It was Tuesday.
The day I dreaded most.
I felt like I'm going to have palpitation, nausea and PMS all at the time.
" I don't want to be there. Do something." I pleaded with Antoine.
"You agreed to go with him. There is nothing more I could do." I frowned at his reply since it felt like he was giving me away to Mariano.
He made me wear a navy blue and expensive dress from Paris. Hermana Auring graciously assisted me with my hair and makeup.
"Wait here." He proceeded to his room. Upon returning, he had a pearl necklace with him.
"Turn around."
"I am not wearing that." I refused to obey as I crossed my arms in front of me to show my protest.
"Please..."
"It's like you are dolling me up for a sale and I hate it."
"I'm not." he denied my accusation. He went behind my back and so swiftly, he put the necklace around my neck. He gently made me turn towards him. "Let me see."
I felt so embarrassed as he stared at me with satisfaction and admiration in his eyes.
"Be careful from Mariano." he warned. "A ruler away from him, do you understand? No, make that two or ten."
"Aren't you coming? Shouldn't you be my chaperone?" I was quick to say.
"I don't want to ruin your night with him. Enjoy." he told me sarcastically.
"Please..." I tugged at his sleeve.
When he did not respond, I firmly held his arm and shook it gently.
"Would you like to have a happy ending?" I started to bribe him. "How about a beautiful and kind wife?
"I am at your mercy, Miss Author. I don't take bribes."
I pursed my lips together, thought really hard of something that will change his mind.
A brilliant idea popped inside my one-of-a-kind mind.
If this does not work, Antoine Sta. Maria is a stone.
"You sleep nude during nights..." I began tormenting him.
It is his funny secret.
Even though he grew up in the Philippines, he is still having a hard time acclimating with the tropical weather especially during summer.
"H-How did you know that? Did you peep on me?" he inquired with a reaction comparable to a bewildered kitten.
"Do you like me to reveal to your readers how you sleep during those extremely warm nights?" I continued to blackmail him. "Your female audience would really, really love it!"
He was so embarrassed that he could not even look at me.
"And you sleep on a tub with nothing on too..."
"How? How did you also know that?" He blurted out. He put his hand on his forehead then totally covered his face in shame.
"Of course. I saw them all through my dreams. What if I put them into writing now so that the future could see Antoine in all his glory?"
He breathed in and out deeply.
"And do you know that I can draw too? I might even create a comics during the time when your sneaky female servant witnessed you in one hundred percent nudity."
"Alright! I understand what you are trying to imply, Miss Author. I'm coming." he finally surrendered.
I laughed victoriously as he looked at me with pleading eyes.
I defeated Antoine Sta. Maria and it feels so good.
"Is that a deal?" I held out my hand for him to shake. "If you disobey, your pet bird will be flying around in the Year 2020."
"I promise!" he instantly shook my hand to seal our agreement.
"You should, because I'm really tempted to have an illustrated version soon."
"I really do promise!" he repeated while raising his right hand like he was taking an oath. "I will follow you soon in Hacienda* delos Santos."
(A vast land with a dwelling house)
Then, we heard a knock.
He opened the door and as expected, Mariano greeted me with a winsome smile.
"Good afternoon, Bianca."
I was not able to react as he did "starstruck" me.
Admittedly, he looked impossibly dashing in a formal attire. Antoine was quick to scrutinize his entirety. I saw him frown a little like he was in deep thought.
"You are so beautiful, my lady." He broke the silence. He turned his eyes to his friend with a naughty grin. "And don't stare at me so much Antoinette, you are not my date."
"Date yourself." the latter spat out. As calm as he is, his patience seems to dwindle into half of its length when he speaks with Mariano.
"Nah! Come. Let's leave Mister Lonely." He offered his arm for me to hold on. For a while, I did not know what to do. Remembering that it was a usual gentleman's gesture to assist a lady during that time, I reluctantly held his arm.
"A-Antoine!" I called before leaving.
"Yes. I will follow you." he said with a reassuring smile. "No worries."
