Twisted Desires

HU2B: Group 01

Cortas, Rod Lawrence

Kipte, Mary Faye
Noora, Dinno Franco
Obias, Karol Angela

PROLOGUE:
I never knew that losing someone would scar me this deep.
If only I knew, if only I knew that it would lead to this, I would have done better.
I wish I had been a better partner. I wish I had been there for him.
If only I knew what he was going through. But even if I did, would I have been able to change the outcome? I don’t
know…

Or maybe I do, but I am too much of a coward and too prideful to admit it. For if I did, it would shatter everything I
have been holding on to keep living.

The day I lost him, was the day nothing else mattered. He was my heart and with him gone, I have also ceased to
live, barely existing.

The day I lost him, was the day I realized how utterly alone I was. He was the only one who put up with my uptight
and annoying persona. So how, how could he think of leaving me behind when he is fully aware of that fact?

I just want him back.

CHAPTER 01:
I walked through the lush green Bermuda grass and passed by a few tombstones before I was finally able to reach
his. The soil has already flattened as it had been a month since he was buried here, at Eternal Peace. As its name
suggests, this is where people who have gone find their eternal rest and peace. This was where he told me he
wanted to be buried, next to his sister who passed away too early to even enjoy the wonders and experience the
tragedies of the world.

My heart started to beat erratically as I stood and stared in front of him. I slid my hand into my coat’s pocket and
grasped at the G-tec pen he once owned. It was the last thing he gave me before he left. Doing so calmed me
down a little, making me feel like I was still in control of my feelings. It was the mannerism I acquired when he left
me to prevent myself from succumbing to my emotions and having a breakdown everywhere.

“How have you been?” I asked. I stood there as if waiting for a reply. As if I would be able to hear his voice along
with his answer if I asked that question.

The unsettling silence around me did not help either, it only made me realize the reality of being alone. Alone in
this graveyard, alone in this world, alone for the rest of my life.

I gritted my teeth as I took a breath. I didn’t know why each inhale felt heavy and each exhale made me feel like I
had a lump in my throat until I realized a few teardrops on his tombstone. Tears started to race down my face and
holding on to the pen did not quite help anymore. I sank to my knees and started letting out an unstoppable cry. I
caressed his tombstone the same way I used to do with his face.

“I m–miss you…….. ” I whispered pleadingly. “I miss you so much, Chance. I just want you back…..”

I cried my heart out without any regard for the people there to visit their departed ones as well. I cried my heart out
as if it would be enough for him to hear me and come back to me. I cried my heart out in hopes he’ll be aware of
how much he scarred me.

Time passed and night fell. The graveyard was cloaked with darkness and one by one the lamps started to light
up. It was a beautiful sight if only that sight wasn’t in this place.

“I think it’s time for me to go. I’ll come back again tomorrow.” I wiped away the dried tears on my face and got up
from my position to start looking for a way back towards the gate. As I walked through the lamp-lit pathway, my
body suddenly felt an unknown presence and the lights started flickering.

The trees stopped swaying and the wind stopped blowing. The insects circling the lamp lights seemed to stop
midway. Everything did not feel right. It felt like the world seized its natural course and time stopped working.

I ignored everything and continued walking through the pathway. A few minutes passed and the pathway seemed
to have no end to it. It feels as if when I am nearing the end, the path seems to extend. I started to run, panic
started to register in my mind and adrenaline started to surface. I could even feel the sweat forming on my
forehead and palms.

My feet started to ache as I kept running in circles. I started to feel breathless and my vision was starting to grow
blurry. The whole place started to spin and I felt myself collapsing down the ground.
………………….

I woke up with water dripping down my face but I couldn’t find its source. I used both my hands as support as I got
up on my feet. There was nothing there other than the building with a store neon sign that says, “ Enter me” with
the sign pointing down the door. It was, obviously, suspicious,

“ Only an idiot would fall for that,” I said, still quite taken aback by how dumb the idea was.

I started strolling through the place but each time, I only found myself being at the same spot. I tried again and
again, and again only to be met with the same outcome.

I let out a deep sigh. Feeling helpless, I started making my way towards the establishment. As I pushed through
the door, I remembered my comment earlier.

“I’m not an idiot, it’s just that I don’t have any other choice.”

The inside looked bigger than the outside. Outside it looked like a one-storey building but inside, it was filled with
towering bookshelves comparable to the libraries of prestigious universities in the world.

