Chapter 14: Questions

How could we determine if we did our best on something? How can we affirm that we did our very best to the extent of something? When everything feels hefty, you just can't ignore it, like a pail of water that gets heavier and heavier with time as the water comes from never-ending sources.

It has still been a wonder what one would do when they just started, yet they don't know how to make it all stop. Or maybe they do, but they just don't want to. It is a matter of whether you would execute it or not.

Everything was static and screamed signs like it wouldn't be overturned, but then the next moment, it all felt dynamic as it started to throw out indications of hope. "Raya," I heard my name coming out of someone's mouth. He hesitated at first about bending down, but then it was like he had no choice but to do so.

My vision was facing the floor as tears flowed from my eyes. The blurry environment looked like it was eaten by fog. I could feel how the guards from the corner were bothered about what was happening, and it didn't take them that long to decide to move and check what was going on. But then, Kairo reassured them by lifting his right hand in the air; immediately stopping them from approaching where we were.

They went back to their places shortly after that. "We can talk about this more calmly, Raya; just relax, alright? You don't have to do this," Kairo said as he helped me stand up as he held me gently in both arms. In the next few seconds, I was already sitting on the chair while holding back my tears.

On the other hand, Kairo seemed so stressed while looking at me being in that state. He sat back on his chair as his vision settled on me. I was out of words. His mouth was too flowery as he started talking again.

"To be honest with you, Raya, I don't want to hurt you or your feelings. But I just want to let you know that the decision on whatever someone's fate would be, doesn't come down to my hands only. It involves every official and depends on how much damage the person has done." So he was saying he didn't have that much power and influence on his people? Well, too bad. I thought he was more than that.

I bit my lower lip as stress started to consume me. I certainly don't know what to say; I don't think I even have plans to interrupt him at the moment; I want to hear him talk and give me a bunch of explanations because I know that I need it. Should have been aware of everything.

"To be more certain, I assume he didn't tell you about it... something you need to know has always been hidden, for I don't know why," What? Curiosity started to creep inside me when he said those words; it instantly made me think of an answer, some are forming in my head, but it is just really not that clear enough to read and agree upon.

"All this time, it has been a wonder for me how Cassius decided to save you from your death when he's usually thirsty for taking the lives of someone like you," Kairo's voice was lingering with confusion and stress as he breathed heavily. I frowned more. I don't understand... My tears completely stopped as I felt my breathing getting heavy.

"There is something about you that could control how he acts, Raya. That's why I don't fully believe you when you told me that both of you were just friends when you're just a mere scapegoat who got rescued from her death," He continued saying as he looked up at the ceiling. His chest moved when he took in a deep breath after that.

It was like he had just got hit by a thunder of realization as he thought about what he said. I bit my lower lip. I cannot afford to say reply. It was undeniable how the conversation had just shifted, and now, the topic had become more about me and my connection with Cassius. It only gave me a quick flashback of when I just started my job as a maid here and how it became hard for me and Cassius to have a casual conversation because chaos rose when something unexpected happened.

"Hey... You alright?" A woman's voice echoed through my ears. When I saw her approaching me, I bothered to sit properly on the chair and fix my posture. We're in the hallway and brushing off the dust in the giant paintings hanging on the wall. Our job just started, but I already feel tired... not that I'm tired from working, but it's more like I'm tired deep inside. I have felt so anxious the past few days.

There was no medicine for my thoughts, so I just had to get busy doing something, that way, I won't be bothered by them. I usually keep myself busy too, but this time, they successfully overtook me. She paced forward and moved closer to where I was. When she touched my cold hands, I finally decided to meet her gaze.

"You've been sitting here for more than ten minutes. Is there any problem? You look troubled," she asked worriedly. "I..." I took a deep breath then tell her : "I-I'm fine, sorry," After that, I couldn't help but look at her nametag and saw her name was "Fay," I know I was supposed to be working, and it's not fair for the other maids because we were all getting paid for our shifts.

I need to keep moving and don't show any laziness. She gave me a fainted smile as she decided to give me a slight tap on my right shoulder. When I decided to stand up, she lent a hand which I accepted and said: "If you need someone to talk to about your problems, you can always count on me. I will listen," I nodded. I picked up the clean cloth that I was using to clean the frame of the paintings and was so ready to come back to work together with her, not till a Gamma Wolf officer in his neat uniform approached Fay and me.

