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I stood nervously at the kitchen of my own condo as Nico held in his hand the note I left – saying that I just went out to buy some groceries for breakfast – and the picture of the handwritten letter by Steven A.K. on the signed book in his phone.
“How come the hand writings are completely the same…?” Nico asked slowly. “Don’t tell me, the letter and the autograph by Steven A.K. were fake. Did you just write them to make me happy?”
It seems that there’s no use in running away anymore. It’s not like I was expecting to hide my secret forever. I just never expected it to be revealed in that way.
“Why do you even have a picture of that in your phone?” I asked nervously as I looked away, trying to avoid the subject.
“Even without the picture, I can recognize the handwriting, because I read that message on the book hundreds of times.” Nico said. “Is that letter fake? Did it not really came from Steven A.K.? Tell me, Drew, I won’t get angry. If you did that to make me happy, then I’m really thankful, because you care that much for me.”
“That letter and that autograph is the real deal,” I admitted nervously. My heart was pounding at that moment. I guess it was the perfect time to reveal everything to Nico. After all, hiding things from him was making me feel really bad.
“What are saying? The letter and autograph by Steven A.K. are real? Your handwriting and his can’t be totally the same…”
“Nico, I think you already know what I mean,” I told Nico. “Follow me, I need to show something.” I opened the locked door that Nico hadn’t entered yet. My writing room.
I opened the door and it revealed a quite messy space. It had a desktop computer, a glass panel where I write my ideas, and on the desk were handwritten drafts of stories. There was also a bookshelf containing the first copies of every book I published, both paperback and hard cover.
“Then you’re really…” Nico trailed off.
“Nico, I’m sorry if I kept this a secret from you, I’m sorry for only telling you this now. I’m Steven A.K.” I must say, finally telling that to Nico felt really relieving.
“This is unbelievable…” Nico said. I couldn’t quite make out what his reaction was. Was he simply surprised? Was he mad? I had no idea. “I mean… All this time… I can’t believe this…”
“I’m really sorry for hiding it form you,” I was really scared that Nico might be angry at me at that moment. What if he gets offended by me hiding that fact from him? What would I do then? What could I do to make him understand?
“Why do you keep on saying sorry? This is amazing. My boyfriend is Steven A.K. I mean, wow! Am I the luckiest man or what?” Nico sounded very excited. I almost forgot how big of fan of Steven A.K. Nico was.
“You’re not angry?” It was my turn to be confused.
“Why would I be angry? I understand why you kept it a secret, I mean, I know how much you hate being in the spotlight, but I’m really happy that you trust me enough to share this secret with me. And quite frankly, I’m really excited about all this. I mean, you’re Steven A.K.” He said and then placed his hand on my shoulders. “Wow… I just realized, I’ve been sleeping with Steven A.K. all this time,” he said with a grin.
“Hey. Are you a pervert?” I asked sarcastically.
“My boyfriend is Steven A.K,” Nico said with a smile. “Wow…” He laughed. “This is great, really amazing…”
“Hey…” I complained. “Why do I feel like you’re happier now that you know that your boyfriend is Steven A.K. than when I first said that I love you?”
“That’s not true…” Nico said defensively.
“How come I can’t really believe that?” I asked sarcastically. I frowned and pouted at Nico. “Why do I feel that you like Steven A.K. more?”
“How can that be? You’re Steven A.K. Sure, I love Steven A.K.’s stories, your stories, but I love Kyle Andrew Stevenson for who he is. I love your voice, your lips, your eyes, your heart, your wit, your soul, I love your everything. And now that I know that you are Steven A.K. my love for you only grew bigger and stronger,” Nico said and then held my hand tightly.
I smiled at Nico. “You know, its because you keep saying those kinds of things that I find myself falling deeper and deeper in love with you each morning I wake up,” I told Nico coyly. His face blushed red to my satisfaction. “I love you, my Director,” I said as I pulled Nico closer and then gave him a kiss on the lips.
Nico’s cheeks became even redder, and he looked really happy. I was about to walk away and go back to the kitchen, but Nico pulled me back on his arms. He wrapped his arms around my waist as he looked down sweetly at me. “You can’t run away that easily,” he said and then planted another kiss on my lips.
