I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. How could I possibly convey the whirlwind of churning within me? The fear, the uncertainty, the overwhelming sense of . How can I be okay?
The again, he is just a kind stranger or a friendly ghost who has decided to help . He knows nothing about me nor what I am facing nor the ghosts that I am away from. He already sees me as a weirdo so I better respond quickly before
I prove him right.
I meet his smoking gorgeous dark-brown eyes. And for a moment, I delve into them, their magic. They are a story for another. "I... I think so," I respond, my voice above a whisper. "Thank you," I add, meeting his gaze once again with a faint .
And he smiles back, our smiles locking. Holding each other and for a fleeting moment,
I can’t really explain what is going through our minds as we stare like this. Trading smiles that hold hidden meanings that I can’t quite decipher.
“Are you sure you will be okay here?” He breaks the silence again.
Is he kidding? like, really? I throw my purse on the pink-themed queen-size bed and, the first time, I give him a sincere grin.
"Are you seriously asking that?" I query, the smirk fading but still maintaining a face. "Who wouldn't be okay with this luxury and tranquility?" I state, rolling eyes. Honestly, who wouldn’t be? This feels like a home that I have been longing . It’s all so peaceful and...
"I wasn't referring to the room."
Huh? I snap my eyes at him. He wasn’t?
My face grows wrinkled in a flash. "What then? What exactly did you mean?" I query, straight at his face.
"I don't know,” he starts, browsing my face and crossing his arms across his chest,
“You seem incredibly anxious and restless. I just want to know whether you will be with me around. I am totally harmlessly if it will make you feel any better."
My mouth flutters with a little chuckle. Yeah, right! Give me a damn break! I mean, 't that the cliche they all use? Nobody goes around flaunting their crimes. Sigh! But , I am breaking into a hysterical chuckle at his words. His demeanor is a contrast to his words. I mean, he can not be this hot and yet ‘doesn’t bite’, you . Not even a fool can fall for this.
"Why all the sarcasm?" Standing upright and with his arms crossed across his chest, asks.
He looks really tall from this angle. Jeez! I have always been so proud of my 5'4 . Why do I now feel like a dwarf beneath his lean tall stature?
"The way you sound defensive is what makes all what you said so sarcastic Mr Man,"
I utter, and he smirks.
An annoying smirk! And damn those long, shiny teeth!
"You must be so terrible at interpreting gestures. I wasn't being defensive at all," He , still wearing the smug.
I cock an eyebrow. "Really?"
"When you are done with your shower, come downstairs for supper." He says, my challenge, and my stomach rumbles so loud as if to ascertain just how I am hungry.
I haven't bitten anything in more than twenty-four hours. I haven't felt the need to eat all since I saw Leo and Nelly in that revolting scene. My stomach has since been with the anger and resentment of their betrayal and humiliation. I haven't felt the to eat anything. But I cannot starve myself to death because of those worthless . Along with everything else that had been wearing me out throughout life, I left them behind. Unfortunately, the heartaches couldn't be left behind. The is still so fresh.
Will this pain ever go away?
I didn't know I was crying until I felt his thumb wiping away the tears. Shit!
Get a hold of yourself, Ellie! You are gonna break down in front of a total stranger?
And just a few minutes of the meeting, you are showing your weakness?
I am strong! I am bold! I am unbreakable, especially by worthless beings. I am Ellie
Marie Riccaford! "No!" I mumble, pulling myself away from him and drying the tears myself. I am stronger than this. "I am okay."
“You don’t look like...”
“I said that I am okay,” I snap a bita bit louder than I would have wanted. “I am okay!”
I insist.
He nods his head, denoting that he understands the line that I am drawing. "I will be downstairs," he says, maintaining his cold demeanor, and I nod my head.
He stomps out of the room, and the door slams shut. I drop on the bed on my back he is no longer in my line of sight. I take in a good amount of the fresh air, my eyes, to the old, and the problems surrounding me. But tears start falling .
Wow, such a fantastic start to life in this metropolis, huh! I had been so resilient for past few hours. What the heck got into me just now? I have left those disgusting behind. I would be gazing at my ghost fiance's ugly face right now, but happily,
I'm not. I ought to be joyful, right?
Leo was absolutely right, in as much as I hate to admit it. I cannot hide from my forever. If he so wants, he will move heaven to earth to find me. To attain what desires, he will, if necessary, turn this planet upside down. In one way or the other, or later, I will find myself face-to-face with my father again, and I know I will pay for my rebellion.
So, in the meantime, with this short time that I have, why don't I try to cherish the short period of time that I have now? I really should.
It is said that no one can comprehend the mysterious ways of fate. Maybe this is it at ? Maybe there is a reason why I was compelled to do this. Why I dared to do that no one else had ever dared to do - to go against my father even though
I knew the consequences and all that was at stake. Perhaps there is a reason why fate me to this city. To finally experience the euphoria and sovereignty I have always of since I was young, even just for a short moment. To relish life the way I deserve, away from my father's shadow.
I'm not sure how long I will be free from my father, but in the interim, I am not going restrict myself to the bliss that life has in supply for me. I refuse to allow guilt or or fear to interfere with my pursuit of happiness. I yearned for this. I craved this. I deserve this. I need this. What’s worth wasting this opportunity?