He was holding a bouquet of red roses, immediately making me wonder if he was her lover. I was almost ready to ask her about him too, but when he stopped at our front and bowed to me, questions started to rise. It became much more when he handed me the flowers. I didn't move, while Fay on the other side was already screeching while slightly shaking my left arm.

"You must be mistaken, mister," I mumbled while looking at the roses. "I don't think this is for me; I can't remember ordering some roses." He shook his head as a friendly chuckle went out of his mouth. "I don't think I am, Miss," he replied with a smile. "Oh," That’s all that comes out of my mouth. I was still double thinking for the first few seconds. But in the end, I just accepted it. I didn't even ask him who gave it because he immediately left after. But there's a small card just on the side.

Fay volunteered to take it. When she opened it, I almost couldn't believe my eyes. "These roses are just as beautiful as you; I hope you're having a lovely day, Raya," she read what was written on the card. My jaw almost dropped when I looked at the name that indicated who gave it. "It says it's from Kairo," Fay uttered. Kairo? But... his name isn't Kairo? I expected that this is probably from Cassius, but at the same time, I don't think that he'd have that interest since we both agreed not to let the public know that there's something about us, or at least not make it obvious.

"It's kind of weird.I don't know any Kairo," I looked at the woman at my side. "Do you?" I ask her. "I do, honestly," she replied. Interesting... "Only one person in the pack who owns that name, Raya," she continues. Hmm? "Who?" It took her a moment to answer, but when she finally did, it became like a pill for me that was hard to swallow.

"The Alpha," she answered. "Kairo is the honorable Alpha's name," We both stayed silent after realizing what just happened. But when she finally recovered, my mind fogged as she started to rain my questions. As much as I wanted to answer her, I couldn't. How could I answer her if I didn't know what to give? I don't even know how I managed to go back to working again after that.

Everyone in the group knew about the roses and the one who gave them. They also react differently; some are cheerful, while most are angry and annoyed. While I? I'm in the middle. It was a big question, especially because I knew about the Alpha's mate. I felt bad. But I also don't want to think about the roses in a bad way; he just must be being friendly.

There's nothing malicious. The time was fast, and when my shift ended, I immediately left and went to the room, together with the bouquet, which was on my right. I first noticed when I stepped inside that Cassius was already there. His serious eyes went to the bouquet I held, making me fake a cough. My other hand went to close the door before I started to walk towards the couch and sat there. I bothered to put the roses on the small table before removing my sandals. I felt how he stood up from the bed after that.

He's also still in his uniform, and he just got here. "Good evening, Raya," he greeted with a low voice. Even if I'm not looking at him, I still could say he got his eyes on the bouquet of roses on one table. There's something inside of me that I should tell him about it, but apart from that, there's also something telling me that I shouldn't.

"Roses?" he started. "... and it's red. Who gave those to you?"

"It's nothing," A breath of relief went out of my mouth as soon as I removed my tight sandals; after that, I didn't even waste any seconds and finally looked at him. He was still looking at the roses before he turned to me as he analyzed my movements. "Nothing?"

"It's... It's from a friend, Cassius. Nothing special. Don't worry about it,"I said honestly. I felt like he wanted to pick it up and see what was written on the card, but I decided to do it myself before he could even do it. I picked up the card and realized that hiding secrets won't do any good. I handed the card to him, which he immediately accepted. I can see him reading the words. What's written won't take much time to read, so when a minute passed, and he didn't even say anything, I started to feel uneasy.

"Uhh..." I started. "I told you, it's just nothing. We could just throw it away in the trash if you want," I swallowed hard. He muttered curses before dropping the card and giving me his full attention. Both of his rough hands went to touch me at my shoulders as we both looked straight in the eyes. I immediately felt scared. My knees started to feel weak while looking at his piercing eyes.

"Do me a favor," he said coldly. "W-What favor?" I replied, stuttering. "Stay away from him. He won't do you any good," he uttered.

"Huh? But he's the Alpha, he wants to—"

He cut me off with a frustrated voice and he said : "Just listen to me, Raya,". I bit my bottom lip. "I don't like to force you, but please, listen to me... I will talk to him about this; he might be hitting on you,"

"I don't think so..." A puff of air went out of his mouth as he shook his head to my response. "I know him; he just won't do this for nothing.Your beauty and kindness must've interested him because he's not even this romantic for his Luna, you must stay away from him, or else you'll face some danger,"