Victor?" I was about to move when the door creaked and a voice spoke.

I know that familiar soft whisper like voice only belongs to Victoria.

My eyes widen hearing the erratic beating of my heart. Emily and I remain frozen as the door open wide.

Emotions starts to run wild.

Fear. Guilt. Anxiousness.

In a mere seconds it felt like we were caught red handed. Glancing at Emily, the poor girl's face had turn ashen, her expression was same as mine, like a child who got caught stealing cookies by their parents.

"What the bloody hell is going on?!" A broken yell filled the room.

"Victoria.. This is.. I mean.." Panicked, my heart was jumping inside my chest.

Bloodshed eyes were staring bullets at us. Victoria was a mess, her hair was disoriented, her face was decorated with small scratches and her dress was somewhat torn.

Her appearance right now arise my concern.

She look at me with mouth gaped open as she hugs herself looking so hurt. Silence flourished in a minute as no words came out from my mouth.

"S'not what it looks like." Emily swipes in her voice was sincere and whole.

"I don't understand. What's the meaning of this?" Victoria demanded as she looks at me with shaky stares then shifted to look at Emily. "Who is she?"

Somehow the beating in my chest calmed down as I was able to regain my senses. I stood up and offered a hand to the brunette lady.

"Victoria," I said calmly. "Remember the time when the dead rose from the grave?"

She nodded numbly.

"This is Emily, the corpse bride."

"Wait? What! How?" She said dreadfully. "That's... Oh never mind."

"I don't have time for this. Victor may I talk to you alone." Walking outside not waiting for an answer.

"Em, I'm sorry about that. Make yourself comfortable." I said gently and guiding Emily to the bed.

"M'okay. I'm really sorry too." She said eyebrows were furrowed worriedly whilst laying back on the bed. Her hands touched mine making every muscle in my body relax. That calming touch help soothe the turmoil that was going to happen and I'm grateful for such simple gesture.

"It's okay em. I'll take care of it and you rest, m'okay?" I gave her a reassuring smile and drag the blanket over her.

Walking to where Victoria is with much clearer thinking.

I can't help to wonder, she might be mad right now but I need to rip the bandaid off. I need to tell her the truth. I mean she already saw us in inappropriate position earlier and I'm pretty sure she's thinking that something is happening between Emily and I earlier. I'm hurting her already and telling the truth might hurt more but I can't bare to hurt her with lies, that's worst. I can't do that to her. Victoria is a good girl and she deserves better. Definitely, gonna tell her the truth.

Maybe, just maybe this is an opportunity given by the universe or what higher being up there, so that I could be honest with Victoria. Yes, I can do it. I have to do it. I will do it.

Bullocks.

Or maybe this a bad idea after all.

God maybe I'm just jumping into conclusion I might realize my true feelings but I can't even confess properly to Emily.

And I'd be damn I've been walking in the same small distance hallway for years but somehow it felt long. Great now I'm losing focus.

Well this might be what they call the calm before the storm. Hell, if I can keep this calmness I won't mind if I'd be walking through the Great Wall of china or Sahara desert for years.

As soon as I saw Victoria's figure by the hallway I felt my whole body tensed up again and each of every steps feels like there are bags of cement attached on my legs.

Her hands were on her face, a low sob echoed the quiet space. Tall slender fingers were shaking.

"Victoria," breaking the eerie silent.

The sobbing stops as her hands drop down her knees. Eyes filled with sorrow gaze clash to mine. Tears continues to flow, in a way a lump starts to build up in my throat.

Did I do this?

Did I really hurt her badly?

This is my fault I need to man up and get this over with.

Right now she really seemed to be a great resemblance of a ghost drowning in despair. In so much pain.

Anguish was ever present, the smile that she usually paints on her lips became a frown, the light on her eyes suddenly turn dim. I feel so damn guilty.

"I'm so sorry. I'm so, so, sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry." I said as words stuck like a broken record." I didn't mean-"

Shaking hands envelopes me tightly, a clumsy hug was attempted by the crying lady.

"Can it Vic," her voice cracked." I can't deal with whatever happen in your room. Not right now Vic. Not right now." She keeps on repeating 'not right now.' Her voice somehow fails to be coherent and soon she was just mumbling.

What is she talking about?

I gulped. Puzzled and confused.

"Victoria, what's going on?" I daresay. She looks so fragile right now like she's walking on a thread. I can feel her shivering while she's still murmuring. I envelope her in a slow and tight, afraid to break what's left of her sanity. Trying to soothe the pain and guide her to the dining room.

