Chapter 40: Time too soon

Chapter 40: Time too soon (Wattpad)

Part I:

The instant I said those words, Sky reached out to my shoulder and pulled me towards him. I barely heard what my own grandfather was saying on the other line as his lips covered mine.

I kissed him back, one hand going up to grip his hair and kept him in place.

“Ryne?”

I pulled away from Sky for a moment, remembering how to breathe as I answered the phone, with Sky still nuzzling my neck.

“Yes?” I responded breathlessly.

“If what you’re saying is true – ”

“It is.”

“But…Ryne, my dear – ”

“Do you want to talk to him?” I looked into the deep, green, glazed eyes of Sky’s as I waited for an answer. 

“Yes. Give him the phone.” he said in a curt voice. Uh-oh. Without hesitation, I did. Sky straightened but his hand continued to caress my cheek.

“Sir.”

-

He held breath as he listened, waiting for the voice to come out on the phone and to his ear.

“Just what the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

“Sir – ”

“I told you, La Brea. For God’s sake. Is a simple instruction so hard to do?”

“I never intended for this to happen, sir. Believe me – ”

“I ordered you to bring my only granddaughter to me and – ” 

“I will, sir. I promise I will.”

“You better.” Then the line went dead.

He shrugged. Well, that was easy.

-

I touched his hand that was holding my face. “Well? What did he say?” he threw the phone on the bed and came to me. “What? I really can’t remember.” then he kissed me again, and I felt him smile against my lips. But when one of his hands started gripping my hair, I felt the mood shift. 

At that kiss, I felt something melt inside that hurt in an exquisite way – all my longings, all my dreams and sweet anguish, all the secrets that slept within me awake. Everything was transformed into something enchanted. Everything made sense.

The room was dim, despite the early hours of the day and he slowly lay me down on the bed, still in the kiss and took off his shirt. 

It’s obvious we won’t be having a word said for the meantime.


           Part II:

The maelstrom. The maelstrom inside me is beating the living shit out of me. I drew the covers higher up to my chin. That was the most glorious mistake – that doesn’t feel much like a mistake – in my entire life.

Sky sat up, his chest bare and he ruffled his already messy hair. For one second, he gazed practically nowhere then he looked at me.

To be honest, he looked adorably disheveled.

He started smiling slowly and I can’t help but smile myself, then I covered my face with the blanket. I started giggling. He said amusedly while chuckling, “What’s supposed to be funny?”

“You should ask yourself.” I answered right back. Then he asked me, “Wait, you’re 17, right?”

I looked up at him and gave him a withered look. “I’ll be 18 in less than a month. Just a few more weeks.”

“All the same, you’re still 17.” He grinned at me. I can’t help smiling back. “You look as if that’s no big problem.” 

“Few weeks.” he shrugged. “Little difference. And, oh wait. Was that your first?”

That. Was. Insulting.  Oh, no. Wait, you’re getting the wrong idea. Intrusive is the word. Yes, intrusive.

I sat up as fast as lightning, pushing him off the bed. “Get out, you stupid – ”

“Hey! I was asking! Politely, mind you.”

“I don’t give a damn.”

He laughed loudly as he took hold of my hands and kissed each of my fingers.

“Your face could compete with a tomato, Ryne.” I shot him daggers but then he grinned. “You’re beautiful.”

Aargh. I blushed deeper. “Thanks.” I said begrudgingly. He just laughed louder in response, then shifted closer to me, pulling his arms around me and burying his head on my hair. He started raining kisses on my head.

“You’re such a romantic git.” I chuckled.

“One of my best qualities.” he said, pulling away and winking at me. I asked, “So what did he say, really?”

“Your grandfather?”

“No. My gardener, Sky. Really.”

“Oh! Of course, how stupid of me.” then he pulled my chin up and kissed me.

I laughingly pulled away. This guy must be part British, part cannibal. “God, I want to know! I’m dying here.” he shook his head, a sparkle in his eyes. “Since you’re dying, okay then. It was gloriously short and full of…stuff.”

“What stuff?”

“You know, he short of lashed out at me – ”

“He what?”

“Lashed out at me.” he replied, shrugging. “It seemed like he knew it was going to happen sometime – ”

“And then? What else did he – ”

“Relax, Ryne. Your grandfather doesn’t just rip someone’s head off.”

