CHAPTER 33

“ Aurie...”

When I heard a voice coming from outside my room, I cautiously opened my eyes. I turned to the man next me; Seven was still sleeping, so I was certain he wasn’t the one who called me.

“Come on, Aurie! Your classmates are here!” I rolled my eyes and cast a glance towards the door. I could hear a loud bang on my door; perhaps it was Iris.

What time did she arrive last night? Or did she just arrive this morning?

“Aurora! Pierre is here!” The door slammed once more, as though the person outside was displeased. I sat and removed the blanket that had been draped over me.

Pierre? Why? What was Pierre going to do here?

‘Tomorrow? 9:00am is what we discussed previously. In your house, isn’t? You even agreed.”

Oh, shoot!

When I remembered what we had discussed last night, it was as if cold water was poured on me. Really, Aurie? Of all the things that you could forget, seriously this thing?

“Ouch,” Seven mumbled as he rubbed his face. He picked up his cellphone, opened it, and looked at the clock.

“You’re insane! How come you didn’t wake me up?” I stated, panicking. I walked into the bathroom to wash my face and then grabbed a hoodie from the wardrobe.

“I’m leaving,” I said as I walked away.

“How about we go together?” He slipped on his slippers and approached me lazily. I opened the door and Seven quickly followed.

We saw Iris outside, arms folded and eyebrow arched.

“I’ve been knocking for a while; have you only recently awoken? Did you sleep late last night, huh?” irritably, she asked.

“I didn’t.” Seven wrapped his arm around me, as though teasing Iris. I didn’t respond and proceeded directly to the living room. As was the case previously, Seven simply followed me.

I joined up with my groupmates who were sitting quietly and scanning the whole house. Pierre was on the side, he immediately looked at me, then to the person beside me.

“Have you been here for a while? Sorry, I-I felt sick last night, I had a difficult time waking up.” I averted my glance as Pierre examined me from head to toe.

“No, we’ve just arrived,” Ivy, one of my quiet classmates, stated. I mustered a smile and cast a glance behind me.

“How much time will it take? Is this your group study? This afternoon, Aurie and I are going somewhere,” Seven asked, his gaze fixed on Pierre. Pierre was our leader; in every one of my groups, he was the one to be asked.

“We won’t take that long.”

Seven simply nodded and walked away from us. He walked into the kitchen, where Iris was preparing lunch. It was true that we would be leaving later, we would be visiting his friend’s clinic for a full body check up. We were supposed to do it next week, but because of what happened last night, we would just do it today.

I came closer to Pierre and took a seat next to him.

“Did you both sleep in the same bed?” he asked in hushed tones. I smiled and nodded innocently. “As I already stated, I was sick yesterday, so...he came here to look after me. Iris wasn’t here last night; she went to her father’s house.”

He didn’t say anything and simply averted his gaze. Only Ivy spoke out out of everyone in my group because she was a member of the choir. She had the most knowledge of what we were going to perform. The lyrics were also ready; she finished them last night.

She allocated a few people to work on our props; fortunately, I was not one of them because I don’t put out much effort when it comes to art.

“I’ll just go get something to eat. Wait for me here.” I got up and left. I walked straight to the kitchen, which was now empty. Iris finished cooking thirty minutes after we started it.

“Do you need help?”

I immediately looked up when I heard Pierre’s voice.

“Hand me the tray,” I said, pointing toward a tray that had been placed next to him. I was making sandwiches. I was quite aware that one sandwich per person wasn’t enough, so I needed to make a lot.

Pierre walked over to me and dropped the tray on the Island counter. He held me from behind, burying his face against my shoulder.

“I’m in the middle of something, and I won’t be able to finish it instantly if you’re gonna hug me.”

“I missed you.”

I sighed as I tried to keep a grin on my face. Without saying anything, I turned to face him and lifted myself. I caressed both of his cheeks and pressed my lips on his.