My eyes were still wandering the whole place when I noticed a petite woman with straight auburn hair and thick
glasses standing and staring in front of me. She also had fair skin and thin lips and was wearing formal attire,
making her look tense and professional. I was still in shock but I tried to hide it by clearing my throat. I put on my
business smile as I looked at her.

“Hi there, Missy! Do you know where the exit to this place is? I can’t seem to find it.” I asked expecting an answer
but the woman only continued staring at me, studying my face and my whole being. I had both my hands behind
my back as I felt uncomfortable because of the situation.

A smile suddenly appeared on her pursed lips as if she was satisfied with what she saw.

“Follow me,” she said as she turned her back to me and walked through the sea of books.

‘The fuck….’

I had no other choice but to follow her. We passed through several bookshelves, each being taller than me, until I
heard a baritone voice humming. A man wearing a fedora hat and a black turtleneck came into sight. He was busy
organizing the books by the counter.

The woman in front of me stopped in her tracks and cleared her throat.

“Master,” she called.

The man shifted his gaze towards her and then to me. I was taken aback by his golden eyes. Is that even
possible? To have golden eyes? He had a bulky figure and a mustache. It was obvious how women would swoon
over this man.

“I have brought her in your presence.” the woman declared.

The man placed the book neatly by the highest shelf before examining me again.

“Sereia, is that her?” he asked.

“Indeed,” the woman, who seems to be Sereia, replied.

The man behind the counter suddenly disappeared and reappeared in front of me. I jolted in surprise as his face
was just a few inches away from mine, looking into the windows of my soul as closely and intently as possible.

After a few more minutes, he stepped back and snickered. Until he let out a loud, unrestrained burst of laughter, I
could feel my eyebrows furrowing with how bizarre this person was.

“Welcome, dear customer!! Welcome to the Library of a Thousand Souls!” he said with much enthusiasm as he
opened his arms in a welcoming gesture.
I shook my head and raised both my hands motioning him that he was mistaken. “No, You must be mistaken, I am
not here to buy a book. I am here because I need a way—” I tried explaining but he cut me off before I could
even finish

“Of course, you're not here to buy books, besides, these books aren’t up for sale,” he said and stared into my eyes
again. “You’re here because of your desire.” Upon saying the last word, the man’s eyes glowed. It was hypnotizing
to the point that it felt like it was pulling me in closer. “Now, tell me what is it that you want?” he continued, still not
breaking his contact with me. It felt like any time soon a reply would come out of my mouth, to be followed by an
endless waterfall of my secrets and thoughts. However, I managed to clear my thoughts and form an answer to
his question.

“Can you bring back the dead?” I asked.

Had the man not broken his gaze towards me, I would have stopped breathing completely. The man closed his
eyes and pursed his lips with his fingers playing with his mustache as he contemplated my question.

He finally opened his eyes, “Unfortunately, no.” My shoulders sank because of disappointment when suddenly his
eyes glimmered with excitement as if he had come up with the brightest idea. “However, I can give you something
similar.”

“What is it?”

“I can turn back time for you.”

CHAPTER 02:
A million questions filled my mind with that single statement from the man. He had offered to turn back time, a
power seemingly impossible to fathom, let alone be possessed by a human. Yet, his offer remained, enticing and
intriguing, promising a chance at something I had never truly believed to exist. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of
uneasiness, knowing the risks and consequences of such a decision, especially when it involved meddling with
the natural order of time.

Nevertheless, the thought of turning back time to fix everything and regain what I lost was too appealing to ignore.
I found myself hesitating, torn between my fear of the unknown and my desire to change the past.

“But, how?” I asked.

“Because I can. You just need to trust me,” he answered. I could feel the skin in between my eyebrows tightening
as they furrowed and my face growing hot. I could feel the anger rising from within me. The hope that once
nestled was short-lived.

“However, that’s not nearly enough for me to trust you,” I said while gritting my teeth. I let out a deep sigh,
realizing how being here was just a waste of time. “Just tell me the way out.”

“But, what if I tell you, I really could,” he said trying to convince me. “Because I have the power to grant any wish,
with killing and bringing back the dead as an exemption,” He snapped his finger, and a golden paper appeared on
his hand. The man handed the paper to me and I tried to read it, but I simply could not understand what was
written in it. I hadn’t seen anything quite the same with its characters before.

“I can’t read it,” I uttered, quite shyly admitting that fact.

“Sereia,” He turned to his assistant, “can you please translate it for her?” he commanded. Sereia bowed and
hurried over to my side to read the document.

