Chapter 10

Mason's POV

“I'll see you soon.” I hear my voice. Everything around is dark.

“Okay darling. I'll meet you at the altar.”

I still remember the beautiful smile that formed on her lips as she spoke to me. Silence fills the air, but then the darkness starts to change. Light took over my vision as everything around me turned white.

Distinctly, I hear people chattering around me, excitement in the air. They're sounding happy like they're about to celebrate something joyful.

But then, their voice fades again, and only silence is left. I look down and find myself wearing a wedding suit and a pair of black leather oxfords.

A wedding suit? Then I remembered that today is the day. Standing here at the altar, feeling nothing but joy and excitement. Everything feels so serene. My heart has never been this contented that I can't even explain what I'm feeling.

I can proudly say that I'm the happiest man on earth today, because today, I will take my vows with the woman I love at this altar. We will be together forever.

Love. I've learnt about love from a very young age. I've seen my parents love each other. That's how I love my woman. Nothing less.

I've always known what I wanted while growing up. I don't want to kiss just any girl. Or to just have sex with any woman. I don't want to.

For me, it's only her, Sandra.

First love. First confession. First girlfriend.

We've been together for years, and finally, today has come. We'll build a family and spend the rest of our lives together.

A sigh escapes my lips as I wait for her patiently. ‘Women and not sticking to time.’ I muttered, shaking my head. I'm holding onto her promise like it's all I need to survive this world.

Whatever life throws upon us, we'll get through to it. Together. I wait. The clock is ticking, and time passes by. I'm still waiting patiently. Yet, I haven't seen her. She hasn't come to meet me as she promised.

The bright surroundings gradually turns darker. A horrible feeling builds up inside me. My heart racing fast in my chest, yet I still try to keep sane.

Her last words ringing in my head, reminding me of her promise. Sandra will come. She told me herself.

But then, everything around me turned even darker until I cannot see anything. It seemed rare that what was once bright and serene has turned into something so dark.

‘I'll meet you at the altar.’ Her voice echoes in my head again, and I squeeze my eyes shut. I cover my ears with my hands, my shoulders shaking. Somehow, a part of me knows the truth.

She's not coming. She will never come to meet me. Never smile at me again.

After what feels like an eternity, I straighten up, determined to find the truth. It's so hard to walk out from this spot, our spot, the place we were meant to become one.

I wouldn't have been so determined if I knew what I was going to find.

I find myself in front of a door. I could hear muffled screams from inside. My mind screams at me to go back but I didn't heed. Slowly, I turn the doorknob, and the first thing I saw is a man's naked backside.

“That's it baby. Show me how much you want me.” My head snapped up when I heard my friend's voice.

A moan of pleasure echoes through the room. The woman whimpers as he fucks her senseless. “Oh Micheal.”

Her voice shatters my heart into pieces because I know who it belongs to.

“Please don't stop.” She begs breathlessly, and my heart breaks even more. “Don't stop.”

“Tell me you're mine, Sandra.” Micheal hisses into her ear without stopping.

“I'm yours.” She cried out, holding him even tighter. “I've always been yours.”

My whole world crumbles. Violently.

My heart crushed so hard. I gave her all of it, but now, there's nothing left. It hurts too much.

With eyes widened in shock, I continued to stare at them. At him. At her. My bride and best friend betraying me. I feel like collapsing. It's her.

Her voice which used to tell me how much she loved me. Everything about her is Sandra. My bride.

“Wake me up.” My voice is shaking as I called out to no one in particular.

This is all a nightmare. Yes, that's what it is. A nightmare.

“Wake me up.” I roar.

My throat hurts from all the shouting, while my chest is about to explode.

Save me. It hurts so much.

“Mason. Mason. Mason.” A loud voice rings in my ears, and I find myself sitting up on my bed gasping like I had been deprived of oxygen.

Happiness stares at me with worry skating all over her face. “It's okay. You woke up.” Her lips trembled.

My chest is heaving up and down, sweat all over my body. I'm panting hard like I've just been revived from death.

When I realized how hard and tight I'm gripping Happy's hand, I dropped it immediately. Looking around, I noticed that I'm still in my room and I must have woken her from my noise.

It's been so long I had a nightmare. Thinking about her before I went to bed must be the reason. I had closed that chapter.

***

Claire's POV

Mason is still panting hard. My heart is beating fast as I stared at his condition. Sweat trickles on his face like he just ran a marathon. Whatever he was must be horrible.

The sight before me breaks me but I don't know what to do. If only there's something I could do to make him forget his nightmare, even if it's just for a while. He looks so tortured.

“Mason,” I blurt out, and he looked up. “Uhn… Do you need anything?”

“Just leave.” He said his voice aloof, and my heart sinks.

Irritation crosses his features, like my existence annoys him and makes it worse for him.

I stood up from his bed wordlessly and make my way outside, trying and failing miserably not to feel affected by his coldness. I feel like crying.

As I enter my room, my mind becomes heavy as I find myself trying to help him out. I remembered his words and tried to go back to sleep, but I couldn't take him off my mind. I stood up after some time, and went to the kitchen thinking of what I do.

When I arrive at the kitchen, I remembered my mom used to make hot chocolate for Dad whenever he's upset, so I decided to give it a try. Hopefully, Mason has a sweet tooth.

I check the drawers for the ingredients, and I was able to get all the ingredients, including marshmallows. Before I know it, I'm making hot chocolate for Mason.

Slowly, I walk to his room. My heart breaks as I see him sitting on the bed with his arms in his knees. His eyes are focused on the ground.

“Uhm… I made hot chocolate.” I placed the cup on the table beside him. “I don't know if it'll help but I couldn't sleep so…” I shrugged as I left my words hanging.

Just as I'm about to leave, I felt his hands on my wrists stopping me from leaving. “Stay.” My heart thumps as I see the serious look on his face.

He didn't let go of my hand till I sat next to him.

“I'm sorry. Please forget what I said earlier,I didn't mean it.” He said, his eyes pleading. I nodded at him.

He takes the cup of hot chocolate and stares at it in awe, almost like he was hypnotized. He inhales the aroma before taking a gulp from it. I swallowed nervously, trying to read his expression. He sighed in satisfaction and I knew that he likes it.

We sat in silence as he continued to gulp his drink.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I asked carefully.

He doesn't respond just like I had expected, but I just wanted to let him know that I'll be here to listen if he needs me to.

“He likes the drink.” I said in an attempt to change the subject. Mason looks at me questioningly. “My Dad. Whenever he was upset, mom used to make him the drink.”

Mason nodded. “I like it too. I can feel the tension leaving my body with each gulp.”

“Yeah? I didn't know you had a sweet tooth.” I said mockingly, and there's a ghost of a smile on his face.

He's smiling. It feels like a weight has been taken off my chest.

“My mom makes it for me when I was younger. I didn't realize how much I missed it.” He faced me. “You'll have to teach me how to make it, I think I'll get addicted to it.”

“I'll make it for you. Dad always complains he doesn't like it when he makes it himself.”

He nodded and we sat in a comfortable silence. I can feel myself nodding off after some time, but I still want to spend time with him.