𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐈𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍:
The past always follows
(2006)

TW: Mentions of death.

ELOISE WALKED TOWARDS HER BUILDING. It was the year 2006. She had just finished with the meeting she had with UNICEF.

She still uses her fake identity. Ivy Whitlock, who is now 39 years old, made sure to make Ivy's appearance, taking the 30's stage.

She exited the elevator and walked towards the hall. She immediately felt that something was wrong, so she grabbed her keys and opened her apartment. She entered it and was immediately greeted by a scent she recognized.

She did not bother to turn around and put her bag on the table as she took off her shoes. "Maria, to what do I owe the visit?"

"Eloise," Maria's tone sounded low-spirited. And it bothered her a little because Eloise knew Maria would show up every now and then.

"What do you want?" Eloise asks, wanting this to be over because Diana has rehearsals tonight.

"Why do you always expect that I want something from you?" Maria asks, her tone indicating that she is offended.

"You always want something," Eloise bluntly tells her with a sigh. She turns around to face Maria, tilting her head she tilts her head to the side, and encouraging Maria to spit it out.

Maria walks towards her slowly and starts. "You know how much I regretted making you stay in my coven? And I apologize,"

Eloise covers her shock with ease.

She must want something big.

Maria never apologizes for her actions.

"And you were right. I was too engulfed with power and greed, and it never satisfied me, except for one thing, "

"And what thing can that be?" Eloise asks, expecting that her response would be the favor Maria wanted to do for her.

"I arranged the papers for the properties back in Monterrey and my money, and it now belongs to you," Maria tells her, and Eloise looks at her in shock this time, not bothering to hide it.

"What for? What are you doing?" Eloise demands, and Maria just shakes her head and continues, "After a century and a half of trying for revenge and power, I thought that it could erase the lingering memories of my beloved, but it did not,"

Eloise purses her lips. She knows that Maria loved her husband; if not, she wouldn't have done all the horrid things. It was surprising that she lasted this long. Maria always told her that if the other half dies, it takes the other half with them.

"And?" Eloise expectantly asks.

"I want you to kill me," Maria tells her. Eloise's mouth went agape, and as she stood up, trying to figure out what to say, she exclaimed in disbelief, "What?!"

"I want to be with my beloved, Eloise, because I couldn't last a moment in this world without him by my side anymore," Maria tells Eloise, and the latter releases a shuddering breath.

"I know you were asking for something big, but not this big," Eloise tells her as she places a hand on her hip and a palm on her forehead.

"Eloise, the Volturi, has been monitoring me. They are slowly making their move to kill me. I'm better off dead. I'd rather die in your hands than theirs," Maria tells her as she takes both of Eloise's hands.

"I can't," Eloise tells her, her voice strained and weak. No matter how much anger she felt towards Maria, she did not hate her enough to kill her.

"Why not? You killed before; channel all the anger and hate you have for me and kill me," Maria says as if it was easy, and it was far from easy.

"Because we have history, Maria! You were my mentor. You became a friend. I gave my trust and loyalty to you. So, forgive me if it's not as easy as you make it out to be," Eloise tells her as she closes her eyes, seemingly tired.

"And I thank you for that, but this is my last request, my last favor. Please do this for me," Maria begs as she places a hand on Eloise's cheek, as Eloise opens her eyes.

"Okay, one last favor."

•| ⊱✿⊰ |•

AFTER A 3-MINUTE ELEVATOR RIDE, Eloise arrived in a posh office reception area. The walls were paneled in wood. The floors were carpeted in a thick, deep green.

There were no windows, but large, brightly lit paintings of the Tuscan countryside hung everywhere as replacements.

Pale leather couches were arranged in cozy groupings, and the glossy tables held crystal vases full of vibrantly colored bouquets. The flowers' smell reminded her of a funeral home.

Heading towards the front desk with a human secretary didn't surprise Eloise. "Good afternoon. I booked a meeting with Aro yesterday,"

The human looks up and is captivated by her angelic features. The human nods, standing up, and says, "Of course, Ms. Eloise, follow me."

Eloise followed her through the dark halls of the castle, assuming that they were going to head towards the three kings' living quarters.

The human opened the large door with ease and was immediately greeted by Aro, who was sitting on the throne with Alec and Jane at his side.

"Master Aro, Ms. Eloise is here to see you," The human tells Aro and exits the room, and Eloise rolls her eyes.