“It’s just that…he sounded really…tough.” But that doesn’t just cover it; I don’t think there’s even a word to describe him, to be frank.

“He just said to bring you to him and – ”

“What? When?”

“Stop shooting questions at me!” he gently kissed my temple. “Just one at a time, my dear.”

“When?”

He grabbed the phone that dropped to the floor when we…you know. You can use your imagination, can’t you? Yes, you can.

Sky checked it for a moment and his head came up to me sharply. “Tomorrow.”

What?!

“Tomorrow? Let me see – ”

“No! I’m sure it’s tomorrow. You don’t have to see.” he protested, putting the phone away from my reach. 

“If there’s nothing wrong then why aren’t you – ”

“There’s a bit of a, uhm – ”

“Lashing out?” I guessed, raising an eyebrow. He nodded his head yes, and my eyes clouded in nervous thinking. Tomorrow.

Why does it have to be so soon?

“Hey.” Sky came to me and settled me on his lap easily. “I’m sure it would be okay. There’s nothing to worry about; they all love you, you know.”

“They? You actually met them?”

He pursed his lips then he answered, “Yes, I did.” I bit my lip, thinking further. “The file doesn’t say much about my grandfather.” I turned to him and continued speaking, “What does he look like?”

His gaze turned to one of deep comprehension. “He must’ve been handsome once. Just imagine George Clooney being a lot older. Lots older, then you have your grandpa. They even have the same name.” he mused.

“Lots?” I repeated. “Is he that old?”

He shook his head vigorously as he said hastily, “No, no. It’s more like, when you look into his face, you know he has it hard. And no white hair. Only grey. So you can breathe.”

“I wasn’t thinking of that! But anyway. Is he tall? Intimidating? Moderately intimidating? Extremely intimidating?

“Extremely, yes. And he’s tall.”

I gave a low whistle. “He must be really something.” He grinned. “Oh, yes. He is.”

“So what about my cousins?” I continued asking as I relaxed my body against his, my head on the crook on his neck. He replied, “Your cousins. Which one? Alexa?”

“Let’s start with her.” I was attentively listening even as I took hold of his hand and started tracing the lines of his palm. “Alexa is the brainy one. She’s every inch a Cavanagh.”

“What do you mean, Captain Obvious?”

“She is uhm, regal, in a way. Your grandfather said that with strangers, she could be aloof but with family and friends, she could be quite fun. Long hair, brainy, average height.”

I blinked as I took it all in. I wonder if she’s going to be aloof when I’m with her. To divert myself from troubling thoughts, I asked another question, “And Colleen? Is she uhmm, the outgoing cousin or something?”

“Hardly. You could say that she jokes quite a lot. And she’s kind of loud, but she definitely prefers indoors.”

“How do you know?” I said, eyeing him.

“She told me she never used a paddle in her life.”

Whoa. A smile started showing on my face. “I think we’ll go along well.” he laughed at that, and then surprisingly, he rubbed the tip of his nose to mine. I love it when he does that. “Perhaps.” He paused right there, still looking at my eyes closely. He said, “I feel weird; I remember thinking about you in the middle of the night after we went shopping. You were pestering my mind, I should say.”

I laughed. “My mom used to say – I mean my mother Leia. She used to say that if you can’t get someone out of your head, maybe they’re supposed to be there. Even if they are pestering.”

He smiled. “Mmm.” was his only reply as he kissed both of my wrists before moving to my mouth. When I finally pulled back to breathe air, I asked. “How are going to get to them tomorrow?” 

“We have a plan.”

             I laughed when he wasted no time and began nuzzling my ear. “Okay, Captain La Brea.” As the afternoon sun began to dip down on the horizon, I should’ve known right then and there that things don’t really go to plan.

Chapter 36: A shot in the dark

Chapter 36: A shot in the dark (Wattpad)

We spent the rest of the night together, absorbed in each other. We played a horror movie – complete with popcorn and with the lights shut off. It was the best night of my life, and probably afterlife. After a while though, we lost interest in the film and we fooled around like little kids. It was absolutely about nonsensical things and I love it.

“Oh, shut the fuck up.” I giggled. We were sprawled on the carpet by this time, him lying on his back and I was supporting my upper body with my elbows, almost facedown. We were just down playing tag – yes, tag – and I’m bloody exhausted. He looked up to me, eyes sparkling. 

