My Bride's Dark Secret

Rachmaninoff's music from the antique phonograph floated around the old Commonwealth mansion in Nagcarlan, Laguna. Callea loved listening to classical music while reading at the sofa just right before dinnertime. Luna, her black cat purred while sleeping on her lap.

It was as if the music was singing for the dark night and the round moon, even the mystical elements that only live up during night.

"Señorita, here is your tea," Marina offered her a cup of tea. She was a hunchback who helped her around the mansion and she was the only person who lived with her.

She was a twentysix year old single woman living in the mansion in the middle of nowhere. There were only fields around them and the neighbors were a few kilometers away. She didn't mind the solitude. She loved it. She didn't need too much human in her life. She already got a cat.

"Thank you, Marina."

Callea's cat, Luna, meowed as if thanking the woman. Then the cat laid down her head on her lap once more, continuing its slumber.

The night was perfect. The full bright moon even made it more so. She would ask Marian to watch the moon with her later. The rise of the full moon was the best chance for them.

The silence of the night was blasted by the ring from the antique telephone. Callea picked it up and answered it. "Hello."

"Callea, how are you?" It was her grandfather, Tomasino Lopez, Senior on the other line. He was the father of her mom. He owned the mansion she was living in. Her grandfather was living to the clan's main residence in Manila.

"I am great, Grandpa," she answered. "Have you seen the moon tonight? It is beautiful."

"No time to view the moon but I will make your moonwatching extra special. I have a good news for you. You finally get what you want."

Her eyes became as big as saucers. Excitement filled her to the brim. "Really, Grandpa? You will finally give me Villa Celesta?"

Villa Celesta was her life. It has been a lifetime dream of hers to own it. It was the ancestral home of the Lopezes. There was so much history on it because it was erected during 1920's during the American Occupation in the Philippines.

And it was were she was born as well twentysix years ago. She had so many beautiful memories there with her departed parents. The place made her feel happy. It was also her shiled from the cruel outside world. It was her paradise.

But the Lopezes had its own mysogynistic tradition. Her grandfather wanted to pass down the mansion to his eldest grandson her cousin, Tomasino Roque Lopez III or her Kuya Torque. Even if her cousin was not interested with the mansion because he had his own villa in Manila and a member of the prestigious Stallion Island and Leisure Club, her grandfather still kept on holding on to his own tradition.

So it was a great news that her grandfather was finally giving in.

"But I have one condition."

Callea stopped rejoicing. It was like the air hang around her while the ring of power was in his voice. "WWhat is it, Grandpa?"

"You have to marry my bestfriend's grandson."

Like a melting candle, Callea leaned back to the antique mahogany settee. Marry a stranger. A wedding. Ugh! She was pledged to be single forever. She had no need for a boyfriend or a groom or a husband.

She just wanted to be left alone and free.

She had a tinnitus after hearing that bomb of a condition. She couldn't think properly. Even her blood froze. "Who is the grandson of your bestfriend?" Callea asked her grandfather.

Of course, she must know who she was marrying first. Her grandfather didn't expect her to just accept his edict without asking questions, right?

"It is Deive. Deive Hontiveros. Don't worry. I choose well for you. He was good looking, he studied abroad and he had brains for business. He helped a lot with the family business by introducing innovative marketing system."

And her grandfather kept on singing praises for the man as if the sun rises and sets on him.

Deive Hontiveroz. He would be her groom. Of course, she knew him. They were from the same social circle. He was a womanizer. Beautiful women follow him wherever he goes. And she was sure that he was a superficial man. He only sees people for their physical beauty. The type she loathed, by the way.

And she would marry this man? That would be a disaster.

But what choice does she have? She had a mansion to possess. And marrying Deive was the only way to do it. She couldn't find her voice to protest.

Her cat must have sensed her anxiety. It stood up on her lap then rubbed its hairy body to her legs to her arm. But Callea couldn't feel anything. Her cat trying to comfort her didn't work.

She was like a still sculpture while listening to her grandfather discuss Deive and their wedding. Could she really marry the man who won't accept the real her? Could he accept her world?

"I want you to welcome him well," her grandfather continued. "Make sure that he will like you. He will be at Villa Callea tomorrow night to meet you."

Tomorrow night? That soon?

She hasn't even recovered from the thought that she would marry the womanizing stranger. Then he would just arrive at the mansion and invade her solitude and her grandfather expected her to welcome the man with open arms?

Oh! She just wanted to faint.

But all she could answer was a simple, "Yes, Grandpa". it was not the right time for complains. If she as much as voiced a protest, her grandfather might pull back his condition and won't give her a chance to get the mansion at all.

That would be an even bigger disaster.

"WWhat if he doesn't like me, Grandpa?" Callea asked, hoping there would be another way out of this stipulation.

"You are beautiful, hija. I am sure Deive can't resist you."

Her grandfather didn't lie. She was beautiful. She looked like the sepia photo of her great grandmother Celesta Lopez that was displayed at the living room, just above the antique grand piano. Her great grandfather even thought her great grandmother was a fairy when he first saw her.

Yes, she was beautiful. But it was a beauty she wished she didn't possess.

"We are not really sure if he will like me, Grandpa. Beauty is not everything," she uttered sadly.

"Are you protesting your marriage with Deive?" her grandfather asked on a high pitch. "Just say it now so you won't put our family in shame later on."

"NNo! That's not what I mean, Grandpa."

"If you don't want to marry Deive, then leave the mansion now. Go back to Manila and live here instead."

"No, please!" she protested once more. "I don't want to leave here. I beg you. You know how much I love this place."

It was a fate worse then death if she would leave Villa Celesta. It was her haven from the cruel world. It was her world. Leaving that place was no life at all.

From the outside world, people saw her as a shell of a woman. A ghost. She would rather be a ghost to everyone's eyes. She would rather live at the shadow of that old house. She and Villa Celesta were one.

"Well, you'd better prepare for the arrival of your future husband then. It would be better if you will tie a knot soon."

"Please give me more time, Grandpa," she begged. She was not yet ready to marry a stranger. She was not ready to welcome an unknown man in her life no matter how rich or gorgeous he was.

