Chapter 41: Traitor in the midst

Chapter 41: Traitor in the midst (Wattpad)

Part I:

“Jacket?”

“Check.”

“Dog food?”

“Check.”

“Clothes?”

“Duh, Sky.”

“Books?”

“Check.”

“Anklet?”

“Is that even a question?”

He squeezed my hand after zipping his backpack close. “I’m being thorough.”

“You can be thorough when pigs fly.”

“Insult me all you want. I know you love me.” I laughed loudly as I carried my bag and held Dash with the other hand. We’re just about to get out of this hotel – no more hotels, praise the Lord – when suddenly, a thought occurred to me as I looked at my anklet. Then at the bangle on my shoulder. “I never thanked my own grandpa for giving me the birthday present, haven’t I?”

“Yeah.” He paused in thought but took my hand and dragged me headfirst. “You’ll meet him anyway. Let’s go.” I barely got enough time to look around for the last time in the room where thousands of memories are when we were already outside of the room, all out valuables in hand. It’s another day again – another agenda.

But my thoughts keep coming back to what happened yesterday. Good God, he really –

“Checking out aren’t you, dears?”

I turned my neck so fast I cricked my neck. Ow. Sky responded to the unknown person in a friendly tone. “Yes, we are. We’re headed to the beach.”

We are facing an old woman. And you know what the freaky part is? She seemed to know us. You know what I’m talking about, right? When there’s this old woman and then suddenly she turns into a huge snake who is incidentally a Horcrux – ahem, ahem, Harry Potter – I was still ogling like a goldfish when she replied in her raspy voice. “Ah, the beach.” she nodded like what she just said is incredibly vital. “So this is your wife?”

Shit.

I knew there was something fishy. I turned to Sky with my devil-from-hell stare as he fumbled for an explanation. “Yes, uhm. This is my wife Avery.”

Avery?

“What the hell are you – ”

“Yes! My wife Avery.” Sky almost shouted as he put a firm arm around me. “Honey, I met this kind person when we were checking in – you were asleep though.”

Aargh. That explains it. But it doesn’t erase the fact that it’s quite weird to talk to a stranger in the hotel hallway when you’re expecting them to turn into Nagini. She then hobbled down the direction of the stairs, but not before saying, “Well, goodbye now, Anthony.” We stood still in the hallway, directly in front of our door until she was out of sight and earshot. 

“Anthony and Avery.” I turned to Sky and continued my rant. “Should I clap my hands and give you a Nobel Prize?”

He only laughed as he adjusted the bags on his shoulder and got Dash’s rope from my fingers. “The old woman crept on me from behind. To be honest, she scared the living daylight out of me.”

I burst into a fit of laughter as we made our way to the lower floor, already eager to be outside of walls. And in what seemed like a second, we were already speeding through the road, after dealing with a sleepy receptionist and an unwilling Dash.

“Where are we going?”

He winked at me from the driver’s seat and keeping his hands on the steering wheel. “It’s a really charming place. And your brother came along, too. So you’ll have two people waiting for you.”

“Really? So which charming place is it?”

He deflated suddenly. “Uhm, actually, I lied. It’s an abandoned factory.”

Wha – this is just unacceptable.

“So a former Mafia Lord decides to meet his long-lost granddaughter in an abandoned building. And oh right, he’s insanely rich.”

“You know Ryne,” he said, stepping on the brake as the light turned from green to red. “Once you’re in a Mafia, you never really get out. You watched those Mafia movies, didn’t you?” That made me pause. That must be a hell on earth situation. I clicked my tongue and stayed silent all the way to our destination. Our lack of conversation was more than made up by his arm comfortably around me.

Part II:

Who knew that a completely useless building would be hours away?

“I’m – ”

“Tired, I know.”

Sigh.

“When – ”

“Two hours, Ryne. And a half.”

I almost cried in despair. “But I’m practically drained. I can’t even lift my head – ”

“I must’ve really exhausted you last night.” he replied with a slight smile and a sparkle in his eyes. Predictably, I blushed. “You’re such a prick.” Hu chuckled but then his tone turned serious as he replied,

“I’m glad that happened.”

I felt his arm tighten around me. All I could do was close my eyes and relax. 

“Me too.”

And right there, with my eyes closed, I felt him kiss my head and I drifted off to a peaceful sleep.


           Two hours later. And a half.

I never ever slept like that in a car before. And it feels really, really comfy. Blinking my eyes open, I found myself on the backseat, complete with a blanket and a pillow.

So that solves the comfy issue.

I looked at my side and sure enough, he’s there. As always. My head was on his lap while I was sleeping and now he met my gaze after looking out of the window.

