Warped Reality

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"Whats the matter with you?"

I gasped as I sat up from the surface I was lying from. I found Ino hovering over me, a deep frown marring his face while he held me by my arms. With trembling hand, I reached for his cheek without really thinking and he blinked in surprise but didn't stop me. I felt his stubble, his skin warm to the touch. He's alive!

"Whats the problem, Stella?"

I pulled my hand away in embarrassment. "I... I'm sorry. It's just a dream."

"What did you dream about?" Ino asked rather curiously.

"Something bad that I don't want to talk about it. I'm sorry. I fell asleep." I glanced down my wrist watch and m.o.a.n.e.d when I realized that I was out the whole morning and now it's already two in the afternoon. "I'll make you lunch. I'm really sorry."

"It's alright. I had light snacks. Are you alright?"

"I am. I just came from sleep, didn't I? It was a good rest." I smiled up at him before I stood from the couch.

Ino jerked his head away as if I just slapped him by the face. He turned abruptly and left the library. I tentatively touched my lips.

"Don't use your smile while you lie with your tongue."

That's what the Ivano in my dream said to Katherine. And oddly enough, the Ivano in real life seemed to have issues with smiles. Could it be... I shook my head before chuckling to myself. I'm crazy if I connect the two Ivanos when I knew one of them didn't really exist. The one in my dreams.

When I turned towards the door, it's then I looked around the room. Strange that I woke up on the couch when I remembered sitting on one of the chairs at the long table earlier. The book I read was nowhere to be found. I turned to inspect the shelf where I took it and there it was, back to its rightful place. I pulled it and opened the pages to see where I've left off. Only to gasp because it wasn't at all what I dreamt about. I shuffled the pages and searched for a familiar paragraph but it's really not what I read. Did I really read or did I just come here to doze off? Dread started nagging at me though I just ignored it and returned the book to the shelf while cold sweat started to trickle down my temple.

I went out of the library and found my way back to the kitchen to prepare fast lunch so Ivano could already eat. Just like this morning, he was watching me while I worked around but I let him and even enjoyed his attention on me. I thought I'd rather feel awkward and embarrassed while he watched me than feel the pain of him turning his eyes away to welcome his death. My shoulders stiffened.

My dream was so vivid and felt so real. It's like actually looking at Ivano's loving gaze as he p.l.e.a.s.u.r.ed me while we made love. I felt like I was Katherine. I could practically feel the pain from having a fast, forceful s.e.x with Ivano. The pleasurable c.a.r.e.s.ses. The scorching kisses we shared. It was all so beautiful. But I dreaded what happened next.

It all happened so fast. Well, what did I expect from a dream? It always had a fast pace. But I just didn't like how the story turned out. It was so excruciating to stare at Ivano's cold eyes with obvious pain and misery at the decision I made. Well, with what Katherine's decision, I mean. I couldn't help but shudder at the reminder of it. I reached for my c.h.e.s.t as if still remembering how awfully painful the stab of the sword was.

I shrieked when Ivano suddenly appeared in front of me, jerking my hand from my c.h.e.s.t. "What did you dream about?"

"W-what? I... Uh..." I stammered at the terse tone he used and the menacing glare he cast on me.

"I'm sorry." Ino suddenly mellowed down at the sight of my terror but he didn't loosen his hold around my wrist. "I thought you're in pain. I heard you made a distress sound. I..." His eyes slid down my mouth and lingered there before he swallowed and looked up to my eyes again. "I'm worried. Are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm fine." I answered frantically to pacify his obvious worry.