Chapter 5: The Surprise

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My eyes were aching now. It was late into the witching hour. I have been yawning a thousand times with tears leaking out of my eyes. My savior seems to be fine. I looked at him. Our eyes locked in a gaze.

“You will continue some other time, okay?” he smiled at me. I sleepily smiled back. “Let’s go inside,” he said. He helped me down the swing and we headed inside.

The morning sun poured through my window, fixating its golden rays on my face. I opened my eyes, using my hand as a shield from the sunlight. I sat up on the bed, my arms grazing the ceiling as I yawned widely. I swung my feet to the floor and stood up. I entered the bathroom to freshen up. I was gradually regaining my skin’s radiance. My hair was now more lustrous, and the hyperpigmentation on my skin was now less visible. Ginevra will be beautiful again. I always reminded myself. As the lukewarm water fell on my body, I remembered Luna. The day I was drenched by Lizzy under a cold shower. The shower was shower, but that was abuse. Two slaps weren’t the only punishment Lizzy got from Luna. I remembered that night after dinner. Luna had gone out. She had attacked Lizzy and her friends on their way to a folk’s birthday party. She had made Lizzy roll in the mud. Her friends could do nothing. Those going to the birthday party did video clips of the scene. Imagine Lizzy resplendent in a magical sparkling beige body-fitted short gown now rolling in the mud. She knew she would get worst if she didn’t comply. Balbina took it upon herself to make the video clip go viral. She was Lizzy’s rival. They both wished to date Enzo, the birthday guy. Enzo was an affluent charm of a guy. He was always trendy in the latest fashion wear. We had heard his father was a Mafia. Some said he was the Mafia himself. Others will say many unbelievable things about him. No one dares to ever ask what he was into. Lizzy was abashed, stinky mud dripping down her face. Her friends couldn’t help but snicker at the new transformation of their beauty queen. Lizzy had wanted to create a big scene at the party just to make Enzo notice her, now she was the shameful scene herself.

I rolled in the aisle when I stumbled upon the video on social media. She was a big mess. When Luna returned, I had her enveloped in an eternal hug. She has done her best again. Now let’s see how Lizzy faces me.

I snickered under the shower. I turned it off and wrapped a white towel around my chest then stepped out of the bathroom. I reached into the closet to get my dress. The door to my room creaked open and my savior walked in. He stopped in his tracks while slowly closing the door behind him. I swallowed hard as we stared at each other. He was moving close. I was gasping for him not to move closer. He crossed a few more distances and then stopped. I sighed.

“Good morning,” he greeted with a smile. “How was your night?”

“My night was okay,” I replied sharply. “Do you need anything?” I asked clinging tightly to my dress.

“Breakfast is ready. Come join us,” he said. My forehead crumpled in confusion. Us? Who are we? “I have a surprise for you. Come down fast, okay?” he said and I nodded. He turned to leave.

I heaved a sigh of relief. My savior has a surprise for me, what could that be? By the way, he seemed a gentleman not to have crossed the distance between us then probably getting me stuck in his charming gaze while he does what he wish with my body. Gosh. What a crazy thought. Besides, which handsome guy will want to take to bed a little body-rough lady like myself? Ugh! I hate the fact that I just don’t look all right to myself. I went back into the bathroom and changed into a short floral gown. My savior had gone shopping for me. He was so loving and caring. I was secure with him, more than I will ever be with any other man. They were no good-manner guys on earth except for my savior though. I still wonder why I trust my savior so much. The fact that I was desiring him silently made me hate myself more. I allowed my straight lock to fall over my shoulders then descended downstairs. I don’t care how I look anymore, I just have to be fine somehow. I landed in the living room, then in the dining room. My savior was patiently waiting for me. No package in his front, what then was the surprise? I pulled out a chair and sat down opposite him.

“You are beautiful in that dress,” he complimented.

I know I always don’t look my best, so I felt flattered.

“Thank you,” I smiled.

I wanted to ask what the surprise was. I’m not good at staying in suspense. We began eating. My face flushed with queasiness. Something was under the table. It was making a soft contact on my skin. I didn’t want to act stupid, I composed myself. My savior was glancing at me with each passing second. His eyes on me, the soft touch on my skin, everything made me scream inwardly. I began tapping the fork on the plate. My legs itched to get the touch off. I suddenly developed goosebumps. I could feel sweat forming clouds on my forehead. My heartbeat was gradually increasing.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

Am I okay? Can’t he see I’m uncomfortable?

