He was taken aback for a moment. And then he shrugged. “Have you forgotten? You told me about that at the bar last night.”
Bar. Drunk. Last night. I gasped when realization finally hit me. Oh, God! I thought I was still dreaming. But as it turned out, all these… were real.
I’m now beginning to remember some of the things I did yesterday. I had a fight with Lourdes. I canceled the meeting with my Editor because I wasn’t sure if I could focus if I’d pushed through with it. I drove around and went to the bar that I saw along the way. I remembered that the vocalist approached me. We talked but I no longer remember how our conversation went. All I could remember was that the vocalist had a really nice voice.
So, does this mean that the man whom I kissed earlier was… that vocalist? I screamed at the thought.
“I didn’t do anything to you, I swear,” the stranger said calmly as he patted my shoulders like he was assuring me. “I’m Ingram Wilson. I had no choice but to search for your ID when you passed out last night. When I saw your address, I found out that we’re actually neighbors. I just started occupying the apartment next to you yesterday. Forgive me if you caught me on your bed this morning. I just had to lay beside you last night because you were cold and trembling. I didn’t have the heart to leave you when I found out that you were alone.
“And in case, you are wondering about your clothes,” he pointed out my negligee using his mouth. “Yes, I was the one who changed your clothes. I had to do that because you threw up. Taking off your clothes and replacing them with new ones were the two hardest things I’ve ever done in my whole life but I promise,” he raised his right hand as if he was making an oath. “I didn’t peek. My eyes were close the whole time.”
“I... I kissed you,” I said instead, disbelief was written all over my eyes. “God, I kissed you!”
“I believe you did. See? You were the one who attacked me. And darling, please take your hands off my little dragon for a while. Because if you don’t, it might do things that you won’t be able to handle. He’s pretty furious now.”
My face flushed the second I understood what Ingram meant. I could feel his erection because I was still unconsciously touching his crotch. That was also when I realized that I was still sitting on his lap. I quickly got away from him and rushed out of the bed.
“For the record, you were the one who abused me here. I even had to stop you because if I didn’t, you would have taken my virginity. Heck,” he shook his head. But before that, I caught the naughty gleam in his eyes. "I could have gone home devirginized by a complete stranger!”
I covered my face with my hands out of embarrassment. Before I knew it, I let out another scream.
God… what have I done?

(Ingram)
I COULD NOT help but be amused upon seeing Brianna’s reaction. It was fun teasing her. Being with her like this made it seem like I came back from the time when I was still a human just like her, when I was still innocent about the real ways of the world.
Seeing several emotions playing in Brianna’s eyes made her look different. She now had a lively expression, contrast to her constantly gloomy appearance. And that was what I wanted. Now that I’m here, I wanted her to begin living her life to the fullest.
“At last, you showed your face to me,” Brianna’s words earlier made me remember what the Sorceress once told me.
“Do not worry, fledgling. The other doppelganger will receive a sign from the Universe, a sign that you are bound to come into her life. It had always been that way. The sign will be revealed through her dreams.”
“What do you mean dreams?” I asked. “Are you saying that she will dream about me?”
The Sorceress nodded. “Yes. She will have dreams about you. Those dreams could be as intense as the storm or as gentle as the wind. And those dreams could also indicate your future with her.”
And judging by Brianna’s actions, it seemed like the dreams she was having were the intense ones.
How intense are your dreams about me, darling? If only I had the ability to enter her dreams, I would have done it to feed my curiosity.
The Sorceress’ prediction was now coming true which meant that if I wouldn’t be careful, this mortal in front of me could be the death of me one day. My smile disappeared as I looked at Brianna who finally calmed down. She was staring at me, too. Her eyes were filled with questions.
“Then go. I can’t stop you, can I? I don't think I have to warn you again that it’s a risk to be with the doppelganger. You know about the curse, Ingram. That’s your advantage. You can still escape,” Kiara’s words were the next thing I remembered. She had been my best friend for the past decades. “Before you throw away everything for that mortal, ask yourself first. Is she worth it? Is she worth all the sacrifices?”

I left South Korea without being able to answer Kiara’s question. But I finally found the answer now that I got to see Brianna. Whatever the danger I would face in the future would be worth it as long as I could be this close to her.
Looking in Brianna’s eyes made it seem like I was looking in Levana’s eyes. And those eyes of hers felt as if they were swallowing me back to the past, back to Calhoun. It was Springfield’s original name in Illinois which was known as ‘the Land of Lincoln’, the place where all my nightmares began…