Saving the Villain

The girls spent the entire day catching up in Amie\'s room. Amie had shared everything about her newfound passion, telling them she wanted to pursue arts in the future. Of course, the girls were thrilled for her. They couldn\'t help but share what they wanted to become.

Sarah wanted to become a stewardess so she could fly around the world. Fay wanted to be a part of the entertainment industry; either she would pursue writing or directing films. After sharing what they wanted to become, they all turned to Cosette.

"What about you, Cozie?" asked Sarah while Fay and Amie looked back at her in anticipation. "What do you want to become?"

Even before Cosette could answer, they already had some guesses. Some were to become a businesswoman and inherit their family business. They knew Cosette came from a well-off family. They weren\'t just sure how well-off, but they already had a vague idea. After all, Luke was filthy rich and he told them their family was friends with Cosette\'s family.

Another guess of what Cosette wanted to pursue was being an actress. With her looks, it wouldn\'t be hard for Cosette to enter the entertainment circle. It wouldn\'t be that bad to be friends with a very popular person — was what they said as they made guesses.

There were still other guesses the girls could think of. Anything they guessed was grand and big; something they were sure she could attain, knowing how persistent she was. That was why they were surprised when Cosette answered;

"Housewife." Their faces went blank in surprise, looking at her with mouths agape. "I want to marry Maxen, have a child with him, tend to his needs, and create a place he would excitedly come home to. I want to tie his tie every morning in my apron, give him a morning kiss that would slowly lead to something else, only to get disrupted by our child."

Her expression softened as she imagined the dream she had before coming back to life. A dream she never thought she would ever get… ever.

"And then, I will watch him drive his car to work with our kid before I prepare our child for school. I will meet my child\'s other parents, and maybe have some coffee with them and gossip. Then I will pick up our child and take him or her to visit my dad. We will stay there all day until my husband picks us up." Cosette lowered her eyes, imagining the life she wanted in a few years. "While on our way home, our kid will fall asleep while we talk about just about anything. His hand will hold mine and then kiss it with his eyes on the road."

"Once we arrive at our humble home, Maxen will carry our child inside while I watch them. After we tuck our child in, we will continue our conversation. We might as well plan our next travel destination as a family, maybe plan to have another child too," she continued. "We fulfill that plan, and then repeat."

When Cosette raised her eyes, she blinked almost innocently. The faces the three were making were a mix of surprise and disbelief, making her wonder what was wrong with what she said.

"That was one detailed dream…" mumbled Fay, eyes almost blank. "... too detailed, if I may add."

"Surprising too," Sarah added.

"You want to become a housewife?"

"Mhm." Cosette nodded. "Ah. That\'s not right. I don\'t think I want to become a housewife. I want to be Maxen\'s wife."

Sarah, Fay, and Amie couldn\'t help but look at her in silence. That was right. That was what they thought so, too. More than being a housewife, Cosette simply sounded that her dream was a happy ending with Maxen.

"That jerk… should\'ve really said yes." Fay clapped, snapping Amie and Sarah from their trance. "Now I feel anger."

"Why would you feel anger toward Maxen?" Amie cocked her head to the side."

"Because Cosette and Maxen have a love quarrel," Sarah summarized with a shrug. "It\'s not much, but well, Cosette had been grumpy because of it."

"She is?" Amie looked back to Cosette, only for the latter to correct her.

"Was." Cosette smiled. "I was a bit grumpy and disappointed in Max, but now I\'m not. I mean, we\'re alright now. We reconciled and I sort of had a realization."

"A realization?" Fay repeated in a questioning tone.

"Mhm." Cosette nodded, but just smiled at them. Seeing her smile, the three looked at each other before setting their eyes back on her.

******* BREAK ********

It was already night when Fay, Sarah, and Cosette left Amie\'s home. Amie\'s parents had already arrived and fed the three. They chatted for a bit before they bid farewell.

Sarah, Cosette, and Fay walked their way to the station, where they parted ways. Sarah and Fay were traveling to the same destination, so they went together while Cosette rode a bus. Cosette had gotten used to commuting that she didn\'t even think of calling her driver to fetch her.

Sitting on the window side, Cosette gazed at the side road. Her lips curled up with a smile as she thought about her day.

\'What a great day,\' she thought, satisfied that they finally reconciled with Amie.

Visiting Amie wasn\'t in their plans today, but they were glad they came to her. But what truly uplifted her mood was the discussion of their dreams. It had been a while since Cosette had thought of a dream in life. All that had filled her mind since the beginning was how to save everyone. She couldn\'t think of anything else as she was busy trying to save and guide everyone to the right path to prevent what had ended them in their previous life.

Having the time to talk about dreams… only meant Cosette had gone far with her mission. Everyone was already walking on the path away from misery — hopefully. Now, she could dream, again.

\'I should apologize to him,\' she told herself, thinking about how she had been ignoring Maxen for the past several days. \'I miss him… so much.\'

The thought of Maxen made her fish out her phone from her sling bag. But as she was about to call Maxen, Asher\'s name appeared on the screen.

"Hmm?" Her brows rose. "Why is he calling?"

Cosette wondered about Asher\'s reason for a second before she decided to pick up the call. She wouldn\'t know until she answer, after all. With that thought in mind, she answered the call.

"Hello?"

"Where are you?"