll be heading to work-” I cut my words and immediately change them, “I mean to workindom.”

 I sigh in relief when they did not notice what I said. I should have been more careful, no one here should know that I have work or rather a company. They should remain ignorant as they are right now. I gave a small bow and was about to leave when my father spoke.

“Sit here,” He said in a very cold voice.

I hesitantly turn back and sit a chair away from them. As soon as I sit, Mila speaks up in a sarcastic voice. “If you don’t want to dine with us, don’t make lame excuses like going to a high elite park, workindom.” She said with a mocking face.

She was about to make another comment when dad suddenly spoke, making her shut her mouth. ‘Serves you right.’

“How old are you turning this year again Elanor?” If I was, still the same weak Miel I will really be hurt that they have forgotten my age again.

“I’m turning 21, dad,” I said in an elegant and humble voice. I saw him nodding his head and thinking something. “I suppose it’s time.”

I was confused by what he meant and was about to ask him when Clive, my dad’s secretary entered the room and whispered something to my dad.

We are surprised when he suddenly slammed the table and stood up looking very angry. “Hon? What’s the matter?” my mom asked confusedly but dad ignored her Dad is still busy talking to Clive when Mila spoke and tried to ask.

“Uh, daddy?” She said but to my surprise dad yelled back at her. “WHAT!”

He turns his head to Mila. I’m sure Mila is shocked. He always treated her like a precious gem after all and this is the first time dad yelled at her. Dad halted when she saw tears forming in the corner of her eyes. His eyes soften “I’m sorry for shouting princess. It’s just that I’m stressed about the news.” Oh, how convenient Mila’s crocodile tear is.

“What happened Dad?” This time it was my brother who asked the question. I remained silent and continued to observe them. I heard dad heaving a frustrated sigh as he returned back to his seat.

“Four of our companies got bombed by some m*therf*cking terrorists.” He said and massaged his temple. I wasn’t that much shocked upon hearing the news. I let out a small hidden grin looking at how frustrated they are. All of a sudden my phone vibrated. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and secretly read the message.

‘Madam, all done J’ I replied back and hid my phone again. I looked back to them and saw that they were trying to calm the old hag, I mean dad. I secretly smiled at their situation and stood up. I headed to the door and successfully left the house and nobody noticed that I left the dining room and of course, that is better. 

When I reached our parking lot, I immediately went inside my car and put the seatbelt on. I stepped on the accelerator and drove towards our gate. The guards notice my car and open the gate. ‘Where should I go, hmm?’ While thinking of a place to go, I suddenly remembered that since last week my friends have been inviting me to join them in our usual hanging out place but my schedule was full. ‘I think it’s the best time to go there and celebrate.’ I drove away with a smirk on my lips.

When I arrived at the place, I noticed few a changes outside. ‘She renovated it huh?’ I slightly chuckled upon seeing the new sign of the bar “ALCOHOL-FREE BAR” ‘What the- They really did it’ I park my car in the VIP lot and then went out. I walk gracefully towards the door. When the guards noticed me approaching, they immediately opened the door and bowed slightly.

“Thank you” I head toward the VVIP lounge that we usually use to hang out. When I enter the room I saw my friends laughing out loud about something.

“Oh! Our dear prettiest Miel is here!” Monica said, making them turn their heads to me. Sandy and Sandra immediately pulled me and pushed me on the couch. They both sat down beside me. 

“So spill the tea, who wrote that name in our dare?” I asked as soon as Sandra and Sandy went back to their seat. They laughed again and pointed at the vacant seat where Rish, who’s not present here usually sits. We all laughed and teased Monica because she lost the dare we did last week and her punishment is to change her bar’s name. Unfortunately, the punishment result that was drawn from our punishment box was one of Rish's silly ideas. We talked about a lot of random and nonsense things when someone opens the door revealing my other friend, Blare. I also noticed a familiar girl beside her. I secretly smiled when I saw her.

“You’re pretty late today, Blare!” Monica shouted and handed her favorite alcohol.

 “I just finished a task given to me by gramps,” Blare said while heading on the opposite couch.

“What is it?” Sandy excitedly asked. “Well, it’s about this girl with me.” I look at the girl beside her who looks nervous. “Relax girl, we don’t eat humans, we just bite,” Sandra playfully said with a wink. The girl’s face became pale upon hearing Sandra’s words.

I laugh slightly while shaking my head. “Hey calm down you’re scaring her,” I said, laughing at Sandra who just shrugs her shoulders in response. I turned my head back to the girl and saw her staring at me. She looked surprised when I caught her staring. She immediately blushed and bowed her head while fiddling her fingers.

“Oh, I can smell another Miel's victim,” Monica said before bursting out a laugh, throwing a teasing look at me.

