Yes.
We are crazy together.
We would make such a good couple.
.
Niko,
I want to tell you how alive you make me feel.
I want to tell you how beautiful I feel when I'm around you.
I never knew the word freedom till you arrived with this sunshiny aura of yours.
And I want to tell you that I'm having feelings for you.
Niko has always been my closest friend. We used to share a lot of things when we were kids. Chocolates, seats, blankets, food plates, clothes, secrets. We used to share everything.
Maybe that's why I was able to tell him the worst of my life.
.
"Come with me." Niko pulled me with him when we were chilling in the side hall of the resort.
All of us were drained out because of water sports, and Sofia has already slept by putting her on Uncle Josh's lap. He was busy tucking her in and feeding Aunt Jules a pastry at the same time.
Aunt Jules was busy playing a video game with Dad, and to mention, Dad was failing miserably, but Aunt Jules has his back.
Aunt Ava, Mom, and Aunt Stella were busy chatting about Aunt Ava's new photoshoot idea while Jeremy and Uncle Alex played chess by the window.
.
Niko took the chance and pulled me downstairs. We ran to the nearby garden that looked more like a forest.
"Are you having fun, Caramel?" He asked as we walked in the garden, holding hands. I didn't take Niko as someone who'd hold hands with a girl and just walk or talk.
"A lot." I chuckled as I swayed her palm in my hand. "Rather, I never had so much fun before."
"Thank God." He squinted his eyes as he sucked in his cheek. "I never fail to make people have fun." He smirked and praised himself.
"You like to praise yourself so much, don't you?" I chuckled and walked forward to him. His wide, sunshiny smile turned into satisfaction when I removed my flats and tiptoed on the grass under our feet.
"Can't help my charm, Caramel. I'm born with it." He said as he let me walk forward and kept watching me with shiny eyes.
"You do sound like Uncle Josh." I squinted my eyes and jumped in tiny with doing little steps of my ballet.
"And I'm proud of it." Niko picked up my flats in his hands and followed me. He was wearing comfy white cargos and a same-colored sweat tee.
"It's been years since I have run on the grass like this." I said as I kept walking on the grass by touching the beautiful wildflowers beside. "Even in London, I was always busy with studies and ballet."
"You like the ballet so much, don't you?" Niko asked with the same calm but satisfactory expressions.
"I do. I love ballet." I said with a smile. "I was just five when I got introduced to ballet because Dada bought me this music box."
"Music box?" Niko was quiet for the first time ever. I can't believe he is listening to someone quietly rather than talking.
"Yes. A music box." I tried to explain the size and shape of the music box by gestures. "A small statue of a ballerina starts dancing on a beautiful melody whenever you open the box."
"Really? Do you still have it?" He asked and leaned back on the tree.
"I do. I use it as my lullaby." I replied with a tiny dance on the grass as I couldn't get enough happiness from being here, talking to Niko about something I like. "By the time Ballerina finishes her dance, I fall asleep. That was the best gift I ever got from Dada."
"You really are like a Disney princess, Caramel. All about you is magical." Niko smiled widely as her eyes explored my whole body. "I truly expected you to be something like a ballerina or florist or dancer."
"Really?" I squinted my eyes, but I know he isn't lying. He always used to say that I would look good between flowers.
"Any doubts?" He pouted and tried to look cute. I giggled as I swirled in a circle.
"That isn't the only reason I loved ballet, but also because I like the stress on my toes. I love how alive and worthy my body feels when the pressure is sensed on my skin and bone." I talked. I never talk this much. "Ballet makes me feel 'not fragile' and powerful."
Niko's eyes filled with something more like proud and pride at the same time.
"Dance for me." He affirmed. It wasn't a question but a request. His eyes are glaring at me with affection, and I couldn't deny the fact that I like it. I like his stare on me.
"Here?" I looked at the uneven ground, and Niko cracked a smile.
"Not here, Caramel. You'd hurt your toes if you danced here!" He laughed and walked towards me. "Dance for me when we get back home."
"I need to fix my ballet shoes first." I said as I remembered that I broke them a few days ago.
"Does that mean you'd dance for me?" Niko engulfed his fingers with mine, and another hand reached to my jaw.
.
"Don't dare to dance."
"Dance for me."
.
There is a difference. There is a huge difference.
Mr. Callister and Niko are the two poles of the earth.
And I need to fight if I make it to the other side.
I need to fight back.
.
"I will dance for you." I nod. I nod, and Niko pecks on my lips. A smallest peck, but it was assuring. It was safe and felt like a brush of cold wind in a torturing desert.
"Then I'd be the most honored audience that ever existed." Niko whispered on my lips and took a step back.
..........................................................................................................