"Must he follow?" Mariano asked as we left him.
"Yes. He is my chaperone."
"You don't need him, honestly." he told me while assisting me with climbing the carriage. "You are safe with me."
I was extremely quiet during the trip. Starting a conversation with him just felt so uncomfortable for me.
"Did Antoine tell you something about me?" he began to speak with me in a very hushed tone. He seemed to be very mindful of his words.
"He said I should be careful from you."
"What? He said that?" he uttered with dismay. "I'm not a bad person, really."
"I know. You are just so naughty."
"They say thay all the time." he chuckled.
Minutes passed and both of us silently watched the scenery outside.
"Do you believe in paranormal things? Like fairies, elves, demons?"
He got my full attention at last.
"I see ghosts and spirits." I admitted.
"Really?" he said with relief on his tone.
"I see one on your lap, a girl."
"That's why it's a bit chilly." He looked at his lap and shuddered. "Is she..."
"Yes. I think she is a succubus." I joked.
"Inang mahabagin*!" he panicked while covering his crotch. "The sun is still up and she's out on a perversion spree!"
(Filipino term for "merciful mother")
"She is kissing you right now." I told him in a serious tone. The innocent ghost with the eye empty sockets laughed, knowing the prank I had on him. I winked at her so that she'll just play along.
"Seriously? Is she...pretty?"
"Goodness! And you still have the nerve to ask that?"
"Nah! I got you!" He moved closer to me and smirked. "My dearest is the jealous type. I knew it!."
"I-I'm not." I stuttered as my my heartbeat starts to race. My joke seemed to backfire and I hated myself for even doing it in the first place.
"Yes, you are."
"OK. Run away with your precious succubus. Bye!"
"I'd rather run away with you..."
"Shhh..." I shushed him as I already knew how good he is in sweet talks.
"Honest..."
"Shhh..." I pouted and turned to the window's side, pretending to ignore him completely.
The ghost jumped out of the window with a wicked grin.
Instead of speaking, he took my hand and began writing on my palm.
"Are you mad?" he spelled with his finger. "Forgive me."
I shook my head "no".
"Do you want to hear an urban legend, instead?"
"Sure." I replied.
"Can I talk?"
"Go on!"
"Ha! That was torture! Silence will kill me!" he uttered in exasperation.
"No more naughty talks." I warned him. "Tell me about that spirit. It seems interesting.
"Oh. About the maze spirit." he leaned on the seat as he started.
"There is this certain spirit who had this bad habit of making people, especially women, lose their path on the road.
It was believed to be once a human child.
Nobody knew who his father was. He is said to be a priest's son but was never acknowledged at all.
His mother, being so tired of living in poverty, left him on a vast field.
For so many nights and days, he roamed yet he stayed lost looking for his mother.
He died of exhaustion and starvation."
"Poor child." I muttered. "How could his mother do that to him?"
"You're right, Dear. The mother is no good. Up to this day, he follows women of childbearing age, thinking that she is his mother." he continued narrating. "Unluckily, his target also becomes lost.
In fact, there was this incident of a woman who got lost for five days. When she was found, she was incoherent and told everyone that she saw a boy of about five."
I shuddered and felt so sorry for his victims. They could have been so scared as being lost in the middle of nowhere is like "mental torture".
"Haven't we passed here before?" he wondered while observing our surroundings. "That scarecrow is very familiar."
Then, everything became as dark as twilight. The carriage halted.
"Asistio, what' s happening?" he asked the coachman. We peered at the window to check on him.
The servant was silently looking at the darkening sky. He let out a scream and ran until we could not see him in the darkness.
The horses soon became agitated that they started to run so quickly. The carriage rattled violently as it hit stones and uneven paths.
"Stay calm. I'll just restrain these
horses." He opened the door and prepared to mount on the coachman's seat.
"Stop. I got it." I heard Antoine's voice.
The horses slowed down and began running in steady strides.
"When did you get here?" I joyfully inquired him. "That was quick."
"As promised, I followed."