“The promisor, the demon of lust and desire, promises the promisee, you,” she read pointing at me, “that he will
help you achieve what you desire, to save and change the fate of your departed partner, by granting you the
ability to turn the wheels of time back three times,” she paused dramatically before deciding to continue. Upon
failure on the third attempt, the promisee shall hereby grant her soul unto the demon of lust and desire. One soul,
for all eternity ”

The man’s title echoed through my head.

Demon of Lust and desire….

Demon of Lust and Desire?!?!?

HE’S A FUCKING DEMON!

The realization hit me like a punch. He was never a human in the first place. This is not a place where a human
should be.

Fuck.

“A tempting agreement, don’t you think,” the demon said looking at me while raising his brows. His grin became
more defined.

I swallowed my saliva down to replenish my drying throat. I summoned all of my willpower to look straight into his
golden eyes. Ignoring the fact that he was making me shiver because of his mere presence.

“You’re a demon, so how can I trust you?” I queried.

“Because that contract was made by the gods. Thus, no demon such as myself, can go against it.”

“But how can I be so sure?”

The demon’s facade smile started crumbling down into a scowl. He let out a grunt and rolled his eyes. He ripped
away the contract from his assistant’s hand and turned to sit by the counter.

“Then don’t. Many other people out there would sell their souls much easier to me to get what they want.” He
stated calmly, obviously getting a hold of his temper. “Seriea, lead her back.”

“Understood,” Sereia put her hand by the small of my back to escort me out. But before she could, I turned my
head towards the demon who was still busy pouting and ripping out pages from a book. “If I ever changed my
mind, how am I supposed to contact you?” I asked.

The demon fetched something from the drawer of his table and tossed it at me.

It was a button. A red button in the middle of a black box-like structure that is taking every fiber in my being not to
press.

“Just press that.”

Suddenly the place started to warp. Reality was once again becoming as twisted as it could be. The trip caught
me off guard and made me feel nausea similar to motion sickness. I closed my eyes and let myself be embraced
by the darkness.

When I woke up I found myself in my messy room.

CHAPTER 03:
How the fuck did I get back here?

I surveyed the whole surroundings to look for something that would tell me that everything that happened
yesterday wasn’t a lie. Unfortunately, there was none. I got up and noticed the thing on my hand, it was the button
that damn demon gave me.

The fuck.

If cursing was enough to go to hell, I would be burned by now.

I rushed to the bathroom sink to wet my face. To fully wake myself up from this messed-up reality. I let out a few
deep sighs to calm myself down and reached for the towel. As I turned to leave the bathroom the picture frame by
the window caught my eye. It was the picture taken when we finally became official. It’s magical how a photograph
can freeze time and a core memory in it.

I found myself walking towards it and taking the picture by hand.

If I could see his smile again, I would do anything even if it meant making a deal with the devil.

It was obvious from the start. Even if this deal was a fraud, it was still enough to feed hope to a dying soul.

CHAPTER 04:
I found myself staring at the same store neon light that says, “Enter Me.” It was still strange how this place felt so
familiar yet alien to me. As I reached for the doorknob, the door burst open and revealed the familiar face of
Sereia. She stood up tightly before looking straight into my eyes.

“Have you made up your mind?” she asked.

My lips curved up into a smirk.

“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”

“Good then, please follow me,” as she had instructed, I followed her towards the same path we had journeyed last
time.

Soon, a familiar demon in a fedora hat came into view.

“Have you finally changed your mind?” he asked, still fumbling with a book.

“Yes.”

As the demon turned to face me, I could see his eyes sparkling with excitement and the whites of his teeth. He let
out a loud guffaw while slamming down the counter. He rose and it seemed like he was bigger than before.

The demon disappeared and reappeared again in front of me with the contract from yesterday in his hands.

“Will you please do me the honor of signing this contract?” He handed me over the contract along with a feather
pen. “Your real name please,” he added.

I could feel the beads of sweat on my forehead, the cold feeling down my spine. Signing this contract would surely
change the course of my life, but if it meant I could see his smile again, then it was a small price to pay.

I signed the paper with my shaking hands. Still unsure of whether this is the right choice to make or not. As I was
signing, I was met with Sereia’s sinister smile. Each letter was heavier than the last until finally, I was done.

“Before I let you go, I need you to give me something that will seal our deal,” the demon said. “Anything will do.”

I rummaged through my pocket only to find the Pilot G-tec sign pen that I always carry with me and handed it over
to the demon.

I didn’t want to give it but this will do for now.

“Is this pen enough?” I asked. The demon grinned again. The world started to slow down, everything became
quiet, and only the Demon’s laughter remained. The reality was being warped again, there it was, the neverending
motion sickness that was slowly taking over my whole system. Gravity was pulling me down at an alarming rate,
and then finally I hit the surface with a loud thump.