“And do you know what happened after that?” he said as his hands tickled the sensitive spot on my neck. I laughed until I couldn’t breathe. “I don’t want to know!” I laughed still

.

He laughed along with me and sat up. He grabbed my hands and pulled me up with him. “Do you know it’s already 2am?” he smiled at me and I smiled back. I said, “Oh really? Well, that’s just shocking.” I laughingly answered. 

Then sudden inspiration lighted up his eyes. I knew that look instantly. Before he could open his mouth, I interrupted him, “Yes, what are you planning?”

He laughed and pulled me closer. “Have you ever danced?” he said then continued, “If I recall correctly, I haven’t danced with you yet.” What? I gaped at him as if I’d never heard that word before. I don’t dance! How does he expect me to? Uhhm, Sky?I kind of have an aversion to dancing because on third grade, I kind of…” He grasped y hands as he laughed. “Let me guess, you punched someone?”

I pushed him and he laughed harder. “I did not. I sort of shouted at him a bit – ”

“Shouted a bit. Of course.”

I glared at him but he kissed my cheek so – plan at annoyance failed. I ended up with my arms around his waist and his arms around me. I feel so safe.

“The guy was asking for it. He said I couldn’t dance to save my life, so yeah…” He chuckled. “So you err, how do you say that – oh. So you trash talked him? That’s incredibly heroic.” He kissed my forehead and continued speaking, “So, will you dance with me?”

“What kind of dancing, exactly?”

He winked and turned to the DVD player, paying no attention to the screaming woman on the screen from the horror movie and he set the function to “radio.”

Melodic music played through the speakers, softly filling the room with sounds. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” I protested, half-laughing. He just hummed along to the song and held my right hand. His other hand held my back. I laughed aloud. This is just crazy. I placed my hand on his shoulder and he slowly twirled us side to side. 

“I won’t give up on us

Even if the skies get rough…”

I put my head against his chest and tried to calm my conflicted emotions bubbling inside me. Of all the people to fall into this situation, I came along. I listened to his humming and found myself falling harder. He suddenly said, 

“I never knew I could be so romantic.”

I chuckled softly. Me neither. I smiled up to him and he slowly leaned in. But then the chandelier behind us flickered, and the music stuttered.

Like a mini-second brownout.

I turned to him, eyebrows raised. “Did you feel that?” he smiled like it was nothing and just nodded yes. And then the lights shut down completely and the music died.

Yes. Brownout.

It was absolute darkness and I can still feel Sky and I held him tighter. “At least we had our warning.” I heard him sigh. “Well, this is just perfect. Maybe we – ” the telephone rang from across the room and I jumped, startled. Who in the world would call at this time, anyway? I heard Sky say to me, “That must be the hotel manager or something – ”

“Maybe they want your number – ” 

“Maybe they’re checking on their people because of the brownout.” he kissed my hands and let me towards the ringing phone. He picked it up. 

“Yes?”

I heard a muffled voice from the other line. A male voice. I shrugged it off. At least no clingy females. 

“Yes, me and my sister are fine. Thanks for the trouble, sir.” There was a short pause and then, “Bye. Thank you again.” Then I heard him put the phone back down and he faced me. Well, sort of. It’s bloody dark! 

I said, “Maybe it’s our cue to go to sleep.”

“As much as I want to, I probably can’t.” then in the darkness, I saw a distinct white. He was smiling. I laughed, “Even in the dark, you smile just the same.” I felt him hug me right then and he responded, “Likewise.”

I can’t seem to stop the grin on my face. I’ve never been this happy before. If truth be told, I could stay here forever, but after a while, he said, “Shall I carry you to the bedroom, my princess?”

I laughed. “I can manage, but I’ll probably fall on my own feet.” When I said that, he pulled away from the hug and turned me around by the shoulders, guiding me through the living room. I said, “What if I bump into something or – ”

“If that happens,” he laughing answered, “you can get the baptized handcuffs and hold me prisoner.” I stopped in my tracks. Wow. “Really?”

“Figuratively, I’m already your prisoner, but yes.”

I laughed again. “I guess I should bump myself intentionally, then.” he gripped my upper arms from behind and started raining kisses on me. I can’t stop giggling and I relaxed completely into his body frame. Then he said, “Forget about the bumping issue. Let’s just go to the bedroom and – ” he never finished the sentence because I gave him a quick kiss and ran away from him. 