"I am already old, Callea. I don't have forever to guard you and take care of you," Don Tomasino said in a tired voice. "I want you to get settled with a man who will love you and take care of you before I depart this world. I am sure Deive is that man. He won't leave you and he will take care of you."

A man who would take care of her. Only her father could do that. He was the only man she accepted in her life. She was contented living with Marina and Luna.

In her memory, Deive had an angelic face. Her grandfather thought that he was the angel who would protect her. He was wrong.

Deive was like any other men. All they cared about was the physicaly beauty. A beauty they could possess. A beauty that was considered as a trophy.

They were blinded by the outer beauty. Deive won't accept the real her.

"I will sign over this house to you once you marry Deive. If you won't marry him, you will lose this place. I may even send you to your Kuya Lee abroad so there will be someone who will watch over you."

She shook her head, terror lancing through her body. "No, Grandpa. Please. I will do whatever you want. I will marry Deive."

Callea was trembling when she put the phone down. She walked towards the verandah. She stared at the round moon. Luna jumped to her arms and rubbed its head on her chest. As if she was symphatizing with her doom.

"What do I do now, Luna? I have to obey grandpa or I will lose this house. It will kill me, Luna. We have nowhere to go."

She hugged her cat and silenty cried. The moon witnessed her mourning. The cold wind blew, Her long white gown and her long black hair danced with the wind.

Screams permeated in the air from the people passing by the front of the mansion. "Oh, god! There's a ghost! A white lady!" shouted by three men who were probably drunk.

Callea wiped her tears then laughed softly. That's why she liked that place. No one would dare bother her. The mansion was in the middle of nowhere. No one dared set foot on it because the place was believed to be haunted.

And she loved it.

She was a ghost in the eyes of many. Right. She would rather be a ghost forever.

"WE will miss you, dude! We can't believe that a playboy like you will finally tie a knot."

Deive wanted to hit her friend's face with the glass when Sidney started to become dramatic. He becomes emotional under the spirit of wine, even with just a drop.

It was in contrast with the party they threw for him. It was full of beautiful women. They were at his other friend's condo. Lucien's penthouse was perfect for events like tonight. It was heaven for four virile young men.

The four of them him, Lucian, Sidney and Averill were best of friends. They've been together since they were kids. They were as thick as thieves and they got along when it comes to women and their foolish pranks.

"Did you bring me here so you can cry for me as if I am dying?" Deive asked.

"Idinala ba ninyo ako dito para iyakan lang?" tanong niya.

"This is your stag party, bro!" said Averill and tapped his shoulder.

He shook his head and drank the four seasons cocktail. He can't drink because he would drive later. And he couldn't flirt with the gorgeous women in the room. He just wanted to spend time with his friends.

"I am not yet getting married. Why the stag party?" Deive inquired.

"Because you will finally meet the woman that you grandfather had chosen for you." Lucian filled his glass with brandy. "And you will stay with her for a couple of months or so. I am sure she won't let you leave her side."

"Rock and roll, man! If the woman is that beautiful, I won't let her go either. I will even chain her to my bed and give her babies," Sidney said with a mischievous grin on his face.

He wanted to pummel his face. "Hey! This is my future bride we are discussing. Have some respect. I am not a maniac. We just want to get to know each other before we plan our wedding."

"You are not a maniac. You are just a lady killer." And Averill nailed him with that comment. "But can you really become faithful to your bride, Deive?"

He was constantly at the dating scene. He had no permanent girlfriend and settling down or walking down the aisle was never a part of his plans. He just wanted to live his life to the fullest.

All he cared about was his job and family. That's why he was challenged by his grandfather. Lolo Jorje wanted him to marry the granddaughter of his best friend if he wanted the capital for the business he wanted to start with his friends and to make ammends with his past faults.

"That's why we were shocked when you said that you are getting married," Lucian said. "Is that really serious?"

"I have to marry her. I want to break away from my grandfather's chain. I want our dream cruise ship to push through."

Their group had been dreaming of having their own cruise ship since they were in college. They had been under their family's thumb, slaving on their family's companies. Deive was trained to manage Hontiveros Coco Industries, a company which exports coconut products.

It was not his dream but it was what his grandfather wanted. Marrying Callea was his only chance to do whatever he wanted. His younger brother, Keiran, was ready to take over. But the old man didn't want to let him go. His loan won't get approved and he couldn't get the capital infuse he needed if he won't follow his grandfather's condition.

"Do you think it is right? This is the new millenium!" Sidney complained and raise his arms. "I can't believe arranged marriage is still practiced in the modern world."

"I think it is fitting," Lucian commented. Then he glanced at him menacingly. "Your womanizing reputation nailed you down."

Deive whispered an oath. Ruby Canales, a daughter of their client from Argentina wanted him so badly but he turned her down. When he didn't accept her advances, she announced that she was pregnant and he was the father. It was almost a shotgut wedding. His client wanted him to marry Ruby but he refused. He didn't even kiss that lunatic. Could she get pregnant just by breathing.

So they lost a huge client and it affected their business.

It was not his fault that women wanted a piece of him. He was guilty about enjoying women's company. But where Ruby was concerned, he was innocent.

"You are running away from a shotgun wedding only to marry another," Sidney mumbled while shaking his head. "I don't get it."

"Any woman will do except Rubie Canales! And besides, Callea is so fine. She's sweet and innocent and she has a face of an angel," Deive voiced dreamily. She was his savior.

The last time he saw Callea, she was just fifteen years old. She was already beautiful then. And according to Tomasino Lopez, Sr. she's still an angel. He was living in solitdude at the Lopez's mansion in Nagcarlan, Laguna. No boyfriend since birth. How lucky could he get?

"Hmmm... not your type!" Averill interjected. "She's too sweet for your taste."

He liked his women wild and sophisticated. Those who were not interested with commitment. But he didn't have a choice now, did he? He would get what he wanted if he will do his grandfather's bidding. He had to endure it.

He stood up then tapped Lucian's shoulder. "I have to go, guys! Don't worry. I can handle this perfectly," he declared with full confidence.

I am in total control of the situation.

His deep dimples showed up on both of his cheeks when he thought about it. He could easily ask Callea to do this bidding. He already had a contract for their arranged marriage. He could discuss it once he got close to her. He could easily charm her.

