"Do you think they're okay?" Rika asked Asher when they haven't seen the two's silhouettes yet. "It's already dark,but they're not here yet."
"Ah, don't worry. I believe they're fine." Asher was smiling from ear to ear. "Let's just wait for them inside."
"Ehm…okay." then Rika followed Asher who went inside the house.
Meanwhile, Liam felt ashamed when Diana traces his scars with her finger. the main reason why Liam never removed his shirt even if he is soaking wet in front of anyone is because he was ashamed of those scars. It's ugly and it also reminds him of his past—dark past. He doesn't want to be pitied, he doesn't want to scare anyone and he never wanted to revisit his past again. If only he can remove those scars, if only he could forget all his misfortunes, then he will, by all means wants to erase those memories.
"I bet your scared looking at those scars." He dejectedly voiced his thoughts.
I heard him very well and I can sense the sadness on his voice. But no, I'm not scared at all. and I think his heart and soul was more tainted than his body. I'm not sure though but I can sense it through his voice and it hurts me. now here's a man trying to hide all his scars within using his strong aura and ironically, I wanted to free his soul. I want to mend his shattered heart and I want to heal his broken soul. But I am not God. All I could do is to let him know that there are people who loved him genuinely despites his past, despites his scarred body.
"No I am not afraid. I don't even feel a slight of pity if that's what your thinking." I continued caressing them. I want to let him know that they're beautiful through my gestures.
"I think they're beautiful." I smiled. though I know that he can't see my genuine smile.
"Beautiful? Huh!" he sneered in contempt.
"Ehm." I nodded. "I think that these scars hide a story that the world should know, that everyone should hear about. I don't know how you got all of these but I believe that it's not something you should be ashamed of. I think you should be proud of it." I paused and when I didn't hear any response from him, I continued.
"These scars only shows that you've been through a lot of difficulties and battles that you were able to win. I don't think these came from your losses, cause if it is, then probably your already dead by now. protecting your life and protecting the people you care about is something not everyone is able to do. So don't ever be ashamed of these, because I believe this is a sign of courage." I continued.
Then I remembered a quotation that I've read in the internet before. I might as well share it to him.
"You should never regret anything in life. if it's good, it's wonderful. If it's bad, it's experience. Don't think about the past, about what went wrong, about what could have went right. it's all gone now. just focus on making your present and future better. Sometimes you just have to turn the page to realize there is more to your book of life than the page you're stuck on. stop being afraid to move on. close this chapter of hurt, and never re-read it again. It's time to get what life deserves, and move on from the things that don't deserve you. don't spend your days trying to correct your past, instead, let go and let God create something better for your future." I spoke in one blow. Dang! Good thing I memories that... ha-ha!
I don't know what came to my mind but I suddenly embraced him from behind. Maybe because I can feel the breeze hitting his bare body. I think he was enduring the cold of the night. but oh man! I could feel those toned muscles!
Liam jerked at her sudden action but somehow, he can feel the heat coursing from her body to his. her head resting on his back.
"I didn't know where you got those words from, but are you perhaps a guru?" Liam sarcastically sneered. Ah, he can feel her smile.
"I just read those at one of the sites I usually visit. And when I lost my mom, those words encouraged me to move on with my life." I unconsciously answered him. but the truth is, my eyes were already drooping and my mind was now a little hazy. I think I am sleepy.
"There's more to life, Liam." Liam can sense that she's sagging. "Cry as hard as you want too. but just make sure that when you stop crying, you never cry for the same reason again." And before she totally dozes off, Liam heard something that struck him hard.
"You deserves to be happy…" then finally, Liam can feel her heavy breaths and the hands that had enveloped his body, slowly fell on his sides. She fell asleep on his back. He smiled contentedly.
He turned around and scoop the woman and laid her on the grass for a moment. then he took the woman's stuffs and placed it inside the bag then he whistled after. After a few minutes, his horse came into view.
He was staring at the woman who was leaning on his bare chest with her eyes close. Shadow, Liam's horse neighed as if he can feel the man's emotion at the moment. dang! "stop that Shadow or else, you'll wake her up." He muttered.
"I can feel the warm arms that's carrying me while riding the horse. Am I dreaming right now? guess I am. after a few minutes, I felt something soft and warm on my lips. It's Liam, I can smell his scent. Is he kissing me right now? ah, in my dreams. Guess I was too infatuated that I even dream about him."
Liam heard the woman moaned faintly. Looks like she's dreaming then she inches closer to his chest.
"Good night Diana." He smiled.
***After a few minutes, Asher and the others heard Liam's horse neighing as he comes closer and closer to the house. Then the next thing they witness had shocked them. A shirtless Liam entered the house carrying an unconscious woman wearing his shirt. Their minds went wild at the scene before them and when Liam entered his room, they started gossiping.
Liam laid the woman on his bed and made sure that she's fully covered. It looks like she's cold since she is shivering. But as soon as Liam covered her with the blanket, she relaxes. Liam then stride to his drawer and took a shirt. He jolted when he saw Asher leaning on the door grinning mischievously. Liam knew what's on his mind so he threw the shirt that he had just gotten to his face.
"You! stop imagining things and just go back to your room! we still need to do a lot of preparations tomorrow!" he commanded.
"Fine! but wait, I'm curious, what happen to both of you? why is she wearing your shirt?" he sizes him from head to toe. Then he gasped. "Liam! did you..."
"Shut up!" Liam hit him on lightly on the chest. "Whatever you are thinking will never happen!" he glared. "she's just a natural clumsy one so she rolled to the river."
"So why is she wearing your shirt? Huh!" Asher is interrogating him.
"If you were on my shoe, won't you lend your shirt to a woman who was soaking wet?"
"I won't do that. That is my chance to watch her sexy body as long as I want." Asher teased.
"Pervert!" once again, Liam knocks his head. "I'll be sleeping in your room tonight."
"What? no! where am I supposed to sleep then?" he cried. But Liam showed him a contemptuous gaze so he walked out with a defeated face. "Fine." he scoffed.
But before Liam steps out, he stared at her once again. Then he recalled all the things she said. "Beautiful scars, huh?" then he smiled