“Morning, sunshine.”

I blinked several times more and tried to look outside as well. As much as I could figure, we’re in the middle of nowhere.

“Where are we?”

“You slept seven hours straight, you know.”

“Seven?”

“Yes. It’s almost 5pm.”

I gave a little laugh. “The sleep feels good.” He chuckled and resolved himself to rubbing my shoulder with his other hand across my stomach. I can’t help looking outside again. “So where are we?”

“Where we should be. The factory is just around the corner. But it’s still quite early to go there.”

My brow creased as I looked at Dash on the front shotgun seat though my thoughts were zeroing in something else entirely. “What time are we supposed to be there then?”

“Around 5:15 or 5:30. Why’d you ask? Are you nervous?”

“No, it’s just that…wouldn’t it be more convenient to meet in the morning?” I actually wanted to use the word ‘safer’ but I changed my mind. I continued speaking before he could open his mouth, “You know, because there’s a lesser chance of an attack or something?”

He just looked down on me, his green eyes clouded in concerned thinking. Deep thinking. “He had business to take care of before going here. And the building was searched five times before he chose the location.” he bit his lip and asked, “Do you think something bad will happen?”

Well, that’s just weird. It’s just a feeling. It’s probably nervousness – I haven’t laid eyes on the man in my whole life and now boom. He’s my grandfather. “It’s just a feeling. I’m nervous, that’s all. You did say that he’s extremely intimidating.”

He smiled slightly at my response and kissed my forehead soothingly, but the tension in his eyes didn’t fade. But in a matter of seconds, I saw him shrug it off. That’s more like it. I sat up with minimal difficulty and faced him, legs crossed.

“I was thinking, Sky. When I meet my brother and grandpa, where will you go?”

He held my hand and said, “Do I have permission from you to make your life hell a little bit longer?”

Happiness overwhelmed me as I laughed uncontrollably. “Absolutely.” I happened to glance at the dashboard and I looked at the time. 5:10. Sky noticed this too and I looked at him. “Shouldn’t we go now?”

“One second.” he started grabbing our stuff at the floor of the car, but the car which he’s rummaging through is mine, not his.

“What are you doing?”

He didn’t answer but pulled out the snow globe. He said, “I found out about this when I was awake two nights ago.”

“Found out what? It’s the snow globe you gave me.” 

“It’s surprisingly more special than I thought.” How the bloody hell can that thing be more special? “Does it uhmm, I don’t know,” I chuckled, puzzled. “Does it have laser or something?” He grinned amusedly. “Close, but no cigar.” He started bundling up the blanket and shifted closer to me. I have no idea, absolutely no idea, of what he’s doing. He said, “Look.” then he put the snow globe inside of the dark, think blanket, but left enough space for us to see it. The globe was entirely covered in darkness but when Sky shook it once, the snow fluttered like mad.

And the snow was shining. Sparkling like stars. You can see and distinguish it from the darkened castle – it’s absolutely wonderful; like real snow. He shook it again, harder this time, and my name at the bottom of the globe lit up like the little snow did, only it’s not white, it’s blue.

He turned to me again, his profile braced for my reaction. “Well?” I shook my head wordlessly and kissed him on the cheek. He laughed delightfully and said, “That was for you to keep your chin up.” He started stuffing the blanket and the present back into the bags. “Now, my dear, we introduce you to your life.”


           Part III:

It’s normal to be nervous, right? I mean, you’re not just meeting your long-lost relatives – you’re meeting a Mafia lord and his…sidekick. The Mafia lord and his sidekick aren’t really helping anything to soothe my nerves.

“What if they don’t like me?”

“They love you, Ryne.” he said, rolling his eyes. Easy for him to say. He’s not the one actually meeting them for the first time. In seventeen years. With absolutely no recollection of them. Ever.

Stop it.

Sky pulled up in front of a humungous abandoned factory and it’s just the same from my imagination of how it would really look like. It’s really old, and a little bit historical. It could pass for an old landmark.

I wanted to run.

I faced Sky, biting my lip. “Maybe we should go back. I don’t like what I’m feeling.”

“It’s okay to be nervous, Ryne. It’s understandable. I’m sure they would say the same thing, too.”

“But – but – I can’t.” God. I know I’m being a whiny, little spoiled brat but who the hell could blame me? I gazed at the door of the building, wondering what could be inside and I felt my worries triple.

“I don’t like what I’m seeing, too. So, in a way, we’re in the same boat.”

“In a way, yes. But in every other way, absolutely no way.” I heard beeping right then and Sky took out his phone, which is lighting up and vibrating like a little bug and I noticed that it was different from the one I used yesterday. 