But his confidence started to dwindle as he was trapped South Luzon Expressway. It was still an hour or so from Nagcarlan, Laguna. And he freakin' hated traffic because it ruined his mood.

It was already nine o'clock when he reached the end of the expressway. He was supposed to arrive at eight in the evening for dinner. His grandfather said so.

It was his first meeting with Callea and he was late. Not a good sign.

After an hour, he finally entered the town of Nagcarlan. He flinched when his cellphone rang. He grimaced when he saw his grandfather's name registered on the phone screen as the caller. He breathed deeply before he answered the call. "Hello, Lolo!"

"Where are you, Deive? Do you know what time it is?"

He gulped when he saw that it was already half an hour after ten in the evening. "I am here at Nagcarlan, Lolo." He tried his best to be cheerful. "I am near Villa Celesta."

"Where exactly are you?"

"Ahhh..." He looked out the window and tried to check out the establishments in the dark of the night. "I just passed Neneng's Sari Sari Store."

"Where is it?"

"Near the two mango trees beside the tamarind tree." And he was not sure if it was tamarind tree because there was no street lights.

"Are you trying to be funny? I am telling you, you are not!" his old man blasted that almost ruined his eardrums. "I already told you that Callea prepared dinner and you must be there by eight. Where have you been? To your paramour?"

He twisted his lips. "Of course not. It was traffic."

"You are driving my patience! Have you forgotten that your womanizing landed you into trouble in the first place? You shoudl be grateful that I am still considerate with you. Look what I got you. A perfect wife. Callea is beautiful and kind. She knew how to take care of the house. And she's very cultured. She's an artist, too."

"Yes. I know. She's perfect. Thanks for choosing well, Lolo." He tried his best to hide the sarcasm. He couldn't imagine what his future would be with Callea. He never thought about settling down with a woman. So many girls, so little time. And because of Callea Lopez, his fun time was over.

"Better keep that in mind. Give my kisses to Callea." Then his grandfather ended the call.

"Callea! Callea! She would be perfect if she had a sound mind for business as well. " A naughty smile formed on his lips. "And if she's scorching hot in bed."

Deive let out a whistle. A lady in public but a vixen in bed. Now that's the idea.

He was busy dreaming about his bride when he noticed something cross the road. "Whoa!"

Deive's car screeched into a halt. He was breathing hard. Did he hit someone or something? Where is it? Did he kill it?

Some men who were drinking at a makeshift store rushed to him. "Hey, handsome! Are you okay?" one of them asked and knocked on the windshield of his car.

His heart was pounding wildly when he opened the window of his car. "Don't mind me. I am sure I am hit something. Can you ccheck it?" He must get his wits together. He must bring it to the hospital. He hoped it was still alive.

"You didn't hit anything. The black cat crosses the street," answered the small man. Then he saw a black shadow that was running away.

"Just a black cat? II didn't see that one." He was worried over nothing.

"When a black cat crosses your way, that is a bad omen," said the old woman.

Deive gave the old woman a bewildered look. She looked serious as if that statement about the superstitious belief on black cats was a fact. It was already the modern times. Who else believed in mystical beliefs anymore?

"I am sorry but I don't believe that. But thanks for the warning. I must go now," he said to the group.

He would really experience bad luck if he didn't get to Villa Celesta soon. Even if he was forced to marry Callea, he didn't want her to think that he hated the idea. His old man will be more pissed off and he would find himself in the dump soon.

"Where are you going, child?" the old woman asked him.

"In Villa Celesta."

Everyone hitched their breath as if one person. Extreme fear reflected on their faces.

"Are you an exorcist or a paranormal expert, young man?" the old woman asked. "Do you want to help the suffering souls in that house?"

He shook his head. He imagined the traditional healers who perform rituals to communicate with spirits and elements using their chants and wearing their bandanas on the head. No, that image on his head was a far cry from him. "No, ma'am. I will visit my future bride there."

"Oh, my god!" exclaimed the old woman and clutched her chest. The rest of the men put their hands together as if in prayer.

The biggest of the bunch gulped. "Aren't you aware that bad spirits lurked there? Ghosts abound that place. It is a haunted house."

"Yes! Last night, we even saw a white lady standing at the verandah. It was really eerie," said the man who was mostly bones and skin.

His face twitched as he tried not to laugh out loud. Ghosts? White lady? Haunted house? These men must be really drunk with all the weird things they see.

"I have to go now. Thank you very much," Deive said.

He was about roll the car's window when the old woman stopped him. "Wait!" Then the old woman put her hand on his head and murmured a prayer. "Please protect this man from the evil spirits."

The other men also put their hands together and joined the prayer. "Amen."

"Always pray, young man," said the old woman and took his hands. "I hope that God won't leave your side."

He thanked them. From the chat that brought bad luck to a haunted house. Elements and ghosts? For Pete's sake! There were lots of technologies invented. They even sent men to the moon. There was human cloning, plant and animal mutation. Ghosts and elements were a thing of the past. It was only used to scare the little kids to sleep or as a scaring tactics by the Spaniards to the Filipinos during colonial times. You could only see those ghosts on films and horror books.

From the store, he didn't find any more houses along the way. All he could see were fields illuminated by the moonlight. After few minutes, a huge house could be seen from the view.

Villa Celeste. It was an old house built during 1920s. It was Victorian inspired house made mostly of wood. It was threestory tall. It looked like a haunted house for other people. But for him, it was a fine example of classy architecture.

He slowed down the car as he neared the ironwrought gates of Villa Celesta. He beeped and an old couple opened the gate. "Good evening, Señorito Deive!" greeted the old man. "I am Lito, the caretaker of this mansion. And this is my wife, Poling."

He shook their hands. "Good evening to you."

"Señorita Callea has been waiting for you. Why did you arrive so late, Sir?" Poling asked.

"The traffic on SLEX was horrible. My apologies. Is Callea still up?" Deive asked.

"Maybe she's already resting. The light is off on her room. Maybe you will meet her in the morning. But Marina is waiting at the door," explained Lito.

"Who's Marina?" Deive asked. Her grandfather metioned the couple caretaker at the mention. There was no mention of this Marina.

"She is Miss Callea's companion. Please get inside so you can gave your late dinner and you can rest," said Poling.

