Author's Note: Raw file as always but please be warned! This chapter contains abusive material. Please be advised.

As if the limelight malfunctioned, everything around him went ill-lit. He can see nothing but her glimmering in the pitch-black darkness adorned with her off-shoulder pale blue brocaded tulle dress. The dress was appliqued with tiny decorative midnight blue flowers on it. Erza's intricately braided coiffure was weaved with silk ribbon. Her fishtail cascaded down to her waist, and her fringe was transformed into soft curls hanging next to her ears. He gulped as his eyes trailed her exposed collarbone. She always looks dashing in her regular clothes, but I never thought she could be this alluring wearing that off-shoulder. He thought as he suddenly felt shivers along his spine.

"Ellen!" Irene greeted his mom while Erza stayed a little bit behind her.

"Oh, before I forgot, let me introduce to you, Ms. Erza Scarlet. She's from the same university as Jellal, and perhaps, you already know each other, right?" she said happily while letting her stood beside her.

"Erza?"

"Happy Birthday, Mr. Fernandez…" she greeted formally.

He cringed at her estranged greeting. He watched her helplessly vanished from her sight as someone guided them to their designated table. His gaze was still fixated on her despite the number of guests before him. Ellen grumped a bit and nudge him to focus on attending them. He suddenly felt a pang in his heart as he watched her smile as she talked with Irene. His tears retreated and silently slipped past his left eye. What did I do for you to be so distant to me? Did you just come to her to torment me? He thought and clenched his jaw. He excused himself from the crowd and went to the restroom for a break.

"Jellal?" Erza whispered to herself as her eyes trailed his presence out from the crowd.

Did I overdo it? She asked herself. Irene sighed as she noticed her somber face. She clasped her hands and asked her to veil her feelings. Yeah, Lady Irene's right… I should remember that I came here to detached my feelings from him… but do I really want that to happen? For us to become strangers to each other? She smiled and thanked her.

"Strangers, huh?" she uttered to herself.

"Strangers, huh?" he laughed to himself and stepped out of the restroom.

Now standing a few meters from her, he caught a glimpse of her glancing at him. She quickly looked away, pretending nothing happened. Both felt a sudden sting in their hearts as the distance between them had become a metaphor for their relationship. She exhaled deeply as she realized that the moment of their first meeting was replaced with nothing but crumbs of the uncertainty of being strangers to each other. I must not waver. This is a one-time chance in my life… I must do it for your sake too. She thought to herself as she adjusted her gaze to the direction of guests who just arrived.

"Huh? Uncle?"

Suddenly feeling lightheaded, Erza gently clutched her chest as she squinted in pain. Her anxiety turned to a ticking bomb, waiting to go off. Irene noticed her dilemma and calmly addressed her.

"Are you alright?"

She nodded and took a deep breath. Get a hold of yourself, Erza. I can't create a fuss here. Everything's gonna be alright because Lady Irene's here. She comforted herself. Irene held her hand tightly and assured her that no one will be able to humiliate her there as long as she's with her. Her breathing soon relaxed as she felt her hands on hers.

"Thank you, Lady Irene…"

"No worries," she answered and turned her gaze to the person who greeted her but still not letting go of her hand.

Erza slightly felt abashed at the thought of Irene comforting her. Her tears almost swelled as an unexpected wave of nostalgia hits her. If mom's still alive, will she comfort me too at times like this? I kinda wanted to feel loved by a mother all of a second. She sighed and regained her pace.

"Is she alright?" he asked himself as he walked past beside her.

She'll just ignore you. He said to himself. But, no matter how much you'd ignore me, I'd still want to be with your side. Even if it hurts. Indulged by bittersweet thoughts, he clicked his tongue and feigned his impassive façade.

