2 - Life in Peril

A hand pulled Care out of the dancefloor while her mind wandered elsewhere. 

"Who was it?" she mumbled. 

"It's me, Ivy! I came to fetch you on behalf of my sister!" a lady in chiffon lacy dress replied in obvious foul mood, "Stupid camaraderie dance! What a lame excuse for those bird-brained men to select prospects! All of them seem so eager to dance with you that they won’t mind ripping your arm off. Be grateful I saved your ass."

Unable to keep track of her blabbers, Care beamed at Ivy. Her stern looking expression warded off bachelors from approaching. Better to have a rival’s company than those nuisances, Care thought. 

"Actually, I expected Marigold to show up instead of you. I assumed you were on the dancefloor with your charming suitor, too." 

"Not another word!" 

Ivy squinted her eyes, threat mode. She raised her hands in surrender and nodded. It would be unwise to continue when they were already near their table. Her feet involuntarily stopped midway catching a glimpse of the impudent who left without notice earlier.

Eliseo Manaloto! 

She briskly walked to his direction ignoring Ivy’s groan and another batch of people planning to introduce themselves. Marigold spotted her, grinning from ear to ear. Aster, on the other hand, eats by herself while absorbed as always in her world. 

Ivy, Marigold and Aster are the infamous Nguyen triplets. Their faces, height and physique are identical which is why only Care, their grandfather and Ivy's diligent suitor, Caspian, could set them apart. Even tonight, their outfits are the same minus the colors. 

If perhaps, Care is asked, she shall reply in a heartbeat, "They're a crazy bunch." 

Eli quickly bolted to a far off table as though he detected her presence whenever they were in close proximity. Abruptly, she retracted back her steps toward their table, fisting her knuckles. Her nails dug into her skin; she should yelp in pain yet she did not. The frustration she felt overwhelmed the pain. How infuriating it is to be avoided twice the same night! 

"My, oh my, Aphrodite! Thou shall not covet a mortal." Marigold chuckled after planting a swift peck to her cheek. 

Eliseo Manaloto came from a poor family. He has a farmer father, a public-school teacher mother and four younger siblings. Despite their poverty, their family is reputable for their virtuousness. As proof, the eldest boy volunteers at community services and such. Like them, Aragons are into charity. Arnaldo brings along her daughter, Care, to their volunteering activities. That was how Eli and her met each other. He is her first and... last crush, a fact solely known to her. 

"Humor me more. He is as poor as a rat so why would I fancy him?" Care rebuts. 

Marigold hooted, "Yea! Keep it up, Goddess! It surely doesn't show how your tail wags whenever he's there."

"My tai---" 

"Manners, Marigold! A lady should not behave that way. You dismay Pops by your actions." Ivy reprimanded her sister, cutting Care's speech in the process. 

Marigold scoffed, "Am I supposed to cower in fear? I have no expectations to live up to our dearest Grandpops, thanks to you. Continue being goody two-shoes, old maid. In that way, Aster and I can slack off till we drop dead." 

Ivy slightly stood up to grab Marigold's flowing hair. However, Care held her down before the sisters' fight began. They must be saved from the horrors of the childlike wars of these ladies hung up in puberty. She even signalled Aster to help out with a desperate look yet her friend just gestured a thumbs up as if saying she was doing a great job already. 

"Quit it! Save your bickering for tomorrow." Care implored, exasperated. 

That thankfully ended as a temporary truce. She savored in peace her filet mignon with red wine sauce and creamy mushroom soup.

The night grew older until the awarding ceremony came upon them. For the 3rd time, she was called forward. As Belle of the Ball, the significant role she plays would be simply handing the cheque amounting from the collected donation to the chosen beneficiary this year. This is the highlight of the Gala: the acts of generosity of Elite society. Frankly speaking, dull and posey.