He went back to his car. "Why don't you ride with me back to the mansion?" he offered.

"We are on our way home. We only visit this place two to four times a week to clean up this place. Or if Marina and Miss Callea wants us to buy something from town," Lito clarified.

"I see." It was only the two women in the house. Isn't that dangerous? Do they even have security there?

"Don't worry, Señorito Deive. Nobody would dare rob the mansion. They are terrified to even pass by this place," said Poling in an amused voice.

Lito elbowed his wife. "Watch your mouth. We don't want to give Sir Deive the wrong impression."

"Is there a problem?" Deive asked.

"What my wife meant was the Lopezes are respected in this town. So, even if this house has no guard, nobody would dare loot it. We have to go now, Sir. We will be back tomorrow to check on your needs."

Then he waved goodbye to the couple and kept on driving. He didn't really like old houses but he admired Villa Celesta. It was as if the moonlight was worshipping it as it casted its glow. The Lopezes tried their best to maintain its splendor. There was a certain romantic appeal to the house. According to his Lolo Jorge, Callea loved the house so much and preferred to live there. So, as her future husband, he must learn to appreciate the place as well.

There was a sprawling garden with a fountain in the middle. There was also a tall camachile tree. He looked as it as he get off his car. He was used to the noise and brightness of the city. He was not a rural boy. But now he appreciated the silence of the night where he could only hear the night insects chirping. The beautiful moonlight was usually unnoticeable due to bright city lights. But he could see it clearly now because it was the only shining object in the night sky.

So this was her bride's world.

Very laidback. Very...

He looked around when he heard the wooden door squeaked as it opened. Feared clutched his whole being when he saw a hunchback. He stepped back. He asked himself if the stories about ghosts were real.

"WWho are you?" he asked in a shaky voice. He was ready to run anytime. Is the place really cursed?

"I am Marina, Señorito Deive."

"YYou are Callea's companion?" This was the woman that Callea trusted?

She nodded slightly. "Señorita slept while waiting for you. But I can reheat your dinner if you want to eat."

He took out his luggage from the backseat of the car. "Thank you but I am still full." Deive couldn't fathom why Callea had chosen this woman as her companion. She was not fit to be a bodyguard. Or maybe she was the reason why the people in town was afraid of Villa Celesta?

What was this lunacy? As if they also wanted to frighten him. Not to be judgmental and all. He now understood why towns people were afraid of the place. It was an old house with a hunchback living on it. They weave their own stories. Well, the world was really judgmental and cruel.

"If you don't want to eat anymore, I will take you to your room so you can eat," she said then offered to bring his luggage.

"You don't have to. I can handle this. Where is my room?"

"At the second floor, second door from the end of the hall," Marina answered. "Please get inside because the night is starting to get colder. You might get sick."

Deive halted his steps when he felt like there were eyes on him from the second floor. He caught sight of the shadow of a woman. He looked away. Maybe it was just his imagination. It was just the three of them inside the house. Callea was already sleeping.

He must stop thinking too much. The scary stories from the drunk and the silly old woman was starting to get to him. But how could he explain this eerie feeling?

Callea was holding her breath as she held her cat. She was crouching beside the window, away from the prying eyes of many. Even the moonlight couldn't reach her.

"Do you think Deive saw me, Luna?" she asked the cat.

She had been waiting for Deive Hontiveros since this afternoon. She prepared a sumptuous dinner for him. She didn't want to disappoint him. Even if she didn't want to marry him, she was taught at a very young age how to properly treat visitors. She needed to get his confidence if she wanted to make her plan work.

But the dinner was already cold and he still didn't come. She thought that maybe he decided to back out from their wedding. So, she told Marina to just put the food in the fridge. She was about to sleep when she heard his car purr as it arrived at Villa Celesta.

She decided not to welcome him anymore. So, he would know that she would not be the type who wait out for him if he decided to show up late. She just told Marina that she would just sleep.

Callea told herself that she was not interested in Deive. But something pulled her towards the window and peep. She couldn't see much of his face because it was dark. But with the help of the moonlight, an image of a vigorous young man was formed.

Her eyes rolled heavenward. "So, he was a hottie. So what? What kind of man would let a woman wait for him for several hours. That is hardly a man."

If only she didn't need Deive Hontiveros so badly, she won't allow him to set foot in Villa Celesta. "But why does my heart beat so fast at the sight of him?" she asked Luna as she touched her cat. As if her head would explode when he looked up her way. What was happening to her?

Her long, lustrous hair fell on her face. Then the gray cloud covered the moon. On Deive's arrival, her life was about to change. She must follow her grandfather in the meantime. She would get her hands on Villa Celesta soon.

And Deive Hontiveros would be out of her life.

"THERE are six rooms on the second floor and there's also the attic. Don Leandro has six children. He was the one who built this house and he is Señorita Callea's great grandfather. But after some time, nobody stayed in this house anymore because the family decided to leave someplace else. Others are even abroad. Only Señorita Callea choose to stay here."

Deive gulped as he ascended the grand staircase. Marina was leading him to the second floor to the room that he would stay in. She was like a tourist guide. He bet she could explain the history of each part of the house.

He felt like he was back in 1920s when the mansion was still lively with all the original settlers who lived there. The furniture was also from the olden times. But the place gave him creeps. As if anytime, a head would roll on his feet or a white lady would just show up.

He stopped midway when he saw the painting of a beautiful woman wearing a white ball gown. With all the decorations at the mansion, it was the only thing that caught his attention. It was as if the image was alive. Even the black cat on her lap has intimidating green eyes.

"Who is she?" he asked Marina.

"She is Doña Celesta, the wife of Don Leandro," the woman answered. "She looked a lot like Señorita Callea. Whoever sees her though Doña Celesta went back to life. Unfortunately, she died giving birth to Don Tomasino. They mourned for her. Don Leandro loved her so much and decided not to marry anymore."

He looked away from the painting. He felt Doña Celesta's eyes on him. As if she knew his intentions for her great granddaughter. He felt guilty in a way. The house was built by two people who love each other. The house was a fruit of their love and devotion for each other. While he was there to marry a Lopez for his own interest.

His room was simple yet elegant. A huge fourposter bed dominated the room. There were two old lampshades beside the bed. A replica painting of Francis "Botong" Francisco hangs at the head of the bed. There wasn't much modern furniture even if there's electricity.