A few minutes later. The staff started lighting the ornate wrought-ironed brazen candelabra in their tables. The dinner was finally served. The orchestra medleyed the atmosphere with their pompous classical melodies. But despite the charming celestial mood around him, he felt gloomy seeing some guys approached her. Sitting on the opposite table, he tried himself not to care. Still, he couldn't help himself from getting jealous of those outrageous flirty bastards swarming at her. They were obviously asking her permission to let them dance with her later on.

"Fuck," he softly cursed.

Irene dispersed the crowd as she sensed Erza cringing at their presence. He sighed in relief and continued eating his meal. Try touching at least a strand of her hair, and you'll be dead, you stupid bastards. He thought as he took a sip of his wine, still glaring at those men. She thanked Irene and resumed her focus on her meal.

An hour later, after dinner. They transferred to the second venue of the reception, which is the ballroom. The audience was awestruck. The vast, high-ceilinged ballroom was highly ornated with a grand Victorian motif; it made them think they were transferred to a magical fairytale. The host cleared his throat and introduced Jellal to them. Clytie proudly stepped forward, opting that he'll choose her as his first dance, but he walked past her. They make way as he made his way to the scarlet haired lady in the corner.

"May I dance with you?" he kneeled next to the scarlet haired lady who's busy hiding from the crowd.

Watching from afar, Julius sighed to himself and excused himself from Irene and Ellen. Claude's face turned sullen, seeing her accepting his offer. How on earth did that little worm make its way in here? He kept his glare on her.

"Guess, the adage 'like father like son' is still valid," Irene said as she sat next to Ellen.

"Why did you suddenly bring that up?"

"Let's just cut to the chase, 'kay? You still clearly remembered that day, don't you?"

"Yeah," she said, slightly vexed about that incident.

"He also danced his incipient lover rather than you on that ball. I hated him for jumping the gun and have done that right before your eyes... He did even tell the world that he'll marry her, but the next day he saw her sleeping with another man. Tsk… People often change easily for money. But, what do you think about her? Do you think he's following the same path as his father?" she asked.

"To be honest, I don't think so… She's way too sincere and guileless compared to her. She did even bring out the brighter side of my son. I think she's the right person, but I can't help it. Julius already had a prejudice about them. I know you also felt her sincerity, don't you? You're not the type of person who usually helps someone out of the blue unless you are indebted to them. Or, perhaps don't tell me you see her as your late daughter?"

Her question came out like a bolt from the blue. She emptied her lungs and answered silence. Discerning her reaction, she shook her head as she threw back her head in defeat.

"Guess it was the latter," Ellen noted as she saw her sulked.

With the conductor's signal, the orchestra started playing a divinely old-fashioned romantic piece. Erza awkwardly tried to avoid his gaze while trying to keep up with his steps. The undulating ponderous notes suddenly escalated its beat, and Erza wasn't able to keep up, causing her to step on his foot. He chuckled softly as he tried to cover her mistake. She blushed furiously as his hands traveled down to her waist.

"Guess you still can act like the old you around me," Jellal lowered his gaze, directly staring at her pale face.

"I'm sorry…" she said as she looked away.

"For what? Erza, let's have a real talk. If you still love me, tell me. I beg of you, don't lie. You know we can always restart our relationship and be happy again-"

"Stop being presumptuous, Jellal…" she gulped and said boldly.

"Presumptuous about what? I can sacrifice everything for you, so just stay with me. I will never be the same without you…Your everything saves me from this lonely world."

She stopped dead in her tracks. Your everything saves me from this lonely world. She felt the same about him in her life, but she must not waver. She tightened her resolved and asked him to wake up from his nightmare. You can't be there at my worst, Jellal. Even if you asked me to let you stay, but I won't allow it. She chuckled sarcastically.

"Enough… Jellal, can't you see? You shine way too bright in the night sky, and I'm nothing but one of those countless dead starts collapsing in the middle of nothingness. We aren't meant for each other… You belong in another galaxy and so I am."

