As soon as Dr. Piper gave him what he needed, Darryl went to do Xhemin's hair charily. His hands dug into the tousled mess, avalanche of ebony glossy hair that fell naturally at Xhemin shoulders.
Uncomfortably and unconsciously she moved, so did those brilliant bands, like echoes of the northern lights.
"What's wrong?" Unaware of the tension that Darryl was bringing into the girl, he asked as his hands trailed around her neck, entwining his fingers through the black strands of hair.
Xhemin didn't answer. But Darryl sensed her reluctance as Xhemin tried to suppress a shiver. By then he knew, despite Xhemin's silence, his presence was getting into her. He couldn't blame her as even he, himself was having a hard time taming his nerves and keeping his cool with the distance that they have.
There was silence for a moment as Darryl tried to find his way how to tame his woman's hair with a hair tie. It was something he had never done before and with the fact that Xhemin's scents was also finding its way to his nostrils, it was difficult to even more concentrate.
"I'm not really good at this" He resigned as he made a last stroke on her hair, he was able to knot her hair decently, but not as neat as he thought it should be.
"It's fine" Xhemin answered, apparently, she didn't care whether he did a good job with tying her hair. She just wanted him to stop—because his touches—that gentle strokes he did was tickling the small hairs at her back that made her almost lose all her breath.
They both heave a sigh unaware on how the crowd around them was dying with curiosity and interest. Everyone was transfixed, unable to move and was still flooded with astonishment.
Not too long, Darryl positioned himself steadily at the saddle as he wrapped his hands around Xhemin's body and hold on to the reins. He was holding her trim body between his arms, and he was ready for a ride. Darryl then moved the reins gently, encouraging the horse into a nice and easy walk.
"What you are doing?" Xhemin asked in panicked. Where is the beast taking her?
Darryl ignored her and went to look at Manager Song who was on the ground few meters from where they are.
"Manager Song, you know the drill" The young master instructed.
"Of course, Young master, I'll make sure nobody will speak about this" He answered and gave the couple a courtesy bow.
"Little Miss!" Dr. Cyan blurted in panick when he realized the young master was taking the girl with him. Who knew what will the beast master do to the Little Missus?
"Don't worry Dr. Cyan, I'll be fine" Xhemin assured him as she relaxed her back against Darryl's chest. It was hard and she can't help but imagine how that hard that chest looked like the morning he gave her goodbye rites at the conference.
Soon, the equestrian field was left with nothing but the crowd of people who were whispering under their breaths.
What just happened?
What's with Dr. Cyan's assistant and the young master?
Was she his rumored mystery woman?
Everyone was left with questions but as soon as Manager Song came forward reminding everyone of the confidentiality agreement and another set of instructions to keep their mouth shut about what they just saw, the crowd that once was snooping unsteadily became quite in an instant as if they had not witness anything at all.
--
Xhemin was quiet the whole time they exit out the equestrian field. They were trailing off an unfamiliar path now full of lush and greenery and there was nothing on the road but the sound of birds playing under the heat of the sun.
She wanted to start out a conversation because honestly riding with the beast in silence was really awkward. However, it seemed that something was caught up under her mouth that she can't even manage to utter a word.
In addition to that, Xhemin's heart felt like dozens of tiny butterflies fluttered inside. Every time the beast moved behind her back and touch her gently, one more butterfly was added the mix. There was something about Darryl Lemmeul Lagdameo that made those butterflies fly chaotically inside her.
"That was a good leap" His voice ended the ocean of silence between them.
"You saw me?" She asked coolly, acting as though nothing out of ordinary had just happened earlier.
"Uhmm" he answered quietly in her ear. She could feel the heat rising thereat as his warm breath found its way to her earlobe.
As if not satisfied with their distance, Darryl pulled her tightly to him with his one arm, while the other held on to the horse' reins. He gave her a warm snuggly hug that that defeated all the soft throw pillows around the word. Xhemin thought she could stay right there forever.
"Thank you" He added softly.
"For what?"
"For treating my horse" He finally answered after a long pause, as if thinking whether to tell her or not. "It means so much to me"
As soon as he heard his words, Xhemin understood what he meant. The beast already knew. He already knew she was the one who made the cure and that she technically lied to him.
Then a guilt feeling came crushing in inside her that's eating up all her heart. She lied to him—a lot—in everything. She remembered how he asked him why she was here, so with all the lies she answered back and how he innocently took them all in. And now, here he was telling her how grateful he was after all those lies.
Xhemin closed her eyes and bit her lips sucking all the guilt feeling inside.
"I'm sorry" She finally let go, after moments of self-reproach. "I'm sorry I lied to you"