"If you want to watch TV, there's an entertainment room downstairs. Don Tomasino preferred that the family will watch TV together or listen to music. So if you want to watch, you do it with Señorita Callea."

He smiled a bit. "No problem. Where is her room?"

"At the end of this hall. But she doesn't want to be bothered especially at night."

Deive nodded and sat on the bed. Great! His room was near to the beautiful woman he was about to marry. Not that he had plans to enter her room without permission. He was not that type of man and he didn't have to force any woman. Well, if Callea wanted to get to his room, that's another thing entirely.

Sleep was starting to lull him. The bed was soft and comfortable. The air was cold and he didn't even need a fan or an air conditioner. He could hear the hymn of night insects as if they were singing him a lullaby. Perhaps it was the dim light from the old silk cocoon lamp that was making him drowsy.

He was usually specific that all of his needs were met whenever he arrived at a new place. But all he did was lean back at the bed's headboard and close his eyes.

"Do you want me to help you with unpacking your things, Sir?" Marina offered.

He flicked his hand while his eyes were still closed. "Let it be. I just want to rest. You may go. Thank you, Marina."

He listened to her footsteps. It was so relaxing. He had never been so at home before. The eerie feeling was gone. He felt better in that room than his own condo or any elegant hotel in the world he had stayed in. Even the ancestral house of the Hontiveros clan in Camarines Sur never gave him this feeling as if strong giving arms were swaying him. He just wanted to sleep.

"Just tell me if you need anything, Sir. There is a rope that you can pull and it will ring in my room. I will attend to you right away."

He opened an eye and smiled at her. "Okay. That would be all. Goodnight!"

"Señorito, whatever you hear during midnight, don't mind it. And don't ever leave this room." Then he heard the door squeak as it closed slowly on her wake. What did she mean by that?

He didn't care about the noise or even the ghosts. The paranormals could party for all he cared. And for the first time, he had a good night's sleep that he never had for years.

Callea's hands were moving swiftly over the paper. She was focused while working on the drawing table with a little lamp as her light. The rest of the room was pitch dark. The night was silent and still. It was midnight. All she could hear were the cicadas singing in the night and the night birds hunting for food.

While Callea was wearing a white night dress. Her straight long black hair flowed down her back. Some strands of her hair was covering her forehead. The strong scent of blood that stained her gown permeated her nose. She was not Callea anymore. She was Althea, an avenging white lady. She was a woman in the 80's, a beautiful nursing student who fell in love with a doctor and got pregnant.

Gathering all her energy, she started sketching the man. Only to end up starting at the gorgeou sketch of Deive Hontiveros, her own fiance.

She snatched her breath. "No!"

She snatched the paper with her sketch, crumpled it and threw it to her cat, Luna. It was playing with the papers that she crumped beforehand. All of it has skecthes of Deive Hontiveros' face.

She dropped her pencil in frustration and looked around the room. She pulled her hair and groaned. "Why does he keep on popping up on my drawings? I don't even like him. I don't like him."

Callea was a graphic novelist for horror stories. She preferred writing at night where she was usually on the mood. As if the darkness was colluding with her, its secretive and mysterious energy allowed ideas to flow inside her head. It made her feel sane, her normal self. But for that specific night, she was not herself. As if she was insane and the night couldn't deliver the inspiration she needed.

Usually, being in character sets her in the mood. She was particularly bothered tonight. After viewing Deive from afar, her story was in a disarray. She couldn't focus on her work. The full moon was not effective anymore and her costume didn't add an ounce of motivation to her.

"What's missing?" Callea asked the skeleton couple standing on both sides of her desk. The two didn't give her an answer. She got up from her desk and sat in front of her cat Luna that was busy playing with her balls of scratch paper. "Luna, why am I still thinking about Deive?" She put her palm on her cheek. Her heart was beating like crazy when she thought about his handsome face. "Why is my heart racing with the thought of him. What's wrong with me?"

She had always been in control and she never had this kind of reaction to a human before. She was excited yet scared at the same time. She was more interested in anything gross, creepy, scary, and grotesque. Those things helped her form her stories. Her fans loved it in return.

Deive was far from gross, creepy, scary, and grotesque. He was more of a Prince Charming on a fairy tale. She hated fairy tales with a lovely princess and a handsome prince. Those are the things she was hiding and running away from. And she won't fall for that fairy tale trap or crap.

She felt safer in the world of darkness. Because she learned that sometimes, Prince Charmings could be monsters.

So, how could she overcome this awesome obstacle?

An idea clicked inside her head. "I know just what to do, Luna. Let's play the piano."

Her cat was restless when she lifted it out of the room. She promised Marina that she won't leave her room wearing one of her costumes, won't play the piano, and won't bother anyone of the night.

But she won't be at peace if she couldn't feel the piano keys under her fingers. She needed the music to set her in the mood. She won't' be able to write at all if she won't play music tonight. It was her only chance so she could focus on her story and get her back on track.

Luna meowed in protest and tried to scratch her skin she would let it go. But she kept a tight hold on the poor cat and shushed it. "Shhhhh! Be quiet, Luna. Just let me play. Just one piece and it will be over."

With the help of the moonlight, she carefully tiptoed down the living room where the grand piano was. She felt excitement course through her veins as she lifted the lid of the piano. The moment she sat down on the piano bench, the old grandfather clock chime, and the sound resonated at the whole mansion.

It was twelve o'clock at midnight.

A smile curved on her lips. "Perfect!"

DEIVE woke up to the booming sound of the old grandfather clock. It was deafening in the silence of the night. In horror films, it served as a warning that nocturnal and scary creatures are out to roam at night from a white lady, a beheaded priest, cutoff arms that had a life of its own, and many more.

He took off his shirt then laid facedown on the bed. He didn't give a freakin' fck if those creatures wanted to scare people. He just wanted to go back to Dreamland. He was so tired and the horror stuff were the last thing he wanted to worry about.

The cold of the night was starting to lull him back to sleep when he heart the sound of the piano. He let it pass at first on the first new notes. Maybe it was just his imagination. Who would dare play piano in the middle of the night?