Aster reached for Care's hand, giving it a light squeeze. Her eyes mirrored troubled emotions. Yesterday, she dreamed of the ruby heirloom owned by Caress Aragon coated in blood while being shined by the blinding spotlight. The vague symbolisms just made sense tonight after she saw her grand entrance earlier. In spite of knowing the strict security measures imposed, she remained anxious. Her visions are quite accurate.

"Come straight to the table after, hmm? I feel uneasy tonight." Aster admitted. 

Care nodded then strutted up to the stage. Guests gawked either amused of her graceful movement or transfixed to her enchanting beauty. Her feet, for a moment, suspended midway upon immediate recognition of the man waiting at the center stage. Jitters filled her as both her hands sweated. Worse, her eyes brimmed with unshed tears. Nevertheless, she put up a everything-is-normal façade assuring herself he appeared laidback himself. 

"Be sure to produce good results. This is a huge opportunity to make a difference. Go, do it. I'll be cheering for you!" she spoke, her voice almost cracking. 

The side of his mouth rose up to what she assumed was a strange smirk. Due to inexplicable reasons, it somehow spooked her. Though, she brushes this off or else she’d feel guilty suspecting an estranged friend. 

"Yes, Milady. It’s my once in a lifetime chance. Don't regret cheering me on later. Good riddance!" he replied, insinuating something she didn’t understand. 

Before she could clarify, her voice was drowned by the crowd’s applause. Then, they pose for the camera at the exact pose of their handshake. Although she doubts her face shall be vivid for everyone to feast on. 

Everything happened fast right after the photo op. He yanked her body to him. She let him for a part of her longed for him or rather his embraces that used to warm her frigid bleak past life. From people’s standpoint, they looked like they were hugging except Eli. He noticed Ramses pull a weapon inside his pocket reflected by the sparkly chandeliers. A blade, he realized. 

"Aragon!" he shouted, emerging from the crowd.

Care was about to glance, distracted by Eli's distraught voice but Ramses thrusted his dagger burying deep into her chest and murmured with gritted teeth, "Die, monster! Accept the price of your beauty!" 

She clutched his arm as the surge of searing pain awakened her senses. The sharp edge that cut through her was unimaginable to bear while conscious. Her grip loosens so does her strength. It seems passing out is the sure way to escape the pain given if she ever survives. 

Their eyes met. A tear escaped hers beholding the void in his. Pure, abysmal darkness! Without breaking eye contact, he mercilessly pulled out the dagger already coated in her blood. She gasped from the shock, spewing more blood at the same time. As if his thirst for revenge is far satiated, he shoved her then slashed her face across. 

"Ram... ses..." she mumbled before collapsing on the cold tiled floor. 

People witnessed in utter horror resulting in a terrifying commotion: numerous screams from onlookers, some individuals shouting to call for help and stampedes of people wanting to aid her. 

In a split-second, the offender was knocked down on the floor. His smile seethed satisfaction instead of remorse. Several men started beating him to pulp that even guards could not hold them off. On the other hand, the one assaulted remained oblivious to her surroundings. For the first time, Care sees the world splitting into two. The fall hurt her back making it impossible to move. Instinctively her hand touched where it hurt the most, her chest. When she lifted her hand in front of her sight, all she could see was the color red. 

"Why am I lying like a dead corpse?" she asked herself. 

In the midst of the agony, she still smiled watching Eli run towards her. His pitch black eyes were the kindest she had ever seen. She vomited a lot more blood while desperately panting for air. Even if the ambulance arrives right away, she knew she was doomed nevertheless she cannot let go. 

Fame, wealth and beauty turned to sands she could barely grasp. In the end, not money nor anything spares one from inevitable demise. And despite being at the prime of her youth, fates remained unbiased and brutal. For anyone destined to die dies. Caress Aragon is no goddess, after all. But she cannot accept dying in such a horrible way rekindling her will to live. 

"No... I w-will trade a-anything, anything to l-live. I c-can't d-die... n-not yet." She croaked. 

End was nigh to the young lady's life yet she possessed a fiery desire... a greed that outlasts even the face of death!