Mate 04: Torn

|Chapter 04|

Zaitelle Axis

A day before Kester's 20th birthday, his mom, Mrs. Aqua Quiner called me for a talk. 

I'm quite perplexed and a little bit nervous because of her sudden invitation even though we were doing it since my childhood days. I don't know why there are too many changes in terms of interacting with them when in fact, I shouldn't act like this. 

"Nana, is this okay?" I ask her while putting a dress in front of my body and watch how it looks in me. 

She's sitting on the side of my bed while watching me go nuts in looking for a better presentable outfit. She chuckles and I don't know why my cheeks heated. Blood rushes up to my face and I suddenly feel like the air surrounding us becomes hotter. 

I can feel my sweat dripping from my forehead and at the back of my head. 

"Nana, can you say something? Don't just laugh at me!" I snort but in a good way. She's still the one who has been with me since the day I was brought in the hands of the Axis Clan. 

"Dear Zai, loosen up, will you? You're just going to accompany her. Don't think too much, okay?" I smile at her and look at my reflection in the mirror. 

She's right. 

I'm overthinking again. This habit of mine should stop or I'll never be at peace forever. Getting into that mindset, I walk my way inside the bathroom and did what I need to do. 

Once I'm done preparing myself, I watch how Nana fixes my hair. She said that I look good in a half ponytail that's why she's doing it because I don't know how to fix it myself. My shoulder-length hair emphasizes my small features more than ever. 

I seem like a child for an 18-year-old like me but I love doing this kind of stuff with her. 

I'm too comfortable that I can't hide any secrets from her but sometimes she respects me when I can't open up for days. 

I cherish her that much more than myself. If ever something will happen to her, I don't know what to do to accept that. Maybe it'll take me forever and just try my best to live my life without her. 

"I love you, Na," I genuinely smile at her in the mirror that causes her to halt for a second but I see how she tries her best not to show it to me jow her tears slowly slip out from her eyes. 

"Why all of a sudden?" She asks. I smile and say nothing and let her finish it after that. 

No matter what it takes, I'll do anything for her. 

"Can't I just say no to Aunt Aqua?" I ask her when I face her. She holds my both hands as she squeezes them. 

"Nah, Zai. Don't waste my effort for having you look gorgeous. empty your thoughts and go, okay? She's waiting," she pushes me until we reach the living room. 

My parents are in the Capital. The office for the Head Councils manages the peace and prosperity of the whole kingdom. 

The Head of the Heads is Kester's parents that's why I feel more nervous when Aunt Aqua calls for my presence. They're too busy with the preparation and yet she has time to invite me for a talk. 

And I never know what she intends to do once I'll get there. 

"I'm going, Na!"

"Off you go, take care, okay?"

I wave at her and hop in the back seat of the car. Our family driver will take me into the Quiner's Mansion. 

I am fidgeting with my fingers throughout the ride to their Mansion. Aunt Aqua informs me that Uncle Dawn, Kester's father, and her husband together with her son have something to do in the Capital. That's why she asks me to accompany her because she feels alone in their Mansion. I just don't know why she chose me. 

"This is nerve-wracked!" I mumble to myself causes our driver to glance at me through the rearview mirror. 

I instantly smile to let him know that I'm fine and not yet turn into a crazy person who needs to be locked at the mental hospital. Kidding. 

When I notice the gate of the Quiner's Mansion, my heart can't stop its fast beating. My hands start to tremble as well that I just want to smack the back of my head because of acting differently. 

I seldom visits Kester's home the moment I turned 18. Either my parents forbid me to go here or we're currently having our vacation. 

"Thank you!" I bid my thank you to our driver when he escort me into the front gate of their Mansion. 

"Mr. Guard, I was called by Mrs. Quiner. Can I go in now?" I ask the middle-aged man guarding the gate. He's standing too straight that I become concerns about his bones. 

It needs some stretching, you know. 

"Are you Ms. Zaitelle Axis?" He asks with a formal tone while still standing firmly as his gaze looks straight not minding my presence at his side. 

"Uhm, yes. That's my name," he only moves his head to look at my face and then walks aside as the small gate slowly opens. 

"Off you go," I didn't expect that kind of treatment from a guard like him. It's not that I'm complaining but he seems new. 

Different from the guard who knows me too well ever since the first day I came here with Kester, he doesn't know that I'm regularly visiting their Mansion. 

I understand though. These last few days, I was not able to go here from time to time compare to my years of constantly visiting this place. Almost all their people know me. I am just wondering who is he and when was he hired to guard here. 

I didn't mind him and make my way to the main door. 

"My dear, Zayi!" I look around and find Aunt Aqua taking a look in their fountain in the middle of the place before their main door. 

Her sweet yet cold voice lingers in my ears and I can't deny the fact that I miss her. All my unnecessary thoughts inside my head vanish in real-time as I run towards her with a smile on my face. 

"Aunt Aqua! I miss you!" She spreads her arms and I didn't hesitate to hug her. Her sweet honey scent fills my nostrils and it's been a while. 

Her middle-length black hair sways with the wind and the lavender scent from it make me feel calm and at peace. 

She has this rounded small face, thin red lips, high cheekbones, and a deep set of golden-brown eyes. Kester's eyes come from her mother's genes. 

"How are you, my dear?" She asks me the moment our hug breaks. 

"I've been always fine, Aunt Aqua. By the way Aunt, are you taking good care of your health?" Last year, her health went down that she wasn't able to continue her previous job which is working at the office of Head Councils. 

"Of course, my dear. Come, let's talk in the garden. I have prepared your favorite sweet velvet cake!" 

I walk with her as I help her while walking. She's becoming old and her body is weakening. I am worried about her but she has always been reassuring us that she's okay. And I hope she's telling the truth. 

I have never forgotten what she asks me when I turned 18. We were talking alone on the far side of the party and we talk about things and such until we talked about her son. Kester. 

"What do you think of my son, Zai my dear?" I am too shocked to react to what she asked me that time. And also, I am not sure yet about my feelings that's why I don't know what to answer her.

She took my silence as an answer but I'm not quite sure if it was a yes or a no to her. 

"I understand but I'm going to be really happy for the two of you if you two get engage together. I am really rooting for both of you. Congratulations on being a Lady now, Zaitelle Axis!"

That phrase alone shook my entire being. I was happy that she wants me to be her son's partner in the future but as I grew up with a mature mentality, I don't quite sure now what to do. 

I'm torn in between.