We arrived home, and Aaron carried the still sleeping Zion into his arms and rested his small head on his shoulder as we both approached the house. The little boy must have felt the change because he woke up, and his dull eyes lingered on me.
“Mommy.”
“Yes, my love.”
“Are we home yet?”
I bobbed my head and said, “We are. We are going in now.”
Aaron opened the door, and I followed him inside. “I’m hungry,” he whined.
“I know, and I will get you something to eat in no time.” I reached out and ruffled his hair. I felt exhausted from the stress of today, but I had to put him first and put his needs above mine, like always.
“Okay, mommy.”
My eyes strayed from him and moved around the room. I hadn’t even taken the time to notice the massive change that had taken place in the room, and now that I had, I realised nothing had changed. Everything was the way it used to be, and it felt as if there had never been an attack to begin with. Aaron had spoken about taking care of things, but I never thought much about what that would be like.
The centre table, the couch, the television, and even the walls had been fixed and made to appear the way they always did.
Aaron’s memory of how things were in the living room surprised me.
Still, it didn’t take away the image of what happened, and every corner of the room made me remember the horror. I remember being attacked from the kitchen and trying to run out into the parlour. I remember my hand getting caught by Henry, and I remember losing my balance and falling to the ground. Then, after Aaron came in and I got Zion out of his room, I remember turning away to face the door as the attacker approached, and I prepared for the worst.
My body grew stiff, and my breathing became unsteady. I was shivering at the memories the house held. It was a terrible one. I wrapped my hand around my arms and gently massaged them.
“You could stay in a hotel if you’re not comfortable here,” he said, pulling me out of my thoughts, and my eyes turned to look at him. He must have seen the effect the house had on me and wanted to help.
“How long will I keep running?” I raised a brow.
“For as long as you have to,” he answered.
His offer was generous, but I couldn’t afford it. “This is my home, and I got it from working hard and being exceptional. I will not let anyone drive me out of it.” I answered, and he nodded, understanding my point, and he didn’t argue.
‘Ah yes, but they can drive you insane in it.’
I guided my legs to the kitchen, and I stared through at the pots and plates, also intact, as if nothing had happened.
I jumped when I heard a crash in the living room, and I raced out to see Aaron standing there with apologetic eyes. He had dropped the empty vase close to the television stand, breaking it into tiny pieces.
“It slipped,” he mumbled, and I sighed and turned from him.
I wasn’t ready to be here, and I didn’t want to take his offer and stay in the hotel either. It wouldn’t solve any of my problems. No matter how much I hide, I’ll still need to return and face reality at some point.
“I can’t stay here,” I said, kicking off my shoes. “The memories of what happened feel like yesterday, and it’s only a matter of time before it drives me completely insane.” I didn’t care how revealing the truth made me look, but I didn’t want to pretend anymore. “I just don’t think running away will help.”
“I could stay the night,” he offered.
“Where would you sleep?” My brow arched. “Don’t your kind sleep?”
He chuckled, “I am touched that you care,” he said before turning to look around. “The couch is empty.”
I didn’t reject his offer to stay over because I couldn’t stand the idea of being alone in this house with Zion. I wasn’t expecting any form of attack, but it would feel comforting to know that we weren’t the only ones in the house.
“Do you want that?” he asked, and I realised I hadn’t given him an answer to his suggestion.
“Yes,” I nodded, “but no more breaking stuff.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I returned to my room, and after showering, I changed into my pyjamas. It was just a few minutes past six p. m., but I knew I would go nowhere else before I went to sleep, and I wanted to wear something comfortable.
I regretted that action after stepping out and meeting Aaron in the living room. I had forgotten I gave consent to him staying over, and I was dressed in my nightwear already.
My cheeks warmed up as his eyes widened when he saw me, and I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me.
“You look good.”
“Shut up!” I glared at him and walked into the kitchen.
Zion had gone back to sleep, and Aaron tucked him into bed in his room. I had to make sure dinner was ready before he woke up. The fastest and easiest thing to make now is pasta. We still had those, last I checked.
“Do you need my help?” Aaron asked from the door, and I froze for a moment, then realised he was harmless.
I shook my head. “I’ve got it.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes, you could just stand at the door like that. It would help assure me that no one is coming for my head.” I laughed and poured the water into the cooker after turning it up.
“Sure, I can do that. But whoever wants your head would have to take mine first.”
That was the reassurance I didn’t think I needed, but did.
“Thank you,” I said, genuinely meaning it.
“You’re welcome.”
I poured the pasta into the pot, and I turned to stare at him and found him leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed. With his arms crossed, his muscles bulged, making the blue long sleeve hug him tightly. His hair looks a little messed up, and his face has been redefined due to his now-trimmed beard. I failed to notice all these features this morning while leaving the estate.
He was just as good-looking as always, and knowing he wasn’t human (which, by the way, he hinted at from the very first weekend we spent together) explained a lot about him.
