Everyone in the room started to take their masks off quickly. I shifted my mask up a little and remained slow, observing Kenzo's face. He was patiently waiting for every single person in the banquet hall to remove it, with that stupid grin of his.
"Do we have to remove our masks?" Claude held his mask on his face before taking it off.
I turned to him, "I'm not sure, but I'm keeping it on."
"Me too."
Looked like I wasn't the only one who wanted to keep it on. It made me feel a little less self-conscious.
Kenzo tapped his finger against the pillar and finally spoke after a couple of minutes, "Excellent." The lights shut off and the walls gleamed with white bright lights. They were projecting an upcoming video, I assumed it was his special announcement. "I brought you all here to see the truth of the latest hot news. Influencers, business makers, and celebrities. I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about but if not, I am discussing Elias's death."
Whispers grew as Kenzo took a moment to let his words register into the people's heads. He took a glance at the lit up walls, "I'll show you the real story behind his death. That includes Romeo Silva, the latest 'king of piano', is what everyone calls him. I wonder if he was ever involved, but I couldn't believe it once I found out because he is one of my trustworthy friends..."
Everyone looked at each other, possibly trying to catch a glimpse of him. I didn't know where he was but I sure hoped he kept his mask on.
"Romeo?" The man beside me remained confused.
I shrugged, "I have no idea what he's talking about. I swear to god if he-"
Kenzo stated after shifting himself closer to the railing, "He never committed suicide-"
Claude gulped.
"-He was murdered by him."
Everyone gasped! But I stayed calm under my mask, quickly looking for Romeo through the crowds of people. Dammit, where did he go?
"Quiet down everyone, I know it seems shocking. You're probably wondering if there's any evidence or how do I know? Romeo wouldn't do such a thing!" Kenzo mocked then continued, "The proof is right here."
Louisse stepped out of nowhere, from the shadow of Kenzo. She walked up next to him and presented, "I work with the law. Anyways-"
What was going on? Did Kenzo really bring every famous person to see this? He wasn't kidding when he wanted destruction. I still held strong.
Her words got cut off as I was distracted, "... Romeo has never been a friendly teenager back in the day. We can prove this with these text and audio messages."
The screen finally projected a slideshow. It revealed messages exchanged between Elias and Romeo:
"I'm sorry for saying that. I didn't mean it." - E
"Go sob to Kenzo since apparently you don't think I exist anymore." - R
"I didn't mean it." - E
This seemed fake, but I continued to listen.
"When I mentioned that I would care if you killed yourself, I changed my answer. It's a no now." - R
"What? Wdym?" - E
"I wouldn't care if you killed yourself. You should do it. End yours and my suffering. It would be better if you were gone."
"You wouldn't care?"
"I wouldn't. Can you just fucking kill yourself already? Not even your mom or sister would care. Everyone only sees you as a tool. I bet Kenzo uses you."
"What?"
"Can't you read? Just do it."
"Pft." Romeo scoffed under his mask, "Do people really believe this?"
Everyone continued to whisper with shock and phones were up in the air, recording the presentation,
Louisse paused reading, "These are confirmed text messages on Elias's phone. When we did the autopsy on him, his fingerprint was the key to his phone which gave us clear evidence on why he died. Romeo's words are what pushed him to do it. Isn't this murder? Who knows what else he said to him in person?"
"It is murder. That man is full of manipulation and lies. He fooled you all with his mysterious and friendly act! Isn't that right, Romeo?"
The light flashed towards him. I spotted him now! He was in the middle of the crowd with his mask on, with the bright lights. Shit!
"You're pathetic." He replied, taking off his mask with a glare at him.
Kenzo grinned slightly, "Is that all you have to say? You're a murderer!"
Romeo dropped it and looked towards me with a saddened look. He then glanced back up at Kenzo and said with sternness, "Fine. I did it. I confess I murdered him."
"What- I mean!" Kenzo cleared his voice, "You're turning yourself in?"
"Let's just get this over with, Kenzo. Isn't this what you wanted?" Romeo surrendered with his eyes down.
Did he just give up!? No! Romeo, why did you?
Everyone started to surround him with phones in their hands. They flashed his cameras in his face and he tried to cover himself. Dammit! What should I do!? They were basically shoving themselves towards him with pathetic questions. Weren't these people fans of him?!
"Is this true?!"
"How do you feel that you're getting arrested!?"
"Were you jealous!?"
"Murderer! Murderer!"
"-Quiet down again, everyone. I have another thing to show you." Kenzo tapped the glass, "It's a different case now."
What was it now!? I have to get to Romeo before the police take him away. Dammit, there were too many people on him!