And I bumped myself on the low table. 

“Ow! That hurt!”

 

“My love, you must never run away from me.” Then his arms snaked around my waist from behind, putting his chin on my shoulder. I groaned. “That really hurt.” He kissed the area behind my ear right then and guided me to the sofa, pushing me gently to sit. 

“Stay here.”

“Where are you going?”

He caressed my hand before letting them go. I heard his footsteps. “I’m just going to find light.” I tapped my feet impatiently as I heard him rummaging through the drawer. Five seconds later, I heard the striking of a match and the room filled with an orange light from a fore in Sky’s direction. 

“Candles?”

He grinned in satisfaction. “It’s just a brain blast.” He lit seven of them and started to scatter them around the living room. I stood up to help him and once we’re all set, we sat back on the couch.

Sky put an arm around me. He said, “I want to make sure Ryne, that you know that this isn’t just a shot in the dark. I’m serious.”

I pursed my lips. “I know.” I replied, voice hushed. He continued speaking, “Do you – ”

“Can we talk about something else? I interrupted, looking at the flickering flame of the candle on top of the low table. If I’m being honest with myself, talking about the future scares me. It’s easier to think about things within this hotel room, closed off from the outside world.

“Just this once, Ryne. Please.” He said. I sighed and closed my eyes shut. “Go on.”

“Remember that time when I told you that you’d hate me?” my eyes flashed open and I bit my lip. This is fucking messed up. “Do we really have to go into that?”

He paused before replying. “I have to. You’ll really hate me, and I’m just scared if you find out and…” 

“Find out what?”

He sighed from the very depths of his soul and replied, “That’s the problem. You can’t know. But you will sooner or later and I don’t want you distancing yourself away from me because I…I…”

I sighed. It is fucking messed up. “Why don’t you just tell me now?” I faced him and gripped his hands. “You’re worrying me.”

He smiled sadly – bitterly. “If I tell you, you’ll hate me even more.” My eyebrows drew together and I shifted closer to him. “I promise I won’t hate you. I promise. How could I?”

“You don’t understand.” He said, shaking his head slightly. “And by the way,” he looked up into my eyes. “Mr. Mafia told me not to fall in love you.” He smiled gently. “But to hell with it.” He came closer to me and kissed me once again. I kissed him back and felt myself smiling.

             But then next day happened.

Chapter 35: The proper way

Chapter 35: The proper way (Wattpad)

Part I: 

The way back was quiet and peaceful. I drew my knees to my chest and put my arms around myself, back on the passenger seat. The engine was rumbling beneath us and the hard rain from later turned to a slight drizzle.

If only we had met under different situations. Completely different ones. But I paused in my thinking. If we had met under different circumstances, I probably wouldn’t know him like I do now. I don’t know if I should be glad about knowing that. I felt Sky’s gaze turn to me again while he was driving and I looked out of the car window.

“If you don’t quit looking at me, we’ll never see sunlight ever again. Ever hear the word ‘accident’ before?” He just chuckled and faced the bare road again. “There are no cars around. No traffic.”

“The road is wet, Mr. La Brea.”

He rolled his eyes at what I said. Such a prick. He responded “We’re almost at the main road, closer to the hotel. You better get ready.” I just nodded and grabbed my bags, shouldering one of the slings and tying Dash with my other hand. Then out of the blue, he asked, his tone serious – 

“Have you ever thought of Britain?”

Whoa. Where did that come from? I faced him, saw that he was still paying attention to the road and then I replied, “Sometimes. Why?”

He never took his eyes off the road as he said, “I’d like to take you there someday.” 

My heart melted at those words. I just smiled and didn’t bother replying – nothing can do justice to what he just said. For the duration of the way back to the hotel, I watched the landscapes turn into commercialized buildings and the increasing population of cars on the road. I thought of Britain. There was the Tower Bridge. The London Eye. The wonderful beaches. The royal palaces. The might castles, the massive cathedrals. The Big Ben. Me and Sky in Britain? 

In spite of the impossibility of it, I smiled at the picture it conjured up.

That would be life-changing.


           15 minutes later

The elevator dinged open and we stepped out with three other people. My whole body ached and my shoulders. They’re killing me. I almost groaned as Sky punched in the numbers on the hidden monitor and finally, we stepped in the room. I released Dash flopped down immediately to the sofa. This day had been extremely heavy.