I snapped out of my thoughts and found his gaze on me, analysing my features hidden in the pyjamas. It sent shivers down my spine, and I looked away.
“How long do you have?” I blurted it out, snapping his attention from my body back to my face.
He stayed silent, although he understood my question. “I don’t know,” he mumbled under his breath, and I barely heard it.
“Do you have more than a year or two?” I raised a brow.
He chuckled, and his voice held so much life. “I’d be lucky if I got a year, Zera.”
My heart went out to him. “I’m sorry.”
He shook his head and stepped towards me. “It’s not your fault, and I hope you believe that.”
I wanted to ask more questions, but the cooker timer went off, and I jumped and turned around to face what I was cooking. I felt his gaze on my every move while I cooked, and, though affected by it, I remained silent.
Zion woke up before I finished cooking, and when he came downstairs, Aaron attended to him. I finished and served three plates instead of two because we had an extra mouth to feed tonight.
I placed the three plates, forks, and glasses of water into the big tray and carried it out. I served on the dining table, and they came after I beckoned to them. We sat around the table to eat, and I noticed how Aaron stared at the meal before him.
“This isn’t the type of food you eat, is it?”
He pressed his lips together and shook his head. He saw me make it earlier. Why didn’t he say anything?
Well, he was probably being noble, since this wasn’t his house.
“Try it; mommy cooks delicious food,” Zion said, already grabbing his fork and plate.
“I don’t doubt that.” He turns to Zion, his eyes flickering with adoration as he stares at his son.
“Then what is it? You made pasta for me five years ago.” I reminded him.
He nodded. “Yes, and that was five years ago. A lot has changed since then.”
“What do you eat then?” I asked, and I was curious to know and see if it was something I could make.
‘Wow, Zera, your soft side for this man is showing.’
Well, he’s been around all day for me and Zion, even though he had other things to do. This is the least I could do.
“More meat, especially during these times.”
“These times? What do you mean?”
“I am not as strong as I should be, and the less meat I consume, the weaker I become.” He explained, and I understand his point now.
“I do not have meat,” I said. I didn’t want it to get to me, but not having what he wanted didn’t feel right.
“I know.”
The look on my face must have affected him because he picked up the fork and ate through it despite knowing this wasn’t what he needed.
I was the first to feel sleepy, and Aaron told me he’d put Zion to bed when he got sleepy, and I had nothing to worry about. That was comforting, and I retired to bed without wasting time.
I woke up to the sound of soft singing, and I wondered who had gotten up so early and had to wake others up as well. I rubbed my eyes before turning to the clock on the lampstand to see that it was almost eight a. m. My eyes opened wide, and I realised the day had already begun. Zion was probably up and hungry, since he always had an enormous appetite.
I didn’t even care to know how I looked before dashing through the door and towards Zion’s room. I opened the door but saw no one in bed. He had already woken up and left his room.
I hurried into the living room, yet I saw no one there. The music, however, was louder here than it was in the room. The living room also had the aroma of eggs and butter, and whatever was happening in the kitchen had to be delicious because my mouth was already watering. The singing continued, and this time I could hear the wording.
I could watch you for a lifetime.
You’re my favourite movie.
A thousand endings
You mean everything to me.
I walked into the kitchen, and there they stood, facing the cooker. Zion was in his blue pyjamas, sitting on the counter, bobbing his head to the song his father was singing while keeping his focus on the pan before him. Aaron was still in his blue long sleeve from yesterday because I didn’t have any male clothes to give him, and it looked a little ruffled up now. He was singing and stirring the pot before him; his mind was not on me.
Forever fascinating
I hope you don’t stop running.
I stood at the door, not ready to disturb or interrupt the picture before me. It was perfect. Father and son bonding moment, and I just wanted to watch.
You are my cinema.
Action, thriller
I could watch you for a lifetime.
I had never heard the song he sang before, but it was now my favourite, and this man sang it wonderfully.
Was there anything this man wasn’t good at? Singing, cooking, making money, and sex-damn.
He was also good at killing.
And just like always, my mind ruins a perfect moment.
“Mommy!” Zion called out, and Aaron turned around to look at me. I smiled and made my way over to him. “Good morning, mommy.”
I got to where he was and took him into my arms. “Good morning, Zion.” Then I turned to Aaron. “Good morning to you.”
“Good morning, love. I hope I didn’t wake you up with my singing.”
“You didn’t, but you kept me up with it.”
“I’m hungry; Daddy didn’t want to wake you, so he is making breakfast,” he announced.
“I see that.” I eyed the pan and saw the sauced egg and vegetables, and it looked like an absolute delight. “Smells delicious.”
“Thank you.” He smiled at me, and that weakening dimple appeared. “And I’m sorry if I overstepped by cooking without first asking for your permission,” he said.
Trust this man to add nobility to his many virtues.
“You didn’t and never apologise for doing what’s right for Zion. I’d always understand.”