Claude grabbed my arm before I ran to him, "Wait."
"What?"
"You can't. I'm sure Romeo has some plan. You think a man would confess that easily, that he murdered him?"
I paused and glanced back at his lowered head. Yeah, Claude was right. Romeo wasn't this dumb, I should trust him for now.
"Aria Aldine-"
I got shivers up my back as I heard my name come out his mouth. Oh no.
"She's Elias's sister. Another prodigy and just recently came into the music industry again- Too bad she'll be out of it now."
Claude and I mumbled, ".. What?"
Louisse projected another video on the screens. It was a video of me... me attacking Kenzo. His screams were loud as it echoed and bounced off the walls. The attack sound effects were also scarily loud! Fuck! I knew it! I fell right into his trap!
Everyone continued to be shocked and gasping.
"The reason why I wasn't outside my home was because I was in fear... In fear she would kill me. It took me two weeks to recover my broken bones... my bruises and wounds! It was scary!"
This bitch was exaggerating. I admit I did it, but this was too extreme. The crowds started to separate into groups, trying to look for me within the darkness.
"She should also be locked up! I'm afraid she might lash out at other people with her mental illnesses! I know Elias was a role model to her, but I think she went crazy. The rumors of her being a drug addict might be true!"
God...
"I know you're in here somewhere, Aria. You should reveal yourself now before I do it for you, Aria Aldine."
I took off my mask slowly, almost regretting my decision. Kenzo and I took one look at each other before the noise entered.
CRASH!
"Get her!"
The officer ran for it, "Roger!"
"Argh! Get the fuck off me!"
Police swarmed the area, immediately trying to hand-cuff me and Romeo. All I could do was escape! I got aggressively thrown around as I resisted them. I rushed into Claude and accidentally pushed him against the table. I landed on the floor and saw his hard work mask in front of me. I picked it up and looked towards him- He looked extremely shocked as he saw me.
"Claude- Your mask!"
Wait....
Wait...
The boy that always filled my thoughts was in front of my very eyes.
... What?!
His face was... It was...
"-Aria!?"
"Elias?!"
We both did a long stare. I couldn't register what I was seeing there. I couldn't even think. One look at him and I completely recognized that was the brother I grew up with ten years ago.
The police took away me before I could catch another glimpse of him. Suddenly I stopped resisting as I saw him get further and further away from me. My brother... My brother was still here?!
"Elias!" I tried to call out for him. Dammit, there was no use. This was shit timing!
[...]
An hour passed by as everyone was evacuated from the party. It was still 10 o' clock, too early to go home.
"Huff!" Claude reached outside finally, "Sorry guys! Do you know where Aria is?"
The four of them looked at him with confusion.
Lucia frowned, "Who's he?"
Rico shrugged.
"Oh, Claude!" Ivy rushed over to him.
"Oh!" They both got it.
"Where were you the whole time?" She looked over at him, "You look extremely exhausted, are you okay?"
He shook his head and whispered to her, "We need to quit this Claude character. Aria knows I'm alive now- I didn't even know she attended this party until she got outed by Kenzo."
"What about them?" She pointed to the rest, but he reacted with a head shake. "Okay, I'll trust you-"
Ethan held Ivy's shoulder, "Hey. Are you guys okay?"
Elias quickly shifted back into the darkness, looking down to the ground in fear he would recognize him.
"Oh, babe-" Ivy looked at Elias with another thought. Yeah, he was right. They needed to stop hiding this act so that they could get some help. Anything would contribute to getting Aria and Romeo out of jail right now. "I have something to tell you."
He reacted with confusion, "What's up?"
"Claude isn't a real person."
"Then who's he?" Ethan looked at him in the distance, "Don't tell me..."
"It's not what you're thinking." She pushed him to Elias, "I'll let you two talk."
He bumped right into 'Claude' and apologized, "Oh, sorry dude. Ivy is telling me some bullshit about you're not real-"
Elias stepped out of the darkness with his eyes glaring into Ethan's.
"Claude you look- Wait." Ethan felt the strange feelings coming back to him. With his eyes suddenly closed, he got goosebumps thinking about it. No way. Was he right in front of his hero?
It was Elias!
Elias gave a little frown, "Ethan... I'm sorry for lying to you like this-"
With tears in his eyes he rushed to give a warm hug to him, "Fuck you man!"
"Mff! Suffocating!" He laughed and ruffled his head, "How's my good old kid!?"
Ethan picked him up and spun, "You were alive this whole time!? You've got to be kidding me! And you were that freak dude I was talking to the whole time?!"