The kiss was more passionate, more heated, more intoxicating. It was a very lengthy kiss, it felt like it would never end at all. “Hey… what about breakfast…?” I asked as I got the opportunity to break away from Nico.
“You’re my breakfast,” Nico replied haughtily. “It seems that I’m always craving for more of you. I just can’t get enough…” Nico said and then leaned closer for another session of passionate kissing.
After what it seems an eternity of kissing, Nico finally let me go. As always, as I cooked breakfast, Nico was behind me, with his arms around my waist and his head hovering above my shoulders. He would rest his head on my shoulder from time to time but I would complain that he’s heavy.
Over breakfast, I told Nico about the contract I signed with Liam. I also told him the plan for me to get my stories back. I was hoping that, by knowing the whole truth, his strong dislike for Liam would lessen. It seems that it had an opposite effect though.
“So he’s helping to get your stories back. That’s great. That’s really kind of him. I still see no reason why he should get so close to you, though. And the way he looks at you? I don’t like it at all.”
“Nico, Liam is a good guy. Besides, even if he looks at me the way you say he does, it doesn’t mean that I would look at him the same way. I only have eyes for you, after all.”
Nico smiled proudly after hearing what I said. “As it should be,” he said proudly. “But… you still should be careful around him.”
I sighed. “Why do you keep saying that? I’m pretty sure Liam only sees me as a friend.”
“That is exactly why I being extra protective of you, why I am being extra jealous, because you’re always so accommodating, so friendly, and so oblivious to the way people around you thinks of you. He obviously likes you, and yet you seem so clueless about it. If I don’t look out for you, then you would be devoured like a defenseless sheep,” Nico said impatiently.
Honestly, I think Nico was overreacting at that moment, but I didn’t protest even further, because if I did, then he would just get mad and get even more protective. He is stubborn like that.
Things went fast the following week. The Sylvia succumbed to the pressure and gave in to our demands, and struck a deal with Liam and me. She would hold a press conference to give me back my stories, and after that we will transfer the ten percent shares to her name.
Sylvia lived up to her name. She did held a press conference, she did admit that Victor Cox’s stories were plagiarized, but in a true Robinsons fashion, she wiped her and her daughter’s hands clean of the blame. In her own words; “We just recently found out that the six novels published by author, Victor Cox, was in fact plagiarized stories. Those stories came from a journal owned by a certain man that wants to remain anonymous. Right now, we are pursuing to correct the mistakes done by this issue. We would pull out the books form bookstore and would effectively terminate our contract with Mr. Cox.”
I did get my journal back, I did get my stories back, but the way that the Robinsons returned it, the way they easily washed their hands of the fault, it simply infuriates me.
Having the journal back with me was enough for me. I don’t care about the Robinsons anymore. They could deny stealing my stories all they want, what is important to me is that I got my beloved stories back. After many years, I could finally move on, I could finally remove the Robinsons from my life, once and for all.
“Are you satisfied with that?” Nico asked me when I got the journal back. “I mean, is it alright with you that Sylvia is claiming that they had nothing to do with the plagiarism?”
“They could deny everything, if they want to, it wouldn’t change anything. Besides, I want to move forward, I want to forget about them. Now that I have my stories back, I can focus on more important things; my friends, my family, my novels, movie production, and the most important one of all, you.” I looked at Nico and smiled at him.
Nico smiled back at me and then took my hand. “If that’s what you really want…”
Karma had its own plans for the Robinsons.
Victor Cox didn’t stay mute about the issue and finally released a statement. He revealed that it was Natalia Robinsons who first approached him with the journal, saying that it could help him boost his career. He also revealed that it was Natalia that suggests that he use the stories in the journal and make a novel out of them.
The Robinsons were fully aware that the stories were not originally his, in fact they’re the ones who held onto the journal and only, for assurance, Victor Cox said.
The story became sensational, and people started looking for the owner of the journal. I guess the Robinsons were afraid that it might do more damage to them if the press find out about me, so they kept my identity well hidden, a thing I very much liked.
I was still mustering up courage to tell my friends and family about the whole thing, so in the meantime, it was only Nico who knew what I was going through at that moment.
