Jerome walked slowly, but each of his steps hit the ground heavily, drawing the couple's attention to him. Jerome's expression was stern with some annoyance mixed in it. His towering frame bathed in moonlight, casting a shadow that stretched towards Sigrid and Oliver. As he got closer, his appearance became more clear to the couple.
Sigrid felt strange irritation bubbling within her. The last day spent around him and her talk with Oliver had affected her in some way, she knew it for sure now. But as she held Oliver's hand, she could not help but feel a nudging tiny spark of curiosity growing together with Jerome getting closer and closer. Sigrid's bright green eyes, now fully awake, focused on the body of Jerome.
Sigrid grasped Oliver's hand a little tighter. "Has he always looked so intimidating... and massive?" she thought, a slight frown creasing her brow. After a moment, Jerome's face became visible to Sigrid. She sneakily glimpsed towards his face, catching his dark eyes. Sigrid's eyes then wandered over his broad shoulders and thick neck. His sleeveless rugged leather vest showed off his large muscular arms, reminding Sigrid of how effortlessly Jerome decapitated the troll. The moonlight emphasized the rich tones of Jerome's dark skin and the defined contours of his muscles, making him even more imposing.
As Jerome approached, Sigrid turned her head slightly towards Oliver who had an unreadable expression with his gaze also focused on Jerome. Sigrid looked at Oliver's handsome face and returned her gaze towards Jerome who now stood a few feet in front of them.
When Jerome and Sigrid's eyes met, she felt a hidden provocation hidden behind his dark eyes. "He…. He's so arrogant. Just by looking at him I can tell that Sigrid felt annoyed and irritated even more, "He thinks he's better than us, but it's only his dumb size he can be so proud of."
Yet, as Sigrid was venting in her mind, an unexpected heat began painting her pale cheeks in red. The way he looked and carried himself, the way his muscular frame moved under his dark skin, and that annoying look of his eyes made Sigrid squeeze Oliver's hand and rub her feet against the ground in strange furor.
Meanwhile, Oliver also awaited for Jerome, who's tall stature and muscular torso carried a weight of authority and strength. As Oliver looked at Jerome's masculine appearance he could not help but compare himself to his rivalrous bully, who has now become a part of his and Sigrid's team. Jerome's sheer size and dark features mixed with an aura of raw masculinity provoked a pang of jealousy in Oliver as he contrasted his own build with his rival. Slight feeling of insecurity began welling within him as he saw Jerome more of a man than himself.
However, Sigrid being there together with him and the promise he gave to himself slowly allowed Oliver to recompose himself and continue standing tall.
A few seconds later Jerome stood smirking in front of the couple as he eyed them down from above. He cracked his thick neck and focused his eyes on Oliver. "Good morning, Oliver," Jerome's deep voice even cut through the sharp wind. "You can speak." His words sounded almost like an order.
Jerome's words and tone sparked even more anger in Sigrid which caused an even deeper frown on her beautiful face. Meanwhile, Oliver just let out a breath and started sharing the information.
While Oliver was retelling what he had sensed, Jerome shifted his gaze to Sigrid. As he saw the growing frown on Sigrid's face his mouth slowly formed an arrogant smile.
Oliver's voice became almost inaudible to Sigrid while the tensions between her and Jerome grew.
Jerome slowly crossed his arms, his gaze fixed on Sigrid's reddening face. Oliver, engrossed in recounting the details of what he had sensed failed to notice that his words were no more than a breeze passing by the ears of both Jerome and his wife.
Sigrid's anger bubbled, she felt challenged by Jerome with his arrogant smirk still looking down at her. Sigrid's usually pale hands were reddening now from all the strength and anger she put in clenching her fists.
Jerome enjoyed looking at her acting like that. Seeing a woman so early in the morning and especially, a woman like Sigrid, woke Jerome up in more ways than one.
Jerome had to fight the heat rising within himself, resisting the urge to do anything rash in that moment. "I'll get her one day, I fucking swear it." He thought to himself. Then he reached into the pocket of his vest and pulled out a thick cigar. Placing it between his thick lips, he flicked his finger, creating a spark that ignited the tip. Taking a deep puff, he exhaled slowly, the smoke calmed his nerves letting him focus on what Oliver was saying.
At the same time, Sigrid was also cooling down as her husband's clear voice cut through her tumultuous emotions. She gave Jerome, who was now smoking and acting as if he was not trying to provoke a reaction out of her just a minute ago, one last piercing look and turned her head to Oliver.