Tom rang the doorbell to help load the luggage in the trunk of the car. Aki was already at the door waiting for Kira. Kira took one last look at her apartment and silently said: 'Well, this is it. I will have to let others take care of you for now. Thank you for all the wonderful memories and the warmth you have provided me since I got here.' She then took another deep breath before turning around and walking toward Aki.
"All good?"
"Yep."
Aki held her hand as he guided her to the car. They drove in silence as both of them were lost in their own thoughts.
"We have arrived." Tom broke the silence as he stepped out to open the door for them.
Liam was already at the front door waiting for the couple to enter.
"Good morning, Mr. Lee. Good morning, Ms. O'hara." He greeted them politely.
Kira smiled at Liam and responded. "Good morning, Liam."
"Liam, kindly show Kira her room." He then turned to Kira, "I will join you soon. I just need to make some calls." He kissed her on the forehead before walking toward his study.
"We're all glad that you're here now, Ms. Kira. Damascus was really distraught with what happened to you." Liam earnestly stated.
"I'm sorry for worrying all of you, Liam. Were the elders informed as well?"
"Yes. And Ms. Ellie and Mr. Yuma as well. I believe they will be visiting soon to personally check how you are doing." He then led her to her room. "Damascus asked that you occupy the room next to his. He also already had it arranged but you may inform me if it's not to your liking."
He opened the door to Kira's room.
"Thank you, Liam. I'll let you know if there is anything else I need."
"I will excuse myself then. Rest well, Ms. Kira." Liam said before leaving Kira alone in her new room.
She went to the bed and plopped herself with her arms stretched wide on both sides. "Sigh. So this is really it, huh? I am officially Aki's housemate. And starting next week, I will have to have a bodyguard with me wherever I go. Damn." She closed her eyes, trying to make peace with her current living situation.
-Flashback-
"Damascus, you've been really nice to our Akira since you became friends. She really speaks highly of you." Kira's dad struggled to grab Aki's hand. He already finds talking painful, let alone move.
"Mr. O'hara. I've already considered Kira as my family since then." Damascus held Lorcan's hand and kissed it.
"That's good to hear. Promise me you will protect her and take care of her. She's very independent and stubborn outside, but she is a gentle soul through and through. I don't want her to be taken advantage of and I am just counting days for me to leave this earth."
"I promise to protect and care for Kira until my last breath, Mr. O'hara. You do not have to worry about her. And thank you for having raised a remarkable woman. I am truly honoured that you are entrusting your treasured gem to me." He smiled lovingly at the great man who raised the woman he's been in love with since their first meeting.
"Dad. Call me dad, Damascus. I know you love my daughter. Why have you not told her yet?"
"Oh… dad. You know your daughter well. She would push people away, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. I'm willing to patiently wait for her to realize her feelings for me. For now, I will be a good friend and be by her side. And even if she falls in love with someone else, I will continuously be by her side, to care, protect and love her."
Mr. O'hara laughed. *Cough. Cough* "Huh! I don't think you will allow any man near her in that regard. But I admire your patience. Just wait for her."
Aki also laughed and squeezed Lorcan's hand and kissed his forehead. "You can see through me dad. I only wish Kira can also see me in the same light. Don't worry. I will wait for her. I promise to be her home in this lifetime. Rest for now. Kira will be coming here soon. She just went to check a prospect site for her cafe."
With this promise, Kira's dad smiled peacefully as he dozed off.
-End of Flashback-
Damascus sat there with his eyes closed as he remembered the promise he made to Lorcan. Oh, Kira, my love, how can I make you fall in love with me? What do I need to do to be your man? With this, he stood up and went to check on Kira.
When he reached the room, he saw that the door was slightly ajar. He gently knocked and waited for Kira to invite him in. "Kira? May I come in? Kira?" After a minute, he gently opened the door and let himself in. "I'm coming in." There, he saw Kira on the bed. With her legs dangling at the edge of the bed and her arms splayed wide on her side.
