Sonia shrank back and gulped.
"I heard the child looks exactly like me, but he took on his father's behavior."
'Does that mean his fiancee had an affair with a close relative? Perhaps his brother, or maybe his cousin?'
The corners of Sonia's eyes drooped as she looked at his wry smile.
"Zach, do you want to eat sweets?"
He took one step forward, bridging their narrow gap. "Mm, I want to, later, but aren't you sweet too, Miss Sonia?" he said while taking in her scent.
"What do you mean?" she said, her face stoic.
"My comrades told me before that women taste sweet. I wonder if that's true."
Sonia crossed her legs and rested her head on her palm. "And if I do taste sweet, what will you do?"
"Am I supposed to do something, Miss Sonia?" he asked so innocently she couldn't help but laugh with relief.
"What's funny? I just mentioned it since you really smell sweet. I meant to compliment you."
She stood and flicked his lips, so he blinked. "Miss Sonia, what did I do wrong?"
"You're misleading." She caressed the part she flicked using her thumb before sliding it down to his chin.
'Well, it's good he's not implying something. Otherwise, I'll drown him in the tub.'
'Ah, where did that thought come from? Surely I was kidding.' Sonia withdrew her hand in a hurry. "Zach, let's enter the shower now. Ok?" she said. Her eyes drifted to the tub, so she shook her head and pushed him to the shower room.
Once they were in, she familiarized him with its basic structure before teaching him how to use the shower hands-on.
"Miss Sonia, why do I have to apply too many items on my hair?"
"To keep it healthy and clean," she said while standing in a corner away from him.
"But my hair's fine even if I put nothing on it."
Zach ran the soap over his body. However, he couldn't reach the upper portion of his back, so Sonia stepped forward.
"Let me help."
"Here," he said while handing her the soap.
Once he felt her hands on him, he shuddered. "Miss Sonia..."
"Do you not mind doing this with me?" he asked.
"I don't"
"Even though I'm a man?"
"It doesn't make a difference. A clay molded into a flower and a sword remains as clay. Besides, I will only assist you in the bath this time, so try to remember the details I told you."
"Just this once?"
Sonia returned the soap to its proper place. "I have other priorities."
"Then can you wash my hair too?"
"Just stand still and turn the shower on. Your hair and body will be washed naturally then. I'll wait for you outside."
Sonia walked past him and headed out before returning to peek in. "Do you remember where the robe and towel are?"
Zach nodded and chuckled, making Sonia stare at him.
"You're handsome."
"You already complimented me yesterday," he said. His deep yet mellow voice blended well with the droplets of water clashing against the floor. "You enjoy seeing me laugh?"
"Clack."
'She left.' Zach squatted and covered his face with his hands. 'My body's been on fire ever since I stripped. Is it because I think she's watching? Damn, this is new to me.'
After Zach came out, Sonia blow dried his hair. "How did you trigger the teleportation matrix before you came here?"
"I'm not sure about the exact process, but I think it has to do with the plaque."
She placed the blower down and took a measuring tape. "A plaque?"
"Mm, it's made of golden wood with letters carved on it," he said, which made her stop.
"Are the letters popping out with sharp edges?"
"How did you know?"
"Hold this and wait for me," she said while placing the tape in his hand.
'Now, I know why he's here.' Sonia entered her dressing room and took the coat she wore yesterday. Then she searched the pockets.
'It's not here.' She searched for it in the basket too, but found nothing.
'My pockets are deep so it won't fall easily. Did it perhaps vanish out of thin air, just like he appeared out of nowhere?'
'It seems like I must track her down sooner, the lady who owns the necklace. Besides personal reasons, Zach will probably ask me to help him find a way home later.'
Sonia took a deep breath. The events the night before Zach appeared replayed in her mind.
...
Beep
Beep
The sound of a honking car followed by a sudden stop slammed Sonia's head on the backrest, startling her awake.
"I'm sorry. A kitten suddenly crossed. Are you alright?" Idris asked. His gorgeous face painted with worry as he examined her.
"I'm not," Sonia said calmly before checking the time.
"Does your head hurt? Should we go to the hospital?"
"It does, but no need."
