Elena's POV
I woke up again in that church— the one that keeps showing up in my dreams. And once more, I was in a wedding dress. Why does this keep happening? What happened here?
"Elena!"
I turned to the door, startled, and saw Carlos standing there. A smile immediately spread across my face, and I tried to run toward him, but my legs wouldn't move. I looked down to see bloodied hands gripping me, pulling me away from him.
"My husband!" I cried out. The hands yanked me so violently I fell to the ground. When I looked up, I found myself under the altar, my wedding dress drenched in blood. What was going on?
"Elena… stay here. Don't move, do you understand?" the man holding me said, as gunshots echoed in the distance.
I raised my gaze to him. "What's happening?" I asked.
"We're being attacked by that idiot Leo. He brought the cops. I told you I was right to get you away from him. Stay here… and I'll teach that bastard a lesson," he explained.
"Brother… wait!" I was shocked by the words that came out of my mouth. Why did I call him "Brother"?
"Stay here, Elena. I'll be back," he said, grabbing his gun and running off. I screamed when I heard gunshots. What's going on?
"Elena!" Someone grabbed my hand, covering my mouth.
"It's me, Leo," the voice said. I blinked in recognition. It was Carlos. But why did he call himself Leo?
"Listen. I'm getting you out of here. We need to leave," he said, pulling me along.
"Carlos!" I called, but he didn't look back.
"L-Leo…" I called out the wrong name, and he stopped and turned to face me. What did that mean?
"Elena. We need to go. My cops can't see you. I'm getting you out of here," he said in a rushed tone. I stopped running and looked at him.
"Who are you—ah!!" I screamed when I heard a gunshot from a distance, hitting him in the shoulder.
"Sh*t!" he swore, pulling me behind the church and taking cover behind a large wall.
"Are you okay?" I asked in panic. Tears welled up as I saw the blood on him.
"I'm fine. I won't let you go… I love you so much," he said, kissing my hair.
I didn't understand why, but in that moment, I felt a strange calmness. Something in my heart seemed to stir, but I didn't know what it was.
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Carlos's POV
I woke up to the harsh sunlight, confused by the bright light and the hard surface beneath me. As I opened my eyes, I shot up in surprise.
"Wait… where am I?" I asked myself. I realized I was lying on sand. How did I get here? I stood up and looked around.
"Am I in Manila Bay?!" I said in shock. "How did I end up here?" I held my head, completely disoriented. Did I get drunk last night? Or was I kidnapped and dumped here?
I saw a woman sitting on the sand.
"Elena?" I called. She turned, smiled, and waved.
"My wife! Come here!" she called. I rushed over to her.
"How did we get here?" I asked as I sat beside her.
"Are you serious? Did you get drugged? You brought me here because one of my wishes was to visit Manila Bay," she replied. I glanced around, noticing that we seemed to be the only ones here.
"Are you sure you didn't bring me here?" I asked.
"What's wrong with you?" she replied, sounding annoyed. "This is on my bucket list. You've just got two more wishes to fulfill, my husband," she said, looking at me.
"Two? What are they?"
She stared at me for a while before answering. "Take me to MOA, and…" She looked at the sea. "…find out who I really am," she finished, and I froze. I turned away from her gaze immediately.
I glanced at her secretly. She was staring at the sea, her feet playing with the water the waves brought in. I couldn't help but wonder—what would she feel if she knew the truth about who she really was? Could I really tell her?
"Carlos… when you find out who I really am… can you promise me something?" she said, looking straight into my eyes.
"Promise me you won't leave me? I don't want to be abandoned again…" she added, and my heart squeezed painfully. I looked away.
"I don't know," I answered absentmindedly. I was scared—scared of what I might feel once I knew everything about her.
"Please… don't leave me…" I turned back to her when I heard her quiet sobs. Panic surged within me.
"Wait… don't cry," I said, wiping away her tears. She looked up at me, and I could see the sorrow in her eyes.
"Promise me, my husband," she whispered. I stared at her, then slowly lowered my gaze to her delicate nose, unable to stop myself from gently touching her lips.
Something inside me compelled my hands to hold her smooth face, lifting it. Before I knew it, my lips were on hers. I clenched my fist as she kissed me back. My heart was racing. The sensation was overpowering—this time, I didn't want it to end.
"I love you, my wife," she whispered.
Her voice echoed in my mind, and I opened my eyes, staring at my bedroom ceiling in shock.
"Sh*t…" I muttered. It was just a dream, but why was my heart pounding so fast?
What is this feeling I'm having now? Could it be… that I'm starting to feel something for her?