He answered promptly, and it appeared like he intended to do it to me for a few days but was unable to do so. He tightened his grip around my waist and forced himself even closer to me. I was practically out of breath because of his deep kiss; his tongue was roaming inside my mouth, and I couldn’t keep up with his kisses.

“Are you trying to kill me?’ I exclaimed as he himself broke off the kiss. He sealed my lips with another brief kiss after letting out a quiet giggle.

“Come on, let’s get this over with. The people outside are already starving.”

He assisted me in finishing the sandwiches. When we were finished, he carried the entire tray to the living room, and I only brought the drinks and glasses with me.

Time passed until we finished the groupings, we were able to learn the song because we were given a copy of the lyrics to keep. All we needed are some props.

“Aurie, get ready, we’re leaving,” Seven said when Pierre and the other members of the group left the house.

I showered and changed into some fresh clothes. Seven stated that the clinic was just close to his home; I was curious as to where his home was. I would only live here for a brief period of time, but he purchased a house to keep an eye on me.

We didn’t waste any time and went straight to his friend’s clinic after cleaning up. When we arrived, we were met by a small yet pleasant woman. She donned a laboratory coat just like Seven.

“Hi! You must be Aurora?” she asked with a friendly tone. I gave her a huge smile and nodded. She seemed to be nice; I was unaware that Seven had a friend when he was younger. He spent a lot of time alone in our home, helping nanny Sena.

“Emily, I’m going to run a full body exam on her; you have all of the needed things, right?” Seven asked. Since we arrived, there had been no sign of a smile on his face, and I was beginning to feel a bit apprehensive.

“Oh, yes. Please come in.” She opened the door, and I saw a collection of machines with names I didn’t know. Those devices were much different from the ones we used to use before.

I changed my clothes, and he let me wear a hospital gown. I shook my head, wondering why I was forced to wear this. I knew that he would also strip me later because this was a general check-up and I must be naked for the physical examination.

The professional doctor’s move had became Seven’s move, and he was treating me as if I was just a random patient. It was an advantage because I didn’t feel uncomfortable even when he requested to remove my clothes.

It took a long time before I was allowed to leave the room after the test. Of course, I was already dressed. I wore the same clothes that I used earlier.

I took a look around while I waited for the results to be announced. Emily’s clinic was quite large, with a second storey on top of the first. She didn’t have any patients right now; I had read previously that they were closed on Wednesdays, and she simply opened the clinic for me today.

Seven came out from the room with an envelope after some time had gone. That, I was sure, was the result.

He approached me and picked up the backpack I was carrying.

Surprisingly, his eyes were a little red; I was not sure why, because they weren’t like that when we arrived here.

“Let’s go home; I’ve said my goodbyes to Emily.” I followed him out of the clinic silently when he came out first.

What happened to him? Why did it seem that his rudeness doubled today?

He was really quiet throughout the ride and until we arrived at our house. Even Iris, who was oblivious to her surroundings, noticed that Seven was not on his mood.

“Looks like your doctor had a rough day?” Iris asked abruptly in the midst of our meals. Seven was in the guest room, resting.

“I believe so; I’m not sure why he’s been so silent since we did the test.”

“What’s the result?”

“I don’t know. I’m afraid to ask since he might bite me. He’s quite frightening when he’s angry.” Earlier, I wanted to know why he was acting that way, but lacked the guts. I was also nervous, possibly because of the outcome of my test.

“Why don’t you ask him? You have the rights to know; it’s your health that we’re talking about here.”

Yes, I was aware of my rights, but I was really afraid. Nervousness never left me until after we ate. What if his silence had a thing to do with the test results?

Before proceeding to the guest room, I gathered strength. There was only silence outside the room, and I didn’t hear a single crackle from the inside. Was he sleeping? Oh my my, should I still ask him? I fiercely blew air and knocked three times.

After a few seconds, the door opened and the messy-haired Seven came out of the room.