"I think we have a little problem here." Mariano said while pointing at another scarecrow. "This is the second time we passed here."
Meters away, a bright light, comparable to a spotlight mysteriously appeared. Then, it moved towards our direction.
Antoine pulled the reins to a halt and immediately ordered us to dismount. "Get down! Now!"
Mariano assisted me through the door. Antoine took my hand and we darted away from the carriage.
We hid behind a tree.
Just like being vacuum-cleaned, the ride and the horses were sucked away to the sky.
Then, the persistent spotlight rushed towards us, specifically at me.
Mariano threw his coat over my head and grabbed me by the waist. He effortlessly lifted me and hauled me on his shoulder.
"Put me down!" I yelled.
Instead of letting me go, he tightened his grip on me and started running.
"You're the target. Forgive me."
"I can run! Tell him, Antoine!"
"I would have done the same. We just need to cover you up."
"Is the maze spirit after me?"
"Yes." they unanimously replied.
I was shocked.
And, enraged.
"I hate that maze spirit, Mariano! I am too young to be his mother!"
"But not too young to be my wife, eh?" he teased.
"I hate you too."
"No, you don't." he chuckled.
Naughty, naughty, Mariano!
"Mmmph....gasp...mmph!"
"Strange. Why do I keep hearing a mumbling sound?" Mariano asked.
"I think you should already put her down and uncover her face." Antoine reminded him.
"Oh! I forgot! I got myself a pretty lady here!"
He unloaded me from his shoulder and gently removed the coat he covered on my face. I gasped for air.
"There you go. You're safe now."
"I...hate...you!" I said while struggling to breathe.
"No, you don't!" he replied cheerfully.
"The maze spirit won't kill me. But lack of oxygen will!" I angrily complained.
Both men stared at me with apologetic eyes.
I noticed that we are inside an old warehouse.
"How are we going to escape?" I asked them.
"We're going to teleport!" Mariano announced excitedly. "Where do you want to go?"
I gulped.
I hoped that maybe this is my chance to go back to my "real world".
"You can do that?" I inquired.
"Let's see." he responded while drawing some weird symbols around us..
"Can you take me to 2020? In my house?" I was quick to cover my mouth, surprised with my silly request.
He stopped drawing and looked at me with wonder.
Then, at Antoine.
"It's always her dream to go to another time. Do you want to go to Spain or France instead? " Antoine tried to divert the conversation to another.
"Right. Just take me somewhere safe." I agreed.
"I'll recite the rites of teleportation now. Stay close."
"I should do that." Antoine immediately started to chant in Latin as if he was avoiding his friend to utter any single word.
"No!" Mariano gave him a shove on the shoulder to stop him. "I'll do it. Don't underestimate me."
"I'm not."
"Yes, you are. For your information, I know those Latin verses too." He started the chant. In a blink of an eye we were inside a palace. "Ha! I told you I can do it" he said so proudly.
"That was cool!" I happily squealed. "Is it possible for us to go Chillingham Castle someday?"
"If that is what you want, my dear. But that place is haunted."
"Now, that's more exciting!"
As I walked around, I saw a boy of about five peeking behind a pillar.
"Hey, what are you doing there?" I waved and smiled at him. He gestured for me to come nearer and pointed at a golden door.
I flinched back in fear.
If I am right, he is the maze spirit. I ran back to where Antoine and Mariano are.
"H-He's here!" I shrieked. "What did you do, Mariano?"
"I think I made a mistake, sorry." he scratched his head. "No worries. I'll chant another..."
"No! Eeek! You won't! Let us run." I pushed them both towards an empty room. I locked the door, pushed a big sofa and table behind it. I never felt so strong in my whole life.
The men just stared at me with mouths open, speechless.
"Are...are you alright?" Antoine asked. He attempted to hold my shoulder but stopped when I moved away from him.
"It's your fault! I don't want that boy to take me...to be lost. Again! This is too much!" I was controlling myself from crying by lashing out at him.
Instead of being angry, he treated me with so much understanding and kindness. He held my shaking hand and calmed me.
