[A/N: This chapter is supposed to be the prologue of the book version of book two. After a lot of discussion and brainstorming, I decided to take it out from the final output. Therefore, as the release for the second book is just around the corner, I wanted to drop this as a little tease. This prologue is in the time that the final battle from book one has just ended. Enjoy reading!]

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Alex's POV

"IT'S been quite a ride," a voice from behind said with a tone of relief as if it's a long-awaited remark. One side of my lips rose, having no opposition to what he said. After all, it's indeed quite a ride. The road has been rough and unkind to us. Its hurdles and rocks may have flattened for a while, but it's no ride if it will be eternally unwrinkled.

I immediately took my eyes off from the buildings and welcomed him with a bashful smile while my arms folded across my chest.

"I can't believe it's over now. Parang kahapon lang..." I trailed off. Finally, the sun has really shone to the buildings of this school which a few months ago are witnesses to a fierce battle. Before, every corner of this place reeks of mystery and darkness that no one can explain. 

Now, every single thing of it seems to have been cleansed.

His enigmatic eyes that are as black as Hawthorne stretched as his smile widens, while his hair reflects the sunlight as it is being blown by the wind along with the trees. With his cheekbones lifted and his white polo sticking to his muscular curves, I can literally hear my heart pound.

Napabuntong-hininga naman siya at pumwesto sa likuran ko upang yakapin ako. Inabot ng mga kamay niya ang akin at saka ipinatong ang kanyang baba sa balikat ko.

"Ang mahalaga, bumalik ka na sa akin, Kirsten," mahina ngunit kalmado niyang sabi sa paghigpit ng hawak niya sa mga kamay ko.

I tilted my head to his and heaved a sigh of relief. I closed my eyes, still in disbelief that I'm back. The long-lost missing piece within me has been found. And its biggest part is him.

"Hey, what do you want to do after the graduation?" May kung anong paghihintay sa mukha niya na tila ba may inaasahan na siyang sagot sa'kin.

Binuksan ko ang mga mata ko at kumalas muna sa kanya.

"Hmm. Let's see. Sign for a cruise tour? Watch some theater? Or... buy a ticket to New Zealand?" Liam's smile instantly faded and his eyes didn't deny his dismay. I can't help but smile widely. If I were to compare the Spade I knew when I first came here to Mhorfell Academy and the Spade I have now in my arms, it's hard to keep the list of differences short.

Para bumawi, kinuha ko ang pares ng mga kamay niya at binigyan siya ng makahulugang tingin.

"Or... schedule a date with my future husband?"

Oh god! Saying that sounds weird. Even for me. Especially for me.

I wish I could easily say that his touch is soft and warm, but I'm afraid his proud reaction would be too much for me to handle.

Napailing-iling na lang na napatawa si Spade. Tawang kahit kailan yata ay hindi ko narinig bilang Alex Cromello. Siguro nga, si Kirsten lang ang hinihintay niya. Malas niya, iisa lang sila at ako 'yon kaya wala siyang magagawa kundi pakisamahan ang katauhang kinalakihan ko na.

Magkekwentuhan pa sana kami nang may patalim na biglaang dumaan sa pagitan naming dalawa at mabilis na dumapo sa punong nakatayo 'di kalayuan sa amin. Alertong sinundan namin ng tingin ito pakaliwa at nakita sina Alexis, Edward, Sky at Collen na malalawak ang mga malisyosong ngiti sa amin habang pinaiikot ang mga susi ng kotse nila sa mga daliri nila.

Nilingon ko naman si Liam. "Sinusundo ka na ng trabaho mo, Mr. Vantress."

Napapilitik naman siya ng dila. "Can't I just stay with you for the rest of the day?"

"You can't." Mismong si Collen na mismo ang sumagot sa tanong niya.

Tinaasan ko ng kilay ang lalaking nasa harapan ko at kalaunan, wala na rin siyang nagawa. Aba't tangkain ba namang iwanan ang trabaho?

"Kung magiging distraction lang ako sa trabaho mo, mas mabuti pang i-call off na lang natin ang engagement." Pinanliitan ko siya ng mga mats.

Napatikom siya ng bibig. "Fine. I'll go. Chat me?"

I nodded and smiled at him as he finally takes his steps towards the other Heired Eminence Approbate Decarchy members. The first thing he did when he got close to them was hitting Sky's head who can't stop teasing him for being cheesy and romantic these days. They left while I enjoy hearing their laughter, now without a stain of worry and problem.

I could listen to that all day.

When my watch's alarm activated, I bid my goodbye to the school staff who were working on the renovation and took my leave as soon as I can.

Anyone would never make Renneisme Martin wait, especially when you promised her a day of movie marathon and iced coffee.

Habang naglalakad, napatigil na lang ako nang may sumipang sakit sa kalamnan ko. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko at naging kakaiba ang paghinga ko.

Agad akong naghanap ng taong maaaring mahingan ng tulong dahil batid ko na hindi lang 'to sama ng pakiramdam o kung ano pa man.

"Someone... help." But no one came.

I forgot that there's hardly a student here right now since the administration sent the students back for a certain period of time to make them cope up with their families and to recover for everything that happened.

Of all days, why should this happen again right now?!

Eventually, I fell to my knees, and my sling bag dropped open along with my things. Cellphone! I need to call my friends!

Desperately, I tried to find my phone but another surge of pain came in. I almost curl up on the road, hugging myself because I just can't budge or worse, crawl.

Dumaan ang ilang segundo at hindi pa rin matigil-tigil ang sakit at sa bawat sandaling lumilipas, pakiramdam ko ay mawawalan na ako ng malay.

Gusto ko na lang mawalan ng malay at bumulagta rito! Ayoko na! Please! Let the pain stop!

Napadapa na ako at unti-unting nahihirapan na rin akong umutal ng kahit anong salita gamit ang bibig ko. "L-L-Liam..." 

Isa pang bugso ng paghihirap ang umatake sa lalamunan ko at napaubo na lang ako nang sunud-sunod.

When it stopped, it felt a little better to at least breathe some air. But when my eyes shifted to the asphalt, I swear I have to take that statement back. The crimson image made me forget the excruciating pain that lashes my very flesh inside.

Parang nawalan ng saysay ang lahat. Parang naglaho bigla lahat ng mga planong binalak ko para sa akin at kay Liam. Every possibility flashed into my mind like wildfire and the damage also reached my heart.

Nanginginig kong dinapo ang kamay ko sa sementong sumalo ng pulang-pula na dugong isinuka ko. 'Di tulad ng dati'y mas marami na ito upang mabalot ang palad ko ng mainit at sariwang likido.

I guess I should've told Spade to stay for the day when I had the chance. I should've told him how his hands leave a scorching yet calming mark on my skin. One can never really know when the ride's about to pass another hurdle. 

However, what's more, uncertain is if I'm going to survive the next time Death and I collide.