The warm rays of the sun touched her skin, gently sending her warmth and signaling a brand new day. A day that she is not somewhat looking forward to. She sat up and slowly woke herself up. She remembered what happened with Aki last night and now she's not sure how to face him. After he told me that he loves me, he then tells me to forget what he said?! So, am I really just a joke to him?! Prick! You really are a shameless man! Hmph! Wait, the sun is so bright already. Don't tell me I overslept? What time is it? I looked at the alarm clock on the bed side table. What?! Ten thirty a.m.? Sigh.
Oh well. There's no need to rush anyway since I really don't have anything to do, no thanks to a certain someone who decided to shake my whole world by confessing and then retracting the confession. Argh! And besides, I really don't feel like going out of this room. Not with Aki somewhere. I don't want to face him right now. Argh! Damn you, Damascus Lee!
I got out of bed and headed straight to the bathroom. Looking at myself in front of the mirror, I decided to pamper myself since I do not have to go anywhere and I intend to stay inside the room the whole day anyway. I still have some fruit and some salad in the mini refrigerator. So, I really don't need to go out. I can even skip lunch and dinner today. Aaah. It's a good thing to be living under Aki's care. Rich people really are something else! I chuckled in spite of everything.
As I was about to start preparing a relaxing bath…
Knock, knock, knock.
Huh? Oh no. Goodness. Please tell me that is not Aki. God, please.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Who is it?"
"Ms. Kira, it's Liam"
Thank God, it's just Liam.
"Give me a few minutes, Liam." I hurriedly washed my face and changed into a shirt and sweatpants.
"Come in, Liam"
"Good morning, Ms. Kira."
"Good morning, Liam."
"Ms. Ellie is waiting for you in the garden. Brunch is already served."
"Ellie is here?"
"Yes. She was here for a late breakfast but when I knocked earlier, I did not get any response so I informed her that you were still asleep. She said she'd wait for you to wake up."
"Oh my. What time did she get here?"
"A quarter before nine."
"Oh no. Did she just wait for me all this time?"
"She was accompanied by Damascus before he left."
"Aki left? Was there an emergency at the company?"
"Damascus left but he did not exactly say where he was going."
"Do you know what time he will be back?"
"He did not say." Liam shook his head.
"All right. Kindly tell Ellie I am on my way down. Thank you Liam."
When Liam left the room, I went back to the bathroom to make myself more presentable. I wonder why Ellie is here this early. I decided to ditch the sweatpants for khaki tailored pants, a button-down nude blouse for the shirt and wore my fave nude flats. I decided to just let my hair loose and applied some lip gloss. Checking myself in front of the body length mirror, I looked decent enough to meet with Ellie. Of course I know she wouldn't really care if I went to see her in my sweatpants but she is still a Lee after all. This old rich family just exudes elegance and grace no matter what and anyone in their presence wouldn't want to look unpresentable. Hah. I remember how Ellie was looking all elegant and fine in just her casual wear. Although I never really saw her in sweatpants. Does she ever own a pair? I shook my head in wonder.
I hurriedly went downstairs and walked to the garden.
"Ellie! Sorry to keep you waiting." I hugged her.
"I should be the one saying sorry. After all, I didn't inform you I was coming." She stood up to accept my embrace. She then led me to take a seat.
"Let's eat first."
I just nodded and enjoyed the light brunch served in front of us. I didn't really have the appetite to eat much.
"So, how are you dealing with the changes happening in your life right now?" She earnestly asked, her eyes showing concern.
"I'm still trying to wrap my head around everything." I sighed. Although Ellie is Aki's brother, she has treated me as a sister since Aki and I became friends. And I just feel comfortable around her.
"Aki is just…" I trailed off.
"Oh dear. I know how my brother can be. I am not saying this because he is my brother, but trust me, Kira, he is doing what he thinks is best for you. He might not just be able to do it the way you would normally expect any other person would do it though." She giggled before continuing.
"I know he can be overprotective, to the point of being a tyrant, but trust me. He truly cares for you. Aki loves you, Kira. I'm sure you know that. And not just the love he has for his friends. If you get my drift."
"Uhm…I…he…last night…" I couldn't seem to find the right words to come out of my mouth.
"Oh my! Did he finally confess to you?" she bemused. Clearly, looking excited and happy.
"Huh? Finally confess?" I struggled to bring myself to ask her this. So, she knew that Aki loves me?
"What? Oh come now, Kira. You two…how shall I put it? Aaaah, you two are like two peas in a pod. Clearly, everybody can see how the two of you feel for one another. Not just the attraction, but the love that you both share. It's funny really, how the whole world sees how you two really are, save for you two!" She laughed.
"Huh? I… I am not sure what you mean."
"Oh come now. Don't hide from me. I am not Aki. I can clearly see that you love my brother more than you would a dear friend. Why are you hesitating, Kira? I mean, it might have taken my brother almost four years before he finally confessed but we both know that the way he has been treating you, he's been truly sincere."
"Uhm…"
"Honestly, you really changed him, Kira. I'm really happy he found his one and only with you! Do you know how devastated Andrea was when Aki ended it with her after just a few days of meeting you?! That's how my brother strongly felt for you. I remember him telling me the moment he saw you and your first conversation. He was like a young boy having his first crush. I mean, can you imagine him being like that? A grown man acting like a boy? It was so hilarious and… and refreshing at the same time. He's been dating a lot before he met you but he was never really…he was never that way when he's with you. Even with Andrea. He just agreed to date her because she made some points that were logical at that time."
"Logical?" I asked. Not really sure how to react to what Ellie just said. Is this really true? The way I felt toward Aki was never one-sided?
"Yes. They've been friends for a long time and she just told him that she is as good as any of the women he's been dating. But that's just it. Aki treated her as just one of the women he's dated. He never doted on her nor made decisions for her in such a life-changing context, that is. With you though, Aki…let's just say, Aki has grown into the man he was meant to become." Ellie smiled in satisfaction.
"So tell me, what did you say to him after he confessed his undying love for you?" She teased.
"I'm…I…I can't believe this. I can't just believe him, Ellie." I sighed. "I mean, I now have a better understanding of…of the things he said last night…but. It feels so surreal. I…"
"Why are you scared Kira? What are you afraid of?"
"I honestly do not know." I lowered my head.
"You love him right? And you feel the same way as he feels for you, correct?"
I just nodded my head.
"So, what's stopping you then, huh? Is this not a great thing? What you both share, you should celebrate it and show the whole world."
"But…I…he…he said to forget what he said. I… I am not sure how to talk to him."
"What do you mean he said to forget what he said?" Ellie adamantly asked.
"Well, clearly I was stunned and shocked with his, uhm, confession. I didn't…I wanted to say something. I really did. But words wouldn't come out of my mouth. I just sat there, Ellie."
"Oh my. So that's why he told you to forget what he said?" she clarified.