Chapter 19 Chapter 18
Chapter 19 Chapter 18
CHAPTER 18
CAELON
“You enter her number like this, and you will touch this green button and…you’re set.”
“And she will talk?” Emyr sighs and shake the phone, looking at Aila as though she wasn’t serious of what she said. “Well, yeah, only she picks it up though sometimes it will direct you to voicemail which quite sucks, so, you’ll have to wait for her to speak first.”
“Okay, I think I get it now,” I watched as Aila held out her hand to Emyr who reluctantly give back her phone. “I will try and give her a call right at this moment,” She muttered as she passes me by my desk and out to the patio she went. Emyr retreated up to his room to take a nap while I resumed my seat, watching Aila as she waited.
The strong wind made her fiery red hair fly around her face and she tucked them nervously. We were staying at Emyr’s abode, Kipawt Residence, which is located in an island, north of Wellington. It was overlooking the great cliff side, far from the curious humans from below. We have figured that this location is best, the safest place for both me and Aila since Hades have known about the flat at Paris. It would’ve been convenient to stay there for the night but I couldn’t risk us being found. I still don’t trust Hades’ motives.
He might be keeping something up in his sleeves.
Me and Aila have managed to keep our relationship to ourselves as to avoid Emyr’s suspicious gaze – though, I have a hunch that he already knows about it but chose not to say something with the fear that I will tease him about Rause. Aila usually chose to snuggle next to me at night whenever Emyr was asleep and I think, Emyr senses her every time she sneaks up the stairs.
I really love to have her by my side, collecting her in my arms and singing to her, whispering that she would not have to worry about me leaving her or Hades coming to take her because I am next to her. The past week has been a bundle of nerves and we hardly ever slept because the threat of Hades still hot on our trail provides constant vigilance in our part
“Caelon!” her urgent voice rose me up from my seat and I turned her carefully, checking her face and body before asking, “Why? What is it? What happened?”
Aila’s face softened as she tilted her head, “I’m fine. Sorry if I startled you because of my excitement. It’s just that, Emily – well, she and I talked about our day. I told her that it is as windy as the day before and she talks about her cat, which is ginger and very fat.”
She wraps her arms around my waist and pulled me towards the sofa, climbing up on my lap and snuggling on my neck as though she were a cat, “Emily seems to like talking to me though she has mentioned that her sister, Molly, will accompany her when she meets with us tomorrow for they are still worried about all of this being a prank.”
“Doubtful is she?” I buried my nose in Aila’s hair and sniffed, breathing in that sweet vanilla scent. “There’s something I want to continue with,” Aila raised her head and adjusted on my lap as she gave me a curious gaze. I shook my head, kissing her cheek as I pulled her close and tucked her under my chin, singing, “Put your head on my shoulder, pull me in your arms baby,” I smiled as I felt her arm tightening on my waist and I continue, “Squeeze me oh so tight, show me,”
“That you love me too,” Aila whispered in my chest as I cradled her in my arms, my nose to her hair, her lips next to my heart. “Put your lips next to mine, dear, won’t you kiss me once,” I leaned down, resting my head on hers, pecking her lips, “Baby.”
“Just a kiss goodnight,” Aila whispered before she pressed her lips on mine, “Maybe.” I smiled and peck her lips once more as I finished, “You and I will fall in love.”
I kissed her forehead once more and rested my head on her shoulder, “I can stay like this forever.”
“I would like that too…but,” She push my head off her neck and I glared at her, pouting, “We have to finish our search for my dad.”
“I thought all you need is your mother?” she ducks her head and blushed at my stern gaze. “Well, I would like the set.” I huffed, resting my head back on the sofa and I accepted my defeat.
“Okay then, I have no choice but to agree with you.” I tugged at her hand and stated, “But in one condition.”
It was her turn to pout; her bottom lip protruding. She looks so cute that I am obliged to ruin her fun. “Stop pouting.”
“I am not pouting,” She muttered, making me roll my eyes before swooping down to her lips and kissing her.
“Caelon,” She protested, pushing me slightly as she said, “Let’s be sensitive and not do this here. Emyr-”
“Would not care.” I leaned in for another peck as I caress her face. “I think he already knows.”
“Does he?” I nodded; my eyes trained on her face. “Since I have already agreed to your arrangement, I want to tell you about my own condition.” I tucked her hair beneath her ear and continue, “I want you to experience such lavish pampering and might as well enjoy what earth stored.”
“You are taking me places?” I raised my eyebrows at her enthusiastic expression but I nodded
“And we’re going to eat delicious food?” I nodded once again and she screams, tackling me back on the sofa while I splutter and laugh at her silliness.
“What should I do first? Should I hug her -”
“No, you should say your greetings and offer for your hand – a hug is too much to accept from a stranger,” Emyr put a check on the boxes on his notes while I assisted Aila with her coat.
“Can I ask her if she has children after the greetings? I am pretty sure that-”
“Absolutely not; that would be rude. First, you’ll have to be polite and ask her how she is doing. Pleasantries, remember?
Aila quickly nodded and muttered a thank you before I held her hand as we made our way out of the house
“Are you ready?” She nodded her head which made the tiny yellow ribbon on her hair, bob slightly.
“Yes.”
“Okay then,” I flicked my hand and in seconds, River Seine appeared before us. A tiny gasp escapes Aila and she peered up to me as we trudged down the slope and settled by a nearby tree. Parisians blundered about, getting on with their business while I lay the blankets down by the earth and hand the basket to Aila who is now seated unto it. I settled next to her and gingerly took some walnut crusted rolls, putting some jam on top and offering it to Aila who gave me a nervous gaze, shaking her head.
“Hey, it’s going to be alright. I am pretty sure that they’ll like you.” I offered the roll again, “Take it,” she shakes her head and sighs, “No thanks.” She pushed the food back to me and I pouted.
“No pouting,” she answered, giggling, her arms snaking on my waist as she continue to scan the thin crowd. After a while, I notice her stiffening, looking at one particular lady, who is with a fat woman that has red hair. Aila tightened her grip on my hand and I whispered, “Don’t worry, everything will be alright.” I leaned in to kiss her forehead and scoot next to her to make room to the incoming guest. The women reach our spots, the fat ginger woman smiling brightly, “Bonjour, je suis Molly. I believe you are the garcon that called and you la fille, one who talk to my poupee, Emily? You ‘ave ze yellow ribbon, oui?”
The fat woman asked, her cheeks red with the effort of standing up on her beefy legs, “Perhaps you should sit down, madame.” I offered her a seat but she declined, waving her hands. “Non! It izz ‘ard for me to zit zhat low. I can’t iztand. I just zettle at zhe bench and let three of you talk.” She smiled, leaving the other woman as she marched down the slope leading to the riverbank.
“Bonjour mad-“
The woman collapsed down on the mat before I even offered for her to sit. I observe the both of them as her and Aila stared, not taking their eyes off each other. Silently, I checked Emily’s features – the auburn hair was faded; I can see the original ginger hair beneath, the edge of her scalp. Her cute button nose and thick eyelashes greatly resembled Aila but I wonder if all of these were only coincidences.
I do not want to assure Aila with false hope.
The woman shifted and blinked, she dab her eyes that were now full of tears with the back of her sleeves and shakily laughed, “I know you are her,” she whispered before pulling Aila in a hug and exclaiming, “I ‘ave found Crimsyn, Molly! I am bloody well sure that it is really her. Damn Aphrodite, for thinking that she can just snatch my daughter from me!”
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