ECHOES OF PAST

She refuses to die. I want her buried with no traces to me. Evan says.

Five thousand dollars? He asks the gang of men sitting at a round table. They all glanced at one another.

Fifty thousand dollars! One of them responded.

That's too much just to bury a person. Ten thousand and no more! Evan stands to leave.

We are not just burying your corpse, we are burying your damn dirty secrets without leaving any traces. One of them says.

He pauses and tilts his head to the left and right. Fifty thousand dollars. Clean job, no trace. Evan says frowning.

Damian looks from afar, he wore a pair of dark sunglasses to conceal his stitched eye brow.

Evan walks away like a warrior who had just conquered a battle. He walks past Damian confidently with his shoulders puffed up. Damian breezes away from him a little. He couldn't see Damian.

What the hell? Damian says. He brings out his phone and sends Aria a text.

Get ready, he is trying to bury you very soon.

Damian walks away.

A click- Aria hears whispers and hushes a bit far away. She didn't know it was about her. I heard about someone's gonna be buried. Who's that?

She asks herself. Her phone buzzed. She reads the text and covers her mouth with her hands.

Evan enters into his car and tightens his seat belt. How did it go? Emma asks him.

It didn't go well, they won't award the contract if I don't pay two hundred thousand dollars to settle up. You know these business elites like to work with one another. He says resting his hands on the steering. He tells her.

But you are also a business guru, a top one at that. Emma responded.

True but we are talking about inner circus here! He says softly as if giving up.

I'll give you the two hundred and fifty thousand dollars to settle whatever and get into the inner circus too. You need the contract like hell. Emma says.

"You're always a darling". he says smiling with his face lit up.

He lies to her.

Damian breezes past them, Evan looks on as if he sees him but no. He is only distracting Emma making him look sober.

"I love you Emma". He says. I love you too Evan. They began to kiss passionately while burning with emotions.

A click- Aria hears the sounds of lips locking and hands hovering over the body.

So he's been cheating on me like forever and I never doubted him for once? She soliloquizes.

She looks down at her feet and bit a finger. Love is dangerous.... Love is cruel.... She whispers.

Her phone buzzes with a text from Damian as tears drops from her eyes. People like us don't shed tears, we shed strength. Love is neither dangerous nor cruel.

She feels a presence and looks around the room, nothing. She peeps through the window and sees him standing and waving and then walks away slowly.

She sighs. Who the hell is this man and what does he really want from me? Oops. She says as she drops her hands by her side.

Really? He did this too? She asks herself as she looked into the pendant on her neck.

Evan hired a guy to crack her cards and siphoned all the money in it. He then went ahead to invest it in his own business.

That very night when he came home. Aria complained to him that her cards were swiped but he only consoled her.

"Uh! Dangerous viper! She says. How can I ever be too loyal? Shit"! She says.

I went to the kitchen to get some water. I see Evan and Emma come in through the front floor, passionately undressing each other. I keep staring but they didn't see me or maybe they care no more.

By now, they are on the couch doing what they both know how to do.

I take Emma's blouse and jeans and throw them into a bucket of water.

I sit at a corner staring intently at them.

A click- I read their minds. I can't wait to get married and become the heiress' proud husband.

I sure know she will do me proud especially now that I always give her what she needs. Evan thinks.

How am I so sure all these will end well? My father says if he doesn't worth it, he will marry me off to David.

Really? Aria says. You both are just playing games. She smiles.

Evan and Emma finishes their bed business and both gets up. Emma looks around for her clothes and became confused. My clothes! She says.

Evan looks around and couldn't find it too. No, it was here a while ago. They both begin to search the sitting room and beyond until they find it in the bucket.

Oops! How did it get here? Emma looks at Evan with a doubting and confused appearance.

Why would you do that? She asks.

Do what? I didn't do it. He replies. Then how did it get in here? I can't even go back home now with soaked dress.

Uh! You have been a sweetheart all day but just now, you ruined my evening. She says.

I'm sorry Emma. Sincerely I didn't do it. I can't even explain how it got in there. I'm so sorry.

You know what? I'll just wash it up now. He stoops to bring the clothes out.

Don't worry, Evan. I'll just order for a new dress. You can keep that here.

Emma makes a call and soon a man appears on the door knocking.

I peep through the window and see the man standing aloft in the air. What? What's this? Who is this man?

A click- I try to read his mind but couldn't. I try again. The man sees me and smiles, waving his hand. I know what your trying to do, don't even dare! I came to do business so mind yours too. He says to me.

I open my eyes wide. What? You can see me? I ask him. Of course I can see and hear everyone but no one sees me. Just watch. He says.

The door opens, Evan looks around but sees no one. The delivery man drops the package by the door side. Evan sees the package and picks it up.

The door clicks close.

The man opens his palms as if saying you see? I told you!

I look away then close the curtains. I sit by the window side and look at the two idiots before me.

It's too small. She says. I can't even manage it. I'm sure gonna spend the night here. Gosh! She says.

I walk past them and lie on the bed in my room. I sleep and when I woke at the middle of the night. I see Evan sleeping quietly beside me.

How come? Where's Emma? I get up to check. I find her lying on the couch. She had refused sleep in the guest room.

I pick a thread and let it run through her body traumatizing her. Emma suddenly wake up screaming and sweating.

Evans rushes out from the room. Emma, are you okay? He asks. I had a nightmare. Oh I'm sorry about your night mare. He holds her hand. Let's go to the room. He says.

I sit down and smile. I sip some juice I had taken from the refrigerator.

DAVID

How can she be so proud and lofty not to want to marry me? David asks.

She's too arrogant, Dad. I can't marry such a Humpty Dumpty!

No son, you have no choice in this matter. The matter has been concluded. Rufus (David's father) says and walks away.

Don't I have a right to choose a spouse for myself? I love Betty and she's all I want. She protests and sits on the couch.

Phone buzzes, David picks and speaks- Hi Love. He tries to keep his voice steady.

Betty - Do you really love me? She asks.

What kind of a question is this? Haven't we spoken about this? Of course you know I do. David says.

Why haven't you introduced me to your family? She asks.

Because I need time to do that. Betty, we already talked about this. He says.

You know what? It's over between us. We no longer have a relationship. I'm tired. She begins to cry over the phone.

You're kidding me right? I only need a little time to sort out a few things.

Take forever to sort your fucking shit, I don't care. It's over. She ends the call.

Emma coils around Evan's arms. Evans strokes her hair as they both cuddle each other.

I sat on the chair in the room and stare at them with fury. I stand pacing around the room like I am a stranger.

Yes, I am a loyal stranger for ten years. Uh, I brush my hair backwards and wipe my face with my palms.

They slept peacefully like babies while I stand watching. A click- I read his thoughts. Yeah, this feels good. This way, she would trust me more unlike that rabbit with donkey brain who has nothing to offer.

My heart skipped. I? Rabbit? Donkey brain? Oh my Goodness!