-=Martina's Point of View=-It felt like the time was dragging for too long, or maybe it was just me since I kept on looking at the time, and when I checked again after waiting for ten minutes, I saw that it was only one in the afternoon.A deep sigh escaped my lips without me noticing it, and unfortunately, Annie, who was with me in the garden, heard it."What's wrong, Martina?" she asked."Nothing," I replied, trying to act like there was nothing bothering me, but Annie knew me better now after spending time with me since I arrived on this island, and she knew if I was trying to hide something or not."I don't believe you," she said, looking at me knowingly.I decided not to speak as I continued staring at the tulips in front of us, and after a few minutes had passed, Annie decided to speak again."Is it about Jackson?" she asked.I suddenly looked at her after hearing the name, and I could see a knowing look on her face, as if she was sure that was what was bothering me.I didn't t
-=Martina's Point of View=-I still couldn't believe that after all these months I would finally see him again, but what perplexed me was the fact that he was standing in the middle of the rain alone."Is that really you?" I asked."Yes, Martina," he replied.His voice sounded the same as I remembered it, but this time, his voice didn't unnerve me compared to before.The only possible reason was that during his absence I learned a great deal about him, how he is kind to everybody, especially to the people on this island, and of course, about me and my dad."What are you doing here?"He was about to answer when he was stopped by a voice from behind me, and even without looking, I recognized that voice as Zeke."Master Zion, I told you not to go out," he said worriedly.Maybe I was just thinking too much, or maybe I was just imagining things, but I felt that there was something off about the way Zeke talked to Zion."I didn't expect for the rain to fall again," he replied.He appeared t
-=Martina's Point of View=-I woke up the following morning still feeling lightheaded, but it didn't take long to remember what happened last night.I was about to meet with Kian last night, and I wanted to ask him how he managed to disappear the other night without me noticing it. Another thing that I wanted to ask was, even though I wasn't sure if it was sensible to ask about the tales about the dangerous man who lives on the western side of the island, which happened to be where Kian was living.I was eager to see him last night, but I didn't expect that instead of finding Kian, I would find Zion, who had just returned from the hospital.When I thought of Zion, I couldn't help but feel a surge of guilt in my chest, followed by self-reproach.To think that I was so sure that I could face Zion and tell him about my wrongdoing, but when I was facing Zion, I didn't have the courage to tell him at all, and what does that make me?"Shameless and a coward, that's who I am," I thought to m
-=Martina's Point of View=-As expected, I couldn't bring the courage or decency to admit to my wrongdoing; even until I was done with my breakfast, I didn't manage to urge myself to confess to cheating with another man.Before, I couldn't bear to look Zion in the eyes because of the intimidation I felt towards him, but now, I couldn't look him in the eyes because every time I saw the sincerity in his eyes, the guilt inside me was too much to bear.I was amazed at how I could easily eat with him, acting calm as if I hadn't done anything wrong, but honestly, deep inside me, I just wanted to run and leave and just go back in my room and stay there for all eternity."Are you feeling unwell, Martina?"I was stunned when I heard Zion's voice, and the guilt inside me was already eating me up from the inside, especially when I heard the genuine concern in his voice."I'm... fine; I just didn't have the appetite," I replied, forcing a smile."If you feel like anything to eat, maybe we could..