Sky sorted out the baggage after closing and locking the door. Does he ever get tired? I lay properly on the sofa, but keeping my shoes off the mattress and I heard him make his way to me. He removed the backpack from my shoulders and next, he took off my shoes. I yawned then said to him, “That’s the kind of thing my mom would do.” He smiled and I put both of my feet on the sofa, incredibly relaxed in a while. He replied, “What? Fall for you?”

I pursed my lips to keep from smiling. “No. Treat me like a child, it you know what I mean.” He removed his own shoes and sat in front of me on the floor, our eyes on level and I pushed the sleeves of the polo all the way to my elbows. He told me, 

“I actually want to do something. But I don’t know whether you like it or not, so I’ll just ask your permission.”

My eyebrows drew together. This is a dangerous ground. What is he talking about? He continued saying, “I want to have you. The proper way.”

Oh my God.

“You mean – ”

“Courting you? Yes, most definitely.” 

I stared at him, looking for signs that he was joking.

He wasn’t.

I sat up, still looking at him. “Why would – you said that you don’t – ”

“That’s why I’m asking for your permission.” he said, licking his lips and he raised his eyebrows. “Please?”

My jaw fell to the ground. This is crazy. Absolutely crazy. I didn’t want this. I have no idea this would happen. I looked into his green eyes. “Are you sure? I really don’t – ”

He smiled and cut me off, “You don’t see what I see, don’t you?”

“See what?”

“That you’re a really beautiful person. Flaws and all.”

I smiled then shook my head. This situation is so fucking messed up. I bit my lip then replied, voice low. “I just don’t want you making decisions on temporary emotions – ”

“This isn’t temporary.” He said with such intensity in his eyes.

I sighed resignedly. “Let’s just give it a few more days, okay? I still need to…to sort things in my mind.”

“If you don’t feel the same way, you just have to say it.”

My head snapped up and I sat up. My eyes met with his. “It’s not that. It’s just – ”

“I won’t hold it against you. I just want to know so I’ll know what to do. Because I don’t. I don’t know what to do.” He said, his voice overflowing with emotions. I closed my eyes and covered my face with my hands. “That’s the problem. I don’t know, either.” What I heard next was silence. It was one of the loudest silences I’ve ever experienced. This is so complicated. I felt his hand close around my ankle and heard him say,

“I’m sorry. Never mind what I said.” 

I faced him again, seeing his sad eyes. Then he continued, “Forget everything I said.”

“Everything?”

He smiled wistfully. “I don’t want to make this more complicated for you. I’m really sorry. Let’s just…” he breathed in deeply. “Let’s just not make this harder than it already is.”

I can’t think. I don’t know what to do. I have no idea what to say – I want to.

But I can’t.

Then I heard him say, I know I can’t have you.”

My heart broke into a million pieces.


            Part II: 

Waiting is painful. I know that. Forgetting is painful. I know that, too. But not knowing which to do is the worst kind of suffering. 

I’m having that right now.

I sank lower to the warm tub water. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what’s right from wrong anymore. My head throbbed and I sighed deeply. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. But right this second, it was hard to deny that I’ve fallen for those green eyes of his as well.

So what’s stopping me?

I put a hand to my forehead. Every fucking thing. It’s not right. We don’t have forever. We don’t have happily ever after. We don’t have anything. I looked up to the pristine white ceiling of the bathroom. It’s a relationship doomed before it even started. 

Either way, we won’t have each other.

All the more reason to fight for him.

I was jolted by that train of thought. I straightened my back, sorting my thought and staring at nothing in particular. The voice in my head sounded like my mother. 

It’s a long time since she dictated my decisions even in thought.

I sighed for the millionth time and almost smiled.

Mothers knows best.


           Part III: 

I combed my in front of the mirror as best as I could, to make myself look presentable. To be honest, I have no idea how to open the subject with him. I don’t know what to say. Or even how to act. Just go with the flow. I sighed, eyeing myself in a big white shirt and grey cargo shorts. I pushed the glasses higher up to the bridge of my nose and smiled a little.

Okay, I thought, putting the brush down and going outside the bathroom door. I didn’t bother with the slippers and checked on Dash. He was sleeping in his new spot and after I made sure that he was fine, I slowly went to the direction of the bedroom door. I pursed my lips as I took one last step and started opening the doorknob.

