"Hey!" I heard a voice from behind me. The voice didn't startle me because I know it's Christian. I just remained motionless as he came closer and bend to my level.
"Good morning." He smiled. A smile also crept upon my lips,
"Finally learned it?" I whispered.
"Thanks to you." He whispered back. He took a seat beside me as I put my head on his shoulder.
"Good morning..." I spoke feebly. He hummed in response.
"By the way, is this my shirt?" He asked. I nodded, he smirked and leaned in but not too close,
"It's looking so cute on you. Tell me, do you intend to go to the office too?" He teased. I kept staring at the floor not replying to him.
"Sophie." He called me again, I shot my head towards him.
"Yes?" He sighed and said,
"Nothing, Come let's have breakfast. I also called your mother and brother." He pinched my nose this time, I pouted slightly, he stood up and offered me his hand,
"Mother and Eugene both have left." I said also standing up but not taking his hand.
"Oh, They did? Did you have breakfast?" He asked. I shook my head no.
"Come, let's eat together." He smiled.
We both sat down to have breakfast but I couldn't eat. Whenever I opened my mouth to eat, I just can't swallow it.
"What happened? You are not eating?" Christian asked. I kept looking at the food and said in a barely audible tone, "I couldn't.."
"Should I feed you?" He offered, I didn't reply.
"Come on, you have to eat, you need to take your medicine."He tried to reason but I stare emptily at the food.
"..I can hear them... laughing at me when I ate my food.." I whispered in a croak voice. He stood up and cupped my cheeks and made me look at him. He looked at me with a dire gaze. His intense gaze made my heart to skip a beat. A sudden dread filled me as I tried to push him but he didn't get away and continued to stare deeply in my eyes. The pace of my heart increased by each passing second. He didn't spoke a word, he just continued to stare at me. His mystifying gaze is beyond my comprehension. It seems like he couldn't find any words to my consolation but that's what I thought. He can speak a thousand words but decided not to. HIs silence emit compasssion and sadness for me and anger for their action.
"Did they laugh at you?" He asked with a glint of rage in his voice. I couldn't speak, I just tilt my head. He grit his teeth, tears threatened to fall but I didn't let them,
"..They don't just defiled me but... also humiliated me.." I whispered.
He lean in and rest his forehead against mine,
"Don't worry. I'll replace this feeling by something worth to remember." He said and pulled away. I, who was panting just gave him a nod. He leaned on the table and smiled,
"Come," He offered me his hand again,
"Where?" I asked.
"Just come with me." This time I took his hand as we went to the kitchen.
"Why are we here?" I asked in a low tone.
He didn't answer. In a sudden moment, he put me on the counter, I let out a slight squeak from the unexpected action.
"What are you doing?" I mumbled, clutching my dress tightly being scared.
"Don't be scared. I won't hurt you. Remember what I said just a moment ago." I just gave him a nod. He stroke my cheek and said,
"What would you like to have? I'll make it for you."
"You know how to cook?"
"Yes, I do. Now, tell me, what would you like to have, Ma'am?" He asked bowing a little, Kayla chuckled looking at us.
"Leave us alone."Christian ordered as everyone left, leaving us alone in the kitchen. He took out his phone and played some random song and put it aside.
"Now, tell me?" He asked again.
"Anything.."
"I know you love french toast. I'll make it for you." He smiled, I just shook my head.
He began to cook as I watch him while listening to the sound of the song.
"My cooking is not good as yours but it's edible."He joked.
"We'll see.." I said nonchalantly.
When he made the batter, he offered me his hand. I hesitantly took it. He held both of my hands and pulled me to him and spun me around. My back was pressed against his chest before I could do or say anything, he peck my cheek and spun me again and now I am facing him and his hand on my waist.
"Get the bread." He said.
"from where?" I asked.
"Behind me." He smirked. I get that it's right behind him and if I tried to take it I have to move close to him as if I am hugging him. Since he held my waist firmly, I lowered my gaze and didn't moved. A blush formed on my cheeks as my heart skipped a beat.
He chuckled and let go of me, I stood there as he took the bread.
"let's cook " He said sweetly. I stood beside him as he began to cook. He made them, I kept looking at him, a weak smile was formed on my lips. That sweet guy in front of me is the same intimidating guy whose presence used to crush me. By knowing him, I know his heart is of gold. He is such a chivalrous guy.
"Here you go." He smiled offering me the plate. I was about to go but he held my wrist and place me on the counter again.
I was bewildered, he cooked the food so why are we still here? He took out a fork and began offered me a bite.
"Here, open your mouth." I didn't said anything as he fed me. When we finished, he put the plate aside and held my hands.
"Now, I guess the sound of this music and us is more significant than the sound of their laugh, isn't it?" He asked gently rubbing circles on the back of my palm. My lips began to quiver as I put my head on his chest.
"Don't worry if it isn't. I'll try another method." He assured rubbing my back.
"I will do anything just to eradicated this feeling." he said pulling away but I held his shirt. I remained like that. The sound of the music in the background giving me some eerie solace, his arms making me feel safe.
(...You are now protected in my arms forever...)
The lyrics evoke a sudden sensation in me. I lift my gaze and met his. The harmony made my soul to be connected to his. It somehow pulled me close to him. I have began to feel protected in his arms. Blood rushed to my cheeks, his eyes kept scanning me making me feel slightly startled, but not in dread but something else.
This surely is worth to remember.
I went down from the counter and about to walk away but he held my wrist,
"Maybe it's true..that I want to walk on the path that leads me... to you.." He said as let go of me and I ran off.