Zoey p. o. v
It’s been two days now, two long days since the supposed death of Marco. Today also happen to be the funeral, they’re fucking holding a funeral for Marco.
This is becoming too real to reject, why am I the only one still in doubt?
I had to be here, even though I didn’t want to. I haven’t accepted the fact that Marco is gone The funeral is being held at the back of the mansion.
For some reason, he wasn’t buried in a cemetery, rather their family has a big tombstone territory. It was like an ancestral burial ground, all their past members were buried there and Marco will not be exempted.
It wasn’t weird to be until I felt some certain way, I couldn’t place a finger on how I was feeling. In the mixture, I felt a bit of reassurance- of what?
I sat down, just watching the whole process. The invites were close relatives of the Alfonso family and important associates, they came to me one after the other giving out their condolences, but I couldn’t bring myself to cry again.
“Zoey, are you alright.” It was my mom, she has being with me since the news of Marco’s death. Her comforting hand squeezes my shoulder tenderly, her concern gaze never strays away from me, not for a second.
“We are here for you, darling.” Dad said, he is sitting beside me too.
I couldn’t reply, the least response I could give them was a simple nod. I felt numb, and even my brain was frozen.
My gaze went over to Marco’s Dad, I haven’t seen him since the news. Right now, he doesn’t have his usual Stoic expression, his pain was evident in his eyes. His wife curled up against him, sobbing bitterly.
For the first time since I’ve known the Alfonso family, they were shaken. Now, gazing at the Alfonso’s family in great pain, a pang of guilt hit me and I couldn’t help but ask myself; why wasn’t I feeling the same level of grief? Was I really in denial, or was there something more?
My eyes wandered to the tombstone, where Marco’s name was engraved. It felt like a nightmare that I couldn’t wake up from. How I honestly wish all this was a dream, and I’d wake up and see Marco smiling down at me.
The funeral proceeded, with eulogies and speeches, but I tuned them out because my mind was obviously elsewhere. None of their speeches or eulogies were relevant to me, I was just lost in my – or I’d say our world-replaying memories of Marco and me. The laughter, the dangerous adventures, …
No, it couldn’t be over. Not like this. Not without a goodbye. I’m sure this is Marco doing the same thing he did with my dad’s case.
Faking death.
As I stood up abruptly, the sudden movement startling those around. I could feel their pitiful glances on me, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. The weight on my chest was suffocating, crushing me with each passing second.
I can’t bear to continue watching this, I might lose my mind.
“Sweetheart, where are you going.” Mom stood up as well, ready to follow. “Do you want to go inside? You need to rest, it has been a long day.”
I shook my head, gently removing her grip from my arms. “I want to be alone.” My voice cracks as I spoke, my sore throat aches as I form words.
“But you can’t be alo…..” Dad held her hand, shaking his head silently telling her to let me be.
“You can go, dear.” Dad stroke my hair, his smile was forced and tight but encouraging.
I walked away, leaving behind sympathetic looks digging holes in my back. Their sympathy isn’t what I want, I don’t need anyone’s pity, I just wish Marco would just appear in front of me and tell me it was all his plan to lure his enemies.
I sat down on the empty field, at the edge of the forest behind the mansion. Far away from the funeral, it’s quiet and peaceful just what I wanted.
As if the universe could feel my pain, the once bright and warm weather turned dark and cold instantly. The sky grew darker and the clouds rolled in, signaling the impending storm. And then it started raining. Not just a light drizzle, but heavy, pounding rain that soaked me to the bone. The water slapped my skin harshly, but I couldn’t care less. I’m hoping the rain would lessen the heartache, washing away the pain and sorrow that I was feeling.
My skin must be pale by now as my whole body feels numb, I couldn’t feel the droplet of the rain nor the coldness. I might have stayed in the rain for an hour to feel this way.
I had ignored the yelling and pleads from my parents for me to leave the rain, that I will catch a cold.
Catch a cold? I laughed bitterly. I would love to be sicker than to be in a force marriage, To some people, I am overreacting, but please consider yourself in my place for once and tell me how you feel.
I cried and beg for this to be a dream, and I will wake up from this nightmare. Marco would still be here, reassuring that nothing would keep us apart, but unfortunately this is real.
I wasn’t dreaming.