“Come in,” he said as he flung open the door wide for me to enter. Without saying a word, I entered and sat on one of the sofas.

“Uh...what was the result? I’m curious.” I chewed my lip nervously. I hoped I was doing well; it was acceptable if nothing had changed as long as my situation didn’t get worse.

“We have to go back home.”

I raised my eyes immediately. What exactly did he say? Go home? Why? Was there something wrong with the test?

“What? Why? No!” A shudder crept into my chest gradually. What was the result?

“You don’t have proper medications here. You do have medicines, but I’m not your doctor, Aurie. All I can do is prevent the pain you’re experiencing; my movements are restricted because Dr. Williams never told me what to do about your condition. You see the results right here? They’re all negative, which means your condition is deteriorating! As time passes, you’ll become weaker! You’ll die sooner!” Tears welled up in his eyes as he said that. His lips quivered as though he were attempting to restrain himself from adding any words.

“What do you want me to do, then? Let mom lock me in that room, huh? Are you thinking about how I’ll feel when I’m there? I’ll be alone! There’s no fun, I’ll just lie there all my life! Did you even think of that?” I couldn’t help but shout.

“How about us who care about you? I let you live freely despite the risk, but have you ever considered how I’ll feel? Yes, we haven’t been close since childhood, but for me, you’re my sister! Family! Whoever sees you grow up, it’s just me! Can you imagine how I’ll feel when you’re gone? How about your mother? Are you aware that she had a difficult time seeing you in that condition as well? Even her would prefer that you avoid using those equipment, but it’s her only option for keeping you longer! To spend more time with you! How about Iris Marguerite? Pierre? You believe they’ll be pleased that this is your choice, don’t you? If Pierre truly loves you, I’m sure he’ll make you go back to our house as well!”

His tears streamed down his cheeks as reality slammed me. He made a valid point, but I refused to listen to him. I knew that I was being selfish. However, this was what I wanted; this is my life; thus, I would do whatever it takes be free, even if it means death.

“I-I’m not coming back,” I stated as I stood on the sofa and left him. I couldn’t stay any longer because as the time passes by, my mind keep telling me that I should really listen to Seven and go back home.

I entered the room with tears in my eyes and flung myself on the bed. I wanted to shout out of frustration; this was the first time I’d been enraged by my situation. Why did it have to be me? The mall was crowded that time, yet why did the bullet landed on me? What did I do wrong? Did I massacre a village in the past that I am being punished in the present?

While crying, I felt a vibration beneath me. I picked up the phone and answered Pierre’s call, sobbing.

“Hello?” my voice was muffled, as I’d covered my mouth with a blanket to keep him from noticing my sobs.

“Did anything happen? Why are you crying?” His question seemed to set off a chain reaction, as I sobbed even harder as I heard it.

“I don’t wanna tell you.” For a little period of time, the other line was silence until I heard his loud sigh.

“All well, then. Would you like me to come over?”

“No? I’m a mess right now, I look so fucking ugly.”

“I’ll come over,” he said as he hung up. I was confident he’d come here; he never broke a promise. He would do everything he says.

I waited a few moments till I heard the horn of a passing car. I was concealing myself beneath the blanket when I heard the bedroom door opened and closed.

I felt the bed sink to my side, alerting me to the presence of another person. My body gradually became cold as he slowly drew aside the cover and turned me to face him.

Pierre was wearing a black sweatshirt; he was no longer wearing his glasses. His hair was unruly, as if it were designed to complement his present look. He looked so gorgeous, while I looked like a dying potato.

“Your eyes are puffy; how long have you been crying?”

“If you ask me how long I’ve been crying or why am I crying, I’ll cry even more.” I was not in the mood for questions; perhaps I’d simply kick him out if he asked again.

“Silly. Who made my baby cry, hmm?”

He sat me on his thigh after lifting my body. He embraced me from behind and kissed my head several times.