Chapter 21
Visitor
***
Hunter didn’t know how the heck did he found those cheesy antics. But Butler Henry told him that it was an effective way of apologizing.
And he thought that it must be an effective way since Leila had been giving her those sweet smiles again. It was a miracle that it made him at ease.
However, he still couldn’t believe that Butler Henry could be this enlightening in terms of wooing a woman. Perhaps, he shouldn’t underestimate him.
“I heard you cook something for Leila.” Myrtle teasingly commented as he was looking at the woman she just mentioned who was washing the dishes now.
He chuckled inaudibly as he saw her swayed her hips as if he was dancing with her own tune. But he instantly pursed his lips and swallowed hard when he heard Myrtle chuckled.
Hunter looked at her but her face was glued to Leila, who seemed so oblivious about what was happening around. She seemed to be more focused on the dishes and must be in her very best mood.
“It’s just nothing.” He stated defensively.
However, Myrtle looked at him with a mischievous smile pasted on her lips.
“Oh, yeah? Well, if you say so.” She simply said as she shrugged her shoulders as if she just said those words to end their conversation.
But it made him a bit annoyed.
It was not a good thing that they were constantly teasing him with Leila.
However, deep inside him it was as if he… is liking it already.
‘Damn it, Hunter Black! What do you think you are thinking? Like, your *ss!’ He whispered inside his head.
“But Hunter…” Myrtle suddenly became a bit serious this time.
Her expression was blank as she looked at him He swallowed hard.
He has known Myrtle for a long time already and he doesn’t like whenever she was using that kind of look at him. It was making him anxious and of guilt.
“Leila is a great and kind woman. I hope that you won’t hurt her anymore. I hate that I have seen those innocent eyes cry.” She uttered dangerously while her left brown shot upwards.
Hunter couldn’t believe that in a span of time, it seemed like Leila had already got an ally.
He let out a deep sigh.
“Fine. If you say so.” He whispered mimicking her voice a while ago.
***
Leila didn’t know whether Hunter was tripping or not. They just reconciled yesterday and now he was asking her to bake some tarts.
Well, it wouldn’t be a problem if they were in the village.
But heck!
They were in this community where the things were just so outdated.
“What should I use then? There is no oven here. The wood-fired brick oven is already broken thanks to someone I know.” She pointed it out playfully.
Hunter groaned as if he totally forgot about it.
“Why do you even want some anyway?” Leila asked curiously.
But he just let out a deep sigh.
“I just like it… and Myrtle wants to have some.” Hunter replied seriously.
Leila suddenly stopped and swallowed hard. She could taste the bitterness dripping into her system again.
Well, it was a bit annoying on her part, but she couldn’t find it to herself to hate or be mad at Myrtle.
‘This man… Really…’ She thought like she was being so disappointed again.
However, she couldn’t completely do that to be upset to him.
“We can just go to the village and bake that tart there.” Hunter suddenly thought like it was such a great idea to do so.
But Leila scoffed at him.
“As if! What if there are still rogues there.” Leila fearfully retorted back.
But Hunter let out a defeated sigh.
“I can ask some hunters and sentinel wolves to come with you.” Hector suddenly appeared out of nowhere to say those words.
She flinched.
“Darn! You really like popping out of nowhere, huh?” Leila uttered still shocked but annoyed, too.
She shook her head.
“What is your point, then? I should risk my life for this raspberry tart of yours-”
“Look, I asked Hunter to request this to you, okay? Myrtle wants it and she wouldn’t talk to me now.” Hector seemed so frustrated as he said to those words.
Well, she wanted to tease him but all that kept on playing in her mind was that it was ‘his’ idea for Myrtle. It was his and not Hunters.
She bit my lower lip.
“Fine! But make sure to make us safe.” She agreed without any more words asked.
Hunter suddenly looked at her with his forehead creased. Then, she immediately got her things and prepared herself for a long walk.
***
It’s been more than thirty minutes since they started walking back to the village. But she didn’t know why Hunter’s mood suddenly turned sour.
“Why are you so moody?” Leila couldn’t stop herself any longer and asked.
But Hunter just rolled his eyes and walked swiftly.
She looked at him like a puzzle that she couldn’t solve.
“What the heck is wrong with him?” She inquired herself as she followed him half running.
On the other hand, Hunter really didn’t know why he was acting that way.
‘Did he like Hector? Why does she immediately agree when he asks her to?’ He cursed silently as his thoughts were already in haywire.
Even when they arrived at Leila’s house, he still couldn’t figure out the reason why.
***
Leila let out a deep sigh as she tried to concentrate on the right amount of each ingredient. However, she couldn’t concentrate on that because of those deep ocean blue eyes who was intently looking at her right now.
She swallowed hard when she almost mixed some salt instead of sugar.
‘Darn it! That could be an obvious mistake.’ She mentally thought.
She tried to focus when she realized that she needed some vanilla at hanging cabinet. She got the wooden small ladder and got it out when she accidentally slipped.
Leila knew that she would fall. She braced herself for the painful fall but only warm and strong arms swiftly caught her.
Her lips parted as she met those deep ocean blue eyes. It was as if her breathing suddenly stopped and all that she wanted to do right now was to see his face from that distance.
However, her eyes slowly widened as she realized that his face was also moving slowly towards her.
She saw his Adam apple moved as he swallowed hard but it doesn’t stop her from looking so lost in his eyes.
But the moment their lips was about to meet the doorbell rang.
Leila’s eyes instantly closed harshly like she wanted to k*ll whoever had ruined their moment.
“Uhm…” Hunter uttered as he immediately put her down but he didn’t know what to say next.
Leila swallowed hard.
“Uhm, the door…” Hunter reminded her as the doorbell continued to ring.
She wanted to curse out loud as she proceeded to whoever was trying to ruin the moment.
“Leila!”
A tall and familiar man called her name. It has been a long time since he last saw him. He smiled and hugged her tightly.
“Thank God! I am so worried!” He exclaimed worry, relief, and happiness were written in his voice.
“D-Duncan…” Leila called his name as she swallowed hard.