I just sneered at her and sipped in my tequila, “Anyway, who’s this young lady, Blare?”

“I thought you wouldn’t ask that,” Blare sarcastically uttered. “Hey, Brey introduce yourself” I saw the girl called Brey slightly raise her head from bowing and shyly open her mouth to speak.

“H-Hi I’m Aubrey Winst, 16, and Blair’s cousin,” She said hesitantly. “Oh, are you also a vamp?” Sandy asks again.

“N-no I’m her cousin on mother's side.”She answered in a low voice. “Enough with the questions girls you can ask her later but I really think you should tell your names first.” Blare said, leaning her back on the couch.

“Oh my apologies, Anyway I’m Monica Wilton.” Monica smilingly said, “Oh and I’m a human species too.” Monica has blonde hair and ocean blue eyes. “I’m 25 and also the oldest among us. About my job, you can say that I’m a businesswoman.”

“She’s the owner of this bar,” Sandra whispered to Aubrey, making her jump a little. “Sorry, did I surprise you?” Sandra poutingly said.

‘Who wouldn’t be surprised if someone appeared beside you when she’s just in front of you earlier,’ I said in my mind while shaking my head.

“Anyway, I’m Sandrana and she’s Sandara” pointing at Sandy “But she prefers to be called Sandy,” Sandra stated. “Hey! I should be the one introducing myse-“

“As you can see we’re twins,” Sandra uttered, cutting Sandy’s words. I saw Sandy annoyedly sigh and sip on her champagne.

“We’re 23, incoming 24 in the next 5 months. I’m a fashion designer while Sandy is a model.” She places her hand on her chin and acts like she’s thinking. “Ah, we’re half breed vamps like Blare.”

Blare then followed “You know my name anyway and we’re cousins so no need for my introduction.” Blare said while in sipping her wine.

“Don’t be such a killjoy Blare, come on! Don’t be unfair” Sandy whined. We all nodded, making her sigh in defeat.

“Blare, half-blood, 23, Hunter,” She said in a bored tone making Sandy pout her lips more. Blare has green eyes like Sandy and Sandra and black hair.

When she finished I saw everyone turning their heads to me. I stopped sipping my tequila and placed it back on the table. I turned my head to Lia and smiled at her, “I’m Mira Elanor, turning 21 it’s nice to meet you.”

 I saw her being stunned and I was confused at first but when I heard the girls teasing, I concluded the reason.

My friends told me that every time I smile there’s something that makes them stunned. “What about your job?” Aubrey shyly asks.

“Well, you can say I’m kind of a freelancer?” I said, confidently.

Sandra sneered at me “Freelance my a*s, don’t believe her Aubrey she’s probably the richest among us,” I shrug at her accusation and took another sip in my tequila.

I saw Aubrey hesitating to ask something so I told her that she can ask. “-what’s your r-race? “ I paused a bit upon hearing the question. I also saw the girls stealing a glance at me while quietly sipping their alcohol.

“A human,” I simply said then gave a smile at her. I heard Monica cough intentionally breaking the silence. “Alright girls, time to party!” She raised her half-filled wine so we did the same too and cheers.

*****^^*****

“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” — Marcel Proust

“In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, for in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.” — Khalil Gibran but he has orange-red hair and I can feel a powerful aura coming from him. I tried to peak at the newborn’s face but I can’t see it clearly but I am sure that it is a girl. All their faces are blurred except for their eye and hair color. I saw the woman caressing the newborn’s face. Somehow I feel a strange warmth enveloped my heart. A tear formed in my eyes when I saw her kissed the forehead of the young baby.

‘We love you so much, our Mira’ The woman said in a very painful and heartbreaking voice. As I heard those words from the women I felt my heart squeeze. When I look at them I can see how amazing they are. The baby is so lucky for her to have caring and loving parents which I never had.

The woman continued to caress the baby’s face when she held her hand. ‘My baby mama and papa have to send you somewhere far away.’ Then she continued with a stuttering voice ‘W-We are so sorry my Mira, m-mama, and papa, we cannot protect you …’This is the last word I heard from her when her words become unclear, all I can hear is her crying. My eyes suddenly become blurry and I feel dizzy and the last thing I saw was they hugged the baby and place it in a basket.

As I open my eyes again I see that I’m back in my room. ‘I think I fell asleep in my dresser.’ I noticed that I am still holding the small fairy statue in my left hand so I decided to place it back in the drawer and lock it. I place my hand on my face but I feel something hot and wet in my cheeks. I look at the mirror in front of me and saw tears falling from my eyes. ‘Why am I crying?’ I ask myself.