"We're not leaving you."
I came back to my senses and regretted my bad behavior towards him.
"I'm so sorry. I'm just so scared."
"Don't be." he assured me.
"Argh...what's that pathetic drama all about?"
We looked around to see where the voice came from.
"Hahaha!" She laughed wickedly. "Make way for the most beautiful woman in the world! A one, two, three..."
Poof!
A white rabbit with a wand appeared.
Mariano laughed with no restraint.
"Carrots?"
"How dare you! I will punish you for disrespect!" the rabbit angrily barked at him.
"Hey, don't be mad, bunny rabbit. Where is the beautiful woman anyway?
"Like duh? She's standing before you, idiot!"
"Eh?" he highly disapproved.
"You'll see soon, Dummy! What's wrong with this wand?" She waved it in the air and when nothing happened, she hit it mercilessly on the floor.
Poof!
There was a lizard.
Poof!
A pig.
Poof!
A rat!
Finally, a blonde lady in a queenly outfit slowly emerged from the smoke. We held our breath as we waited for a goddess to appear.
I and the boys were disappointed.
She had several layers of talcum powder on her face and the "reddest" blush-on ever.
We stood silently, too shocked with the unexpected view.
"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" she asked with her exceptionally thin eyebrow raised.
The door burst open and we were surrounded by a thousand guards.
In between them were two ladies with theatrical outfits and terrible makeup. They should sue to court whoever is their fashion designer.
"My, oh my! Blonde, what's the commotion all about?" the one with the red hair said while looking at her manicured nails.
"This three trespassed, my dear sister, Redhair."
"I'm napping and oh my..." the brunette one stopped talking upon seeing us. She flipped her eyelids in a flirty manner. "Who are these handsome men?"
"They are our slaves now, Brunette." Redhair told her sister.
"What?" Mariano protested. "No way."
"Let us go. We are really sorry for the trouble." Antoine apologized. "This is all a misunderstanding."
The three ladies whispered at each other.
"We accept the apology, gorgeous boy. But one of you should be left behind." the youngest one said as she winked at Antoine.
"What if we just take that man?" Redhair suggested while pointing at Mariano. "I like naughty-looking boys. I want to tie him up all the time for being bad!"
"Nah! I have a better suggestion." he raised his hand. "Just take Antoine with you. He's single and always available!"
The three women cooed.
"No, take him." Antoine retaliated. "You're right, Redhair. Tie him up all the time."
"Just kidding!" Mariano took back his words while cringing. "That brunette lady is not that bad looking at all." he whispered to him. "You will have a girlfriend at last."
"Great. Then, go out on a date with her yourself." Antoine whispered back.
"I want the girl. She will be my lady-in-waiting." Blonde insisted. "Besides, that young boy already tires me out. He is of no use. Maybe, I should dispose him." She instructed the leader of the army to get the men out of the castle and then take me to the maid's section for orientation.
"We're not leaving anyone behind. Let us go!" Mariano uttered firmly.
Blonde raised an eyebrow.
"What did you say?"
"I said, we're not leaving anyone behind." he answered in contempt. His usually joyful expression was now changed into a very serious one. "Send us to jail if you want but we'll stick together."
Blonde's face turned into a hideous scowl.
"Then, all of you will rot in jail. Forever."
We were sent on a dungeon.
That was Mariano's real plan as it would be easier for us to think of strategies on how to escape with the three of us together. We had no match for a thousand guards so he opted for us to be put in jail instead.
But he had other plans at the expense of his friend, Antoine.
"Do I really have to do that?" he muttered nervously.
"Of course, if we're right, those are the Tres Marias. Minor demons. There is nothing we can do while we are inside their castle. Right, Juanito?"
The boy nodded at me. Only I can see him. We soon knew that he is not a bad spirit. In fact, he was really protecting women to be abducted by the evil sisters. He hides them in a field for days so that they could not be taken and forced into a lifetime of slavery.
"Just promise me that you will help me find the light. And, that they won't hurt me anymore." Juanito reminded me.