"I understand," he said.
Once Sonia crossed her arms into a self-hug, Idris unbuckled his seat belt and went down to grab her coat from the back seat.
"Should we drop by your favorite coffee shop?" he asked while handing the fabric he designed for her.
"There's no need."
Several minutes after they entered Sonia's territory, a blood rush took over her body, signaling her she was about to transform. 'It's still too early,' she thought while looking at the moon.
"Idris, stop the car. I'm going to get some fresh air for a while. Don't follow."
She took her phone and opened the door, but before she could step out. Idris grabbed her hand. "Can't you tell me?" he asked. His eyes pleading.
"We'll be parting soon. I think I have the right to know," he said, referring to all the questionable things he did for her in the past seven years, and the things he's still willing to do for her.
"Be obedient this time too, Idris." Sonia ruffled his hair before rushing deep into the woods to call her brother.
"Have you returned?" Sonia asked.
"Typhoon," Luke said.
'Is he stranded? If so, then I have to bear with my thirst today.'
"You home?" he asked. His voice was as cold as hers, only deeper, so deep it seemed like it came from hell.
"I am," Sonia said, not wanting to worry him. Besides, she's already in her territory.
"Gloves"
"I'll wear them." She evaded bushes and branches as if it were daylight. Her eyes already bloody red.
"Sleeping pills, painkillers."
"I won't forget," she said before stopping in a clearing.
"Adam"
"Ok, I'll be expecting him in the morning." Sonia glanced to her left after hearing dried leaves crunch.
"Wanna be there."
"I'll be fine, so don't worry," she said.
When she caught a whiff of blood carried by the wind, she turned off the call and looked back. Right then, someone bumped her with such strong force her body was slammed on uneven ground. The rocks, roots, twigs, and grasses greeted her back, but instead of wincing in pain, her expression remained stoic.
Sonia stared at the lady who was straddling her. She has golden eyes gleaming against the dark, and pixie hair that mirrors the blood moon above. Clad in black with a dagger at hand, she looked like a grim reaper who appeared to take her life.
"Are you alright?" Sonia asked. The overwhelming stench of fresh blood made her gaze travel below the lady's chest, making her see the gun tucked inside her leather jacket, and her hand pressed tightly below her rib.
The lady stood abruptly, so Sonia instinctively reached out her hand to stop her. "Wait, you're injured," she said, but instead of grabbing her hand, Sonia grabbed the mini wooden dagger attached to the lady's necklace because of her movement.
"Let go if you don't want to get involved," the lady said. Her voice was icy, and she looked down at Sonia with eyes akin to an abyss.
"The stench of your blood irks me. I'll bandage you." Sonia looked at the lady's figure. She was panting hard. Her forehead was also filled with beads of sweat while blood drenched more of her shirt.
'Fuck! Her blood smells so sweet. The sweetest I've encountered, but it's not past midnight yet, so I won't pounce for sure. I can definitely bandage her without issues,' Sonia convinced herself.
The crackling leaves and snapping twigs nearby alerted them both, making them look at each other.
Within a second, the lady fled, so the mini dagger in Sonia's hand was detached from its chain. In exchange, Sonia's bracelet broke because it got tangled with the necklace's hooks.
...
Sonia took several beads out of her coat's pocket. 'The main parts are probably with her since the men I paid to search found nothing around the place where I met her.'
She placed the beads in a glass box and placed it in a drawer. 'I really need to track her down sooner than planned. The earlier Zach leaves my roof, the better.'
Sonia went out to complete Zach's measurements. "You can lower your hands now."
"Is it done?" he asked.
"Yes, wait for me for a bit. I'll just bathe and change."
He gave her a polite smile and returned to the sofa, expecting she'd take three hours or more. "I forgot to ask, how did she know? I'll just ask as soon as she returns."
Zach breathed deeply to center his focus and slowly closed his eyes. Within 30 minutes, he heard light but sharp footsteps, so he stopped meditating. "Miss Sonia? Did you forget something?"
"I didn't. I'm done dressing."
'For real?' he asked. "You're really ready to go out?"
Sonia took a silver pouch on the bedside table. "Yes, I even have makeup on, so stand now."