“That fucking hurts,” I groaned. The whole experience made me feel like my head was being split into two. It was
nerve-wracking at the same time terrifying, and I hope I never have to experience that again.

“Doc Capulet, are you alright?” a familiar voice asked. I could feel someone caressing my back.

I opened my eyes, only to find myself being surrounded by my ex-co-workers.

“Daemon, you still got your braces on.” I gasped as I pointed at one of our interns who had his braces removed a
month ago.

“Are you really alright, Doc?” He asked. I gave him a small smile.
“Yes, I am. Would you be kind enough to tell me the date today?” Daemon looked at me hesitantly before
proceeding to check the exact date on his phone.

“Today’s the third of December 2023, Doc.”

Chills run down my spine and reality hits me like a bitch.

I went back in time.

CHAPTER 05:
I hurriedly got up on my feet and rushed through the crowd of people looking into what was happening. It was hard
to keep my balance while running as I realized I was still wearing my 8-inch heels. I paused and then bent down to
remove my shoes then proceeded to run again. When I finally reached the front of the elevator, I was already
breathless. The door was already closing but, luckily, someone interjected before it could fully close.

“Thank you,” I said while giving a small nod and smiling at the kind man

I waited until the elevator reached the ground floor and sprinted out of it while reaching for the keys in my coat’s
right pocket. I rushed through the hospital corridors, my heart pounding in my chest, I hurriedly opened my car,
started the engine, and hastened to head to the place where I would surely find him.

As I carefully parked my car at the parking area of the school, I hurriedly opened the door and sprinted once
again. I felt so breathless and I could feel my feet ache as I turned to each corridor towards his office.

I could feel the intense tightening in my chest as I came to a halt in front of the faculty lounge of the Senior High
School Department.

I could feel my anxiety building up inside of me along with my unsteady breathing,

What if he’s not here? What if I’m too late?

An unstoppable downpour of doubts started to occupy my mind, but I knew that I’d never know unless I took a
step and knocked.

But before I could even do that a familiar voice called my name.

“Reign,” I knew from then that it was his. A deep voice that was easy to the ears. Him calling my name sounded
like a melody, a melody I prayed I would hear for the rest of my life.

I could feel my eyes getting heavier as tears started to build up. His presence was enough to put me at ease.

“What’s the matter?” He asked. I don’t know if I had enough strength to face him, but wanting to see him was
enough for me to gather some courage as I slowly faced him.

As my eyes met his, the world seemed to stop. Magic was not needed for him to hold me by his gaze alone. Every
step I took toward him felt like bliss.

He looked at me full of wonder like a child as I caressed his face with my hands. Tears started falling one after
another and my breathing started to hitch. My vision started to grow blurry as tears poured nonstop. My knees
started to shake until I sank down on the floor, still crying my eyes out as I could not comprehend the fact that he
was alive and breathing in front of me.

Everyone was starting to look at us but my mind was too preoccupied by my emotions.

I noticed as he knelt down and cupped my cheeks to face him.

“Reign, what’s happening? Are you alright?” He gently wiped away my tears and looked at me with concern in his
eyes. This only made me cry more intensely, as him looking at me this way again was a prayer I never knew
would be answered. As he took notice of my emotions he pulled me into a tight embrace. I could smell his sweet
lavender scent which acted as a tranquilizer to calm me down.
“Hey, it’s going to be alright. I promise you, whatever your problem is, it’s going to be alright, We’ll make it alright. I
promise”

My thoughts were everywhere and my emotions were running rampant, but a single promise from him was
enough to calm my chaotic mind.

He always sees to it that he keeps his promises, but he couldn’t keep his last one.

As I looked back up at the man I loved, my heart raced in excitement and fear at the same time. The feeling of
having him back in my life was overwhelming, and I was not sure if I was ready to deal with the emotions that
were surging through me.

I reached out and touched his face, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine. "You're here," I whispered, my
voice trembling with emotion.

"You came back" I buried my face in his chest and wept, tears of joy streaming down my face.

Feeling the weight of my sorrow lift from my shoulders, I looked up at him and smiled. "I can't believe it," I said, my
voice choking with emotion. "I never thought I'd see you again."

He smiled back at me, a light shining in his eyes that I hadn't seen in ages. "I'm here," he said, his voice strong
and steady.

"I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."

CHAPTER 06:
After the scene I caused in front of their faculty earlier, Chance offered to drive me back home. I was still snuffling
a little as I sat in the passenger’s seat.