“They’re inside already. Let’s go.”

“No! Just – just let me breathe, okay? And is it exactly smart to do that? I mean, you said they are incredibly influential people, but they’re inside that place without any protection?”

“They brought guards with them. And they’re really eager to see you.”

“What do you expect from me? Do I just waltz inside that place or something?”

“Ryne,” he released a sigh, “what do you want me to do?”

“I don’t know!” I replied hysterically. “Sweet talk me or something. Say something nice.” He chuckled amusedly. “Something nice?”

“I thought you wanted me to calm down?” I replied wringing my hands. He replied to me, “Okay, something nice.” He looked at me deeply. “Your eyes.”

“What?”

“Your eyes are nice.” then he twirled a strand of my hair. “Your hair is, too.” I chuckled when I realized what he’s doing and he cupped my face with both hands. “Your face is nice.” Then he leaned towards me and whispered. “No. It’s fucking beautiful.” Then he kissed me.

I kissed him back and I felt the tension slowly desert my shoulders as he backed me towards the window, his lips so soft against mine. When I started to tighten my grip on his hair, he pulled away, smiling.

“I did calm you down right?”

I chuckled. “That was really effective.” I giggled some more, then he gave me a quick peck on the lips and held my hand. He opened the car door. “I think you’re ready now.”

Wait. “But how about Dash?” we both looked at my dog at the backseat and he looked back at us with blank eyes. “I think,” Sky said, “he can stay right here. I’ll lock the door.” He interlocked my fingers with his and then we both got out through the driver’s side. We started walking.

My feeling of unease was quieted down by our little escapade earlier, but now as we continued our steps, I felt it bubbling below the surface again. It’s the nerves, I told myself. It’s going to be fine. Sky’s hand on mine did a lot to relax me as we pulled the heavy metal doors open. We were greeted by a miserable sight.

The pillars were still sturdy and dependable around the front room, but the floorboards were obviously in need of repair after all the years of neglect. There was a pile of rubbish on the side – all scraps of metal and splinters of wood. The ceiling was very high and – fortunately – it looks like nothing would fall down on us.

“Well. This is rather…”

“Splendid?” he supplied, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes.” I nodded. “Just splendid.” Then I took the first step forward and he followed my lead. “This place has been searched right? Five times?”

“Yes. It’s going to be fine.”

We opened the creaking door on the opposite wall – the only door, I mean – and as we opened it, a larger room lay in front of us. There were rows and rows of tables up to the other side of the room and there was a very thick partition on our left side, the only entrance to the other side being the thick, black and tattered draperies. 

I don’t like draperies.

Sky closed the door behind us without so much as a sound and I shifted closer to him with my hand clasped on his arm. With my other hand, I felt for the gun, which is inserted at the back of my jeans. He shot me a look, with his eyebrows drawn together. He opened his mouth to speak but before he can utter a single word, a female voice sounded through from the other room – the drapery room.

A familiar female voice.

“Fuck you. I don’t even know who you are anymore – ”

“Hold your tongue. If you value your life, do as I say.”

No. But – but that voice is – 

Sky covered my mouth and he stealthily led me far away from the partition as possible. He never hit as much as a piece of metal or anything for that matter, and then he pulled out his gun and gestured for me to do likewise. I did as he asked and looked at his face. My eyes searched his green ones.

They were burning in pure-white rage.

His jaw was clenched and he made the effort of mouthing two words to me – stay here.

Bloody hell no.

I gave him a look of strong defiance and grabbed his wrist before he can even take a single step back. This concerns me as well as him. And he knows it.

He took a silent, deep breath to calm himself down and to keep his remaining composure. But then there were more words coming from the pair of people on the other side.

“You can’t get away from this. The building will be searched again in 10 minutes and Sky will kill you. I know he will.”

“Sky? I don’t care about Sky; I have all the protection I will ever need. The same cannot be said for you, though. What shame.”

No, no, no! I can’t believe this. It’s not possible! That person is – 

            “Imah, you filthy traitor. I can’t even look at you.” said Xavia.

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.

Chapter 29: Picture perfect

Chapter 29: Picture perfect (Wattpad)

            

            Receiving those gifts and letters made me feel less lonely. Less isolated. It’s a priceless feeling to know that you have a handful of people you can rely on. We tried out the iPad and played TapTap for more than 30 minutes straight, keeping the level on extreme. It’s an old game, I know. But to hell with it. 

This last game is the tie-breaker; we each have five points but that just won’t do. It’s impossible to have a tie; that’s going to haunt me for the rest of my life. Sky’s gaining on me fast, and I panicked as the House Music drifted to a close. I stared at my side of the iPad and…

Winner.