"Woah, woah, what the fu-" He got out of his strong grasp, "Jesus, when did you get so strong to pick up a grown ass man?"
"I missed you so entirely." Ethan wiped his tears away and sniffled, "I have so many questions for you."
He grabbed his shoulder and stretched, "I know it's shocking, and I'll answer them all soon. Our main objective now is to get Aria and Romeo out of jail."
"Do they know about you?"
"I... I don't know." Elias was uncertain. "But I still need to keep my identity a secret. You and Ivy are the only people who properly know this."
Ethan nodded, "Alright. I'll promise you we will get them back."
"Thanks Ethan." He scanned them, "I definitely lost that bet."
"What bet?"
"Pft." His chuckle came out, "I made a bet a long time ago with Aria and I betted on you and her dating ten years later. I have to owe her a song, dammit!"
Ethan smirked as she looked back at Ivy, "You almost won. But lucky me, I met the most enchanting girl of my life right after."
"I'm glad."
[...]
"Do you have all the files ready?" Kenzo switched his lighter on. Puffing out the smoke, he looked back at his assistant for a reply.
She threw the last paper into the pile, "All are proof-read and confirmed."
"Great." He exhaled a large smoke bubble, "Read me my schedule, please."
"Court date is in a few days discussing Aria and Romeo's accusations. On Sunday, you have a flight to Beijing to see Aria's mother. And on Monday, you'll-"
"Thank you, that's all I needed to know. You can go home now." His smirk grew.
"Yes, sir." She packed her things and as she was about to leave she asked, "Are you sure you're doing this? What if you get caught?"
He turned to her with his cigarette in the air, "Caught? What do you think of me, Louisse?"
She tightened her hands, "Well, we can never be that certain. This is very risky."
"In order to be successful, one must always take a big risk. If you're truly confident during the process, you'll earn it. Easy as that."
"But Kenzo... you're not getting it. This is not real proof and evidence we have. The only thing that's keeping this narrative is Elias's phone. We're lucky enough to have it in our hands."
His cigarette continued to stink in the office, "Like I said, we need confidence."
"I am not a risk taker." She glared at him, "If this doesn't work out after court, I'll resign."
Kenzo tossed it off the balcony and walked towards Louisse with his chin held high. He gently lifted her face with the tips of his fingers, "I'm very confident in my work, and I'm clearly experienced enough. Who cares if I faked the messages and my backstory? Any human with feelings should pity me. That's how society works. Pity, empathy, and regret are the strongest emotions none other can compete with."
"I-"
"You must've forgotten Elias is dead which will stay that way forever and this shit happened ten years ago. No technology can bring up the real evidence of how he died except himself," he straightened his blazer out and continued, "I was a witness, and that's fucking enough... So you don't have to worry, Louisse. If anything goes wrong, I'll take care of it."
She stumbled her steps as the intimidation he radiated scared her. "I s-see. I'm sorry for doubting you."
He broke out of his glare with a sweet smile, "Have a safe trip, milady."
"Mhm..." She quickly walked out with her files.
[...]
Now you're telling me I have to spend three days in a fucking box that those police officers call a cell. Give me a damn break! I banged my hands against the door, wishing there was any reaction. It felt suffocating enough, with just me and thoughts. I could feel another panic attack arising.
I slid against the wall and dropped my arms in defeat.
Elias is alive. I repeated those words in my head over and over again because I didn't believe it at all. It was like the second half of me came back, with all its emptiness disappearing in a flash. His face was different though. He had a strange and noticeable scar against his cheek. There were so many things to learn and question after knowing that he existed.
Elias is alive.
Dammit, I shouldn't be smiling in a time or place like this. But I couldn't help it! Tears fell down my face again as I remembered seeing his face again. Dammit, I was so excited to see him again-
... Will I see him again? And that was the only problem. Was getting arrested the only way I could see him? No! I can't let this happen!
The door suddenly opened, "You may come out. Arms out, please."
I handed them my arms to get hand-cuffed again. Walking out, I saw other people that reeked of actual guilt. It was embarrassing to be walking out like this, dressed up in a pretty sparkling dress but with a pair of cuffs that could last forever.
Romeo...
I can't cry now. I can't! My eyes were full of tears. I wish that would disappear. My guilt grew like those people waiting in line, guilty of putting him in a spot like this. It was all my fault even introducing myself to him, or even being his girlfriend. Why did he like me? Why did you?
Would I even get a chance to see him one last time before being locked up forever?
Was it worth all this pain to live?
Kenzo was right about his words. He destroyed the Aldine family, he destroyed me completely. I tried to think about the point of continuing. I've been through so much to earn this pathetic ending.