"Bullshit, that's the crappiest line I've ever heard in my life… The stars in your eyes weren't twinkling for someone else's sky but mine. Erza, I know the irony of your words. The more you ask me to leave, the more you wanted me to stay. You were there when I am at my worst so let me stay when you are at yours!" he raised his voice enough for her to flinch.

Silent tears burned their eyes. Inexplicable feelings of grief had stricken her. Her breathing hitched as she said those words before their dance ended.

"You have no idea how worst could be my worst is, Jellal… I lived my life peacefully, not until you came. So, stay out of it."

He was dumbstruck at her sudden confession. He was so floored that he could feel the earth tilting towards him. Jellal watched her disappear from his hold. Jellal tried to extend his arms and ran after her, but he felt time ceased. Locked in the closet of silence, he gasped for air. He was struck in his reverie that he never noticed the host was already there by his side. His stomach felt upset, and he excused himself from the scene. The host was shocked, but he carried on when Ellen signaled him to not ruin the mood. Ellen excused herself from Irene as she ran after him. Irene sighed and answered the phone call.

His tears remain unshed, causing his vision to blur. I lived my life peacefully, not until you came. Did I just hear that right? I thought I'd be the one to console you, but I never thought I could be the reason why you're hopeless. I thought you understand that dad and I aren't the same, so why? He ran up to the terrace and felt weak as his tears tranquilized him. Is sorry enough? He asked himself as he slumped to the floor. He covered his face with his hands as hot and shameful tears stung his eyes. I'm sorry… I really am Erza.

Erza washed her face with the cold water from the faucet, hoping it could conceal any signs of her crying over what happened. She paused and looked intently at her reflection. She let her hands feel her pale face, and she gently slides her scarlet fringe next to her ears. The stars in your eyes weren't twinkling for someone else's sky but mine. Erza, I know the irony of your words. The more you ask me to leave, the more you wanted me to stay. She let out a painful heave as his words echoed in her mind.

"He already knew that I'm asking him to stay, but… He must not know about that," she told herself before exiting the restroom.

"Hello there, my dear niece…" a smirk plastered his face as he waited for her at the door.

"U-uncle?"

"Didn't I told you not to call me at this very hour?" Irene clicked her tongue as she answered him.

"I'm terribly sorry, Lady Irene, but you must see the mail I sent you…" Nienhart shakily answered.

"If it's just about dad, never mind… You always make my blood boil, Nienhart! Didn't I told you to arrange Erza's belonging in the guest room so that she can comfortably stay the night there?"

"Erza, she has the same, identical swaddle blanket like your late daughter…"

"What?!" Irene felt numbed when he mentioned the swaddle blanket.

"It has the same embroidery as the ones which you had personally crafted for your late daughter,"

She immediately hung up the call and checked her mail. She closed her eyes and gasped in disbelief. The familiar, imperfect pale-blue cotton cloth bears the same semblance as her creation. She clutched her chest and hastily looked for her as the ball ended. Erza, she's my Erza? Irene dialed her number as she struggled to look for her.

"Hello, Erza? Wher-where are you?" she asked with a shaky voice.

Late in the evening, Ellen and Jellal arrived at their house. Still intoxicated with his heartbreak, Jellal soon headed to his room after stepping out of the car without saying a word. She sighed to herself and asked their chauffeur to bring the gift stored in the trunk with her. They headed to his room, and she asked him to leave after bring the large gift bag to the door. Ellen cleared her throat, breaking the ominous silence in his room as she knocked on the door. Perturbed, Jellal opened the door and asked her.

"Mom, I want to rest. Let's just talk about that tomorrow."

"I didn't come here for that. Here, maybe you'll need this,"

"A plushie? I'm not a kid anymore…" he asked in an immensely sullen yet surprised tone as he saw her hand him the bag.

Should I tell him that it was her gift? She shook her head as she saw him smile. "But thank you, mom. I'll have a cuddle buddy now." He embraced the gift bag confirming his doubt. She decided to leave and kept the truth to herself. Jellal smiled before closing the door.