It turned out that his mother did not neglect him in the field to die. His mother, too, became a victim of the Tres Marias.
"I promise."
"Can you promise me something too, Bianca?" Antoine intervened. " That you'll never tell anyone about this?"
"Why should I not? You look really dashing now in a format suit that is why Brunette was quick to notice you."
"Am I dashing?" he asked.
"Yes! I did not expect that you know how to dress so well!"
His eyes glittered and a restrained smile formed on his lips.
Mariano put his hand over his shoulders and gave him a pat.
"As practiced. Once you get out, all you have to do is find an open window or door to break the spell. Our freedom depends on you."
"Why don't you do it yourself?"
"Nah! Im not good with those Latin chants."
"You realized that only now?"
From the dark, we saw Brunette, along with her two guards approaching us. Mariano pushed Antoine near the iron gate. He looked at me with pleading eyes. I gestured for him to proceed with the plans.
"You better not waste my time." she demanded for him to speak. "Make it quick."
There was silence.
"Come on, Antoine! Just do it!" my mind screamed.
"Aren't you going to say something?" Brunette inquired.
He stared at me like a seven year old boy being forced to eat vegetables. I rolled my eyes and waved my hand as a sign for him to go on.
"Bianca..."
"Shoo. Go, lover boy!" I pretended to scold him even if I felt like laughing like there is no tomorrow.
He turned a little on his side, removed his eyeglasses and looked at her intently. Our target was taken aback. She covered her face with her fan.
"I just thought of something." He started to act while leaning a bit on the railings.
"What about?" She closes her eyes in a flirty manner.
"Maybe, I can stay here for awhile...for you?"
I pinched myself to stop myself from giggling.
"Really?"
"But you have to free my friends."
Brunette put her fan down. She frowned.
"You're tricking me."
"No. How? We're powerless here."
She turned her back and walked away. I made hand signs at him to continue "Plan B".
"Isn't it a bit warm here?" Antoine removed his dark blue coat. Brunette turned back to face him.
She gasped.
"Won't you come nearer so that we can talk?"
She looked at her emotionless guards.
Antoine unbuttoned his white formal shirt, revealing a lean but muscular chest.
I covered my eyes and shook my head.
The sight was too overwhelming!
What a specimen!
I hate to admit that this "fiction" man is one lethal temptation to women. Up close and personal, he had the looks that would make even the most prim and proper lady swoon.
Mariano whispered, " A while ago, you'd like me to do that, don't you?" I pinched his arm to stop pestering me. "Ouch! Sorry if I'm so bad in Latin."
"Come closer?" Antoine said so sweetly that I also felt being swayed by his voice. As I opened my eyes, I was quick to notice that his shirt was now open down to his...
Are those...abs? I blinked a couple of times to see those clearly.
Those are certainly abs!
I will die.
What on earth did I make him do? Droplets of sweat began to form in my forehead and my palms felt so cold. I bowed my head a little and pressed my hands together so that no one would notice my silly reaction. Maybe it was just his otherworldly charm working its way up to us, females.
Right. This will pass.
Brunette rushed at him and reached for his hand. She put it on her face.
"Oh! Would you like to have dinner with me. Life here is so...boring."
"S-Sure?" he replied with a tone of uncertainty while turning his head to me. "Can I get out?"
Brunette ordered the guards to open the gate.
She leaned at Antoine's shoulder and held his arm. They disappeared in the dark. After about a minute, there was a flash of light.
Antoine came running towards us. He opened the gate and reached out for me.
"Let's go!"
I grabbed Juanito's hand and ran out.
"There! There he is! He tricked me! Catch him....alive!" Brunette ordered the guards.
Blonde and Redhair came to assist their sister.
We were blocked by another gate. Antoine tried to open it with the keys.
"Faster." I shrieked.
Blonde pointed her wand at us.
"I will turn you into pigs."
"If I were you, I'll turn them into barbecue." Redhair furiously suggested.