Lucia, Rico, Ivy, Ethan, Jimmy, Alec, Mom, Dad, Romeo, and Elias...
I imagined every core memory with each of them.
I'd miss Lucia's beautiful singing voice and her clever comebacks to Rico's embarrassing insults. Or Ivy being the first girl I ever saw such beauty and kindness from, even without saying a word to her. Same goes for Jimmy, that kind man who slid me free Romeo albums every year, and Alec... She was everything to me. No one else would pick up my calls that were always full of pitiful vents.
Mom and Dad were always heavy on me. Though we had the worst relationships, they were still my parents in the end.
Ethan was always there for me.
And Romeo stayed by side even after knowing my weaknesses.
... Elias. Would I ever see you again?
Was this my ending after all? I guessed this is what you called karma.
"Suck it up princess. That type of attitude won't make you survive in jail." The police officer in front of me sneered as we walked.
I let my tears drip onto the floor, "Yeah."
"... I was just joking." He turned to me closely, "You do have a pretty face. Hey, do you want to make a deal with me? Maybe I can let you free if you give me a blow."
I was too distracted to even reply with another classic insult of mine. But, I could be free. Hell no! What were you thinking, Aria?
The officier unexpectedly touched my waist, "You're pretty slim too, damn princess. And soft the more I-"
Endure it. Endure it. Endure it. You don't want to extend your years in this place!
He went for more and more.
"Please stop-"
The gross officer grinned as he slid down my straps, "Let's see what's under here, hehehe.."
CRASH!
The man screamed with pain, "ARGH!!!"
"Don't fucking touch her." Romeo kicked him from behind and charged at the officer with his whole body, even with his hands being cuffed.
"Romeo!?"
The man landed against the wall and bounced off of it, "Argh! Who the fuck did that?!"
He went in for another rush into that big body of the guard, "Are you damn blind or what?!"
A couple of officers tried to drag him away from the poorly beaten up officer. Damn, he was even stronger than a guard?! Romeo looked completely out of character with his hair messed up, shirt unbuttoned, and his dirtied face. It was... attractive.
Woah, snap out of Aria, you need to focus on the situation right now!
But his face was completely beaten up. He had a black eye and some blood smeared over his lips. His white shirt was stained with dirt and his own blood. He continued to strike all of the guards going for him.
After a couple of minutes of fighting, they finally got tired of him. Romeo backed away from all of the officers and huffed out of breath after tiring them, "Ugh... Aria... Are you okay-"
I rushed to him with my hands raised to his bruised face, "What have they done to you!?"
One of the officers stopped also out of breath and replied, "God, this man won't catch a break. It's been like what, three hours since he came here?"
"And he still got more room to fight." Another responded, defeated on the floor.
"Sorry boss. I thought taking the boy out would give him some air and less noise to the workers."
"Well, you were wrong Bobby."
"Sorry."
"Man, I don't get paid enough to do this."
Romeo's lips fell onto mine as he put my tied arms around his neck. We were connected again as I felt his warmth strengthening me. I slid my lips off him and put my head in his chest to feel his heartbeat. I held him like it would be the last time I'd see him.
I cried, "I'm so fucking sorry... I'm so fucking sorry! I'm so grateful to meet a man like you. You don't deserve any of this."
He held me tighter without caring about my embarrassing cries, "We'll get you out of here, I promise. You deserve a chance at life, Aria. More than anyone in the world, it has to be you. Okay?"
"No, no." My tears streamed down my face, "Why are you speaking like that as if you won't get out of here too?"
He gave a warm smile, "I'm fine, okay? There's no use getting me out too. Media already saw me, I admitted to it, and now I caused a serious scene a few minutes ago. But you.. You can escape. I'm giving all my trust to you, babe."
His words pained me, "Don't you give up either. I'm getting you out of here no matter what-"
CLICK!
He unlocked my hand cuffs with the stolen keys. His eyes squinted as he smiled with sadness. It was like his eyes were telling me goodbye, the first time I ever saw such eyes without solitude. My hands dropped from his neck as I realized what was going on. I held his face for the last time and kissed him deeply. "I'll get you out of here," said with a gentle whisper to his cheek.
"Go." He felt every touch of my hand before we both let go of each other as I ran off to the doors.
I'll find a way to save you, Romeo. Just you wait–
"Where do you think you're going?"
"Huh!?" I turned back to see a large black shadow. Kenzo tripped my foot as I ran out of the station, "Ugh!"
He towered over me as he raised my chin up with his foot. The entertained man gave a long chuckle, "What a pity, right Aria?"