“Are you sure you're alright?” Chance asked, looking at me through the rearview mirror of the car.

I gave him a small smile, “Yeah, I’m fine” I answered as I wiped away my dried tears.

He continued to look at me, still not convinced nor satisfied with my response. He placed his free hand on my lap
and caressed it. It felt so soothing like anytime I could melt.

“Can you please tell me what happened?” he asked, showing his concern towards me, “What’s causing you
distress, enough for you to sprint to the faculty lounge barefoot,” he said as he gave my feet a quick glance before
shifting his view on the road.

I pondered on what to tell him. Surely it would be too hard to believe everything that happened in order for me to
get to where I am right now. I know he will lend me an ear if I ever decide to reveal this secret to him, however, all
of my instincts are telling me to not say anything about it as it would be the much better and safer option.

“I was just so excited to see you,” that statement wasn’t technically a lie, I was really excited to be with him again.

“Really? Then why were you crying earlier?” he asked, raising a brow.

I fidgeted with my fingers as I averted my gaze away from his and focused my attention on the interior of the car,
“Those are just tears of joy.” I said hoping that he won’t probe me anymore.

I could still feel him scanning my whole being before letting a deep sigh and gently squeezing my thigh.

“Did you know that every time you tell a lie or when you're hiding something, you avert your gaze and you start to
fidget with both of your index fingers? ” his lips curved into a nostalgic smile.

My head immediately snapped back at him, “Really?”

“Yeah, that is the reason why you do not fit inside a courtroom. You can’t even control your body language,” he let
out a chuckle when he saw me staring daggers at him.

“I never intended to become a lawyer anyway.” I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.
He let out a giggle as he glanced at me, “But that’s not the entire point. What I am saying is, I know you're not
telling me something. But it’s alright I understand. Just remember I will always be here for you ” he said then he
gave me a genuine smile.

What did I even do to deserve this person? Did I save the world in my past life?

I gave him a smile and nodded in agreement.

“By the way, are you free this Tuesday?” he asked.

“Why? What’s the event?”

“Did you forget?” He turned to an intersection, “The bar results will be released on Tuesday, December 05, and I
want you to be with me as I check the results, hehe. ”

A cold feeling rushed down my spine because Chance failed the BAR exam. The day the results were released
was the day Chance took his own life.

CHAPTER 07:
Pain.

That's all I felt as I sat there, staring blankly at the screen. I had traveled back in time to save the man I loved, and
I had succeeded. I was grateful for that, but now I had to face the fact that I couldn't save him from something
even bigger than death itself — failure.

When Chance asked me to go with him to check the results, my heart sank. I knew all too well what had
happened the first time around, and I couldn't bear the thought of going through that again. But I couldn't say no to
him. He needed me.

"Of course, I'll go with you," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'll be there with you every step of the way."

It’s been two days since I returned and all I could feel was a mix of anxiety and joy. Joy because I was finally able
to see Chance again, healthy and alive. Anxiety because I couldn't stop thinking about what was going to happen
when those results were released.

I was passing by the hospital lobby when suddenly my phone rang. I checked and seeing Chance’s name flashed
on the screen made me answer the call immediately.

“Hello, love,” I greeted.

“Hi,” he replied. I could imagine a smile flashing across his face.

“Do you need anything?” I asked as he called me during my business hours.

“I’m sorry, I called during business hours, but I just wanted to remind you about later,”

Then it hit me, it was today when the results were released.

I took a deep breath trying to calm the anxiety slowly creeping inside of me.

“Don’t worry I’ll be there.” I said as we said our goodbyes and hung up.

An hour and a half before the release, I was about to leave when suddenly a child was being rushed through the
emergency room, it was simply chaotic. A woman, who was bathing in her own sweat and tears, saw me passing
by and grabbed my coat.

“Please save my daughter! She suddenly collapsed when we were at the park and she has a weak heart! Please
she’s only 6 years old!” she cried while clutching onto me. I could feel her helplessness as she sank to the floor
and started crying. I knew I was the only available cardiologist who could help her so I decided to place down my
bag and check on the patient. The patient needed immediate surgery as what she experienced was a severe
heart attack.

As I was about to enter the surgery room, I remembered my promise to Chance. I was torn between my duty as a
doctor and my desire to support Chance. I knew that little girl’s life depended on me, but I also knew that Chance
was struggling and needed support. But I couldn’t just let the kid die as this timeline was still a reality.

I’m sure he’ll understand.

……………………………..

The surgery took 5 hours to finish and fortunately, we were able to save the kid.