I laughed in ultimate victory, seeing his aghast face as he stared at the gadget. “Aww, Sky. How tragic that must be for you.” I mocked, trying not to laugh. He scowled playfully at me and out of nowhere, splashed water from a flower bowl. 

“Hey!” 

“Ugh. Whatever, Ryne.” He said leaning his head to the back of the couch. I shrugged. “In your dictionary, that usually means that I’ve outwitted you so…”

He chuckled. “Outwitted? Ryne, you’re so literary. You can use more modern words, you know. It’s a free country.” I shot him a dark look. “I know that. I just like playing with words, I really don’t see any problem – ”  he interrupted me. “I didn’t say anything about you having a problem – ”

“You were implying it. Why the hell are we talking about his again?”

“We aren’t talking – we’re arguing.” He shrugged, sweeping his hand through his messy hair. I almost gulped. He look sexy when he does that - but never in this lifetime would I say that to his face. He said, “There’s a couple more gifts I have for you.” Two more? That’s rather odd. I gave him a puzzled look. “I haven’t exactly met someone besides Imah and Xav – ”

“Are you kidding me?” he exclaimed. 

What is he talking about? I have no – oh. The answer came to me with the force of a hurricane. I looked at his shocked green eyes and, “Oops. I’m sorry, Sky.” He still looked at me dispiritedly. Oh, God. Why do I have to be born so stupid? “I am! Seriously. It’s just that we didn’t really meet under pleasant circumstances – ”

“Yeah, it’s fine.” He smiled slightly. “I’m a bit of an over-reactive specie – ”

“Seems to be.” 

He ignored me, again and fired another comment. “And the other one was kind of… impossible for me to get, but by some miracle,” he said, getting a little cube-shaped box wrapped in dark blue and handing it to me. “I managed to convince him.” He smiled excitedly.

“Him?” I think I know who he was talking about, but the idea seemed preposterous. Sky smiled wider. “Mr. Mafia.”

Yes, it was preposterous.

“Okay. What’s the punch line?”

He laughed. “I know it’s hard to believe, but trust me.” A former Mafia chief just gave me a birthday present. This is the most bizarre in the history of bizarre. “Why the bloody hell would he give me a gift?” He was ordering people to kidnap me, hello? Sky responded, “I told you he has his reasons.” together with a shrug. I turned the little thing over and over with my hands, fiddling with the silk ribbon. Should I open it? 

“Err, Sky? Is this safe?”

He looked at the said object and replied, “It doesn’t have bugs – the electronic type. And that’s all I really need to know to guarantee your safety.” I bit my lip. “Okay. I’m going to open this little thing.” I did, and found the gift inside.

A silver bangle.

I pulled it out and stared. Sky looked at it and his eyes widened in recognition. I turned to him immediately. “What? What is it?” He shook his head and reached under the low table. “I just realized why he told me to have a screwdriver at the ready.” he pulled out a, yes, screwdriver. I raised my eyebrows disbelievingly. “Is that really necessary? I mean, isn’t it better to just let it fit on my arm?” he pursed his lips in consideration. “He insisted though.” I looked at the bangle on my hand, and on the screwdriver on Sky’s. It couldn’t hurt to try, right? It’s not like the thing is a bomb or something. I nudged him with my unhurt shoulder – the left one – and said, “Okay, then. Not that hard to agree with a killer.” 

He unclasped the bangle and fitted it on my arm, just several centimetres down my shoulder, and used the tool to tighten and lock it. He looked at it approvingly.

“It looks great on you.”

I laughed. I was wearing his huge clothes but a compliment’s a compliment. “Thanks.” I chuckled again as he said, “The last gift’s from me. Actually, there’s two of them.” he admitted. Wow.

“Two?” I repeated.

“Uh, yeah. This one’s just to cheer you up – I hope it doesn’t upset you more, tough. My plan might backfire.” he said this as he gave me an envelope. This is really interesting. I pulled out what’s inside, expecting a letter, but pulled out a photo.

A photo of Carsh.

I stared at it, dumbstruck. Oh, God. I tilted my head and looked at him. 

“Bloody hell, Sky.”

He smiled. “I told you I’d make it up to you.” A smile of my own started forming on my face. I turned back to the photo. It was medium-sized with an unbelievable quality. Carsh was wearing a blue V-neck which brings out the blue of his eyes. This photo was taken from a camping trip – there were trees and the view behind him was spectacular but I don’t care at the moment. The sunlight was glinting off his blonde hair, making him look more angelic. And he was smiling. 