I sat on the grass while Niko went inside to bring something to drink.
We had disappeared for so long, but since Aunt Jules knows about us, we're on the safe side. Niko called her and told her about where we are, and she didn't oppose or deny.
It's really weird, but...
But we're totally acting like a couple even though we haven't said anything to each other.
We're just being what we are.
And I don't feel fear.
I don't feel fear.
.
"My, my." A familiar voice shredded my ears. A familiar voice that haunts my dreams. A familiar voice that brings me tears.
Mr. Callister?
What?!
What is he doing here?!
"Mr. Callister?!" I stood on my shaking feet as I saw him coming from behind the huge tree.
Brown scary eyes. Black hair and facial expression as furious as the devil himself.
I... I can't breathe.
"Surprised to see me, Camilla?" His voice echoed in my core. "Surprised to see me while you fuck some other man?"
He always uses such inappropriate language. A language that makes me want to tear my ears.
He calls me daily, but he never appears while I am with family.
But why is he here today?
If Niko sees him,
He'd be dead.
If Dad finds the truth,
He'd be burnt and dead.
"What are you doing here, Mr. Callister?" I dared. I dared to question him back even though my hands and legs were shaking like the earthquake just happened under my feet.
"Wasn't he the same motherfucker who had beaten me five years ago?! Look at that piece of shit. He grew up into an ugly cunt." Mr. Callister took a step forward to me, and my heart skipped a beat.
"He... he is none of your business anymore." I don't know where all these words are coming from, but the thought of him badmouthing Niko sent fury up in my mind. "You should... you should watch your language."
"I'll fuck your mouth harsh if you don't shut your mouth, you little cunt!" He took another step forward with fury and rage. "How dare you answer me back?!"
"Then you shouldn't... then you shouldn't use such a language for him." My heart still beats with fear, but something fearless in my body just couldn't bear him calling Niko with those bad words.
"Is he giving you his cock or what?!" A statement made from Mr. Callister's mouth disgusted me. I feel fury I have never felt before.
"Why are you here?" I uttered as my fingers clenched into fists. I don't care about what he talks about me, but he has no right to talk about Niko or about anyone in my family.
"To teach you a fucking lesson!" Mr. Callister took another step forward, and this time, I didn't take a step back.
Instead,
I stood confidently.
Keeping my burning eyes on him.
Mr. Callister and Niko are the two poles of the earth.
And I need to fight if I make it to the other side.
I need to fight back.
"This isn't a training course to teach a lesson, is it?" I asked as my palms clenched on the dress I was wearing. Legs are shaking, but I couldn't let him see it.
"Don't answer me back, you fucking whore!" He raised his hand and pointed his index finger at me. His brown eyes turned red with anger, and his pale face was all flushed and sweaty.
"You may call me Princess." I took a deep breath and replied. My throat is turning dry as the fear drains out of my soul, but
But either I can fight now or regret my whole life for not fighting back.
Niko was right.
I just have to ask.
And I did.
I just asked my heart for what I want.
And it answered me... 'I want freedom.'
.
Mr. Callister almost raised his hand on me, and I could feel my body fall on the ground, but before he could hit me,
"Hit me, and we'll meet in the royal court." I was about to take a step back, but I didn't. I didn't take a step back and threatened him instead. "I'm on the princess throne while you are in chains."
"Threatening me?" Mr. Callister's face was full of fury as well as viciousness.
"Take it as a warning, Mr. Callister." I swallowed whatever fear left on my skin and avowed. "You're no longer having my key."
"Of course I will have your key." He said with an evil smile. "Remember what you did to my wife?"
"I did not kill her. You did." I said firmly. "You pushed her down the balcony and blamed me for everything."
"Who'd believe you?" He chuckled with evilness inside every word. "Who'd believe your statement when I have your video of pushing down my wife from the balcony?"
What?!
How could it be possible?!
How could he have a video of something that never happened?!
"You're lying." I scrunched my brows, but fear still clouded my head.
"I'll send you the video, and you'll believe how good technology is." He said taking steps backward. "You'll pay for everything you just said to me, little whore. You'll pay for it."
His backward steps disappeared him in the forest before anyone could come and find him.
But his words lingered in my head like a thundercloud floating above unstable sea.
.
I remember what happened exactly.
Mr. Callister and his wife were fighting on the balcony, and I followed the voice into the balcony.
When I reached the balcony, Mr. Callister pushed his wife down. I was right behind him. I was right behind him when he pushed her down.
I saw him.
I saw her.
I was there. I was there when it happened.
.
Then,
Why would he say such a thing?
.
I need to... I need to tell this to Niko.
No more secrets.
No more secrets if I want to make it to the other side.
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