Still exhausted from the operation, which took longer than expected, I rushed through the lobby onto the parking
lot. I checked my phone only to find 27 missed calls. I also checked the time but it was already 6:00 am.
Approximately, 5-6 hours since the BAR results were released.

As I entered my car, I browsed through my contacts and texted him that I would be coming home and explaining
why I couldn’t be with him. A few minutes passed and he still hadn’t seen my text. I tried to call him but he wasn’t
answering. A sudden sense of urgency rushed through me. My heart started beating fast as I felt the fear and
anxiety. I started the engine of my car and rushed towards our designated spot. I ignored all the red lights and U-
turned illegally to some lanes but I was too worried to care about abiding by the law.

But as I arrived at the meeting place, Chance was nowhere to be found. I stood there, looking around frantically,
my heart pounding in my chest. I called his name, but there was no response. I pulled out my phone and dialed
his number again, but it went straight to voicemail.

"Chance, please answer me. Where are you?" I said into the phone, my voice trembling with fear.

I tried again and again, but there was no response. Panic started to set in, and I couldn't think straight. I had to
see him, and had to make sure he was okay. Without thinking, I hailed a taxi and asked the driver to take me to
our house.

As we drove, my mind was racing with thoughts of what could have happened. What if he had done something
drastic? What if he had given up? I couldn't bear the thought, couldn't bear the thought of losing him again.

When we finally arrived at our house, I got out of the car and ran inside. But the sight that greeted me froze me in
my tracks. Chance's empty room, the chair where he would read, the window he would often stare out of. It was
all too familiar, all too bittersweet.

"Chance, are you here?” I called.

“Please be okay," I whispered as tears streamed down my face.

But there was no response, no sign of life. For a moment, I thought I was going insane, that I was trapped in a
nightmare I couldn't wake up from. The world was spinning, the reality was crashing down around me, and I didn't
know what to do.

As I was searching for him everywhere, the slightly opened door of his bedroom caught my eye. My word seemed
to stop and the only sound that prevailed was the sound of my heartbeat.

I pushed open the door and then there he was. It was him. Lying down the cold floor with sleeping pills scattered
and some in his hands.

I rushed to him, tears streaming down my face, I reached out to touch him, hoping against hope that he was still
alive. I checked his pulse and breathing, hoping to find something that would save me from this nightmare. But his
skin was cold and lifeless, and there was no trace of breath on his lips. The pain and the guilt were too much to
bear, and I broke down completely, bawling like I'd never cried before.

I collapsed onto the floor, gasping for air. The familiar weight of trauma weighed heavily on my chest, making it
hard to breathe. I tried to steady my breathing, but my body wouldn't cooperate. My vision blurred, and dark
circles appeared around the edges.

I slowly picked myself up off the floor and walked into the living room. The same view that had caused my trauma
greeted me, making me choke as I saw it again.
An empty couch, a photo frame on the side table, and a pile of clothes on the floor. Everything seemed to stand
still as if nobody had lived there for a long time.

I had expected to feel relief, but instead, I felt my heart breaking all over again. I thought about the times that
Chance and I spent in this house, and the memories returned.

Tears streamed down my face, and I was sobbing uncontrollably.

“I failed to save Chance— again…” I whispered as tears streamed down my face.

The world seemed to contort and twist around me, leaving me feeling disoriented and nauseous. It was as though
the fabric of reality itself was unraveling before my eyes, revealing a twisted vision of what lay hidden beneath.
The nausea was akin to that of motion sickness, causing my legs to become weak as I struggled to maintain my
balance. I closed my eyes, hoping to escape the madness that had engulfed me. Letting myself fall into the
darkness, the only comfort I could find was the embrace of oblivion.

CHAPTER 08:
The familiar sight of books greeted me as I opened my eyes. I was there standing still. Completely unconcerned
with my appearance and the look of disappointment the demon was giving me.

“I thought you were brilliant, but you failed,” he said shaking his head as he read the newspaper in his hands. “I
overestimated you a bit. I am simply unimpressed.”

Bullshit.

I wanted to scream my frustrations and my emotions at him. However, I knew that wasn’t the time to react to his
shit. I needed to go back. A sudden burst of adrenaline rushed into me as I was about to speak.

“Send me back. Send me back for the second time now.” I commanded. The demon looked at me shocked at my
determination before letting out an impressed sigh

“As you wish,” he replied as he snapped his fingers and warped reality again. I realized that I was starting to get
used to this sensation.

An unfamiliar voice greeted me as I opened my eyes in this different time frame.

