Chapter 7: The First Kiss

After some minutes, Emiliano calmed himself down. He shouldn’t have overreacted. He thought. He went in search of Ginevra. He got his knuckles wrapped with a bandage. Blood was still visible on the wound. He entered Ginevra’s room, no one was there. He looked around the bathroom, the closet, and under the bed. Why? No one was there. “Go!” his own words echoed in his ears. Where could she have gone to? He shouted out her name severally. He descended downstairs. He shouldn’t have told her to go. Where has she gone to? Where does she know? Why did he send her out to danger? What if she tries drowning herself again? He won’t ever forgive himself. Emiliano’s thoughts jumbled. Where will he begin searching for her? She was not around the room. He went outside to the gazebo, he didn’t see her.

I was seated on the ground, close to the flowers with Phoenix beside me. I was confused. Luna appeared on every page of the journal. Emiliano got furious because he saw me with the journal. What was it about the journal? I suddenly gasped at a touch on my shoulder. Emiliano was behind me. My heart split at his sight. I jerked up from the ground, cowering back from him. I was scared. Men mostly don’t treat me right. I thought he was different and I trusted him. Now everything has changed. What relationship does he have with Luna? Phoenix scuttled to my side.

“I…I…” I couldn’t say more than that. He hurried to me and wrapped me in his arms. What was happening? Should I hug him back? Why should I? I wanted to free myself from his embrace but I couldn’t. He held me tight like I was going to disappear if he let go.

“I’m sorry,” he said with a broken voice. He was crying. Do men cry? With his emotions, I wrapped my arms around him. What could be wrong? “I thought you left me. I’m sorry,” he apologized, disengaging the hug. I stared at his teary eyes. He seems to be hurting. I took hold of his hand. It was bloody with a wrap. A tear dropped from my eye. My cheeks began flooding with tears.

“Why did you hurt yourself? Who told you to do that?” I scolded amid tears.

Why was I scolding him? Do I have to care if he was hurting? He hurt me too. Why would he tell me to go? What if I had run out to the street and got missing? With the thought, I wiped away my tears and moved back from him.

“I will go, okay?” I said then carried Phoenix in my arms. We headed inside. I halted in my tracks. What was I going to take? I only appeared here. I didn’t bring along properties, but my frail self. I turned to the gate instead. He wasn’t saying anything. Won’t he stop me? I don’t know anywhere. I reached the gate, my hand went on the handle to open it. It was locked. I looked at him.

“You can’t take Phoenix along,” he said, moving toward us.

What? I looked at Phoenix. I’m not leaving my friend behind. Emiliano is indeed a monster. How can he say such a thing? He crossed the distance between us. He collected Phoenix from me even when I didn’t want to let go. Phoenix meowed emotionally at me. He turned to the house. I watched him. I wanted to cry. Was he that heartless? He looked back at me.

“Come inside, the breakfast must be getting cold,” he said then continued walking.

“Argh…!” I groaned.

I got no choice, but to follow him. I shuffled inside. I didn’t want to reach inside soon, but my legs trailed me off. As I reached into the living room, I saw him on the dining table, already eating. Phoenix was at the table with him. I moved closer. My stomach growled at the food. I was hungry, yet I had to act stubborn.

“Come join us,” he said to me. I snubbed him and headed upstairs. “Your friend is mad at me. Go keep her company,” Emiliano said to Phoenix while caressing its neck. Phoenix jumped down from the table, running upstairs.

I reached to my room. Before I closed the door, Phoenix came along.

“Hey, Phoenix,” I said, crouching to its level, and carrying it up. I went to sit on the bed, playing with Phoenix. Even if I’m angry with Emiliano, I can’t ever ignore Phoenix. The door soon creaked open and Emiliano walked in. He was holding a tray containing food, water, and some apples. Was he here to bribe me with food and fruit? I love apples, I can’t resist eating them. He is here to use it against me and I will fall for it. I don’t trust myself, I will. He placed the food on a nearby table and sat down on the bed’s edge beside me.