The photo made me feel very happy and loved, but excruciatingly sad. I couldn’t speak for a moment. Sky looked concerned and said, “Don’t you like it?” anxiously. I laughed a little. “It’s perfect.” Then I said sincerely, “Thank you, Sky.” He winked at me. “Anytime. And also you, err, going to have to thank Imah, too – she dug the picture up.” I gave him a brilliant smile.

“You’re the best.”

He laughed out loud. “The second one is really from me this time.” then he pulled out a small rectangular box wrapped with purple cloth and silver-ish ribbon. I took it from him. “I wonder what this is.” He bit his lip after laughing. “I heard that you like those things so I got you one.” Heard what? He’s such a cryptic git.

“Heard? How exactly?”

He evaded my question, obviously. “I have my means.” I faced the package again and started opening it, but Sky grabbed it away from my fingers.

“What – ”

“Wait, wait! Just wait!” he said, placing the gift behind his back, hand stopping me. I looked at him. Seriously, I think he ate something. He stared at me, face pleading and anxious. And most of all, unsure. “Let me open it for you.”

I stared at him this time. “Doesn’t that suck? You just wrapped the bloody thing and now – ”

“Please. So I can take it back if you don’t like it – ”

“Am I that scary?!” That’s just really offending. “No! Just – just let me open it.” He raised an eyebrow, hands poised to open the box. I rolled my eyes and just nodded yes. He began tearing off the purple cloth and took off the lid. He held it up. 

It’s a simple thing, really. But very special. The silver chain of the anklet had a dangling letter R on the middle. For full, three seconds, I stared at it, and he was staring at me, breath held, waiting for my reaction. I turned my gaze to him.

“It’s really - ”

“Awful? Grand? Perfect? What?”

I laughed hard. He looks like he’s facing the gallows and writing his own epitaph. He looked crestfallen. “Is it that bad?” I laughed again. “I didn’t even say anything yet! Relax.”

“So? Do you like it?” he asked still unrelenting. 

“Of course I do! Who the hell wouldn’t?” his expression looks like a kid’s when locked inside Disneyland. 

“Really?”

I gritted my teeth. “I’m a human being who appreciates gifts, Sky. I – ”

I didn’t finish the rest of the sentence as he hugged me tightly. He then pulled back after a second, a huge grin plastered to his face. “You’re awesome. You are.”

“Two days ago, you said I’m a devil.” He grinned still. “In a way, you kind of are.” Before I could respond, he piped up; “I’ll put this on you, if you like.” he shook the anklet. His bipolar mode is on the run. “Thanks, but no. I can manage – ” The next thing I saw was him kneeling down in front of me, pulling my feel towards him. 

“Sky. I’m really exhausted to trash talk with you right now – ”

“Then don’t.” he said, grinning up to me. He squatted on the hard floor and put my foot on his leg. “Did you know that it took me forever to find your initial?” he chatted as he put the chain around my ankle and clasped the lock. It really does look nice. Very single yet elegant - exactly what I would buy if given the time and money. It’s chain which is snaking the contours of my ankle was sparkling on the light of the candles. The initial, now I noticed, is completely a flat silver, but there was a tiny beautiful gem on the top-edge of the letter. And hey, guess what the gem is?

Emerald.

I looked at Sky, eyes wide and mouth slightly open. He didn’t notice me though – he was adjusting the accessory for God knows how long. He continued prattling, “If your name started with an A, that would be easier. You could be Astrid, or maybe Ariel – ”

“Seriously?”

“What?” he said, looking up again. “Ariel’s nice – ”

“No, no. I meant the emerald.” I explained. He bloody well knows that his eyes are, well, capturing. He grinned wider. “So if you’re somewhere off the Mafia castle, you’ll still remember me.” Then his smile turned kind of sad. “Because I figured that you’ll probably hate me right then.” What? That’s stupid. 

“Hate you? Why the - ”

He shook his head, placing his hand on my ankle. The flowers and the candles glinting off and reflecting on his glasses are making a glow around the place. “You don’t hate me now. But I think you will. If you find out why he wants you.” Now even his eyes became sad.

My eyebrows crinkled in concern and thought. “That’s really stupid.” his hand felt warm and nice on my anklet but his expression was anything but warm. He said, “Just don’t take off that anklet and don’t hate me okay? I rather had a fun time with you.” If he had admitted that in another time, I would’ve laughed and said something funny. But the look on his face made it impossible. This is crazy.

 

The guy is damned serious.

            I smiled at him sincere and reassuring. “I won’t.” then I winked at him. I would never do that, but it was worth to see him smile.