"It's quite funny to have this as a gift at my age but still she bought this for me." He said to himself before unwrapping the gift bag.

"What?" he froze on his spot seeing the big bashful beige bunny. His hands slowly grasped the note attached to the bunny.

Though you might refuse to believe that you deserve someone better

I know the time will come for you to realize that

You will be happy without me, Jellal.

I'll return him to you now.

Thank you for

Jelly

"So, you're really serious about cutting all our ties, huh? You even returned Jelly to me."

"You did seem to enjoy your dance with Felix. You even let that worm dance with him you know-"

"I don't like Jellal, dad. He's like an older brother to me, I never liked him and you can't force me to love him."

Clytie sighed to herself as she remembered their argument awhile ago and continued to comb her silver locks. Did sister not recognize me? She thought to herself. Perhaps, she didn't. I dyed my hair after all. Did she already know Jellal? She stood from her seat and went to the balcony for fresh air. I hope she didn't, I don't want her to misunderstood that I like him, it's quite obvious that they like each other judging from Jellal's gaze. If only I can tell them that I'm just forced to act like that because of dad. If only… I'm damn tired of this stupid act. She hissed and decided to go to her room but before she turned her back, she saw his dad's car exited their garage.

"It's almost midnight but what on the earth is he doing?" she raised her brows as she watched the car vanish from her sight.

Ellen breaks into a cold sweat as she heard the news from Julius. She had just recently changed to her nightgown and she was utterly confused about what to do. "Irene's having a breakdown. We already called her dad but he's not picking up his phone. The guests had already left, please… Get back here, Irene only listens to you." She shook her head and quickly changed. What on the earth had triggered her? Suddenly perturbed by a knock on the door, she clicked her tongue as she hastily slipped her shoes on.

"A moment," she yelled before running to the door.

"Did you already prepare the car?" she asked as she looked up to him.

"It's already midnight, mom. Just, where on the earth are you going?" he furrowed his brows seeing her outfit.

"I have no time to explain, son. Just rest for tonight and we'll talk tomorrow."

"I just wanna return this plushie to you-"

Ellen waved her hand and bid her farewell not minding his last words. What now? He asked himself as he brought the plushie back to his room.

"Then, you may stay the night here Jelly… Urgh, it's been a tough day," Jellal slowly closed his eyes after uttering those words.

Her weary eyes slowly scanned her surroundings. She staggered to her back as she saw him. He snickered as her eyes started forming quiet tears. She gasped for air as she felt her frigid sweat enveloping her. The attic? When did he? She felt her head spin and her heart raced. Erza involuntarily clutched her chest as the pain crippled her.

"Did you miss the attic, Zai?

"Urgh," she groaned as he grabbed her neck.

He let out an evil laugh as he reimagined her as her younger helpless self, "You're still as pathetic as before,"

"Un-uncle…" she begged with tears in her eyes.

He gritted his teeth and slapped her.

"How dare you stole Clytie's spot in the ball?" he started beating her with his fists.

Erza felt numb and nauseous, not from his beatings but her thoughts. She felt trapped in the closet of her emotions. She hugged her knees as he stopped kicking her. She felt the fragment the memories crept to her. Overwhelmed, she felt like she saw the illusion of her younger self wailing in front of her. She succumbed to the darkness as she felt him whipped her. The wounds that she never showed bled again. Her tears slipped as she savored the pain. Can I just give up now? Besides, there's no one waiting for me anymore… I just wanna rest from this unfair world. She thought before slamming her eyes shut as she tasted the blood in her mouth.

"We're not done yet,"

Author's Note: 't's been almost a month. I'm really sorry for the long wait. I'm quite busy preparing for our research defense lately and finally, I was able to finish this despite my hectic schedule. Hope you'll still wait till the next chapter. By the way, thank you so much for reviewing Guest and SkarltHart. I'll highly appreciate your reviews too!

~Adios amigos!

~Yoshi