Chapter 4

We were making our way home to the mansion quietly and could hear nothing but the faint song coming right from my cell phone. It was just weak and good to listen to but Zaffiro voice was all I could hear.

“You okay? Is it too cold? Are you hungry already?”

“A-Ah, not anymore. Let’s just go home because maybe my sisters are already there.”

Even if it’s against my will to refuse his offer, maybe it’s okay, because he looks exhausted, maybe later he’ll suddenly faint, he’s still a big man, it’s hard for me not to be able to carry him.

I closed my eyes and began to remember what had happened today. I was so happy because I was able to visit him again and I was given the chance to be with him. He is so busy with work, even he and his family can no longer take care of himself so as long as I can I always visit him to bring food maybe later because of what he eats.

“You go first, I’ll be next.”

I just smiled and took my small bag and got out of the car. As I put on my slippers, my stomach felt a little boiling. Maybe I’ll eat first before going upstairs, I don’t have any of my siblings yet. So I hurriedly walked to the kitchen but it also stopped because of the eyes looking at me.

“Emergency, but she was the last to arrive. We were even forced to end everything for what you say is an emergency.”

“We’re still confused to arrange all the paperwork so we can go home right away. Then you’ll be the last to come?”

They were all staring at me and their eyes were asking why I was just now.

“Good evening,” I greeted them all, just shake and stare they replied as they aunt and uncle laughed softly.

“What time is it? You told ‘kin you’ve only been in the meeting for a while,” I heard a deep voice come down the stairs and look at me intently.

“Good evening uncle.” I simply kissed his cheek and then turned away from him.

I narrowed my eyes to the sofa and sat down next to Lana who was smiling at me. Suddenly I stood up and took two pieces of pizza and then left them. I don’t know if they’re looking at me, I know I’m beautiful, no big deal for that.

“Looks like Zaffiro got starving you ah.”

“How do you know—”

“Someone brought your car here. It was also said that you were together and he would take you.”

Ahh, of course. Some time, later I was able to sit up straight because of the arrival.

“I’m sorry we’re late,” Zaffiro said sleepily.

He stretched his head and then leaned back in his chair. I even saw him close his eyes and I could see how tired he was.

“You should go to your room son, take a rest,” I heard Auntie Nieva say to him so he opened his eyes.

“No need Mom. I’m leaving too, I just delivered Veron.”

Leaving? Again?

“No. Rest here and leave tomorrow morning.” Auntie Nieva authoritatively said reason for this sigh.

But I was shocked because his eyes hit me causing me to suddenly averted my eyes from it. I just silently watched them all as they talked. Zaffiro is also gone because he is supposed to rest, sad but it’s okay because it looks really tired.

They always laughed because of what Lucas was telling me while I was eating shanghai. This is the only food left on the table, so this is what I left out. I also noticed the reddish flower, I immediately simply took a few pieces there. I was no longer able to listen to what they said because I went up immediately.

Smiling I smell them while staring intently at my hand. I used to receive a lot of flowers but I have never experienced being given a flower from the person I want. It’s frustrating yes, but if I apply my pride nothing will happen in my love life. I’m sure I can get him, that’s for sure and no one can resist.

I decided to go upstairs first to where the terrace was. I sat on a hammock that was where I was staying when I was quite young. Suddenly a loud wind blew so I let go of the flower I was holding so, I immediately bent down to pick it up, when I touched it for a moment I heard someone talking, so I slowly stood up and listened to it. Male voice.

I don’t know but I’m very curious about what they’re talking about. I was holding the flower as I followed that voice coming right to my left where the other chairs were.

“If I were you, I would tell them the truth. They would understand that especially-“

“No. I can’t. I have no intention of telling them about that.”

I knew it was the voice of Zaffiro and Von, but I didn’t know what they were talking about. So I put my ear even closer to hear that. “You’re only torturing yourself Zaffiro. I don’t know how long I’m going to cover you up from Zafia, you know me Zaf, I don’t want to keep a secret, so please think about it first,” Von said seriously but I never heard that Zaffiro will speak.

So before they caught me I slowly turned away from them to get out of there immediately, because I also did not understand what they were saying. I was immediately nervous when my cell phone rang. In my panic, I gradually took my cell phone, which was ringing in my pocket, causing the flower I was holding to fall.

I almost shivered when I stood up and just pinched the flower I was holding. I don’t know but the pounding in my chest was so strong and I also didn’t know what to do. Nervously, I forced myself to step on one foot in case I teleported to another continent of the house just to get stuck here! But that’s how my body was shaking when I felt the warm hand that was holding my arm so tightly that it made me writhe in pain.

“Z-Zaffir—”

“Did you hear anything? Did you hear it all?”

The warmth of his hand was the coldness of his stare at me. I can’t answer because of the shock and nervousness I’m feeling now, I’m almost bent over from the pain of his infection in my arm, I can’t even complain that it hurts because I’m scared of its aura.