Only someone opened it from the other side.

I was startled a little bit when it opened and the look on his face showed that he hadn’t been expecting me, either.

He changed his clothes already and now he looked at me with deep, green eyes. 

It’s hard not to fall into them.

I smiled a little bit, pleased to see a smile of his own forming on his lips. He said, “I was just going to check on you. But then…” My smile widened. “I was just about to go in as well.” But he didn’t seem to be listening as he took one of my hands and held it, putting his forehead on mine. He said,

“It’s hard to hold back when I hold you like this, Ryne. It’s really hard.” Then he caught my other hand and held it likewise. He sighed, looking down. I did not make a sound as he slowly leaned in, getting closer and closer and finally, his lips captured mine. 

He was gentle and loving. Giving everything, yet expecting nothing in return. He put his hand at the back of my neck and put I put mine on his head and gripped his hair. He backed me slowly to the wall to the side of the doorway and I felt myself stopped by the hard wall. Now, he pulled back an inch and looked in my eyes, his expression surrendering. 

He looked down on the floor and gave a bitter chuckle. “I had no idea I would find you.” He said in a hoarse voice.

I bit my lip as he talked. I never felt like that before – his lips against mine were firm, not demanding and very sweet. I sighed and leaned my head back against the wall. It was everything I wanted and more.

I want more.

I felt his hands rubbing against my cheeks and I looked up. He told me in a still slightly hoarse voice, “And to think I was the one who told you to not make things more complicated.” He shook his head and I couldn’t resist touching his face and his yes looked startled then, the fleck of those green orbs shining.

“Ryne?”

I didn’t bothering answering but stepped forward and pressed his lips to mine. I felt him smiling and a drop of tear from his eyes fell to my cheek. I smiled as well, kissing his neck and pulling back to gaze at him. He gave a strangles laugh, put his forehead on mine once again as he faced me, and never taking his eyes off me. Then he said the three words that I realized I’ve been waiting for a long time.

              “I love you.”

Chapter 34: Family album

Chapter 34: Family album (Wattpad)

Part I:

I could still hear the pounding of the rain outside. It’s not that loud anymore, but it’s still there. I breathed in then, and the smell of someone’s cologne filled my nostrils. And now I think of it, I feel warm. Warmer than I should be.

I blinked my eyes open and what first registered through my mind was the polo. Over the baggy shirt I owned that I wore, I now have a checkered black and white polo, buttoned all the way up to the base of my throat.

That’s number one on the warm issue.

The number two was much more unbelievable. 

I’m now on the driver’s seat, on sleeping Sky’s lap and somehow cuddled up to his chest. I almost groaned out loud; every damned time I fall to sleep, something happens. And it always doesn’t fail to surprise me. I didn’t try to move – he might wake up. His long arms are around me and his cheek on my head.

As much as I would sell my soul countless times to go back to sleep, I know it’s impossible. I relaxed my cheek on his shoulder, closing my eyes and tried to convince myself that this kind of cuddling isn’t nice.

I remembered what Imah said – “Did someone ever tell you how bad you lie?”

I rolled my eyes. My imagination has the tendency to be extremely helpful at times of urgency. 

“It would be easier to live like without regrets, you know. Or restraints.”

Restraint. I hate that word so much. I’m not the kind of person who makes rash decisions. I always think things through. I bit my lip. It’s hard to think when I could feel his chest rising and falling and when he’s so close to me. I closed my eyes and opened them again, rubbing my hands together. If only I could get out of this situation now.

A small voice laughed in my head. It seemed to say, Do you really want to?

I pursed my lips.

No.

No, I don’t.

           Part II: 

It seemed like eternity before I felt him stirring. I acted as if everything’s normal and adjusted myself so I can face him. He was still blinking sleep away from his eyes and there was still rain outside. He removed one arm from me and adjusted his glasses, slowly focusing on me. He put his arm back around me and held me tighter, then after a second, he smiled.

I smiled as well, almost chuckling. “Good morning, sunshine.” then I arched an eyebrow. “Your good mood’s back.”

His smile turned wider. “The sleep helped.” 

“Would you care to explain how I got here?” he chuckled at my question but just shook his head, not answering my query and he buried his face by the length of my hair. I felt a smile tugging at my lips and I now saw no reason to hide it. I straightened my legs and – to hell with it – hugged him properly, putting my arms around his neck and he tightened his arms around me again.

