MORNING
I woke up inside an abandoned shack, far from where the explosion happened. My whole body ached, my elbows were bloody, and I could barely move my left foot. But I had to find help.
I saw Leo's phone nearby—it must have been thrown there by the blast. The screen was shattered, but it still worked. My fingers trembled as I dialed the number I've known by heart since we were kids.
Calling... Bea.
"Hello? Mia?! Oh my God, where are you? Ken and I have been calling you forever! Enzo said you had a fight in Tagaytay and you suddenly jumped out of the car and ran!"
Hearing her voice made me burst into tears.
"B-B-Bea... listen to me. Help me. Enzo... he's not who you think he is. He killed someone, Bea. He killed my Dad... and he tried to kill me and Leo here in Tagaytay—"
"Wait, what?" Jojo's voice broke in. They must have had me on speakerphone. "Mia, are you okay? Leo? Leo died two years ago, right? You're probably just hungry, girl. Or maybe the wedding prep is just too stressful?"
"I'm not joking!" I screamed, even though my throat burned from the smoke. "We were at an abandoned studio! He set off a bomb! I almost died!"
"Mia, stop it," said Ken, the most rational one in our group. "We just talked to Enzo. He was crying, Mia. He said you had a breakdown because you were pressured about the proposal. He's out there looking for you with the police. You're making us all worry."
"Police?" I froze. He's framing me. "No, Ken. Listen to me! The 'Double Tape' thing you guys talk about... it's a trap! He's a serial killer! He has files on everyone he's killed!"
There was a long silence on the other end. For a second, I thought they believed me. But then, I heard Bea sigh.
"Mia, we've known Enzo since elementary school. He's the gentlest person we know. He's an architect, Mia. He builds things, he doesn't destroy them," Bea said, her voice soft but full of doubt. "Maybe you just need rest. Tell us where you are, and we'll come with Enzo to pick you up."
"Don't bring him!" I screamed until I lost my voice. "Jojo, remember when your dog went missing in Grade 6 after you fought with Enzo? He killed it! Ken, that bully who beat you up in high school and then suddenly disappeared? Enzo did that!"
"That's enough, Mia," Ken said seriously.
"Those are heavy accusations. Enzo is our friend. We're a group. We're coming to Tagaytay, but please, stop these stories. You're hurting him."
Click.
They hung up on me.
I stared at the broken phone screen. The people I trusted most... the friends who were supposed to be my safety net... they chose the monster over me. Enzo didn't just clean my world; he brainwashed it.
In the silence, I heard the crunch of dry leaves outside.
"See, baby?"
I dropped the phone. Enzo was standing in the doorway, holding a flashlight. The rage was gone from his face. He looked clean, calm—the "Ideal Partner" once again.
"Even they know you're the one who needs help," he smiled, stepping inside. "No one believes the victim when the monster looks like an angel to them."
He held out his hand. "Come on. Bea and the others are waiting for us downstairs. Let's go home... and forget all of this."
I stared at his hand. Those fingers—the ones that killed my father and choked Leo—were waiting for a submissive victim.
"Come on, Mia. Don't keep our friends waiting," he said sweetly.
I had no choice. I had no allies. My friends—Bea, Jojo, and Ken—were already on the side of the devil without knowing it. If I ran now, everyone would think I was crazy. If I stayed, I was a prisoner.
Slowly, I raised my shaking hand and took his. He gripped it tight. It wasn't the hold of a lover; it was the grip of an owner.
"Good girl," he whispered, kissing my forehead as if the explosion and the killing never happened.
As we walked to his car, I saw our reflection in a window. He looked perfect—the protective boyfriend supporting his "unstable" girlfriend.
I looked back one last time at the burning studio in the distance.
No sign of Leo. No sign of the truth. As we got into the car, the group chat popped up on the dashboard.
CHATS:
Bea: Mia, we're almost at the meeting point. Stay calm. We love you.
Ken: Enzo, thanks for being patient with her. You're a rare find, bro.
Jojo: Pizza later! My treat to take away Mia's stress!
Enzo smiled as he read the messages. A smile of victory. A smile that said no matter what I did, he would have the last laugh.
"See, baby?" Enzo whispered as he started the engine. "In their eyes, I'm the hero. And you? You're just the girl who's lucky to have me."
He rested his hand on my thigh while driving. For the first time, I didn't cry. I just stared out the window at the dark road.
The "Double Tape" was back. And this time, it was wrapped around my neck.
We drove to a hotel. People stared at me because of how I looked, but I pretended not to see them. Enzo guided me to Room 167, keeping a close grip to make sure I didn't cause a scene.
Inside the room, Enzo kept smiling like he had won a game. "Take this, love. Shower and rest for 40 minutes. Ken and the others are waiting," he said calmly.
He lay on the bed, and I went to the bathroom. I wanted to escape, but the window was too small. When I came out, Enzo was sitting on the edge of the bed with a bandage and an emergency kit.
"Come here, let's fix your scratches before you rest."
Looking at his "angelic" face, you'd never think he was a killer. He looked decent and handsome.
Mia, you are so stupid! So incredibly stupid, I whispered to myself.
"What?" Enzo asked.
"I said okay," I muttered.
He treated my wounds gently. We didn't talk. I couldn't look at him; my blood boiled, and I felt so sorry for myself. He had been lying to me for 12 years. His hands on my skin made me feel disgusted with myself.
"Finished, love... take a break before our event later," he said with an insulting smile.
I ignored him, lay down, and tried to sleep. I was so exhausted that I actually drifted off.
40 MINUTES LATER
When we arrived at the restaurant, the three of them were there. A cake was on the table that said: "Happy 12th Anniversary again, Mia & Enzo!"
"Mia!" Bea ran up and hugged me tight.
"You scared us! Are you okay? Enzo said you fainted from dehydration."
I looked at Enzo. He was smiling while pulling out my chair. "She's just tired, Bea. You know how hard she works."
"Sit down, guys! Enzo's treat!" Jojo said happily.
While they ate, I felt Enzo's hand under the table—squeezing my thigh hard enough to hurt, but not enough for them to notice.
"Everything okay, Mia?" Ken asked, noticing my hand shaking as I held my fork.
Before I could speak, Enzo cut in. "She's just happy to be with her family again. Right, baby?"
I looked at my friends. I saw worry in their eyes, but I also saw their blind trust in Enzo. If I screamed now, I would be the villain.
I forced a smile.
"Yes. I'm... very lucky."
Luckily, he didn't go through with the proposal. It was just an anniversary celebration.
"I'm very lucky," I repeated to myself. "Yes, I am." Tears fell from my eyes, but I was the only one who knew what those words really meant.