Chapter 10
Lia sat cross-legged on her bed, the cold night air seeping into her room like a living entity. In her hand is a picture of her and Hector. Lia's fingers trembled as she lit the match, watching as the flame danced to life.
She held the fire to the corner of the picture, feeling a sense of satisfaction as it caught alight. The image of Hector's face began to curl and twist, the edges blackening as the flames consumed it. Lia's eyes remained dry, but a weight lifted off her chest as she watched the picture burn.
The fire crackled and spat, casting flickering shadows on the wall as Hector's face melted away. Lia felt a sense of release, as if she was burning away the memories, the pain, and the love she had once felt for him.
As the last remnants of the picture disintegrated into ashes, Lia let out a slow breath. She reached for another picture, this one of her late parents and her, taken on a happy day.
It was a picture of her on a vacation to Santorini with both her parents, cousins and extended families. As a wealthy family, Lia's father had planned the vacation for the whole family as a way of bringing them together. It was a yearly tradition that binds and connects every member of the family; from her cousins to Aunts and Uncles.
Lia smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest as her eyes caught sight of her favorite Aunt. Laura.
She missed her so much and could only wonder how well she might be faring. Lia imagined her Aunt crying her eyes out following the news of her parents death and her getting missing. She had been so scared that night she couldn't think of a much safer place. Lia was traumatized, believing that whosoever had killed her parents was still out there and wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger on her if caught ever. Lia was only lucky to have escaped that night because she had being in the lavatory by chance while the killer had come in.
Lia wondered who could be managing or overseeing her father's company and could only hope it was her Aunt and not Uncle Jaden instead. A lot of controversies had revolved around him and her father following some missing documents one time and somehow, that had led to each brother turning nothing less of enemies overnight.
Despite the bitterness that seemed to exist between them, Uncle Jaden had never let that come in between him and his nieces or nephews. But it was hard for Lia to trust him even with that. Especially, following her parents death.
Lia's eyes lingered on her own face in the picture, and she felt a sense of pain wash over her. This was the life she wanted, the life she deserved but unfortunately was cut short by the monster who had invented her nightmares.
Carefully, Lia placed the picture on the nightstand beside her, letting the light of the moon illuminate it. She laid back, curling up into a ball under the duvet and feeling the cold night air whispering against her skin, as she basked in her memories with Rhysand.
"I really like you, Lia. I like you so much I want to be your friend...more than your friend," the memories lingered, causing Lia to turn to the other side of the bed as her head rested on the pillow.
Rhysand's demeanor ever since their first hug has been nothing more of courtesy; gentlemanly and rightfully intentional. He had even granted Lia the will to leave if she wishes but it seemed Lia herself would do anything to stay in the villa.
She remembered his manly scent filling up her nose, disrupting her sense as his blue veiny and masculine hands pulled her closer during their hug. The way those green eyes had wandered at her after that day and how often he would call her beautiful. More than the total number of times Hector had said to her in the four years of their relationship. Lia had lost count of the number of times Rhysand had emphasized on her beauty and how captivating her smile was. She would only smile, averting her gaze from his.
Despite the desperation in his eyes, Rhysand never for once tried to kiss her or make her feel less comfortable around him. He had been taking notes of what Lia finds offensive and had reprimanded his ways and that was one of the many reasons that drew him closer to Lia. He was like a true man in love —desperate, yet patient not to ruin.
Lia let out a deep sigh.
She closed her eyes, letting the darkness claim her, but this time, it wasn't cold or scary. It was peaceful, a reminder that she was letting go of the past, and embracing a new future with Rhysand in the picture now, one that was full of hope and promise.
~~
Honk!
The man rolled down his car window and the young boy didn't hesitate to hop in as usual.
"Hey, buddy. How do you do?" Rhysand asked the boy in his school uniform.
"Cool. You? Good morning."
"Same mate. Same."
The boy handed Rhysand some token of money. "Here's the balance. Got the flowers ordered like you requested and the delivery man tipped. Should be ready by tomorrow morning."
Rhys chuckled, his eyes shuffling between the boy and the road.
"What? No, man. It's all yours. Infact..." Rhysand said, handing him the brown envelope sitting pretty on the dashboard storage. "I've got this specially for you. You have no idea how much that means to me, Derek. Thank you."
"Thank you, Mr. Rhysand."
Derek had snuck behind his sister to Rhysand's villa following his release one time and had seen Rhysand. He had demanded his sister had better be in safe hands, threatening Rhysand even as a fourteen years old. His bravery had Rhysand smiling and wondering and he had thought, 'why not make him a close buddy since he was going to be his in-law soon after all?'
Derek, sometimes would often come over after Lia leaves the villa and then, they'd always have the best moments with each other; of Rhysand finding out more about Lia from him and both buddies getting acquainted with each other.
Rhysand had made his intentions clear with Derek and Derek knew he could trust him. He had told Rhysand about Lia's favorite flowers upon demand. It was a Juliet rose and the only available place to get it at the moment was only based on early request and how much you can offer to get it quicker.
"You seem to really like her a lot, don't you?" Derek asked as his gaze focused on the passing scenery.
Rhysand halted, pulling over at a driveway on the road.
"Derek, I'd do anything to be with Lia. She means everything to me and I mean that with every breath I take," he said whilst looking him deep in the eyes.
"Hmm..." Derek said. "I can tell from every angle you really do. I mean, even a blind man could see that. But I just hope you don't suddenly turn into Hector when you really get to know her, Rhys."
Rhysand's brow furrowed. "Really get to know her? How do you mean?"
"I wish I could understand her well enough to tell you that, Mr. Rhysand. Lia can be very complicated."