We slowly strode through the park as we watched the children play around leisurely. Celine was right about the weather being so perfect and nice outside. The wind blew softly against my face and the sun was the perfect level of warmth.
“Me? I think when I was very young…like before my mother married Lucien…I was a scared and timid little girl. I think for the longest time, I just didn’t want to be any more of a burden to my mother. Life was…difficult for us back then. I may have been young but even I could tell…” I replied honestly before trailing off.
Those days were harsh ones, but I was very close to my mother. After that, I thought life had gotten better but I wasn’t sure if it had. Then, she was suddenly gone and with her death, I lost many things…
“Sorry, you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to…” Reiner quickly apologized although it wasn’t his fault.
“Oh no. Not at all. Did I come across as sad and very troubled just now? It’s not like that…it’s all in the past now…so…” I said before smiling bravely up at him.
It’s all the in the past now. We have to move on now…
“Let’s take a seat here,” Reiner said as he led me to a bench on the side of the grass field.
“Ok…but I’m honestly ok. There’s really no need for you to worry about me,” I desperately made my case so that he wouldn’t have to worry needlessly about me.
“Let’s just rest and enjoy our time here for a bit,” Reiner replied casually.
“Sure…” I murmured.
Just sitting next to Reiner like this was very relaxing for me. Although we weren’t doing anything at all, it still felt very fulfilling to be with him just like this. Reiner held my hand in his as we enjoyed each other’s company in silence. My mind started reflecting on our little tour of the orphanage as I tried to think of ways to make King donate more of his wealth here to support this place.
It wasn’t like this place was in a bad shape, but thing could definitely be better, and the children could get more support if there were more funds. Before I knew it, I felt so invested in helping out this place and the children that I was strategizing on how to convince King. I glanced over to Reiner when I realized that the chances of success for this mission of mine would greatly increase if I could convince him to help me out as well.
“Umm…”
Suddenly, I heard a soft and tiny voice of a girl. Looking down, I found a girl standing right in front of us. I turned to Reiner when I found out that the girl was looking at him. Is she going to ask him to play with her?
Now that I think about it, this is probably one of the girls from the art class that he played with.
“Hello…” Reiner greeted the girl before he smiled warmly at her.
The girl’s eyes widened before she looked away as if embarrassed. It could have just been my eyes playing tricks on me, but I was quite sure that the little girl was blushing. This isn’t what I think it is it?
I glanced over at Reiner, amused to see what he was going to do in this situation. Reiner waited patiently for the girl to say something because it was clear that there was something that she wanted to say. To my utmost surprise, instead of speaking, the girl took out a flower that she had been hiding behind her back and thrusted it towards Reiner.
Wow…she’s giving him a flower. You go girl! You’re so bold. I wanted to cheer her on and clap my hands in encouragement but then I realized that it would be better if I just pretended that I didn’t exist. I couldn’t stop myself from smiling at the pure and innocence of her love and admiration. This might be a memory that she would go on to cherish for her entire life. It was funny but extremely adorable when I thought that Reiner might be this little girl’s first love.
“Is this for me?” Reiner asked in a gentle voice.
“Yes. This is for you…” the girl said with a smile.
Aww…the scene was so touching and sweet that I didn’t know whether I wanted to smile or sob. Reiner took the flower from the girl before smiling at her. The girl blushed a deeper shade of red and I thought that she was just too cute.
“I like you…” the girl mumble shyly.
She so cute. My heart truly adored her and her innocent love.
“Thank you so much but I’m very sorry. You see…I’m already married,” Reiner replied clearly and bluntly.
The smile that I had on quickly faded from my lips. What did he just say?
Oh no…she’s not going to start crying, is she?
…
“Seriously! Why did you have to say that to her?” I complained loudly when we were alone in the car on our drive back.
“Say what?” Reiner replied lazily.
“Tell her that you are married!” I cried out in utter disbelief.
How can he say that to the poor girl? She even confessed her feelings…
“I am married. You’re my wife…” Reiner repeated firmly as if I didn’t already know that.
That’s not the point!
“No! I mean…yes, I am your wife. What am I even saying? Still, you shouldn’t have said that to her even if you’re married. She’s just a little girl…” I tried to desperately to explain.
“You were the one who told me to make things clear so that there won’t be any misunderstandings and so that she can move on, right?” Reiner asked, clearly not seeing what he did wrong.
Oh, hell, I did say that…but this is just different! How can he not understand something like this?
“This and that are completely different things,” I countered passionately.
That little girl and Rachael are completely different cases.
“How so? Why are you fine with another girl hitting on your husband anyways?” Reiner asked with clear annoyance as he frowned slightly.
“Maybe because she’s like…I don’t know…6 or 7 years old?” I replied.
“You’re so hard to understand sometimes…” Reiner muttered under his breath while keeping his eyes on the road.
“Oh…what a way to break a little girl’s heart…” I moaned depressingly before rolling my eyes towards the heavens.
–To be continued…