“Zaf, release Veron, you might hurt her!” Von’s worried rebuke to him caused him to slowly loosen his grip on me until he finally left my hand in the air.

“I-I’m sorry Veron,” he said to me as if he was getting drunk.

I took my arm and caressed it, when I noticed Zaffiro looking at it I stopped it and showed the smile I always show him.

“A-Ah there’s nothing. And then I’m sorry I interrupted what you talked about. I just went upstairs because then suddenly my cell phone rang. I’m sorry again,” I said to the two of them and tried to convince them.

“It’s okay. We’re done talking. I’m going to rest. Goodnight,” Von said goodbye then he messed up my hair like he did when we were kids.

Since we were just the two of us here we were enveloped in silence, it was very awkward to look at our situation now and even worse it was staring at me. I was about to speak but I was immediately silenced because it suddenly left in front of me, as if I was a statue because he turned his back on me from where we were standing. I slowly turned around but saw that no one was there, he was already down, and I was the only one.

I don’t know how I’m going to feel at this time, I don’t feel angry or anything, I just chose to understand it, that’s what my uncle taught us, to learn to understand. I haven’t been visited by drowsiness yet so I’ll stay here first, it’s a pity because the gentle air I can breathe, add the extra-large hacienda that just lacks rice fields, it’s also beautiful in the space that isn’t very cloudy enough to see the beautiful stars that are few and far between, so beautiful… Just like me.

I just sighed when I suddenly remembered what had happened before, his scary eyes, its grip on me, and their conversation. I didn’t know what they were talking about so I was a bit hung up on what I found out, well, I didn’t really know anything because I didn’t listen to it completely. Maybe he’s just tired so that’s how he acted, so I understand him.

But it’s still annoying! Agh!

“Annoying!”

“I’m sorry for what I did to you lately.”

I didn’t know what to do and I just closed my mouth because I was so shocked.

I feel like anytime he will cut me here goodness! I hope not.

“I’m just really tired. But that’s not enough reason to do that to you before. I’m really sorry Veron. I’m just really thinking too much,” he said as the shadow slowly grew in front of me, one it just means, he’s approaching me!

As I expected it slowly sat on my thigh— I mean, next to me. I don’t know what he’s doing because until now I’m afraid to look at him, we know that maybe later his eyes will be flashed! I’m scared of that.

“Here, I borrowed this from Nikasha. Can I have your hand?” His hands are just floating in the air asking for my hand, I feel like he’s chasing me or he’s begging me to come with him or communicate! But like I said, that’s just my feeling.

“Can I?”

“Yeah,” I said softly as if still embarrassed.

He gently applied the medicine all over my hand and up to the elbow, he gently applied his hand. That’s not too emphatic and that’s right, I was just staring at it and he looked far away from the scary before. He’s really kind, but it’s not that obvious.

“Hey, why don’t you put down the one you’re holding first? It won’t disappear at your side.”

I was able to sit up because of his voice, I also noticed that he stopped squeezing and that the attention was on me. By the way, I’m holding the flowers, I’m so excited today. I briefly took my hand away from his hand so that I could properly place my grips on the side, so I turned away from him and as I lowered my grips I could no longer restrain myself from releasing the smile.

The smile was still lacking in fact, I wanted to shout because of the thrill I was feeling, even though what he said was just fine with me and the thrill was more dominant over me and I don’t know why. Aghh! I can’t take it anymore mygadd!

I just bit my lower lip so hard and faced him again, I was surprised to look at it because it smiled a little at me! As in! But only a little.

“Are you done smiling secretly?” he said still smiling and he took my hand.

I almost lost all my teeth because of what it said right in front of me. Did he see? But I turned my back, I’m pretty sure he won’t see me! I really feel like he has ten eyes.

“Don’t make a story out of that, I might think you like me!” I said while frowning and looking straight into his smiling eyes as well.

“I saw you.”

“How come? I turned my back on you then—”

“Look at the back, then,” he said letting go of my hand and crossing his arms further.

There is no reason for him to see me because first of all there are only chairs and plants. The light was placed behind us a little higher so you could know immediately if someone was coming because of the shadow, and it wasn’t too dark or bright, just right enough for me to see Zaf’s gardens and face — wait!

Son of a— My eyes almost popped out as it stopped in a shiny mirror that was there on my side, I could clearly see the face of a man who was still smiling and then shaking. It also took a few seconds before I realized my stupidity, so I forced my eyes to look back at where he was. Like before, he was still smiling but standing up, it was just nice to look at how he looked like that. I rarely see him smile so I’m a jackpot again!

“I’ll go ahead now. Take care yourself,” he told me smiling.

I decided to turn around to get my things, but with a gust of strong wind I felt hot breath on the right side of my ear.

“Forgive me, Sweet dreams, Veron,” he replied weakly then touched his warm lips to my ear. I couldn’t move anything in my body, nor my heart, I didn’t even know if it was okay, and what’s worse is that as time goes on, my feelings for him deepen.