"Do you miss your father?" An unexpected question hung in the air, catching Crystal off guard. She hesitated for a moment, unsure of his intentions, but eventually replied, "Yeah, but Mom wouldn't let me see him. I wonder how he's doing right now…"
Anom nodded, delving deeper into the topic. "How are things between you and your father?"
A wave of nostalgia washed over Crystal as she embarked on a trip down memory lane, recounting her cherished moments with her father. Her face lit up with a radiant smile as she shared stories of his unwavering love and the absence of scolding. Anom listened attentively, asking probing questions and engrossing himself in her anecdotes. The conversation flowed effortlessly, forging a bond between them that transcended mere acquaintance.
After their heartfelt exchange, Crystal turned to Anom, her curiosity piqued. "Why are you so free to discuss these topics today? Weren't you working on your scheme with those two 'respected guests' from the capital?"
Anom chuckled, playfully pinching her nose. "It's planning, not scheming, you jealous little minx!"
"Hmph!" Crystal huffed, turning her head to the side, feigning annoyance.
Sensing her need for clarity, Anom decided it was time to share his thoughts before any further misunderstandings arose. "Crystal," he began earnestly, "have you ever considered how you would cope if you had to leave your family someday?"
Caught off guard, Crystal's face flushed with a mix of surprise and uncertainty. "What are you talking about?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, struggling to convey her emotions.
"No, it's a serious matter. Please, tell me," Anom insisted, his concern evident.
Relenting, Crystal sighed and replied, "I would be sad, I think. I'd probably cry a lot while saying goodbye to my family. I might even start beating the jerk who wants to take me away." Her gaze drifted towards Anom, her eyes glimmering with a hint of vulnerability, captivating him in the moment.
Drawing closer, Crystal pressed her soft lips against his, initiating a slow and passionate exchange. Anom reciprocated, their tongues intertwining in a sensual dance. The room filled with the sound of their fervent kisses, their desires resonating in the stillness.
Moments later, Crystal abruptly pulled back, breathless and aware of the impropriety of their location—her mother's room. Anom pulled her closer, facing her, and their eyes locked in an unspoken understanding. "You're unlikely to see your father again... Are you still leaving with me?"
Confusion and unease clouded Crystal's expression. "Why are you bringing it up again? I... I don't want to talk about it," she confessed, a hint of apprehension creeping into her voice.
Anom realized that beating around the bush would serve no purpose. He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before speaking candidly.
"Your second uncle, as you already know, administered a slow-acting poison to your father. He probably just wanted to turn your father into a cripple who couldn't handle the position of family head any longer. But perhaps he, too, underestimated the substance. A slow but steady effect can sometimes be more lethal than a single dose. He—"
"Is he dead?" Crystal interrupted abruptly, her voice trembling with a mix of anticipation and dread.
Anom let out a sigh, his heart heavy with the weight of the truth. "You know it already, don't you?" he asked, his hand gently rubbing her back in a soothing motion.
Silence hung in the air as Crystal absorbed the reality before low sobbing sounds broke through her lips. Anom held her close, his chest becoming a refuge for her grief. He said nothing, providing solace through his presence and the comforting touch of his hand on her back.
As Crystal's tears subsided, they remained intertwined, seeking solace in each other's embrace. Her breathing gradually steadied, and she nestled her head on Anom's chest, damp with the remnants of her sorrow. After a few moments, she spoke, her voice tinged with vulnerability.
"Is this why my mother won't let me see him?"
Anom could hear the profound sadness and longing in her words, yet he was relieved to hear no accusations directed at her mother.
"You're right," he replied softly, his voice filled with understanding. "You can't blame your mother for not informing you sooner. She has been burdened with a tremendous amount, working tirelessly to hold your family together amidst the external pressures you all face. The consequences could be dire if others learned about your father's situation at this time. Your family might be vulnerable, even from within. While Gamus holds authority, using force to suppress discontent and malice from the heart would be futile."
Anom paused, assessing Crystal's reaction. Though she stared blankly to the side, there was a newfound calmness in her demeanor. Encouraged, Anom continued.
"Your mother is terrified of the consequences that could arise from any missteps. But what she fears the most is the possibility of her own daughter hating her and crumbling emotionally right before her eyes. She is aware of your love and concern for your father, and she herself is not in a position to support you while delivering this news. That's why she asked me to tell you, and I hope you don't hold it against her," Anom explained, his voice filled with empathy and compassion. He awaited Crystal's response, hoping for understanding.
"It wasn't her fault," Crystal responded calmly, displaying a level-headed understanding of the situation, much to Anom's relief. She continued, "I believe it was appropriate for you to be the one to inform me. Perhaps if she had been the one to tell me, I would have lashed out in my pain and blamed her. But you had nothing to do with this situation, and you also helped me remain calm. Thank you very much, Anom."
A warm smile crossed Anom's face as he gently lifted Crystal's head, cupping her chin. He placed a tender kiss on her forehead and wiped away the trails of tears that had marked her cheeks. "I'm glad you're holding up. Now, please be strong. You must be the one to support your mother."
