CHAPTER 7—Her Cousin's Rant

Rain’s Point of View

I still remember when I was young. My granny Aitana and I often go here. I help her every time she waters the plants or otherwise; we get flowers and arrange them to be placed on the altar or in flower vases throughout the mansion. I sat on the steel chair near my mommy’s place. I smiled when she pulled out a book hidden on the side of the wheelchair.

This is where I inherited my passion for reading books. We are also both introverts and Mommy’s personality is quiet. A lot of people say that I copy the likeness of her face.

I took out the cell phone and started taking pictures of the garden. I stood up and slightly approached a pot with a rose flower planted in it. I smiled when I saw that I had taken a pleasant picture. I stepped closer to the other plants there. I was having fun taking pictures of them but it stopped me when suddenly someone spoke to me.

“Do you also like flowers?” Aga asked. He wasn’t looking at me, but his eyes were on the plants.

In a quick way, I observed Aga’s entire body. He was wearing jeans, a blue V-neck shirt, and shoes. I retreated. I secretly scolded myself. I took a deep breath and was about to turn away when Aga spoke again.

“Don’t say you’re leaving, Ember?”

I faced it. “Excuse me?”

He looked at me now. “Are you avoiding me?” Aga asked. His voice is full and masculine. It also seems to have authority in the tone of speech.

“Why would I do that?” I asked him again.

“Because maybe I offended you the other day?” He looked straight into my eyes.

I first turned to Mommy’s place and when I saw that she was with my Daddy, I met Aga’s gaze. I still smiled, but it was obviously fake. “You think things like that’d offend me?”

“Is it not?” He asked with a smirk.

The smile disappeared from my lips. “What’s wrong with you, Mr. Gardener?” I still stressed the last word I called him.

Aga’s jaw clenched, and I could see it. I secretly smiled. His chest also rose and fell slightly. I bravely met the gaze of the person in front of me.

But later, he looked away. “Keep doing what you’re doing. I’ll just leave.” Aga turned away, and he left me full of annoyance and wonder.

“The thick face! The arrogance!” I feel bad about what he went through.

I returned to the place where my mommy and daddy were. They were talking, but when I got close, they immediately stopped and smiled at me. “It’s good that you and Aga are talking, Ember,” my daddy said.

I frowned. “What’s so good about it?”

Daddy was surprised, then looked at Mommy. “Ah, because you already have a friend here, anyway. I noticed that you are so aloof to your cousins.”

“We are not friends.”

“Ember-“

“I’ll go back to the room first. You go to Butterfly Haven first. I’ll just follow you there later.

I walked into the mansion. I just walked slowly while looking at the picture of the flowers. I didn’t notice that I was in trouble.

I dropped the cell phone from the force of bumping into the person I didn’t immediately recognize. But I didn’t immediately pick it up when I saw Azariah crying. She’s standing in front of me now and her eyes are full of tears.

My eyes widened when she hugged me. At first, I was really shocked, but I felt pity for it. I hugged my cousin back, then rubbed her back. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to comfort or ease other people’s feelings. I don’t even know why she is like this now. ‘What happened to her?’

After a while, Azariah pulled away from me and still sobbing. “S-sorry, Ember.” That is what picked up my cell phone that fell on the floor.

It was still intact, but my attention was not there. Because the redness of her right cheek did not escape my sight. I looked at her carefully. “What happened, Azariah?”

She cried again but shook her head.

I held her by the arm. At first, I was hesitant, but my compassion prevailed for this. “I-if you need someone to talk to, I’m here. I’ll listen,” I said, to ease her feelings somehow.

Azariah nodded. She pulled me upstairs to my room and locked the door before sitting on the bed. “Sorry, Ember, if I’m bothering you,” somehow she stopped crying.

I sat next to her. “Is there a problem?”

My cousin nodded. “Mommy and I fought again. Well, for your information, we always fight,” she said with a bitter smile.

I frowned and wondered. “Aren’t you close?”

She shook her head. “Yes, we’re not close. Because I can be a daddy.”

I nodded. I don’t want to ask anymore because I don’t want to gossip anymore.

“You and Auntie Cathy are good. You’re close, aren’t you? It’s envious.”

I smiled. “But my dad and I are not close.”

“No? For real?”

“Yes.”

This is the one who nodded. “Maybe there really isn’t a perfect family, right?” she asked me. “Mommy and I are like cats and dogs when we fight.”

I didn’t move, and I kept quiet and listened to my cousin. According to Azariah, she and her mommy have opposite attitudes. Her mommy is too strict, and this is Azariah, who wants freedom. Something that her daddy always gave her when she was still with her.

“If Daddy hadn’t come home to Canada, I might still be there with him today.”

I just nodded. That’s why I only meet her now, because she wasn’t there during the times when our mothers used to argue.

I secretly studied the entirety of Azariah. Her skin is smooth even though she has a tan. It’s tall and doesn’t catch me. Her face is also gentle and looks like an angel.

“By the way, thank you for listening to me. I’ve been bothering you,” she said as she stood up.

I just nodded.

“But I have to admit, I’m happy even though I talked to you. We really want you to be close. I’m kind, as are Apollo and Aliona.”

I smiled. “I’m sorry. I’m not really active. Being quiet is in my personality.”

“It’s obvious.” She laughed and so did I. “But I hope when we invite you, you’ll be with us sometime. We’re bonding.”

“I-I will try.”

“That’s great! Let’s bring Aga along for more, more fun!” The joy and excitement is obvious on her face.

My face gradually became serious. “Aga?”

Azariah nodded. “Yes! Our gardener. He’s handsome, isn’t he?”

I didn’t say a word. I seem to be wondering how handsome that man is. I secretly winced.

‘He’s still a gardener even though he’s handsome,’ I said in my mind.