"What?" Avery shockingly while holding her cheeks with her jaw dropped and, looking at Yelena.
Yelena was only looking down and stopping her sobs. But then she raised her hand and gave Avery the middle finger.
"Oh, my sunset is agitated. What should I do?" Avery said, with her hand still on her cheek.
"Let me beat you up."
"Oh my, My Lady. How sadistic." Avery said mischievously.
"One more word from your mouth, I'll rip it out!" Yelena shouted.
Avery immediately zips her mouth.
Minutes have passed with only silence. No one dared say a word.
The sheets rustled as Avery moved closer to Yelena and hugged her.
"I'm back, Yena." Tears are starting to form in Avery's eyes and she is hugging the sunset tightly.
"I hate you." Yelena whispered.
"Hmm. I know." Avery said, comforting her.
"You made me wait too long. How can I still love you?" She added and grabbed Avery's arms. "How dare you... to an elegant lady like me.."
Her sobs started to sound louder until she let out her voice and cried loudly.
Another five minutes passed and they were quiet once again. However, this time they were laying on the bed staring at the ceiling.
Yelena was still sniffling and averting her gaze away from Avery.
"How were you?" Avery finally broke the silence.
"Horrible." She answered coldly.
"I missed you so much." Avery turned her gaze to Yelena, who stayed silent after what she said.
"Are you mad at me?" Avery asked again.
"What do you think?" Yelena asked back.
"I'm back though." She turned to the side, facing Yelena.
"I'm mad. Coax me." Yelena said, turning to the other side. Now, Avery is facing Yelena's back.
Avery bit her lower lip to stop her smile.
'Cutie.' She said in the back of her mind.
She wrapped her arms around Yelena's waist and buried her face in the latter's neck.
"Stop!" Yelena shrugged her off and she pouted.
"You hated me so much?" Avery sadly asked.
"Yes! But you're tickling me!" Yelena exclaimed, with a frown.
"Oh.. Then face me."
"Nope."
"Did you lock the door?" Avery suddenly asked, making Yelena turn to her.
"I did. Why?" She asked with an eyebrow raised.
A playful smile formed on Avery's lips.
"What's on your mind?" Yelena tries to get away a little from Avery.
"Hahahahahaha. What do you think?" She laughed.
"Well, I'm thinking you have something in mind!" Yelena's face burned slightly.
"Well, I do have something in mind."
"W-what is?"
"Since I'm back with my original body, and we're lying here, alone. Maybe..." she paused.
Yelena's heart is panicking already.
'What the hell is on her mind? We can't possibly do what's on her mind, right?' She thought.
"I've always wanted us to cuddle to sleep."
Yelena snapped back to reality.
'What the hell was I thinking?' Yelena shouted in the back of her head.
It was really unlady-like to have such a crude thought.
She shakes her head slightly, and she plays with the strands of her hair.
"W-well, m-maybe w-we could." She stutters.
Avery smiled widely upon hearing the latter's response.
"But it's almost morning. The sun will rise in an hour." She added.
"How about we watch the sunrise, then? Let's cuddle next time." Avery suggested.
"Everyone would look for me if I was gone. You'll be a prime suspect and might be put in jail." Yelena excused.
Avery pouted.
"Don't you want to be with me?" She asked with a furrowed brow.
"Of course I do. It's just that... Today is really bad timing." Yelena said.
"Hmph."
Avery was the one angry this time. Or is she? No, she's only trying to make Yelena coax her a little, but knowing her little sunset...
"Are you mad now?"
There it is. Yelena's mad, too.
"I'm only saying it because you also made a mess. Everyone in the Empire is in a mess. The Mage Tower, the holy temple, and the Imperial Family are making decisions on what to do with you!" She exclaimed, sitting up.
"I'm just kidding, Yena." Avery hugged the sunset's waist. "Are you tired?"
"Of course I am!"
Yelena lay down again.
"I'm sorry. Do I have to go to the palace tomorrow?" Avery asked softly.
"No need. I just won the verbal battle to allow you to stay in my state rather than Nathan's." She immediately calmed down with a sigh. "You can stay here for a few more days until the Empire has calmed down. However, there's a new person in the house. You don't need to get along though."
"A new person?" Avery asked.
Yelena rolled her eyes after thinking about it.
"Father, adopt a son from a branch family and make him the successor. I can just succeed the family since Roshan has already stepped down as the Marquis."
"Roshan stepped down?" That's news to Avery.
"He did. He works as Andie's aide now. But we all know that's not the case." She smiled gently.
"Hmm. He's probably happy with his decision." Avery smiled, too, holding Yelena's hand. "And so I am."
Avery felt hers and Yelena's hearts pounding to the same rhythm.
Slow and loud.
It is as if these beats are a sign of being comfortable with the person they love the most.
From the very first time they met, Avery knew the connection and attraction between them was not just because it was fate, but because they were destined to meet and fall in love.
Yelena's heart was pounding slowly, but it was loud. As if it was the only thing she could hear. She's so happy that the person she has waited for so many years is now smiling in front of her. With her memories of the past intact.
She hoped that this wouldn't end here anymore. No more goodbyes. No more waiting. She's hoping that if their life is a novel, let this moment be the happy ending.