I rocked us both slightly side to side, laughing quietly and hearing him join in. The patting of the rain on the windows and roof sounds very calming and melodic. I said to him, “Do you know how much I hate you?”

“For what exactly?” he asked, chuckling.

I laughed – a weird laugh. “See, you make me feel…”

“Happy?”

“Sometimes.” I answered. He laughed merrily as he kissed my temple. “I think I make you feel.”

“Feel what?”

“Just feel.”

I pursed my lips. “You confuse me, though.” He asked, “Is that a good thing?”

“I honestly don’t know.”

He pulled back and held me at arm’s length, those emerald eyes boring into mine. He was smiling and he asked with an eyebrow raised, “Should we go into details?”

“Maybe, but not now.”

“You’re such a little devil.” he said, coming closer to me and rubbing the tip of his nose to mine. I laughed aloud to his face. “I’m an angel sometimes.”

His eyes sparkled at the statement. “I know.” I laughed louder and I bit my lip as I heard Dash whimpering, almost waking from his sleep. Sky looked at my head then and twirled a strand with his finger. When he faced me again, his gaze was serious. He sighed, but then it was followed by a tender smile. 

“I might be pushing too far, but Ryne,” he paused and looked at me with those timeless eyes.

“I think I’m falling for you.”


            Part III: 

It’s funny how something so beautiful could start from just six words. Just six words. I looked at him, a smile of both happiness and deep anxiousness on my face. How come I didn’t see this coming?

He said to me, “But I don’t want to mess this up.” he paused then added, “And I just want you to know that I’m patient.” I nodded soundlessly. I wanted to ask how long was it before his time with me would be over, but I didn’t. Deep inside, I know we don’t have much time, we don’t have anything. But I don’t want to think about that. There’s just now. Just now.

I pursed my lips and smiled at him. “I did tell you that you confuse me, didn’t I?” He chuckled. “Yes, you did.” An idea seemed to struck him right then. He tilted his head to the side.

“Have you ever heard me sing?”

My jaw dropped. Sky can sing? That’s like Hitler giving of candies. I burst out laughing. That was something. “You never told me you can sing.” I accused. He smiled and responded, “Do you want to hear a sample?” I grinned. “I’d love to.”

He sat up straighter then, and enclosed me in the circle of his arms. His voice, rich and melodic, started to hit the tones with the lyrics of the song I’ve listened to countless of times – 

“You’re better than the best

I’m lucky just to linger in your light

Cooler than the flipside of my pillow

Completely unaware

Nothing can compare to where you send me

Let’s me know that it’s okay, yeah it’s okay

And the moment when my good times start to fade

You make me smile like the sun

Fall out of bed

Sing like a bird, dizzy in my head

Spin like a record, crazy on a Sunday night

You make me dance like a fool

Forget how to breathe

Shine like gold, buzz like a bee

Just the thought of you can drive me wild

Oh, you make me smile.”

Then he smiled proudly at me. I never, never knew he could do that. I was still staring at him and after a while, he gave in to the laugh he’d been holding back.

“I guess I should do that more often.”

“That was amazing!” I regained the power of speech as I praised him. Not anyone can find a person who could shoot guns and kill people and then do that. He smiled at me still, his eyes shining.

“That was for you.”

My heart jumped and I gave him a smile in return. There’s so much I still don’t know about this guy. “Thank you.” I said. He wicked at me in answer as I folded the long sleeves of the polo to make my wrists visible, and now that I did that – I turned to him, found him still staring at me and I asked the obvious,

“This is yours, right?”

He laughed. “I found after some time that I like seeing you with my clothes on.” I laughed again and asked him another question before I do something incredibly stupid. “Did you grow up in England?”

He pursed his lips before he answered. “The first five years of my life, yes. Enough time to pick up my accent.” he added. I laughed again and he did the same. “My accent is sexy, don’t you think?”

I laughed more boisterously this time, causing Dash to wake up and settle quietly in the backseat, not bothering with us. Good boy.

“Yes, Sky. Very sexy.”

He winked at me. Again. “It’s one of my special abilities.” I raised an eyebrow at him. “You make yourself sound like a Transformer.” I giggled as he rolled his eyes at me. I asked again, “So how come you’re here, if you aren’t from…here?”