After a few moments, the note formed a piece of melancholic music yet hairraising music. He suddenly jolts awake. He couldn't sleep at all. That song kept on ringing inside his head.

"I'll be damned!" he uttered and felt goosebumps form all over his body. He remembered the horror film he watched as a kid where a severed bloody hand was playing the piano in the middle of the night.

He remembered the stories a while ago at the store along the road. Villa Celesta was haunted. Not even the bravest could stay there for long.

He stood up and took the flashlight on the bedside table. He mustered all his courage. He didn't believe in ghosts. And he would prove that there were no such silly things. It was just formed by wild imaginations. If Callea and Marina who were both women could stay in the house and were not frightened at all, then he could do it as well. He was a man. A real man. He was not scared. He could face everything. He won't be defeated by ghosts... if there was any.

He slowly walked the quiet and dark hallway of the mansion. He didn't bother with the slipper because it might squeak and create noise. The wood was cold under his feet. Maybe the music was coming from the entertainment room. According to Marina, there was a television set and a modern sound system inside that room. He must give credit to the entertainment system then. It was like listening to a piano concerto. Right. Maybe it was Callea's lullaby.

He calmed a bit with the thought. Perhaps he would buy her a music pod so only she could listen to her music. It won't bother him anymore whenever she wanted to play her unearthly playlist during midnight. It almost turned his experience into a horror fright night.

Right. It was just some silly entertainment system music. Maybe he would just lower the volume. If Callea was fast asleep, perhaps she won't mind.

He was near the stairs when the music stopped. Holding the banister, he saw a woman with long hair and wearing a white nightdress walking out of the mansion.

He moved down the stairs with. Did he really saw that woman or it was just an imagination? The piano's lid was open. The bench was a bit far from the piano itself as if someone sat there and played the music.

"Luna! Luna!" called the woman with a melodious voice.

His eyes strayed to the open door. The woman's voice was coming from the garden. He stepped towards the door.

According to Marina, he must not pay heed to whatever he hears. It means he knew about the mystery in the house. His resolve became stronger. He must discover that mystery. He was already here. He had no plans to turn back.

As he stepped outside, he was faced by the looming shadow of what seemed like a menacing creature, guarding the night and ready to attack him and eat him whole. He stepped back and held his pounding chest. He nearly ran back inside while screaming the house down. But he calmed down when he realized that it was just a huge old tree. The head of the tree with the hollow of the branches made it look like a monster. The extended branched made it look like its extended arms.

"It is just a tree," Deive breathed. Just a harmless tree. Of course, what would an innocent tree do to hurt him? He was safe.

He heard the woman's voice again. "Luna, where are you? Please come back. Don't hide from me." It sounded like she was worried and about to cry.

He made a few steps and saw a woman. It was the same woman wearing the white gown awhile ago. She was standing under the tree.

He walked in her direction. His head was telling him to turn tail and go back to the safety of his room. But her voice was beckoning him to come closer and there was nothing he could do about it.

She looked vulnerable while the wind was blowing her dress and her long straight hair. Her cries resonated through the night. It looked like the cold of the night didn't bother her a bit with her thin nightdress. The moonlight bathed her body as if it was comforting her. How he envied the moon.

It was like a fairy tale. He had never met someone like her before who arouse his curiosity right away. Perhaps he felt the sadness and worry in her voice. He hated to see a woman cry.

He stopped just a few steps away from her. "Miss, are you okay?"

Deive heard her breath hitch. She hid behind the tree right away. Did he frighten her? Did she think that he was a bad guy? Then he remembered that he was only wearing his pajama and none on top. He was in a hurry to check the music a while ago and he forgot to dress up.

He scratched his head. This was the first time that a woman got scared of him. He was used to women fawning over him, ready to devour him in his halfnaked state. And they couldn't get their hands off him.

He tried to explain. "Miss, wait. No need to be scared. I am not a bad guy. Just tell me if I can help you with anything. Who is Luna? Who are you looking for?"

And who was this woman? Maybe there were other people in the house aside from Marina and Callea. They just didn't inform him so it won't bother him.

He heard a purring sound. "Luna!" the woman exclaimed in glee. She followed the sound of the cat and pick it up from between the bushes. "You shouldn't have run away. What if someone takes you away from me? You got me so worried."

He hated cats but he wanted to see the smile on her face. He followed her. When she heard her footsteps, she stood up and hid behind the other side of the tree. She was deliberately avoiding him.

"Miss, I won't get mad at you even if you bring a cat or whatever. Don't be scared."

"What are you doing here?" she seethed in a menacing voice.

He walked a bit towards her. "I heard someone playing the piano so I decided to check it out. Were you the one playing the piano? If you want to keep it a secret, I won't tell." Of course, the rich don't allow their helpers to use their expensive properties unless to clean it perhaps. But for a helper, she was really a great player.

The mysterious woman didn't answer. She just kept her head down. Her long hair hid her face while holding her cat. He couldn't see her face because the cloud suddenly covered the bright moon and cast its shadow. Maybe she was really scared because she didn't expect that he would see her. Maybe cats were not allowed in the mansion but she decided to keep it.

"I am Deive. I am a visitor here. You and your pet are safe with me," he reassured. How about you? What's your name?" he asked.

"You shouldn't have come here!" Her voice was full of venom and warning. As if coming there was the worst decision ever. And he didn't know why.

The wind blew once more and sent chills to his spine. The moon was released from its temporary shade and cast its light once more to the woman. She could feel the woman's penetrating gaze on her despite the bunch of hair all over her face.

But he couldn't care about her face right now. The view in front of his was ghastly. He was totally horrified when he saw the blood stains in front of her white nightdress. Blood. Bloody hell!

There were blood on her sleeves and the hem of her dress. But there was a lot of stain on her abdomen. As if someone stabbed her or abused her. A victim of a henious crime.

He was stunned, his feet were planted on the ground. His brain was screaming with fear until this head hurt but there was no voice coming out of his mouth. He was as still as a statue in utter shock.

This was no ordinary human. She was a ghost. A bad spirit. She didn't belong in this world anymore. Ghosts were real.

He felt like he was in a bad a dream and he couldn't find a way to go back to reality. The girl whom he thought was beautiful and mysterious was replaced by a nightimare. A real nightmare.