That’s when my phone rang, I picked it up and saw that it was just an alarm. I let out a heavy sigh and headed to my bed. As I lay down I tried to remember everything from my dream. ‘How many times did I dream of it again? ‘I ask even though I know that nobody will answer my question.

I stared at the ceiling for a while pondering and letting myself be buried with every single thought and question I want to be answered. I didn’t even notice the time I fell asleep.

The next morning I did my usual routine. I wear my usual office attire and my black wig and brown contacts. I hurriedly went down when someone texted me about the updates I’ve been waiting for. ‘Hey, girl! I already informed Becca that everything’s done.’ I playfully replied a silly GIF to her text.

I went straight into the dining room to bid goodbye so they’ll know that I’m leaving even though I know they will not care even if I stay or leave the house. The door to the dining room was slightly opened so I can clearly hear their loud voices. I entered the door I saw all of them chatting and laughing while eating happily. ‘I wonder if they can still laugh like that if everything about them is revealed.’ No matter how you look at them you can see that they really look like a real family ‘How I wish I can be part of that too.’ That is what I thought in the past nut not anymore.

“Good morning” I greeted and flash a sweet smile. They all stopped laughing and went silent as they turn their head in my direction. I noticed that Mila’s face turn sour and my mom raised her left eyebrow. As for the usual, my dad ignored me and continue to eat his food silently.

“Hey, Ela, come sit here” Jerwin, my brother said as he energetically tapped the chair beside him. When he calls me with that nickname gives me goosebumps. No matter how many times he called me in that nickname, I still can’t get used to it. I slowly shake my head and flash another smile again.

“Uh, I’m just here to bid goodbye. I’ll be heading to work-” I cut my words and immediately change them “I mean to workindom” I sigh in relief when they didn’t notice what I said. I should have been more careful, no one here should know that I have work or rather a company. They should remain ignorant as they are right now. I gave a small bow and was about to leave when my father speak.

“Sit here,” He said in a very cold voice. I hesitantly turn back and sit a chair away from them. As soon as I sit, Mila speaks up in a sarcastic voice. “If you don’t want to dine with us don’t make lame excuses like going in a high elite park, workindom.” She said with a mocking face. She was about to make another comment when dad suddenly speaks making her shut her mouth. ‘Serves you right.’

“How old are you turning this year again Elanor?” If I was still the same weak Miel I’ll really be hurt that they have forgotten my age again.

“I’m turning 21, dad.” I said in an elegant and humble voice. I saw him nodding his head and thinking something. “I suppose it’s time” I was confused by what he meant and was about to ask him when Clive, my dad’s secretary entered the room and whispered something to my dad.

We’re surprised when he suddenly slammed the table and stands up looking very angry. “Hon? What’s the matter?” my mom asks confusedly but she got ignored. Dad is still busy talking to Clive when Mila spoke and tried to ask.

“Uh, daddy?” She said but to my surprised dad yelled back at her. “WHAT?!” As he turns his head to Mila. I’m sure Mila is shocked. He always treated her like a precious gem after all and this is the first time dad yelled at her. Dad halted when she saw tears forming in the corner of her eyes. His eyes soften “ I’m sorry for shouting princess. It’s just that I’m stressed about the news.” Oh, how convenient Mila’s crocodile tear is.

“What happened Dad?” This time it was my brother who asks the question. I remained silent and continue to observe them I heard dad heaving a frustrated sigh as he returns back to his seat.

“ Four of our companies got bombed by some m*therf*cking terrorists.” He said and massage his temple. I wasn’t that much shocked upon hearing the news. I let a small hidden grin looking at how frustrated they are. All of a sudden my phone vibrated. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and secretly read the message.

‘Madam, all done J’ I replied back and hid my phone again. I looked back to them and saw that they were trying to calm the old hag, I mean dad. I secretly smiled at their situation and stand up. I headed to the door and successfully left the house and nobody noticed that I’m left the dining room and of course that’s better. 

When I reach our parking lot I immediately went inside my car and put the seatbelt on. I stepped on the accelerator and drive towards our gate. The guards notice my car and open the gate. ‘Where should I go hmm?’ While thinking of a place to go I suddenly remembered that since last week my friends are inviting me to join them in our usual hanging out place but my schedule was full. ‘I think it’s the best time to go there and celebrate.’ I drove away with a smirk on my lips.

When I arrived at the place I noticed few changes outside. ‘She renovates it huh?’ I slightly chuckled upon seeing the new sign of the bar “ALCOHOL-FREE BAR” ‘What the- They really did it’ I park my car in the VIP lot and then went out. I walk gracefully towards the door. When the guards noticed me approaching they immediately open the door and bow slightly.

“Thank you” I head toward the VVIP lounge that we usually use to hang out. When I enter the room I saw my friends laughing out loud about something.