-=Martina's Point of View=-"There was definitely no other day!"That was what was running through my mind after returning to my room after waiting outside for Kian to come.A sigh of frustration and hurt passed my lips when it dawned on me that it has been three days now since our failed meeting when Zion unexpectedly returned, where I found him standing in my and Kian's meeting place, and ever since that day, I haven't failed to leave the castle and have waited for him patiently.I waited for him to see me for three days, and yet, it only made me disappointed and lonely.My longing for Kian had grown so strong that I was on the verge of embarking on a voyage to the western part of the island, where he lived, only to see him again. Fortunately, my sensible side won out. I recognized that going into that area of the island would almost certainly result in my being a meal for the terrible monsters that lurked there."Maybe it is better for me to be fed those animals," I bitterly told m
-=Martina's Point of View=-I quickly broke free from Kian's embrace, and even though my heart was filled with fear, I bravely faced the owner of that voice.I felt like the world was nearing its end when I saw the shock and disbelief on her face while looking at me and Kian simultaneously, but aside from those emotions, the emotion that pained me the most was the hurt I could see in Annie's eyes.I know I hurt her, and there was no valid excuse for my wrongdoing, but even so, I wanted to say something, but I didn't know what.Before I could figure out what I wanted to say, she had already turned around and walked; actually, it seemed like she was running rather than walking.I looked at her and looked at Kian next; I didn't know what to do. Should I follow Annie or should I go with Kian?"Go."I didn't really hear what Kian said, but I could read his lips, and seeing that he wanted me to follow Annie, I finally made the decision to follow my best friend.I started running after Annie
-=Martina's Point of View=-The following morning, Annie didn't show up, which she usually does to help me prepare for breakfast, but I was expecting it already because of what happened last night."She already knew," I thought to myself as I recalled the hurt and betrayal I caused her.She admired and respected Zion, but above all this, I think the most painful factor was that I used her and lied to her, and just thinking about it already brought tears to my eyes.I kept convincing myself that I had no right to cry since I wasn't the victim, but I couldn't stop the tears from falling freely through my eyes.I didn't feel like leaving my room, but I knew that I had to do it. Zion would be worried if I acted this way, and the possibility that I might see Annie in the dining room forced me to get out of bed and prepare myself for the day. But when I got to the dining room, I didn't see Annie anywhere, making me think that she was probably avoiding me."I will talk to her again and ask f
-=Martina's Point of View=-"Are you planning on leaving after this?" I immediately looked at Zion after hearing his question."Yeah, I planned to leave after this, and hopefully I can talk to her and sort things out with her," I replied with a thin smile on my lips.He just muttered okay and returned to his food and red drink. Earlier, he tried to ask me what really happened between me and Annie, and once more, I told him that it was just a misunderstanding; it's not like I could tell him the real reason, right?Just like I said, I left after I was done with my food. I had already packed the things I would be bringing since Zion allowed me to stay at Annie's place for a couple of days, and I was hoping it would be enough for Annie to forgive me and convince her to go back to the castle with me.One of the maids helped me load my things in the car, and when I got inside, I saw that Zeke was already behind the wheel waiting for me to settle in."Shall we leave, mistress?" he asked cou
-=Martina's Point of View=-The beating of my heart began to beat faster as I could finally see the island from afar."Wait for me, Zion," I silently said, feeling the sorrow and longing of a woman who was away with the man she loved.Ever since I left Nancy's province and experienced that bizarre and mysterious event, bits and pieces of my previous life memory came back to me, but not enough for me to know everything, but enough for me to know that I was Esmeralda and Zion is the man I loved during that life.I remembered telling him from my previous life that I would remember him whatever happened, but I betrayed him since I didn't even recognize him and worse I thought of leaving him.I felt so ashamed to see him again, but my desire to be with him won me over, and I promised myself that I would never leave Zion again.While looking at the island, it felt like some invisible hand was pulling me closer to the island as if the island recognized me, and I recognized it as my home, Zio
-=Martina's Point of View=-I kept feeling this ache ever since my visit to that place, and as I awaited our arrival back at my dad's place, this ache was getting more intense."Can you tell me what's really going on, Martina?" I heard Nancy ask."Nothing; I just needed to go home," I answered.Before, when I thought about home, I always referred to my dad's house, which had been my home ever since, or at least before Fionna and her daughters arrived, but now, when I thought about home, I couldn't help but think about the island and Zion's mansion.The pain I felt intensified when I thought about Zion. I couldn't help but feel guilty knowing that he wasn't feeling well when I left him after I found out the truth.I felt ashamed of what I did; yes, it was shocking to learn the truth, but I promised Zion, or rather Zion, that I would love him forever, and yet, in the first instance of the test of our love and my faith in him, I disappointed him.I could still feel Nancy's gaze on me fro
