Chapter 23: A Love Interest
I looked at Stephen straight in his eyes. I felt that he had no hidden meaning in his words, with his eyes being so clear while looking at me. I gathered up the courage to tell him my worries.
"Steph, you have taken me in even though you do not know me and I thank you for that." I said. "I do not know how to thank you enough."
"Claudia, do you remember what I told you the first time I met you?" Stephen said taking a step forward towards me.
I have always stepped back when he make advances towards me, I am still feeling the same thing even now, guarding my heart from emotions I do not want to feel again. But this time I decided to hold my ground and let Stephen come close to me. His hand carefully reached out and hanged in the air for a second, as if waiting for my permission for him to touch me. When I did not back away like before, Stephen's hand resumed its advance and landed on my cheek. I can feel his warmth radiate from his palms to my face, something I have not felt for quite a while, the warmth of the opposite sex.
"I told you that I can sense that you are a good person and that you will never bring harm to me or the community." Stephen said. "I perfectly know that in my heart."
Stephen's other hand reached out to mine and put it on his chest. I can feel his heart pounding like crazy, confirming his feelings towards me. I slightly flinched, knowing how close we are with each other right now.
"T-Thank you… for believing in me. Your words really means a lot to me." I replied to his heart felt feelings. "But if ever we will be in a relationship, I have to tell you something first." Stephen nodded and waited for me to talk.
I gathered my thoughts and told him my past. That I was a single mother and had an eight year old daughter before I got into an accident and went into a coma. I have told him about my past with Gray and how it affected me having to go into a relationship with the opposite sex. I told him everything there is to tell about me, not missing anything out. I have felt that I need to tell him everything about me before the thing that I am worrying about.
"He is an awful b*stard!" Stephen said with an angry expression. "After making you pregnant, he just up and leave without even saying goodbye. He is really a son of b*tch. If I ever see him, I will give him a really good punch."
"Thank you for getting angry for me, but it is all in the past now." I said slightly giggling. "But can't you see what the problem is right now? My daughter is now sixteen years old and I still look like a twenty five year old in my body. That is what I am worried about, I do not feel like myself before the accident."
Stephen paused and looked at me with a worried expression.
"I understand you would be worried about that. I am also not sure what to say in this kind of situation. We do not know what happened when you were in a coma for eight years." Stephen said. "But maybe you stopped aging when you were in a comatose state. You know… like those in the movies." He chuckled. I know he was helping to improve my mood.
"So, we are in a Supernatural Sci-Fi reality movie?" I giggled. "But jokes aside, after seeing this world after waking up. I can say that supernatural beings does exist, so those sci-fi things are possible."
"If you like to find some answers, we can go back to the hospital were you opened your eyes." Stephen said. "Maybe there are clues left there, like medical records or something."
"Actually, I never thought of that." I replied. "I was so focused on searching for my daughter and family that I put my worries about myself right at the back of my mind. Thanks Steph, I think your advise can shed light to my worries."
"I am just glad that I can be of some help." Stephen said.
The mood surrounding us became light and more intimate. Stephen was still holding my hand while we are close to each other. I can feel the warmth of his body radiating towards me.
'This feeling…' I thought about it. I cannot mistaken this situation even if I want to. Stephen's face was closing in to mine slowly. 'This mood will definitely end with us kissing.'
When the realization hit, I gently evaded Stephen's advances with looking away. It was a slight rejection and I know he can interpret it as me pushing him away, and so I need to explain myself.
"S-Steph… I-I am… I think this is a little bit too fast." I said. "I am not yet sure if I can go into a relationship with you and I do not want to give you false hope or anything. But… can we take things slow. I mean, well I want to try…" I felt awkward explaining myself that my words just came out jumbled.
"I totally understand. I am willing to wait" Stephen replied with a smile. Rather than kiss me on the lips, his lips landed on my forehead. It was a light and innocent kiss. "Come, it's getting late and we need to get up early tomorrow morning."
Stephen took my hand. And gently led me back to our quarters for the night. Our talk made my heavy heart feel light. I did not realize how heavy of a burden that was for me, and sharing it with someone helped me ease off some load on my shoulders.
**
At dawn, we were preparing to depart. We got everything we need on this trip. We have the medicine that Jelly needs to get a full recovery. I also had information about my daughter and brother.
"Be careful on your way back." Grace said while hugging Stephen.
"Thanks mom." Stephen hugged her back. "Take care as well."
"Have a safe journey back son." Frank said. "Visit us again in the future."
"I will try." Stephen replied without looking at him directly. "Well, we better go now."
Our group left at the entrance gate and was now headed back to our own community. We were walking carefully just to make sure not to have an unnecessary encounter with any daemon along the way. It was nearing mid day when we came across an open field. We did not go through this path yesterday because we would have made it here at sun down where daemons are more rampant at night. Being in an open field and without any cover while coming across a daemon and fighting it head on is suicide in itself. But now that the sun is high up in the sky, there is a low chance in encountering a daemon.
"So, you mean your daughter is now with your brother and your ex?" Sasha asked. We were chatting along the way and I have told them of the news about my family.
"Yes, that is what Grace has said." I replied.
"Well, it is a good news don't you think?" Devon said. "It is better than to not have any news at all. And by the looks of it, Claudia's family is safe in that community. I mean, that place is an impenetrable fortress. That community is one of the most safest in this continent."
"I know that." Sasha gave Devon a sarcastic look. "What I meant was, Claudia's ex… the one that was MIA when she got pregnant and gave birth and did not even showed himself EVER, is the one with Claudia's daughter and brother now. I mean, he is a total jerk you know."
Everyone was quite until I broke the silence.
"I am not sure what I would feel once I see him again, but if he had protected my daughter and made sure she was safe that is fine by me." I said. "Let the past be in the past. What I need to do now is look on towards the future."
"Then we will go and pay your ex a visit then." Sasha had an evil grin on her face. "Let's show him our THANKS for leaving you and your daughter behind."
"Oh, I will make sure to do that." Stephen replied.
I was happy to see that my new friends are getting mad over my past situation. But for me, I am just looking forward to seeing my daughter and family again. I hope that they are doing well.
Edited by: nalyn
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