" Happiness is good health and bad memory,"
With dinner done and dusted. We parted ways, after another heartfelt goodnight. With every intention to crash into my bed, I made my way back to my room. Leaving Enid and Mason to talk. They seemed to have things to resolve but they weren't willing to share with me.
The revelation that Enid had been the one to raise Mason, left me a little contrite. On one hand, I understand that they were each other's family. But on the other hand, I felt left out.
A soft knock on the door drags me from my commiserations. My eyes stray to the opening door. Mason slips into the room and looks around at the pile of boxes on the floor.
" What did you and Enid talk about?" He hadn't said anything, so I think that's a good opening to start a conversation.
Mason takes his eyes off the boxes and looks at me, choosing to lean against the vanity table.
" As you can imagine, the sudden change hasn't gone down well. Naturally, she has questions. She is worried...," He lags for a moment, " About you. About me. In a few words. About us. " He tucks his hands in his pockets and crosses his legs. He is reluctant to share the concerns that Enid has put forward. And the more he tries to hide it the more I want to know. They say,' Curiosity killed the cat,' and mine almost did.
But also,' Satisfaction brought back,"
I want to know everything, and I'm not backing down this time around.
" What exactly is she worried about?" I push on when he doesn't say more and settles to stare at the floor. I'm perched on the bed, opposite him, so I have a good view of his facial expressions if he could just look at me.
" She suspects," He raises his head and our gazes collide. I already know, that, ' Enid being suspicious,' is just another way of saying that she knows but she has no proof to say ' Aha. You lying weasels. I've got you,'
" So, she knows. What of it?" I carry on. I know what's at stake. But it's too late. The cat is poking its head out of the bag and is only a matter of time before it jumps right out of it.
" There will be repercussions. If this becomes a public matter. Leaving the Kallah aside. This will impact you for the rest of your life. I just want you to be prepared for what's to come. Enid won't breathe a word of it, but I'm not sure what others will do if they get a whiff of what's going on between us," Well aware. Once again, thanks for pointing it out.
" And what is going on between us?" I already know that this conversation will be short. There is a good chance that he will flee the room, and if things would be different, most definitely the district.
" I don't know," He quietly says. And I don't even realise when it happens. All I see is the lamp flying towards his head. Mason ducks, and laughs and the lamp fails to hit the intended target. Prick.
" You have a temper, " He taunts, looking at the lamp on the floor.
" They are very durable. I made sure of that. You are not the first woman to throw things at me," He veers the subject and I'm in no mood to speak of his former lovers.
" You don't know," I'm seething with anger.
He shrugs, " I don't. This is a first for me. And this is not the best time to hash out our issues. Don't you think?" He is unnervingly calm and that angers me even more.
" The time is as good as any," I take a deep breath to calm myself. At least, I know where I stand.
" We have a lot to discuss Lily. Before we even begin to have this conversation. We need to discuss other things," He takes a deep breath as if to calm himself. And I know all of that too, but that doesn't deter me from wanting a clear definition of what we are. This has nothing to do with the Kallah or the fact they are hunting me.
" Well aware Mason," I manage to squeeze out and he nods.
" Before we move forward. I want you to have all the specifics, "
" Agreed, " We finally find common ground. And somehow, I find comfort in his logic. But sometimes, I wish he would think with his heart, rather than his brain.
" When?" I ask when he pushes off the vanity table and uncrosses his legs. He is about to leave. And for once I don't want to stop him.
" Two days from now. Midnight. I'll call for Shay. Be there," He says coldly and I nod.
" Good luck tomorrow. Just in case, I don't have a chance to say it in the morning. Louis and Carter will take you to the academy. Be prepared Lily. Aldo will take his ire on you. Show him who you truly are. Teeth and all," He finally makes a move and I swallow the boulder lodged in my throat. I still have milk teeth, for god's sake. Aldos are jagged and a hundred times sharper than mine.
" I will," I finally say, and he nods. He starts for the door and stops in front of it.
" Two days, Lily. I'll be waiting," His tone has mellowed, and if I didn't know any better, I'm inclined to think that it was more of a plea.
" Two days," I repeat, and he walks out the door. I watch him pull the door behind him and my heart sinks into my stomach like a boulder in a bucket of water.
Collapsing on the bed, I stare at the ceiling. Because I don't know what to do with myself. My inner demons are waging a war inside me, about everything. My thoughts are going a million miles per hour, making my head spin. I need to put my thoughts in order. If only, I could find the damn time.