POV: Lianne
His kiss was different. Oh so different from the one I had last day with Cain. It was completely a new feeling.
Ruen thrust his tongue inside my mouth. He tasted of sweet wine, honey-like. He moved his hands all over my back as if making a sculpture out of me, memorizing every curve I have.
Oh yes, I couldn’t deny it, I don’t want this moment to end.
I was so engrossed with his soft lips on mine, giving me the kind of passion I hadn’t experienced before, but then he abruptly withdrew and stepped back away from me.
My mouth hang, surprised at his action.
I stared at him and noticed the look of frustration and hesitance in his eyes. Gone was the coldness earlier. But why would he be hesitant?
I hate to admit it but I craved more. I wanted more of him. I could feel myself blushing. I could feel myself getting hot but this hot feeling was quickly doused when he spoke the words I didn’t expect at all.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that.”
I blinked many times, feeling confused. Why would he ask for forgiveness when I didn’t push him or slap him for such a kiss?
“Oh, you don’t really have to say that.” It was all that I could reply as I adjusted my weight when my knees suddenly felt weak.
“I have to go, ” he said with a strained voice and then walked away.
“Huh? No, wait!” My mind double worked. I reached out to catch a piece of his clothing, and successfully I did.
He paused from walking and watched my fingers tightly holding onto the hem of his shirt.
“There are… there are still so many things I need to ask you! The painting, my vague dreams, your note in the library, everything! I’m so confused. I know you are the only one who can answer them!”
He released a long sigh and turned to face me.
I was hoping that he would answer all of it but the only thing he said was not what I hoped for.
“You’re the only one who can answer that Lianne. I may be able to help you, but…”
He paused and then drew his eyes on the carpeted floor.
“But?” I parroted. “Tell me, please, what do you mean by that? You don’t expect me to-”
I stopped mid-sentence when he suddenly pulled and embraced me with gentleness and kissed my forehead.
“I don’t… I don’t want to hurt you again Lianne, but I want you to remember me. If you still do wish to remember me that is.”
I mentally noted his words and tried to understand them as much as I could, but my heart ached when he said the last sentence.
He said ‘if I still want to remember him?’
Why wouldn’t I?
When he released me, I stared at him again and saw the look of uncertainly in his eyes. There was something behind those beautiful orbs. I just couldn’t put my finger on it.
He cupped my chin and leaned his face closer to mine like he would plant another kiss on me. However, he abruptly stopped and stated, “Your friends are here.”
“Huh?” My mind was slow to process at first, but as soon as I understood his meaning, my eyes widened. Oh my gosh. We were supposed to go to the cave!
“The bus!” I squeaked loudly.
I must be late now for them to personally come to the second floor and get me.
Before I could say another word, Ruen darted off into the opposite hallway, and just as my friends turned around the corner, he was gone on the other side.
I closed the main door quickly and ran across the hallway, lifting my backpack with me on my right shoulder.
“Do you even realize how late you are?” Jen asked me when I met them halfway. Her face was riddled with impatience.
I gave them an apologetic look. “I’m sorry guys. I was about to go down but then I forgot to bring my cellphone with me so I went back to my room to find it.”
Rachel’s eyebrows rose like she didn’t take my white lie seriously. They didn’t comment anymore on it however so we went back down to the ground floor.
“Where’s Alona?” I asked.
“She’s waiting for us inside the bus trying to persuade the driver to wait for you to arrive. In case you didn’t notice, it is already fifteen minutes past two darling, ” Rachel replied.
Jen winked at me when I pouted my lips to form a silent ‘Oh’.
***
POV: Ruen Waitsince
Dammit!
I hissed angrily at myself thinking about the kiss I gave her.
Lianne…
How many times have I told myself to wait. Countless of times probably. But ever since I finally found her, it has been hard for me to keep myself away. It wasn’t enough anymore to just observe her from afar.
So long… the waiting was so long. I even felt as if I’m not alive anymore with all that emerald light around me and thereafter with all the countless finding and trying to get clues where the emerald stone would possibly reincarnate her. It wasn’t easy, but it was all worth it in the end.
Princess Lianne is my life.
If only she remembers me that easily, then we’d pick up where we left of on that tragic day and live happily ever after.
But no. She couldn’t just remember me that easily and I understood why.
The pain she had in the past must have been difficult to bear. If she would remember me then and the past, there’s no telling what her reaction would be.
Damn… I don’t want her to get hurt again.
But speaking of which, she already is hurting!
That man! Cain!
I didn’t expect that Fate would bring us all together in this place and time. He doesn’t need a second life. He isn’t even worthy to pursue Lianne again. He killed her and for that, he should remain in the past, with his corpse surrounded with maggots.
But since he’s here now, I needed to act fast.
Lianne needs to remember me or else she will fall on Cain’s charms and manipulation.
“She needs to remember. She needs to. Even if it means the pain would be unbearable again, ” I told myself, sure of what to do this time.
I leaned against the wall just a turn away from the hallway where Lianne’s room was. I made sure her friends wouldn’t be able to see me when they meet her. For now, I don’t like to be interrogated. Lianne and her memories of me were my top priority. Her friends, on the bottom of the list.
The wounds I received from Cain’s bullets were manageable but still, they ache. I didn’t show it to her, but I was struggling. It was actually so hard for me to show myself before her in this frail condition but I just had to. I just wanted to see her.
I fished my cellphone out of my pocket and dialed a familiar number. After two rings, an old soft voice of a man answered:
“Yes, my boy, ” the man from the other line spoke, knowing already it was me.
“Good afternoon Sir Rafael, ” I greeted.
“How many times had I told you to call me ‘father.’ You may be my most valued bodyguard but I’m still your foster parent.”
“Father, ” I corrected. Using the appellation seemed to be distasteful for me. It reminded me of a certain wicked man in the past that was once my foster father too. But at present, this man here, who first found me lying on the snowy ground and called the medic, is a good man.
“Good. That’s better, ” Mr. Rafael said, sounding pleased on the other side of the line. “So, you called. What is it that you need?”
I paused for a moment and looked over at the grand staircase towards the third floor. There is no turning back now, I concluded with firm resolve. If Cain is making a move, so will I.
I gripped my phone tightly and answered, “I need the key to the rest house.”