Chapter 70 - DEEPLY CURIOUS
The grandfather clock chimed indicating midnight had arrived. Stunned by the sound, my palms moved to my chest in alarm while my startled gaze averted to the object within distance. I blamed my jumpy state on sleep deprivation.? I should be sound asleep by now, I told myself as I lean on the headboard, gaze blindly staring ahead. But every time I close my eyes, a pair of ocean blue eyes, which remind me of a beautiful lagoon, keep haunting my thoughts.
I gave up all efforts to drift back to sleep half an hour ago. Tired of twisting and turning on top of the bed, I found myself leaning on the headboard. Falling asleep appeared to be impossibly hard to achieve especially not after the nightmare I went through earlier. Careful not to wake up my daughter,? I got off the bed quietly. My feet, after landing on the cold marble floor fumbled for the fluffy slippers underneath the bed. After putting it on, I fumbled for the remote control on top of the dresser and turned the chandelier on, not too bright, just enough to illuminate the room.
Faith Vienne was peacefully asleep inside her crib. Such a beautiful creature, I mumbled, my eyes admiring her cute nose. She would be fine. I told myself as I tiptoed to the door leaving it open and briskly moved down the staircase. I opened the door to the kitchen and grabbed a mug from the counter. At this hour, it was obvious I'm the remaining soul awake at this hour.? My movements were quick and hurried while minimizing the noise my movement creates.? I don't want to wake up the household while I'm making a glass of milk.
I consumed the milk quickly. Hopefully, I could successfully fall back to sleep this time. Just after I placed the mug on top of the sink, a soft flicker of movement from the window caught my attention. Thief!? Fear gripped me inside realizing that an intruder got in the house. No one from inside the house would go out at this hour, not my father, not my eight brothers, and definitely not my grandmother. With my heart on my throat, I decided to investigate. My fingers trembled as I unbolted the lock of the kitchen door, pulled it open, and crept outside.
The moon glowed beautifully on the horizon, thousands of stars scattered the pitch-black sky like precious gemstones. I averted my gaze away from the above, it's no time for me to star-gaze, there are more pressing matters I need to investigate. The soft rustle of wind blowing past me sent shivers down my spine. I wrapped my arms beneath my breasts while I pursued the sound of footsteps which was now going towards the pool.
I don't understand why someone would be roaming outside at this hour. It's past midnight! And there's no valid reason I could think of why a household staff would be awake at this hour except—well if he is up to something. The footsteps stopped on the poolside and I stopped moving and concealed my presence beneath a tall potted plant. I forgot the name. Once securely hidden I summoned all the courage I could muster and leaned forward to investigate the identity of the midnight intruder.
An ear-shattering scream nearly escaped my lips after my wide bulging eyes landed on the man standing legs apart on the edge of the pool and stripping his garments. He peeled his clothes off— composed of t-shirt and cargo pants—leaving only his black brief on.? My fingers flew to cover my mouth after realization hit me, the gardener was the man. Heat crept my cheeks. I am brutally embarrassed to catch myself enjoying the view.? My head refused to turn after I tried to look away, as if my neck was stuck in that direction. Even after I moved my eyes it refused to look away. The almost naked demi-god standing in front of me got me hypnotized.
How could it be he's still awake in the middle of this hour? Does it mean he can't sleep the way I did? Was he thinking something else? Or probably someone else? The last question sent a stab of pain inside my chest…. I don't like the feeling…. it was a sensation close to jealousy.
The pale light from the moon was enough to illuminate him. I could freely watch each of his movements. He was like a deity descending from the skies, except that I know he was not a spirit. My eyes sinfully gazed at the length of his body, he was so masculine and well defined. My fingers moved to my lips, almost expecting to find a trace of saliva, thankfully I wasn't drooling.
He dived into the pool like a pro. I caught my breath watching the startling gleam of moonlight on his warm honey hair. My throat turned as dry as a dessert while watching the enchanting movement of his hands as he swam on the water. I shouldn't be here, hidden behind a plant, and invading his privacy like a crazed, obsessed stalker. But I couldn't find the strength to stop watching. I have taken a dose of an addictive drug, and now I can't seem to stop.
When he finally got tired of swimming back and forth he emerged from the pool. Brush his powerful fingers on his hair. He indeed looks like a demigod at the moment. The drops of water that almost look like liquid gold against the moonlight tickle down his spine. How I? wished I could look at him like this forever.
He moved to the edge and sat on the second step of the swimming pool. He just sat there, unmoving, staring blindly straight ahead. I want to read his mind and know the thoughts running inside his brain. I was momentarily hypnotized by his god-like appearance that it took me a moment to realize the wetness slithering down his cheeks. At first, I thought it's was plain water but after intently staring at his now red-rimmed eyes and I listened closely, I heard him sniff, I realize it was tears
He was crying, the thought was impossibly hard for me to digest. Somehow watching him in tears had an adverse effect on me. I found myself dealing with a deep sense of loss I couldn't explain. Whatever his pain is—I was secretly sharing it with him.
I thought a? guy like him never knew about the word 'tears' but now, he was crying.
It broke my heart into million pieces. The I pain was indescribably painful as I? stared at his face. There's an urge within me wanting to walk up to him, wrap his face around my palms and kiss the saltiness of his tears. Maybe that simple act of gesture would help ease the burden on his chest. But no matter how strong the urge to wrap my arms around him, I can't. He would discover I was spying on him at this ungodly hour.
He stood from the pool, water dripped down his body. He turned his back to me giving me the liberty to linger my gaze on the hard muscles of his back. The towel was picked on the floor to dry his body. When he was done, he wrapped the towel around his waist.
For the very first time, I saw something which he allowed no one to see. Not even his closest friends and family had ever had a glimpse.? A long slant scar was carved from below his shoulder blades down to his hip bone.
A horrified gasp tear on my throat, I have to cover my mouth to suppress them. I realize I was shaking as my gaze traced the scar that was visibly splayed on his delicate skin. I was sure that the wound had been fatal. The scar was so deeply carved that I knew that it marred his emotions too. Someone with that wound would be impossible to survive. And it's such a miracle that he actually did.
"I know you're there." His tone was soft and yet it was ominous.
I froze from my hiding place. I'd been discovered. Consumed with panic and shock, my crazy self decided to run for safety. But karma had been waiting for me all along. When I turned in the opposite direction to flee my feet stumbled into the uneven pavement, lost my balance, and slumped on the ground wincing from the sudden assault of pain on my ankle.
"Bloody hell." I heard him muttered under his breath and run to my aid.
He knelt beside me. His eyebrows draw together into a scowl. His nearness didn't do me any good. I found myself unnerved by the inch distance between us. I no longer feel the cold, his body was an incredible source of heat.
His fingers carefully moved to my ankles, where the searing pain was coming frown. "Sprain." He mumbled. "Can you walk?" He added, his piercing blue eyes devouring mine.
I shook my head as I adjust to the pain. Tears formed on the corner of my eyes.
Without another word, his arm slithers to my back while the other went on my thigh. My shriek became muffled gasp when he yanked me off the floor and my head landed on his neck.
He really smells good…. So heavenly.
Before I could object, he carried me to the house in bridal style. My heart started to beat erratically inside my rib cage. I was afraid that he could even hear the drumming? sound.
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