I left her for a minute to get a glass of water in the kitchen when my mother and father were discussing with sad expression planted on their faces. "What's going on?" Raising a question, I hate being left in the dark.

"Son, there's no easy way to say this but...Victoria's parents passed away." Words rippled like a stone drop in the water. Victoria's parents are dead. In the sudden revelation everything make sense. Victoria crying so much because she lost her parents.. And then oh, god... The situation earlier.. Didn't help.

Mother and father explained that Victoria's parents were killed in a road accident. In the middle of their journey the horses went feral and in the midst of the event the carriage were tossed and turned and rolling down the stony hill violently. Her parents and the coach man weren't lucky to survive such an unfortunate event. Well, one was lucky enough to survive but I doubt Victoria would classify it as luck.

To lose someone is a very, very painful thing to happen. But being left behind after loosing people is down right devastating.

I can't imagine how hard Victoria's situation is. I can't even dare to pretend.

Loosing someone so important. Alone. Pain. Suffering. Sorrow.

Grief is crucial. Some people survive through it and some don't.

Those people who didn't, became a ghost of their former self as they waste away their lives or ending it on their own term.

"All we know that she needs you now more than ever." My mother said with sadness clung to her voice.

Oh.

"Of course mother. I'll take care of her."

And so I did.

The next day a funeral was held. Since her parents influence was well known in town the only people present in the ceremony were me, my parents, Victoria and the old grumpy priest. The ceremony ended and people starts to disperse Victoria left behind and I stay beside her.

As I see her standing in between the grave of her parents looking so small and ever so fragile. I'm worried and I'm terrified for her, the urge to lift the burden off her shoulder overwhelms, and suddenly her knees met the grassy ground as she fell apart. I run ahead and hug her as tightly as possible. Her face leaned and heavy tears slides down her face while mumbling incoherently.

"You won't be alone facing this. I promise I'll be here. Me and my parents we'll be here for you. Every step we'll be here." I muttered securing her safely around my arms.

And after that we went home.

Emily said her goodbye that night.

Thanking my parents and apologizing for being a burden.

My mouth form a thin line upon hearing those words. I was about to protest when I heard my mother said "Nonsense! You are pretty much like a daughter that I never had sweetie. You better visit here often as I like our little talks and you promise my husband a pie, right?"

I can sense Emily's refusal but something about the twinkling and hopeful gaze from my mother's eyes. She hesitated. Then nodded thoughtfully.

"You're always welcome here, Dear." My father suddenly spoke, arms slither around my mother's waist.

I can feel a smile forming on my face and a warmth spreading inside my chest, my parents seemed to like Emily.

"Okay, then." Emily replied sheepishly while fidgeting but a small comfort were present.

"That's enough, come on Em. I'll walk with you." I said while holding the door.

"Oh, no need. I can go home on my own." She protested.

"Codswallop child, it's already dark outside. It's not safe for a lady to wander the streets." My mother interrupted, her mother-henning is showing. Sending her a thankful look as we went on.

The cold crisp wind pass through, as the moon lightens the path along the forest. We walk in silence, somehow it's comforting. No words needed just the sound of the owl hooting and insects singing were beautiful melody surrounding the forest.

Emily's house was in sight, the place looks different at night. Somehow it looks enchanting and quite welcoming. I smiled as Emily walk towards the door.

"Well,there's you." I said smiling.

"Yeah, there's me." She responded.

"Em.. I.. Can I..." I mumbled feeling light headed. The warmness inside was overwhelming something about Emily and the house looks so candid. So beautiful.

In a minute I was smothered with the warmness radiating from Emily's body as her arms wrapped tightly around me. "Stay gold, V." She whispered sincerely and it was utterly reassuring. Whatever that means. Burying my forehead on her shoulder. So close yet so far, Lord give me guidance I'm truly in love with this woman but I can't have her. This is awfully frustrating and mostly heartbreaking.

Yet her words were my safety haven for now. And it was something I truly needed.

Well surprise, surprise I'm still alive. Merry Christmas and Happy New year guys. Enjoy this little update. Tho I'm quite surprise y'all still read this crappy story but I'm really, really thankful.

Reminder#1:

This is Raw version of the chapter no editing happened. Lots of grammar errors..

Reminder#2:

I'm really bad in uploading my chapters since I'm a very moody writer so I'd like to apologize

Reminder#3:

Pls don't forget to leave some love through votes or comments. I might be encourage to write faster ha