"Kira?" He called out again. Not getting a response, he walked toward the bed. He bent forward to lift Kira's legs so that she could be more comfortable.
"Aki?" Kira said sleepily. "Sorry. How long have you been here? I didn't notice when I fell asleep."
"Sssshhh. Sleep some more, here…" He adjusted her comfortably on the bed.
She could not understand why she was feeling tired all of a sudden. She was feeling good this morning. Since she cannot shrug off the sleepiness, she decided to just give in to it and sleep some more.
"Thanks" She mumbled as she hugged her knees and slept in the fetal position. Aki stayed with her for a bit. Gently caressing her face.
"Be mine already, Kira." He whispered before kissing her on the forehead.
He went back to his study to call the family home to inform them that Kira had already moved in.
"Gramps?"
"Aki, my boy!"
"How have you been doing? Is grandma there with you now?"
"Yes. And your parents too. Wait, I'll put you on speaker."
"Hello darling." Both Aki's mom and grandma chimed.
"Hi, ma. Hi, nana."
"Son."
"Hey, dad. I'm glad you're all in the same room. I just want to update you that Kira has moved in. She's sleeping now in her room. I will have Dr. Simpson check on her again later this afternoon."
"That's wonderful, dear!" Aki's mom exclaimed. "How is she?"
"Yes. Thanks, mom. It was not easy to make her agree last night. She even threw a fit." Aki chuckled.
"As expected of our dear Akira. She really is a feisty one, just like your nana!" Grandpa Lee mused.
"And your mom," added Aki's dad.
They all laughed.
"So, when will you ask her to marry you, son?" His dad joked.
"Oh dad. You know I still have not told her anything…" He ruefully said.
"Are you really a Lee?" Grandpa Viktor Lee added.
"Oh, you both. Stop bullying Aki. Don't worry, darling. I'm sure Kira loves you as well. Be patient." Nana Syvi Lee said.
"But don't wait too long, my dear, Akira is an amazing woman. If you don't do anything soon, someone might snatch her away right under your nose." Aki's mom, Isa, encouraged him.
"Why do I even talk to you oldies?" Aki said, clearly annoyed and grateful at the same time. Annoyed because he still does not know how to make Kira his woman. Grateful that his family is supportive of him and that they have already accepted Kira as their soon-to-be granddaughter and daughter-in-law.
Laughter.
"Who are you calling oldies, you brat!" Grandpa Viktor retorted.
"So, when can we visit her?" Aki's mom asked.
"I will call you later. I have to know how she's doing first after Dr. Simpson checks on her."
"Well, we can just go there for lunch tomorrow. I'm sure she needs to take her meals on time, yes? We really want to see her, Aki. You didn't even allow us to visit her in her apartment." His mom complained.
"Oh, ma. And how would all of us fit in her apartment? Fine. I will have the chef prepare lunch for all of us tomorrow. I will let Kira know. You all take care, okay."
"Call your sister too!" Aki's mom added.
After ending the call with the elders, Aki then dialled his sister's number.
Ring, ring, ring.
"Ellie?"
"Aki! I was just about to call you. I heard from Liam that Kira already moved in. Can we visit her now? Loi has been bugging me non-stop. She said she wants to see her sweet tita Kira."
Aki chuckled. "I can just see her now being relentless and using her charms."
"Right?! This daughter of mine. Sigh. Anyway, so, can we see her now?"
"Not today, Ellie. As of this moment, she's sleeping and I still need to have Dr. Simpson check on her. But I already spoke to the elders. You all can visit Kira tomorrow. I will ask Chef Jacques to prepare lunch for all of us. Let Liam know what food you want, okay?"
"Okay. See you tomorrow then. I'm sure Loi will be really happy to see Kira. But it will be just me and Loi tomorrow since Yuma is still out of the country for business."
"All right. See you both tomorrow."