I guess it was around that time, when our Sakura suddenly glowed brightly on the middle of the night and bloomed even though it was out of season, that I met him and my life drastically changed that I couldn't point out what was normal or not anymore.

.
"Lucy?" My mother, Layla Heartfilia, called me from the other side of my big and heavy-looking wooden doors.
I hopped off my bed and trotted to the door while answering her "Yes?"
I tried to open the door with my very small hands and weak arms. The door creaked open as her lovely sweet and kind face greeted me as she helped me open the door.
"My, what are you doing dear?" she asks and bent down to my eye level.
"I wanted to open the door for Mama." I answered and grinned widely at her when her hands pet my head.
"What a good daughter you are. Anyway, do you want to go to Papa's office?" she asked and picked me up on her arms as she strode to my wardrobe.
"Yes! Let's!" I beamed and giggled. She smiled at me and set me down before she opened my wardrobe and chose my outfit.
"Let's go with this." she said and settled with a floral pink dress that ended just a little bit above my knees.
I giggled before I took the dress and twirled around her all the while exclaiming "Yay~! We're going to go and see Papa today!"
Mama just smiled happily and lovingly as she watched me dance around her with the dress on my hands.
Papa was a loving Father, though he did not spend enough time with his family, he still tried his best to make it up to us. I wonder when his attitude suddenly turned for the worst. Doesn't it make you wonder as to what happened to change a loving Father and Husband into a cold, control-freak monster who cared nothing but his fortunes, even sacrificed his own family for it? Yes, it'd make you wonder, right?
Well, the night of my 16th birthday, the night after I was formally introduced to all of Papa's associates as the Heir of the Heartfilia Konzern.. Mama left. She died because of her incurable illness that sprung out of nowhere. An illness that surfaced when our clocks suddenly stopped on 11:59pm, telling us it was a minute before my birthday ends.
The whole mansion went on full alert when she suddenly screamed like she was feeling something excruciatingly painful. Mrs. Spetto kindly woke me and told me of the horrifying news. I wasted no time and rushed to my parent's room. I saw Papa there beside her, begging her not to close her eyes and keep on fighting as he held her hands.
Mama was clawing the bed sheets as she tried so desperately to muffle her scream.
"Lu.. Lucy!" Mama called out. In less than a second, I was already on her other side, opposite to Papa and held her hands.
"Yes, Mama?" I quickly answered her.
"Take.. Take my necklace." she instructed. I nodded my head and did as what she told me. It was her heart-shaped locket that she always wore even though it never complimented with her dresses.
"Keep it and.. Don't lose it." she whispered and groaned as another shot of pain tortured her. "It'll.. It'll protect you, my sweet daughter.." she added.
"Shh.. Shh.. It's okay, Mama. I will be fine so just conserve your energy and everything will be fine." I said through my sobs. She only smiled like what she used to and turned to my Father.
"Ju.. Jude.. You already know.. why I'm like this, right?" she asked and Papa just closed his eyes and turned away, tears spilling down his cheeks endlessly.
"Dear.. Please.. Please don't blame her.. Take good care of Lucy, okay?" she whispered.
"N-No Layla.. You.. You promised, right? We.. We would.. We would take good care of her till she finds someone she wants to marry, right?" he said and squeezed Mama's hands that were in his.
"I'm sorry.. I'm sorry but it looks like.. I can't.. fulfill it after all." she said and closed her eyes as tears cascaded down her beautiful face.
"NO! This is all too soon!" Papa complained and embraced Mama tightly.
"It.. It must be done... A life.. for a life. You do know.. I'm willing to risk it for 'her', right?" Mama asked and returned Papa's embrace, though quite lightly, seeing as she cannot exert enough force anymore.
"Mama.. Mama please don't.." I murmured on her bedside as I clutched a handful of my night gown's long skirt.
"Oh sweetie.. Come closer.." she called, her voice gradually weakening too. "I'll be going ahead.. but.. I'll always protect you from that.. place. Don't worry.. Papa.. Papa will protect you in my.. stead and someone.. someone is bound to enter your life.. and.. protect you.. even with his life.. on.. the line."
"No! I don't need that person if it meant I'd lose you! I certainly don't want that person! I only want you and Papa, Mama, so please.. Don't leave us!" I cried and bawled on her chest. She sobbed as soon as those words left my lips and I felt her weak and limp arms around me.
"I.. I would love that too.. my dearest.. but.. but this is the 'Price'. I am so sorry. Jude.. Lucy.. I love.. you both." and with that said, her arms fell limply on her side and her head lulled to the side. The rising and falling of her chest ceased and her beating pulse vanished.
Tears fell like rain from mine and Papa's eyes when it dawned on us. Mama.. Mama was gone. She was gone from us forever. I'll never be able to feel her warmth, hear her sweet melodic voice, see her kind and beautiful face, her warm and wonderful big round chocolate orbs and touch her smooth, porcelain-like, flawless white skin and her long, golden like the sun, silky hair.
