“I guess I wanted to understand the woman’s fascination about Bettina. And frankly, when I first read her works, I was not able to understand them right away. It was not because of the language. Maybe it was because I have long forgotten the feelings that the writer was describing in her novels. I’ve forgotten how to smile as genuinely as the hero in the book, how to laugh like there’s no tomorrow as the heroine, how to be happy, how to stop minding about everybody else, and how to just… fall in love.”
From the light coming from the lamp post, I saw how the pain crossed the stranger’s eyes. When he looked up at the sky, I took advantage of it and stared at his face as much as I could. His features looked Korean. In fact, now that I thought of it, he was like a leading man in a Koreanovela who just got lost in this road.
Looking at him suddenly made me feel embarrassed. I almost died just a few minutes ago and here I was, acting like a fan girl. But I could not help appreciating how good looking he was especially when he turned to me and smiled as if he suddenly remembered something that amused him. I could barely see his eyes when he smiled. The dimples on his cheeks also showed.
Goodness, he could take breaths away with that smile. And in that moment, I just knew that I could trust him. It must be because of the warmth in his eyes, the sincerity in his voice, or his story itself. It was like I could feel his heart in every word he uttered. And I could also feel that he was not going to hurt me.
“Wow… this is surprising. To think that I would meet a reader like myself in a place like this. I didn’t know that you could be influenced that much to the point that you would actually read romance novels.” Aunt Bettina’s fan girl in me wanted to welcome him in the club. All of a sudden, I wanted to envy the fan that he was talking about. “How about now? Do you understand the fan’s fascination about the book now?”
“Yeah. As I watch her fan who inspired me to read Bettina’s works, little by little, I began to rediscover the feelings that Bettina was trying to relay,” he replied in a smooth, sexy voice. I also realized that I like his voice. He could pass as a disk jockey with flying colors. “And I realize that noisy woman was right. Bettina was really an incredible writer. But for me, her fan was more incredible. Because that same fan was the one who taught me several emotions which led me to understand the writer better. I can’t say that I’m happy now. And I don’t think I ever will be. But it was more than enough for me to know that my life has changed because of Bettina, and most especially because of her fan.”
And then the stranger stood up and snapped his finger. I don’t know if I was just too distracted by his stories that’s why I am only realizing that there were people around the area now. The stores were no longer vacant. There were lights now coming from the houses and nearby establishments. There were also cars using the road now. And there were also patrol cars heading towards my direction.
I have a feeling that this Alexandros told me those stories just to pacify me while we were waiting for a rescue. Because he seemed not to be the type to reveal his thoughts on just anyone. That’s why despite the ugly things that occurred tonight, I still felt fortunate.
Alexandros Sormont came at the right place and time. And he did more than just saving me. Because he saved my sanity as well. He may have a different way of comforting someone but for me, it was very effective, especially because he talked about my favorite writer. Knowing that we somehow shared one thing in common was reassuring.
“The police officers will take you home. Good night, Alison. See you around,” he said before he walked away.
My jaw dropped. How did he know my name? When I came back to my senses, I got up and rushed to chase him. But I was not able to catch up to his speed, not to mention that the cops who all knew my stepdad came to ask me a series of questions. When the questions were over, I tried to look for Alexandros again but he was nowhere to be found…
My chest was pounding when I woke up. These last few days, the mysterious stranger had been on my dreams after seeing him again on the road. Each dream was different. But they had one common denominator. And that was Alexandros coming to rescue me every time I was in trouble.
And then he would always disappear. But those dreams did not seem ordinary dreams. My gut was telling me that all those were real, that they happened, and for some unknown reason, I am only remembering them now. Because the feelings those dreams inflicted on me were still fresh in my heart.
“Alexandros Sormont…” I whispered, still dazed. “Who in the world are you?”

(Alexandros)
“YES, Alexandros! I killed our baby. I would rather have him dead than to keep carrying the son of a murderer! Arameth should not have another beast like you! I will never let that happen! I would rather be a bad mother than to bring a disaster once again in our realm through that evil baby!”
I fiercely shook my head upon remembering those words. That memory has been haunting me night and day over the past years. Those vicious words came from the only woman I have loved more than my life and the only woman who was a hundred times crueler than me. Clavia never gave our baby the chance to see the world and to be different. She instantly judged the baby the way she did to me.