Victor Cox and Crown Robins Publishing exchanged allegations against each other. It was a total mess that didn’t work out well for the both of them.
With all the mess that Crown Robins Publishing was going through, Sapphire Pages took advantage of the situation and launched a head on offense on their marketing. In just a few days, sales of Sapphire Pages went off the roof and they easily secured the top.
Crown Robinsons didn’t go down, though. The Robinsons had very deep pocket that they could employ anyone to rectify the situation, and they did, but the scandal had a long lasting effect on their company. Investors dwindled and backed out, and their goal of attaining a printing company vanished into thin air.
Most of the stock holders blamed the Robinsons, but they couldn’t do anything since after getting the additional ten percent of shares from Liam, the Robinsons had more than fifty percent of the shares, and no one could do anything against them. Well, not that easily.
From what I heard, an internal strife was happening inside the Crown Robins, and the primary goal was to take down the Robinsons. Not that it was any concern of mine anymore.
If there’s one person who was greatly affected, it was Victor Cox. His career went down the drain, and he had no one to blame but himself. A thief can never succeed in the world of writing.
One thing I didn’t foresee, though, was that Victor’s fate was greatly tied to mine and Nico’s, because it was in his despair that he turned my wheel of fate around. And once I was about to meet Fate.
It was by the end of that week, and Nico and I had plans for the night. He was in the office that night for a production meeting for the movie, which was progressing smoothly. “What do you want to eat tonight?” Nico asked as we walked towards the elevator, with our hands intertwined.
“Mmmm… Pizza and pasta,” I said with a small smile. “I know a great place, but it’s always packed with people, they might recognize us, is that alright with you?”
“What are you talking about? That sounds perfect! That way I could show you off to them,” Nico said proudly and seriously.
I chuckled at Nico’s enthusiasm.
The elevator stopped and we walked out to the parking floor of the building. It was quiet when we were walking towards Nico’s car, but before we reached it, the sound of an engine revving up echoed. Everything seemed pretty normal, nothing out of the ordinary. I had no worries at that time, if anything, I was actually overjoyed, because finally, I could be with the man I love, peacefully and openly.
Suddenly, the headlights of the recently revved up car blinded both Nico and myself. I should’ve been suspicious right at that moment, but I was too naïve. Before I know it, the car was racing towards the two of us, and Nico suddenly pushed me away.
I knew what was about to happen next. Nico saved me and sacrificed himself, and if that car hit him, then… then…
“My… My…” Suddenly a voice of a young girl echoed in the parking.
“It seems that you two really have bad luck when it comes to cars,” the voice of a young boy followed up.
“It seems that this time he’s the one who saved your life.” A voice of a more mature woman said.
As those three voices spoke, I realized that everything around me froze, including Nico. The car was just inches away from hitting him and I could see that a man was behind the wheels, but it wasn’t moving at all.
Slowly, water started appearing out of nowhere and flooding the whole floor.
“Finally, we’ve come to this point,” the young female said.
“The grand finale,” the young male added.
“Your destiny,” the mature woman concluded.
I was very confused at that moment, I kept on looking around but I couldn’t see where the voices were coming from. I don’t what was stranger, the fact that something very impossible was happening right in front of my eyes, or the fact that I was getting used to it really fast.
Somehow, I felt like it had happened before. I should’ve been scared, fazed, but I wasn’t. Not at all.
“What is happening? Who are you? Why is this happening? Are you the ones responsible for the visions I kept on seeing? Explain.” I demanded.
“He’s changed,” the younger female said.
“That’s true,” the young boy said.
“He’s braver now,” the matured woman said.
“Everything in this world has its own perfect timing,” the young female said.
“And when that timing is disrupted, a toll, a consequence must be paid,” the young boy said.
“In your case, that toll is life,” the mature woman said.
“We usually don’t mingle,” the younger female said.
“But it is our fault to begin with,” the young male added.
“So, we decided to make things right and give you a second chance,” the mature woman concluded.
“Now that your meeting is in accordance to the world’s perfect timing,” the younger female said.
“Your tie can finally be repaired,” the young male said.
“There’s only one thing left to do,” the mature woman added.
“I don’t care about what you’re talking about. If you can do this kind of thing, then surely you can save Nico,” I insisted.
