I stood there motionless, comforted by his hug. I was rendered speechless by the sordid news about my rape and murder case along with the appearance of the man accused of killing me.

Hindi ko mahanap ang mga tamang salita.

Sa dami ng emosyon na nararamdaman ko ngayon, hindi ko alam kung anong uunahin. Galit? Takot? Pagsisisi?

I'm not even sure if that's really me. Gabriel simply said that my name was Stellar, and that I died a few days ago. Pero hindi naman siguro coincidence na ilang araw pa lang ang nakalilipas mula nang pinatay si Stellar Lumina, hindi ba?

Besides, I felt it. I wouldn't cry for no reason. I felt the certain connection between me and Conan Solaire. It was really me.

Atticus didn't say word. He simply said sorry for finding me, but I deemed it unnecessary. He didn't owe me an apology. After all, I was the one who suggested finding myself. I would've found out sooner or later, anyway.

Are you okay?

Napatigil ako noong may nagsalita sa isip ko. What the... Am I hearing things? Who was that? Or more like, what was that?

I was still in a state of panic when I caught a glimpse of Sandro standing from a distance, looking straight into my eyes. I was about to avert his gaze from him when I heard the mysterious voice once again.

I'm asking you. Are you okay?

Napatitig ako sa kanyang mga mata. Why is he standing there like an idiot? Pinapanood ba niya kami ni Atticus na magyakapan? Don't tell me... he's the one speaking inside my mind?!

I stared straight into his eyes. Kahit kanina, noong kararating pa lamang niya, kakaiba na siya kung tumingin... Plus the fact that he somehow looks familiar to me! Sino ba talaga siya?!

Bumuntong hininga siya.

You look stupid, Stellar. Seriously.

My lips parted upon realization. Alam ko na! Why didn't I realize it sooner? Those eyes squinting in mischief... I can't be mistaken!

It's Gabriel!

But, how? I don't understand at all!

Astonished, I pulled away from Atticus' hug. I looked at him and gave him a reassuring smile. "I swear, I'm okay."

I slumped comfortably on the sofa with my arms crossed. I turned to Sandro and raised a brow to him. Let me try.

Can you hear my thoughts?

His brows furrowed before answering. Obviously.

Hindi ko naman naiwasang matuwa. I rubbed my hands in excitement. Ah, the perks of being dead. I can't believe we're actually talking by telepathy right now!

Mind explaining? What are you doing inside that body, Gabriel? Are you even allowed to possess bodies?

He seemed irritated by my questions.

This is legal. It's part of my job.

"Okay, tell me if I need to leave." biglang sambit Atticus kaya pareho kaming napalingon sa kanya. "Nakakahiya namang sumali sa moment niyong dalawa."

I rolled my eyes. For a man, he's so talkative. Hindi siya nauubusan ng sasabihin at lahat na lang napapansin niya!

With his eyebrows creased, he sat on the space beside me and shot daggers at Sandro. "Stop staring at her. Don't wait for me to fire you. No hard feelings, Sandro."

Sandro, or I should say Gabriel, pursed his lips. "With all due respect, she's not my type. I don't even find her attractive." My jaw dropped.

Did he just... dump me?!

This unidentified creature dumped me for real. Anyway, physically speaking, he's referring to Gaia Venice. But why do I feel like I should be the one offended?

"Good." nakangising sagot ni Atticus. "We better be clear."

The two of them talked about some matters which I don't fully understand. The law, seriously... It's not my thing. Kaya naman pinabayaan ko na lang silang dalawa na mag-usap. Iniirapan ko na lang si Sandro tuwing napapatingin siya sa akin.

"Excuse me." paalam ni Atticus noong tumunog ang phone niya. He went to his room and answered the call. Well, it's my chance to talk to this dork!

"Is that really you, Gabriel?" I asked in utter disbelief.

His face crumpled. "Paulit-ulit? Sirang plaka lang?"

"Hey, I'm asking you nicely!" bulyaw ko.

I was taken aback when his countenance suddenly became serious. How can he shift his mood so like that?

"Listen, Stellar."

I've seen a mixture of pain and concern on his face.

"You must save him no matter what. You have been robbed of your life, don't let them steal his future, too. Be careful on your decisions; his life is on the line."

His words gave me immense pressure.

Someone's life depends on me. It's an indisputable fact. If I make one wrong move in this mission, I might endanger him, whoever he is.

I was just about to answer him but Atticus came back, so I needed to shut my mouth up. Bumalik sila sa pinag-uusapan nila. All I could do was to idle alone in a corner.

The day resumed like nothing strange happened. Atticus was busy with his discussion with Sandro, and I felt so out of place. Pakiramdam ko tuloy, wala akong silbi.

Nabuhayan naman ako nang sabihin ni Atticus na meron siyang ipapagawa sa akin. Sa wakas, may maitutulong na ako!

"Tell me what to do!" I exclaimed in anticipation.

Atticus was weirded out by my excitement, but he decided to shrug it off. "I need you to take a leave from your work."

I stared at him in confusion. Come to think of it, I have no idea about Gaia's occupation. Ano nga ba ang trabaho niya?

"Since your family owns the hospital, papers are not necessary anymore. Just tell them that you'd be going directly to your Mom."

"Wait. What's my job again?" pagtataka ko.

He glanced over Sandro who was quietly listening to our conversation. "Love, you're a doctor. What is wrong with you?" aniya at tumawa nang pilit.

Ang pangit umarte nito ni Atticus!

"Pack your things and tell them that we will be preparing for our wedding soon."

Out of the blue, I suddenly felt... defeated. My shoulders lifelessly fell, and I felt my hands trembling for some reason.

What is happening to me?

I faked a smile to him. "Okay."

He must have noticed the sudden change on my mood because Atticus shot me a puzzled look. Before he could even say something to me, I turned my back to take my leave.

Wedding.

Their wedding.

Seriously, Stellar? Why are you feeling like this? You don't even have the right to disagree, much more to be hurt.

Stellar Lumina, wake up. Who are you to feel down by the wedding? You're just some stray soul who was assigned to do a mission. You're just a ghost borrowing this body for the meantime.

So, who are you to be hurt?

I came to a halt when Gabriel spoke in my mind once more. His remark was ambiguous, and it confused me so much.

You have to let him go, Stellar.

What do you mean by that, Gabriel?

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