Have I tamed a beast?

You belong to me and no one else!

“Ivana.” I heard my name as someone touched my shoulder. I looked up at the person like a stiff wood who was only whirled around to be cut off by the owner. “Are you okay?” Hinn shook my shoulders lightly pulling me from my thoughts.

“Ivana, are you okay, I just saw Robin walking away with smiles on his lips, is there something exciting? Tell me.” Kate asked with a smile on her lips.

They must have seen Robin while coming here. Kate said he was smiling, should I be happy that the devil was trying to tempt me while tricking me at the same time? Or have I succeeded in what Kate had told me before the audition practice?

I wanted to tell that to Kate and let her tell me what Robin was thinking or what was wrong with me, but Hinn Carlos was here and I decided to seal my lips.

“Ivana.” I heard Hinn’s deep voice call my name again, his hands were still on my shoulder and he was staring at me closely, I was still silent and I know if I didn’t speak up they may think something is wrong.

“Hinn, I won’t be staying here any longer, I am going back to the mansion and there would be no need for you and Kate to stay here, my parents said we can all go back to the city and they will be alright, we should focus on our studies and the audition, also Robin is the one taking me back since Mrs Jane had left because she has a meeting to attend to and…”

“Ivana, why are you talking like a robot?” Kate cuts me off and I realize I was not looking at any of them, I was staring into space and just as Kate had said, I was talking like a stupid robot. Why do I have to be affected by Robin’s words?

I don’t belong to him! I said in my head and looked directly into Hinn Carlos' eyes.

“Hinn Carlos, I accept!”

“Huh?” Hinn Carlos looked at me sceptically. “You accept what?” Kate was also staring at me quizzically and I was sure they were curious about what I was trying to say.

“I accept your proposal, let’s date,” I told Hinn.

“Are you serious?” I watched Hinn’s eyes grow big like oranges and before I could nod or reply, he swept me off my feet and hugged me while whirling me around with joy on his lips. He was so loud that a few patients in the hospital had to turn their eyes to stare at us.

“Hinn, you are being loud, but me down,” I said in a whisper, feeling very embarrassed. I was glad that my parents were inside the hospital and couldn’t hear this right now. Hinn slowly put me down and I glanced at Kate who clasped her hand to her lips. I couldn’t see the smiles on her lips, but I could see the glint in her eyes, she was happy for me.

“Thank you so much, Ivana.” Hinn pulls my attention to him and I blink, unaware of why he was thanking me. “For accepting me, I thought you would reject me again because of what Robin…”

“Don’t mention his name.” I cut him off loudly, and for a moment Kate and Hinn looked at me as if I was insane. I swallowed hard as I thought of what to say to cover up this awkwardness. “I meant to say, you shouldn’t bring up the past, we are couples now, so let’s leave the past behind, shouldn’t we?” 

I waited and then smiles filled their lips again and Hinn nodded. “Yes, let’s not bring up the past, you are my girlfriend now.”

“I am so proud of you Ivana,” Kate said softly and leaned close to whisper something in my ears. “Your unrequited love for that little boy is finally over now.” She leans back grinning from ear to ear.

In the past I have thought of that little boy every night before I slept, his bright eyes and then the sadness that filled his face when he answered that call and handed my hairpin to me before running off immediately, he is handsome, but he looked like a troubled child, I only hope he finds happiness and love, just like I have done.

I looked at Hinn Carlos and beamed. Finally, I was now a girlfriend to my prince charming.

“Kate, Hinn,” I called their names in a rush as I got a great idea in my head and an idea that will only make Robin sad and keep me away from the beast. “Take a ride with us, we are all heading to the city, Robin can take us there.”

“Ivana, I brought my car.” Hinn Carlos spoke up and I paused.

“He came with his car. I took a ride with him while we headed over to this place.” Kate added.

“Fine and good, I will just ride with you both,” I said smiling, looking from Hinn Carlos to Kate who stared at me blankly.

“Is there a reason why you don’t want to ride with Robin?” Kate, who was always curious, asked me. “Whereas, you two stay in the same mansion.”

I quickly link arms with Hinn who was taken by surprise. “I have a boyfriend now and my boyfriend has a car, also Hinn, who is my boyfriend, knows where Robin’s house is, he can drop me off there.” I looked up at Hinn who had a goofy smile on his lips as he stared at my hand that was linked to his. “Won’t you?”