If this white lady would grab him and suck the life force out of him, he won't be able to move. And there was nothing he could do to fight her except pray. He didn't even know what prayer to recite to save himself. He was numb and his mind was not functioning at all. He was doomed.

The cat screeched at him. Dagger looks were thrown his way, ready to protect its master. His breath hitched. The other eye was mutilated. An equally menacing creating. It jumped out of the woman's arm straight to him. His reflex was not working and he felt its claws bury on the skin of his chest.

"Ahhh!" he shouted and pried the cat off his chest. He really hated cats but now he hated them tenfolds specially this hellcat. But no matter how much he wanted to keep it away from his body, it kept on scratching him. He couldn't believe that he was overpowered by a mere cat.

But this is no ordinary cat. It is a ghost. How can I fight a ghost?

"Luna, stop it!" the woman repimanded its cat.

The cat suddenly stopped attacking him. It jumped out of his arms and scurried back to its master. He seethed in pain as he felt his wounds smarting. He balled his fist and breathed heavily. Once he gets his hands on that cat, he would choke the life out of it.

"Luna hurt you?" the woman asked in a concern voice and lifted her head. "Do you want me to treat you?" She started walking towards him.

He shook his head and stepped back. "No. Please don't come near me.!" But the white lady kept on walking at extended her hand. "No! Go away away! Scram back to where the hell you came from. Go with the light and have a peaceful life. You and your cat."

He remembered the stories about souls of the dead who thought they are still alive and couldn't accept their untimely death. Some were also looking for justice on their deaths. Most of them were victims of crime. And because of their grief, they also take the lives of living people in the after life to join their misey.

Drat! He still wanted to live longer. He still has dreams. He wanted to see his pirate cruise ship sail the sea and turn them into fleet. He still has a woman waiting for him to marry her.

If the heavens would punish him for appreciating beautiful woman and tasting the goods, hopefully not this way. A bloody white lady with a hellcat was definitely the last on his list. And it was something that he won't wish on his worst enemy.

The white lady held her hand up as if she was trying to stop her. "Don't move! On your back..."

"I told you don't come near me, you evil spirit!"

He retreated and didn't heed her warning. He yelled when he realized that he was walking on air. He lost his balance and plunged into the depths of cold, freezing water. Is he gonna die?

DEIVE stomped his feet as he went up the grand staircase. He didn't care if the carpet and the shiny wooden floor were wet due to water dripping his body. He was pissed off... big time!

He looked stupid swimming in the pool on a cold, dark night. He had to haul himself out of the pool and good thing he was a good swimmer and the pool has water. That was a close call. He was nearly killed.

Now he looked like a wet chicken. His pajama bottom was soaking wet and plastered on his body. He was trembling because he didn't have an upper garment on. He had never been so humiliated in his life! All because of a bloody white lady and its ugly cat.

When he entered the mansion, there were no signs of a human being around. No sign of anything. Things were back to normal. There was no light on the giant chandelier. The door to the garden was closed. The piano's lid was closed and the bench was back to its previous position as if no one used it. The place was really haunted.

"Is that really fair? That ugly cat scratched me. What if it's my face?" His blood was boiling as he reached the second floor of the mansion. He hoped that no one would see him like this. He had no face to show to Marina and Callea. And maybe they would laugh at him if he tells them that he lost a fight with a oneeyed cat.

It was just a ghost after all. Or maybe they will think that he had gone loco. Would a woman marry a scared cat like him?

He didn't deserve to be humiliated like this!

Someday he would be a part of the Lopez family. The spooky ghosts should be familiar with him because will be the future owner of the mansion, who held the title of residence. While they were just squatters there.

With sharp eyes, he glanced around. Waiting for the ugly cat to come out. If there are other cats in that House, he will make sure they can't roam around while he was there. He needed to keep them away from his sight.

He was irritated as he entered his room and closed the door. He immediately headed to the shower room. And least they have a hot and cold shower. He felt great when hot water flowed on his body. Somehow he felt the flow of blood in his body that apparently froze up when he saw the woman.

"No! I'm not afraid of ghosts! There are no ghosts! "he repeatedly said. What he had seen earlier was only a figment of his imagination. A bad dream.

He rubbed his body with the towel, moved out of the bathroom, and wrapped himself in a towel robe. When he appeared before the mirror is the marks from the cat's claws were visible on his tanned skin. He could still feel its clothes digging.

He was not afraid. Never before had he seen such creatures. Who wouldn't be surprised? He was not afraid. He was surprised. What he hated about the whole experience was the cat. The cat ruined his life.

He jolted when he heard three knocks on the door. For a while, he said nothing. There was an old belief that if there were three knocks on the door, it could be a ghost knocking at the door. Fuck! His heart was beating erratically. Does this night of horror won't end?

"Deive? Deive, you awake? "

He stepped back from the door upon hearing the voice of the woman outside of his bedroom. He sat on the bed and grabbing the bedcover. "WWho are you? What do you need? "

She knows his name. That was dangerous. He said a prayer. He had never prayed so hard in his life. He could handle the white lady. Even if it was a ghoul, he believed he could still charm it. It was just a woman just the same. Of course, he could allure her not to take his soul with her to the afterlife.

"This is Callea."

His eyebrows meet. Would he dare believe it? And the ghost had the temerity to pretend as the woman he would marry. "Really?"

He heard a sexy laugh. "What really? Is there a problem? I heard something crashed from your room. There are wet spots on the floor of the hallways. So I decided to check if you're okay.

Maybe it was really Callea. His fear lessened so he walked towards the door and pressed his cheek to the wooden door. So, the ghost used Callea's voice to entice him. If he would just the situation by voice alone, he might soon marry Callea.

"I was swimming earlier in the pool because it was hot. " He sighed deeply and sneezing. Then he remembered that he almost had hypothermia because he didn't get inside the house and took his hot shower right away.

"It is cold outside and you went swimming?" she asked with a laugh. "Can you open the door? I want to check if you are okay. "

"NNo! I am not decent at the moment. "

If it was another time, maybe he would take a chance on facing her. But he was not in a tiptop shape. He didn't want to meet any woman because of low morale.

How could he face before the woman would marry? The white lady and evil cat scarred him for life.

