Chapter 39 Forgetful Trudy

Chapter 39 Forgetful Trudy
Continuation...

"Come in..."

The door creaked open and revealed his dark and intimidating stature. His semi-long mullet hair is framing his chiseled jaw. He is wearing a different and unfamiliar beige knitwear that is hugging his toned chest, which made me stare a little longer. I cleared my throat and invited him on the bed. "What's wrong, Gertrude? Are you not yourself today?" he almost whispered the last two words. He reached for my hand and looked at me as if I was the weakest thing to ever crawl on the face of the Earth. "I was just feeling, uh, I honestly don't know what I am feeling anymore." My voice cracked. I rested my chin on his shoulder.

"Ingrid told me what happened. What is it with the shadow man?" he touched my cheek.

"I swear, it was just there--- standing, watching... I did not see a face, just a tall and black shadow man..." I whimpered while all cozy in his embrace.

He frowned when he saw me still wearing the maid uniform, his finger snatched the white lacey fabric. I could hear the disappointment in his sigh. "You are just tired. Get a rest for now."

"I am not tired. Listen to me, Constantine. I know what I saw..." I got firm on my belief. I avoided his glances and noticed how his eyes turn into different color. I know he always had brown eyes but today, it just keeps on turning green. They're incredibly pretty and it suits his features but... it's making me curious. "Look at me, will you?" he chuckled and cupped my chin.

My eyes got shy, cheeks are burning red. His eyes are magnetic and hypnotizing. So does his little grin on the curves of his lips. "Hush now, Gertrude... lay down and fall asleep. In my arms, your worries I will keep." he sang to me, fingers running through the long strands of my curls.

I got frozen the moment I heard the familiar tune of his chanting. I tried to let go from his embrace but I got stuck in his arms. "L-Let go, Lord Constantine..." I managed to utter in between my trembling breath.

"If that is even my name..." Shiver crawled down my spine as I heard him talk with a hollow and deadly voice. It was not the voice of Constantine. It was never him!

"AHHHHHHH!!!" I shrieked. With all my remaining strength, I got up on my racing feet and reached for the door knob. I did not dare to look back. I scurried through the long, dark hall, screaming on top of my lungs. Eyes almost popping, legs collapsing out of fear. My hair turned into a mess. My palms are all clammy.

I ran and ran until I have seen the light and the echoing footsteps coming nearby. I screamed to signal my presence. "Miss Trudy? What's wrong?" I felt relief when I heard the voice of Lila. I was not able to form a word, nor a sound. But my eyes just started getting blurry from all the tears. She pulled me into a hug. "What's wrong? Lord Constantine is expecting you in his room." I broke off sobbing while she is still confused with my action and behavior.

If Constantine is expecting me in his room... then that person in my room is truly not him. I was tricked! God, I talked to him! I was in his cold embrace! It was not Constantine all along... but a creature pretending to be him... a pawn of evil.

"Trudy? You sure don't look good. Are you sick?"

My head got heavier, her voice is almost fading out, until a disturbing, ringing sound echoes in my ears. "TRUDY? HEY, TRUDY!"

It was the last thing I remember.

\---

Cool comforter tucked around my freezing body. Melting candle wax aroma fillling my nose. Little sparks of flame coming from the candelabra. Ominous yet familiar tune from the piano keys. Its continues echoes allowed me to fully opened my eyes. I noticed a figure by the grand piano. This is Constantine's room. And he was just sitting there, playing the piano. His back curled, throwing his head back with every press of the ivories.

"How is your leg?" I heard him asked without even glancing at me. How did he know that I am awake? I was about to stand up but when I removed the comforter away, I saw my leg being injured.

My leg... what happened to my leg? It is covered with a bandage. I could only feel its numbness now. I winced when I tried to move and lean comfortably on the head board.

"What are you playing?" My throat is dried up, my voice is cracking. I tried to remain energetic around him despite the aching muscles.

He stood up and approached my slowly. His leather shoes are tapping the floor. "Do you like it? I heard it in the radio... probably a popular song." he smiled.

"So, you're an ordinary person now?" I teased but all I got was a frown.

He sat beside me and inspectioned my leg. "What happened to me? Was it an accident? I really can't remember so..." I stammered.

"You fell... but you were lucky enought. Lila... she was there to save you." he revealed.

"I fell? But...w-where?" I got confused but for the sake of my peace, I chose not to demand further explanations from him.

"Nevermind." I continued and wrapped myself with the comforter.

I looked at him and tried to read his mind. He seems unusually calm and composed. No dark and enticing aura. Just an easy one. Like a mellow tune. "Gertrude?" he called my name, in which I immediately responded to.

"What do you feel? Do you feel funny?" he sounded serious and genuine. Hands latching on my cheek, eyes wondering around my head.

"Why are you acting strange? I am fine, you said so yourself."

"It is just that, when you fell... you bumped your head. What's the last thing you remember?"

"I don't know, uh, I was cleaning the guest room. That's it." I recalled.

"Because Lila told me that you looked sick when you came out of your room." he trailed off.

"Well, I can't really remember. It's probably nothing. Look, I feel fine. I swear!" I muttered.

I felt his pair of eyes as though they are piercing through my vulnerability. He monitored my movements, still not convinced with my state. I heaved a sigh and caressed his mullet hair, my voice soft as ever, "Stop worrying, Constantine. I feel grand, actually. Like I had a rebirth."