“I don’t know. Maybe because you’re here.”

I grinned hugely but tried to smother it – and failed. “Would you please stop being so damned sweet all the time? Can’t I have – ”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He responded while smiling, feigning ignorance. He continued as he kissed the side of my head, “What the hell is ‘sweet’ anyway?” I giggled. “Can I have a decent conversation now, please?” He hugged me tightly. “What is decent?” I laughed, finally giving in and hugging him in return. “I give up. You’re such a little – ”

“Okay, okay. I transferred to California with my parent on my sixth birthday.” he said, pulling back from the hug. “Should I continue?”

“Yeah. Go on.”

“I went to school, had friends and everything. Then on my 14^th birthday my parent had an accident. Car accident.” Oh fuck. I stared at him, but he seemed comfortable with sharing with me. He automatically put a finger to my lips, knowing I would say something and he continued speaking,

“My closest living relative was back in England. So the social workers gave me to a foster home. I had five, actually.” He chuckled. “Then I settled in one of the five, in North Carolina and I made some friends again, slowly getting the hang of life. Then when I turned 18, I got a job, and that’s all it, really.” 

I licked my lips uncomfortably. “I had no idea that you were a…yeah. Sorry.” I feel like kicking myself. What a way to ruin the mood. Nice going, Ryne. I always end up ruining everything.

“It’s fine, really. It was a long time ago. Ancient history.” he smiled at me reassuringly and I smiled back as best as I could. I asked another question to keep both our mind off things. “You don’t have any siblings, or cousins or anything?” He shrugged it off like it was nothing and answered, “Nope. Just me. They figured it would be unfair if only selected people would be given extremely good looks – ”

“And a big ego, apparently – ” 

He laughed at what I said and replied, “Yeah, that too. I have a picture of my family, by the way. Do you want to see it?” Picture? I lifted an eyebrow at his smiling face. “Are you serious this time?”

He didn’t answer but put a hand on his pocket and brought out his wallet. I never really given thought to the wallet before – except that it contains the money we pay for the really expensive hotels and the credit cards, of course. I remembered the trip to the Marquette then and I smiled. It feels as if it just happened yesterday.

“Why are you smiling?”

I turned my gaze to him, still smiling. “I just remembered when we went to Canberra.” As I talked, he smiled as well. “It was incredibly perfect. But then you had to get a flu right after – ”

“If only someone had planned more properly, we wouldn’t have been stuck, staring at a private plan a million stories above us – ” he quieted me down with his laughter, mingling with the still-raging rain outside. He took my hand and kissed it.

“I beg your pardon for the, Your Highness – ”

“Oh, shut up.” I tried my best to say that in a scolding way but you know what happened. “Let me see the picture, will you?”

He flipped the wallet open and directly below the line of credit cards was the picture of a family of three good-looking people. The woman who had her hand interlocked with the younger Sky was the kind of person who certainly turns a lot of heads as she walks by. Her blonde curls fell to her back and she looked really, really happy. The view behind them was of the blue ocean and the sky and there was a single white yacht gliding on the blue ocean, creating a beautiful scene. Sky’s mother had green eyes. Exactly like his. In the picture, Sky’s father had warm brown eyes and buff figure. His arms were wide and his frame was quite big but he looked inviting and attractive all the same. And fatherly, most definitely. The sunlight was glinting off their hair and faces but they didn’t seem to care. Sky’s dad had his arm around little Sky. And speaking of,

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but you’re the cutest five year-old I’ve ever laid eyes on.” He laughed at my reaction. “How did you know my age?”

“This place is absolutely Britain.”

He smiled as he reminisced about the place. “Yes,” he said. “Absolutely.”

I hadn’t taken my eyes off the picture. I wasn’t exaggerating when I said that Sky was extremely cute. His cheeks were so squishy! I gritted my teeth as I looked at him in the picture. He was already wearing glasses – made him look a lot cuter, oh Lord. One chubby hand was with his mother and the other one was holding his father around the waist, as the father put an arm around his small shoulders. They were all smiling like they’re having the time of their lives.

Looking at them made me remember a family of my own.

“You have a beautiful family.”

            Sky smiled at me, pocketing the wallet. “This wallet is also my family album, in a way.” I smiled at him and felt that nothing could be better than this.