Arranged Marriage: To Hear Your Voice

Ferdinand was listening to the mellow music as he reminiscence his time with Anastasia during their honeymoon stage. They would prepare dinner together and dance after the song "I'll make love to you" by the Boyz II Men. Classic and whenever he sings it and reach the chorus—she would flush and mutter something to him that would make him hot.

He smiles as he remember. It was so real in his head, the fantasy he feels right as he reminiscence that he was still young and love it whenever he carries her everyday to their bed. He had love her dearly and even though he didn't say it everyday, they both know that what they feel is true and no one can break them apart.

Whenever he sees Catriona and Enzo, he feel bad for himself to loose his wife too early. He could see and compare himself with Enzo back then, taking care of the triplets and making sure that they didn't get any rashes and assisting the wife. He left the mansion in order to give them some privacy. He's old and lonely.

Everything that Anastasia owns stays here in the rest house where everything started. They didn't have a mansion yet. They stayed here in the rest house when they elope and first made love.This was where they cried, telling each other that no one is going to let go and that they have to fight for each other until the end.

That stayed still in Ferdinand's heart. He still has Anastasia in his heart and he just wished that so soon, he would die so he can be with her wherever she is.

Ferdinand close his eyes and let the Gramophone play the same song again and again as he hugged his beautiful wife's painting like she was there, in his arms and lying on his chest.

***

Anastasia wanted to play again. So he let her do as she wished. Anastasia is with a dozen of body guards. Firstly, she wanted to see a place. The rest house didn't have a gate, it was made of wood. It still look good and it seems like it was maintained. Her heart melts. Did Ferd keep it alive for her?

She walk freely to the doorstep. She wanted to go in but a music was playing over and over again. She remain standing there stiff as she listen to their theme song.

"Close your eyes, make a wish…"

She put her hand on the door as she listen and her memories with her love plays. Instead of being happy, tears falls from her eyes as she hold her heart.

"As I make love to you, like you want me to

And I'm gonna hold you tight…"

She move to the window just beside the door and saw him with closed eyes on the single sofa, his feet over the foot rest as he hug a frame, she hold her mouth to avoid sobbing. She saw her portrait… it was her. The one he was hugging. He looks serene like she was there but not in reality but in his dreams.

She remembers how she rested on his chest during their nap time. He would kiss her forehead and mutter her some sweet-nothings. Their heart ache for each other. She knows to herself that Ferdinand would never cheat on her. He never loved anyone but her. What she sees now is the proof.

"Darling…" She murmur. Ferdinand slowly open his eyes. Her eyes dilated and she immediately run away and left.

***

Ferdinand felt that someone was watching him. The way the person was watching him was comparable to someone he knew. He saw a Goddess from the window it was familiar. At first he didn't react because he knew that it was impossible. But now—he stood and walk to the door. No one was there. He look around. Maybe it was Anastasia… visiting him from this world.

"Oh, Ana…" He said. "If only I could bring you back to life."

As he said it, he didn't know that someone was hiding from the big brake of the tree, holding her mouth while weeping silently. She heard him.

"My mistake was drinking a glass that had been drugged and being manipulated by a woman. My mistake wasn't telling it to you… I am not truthful enough. My mistake was that I allowed her in our lives… now I am here alone… this is my punishment for not protecting you and our triplets."

Anastasia's heart was breaking into pieces as she listen to him. Then Ferdinand saw a beautiful butterfly perk on his shoulder. He thought that it was Anastasia. Because they believe that once a person dies, for them to see and visit their loved ones, the soul is able to be with them and see them through the appearance of the butterflies.

"Tell me, my lost love. How can I make up for all of this?" He paused. "I promise you, I will make them pay triple than the pain you felt."

Suddenly his phone chimes and he answer it.

"Yes."

"Sir, we found where Marga and Janine went."

"Good. Keep following them. Janine has to pay for what he did to my son… and for attempting to kill my daughter."

"Yes, sir. But Mondragon's people block us."

"What do you mean?" Ferdinand asked.

"He told us to stay away. We don't know what they are planning but it seemed like they are letting them go. Sir, I think this is Mondragon's game. It is a torture."

"I understand. I'll speak with Ezekiel."

Anastasia wipe away her tears as she peek on him. His eyes is flaring in anger.

"Mr. Mondragon. I am now aware that you know who killed my Anastasia."

"Your Anastasia?" Ezekiel scoff. "Of course I know. Your daughter knows it well. But because of your stupidity—she block all of those memories for her not to get hurt. You hurt your daughter. You hurt my daughter. So now, tell me—"

"I want to kill who did this to Ana, Mr. Mondragon."

"Really?" 𝐟𝗿𝚎𝐞𝓌e𝒃𝑛𝒐ѵ𝒆𝑙.c𝚘𝓶

"I know that's what you wanted. That's why you train Sabrina to kill those who killed her mom. Do you even think about it? You could've used me… but now, I am begging you. Sabrina has been hurt many times. I think its okay with me if she can't remember it all.. that she never witnessed it all. Because it kills me each time I see my child in pain."