Chapter 39
Iris
I could swear that I saw him shiver slightly, but he collected himself immediately and took a step backward.
“Tell this bitch to be careful of how she runs her-”
A punch landed on his lips, causing him to stumble over the chair and then he landed on the ground with a loud thud. I quickly ran to Gradel and stood in front of him.
No matter how much I despised his younger brother, I wouldn’t watch him get beaten up badly and get accused of causing a fight between two brothers.
“Please, Grade. Ignore him,” I said softly.
I lifted my hand to touch his chest but stopped midway since I didn’t know what his reaction would be, but seeing how his chest rose and fell in anger I took the risk and began to draw circles around it.
He took a deep breath with his eyes closed, and by the time he opened them, the anger had receded.
“Get out!” He ordered with a tone of finality and his brother scampered away, muttering curses at us.
His eyes returned to my face which he palmed tenderly. “Are you alright?” His voice held a note of tenderness.
I blinked away the tears that sprang forth in my eyes and swallowed. “I’m good. He’d have hurt me if you didn’t come sooner. How did you know that I was here?”
He looked away and made me sit.
“After the meeting with the elders was concluded, I returned to our room only to find you heading towards the garden. I wanted to ignore that but when I saw my brother following you, I changed my mind.”
“That means you overheard our conversation?” I asked.
He shrugged. “I had no choice, but I’m glad I followed you. I won’t have forgiven myself if he touched you because he has no right.”
I gulped, unsure of what to say. His actions were conflicting and I was so close to getting a headache. Today, he’d be my knight in shining armor and the next day he’d act like my existence repulsed him.
“Thank you,” I breathed and kept my eyes on the lake.
A list of questions piled up in my head, all of them pressing to be asked but after his cold response in the morning I didn’t think I dared to do anything.
He might as well leave right now so that I’d focus on my life or maybe I should.
I stood up abruptly, catching him unaware. “I think I should leave now. I don’t want to be imposing on you,”
He scoffed in disbelief as if he had suddenly developed partial amnesia. The audacity of this man.
“Who said you were?” He inclined his head for a moment and sprang to his feet as well. “Are you mad at me?” He asked gently.
I threw my head backward as doubtful laughter burst through my throat. “Why should I be angry at you? You just saved me from getting disfigured by your brother so I’m anything but angry at you.” I retorted sarcastically while fuming visibly.
“Iris, I… I’m not…” He stuttered.
I raised my hand to silence him. “You owe me no explanation, Gradel. Don’t worry, your bracelet will be found soon though I’m not sure how that will happen and I’ll be out of your life for good as you’ve always wanted. The only thing I ask of you is that you stop toying with my emotions. Leave me alone!”
My voice echoed in the silent garden but I didn’t care, instead, I brushed past him and stormed into the pack house. I’d rather be anywhere but here and maybe it was time to consider moving to my new apartment.
At least, I’d be free from him in the meantime.
Footsteps rang loudly behind me but I didn’t stop until I felt a grip on my wrist.
“Stop, Iris! Let’s talk about this,” He demanded and as angry as I was, I froze.
My lips remained shut while I waited for him to say whatever he wanted.
“Look at me,” He ordered firmly though his voice was quite soft. I whipped a glance at him and then he started talking. “I know that my inconsistent feeling has taken you by surprise and I don’t even know what to say about it, but I’ll need you to go somewhere with me. I have something important to show you that might earn me your forgiveness,” He said in a rush, his eyes blaring with trepidation and anxiety.
“Is it another house? Do we have to go now?”
A ghost smile appeared on his face and he chortled. “Nope, but you can get another house if you want. And yes, we have to go now.”
“Like this?” I scanned my dress briefly and he released his grip on my wrist.
“You are a beautiful woman, Iris. Not even a dress can put a dent in your gorgeousness.” He confessed and when I looked into his eyes, I could see the authenticity of his words in them.
Feeling relieved, I took his hand with a bright smile. “Let’s go then.”
*********
My stomach tightened in anticipation and it heightened when we stopped at the market square. The first place I’d met him. The place where Giga made me an object of mockery.
“Why are we here?” My palms were already clammy with sweat as I squeezed my dress.
His arm went around my waist intuitively and then he caressed my shoulder tenderly. “I can sense your fear, Iris, but you don’t have to be terrified. No one is going to hurt you.” He assured, strongly.
I held onto his words although I was a nervous wreck. From afar, I caught the sight of the pack police coming towards us, they were the same men who Giga had called to arrest me.
“What’s going on?” I croaked.
“Be patient… Oh, here they are.” He smirked.
Subconsciously, my legs retreated when I saw them drag someone inside a sack with his hands tied with children running behind them and throwing perishable items at someone… at Giga.
I averted my gaze from them and peered at Gradel who wore a satisfied grin. “What’s going on here?” I whispered.
“Relax, baby. He has something very important to say to you and I think you should listen,”