“The food was cold, I had to microwave it for you,” he said. I kept my gaze on the window. “Aren’t you hungry?” he asked. Was I supposed to answer that? He leaned closer and inhaled my scent. I gasped inwardly. Why did he do that? I might not be super beautiful, but I will always smell nice. The mixed spices scent was my favorite. He sat up and looked at me. “You always smell nice. You are also beautiful,” he complimented. God, I was blushing deep down. I just fought to keep a straight face. “You are indirectly stubborn. What more do I need to know?” he asked. I cast a stern stare at him. “Oh-oh! She could be furious too,” he chuckled.

Was he joking with me or getting me to talk? He shifted my gaze at him, he cupped my face in his hands. I tried to look down, but I found myself melting under his gaze. He closed his eyes and captured my lips in his. My eyes went wide open. He continued sucking my lips. He was gentle, but I could feel a sense of desire and hunger in his kiss. I slowly closed my eyes, letting my hands move to his back. He stopped. What? Why? I opened my eyes and he smiled at me as I placed my finger on my lips.

“You are so innocent,” he said and I shook my head. I wasn’t innocent anymore. Bad guys defiled me. That was part of my predicament. “You aren’t innocent?” he asked with an arched brow. I stood up and walked to the window. I touched the curtain and looked at him.

“I’m hungry,” I said. He smiled.

“Come eat then,” he commented. I walked back to him and sat down. He brought the tray to the bed. “I will feed you,” he offered.

“No, you can’t feed me with this bloody hand of yours. Why did you hurt yourself?”

“Feed yourself. I will watch you.”

“Why did you hurt yourself? What about the journal? Do you know Luna?” I queried curiously.

He stood up. “I would love you to continue your story tonight. I will be downstairs,” he said and left. I sighed and began eating.

I was turning uncomfortably on the bed. I found myself staring at our old house. The place was still as it was, but no soul in it. Then I saw Luna suddenly appear in the compound. She was pulling along a suitcase. She looked even more beautiful. She entered the house and then appeared back outside. Her wavy black hair sheened under the bright moon. From a little distance, I could tell she was happy. She was wearing a white flared short gown with a red floral design. On her neck was a shining emerald amulet. Amulet. I could remember, Luna never takes off the amulet for any reason. I always wondered why. When I queried, she said the amulet protect her spirit from leaving her. Though I never understood what she meant, I knew the amulet means a lot to her. At that juncture, a lady stepped in front of Luna. She wore a fitted red gown. Her deep brown hair fell in lustrous locks behind her back. I didn’t see her face but I knew they were talking. Luna pointed a finger at me. Before the lady would turn, I gasped.

I woke up. I sat up, sweating profusely. My eyes darted around the room. Phoenix was sleeping peacefully beside me. It was a dream. I dreamed of Luna while taking a nap. Who was that lady and why were they possibly talking about me? Why did I have to wake up without seeing her face? The opening of the door distracted my thoughts. Emiliano came along.

“Lunch is ready, Ginevra. Should I serve you here or you will come to join me downstairs?” he asked.

And this man? Who was he in reality? Why was he treating me like I was some kind of a queen or something? He has turned into a server for my sake. He cares so much about me. His actions earlier today were merely a reaction. Maybe the journal meant a lot to him. Besides, journals are personal stuff, I shouldn’t have meddled with it.

“I will join you,” I responded.

“I’m waiting,” he smiled and left.

I sighed, swung my feet to the door, and stood up. I looked at Phoenix for a while before going out.

AUTHOR’S NOTE ❤️

It’s me again. How are you guys doing? Can you guess who the other lady is? Who was Luna talking with in Ginevra’s dream? Critical to think, I know, but if you continue reading, everything will become crystal clear. As I said before, it’s full of suspense and mystery. Love you all. Let’s go to the next chapter.