“Of course,” the young female said.
“We can save him indeed,” the young male said.
“But… a life must be repaid by another life,” the more mature woman said.
Hearing those words gave me hope. There’s a chance for Nico to be saved, and I won’t let that chance fly away. “Take half of mine,” I said resolutely.
“Half? Why half? Aren’t you willing to give your life for him?” All three said in unison.
“Giving up my life in exchange for his is useless. Nico would only be swallowed up in despair that way. A life filled with sorrow is no life at all. Besides, a life without each other, without the one you greatly love, no one wants that kind of life. So, take half of mine, so Nico and I can be together, even just by a little bit longer,” I said.
“Very well then. If you’re willing to give half of your life to the man you truly love, then who are we to deny?” the young female said.
“From this moment on, your life would be tied with his. In the same manner, the tie you two had that was broken can finally be repaired by linking your lives together,” The young male said.
“One love. One life. One fate. That’s the new bond that would tie you together,” the mature female said. “In order to repair the tie, we told you to love all over again. And you did, and your love seemed to be greater than before.”
“Everything begun that fateful night when Fate had taken a liking to you,” the three said in unison. “But unlike the others, Fate had also saved you from being spirited away. You were taken out of your time, out of your reality, and thus a rift was made. Your tie with your beloved was broken by meeting him too early. And the only way to repair everything was if we intervened, but we can’t do that easily, we have to find out how deep, how true, and how far your love for each other is. Now we have the answer, and now we’re returning you to your own life, a life where you can be freely and happily be with each other,” they said.
There was a pause before the young female spoke again. “And as an apology for causing you all this trouble, I have a little gift for you once you return,” she said before a bright light blinded me.
The next thing I know, I was lying on a bed inside an unfamiliar room. The whole room was white, and being surrounded by that color was making me really depress for some reason. My head was aching, it felt like something was continuously drilling a hole inside of it.
I tried moving, but my whole body felt weak. I noticed, though, that there were many tubes and apparatus attached to me. The most noticeable thing was the respirator on my mouth.
I don’t know what’s weirder and more confusing; the situation I was in at that moment, or the fact that I can remember two sets of memories, memories of two different lives.
On one memory, I can remember meeting Nico the very first time at my home town, where he almost drowned, I saved him there, stole a kiss, and instantly fell in love. I ran away from him, but then a few months later, after Mom and I moved to the city, I met Nico again at the very same school I was attending. Then slowly we got closer, and then we fell in love.
On the other memory, Nico and I were older, and we met during a production meeting of a movie. We had a rocky start, but after bringing him home a few times after passing out drunk, Nico and I started to become friends, we got closer and closer and then yet again, we fell in love.
Both felt real and yet dreamlike. It seems that I couldn’t distinguish what was real or what was not at all. I was so disoriented at that time, but judging by my current situation, I realized that I was in my first life.
I was living in the reality where Nico and I met during our teenage years. And being in that critical condition in the hospital, it means that the car accident already happened, and somehow I miraculously survived.
What about Nico?
Nico was with me in that car, we were both hit very hard. What happened to him? Is he alright? I kept on thinking about Nico and my heart started pounding really hard. I was nervous, I was scared, and I was really worried for him.
That time I couldn’t think of anything else. All I could think about was Nico. I wanted to rise up and look for him, but my body wouldn’t cooperate with me at all. I can’t move at all.
I heard someone enter the room. “Drew!” It was my Mom’s voice.
I heard her footsteps as she hurried to my bedside. “Daniel! Our son is awake!” Mom shouted and leaned over to my bed and then embraced me lightly. She was crying, I could feel her tears falling into my arms.
I wanted to hug her back, but my arms wouldn’t move at all.
The next thing I knew, Dad was in the room, crying as well.
I lost consciousness once again after that, but I know I would wake up again, I could feel it.
As I slumbered, I entered into a dream world.
I was in a field of white lilies, and at the far end was Nico. I started running towards him and he looked back at me. “Drew,” Nico said with a smile.
I reached him and then instantly embraced him tightly.
The last thing I can remember was Nico saying. “It’s time to go back, Drew. I’ll be waiting for you.”
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