"Do you want a brewed coffee or tea?" Callea offered.

"Thank you. Don't mind me. I am fine. I will be okay tomorrow morning. I am used to swimming at night." He was not only prepared for impromptu swimming in pajamas and the appearance of ghosts around.

"You sleep well." He must also protect, Callea.

"Okay. If there's an emergency or you are hurt, just check the first aid kit cabinet. There's an ointment for wounds and there. everything else. Or you can ring the bell so Marina will help you out. Goodnight, " she sweetly said.

A smile formed on his lips. What a caring woman. She knew what he wanted even if he didn't ask. She was perfection!

Her lovely voice kept on ringing in his ears. If that was the wonderful voice that he would hear every day, his future wouldn't be bad at all. The smile was gone on his lips. The voice also is owned by the white lady.

Should he tell Callea what's going on in her mansion?

"NO!" he uttered emphatically and closed his eye. It was just a bad dream. If ghosts appear in the future, he would be ready. Nothing no one would terrify him anymore. He was brave. BRAVE!

CALLEA kept on singing while cooking in the kitchen. She grated the cheese on the ham and chicken omelet. She glanced at the fresh fruit on the table. What would Deive prefer Mandarin orange or mango shake?

Even Marina was surprised when she entered the kitchen while rubbing her sleepy eyes. "O! Why are you cooking? I told you that I will cook for you. "

Callea just smiled and folded the omelet in half using a wok shovel. "You're tired yesterday for helping me. It's okay if you return to bed and sleep longer. You can leave the kitchen to me and I won't burn the house."

"I will take care of that. I cook for the handsome visitor." She pointed her pouted lips upward, to refer to Deive who was still sleeping in the guest room. "The man you will marry is so handsome! He said that he caught traffic so he was delayed."

With a raised eyebrow, she asked, "Really? Traffic?"

But she could not help but smile. Marina was obviously feeling giddy with Deive's presence. Callea thought her friend didn't appreciate handsome men. She was hurt before, loathed by people, avoided like a plague. It meant the Deive treated her well. And she looked hurt if she won't let her friend cook for Deive.

Her friend's loyalty was changed overnight. Marina was now Team Deive.

"Señorita Callea, don't be angry with me. I know you don't like him. You felt like he thinks you are less important when he didn't arrive on time. But I could feel that he was a good man," she defended Deive. "So if you don't want to cook for him, I will handle it."

She secretly smiled and took out the omelet from the pan. "Don't worry. I made my Deive. "

She gaped at her in disbelief. "Why?"

"And why not?" she asked and laid the omelet on the table along with other food she cooked earlier. "He is a visitor here so it is natural to prepare food for.

"It means you're not mad at him though almost cursed him and nearly use authentic voodoo cult dolls in the collection because he wasted all the food you have prepared for him? That wasted all day for his arrival?"

Deive pissed her off last night. He made her look like a fool. According to Grandpa Tomasino, the guy was known for his punctuality. Yet he was too early for the next day. He promised to arrive at eight in the evening but he arrived at eleven o'clock last night. They already cleaned the table at ten o'clock.

Her grandfather would surely get mad at him once he finds out that he didn't arrive on time. She didn't want to have a crack in the relationship of his grandfather and the grandfather of Deive if she squealed the guy's shortcoming so she did not tell.

"But he still arrived, right?"

Actually, she was the one who must make ammends with him. She didn't expect that Deive would wake up to the sound of the granfather's clock or the music from the piano when she played it. She was looking for Luna in the garden when he suddenly appeared out of nowhere. While she was surprised by his unwelcomed presence, he was more shocked to see her in the white lady costume.

And to make matters worse, Luna who was angry at men attacked him with her claws. Now, Deive was the victim. And on his attempt to get away from Luna, he didn't see the pool on his back and fell in it.

She took advantage of the opportunity to return home. She was guilty because she was not able to help him out. She also can not admit that she was Callea. He would certainly run out of the mansion in the middle of the night and never return again. Who would take a bride like her? And once he withdraws from their wedding arrangement, she would lose the opportunity to get the Villa Celesta as her own.

So as a peace offering, she decided to cook for him.

"And where did you get that dress you?" Marina asked in reference to the peach dress that she was wearing. "It is too dazzling. The color is too light."

"From my grandma's old treasure chest." It was a gift from her cousin, Lee during her previous birthday. Her relatives preferred for her to wear pastel clothing colors to highlight her beauty. But instead, she preferred to wear darkcolored regular that gave her a gloomy image.

Well, she loved the gloomy atmosphere. It was her life.

But for Deive, she would set aside her dark image even for a few days. It is key to have her mansion.

"You're not itching on that dress?" Marina asked.

"I can tolerate it." However, she would dissolve in a couple of hours wearing that dress. She was not a fan of fun colors.

"I am sure that Sir Deive will find you beautiful. Of course, your face is not covered by your veil of hair this time so would see your beauty." Marina clasped her hands. "You will really look good together."

She simply parted her bangs to cover a part of her face. "Don't say I'm beautiful! No!" Callea complained vehemently.

Marina turned pale. She must be surprised because he rarely raised her voice. "Calm down. II am sorry. I will check on, Señorito Deive, if he is awake now."

Callea's lips were tightly pressed together when Marina left. She set the table for the breakfast that she was about shared with Deive.

She didn't want to be beautiful. She didn't want to be called beautiful.

She must calm herself. She must not be affected by this. When in front of Deive, she needed to be like a normal woman.

A few minutes later Marina returned. "He said couldn't get down for breakfast because he wants to sleep some more. But I think he is feeling bad. When he opened the door, he kept on sneezing. His eyes and nose were swollen. I guess he did not sleep well. I will send him food," her friend said and took the tray to put some food for Deive.

"He is sick?" Callea softly asked.

Of course, he was sick. He fell on the pool last night. The night was biting cold and the wind made it worse. He looked like a wet chick who walked the garden back to the mansion wearing his pajama bottom only. It was her fault and Luna's as well. She needed to take responsibility.

She took the cold remedy from the medicine cabinet and placed it in the tray then lifted it. "I will take the breakfast to him."

Marina's jaw dropped as she followed her movements "You will bring him food? I thought you don't want to see him.

"It is about time that I meet my future groom."