“Miss, your order please,” the waiter demanded as he stared at me.

“Reign, are you alright?” I shifted my gaze towards the man in front of me. It was him. I surveyed my surroundings
and myself. I was wearing a red casual ruffle dress and Chance was wearing his suit. We were at one of the most
famous expensive restaurants in town about to have our dinner.

When was the last time I wore this dress again?

“Reign,” Chance called for me again as ripped me away from my thoughts. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

I forced a smile, “Yes, I am. But can you tell me the exact date today please?”

Chance looked at me skeptically as he glanced at his phone.

“Today’s date is August 15, 2023.”

I returned a month before the BAR Examinations.

…………………………………………..

Days became weeks and weeks became a month. I decided to become hands-on with helping Chance with his
preparations for the BAR Exam. I also took a one-month leave from my job to only focus on him. Because I
realized that the BAR results were one of the key factors that affected his decision and fate.
“Here, have some cookies and hot chocolate milk as you review,” I said as I placed down a plate of cookies and a
glass of milk on his side table.

He looked at me and gave me a genuine smile, he thanked me as he reached for a cookie with one hand and the
glass of milk in the other. As he was about to take a bite of his snack, he looked at me and opened his mouth to
speak.

“Why are you doing this?”

I pretended like I didn’t hear him and continued cleaning his room. Seeing my reaction, he took it as a cue to
continue.

“You weren’t like this before. You were never this hands-on with helping me prepare.”

I halted fixing his bed and turned to look at him.

“I just wanted to help you. I know you are going through too much pressure already and if I can alleviate some of
those burdens by helping you, then I would gladly do so.” he looked at me shocked at my answer, and proceeded
to put on a poker face. He then turned his back on me but I could still see his ears starting to turn red.

Cute

I placed down the sheets and approached him. I slid my arms down his neck and gave him a back hug.

“You know that I love you no matter what, right? That means even if you fail, I’m not saying that you will fail but in
case you do just know that I will always be here to support you and love you,” kissing his hair before placing my
chin over it.

“Thank you,” he whispered but still enough for me to hear.

“Always”
…………………………………………….
The day the BAR results arrived, I was beside Chance, looking for his name on the passers’ board.

His name wasn’t there but it was alright. We had each other anyway.

We ate our dinner out and explored the night market, where different street food stalls were bustling.

We were happy when we got home. We were happy as we slept.

So I don’t know why I woke up only to find him cold and lifeless on the bathroom floor with the same sleeping pills
that I thought I hid carefully away, in his hands.

CHAPTER 09:
As I entered the third time frame, nothing I did seemed to be working. So I decided to change the biggest factor in
both of our lives.

As he stood with his ears and cheeks turning red. He was ready to risk our 10 years of friendship.

“Reign,” he called lovingly. “After years of courting you, I have only grown to love you. So I stand here, with my
heart beating fast and my knees growing numb, will you be mine? ” he asked.

His confession may sound a bit corny from another person’s perspective, but it was enough to melt my cold heart.

Tears started to form at the corners of my eyes. Even though I did not want to do this, this was the only way I think
I can save him.

“No,” I said. “I don’t love you and I will never love you. So can we just stop this nonsense?” I could see as his eyes
started to grow red as tears formed. I also saw how his hands formed into fists as he tried to take control of his
emotions.
“There’s no need for you to say that. If you're going to reject me then, fine. But don’t hinder nor stop me from
showing you how I feel. Even if you reject me today, I’ll just have to keep on trying again and again and again,” he
was already starting to cry as he said those words.

I could feel an invisible force suffocating me and squeezing my heart. Hurting him was the last thing I wanted to
do, but again, it was the only way I could think of.

“No, let’s stop this. I’m leaving,” I turned my back to leave, not even waiting for his reply. Because I know if I
stayed, I might change my mind.

…………………………………..

The next day I sat at the airport as I waited for my flight. After our conversation yesterday, I immediately booked a
flight to another country. However, my feet were itching to run away. To just go back to him, but I simply can’t.

This is the only way, I reminded myself.

While I stood up upon the announcement of my flight, my phone suddenly rang, my friend’s number flashed on my
screen. As I answered the call, that all too familiar anxiety started creeping in inside of me.

“Reign,” my friend called, “Chance,” he said between sobs. “H-he’s gone,” I dropped my phone as he finished his
sentence.

I waited for my tears to fall, but unfortunately they didn’t. I couldn’t feel anything other than helplessness.
Numbness was starting to hold on to me and eat me alive.

Witnessing him die three times was already a torture I willingly signed up for.