-=Martina's Point of View=-It has been ten minutes, but still, nothing happened. I was really expecting something to happen considering that I came to this place without my full consciousness.I stood up from the big rock where I was sitting, waiting for something to happen, but it didn't."Esmeralda..."I tried calling her name; maybe there was something that she wanted to tell me, but even after uttering her name in the air, still nothing happened."Esmeralda!"This time, I yelled louder, but after holding my breath and waiting, nothing peculiar ever happened.A bitter smile appeared on my lips when I realized how much of a weirdo I may be if someone found me there.Imagine a guest wandering in this part at this hour. People may think that I actually lost it, and they would probably send me straight to the asylum if I told them how exactly I came here."Anything?" I thought to myself when another ten minutes had passed, and when still nothing happened, I took a deep breath and fina
-=Martina's Point of View=-I awoke to the crowing of roosters, and as I looked out the window, I observed it was still dark. When I looked at the clock, I saw that it was only five o'clock in the morning, still early for me to wake up, however when I was about to go back to sleep, I was disturbed by Nancy who was already wide awake.I didn't even notice her waking up and leaving the bed."Good morning!" She said in a loud voice making me grimace."Could you keep it down, it's still early and I still wanted to sleep," I murmured."No, Martina, five a.m. is already considered late in the province because almost everyone wakes up around four and Mom told me to wake you up for breakfast," she added, and she didn't leave me an opportunity to go back to sleep as she pulled the sheets over my eyes."You're really ruthless," I said, which she just laughed at.I had no choice but to force myself out of bed, and before leaving the room, I decided to do some stretching first, to remove the slee
-=Martina's Point of View=-I awoke early the next morning, surprised that I hadn't dreamed of Esmeralda and Kian again. I hoped I wouldn't dream about them any longer.Who wants to dream about anything irrelevant to them, even if the woman in the dream happened to look like you and the man you love is always with her?I probably stayed in bed for a few more minutes before deciding to get out, and the first thing I did was double-check that I had everything I needed. Last night, I organized my belongings for my trip with Nancy, going to their province and going to that place.It probably took me about ten minutes to finish inspecting my bags, and then I started getting ready.I took a quick shower which probably lasted for fifteen minutes, and after drying myself with the towel in my bathroom, I walked naked back to my room and wore the clothes I had chosen earlier which was a pair of blue shirt and faded jeans with my favorite sneakers.I was putting on my shoes when I heard a knock
-=Martina's Point of View=-"What do you mean it's not real? Are you saying that my wedding ring is a fake?" I asked in disbelief."Unfortunately, that is right, miss. It may look real, but upon closer inspection, I confirmed that this isn't made of real gold and diamonds," he said.He continued his explanation, but to be honest, the details slipped my mind as my focus wandered. However, a feeling of suspicion washed over me as I spotted them exchanging secretive glances."Could it be?" I thought to myself."Well, there you have it; you heard it from the expert; your ring was indeed fake, and just as we agreed on, you would go out with...""Actually, I wanted to have a second opinion," I suddenly said, cutting him off."Come on, don't be a sour loser," Benz said."Perhaps I am, or perhaps the test results were incorrect," I said nonchalantly."Are you telling me that I tested your ring wrong?" The employee of the shop said indignation was written on his face."Yes, but was it wrong to
-=Martina's Point of View=-The following day, Dad decided to return to work, but before leaving, he made sure to share breakfast with me first."What do you plan on doing later?" he asked."Nothing much; I was planning to just stay at home, or maybe I could just go out and buy something," I said."Okay, if you wanted to leave, you could use the car instead of commuting; it's much more convenient that way.""Okay," I said.I planned to ask Nancy to drive me just in case I decided to go out; we could also buy the things we might need once we leave tomorrow. Speaking of Nancy, she continued addressing me as her mistress, and I didn't stop her anymore, since, in a way, I kind of missed hearing that. When I heard her calling me that, it made me feel like I was still in the castle.I walked with Dad and watched him leave, and when I could no longer see his car, I decided to look for Nancy so we could talk about our plans for tomorrow.I found Nancy in the kitchen; she was busy cleaning the
-=Martina's Point of View=-While gazing at Mommy's grave, I couldn't help but reminisce about the joyful memories we shared, but it didn't take long for the pain of her loss to resurface once again.I yearned to take advantage of this time to release all of my bottled-up emotions and let my tears run freely, but the fact that Dad was behind me kept me from doing so. I didn't want him to see my tears again, knowing that it would only add to the burden of grief he was already carrying after losing Mom and having been in an accident."Sorry, Mom, if I only got to visit now. I miss you, and Dad misses you so much," I said in a gentle voice.I felt my dad putting his arm on my shoulder as if he were giving me the comfort I needed because I really do miss Mom.After that, there was quiet between us; there were moments when words were unnecessary to express our emotions, and this is one of those instances.I was talking to Mom in my head, and when I caught a glimpse of Dad, I knew he was do
-=Martina's Point of View=-I didn't know how long I was asleep, and I didn't plan on waking up yet; however, I was woken from my sleep by a continuous knock on the door."Next would be Annie's voice," I thought to myself, but I was confused when I didn't hear Annie's voice but instead someone else's."Martina, are you awake? Your dad is waiting for you," I heard Nancy say, so I immediately opened my eyes.I awoke in the familiar surroundings of my room back in our old house, rather than the castle room I had become accustomed to. It occurred to me that I had left Zion's castle after discovering the truth."Martina?" I heard Nancy calling my name again."Yeah, I'm awake; just give me five minutes," I answered, and after that, I heard her footsteps.I took a deep breath and tried to remember everything that happened. I couldn't believe that it had only been more than twenty-four hours since I left the castle, and I couldn't ignore the sadness in my chest.I genuinely missed everyone on