“Oh! Our dear prettiest Miel is here!” Monica said making them turn their heads to me. Sandy and Sandra immediately pulled me and pushed me on the couch. They both sat down beside me. 

“So spill the tea, who wrote that name in our dare?” I ask as soon as Sandra and Sandy went back in their seat. They laughed again and point at the vacant seat where Rish, who’s not present here usually sits. We all laugh and teased Monica because she lost the dare we did last week and her punishment is to change her bar’s name. Unfortunately, the punishment result that was drawn from our punishment box was one of Rish's silly idea. We talked about a lot of random and nonsense things when someone opens the door revealing my other friend, Blare. I also noticed a familiar girl beside her. I secretly smiled when I saw her.

“Your pretty late today, Blare!” Monica shouted and handed her alcohol. “I just finished a task given to me by gramps.” Blare said while heading on the opposite couch.

“What is it?” Sandy excitedly asked. “Well, it’s about this girl with me.” I look at the girl beside her who looks nervous. “Relax girl we don’t eat humans, we just bite HAHAHA,” Sandra playfully said with a wink. The girl’s face became paler upon hearing Sandra’s word.

I laugh slightly while shaking my head. “Hey calm down you’re scaring her HAHAHA,” I said to Sandra who just shrugs her shoulder in response. I turn my head back to the girl and saw her staring at me. She looked surprised when I caught her staring. She immediately blushed and bow her head while fiddling her fingers.

“Oh I smell another Miel’s victim HAHAHA, “Monica said while teasingly gazed at me. I just sneered at her and sip in my tequila. “Anyway, who’s this Blare?”

“I thought you wouldn’t ask that” Blare sarcastically uttered. “Hey, Brey introduce yourself” I saw the girl called Brey slightly raise her head from bowing and shyly opened her mouth to speak.

“H-Hi I’m Aubrey Winst, 16, and Blair’s cousin,” She said hesitantly. “Oh, are you also a vamp?” Sandy asks again.

“N-no I’m her cousin on mother's side.”She answered in a low voice. “Enough with the questions girls you can ask her later but I really think you should tell your names first.” Blare said leaning her back on the couch.

“Oh my apologies, Anyway I’m Monica Wilton.” Monica smilingly said, “Oh and I’m a human species too.” Monica has blonde hair and ocean blue eyes. “I’m 25 and also the oldest among us. About my job, you can say that I’m a businesswoman.”

“She’s the owner of this bar” Sandra whispered to Aubrey making her jump a little. “Sorry did I surprised you?” Sandra said.

‘Who wouldn’t be surprised if someone appeared beside you when she’s just in front of you earlier’ I shrug at my own thought.

“Anyway I’m Sandrana and she’s Sandara” pointing at Sandy “ But she prefers to be called Sandy,” Sandra stated. “Hey! I should be the one introducing myse-“

“As you can see we’re twins,” Sandra uttered cutting Sandy’s word. I saw Sandy annoyedly sigh and sip her champagne. “We’re 23, incoming 24 in the next 5 months. I’m a fashion designer while Sandy is a model.” She places her hand on her chin and acts like she’s thinking. “Ah, we’re half breed vamps like Blare.”

Blare then followed “You know my name anyway and we’re cousins so no need for my introduction.” Blare said sipping her wine. “Don’t be such a killjoy Blare, come on! Don’t be unfair” Sandy whined. We all nodded making her sigh in defeat.

“Blare, half-blood, 23, Hunter,” She said in a bored tone making Sandy pout her lips more. Blare has green eyes like Sandy and Sandra and black hair.

When she finished I saw everyone turning their heads to me. I stopped sipping my tequila and place it back on the table. I turn my head to Lia and smiled at her “ I’m Mira Elanor, turning 21 It’s nice to meet you” I saw her being stunned and I was confused at first but when I heard the girls teasing I concluded the reason.

My friends told me that every time I smile there’s something that makes them stunned. “ what about your job?” Aubrey shyly asks.

“Well, you can say I’m kind of a freelancer?” Sandra sneered at me “Freelance my a*s, Don’t believe her Aubrey she’s probably the richest among us” I shrug at her accusation and took another sip in my tequila.

I saw Aubrey hesitating to ask something so I told her that she can ask. “-what’s your r-race ? “ I paused a bit upon hearing the question. I also saw the girls stealing a glance at me while quietly sipping their alcohol.

“A human,” I simply said then gave a smile at her. I heard Monica cough intentionally breaking the silence.

 “Alright girls time to party!!” She raised her half-filled wine so we did the same too and cheers.

*****^^*****

“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” — Marcel Proust

“In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, for in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.” — Khalil Gibran