“Ivana, save Hinn the stress and go with Robin,” Kate suggested. I don’t get why Kate won’t understand me at this point when I want her to.

“Kate, you should ask Robin to drop you off, you know, you both can…” 

“No!” Kate cut me off immediately, she looked at Hinn Carlos, now was our turn to gaze at her as if she was insane. Kate held my hand and pulled to the side as she whispered in my ear. “Ivana I know I said I love Robin, but you know how shy I am when it comes to speaking with my crush and I have decided to stop my feelings for him, yet you want to push me over to him, whereas he has this dark look in his eyes that is so terrifying and it always sends a shiver down my spine,” Kate spoke without catching her breath and I began to laugh.

“What is funny, Ivana?” Kate asked me and I pointed at her.

“You just told me not quite long enough that I was talking like a robot, but right now it seems you have also been infected by it.” I chuckled before tapping her shoulders. “Fine then, we would both go in Robin’s car.”

Kate breathed a sigh of relief. I could tell that my friend was truly scared of Robin’s gaze. She had tried to speak up against him in the garden but one word from him had made her silent. Who would want to be with a man like Robin?

“Hinn Carlos, Kate would come with us, can she?” I asked him with a smile, staring at his eyes that lit up as he gazed at me.

“Yes, are we leaving now?” Hinn asked me and I shook my head. “I thought we were.”

“I will stay until my dad wakes up, I want him to see me before I leave, I also have something to say to him.” I walked close to Hinn Carlos and held his hands to his surprise. “Thank you,” I said softly and without another word, Hinn Carlos leaned closer and kissed my lips. I was glad since his kiss would take away the memory of Robin’s light kiss.

I didn’t push Hinn away, he kissed me to his satisfaction and leans back. “I am glad you are now my girlfriend.” He pressed his lips together and his eyes glittered.

“Me too, I am happy you are my boyfriend…”

“How romantic,” I heard a loud voice behind us and we all turned our eyes to see who it was, as we already know who that is, none other than Robin Hiesten.

“Robin…” I muttered. Has he seen us?

“I am glad you finally said yes to him, seeing that you both are already making out in the hospital is quite fascinating.” He put his hands in his pocket and walked over to Hinn Carlos and me. I just hope he doesn’t ruin this moment too.

I know Kate was also screaming the same thing I was screaming in my head. GO AWAY!

“Congratulations Hinn Carlos, you finally have the girl you are interested in,” Robin said and it was surprising that he was smiling at Hinn and not even gazing at me with those cold eyes.

“Thank you man, she said yes, finally she is my girlfriend.” Hinn Carlos held my hands and for a brief moment I saw Robin stare down at our hands, a line appeared between his brows and his eyes held something I couldn’t describe, but it was only there for a brief moment.

He looked up at us with a smile on his lips. “I am happy for you Hinn.” Robin exhaled softly. “I heard you will be giving them a ride home.” Robin glanced at me and Kate before his eyes settled on Hinn again. I was sure he has been listening to our conversation for quite a while now.

“Yes, my girlfriend asked me to take her home instead.” Hinn smiled at me, damn it, I love his warm smiles, it was better than looking at Robin, since he has an expressionless face, and I can hardly tell what he was thinking right now.

“That’s good. I have other matters to take care of so I would be leaving first, by the way,” Robin looked at me. “Your father is awake if you need to see him.” He turned to Hinn Carlos. “I will see you at school on Monday then.” Hinn nods and without another glance at me, Robin turns to walk away.

“Have you told my parents you are leaving first?” I called out not knowing why I was curious about it, was it because he didn’t react the way I wanted him to, he was so cool about it, not quite long he had mentioned how I belong to him and no one else, was he teasing me then too?

“Yes.” He replied, but didn’t look back, he walked away and disappeared into sight.

“Was I the only one who thinks that isn’t Robin?” Kate said softly, but my eyes were only in the direction Robin had exited from, he was acting odd, too odd and it was scary.

I shook my head gently. Was I to brace myself for what was going to come next, have I tamed the beast? Or have it grown silent to roar when it was time? A shiver ran down my spine, I had to brace myself for what would come next.