How desperate can this human be to be immortal?

"Of course! Eloise! I have been expecting you!" Aro exclaims with delight as he stands up from his seat and glides towards Eloise, with Jane giving Eloise a grin.

Taking her hand and placing a peck on her palm, Eloise tried to hide her disgust as she took her hand from his hold.

"And what can I assist you with, my dearest," Aro asks, and Eloise then says, "It's better if you see it for yourself," and offers her. As Aro was about to take her hand eagerly, she then says sternly, "Only the recent memory, Aro."

"No promises, Eloise," Aro tells her as he takes her hand, taking in a deep breath as he closes his eyes in delight.

The events with Maria flashed before her eyes, and she took notice that Aro looked towards more than they agreed on, reaching her memories of the 80s.

Eloise snatched her hand from Aro's hold.

"I said recently. The '80s is not recent," Eloise tells him, her brow snapped together, jaw tightening, and Aro feigned innocence. "My sincerest apologies," Aro's expression said otherwise.

"Ahh! Eloise. I thank you for finishing our burden in the South. We appreciate your concern about hiding our kind. Maria was a risk for exposure," Aro tells her, eyes gleaming, with a nod of his head as he walks towards the center of the room.

"And I would appreciate it if your coven members put their stalking to a halt now," Eloise tells him as she looks towards Jane, Alec, and now Felix and Demetri.

"Of course! Dearest, there is no reason for us to worry about you going back to the Mexican Coven when it ceased to exist just about yesterday," Aro chuckles, and his chuckles are followed by his guards.

"Thank you. I'll be on my way now, Aro. It was good to see you," Lies.

Aro halts her, "But wait! Have you considered my offer as one of my guards? The position is still vacant,"

Eloise curtsies and declines, "As much as I want to join," Again, lies, "I enjoy the life I have built with humans,"

Aro looks at her with disgusted yet curious eyes and nevertheless says, "Of course, your humanitarian work with the mortals. Do visit Italy again if you have the time, Eloise." With that, she left the room.

She exited the castle and was engulfed by a hug. She was alarmed at first, then recognized the scent.

Alice. What was Alice doing here in Volterra?

"El! I haven't seen you for decades!" Alice exclaims excitedly as she hugs Eloise tightly, her grip hard as steel.

"It's good to see you again, Ali," Eloise replies with a light chuckle.

Alice pulls away, and Eloise asks, "What are you doing here in Volterra, Alice? Do you know how dangerous it is for you to be here?"

Eloise later learned of Alice's gift of foreseeing. Jasper explained to her in one of the letters he sent that he knew the days of her performances because of Alice's gift.

"I know, but Edward did something stupid, so I'm here," Alice tells her, and Eloise looks around. She was about to ask but was cut off. "No! He is not here! I know he's not welcome here,"

Eloise looks relieved as Alice then gives her the rolled paper, "Here is the information on my new family members and where we are residing. I hope you visit us!" or join.

Eloise smiles gratefully at her as she reads through Alice's writing. "And we may need your help soon," Alice continues, and Eloise looks at her in worry, "Why? What happened?"

"I have a bad feeling about the future. I'll explain everything when the time comes, but I need your word that you will help us, Eloise, please," Alice tells her, tone almost begging.

"You know, I'll always help, especially if it involves him," Eloise tells her without a doubt.

"It involves the rest of the family. I know this is hard to ask. But prepare yourself to be reunited with him again after decades," Alice tells her, and Eloise purses her lips yet gives her a nod in agreement and pulls Alice into a hug.

"I should go. I'm needed," Alice tells her as she pulls away from Eloise. "Stay safe, Alice." Alice smiles in return.

Eloise decided to wait for Alice and whoever she was with. She needed the peace of mind that Alice was alive and well, hearing their upcoming footsteps towards the reception area.

She stood up from her seat, walking towards the exit. It didn't settle her nerves that she felt eyes boring at the back of her head.

After months of preparing herself.

As expected, a phone call from Alice.

Author's Note:

➵Pre-eclipse's final chapter! I'll post a chapter for the separate author's note as usual, and y'all better read it because I wrote something important that y'all should know. <3

➵ Also, me killing off Maria?!? All I can say is, deserveeee😌 She should have died a long time ago. I didn't know why Smeyer let Maria live when she had power over the South for so long. As we know, the Volturi would have felt threatened by it. Their egos couldn't take that.