I couldn’t even save him in those three times.

Reality was then again being distorted and I was there again, at the library where everything started.

CHAPTER 10:
“You knew,” I said as the demon looked at me with his signature grin that I wanted to tear away from his face.
“You knew from the start that I’d fail, you FUCKING SHITHEAD!” I lunged at him and grabbed him by his collar.

“Whoa, calm down, Haha” he tried to appease me but it didn’t work,”You were the one who wanted it.”

“You monster.”

“What can you expect, I’m a demon after all. But for real though, the fault was never mine to begin with. It was all
yours,” he said as his eyes started to glow and the library distorted.

We were there in his room, “Chance!” I gasped as I called to reach out to him but my hand just got through him.
He was crying hysterically while sitting on the floor with the sleeping pills beside him.

I approached the demon again and stared daggers at him.

“What do you think your doing?”I asked

“Showing you your faults. ” he replied as he paced towards the suffering Chance. “Did you know that he was
eagerly waiting for your response that day? Eagerly waiting for you to come back as he lamented whether or not
living was worth it?”

I couldn’t come up with a reply.

The demon approached the furniture and acted as if he was surveying the whole place.

“Did you know about the pressure he was going? Did you know the harsh words and how his family disowned him
that day upon failing the exams?” He then turned to face me. “Do you even know any of this?”

No. I did not.

I froze at my spot as I stood there absorbing all of this revelation. I didn’t know anything. I didn’t even ask. I
recalled our moments together and remembered how everything was always about me. How I said some harsh
words to him when he failed. How I called him incompetent and worthless.

It was all coming back to me.

My head was throbbing as my emotions started to swell up inside of me.

It was all my fault.

The demon looked at me enthusiastically as a smile formed on his face.

“It’s Payback time,” upon snapping his fingers, the G-tec pen appeared and a sudden burst of energy was pulling
me towards it. “Give it to me.” The expression on the demon’s face became more implied leaving behind a
grotesque smile.

However, instead of me, his body started to be sucked into the pen. The smile on his face was replaced by horror
as he disappeared completely into it. I approached my pen and picked it up and saw how the tip of the pen was
already broken.

*Clap,clap,clap

I saw Sereia approaching me with a huge smile on her face.

“You did well.”

CHAPTER 11:
It was her. She planned it all from the beginning.

Sereia planned to trap the demon by playing his game and making him think he had the upper hand. I was just
one of her pawns playing by her will and command. However, it was fine as long as I can get what I want.

She took her glasses of and smirked at me.

“Finally! After years of suffering on the hands of that bastard, I finally succeeded. But, how did you know?” she
interrogated, still shocked by the fact of how I figured out everything on her plan.

“I knew it from the moment you smiled at me when we first met,” I started. “You were smiling as if you were up to
no good. Then I noticed how the demon asked for you to read the contract for him. I knew that he couldn’t read
human language. So I wrote his human name, which I looked for before coming back here.”

Sereia looked at me in disbelief before bursting out into laughter. She was more similar to her master, Asmodeus,
than what she wants to admit.

“You’re simply incredible and brilliant. It’s such a shame you couldn't apply that brilliance to save your lover.” I
gritted my teeth and bawled my fists as I stared daggers at her.

“However, fear not. As a form of my gratitude, I shall give you a gift.” she said as she turned her back pacing
towards the counter. “ Tell me, what is it that you want?”

I didn’t need a minute to think about what I wanted. I looked at her with my mind made up as I slowly opened my
mouth to speak.

“Take me back in time.”

CHAPTER 12:
As I opened my eyes, I was greeted again by a familiar scene of busy streets as people go on their own ways.

When suddenly, a familiar lavender scent caught my attention.’ It was him.

As I watched Chance pass by, I couldn't take my eyes off of him . I couldn’t help but feel a bitter taste in my
mouth. I regretted everything that had happened between us, and yet, I could not do anything to change it. The
love we had shared, the memories we had made together, all of it had come to an end.

I wanted to run after him, to catch up to him and tell him how I felt, but I knew it was too late. He was gone, lost to
the sea of people around us.

But even as I stood there, feeling hopeless and alone, I couldn't help but smile. Because in the midst of all this
pain and loss, I realized that no matter what happened, no matter how much I regretted the choices I had made, I
would always have those memories. And they would always remind me of the person I had become, the person
who had loved and lost, the person who had learned to love again.

At that moment, I knew that I would be okay. I knew that I could face whatever came my way, because I had been
through the worst already. And even in the darkness of my pain, I would always have the light of love to guide me
through.