Just as Crystal nodded her head in agreement, a voice broke the stillness: "You can come in now, Madam Loreana."
"Huh?" Crystal turned towards the door, momentarily confused. Loreana, her face swollen from tears, took hesitant steps into the room, keeping her head bowed, afraid to meet her daughter's gaze.
To say Loreana was nervous would be an understatement. She had just returned and was standing outside the door when Anom abruptly summoned her. But her primary concern was how her daughter was coping with the devastating news. With a deep breath, she mustered the courage to enter the room.
Loreana's heart ached as she saw her daughter nestled in Anom's embrace like a koala. Their eyes met briefly before Crystal abruptly turned her head away. Loreana felt a pang of guilt, fearing that her daughter was upset with her. Little did she know that Crystal was simply unsure of how to face her mother, partly influenced by Anom's revelations. Crystal realized the pain her mother must have endured upon learning that her daughter had gone missing shortly after losing her husband. Crystal felt remorse for causing her mother unnecessary worry. But there was also the matter of their current position with Anom, which made her blush even deeper, burying her face in his chest and causing him to worry about his ribs.
Observing the worried mother and the tomato-faced daughter, Anom found the situation rather amusing, but he also felt the need to intervene. Disliking the awkwardness, he raised his hand and patted the bed on his right, inviting Loreana to sit beside him.
Caught up in her emotions, Loreana's actions were instinctive rather than conscious. Before she could process the situation fully, she found herself sitting next to Anom, who had pulled Crystal to his side, placing her between him and Loreana. Crystal suddenly found herself facing her mother directly, unsure of how to react. But before she could say anything, Loreana spoke up.
"Are you okay now?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
This time, Crystal didn't turn away. She simply nodded lightly, bringing a wave of relief to Loreana's heart.
Loreana gently lifted her hand to caress her daughter's face, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry, Crystal. I understand that you had every right to know about your father. But I couldn't bear the thought of telling you. Your Grandpa Gamus decided to keep the news sealed, fearing it would give the lurking wolves an opportunity. And somehow, that became my excuse to shield you from the truth. I couldn't bear the risk of losing the most important part of my life. I was scared, so scared of losing you." Tears streamed down Loreana's already tear-stained face as she finally let go of her emotions.
Crystal's own nose tingled, and she sat up, wrapping her arms tightly around her mother. Tears welled up in her eyes once again, and she began to cry, allowing her emotions to flow freely in the embrace of her mother's warmth.
Anom observed the cathartic release of emotions between the mother and daughter, their worries and concerns finding an outlet. However, his gaze involuntarily shifted downward, veering away from the somber scene above.
To his surprise, he found himself fixating on an entirely different aspect, one unrelated to the sorrowful atmosphere in the room. The sight of the two beautiful women, one young and one mature, embracing each other, unintentionally drew his attention to their physical attributes. Their bosoms seemed to engage in a silent competition, as if two pairs of fighters were vying for dominance. While the mature beauty's pair clearly held the advantage in size, Anom couldn't help but appreciate both pairs equally, silently encouraging them to display more impressive moves.
For a brief moment, this diversion from the earlier gloomy ambiance brought a sense of lightness to Anom's mood. However, his enjoyment was short-lived as he noticed two pairs of eyes fixated on him. It was too late to avert his gaze, and he found himself locked in a wordless staring competition. Unfazed by the situation, Anom willingly engaged in the challenge, even though the odds were stacked against him.
"You really have thick skin," Loreana remarked, her face flushing as she tried to find the words to express her complex emotions. She was amazed by how the seemingly untrustworthy young man before her was resolving the issues in her life, one by one. Surprisingly, she felt no anger towards him. In fact, she experienced a peculiar sensation...
"Pervert!" Crystal, however, was more direct in her approach. She regarded him with contempt, as if she couldn't wait to condemn him for his inappropriate behavior.
"Ahem." Anom, with his thick skin intact, remained unperturbed by the accusing glances of the two beauties. He nonchalantly redirected his gaze towards the window and remarked, "Look at the time. You must be exhausted, right? Come, come. Let's all get some rest... This bed is incredibly comfortable." While uttering these nonsensical words, Anom patted the plush bed and pretended to lie down, assuming a sleeping position.
Thwack!
Unfortunately for Anom, his fleeting dream of sleeping alongside the duo was abruptly interrupted by a swift kick to his back, causing him to roll off the bed. Groaning, he stood up and rubbed his waist, facing the young beauty whose slender leg had delivered the blow. Exasperated, he couldn't help but mutter, "Alright, alright. If you're too shy to sleep together, just say so. What's with the need for violence?"
With his indignant words delivered, Anom finally made his way towards the door. Even as the two ladies watched him depart, they could hear his grumpy voice muttering, "What's the point of bestowing beauty upon women if men can't appreciate it? What a tragedy!" He resolved to discuss the matter with Della, should the opportunity arise.
Inside the room, the two women blushed simultaneously, their inward screams echoing in unison: "You were admiring the wrong things, you rascal!"