“Yeah!” I let out quickly, adjusting on my seat which seems to be confining me. “Argh!” I screamed out, jerking up from my seat. I couldn’t take it anymore.

“What happened?” he asked.

I cowered back from the chair. “Something was touching me!” I pointed to the under-the-table.

He smiled. Was that supposed to be a joke to him? He stood up, walking toward me with the same smile. I moved back. He crouched beside the chair I was seated on. His hands went under the dining table. My eyes beheld an adorable creature. He brought out a cute bluff and white fur cat. The little animal was curled up and asleep. I heaved a sigh of relief with a smile.

“This was my surprise, Ginevra,” he said.

He remembered my name! I stretched forward my arms to get the cat. He gave it to me. I ran my fingers through its fur. I was grinning happily. It turned in the crook of my arms. That was how it was touching me. When it turns, its fur comes in contact with my skin.

“She’s so cute,” I giggled. My savior went back to his seat and I sat down, too.

“I knew you were bored staying with me. I had to get you a friend,” he stated.

Was he reading through me? Dear God. Boredom has been my company since I came into this house. Did I say came? I mean, since I appeared in this house. I don’t know if I was teleported, given a vehicle ride, walked, or flew to this place. I simply appeared. My savior is a workaholic. He was into online digital marketing stuff. His only break was for mealtimes. He was always engrossed in front of the computer.

“Thank you so much,” I appreciated. “How did you get it this early?” I asked, still stroking the cat’s beautiful fur.

“I placed an order for it last night,” he replied.

He was eating. I only focused on my new friend. The cat finally opened its eyes. My mouth went wide open like a fish or something. The twinkling black eyes. Oh, my God. So innocent, impressive, and showing concern. I was grinning at it. It stood up from my arms and jumped onto the table. It sat facing me, making an awesome “meow” sound. I wanted to cry into its eyes. Its sight captured my heart. Its innocent eyes seem to care more about me. Its eyes were glowing deep. Was it going to cry too? We were both just locked in each other’s emotions.

“What will you name it?” my savior asked, wiping his mouth with the napkin.

“Phoenix,” I replied simply.

“Phoenix is a powerful name. I like it, too,” he said.

“Um, can I ask you a question?” I requested.

“Uh-huh!” he nodded.

“What is your name?” I inquired.

Yes, I don’t know his name. I never asked, he never proposed to tell me. He smiled. He dropped his fork and focused his eyes on me.

“Why are you suddenly interested in knowing my name?” he asked.

I shrugged my shoulders.

“It just happened. I’m sorry for failing to ask.”

He smiled again. “Don’t apologize. My name is Emiliano D’Angeli,” he introduced.

“Beautiful name,” I smiled. “Why do you live alone?” I asked.

“I don’t live alone,” he chuckled.

My mind went blank for a moment, then I realized what he meant. How can he be living alone when I’m staying with him?

“I mean, don’t you have a family?”

His mood changed. Sadness crossed his face as he looked down at his hands.

“Don’t talk about it if you don’t want to,” I added.

“I’m an orphan,” he said. I suddenly developed fellow feelings. I was an orphan, too. “My parents died when I was four years old. I managed to survive on my own. At age 24, I was already doing well for myself. I fell in love with Sienna. She jilted me. She left me with a broken heart. I haven’t been able to put the pieces of my heart together. With each passing minute, I wished she was here with me. We were so close, Ginevra. I wonder why a simple argument triggered her change of mind to leave me just like that,” he explained. His voice was full of sad emotions.

Love does hurt. Thank God I never gave my heart to anyone. I can’t even manage a broken heart, not after losing my sister.

“I’m sorry,” that was all I could say.

“It’s fine, your presence is changing something about me.” What does he mean by that? “Maybe I will learn to forget her soon,” he added.

“I hope so, too,” I said.

But why should I? Why do I hope for him to forget his first love? He looked at me, I averted my gaze to Phoenix who was now finding its way around the table.

AUTHOR’S NOTE 🌹🌷🌺

Whoa! I can’t believe I finished this chapter, too. It has been a busy day for me lately. My beautiful readers! How are you all doing? What are your thoughts on the story so far? What do you think about our new friend, “Phoenix?” Was Emiliano a saint?