"Layla!" Papa screamed her name while I collapsed on her bedside and curled while I bawled my sadness and sorrow out. I didn't notice sleep blanket me as I cried hard. I only woke up on my bed, the curtains closed, my eyes stinging and swollen, my nose clogged and my heart so heavy.
I brought my feet down and walked to my windows. Opening the windows a bit, I saw Papa standing outside, wearing a black suit, getting drenched in the heavy rain that I only just noticed. I continued to stare at him till a knock on my door seized my attention.
"Lucy-sama? You're awake already. Here, I prepared you a soup. Eat some." Mrs. Spetto said and pushed a stroller with my soup towards me. At that short time she talked to me, I think I saw a faint flash of light from the outside that I snapped my attention back outside. Papa was no longer there and it was starting to get dark.
Maybe it was just lightning.
I thought to myself and walked back to my bed. Mrs. Spetto handed me my soup and I started to eat it slowly.
"By the way Mrs. Spetto, Mama.. Where is Mama?" I asked slowly. She silenced for a minute before she sighed and answered me.
"She's at one of the rooms. She is to be buried tomorrow. Do you.. want to see her?" she asked me. I only nodded my head and that was enough for her. She took my soup and guided me to a room I know oh so well. We always lingered there as she reads me a book. We'd always stay there whenever Papa is too busy to play with us; The Observatory.
Mrs. Spetto opened the door for me and there her body lay at the center. So ethereal and peaceful. Even as she closed her eyes, she looked really happy and fulfilled that I couldn't stop the tears that swelled up to cascade down.
"Were you ever happy Mama? Till your last breath, were you ever thankful we were your family?" I whispered as I sat beside her.
"Lucy-sama.."
"Mrs. Spetto.. Was I.. Was I a good daughter to her?" I asked her as I sobbed.
"Yes.. Yes, you were, Lucy-sama." she said and ran her hand up and down my back.
The next morning came and we all prayed for her peaceful rest. Papa must have drained his tears dry for I didn't see him shed even a single tear. His eyes were barred of emotion and life though.
"Layla.. I'm sorry... but I can't keep my promise to you." I heard him whisper before he turned on his heel and left me by my mother's grave crying the last batch of tears I could ever shed. Since then, Papa had become cold and controlling. He even went as far as setting me up on an arranged marriage with some rich guy. He said it was essential that I marry him so our business could extend more. I did tell him I'd concede with his wish, but that was only so he wouldn't suspect a thing that that would be the last time I'd live on that mansion.
I ran away and didn't take even a single penny from him with me, only my savings. I took my pre-packed clothes and journeyed through the night, but not before stopping at the cherry blossoms Mama liked to talk with. It was as if the tree had come to life as it glowed and bloomed. I watched, entranced by the sweet scent it was giving off and the graceful way its petals flow down, before a pair of bloody-red orbs caught my attention instantly sucking everything in. They were so mesmerizing that I only caught myself unable to tear my eyes away from him. The way his jet black hair gracefully went along with the wind and his spellbinding smirk that almost melted my heart. Everything felt so natural and peaceful.
"Uh.." I managed to voice despite being drowned by his overwhelming presence. "May I know you.. sir?" I asked.
He chuckled at my question and I felt my heart give an extra loud thump before it constricted with pleasure upon hearing his smooth baritone voice that tingles my eardrums.
"I am.. just a nobody, dear princess, but.. I would love it if you'd let me be your knight." he said as he knelt and took my hands and planted a kiss on it. My face burned and my heart beat sped up that, afraid he might notice it, I quickly snatched my hand back and held it close to me.
"I.. uhh.. I.. don't know you sir.. so-sorry." was all I said before I turned around and quickly left that place. I honestly did hesitate upon leaving him there but, I really needed to leave before someone catches me.

I stopped on my tracks and turned around to face him. I took my ring off and threw it at him which he effortlessly caught. He looked at the ring before he turned his gaze back at me. As if silently asking me 'What is this for?'

"I suggest you escape right now before someone finds you, but if you can't do so and end up being caught, show that ring to them and tell them you're my acquaintance. They should let you off. Well then, bye." I told him and curtseyed before I grabbed hold of my luggage and walked away.

"Will do so.. Lucy." He said as a lopsided smile adorned his face when he called me with my name while raising my ring up. A smile so mesmerizing I doubt I would ever forget.

I smiled back before the darkness completely hid my presence. I never thought someone would be able to make me feel that warmth again, but as sudden as it came as quick as a wink will it disappear. The feeling may only be fleeting but I would treasure it forever thinking someone actually warmed this frozen heart again.

And here goes my brain for coming up another story again. Like seriously, how many stories have I made that would always be dropped again? Anyway, I would like to see how far this new one goes. So all would depend on your review guys. If I get lots of positives then I might just continue this but if NOT? Then I guess it's not good at all. So then, I'll be waiting okay? Tata~~

Xoxo,

Halloween Godspell