"Oh...can I still have Antoine? Not in a pig form...you know...alive...served naked in a platter?" Brunette intervened.
Blonde rolled her eyes and ignored her. Black smoke came out from the wand.
Then, it turned white and disappeared.
"Impossible!" Her expression looked scared. "One of you is not human. A fairy or angel!"
I looked at Juanito.
"It's not me."
Brunette pointed at Antoine.
"It's you, that's why I got hypnotized so easily." She trembled and was quick to apologize. " Forgive me, Sir!"
Antoine threw away the keys and calmly opened the iron gate with his bare hands.
"That can't be opened by a human!" Redhair shrieked.
They stepped back in fear.
"Forgive us for our inappropriate behavior! Please, don't hurt us!" The three of them embraced one another, awaiting for the punishment that would be hurled at them.
"I won't. Just free us and never hurt anyone again."
With his usual kindness, he made them promise to never abduct anybody again or suffer the consequences.
"Y-Yes, Sir!" they unanimously agreed with the deal.
Antoine led us out of the castle. He held my hand and guided me through the dark and rocky hallway.
"You have a lot of explaining to do." Mariano told him. He did not answer back but just quietly proceeded to the exit.
When we stepped out, we were back in the field again. It was already dark. I sat on the ground not minding the dirt anymore.
"Juanito, would you like to stay with us for a while?" I invited. "Antoine, can I make him stay in my room until he's called to rest?"
He was looking at the dark sky. With the moon's faint light, I saw him smiling.
"No need. I think I can rest now. I can see the light."
" What do you mean?"
"My business here is done. Thank you for helping me stop the wickedness of the Tres Marias. No words can express my gratitude to you."
A blinding halo surrounded him as he faded from my sight. I murmured a prayer for his soul to rest in peace.
I stood up and faced Mariano.
"I think we're too late for the party."
"Bianca." he started, then hesitated.
"What?" I wondered.
"Would you be safe from him?"
"I won't hurt her." Antoine replied. He walked towards me and held my arm. "I swear, I mean no harm."
Mariano approached him and asked in an eerie manner, "What are you?" He was visibly controlling his temper.
"According to my father, my mother is an earthbound spirit. A fae." he admitted. "I haven't seen her. I preferred this to be a secret to avoid any trouble."
Mariano observed him for a moment with brotherly concern.
"Does any other human know?" he questioned. "Does she know?"
"I do." I intervened.
"Then, don't tell anyone. He is in danger of being hunted down. Not all hunters are understanding and considerate."
"I never thought that the Tres Marias would find out. I should be more careful. I'm sorry for keeping this from you all this time." Antoine told him.
No one uttered a word for what seemed like forever.
"You should be!" He messed Antoine's hair. "Because of that, I am staying at your house. I'm so tired." The latter fixed his hair back in place and smiled in relief.
"Thank you for understanding."
"Nah! I just don't know what to do with you, weird creature!" he answered with a chuckle.
He directed his attention to me and put his arm around my shoulder. He winked at me and grinned.
"Would you make me a late dinner?"
"Yes. Just take your hand away from me!"
"How feisty! Don't be mad. Hmmm...what if we ask Antoine about his brief romance with the brunette one over dinner? A fae and a demon, how interesting!"
"Right!" I agreed.
Antoine began to move away.
"Hey, don't be shy!" I teased him. "Brunette likes you very much! What a love team! I "ship" you together!"
"You are so cruel to me, Bianca." he complained. "Brunette said I would have looked good without my pants on. I feel terrible now."
"If you have to strip to free us, you must! You are darn irresistible..." I covered my mouth, embarrassed by what I just joked. Too much shock made him blush. He turned his back and began to button up his shirt again and put his eyeglasses on.
"Nah! We could have made him do it so that I won't have one annoying fairyboy trudging behind us, Dear." Mariano tactlessly said as if willing to really leave his friend behind. "Just invite me on your wedding day."
He shook his head in disagreement and continued to walk away from us.
We simply followed and made fun of him along the way.
Poor Antoine.
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