The soft sound reverberates from his open mouth to all four of the room's little corners. I felt the warmth of his soul at the tips of my fingertips as I traced every inch of his flesh.
It burns all through me. It was a touch from those years I'd yearned for, and it made me burrow further into his hug.
Tracing his eyebrows to his sharp nose, I attempted to pluck a few strands of his damp hair from his forehead. I attempted to gently pinch it to see if it would wake up, but it didn't. All he did was tilt his head towards me.
I felt as though I should kiss him when I traced the contours of his lips, but I was unsure of where to begin because I couldn't snatch this young man while he was asleep.
I could feel his warm breath. It's always minty and so addictive that it makes me thirsty.
I laughed. He shifted, and I turned to face him while placing my head on my right arm. I took a step towards him. I drew some off his back, but he didn't move once more.
For as long as I can remember, he remained that way until I decided to dress. The garments I had hung over the fireplace were warm when I picked them up.
I put them on in a matter of seconds, and then I sat down in front of the fire and embraced my knees. At that time, the flames appeared to be an unending act of intense longing.
It is a desire to burn the foundation of those seeking warmth, yet it might equally be a wish to warm the people.
I brought it closer. I reach out and touch the flames, feeling their ability to catch my vision. However, it gave my skin the impression that I was wandering in hell, much like the sun's excruciating rays.
"Loving without any reason, huh?"
Hours went by, and the rain continued. It poured steadily down until the surroundings got dimmer.
Lucas had managed to get some food, and I noticed that it included hardy kiwi, wild plums, pawpaw, raspberries, dewberries, and blueberries.
He took these out of his coat, notwithstanding the rain that had passed earlier. All that matters to me is that he was spared harm.
Then I looked at myself and saw that I was already clutching my chest.
Heaving a deep breath, I shook my head. After that, I divide the fruits again for the two of us. All I wanted was for the weather to clear up so we could head back to our apartment right away. With the current weather, it would be difficult to visit Sayato Place.
Those two will worry for us even in the best of weather. Fortunately for Lucas, he already had Sophia who cared about him; however, aside from Anne and my grandfather, the rest of my family wanted me to leave, so I guess wealth speaks louder than blood in their eyes.
Lucas groaned and made a few motions while I was moving to split the raspberries, and then I looked to see where he was.
He's already up, moaning and massaging both eyes upon discovering that we're still confined to the same cabin.
He looked around, and when he saw me, he grinned. I smiled back and gestured for some food.
"Do you want to eat something?" I asked, starting in a quiet voice, similar to what ladies refer to as seduction number one.
But before he could say anything, he gasped as he stared in the mirror. He turned away from me and wrapped the blanket around his entire body.
I couldn't stop laughing.
"Scarlett, did we...?"
"What did we do?"
"Y-you know, did we—uh, what do you call this—do this earlier since I'm nude and I simply didn't know? Sophia will experience pain, and she will —"
"Not foolish, of course!" I stopped, not meeting his gaze, and said, "I love Raven, and I value our friendship." Even yet, there were butterflies in my stomach as I realised that telling Raven I loved him was enough.
I pretended to cough.
"After giving me the coat containing the fruits you caught, you passed out from being drenched in the rain earlier." I twitched my eyebrows and saw that his cheeks, ears, and neck were red. "I didn't want you to have a fever, so I just did what I had to do. Besides, you don't have to fear a thing; I'm an expert at undressing men."
I was apathetic towards him, even though I knew he was humiliated.
I was curious to see what emotions, if any, he would display to me, as I had never seen them before.
He sighed, and I heard it.
"Would you kindly turn around?" When he said it, I laughed.
While he was getting dressed, I shrugged and grabbed some fruits.
I ignored him and instead glanced out the window, where I saw a light coming from the clouds despite the rain. I forgot that Lucas was getting dressed as I became eager.
I quickly spun around and ran to Lucas, hoping to show him the speck of light coming from the window, but instead, I saw him lean closer, and his eyes widened.
His hair was dishevelled, his hands were on his untied trousers, I could see my reflection in his bewildered eyes, and suddenly I even noticed my hands gripping his neck.
I wanted to forget the past, but his form pulled me in.
Some people claim that pain always accompanies love, but what if the agony is what causes the love to fail? Would that play then involve forgiveness in some way?
I'm not sure.
I find it difficult to comprehend why the past and present are colliding with me.
Securing my grip around his neck, I leaned in close enough to take in the sound of his anxious breathing.
For a very long period, I too started to get confused.
However, it didn't stop me; instead, I kept bending closer until our lips touched.
Even with my eyes closed, I could still see that his eyes were wide and didn't go any smaller.
I felt as though he gasped, so I let my tongue dance about his mouth.
I felt his pants drop to the ground, so I wrapped my legs around his waist. He retreated a step until he ran against the wooden wall.
Even so, I was the only one who moved after our kiss.
I opened mine and gave him a perplexed look.
"Scarlett, you know I adore Sophia, but this is wrong; we shouldn't be doing this."
"I know, but I just can't seem to get you off my mind."
"But wait—how is Raven doing? Sophia, what about her? You're not self-centered enough to"
"I'm not selfish, Lucas, but I just can't help but like someone. Unlike Raven, who is getting colder to me the minute I turn my back on him," I said.
He never answered, "..."
All he could do was sigh.
"Alright, let's pause this and have a seat by the fireplace." He handled these kinds of situations like the typical Lucas I knew, but being the new me, I was still able to take action.
I sobbed as I buried my face in his neck and clung to him as a good actress could. I could feel his hands lovingly stroking my back, as befitting a kind person.
"That's why I felt like I liked you."
"Shh, if you just talk it out, everything will be okay; everything about you and Raven will be." His voice sounded calm, and I had the feeling that I was jealous of Sophia for having the man I once had, rather than feeling upset with myself.
"You believe that?"
"Well, I think the two of you will work things out."
"Would you rather listen to a different kind of narrative, though, if I told it to you?"
"What sort of narrative are you going to share?" He inquired, a hint of bewilderment in his tone, but all I could do was sigh as I met his eyes.
"What if I told you that the surprise I suggested to you was just a front so I could get even with him, and I saw him with another girl from the Sayato place?"
His eyes widened, as I saw. I giggled in silence.
Then I could feel his firm hold beneath my legs. He chewed the inside of his lip and shook his head, turning away from me as I could see veins on both of his foreheads.
I gave him the impression that I was examining something with an ink stain, but before I could question him about his worry, he asked me
"Have you seen the woman's face?" When he asked the questions, I widened as if he suspected who they might be.
I screamed silently about this because I had no idea if Raven and Lucas were involved in anything that I was unaware of.
This one, Raven, has to be due to me.
I'll hold onto your priceless childhood friend for the time being, but I can't do this forever because she's also a b*tch.
I gave a nod.
"Did you think she looked familiar?"
"Her face didn't look familiar, with emerald eyes and red hair." He sighed, and I could see how relieved he was.
But then he looked at our posture and kept gulping.
He added, "Could we talk normally, Scarlett?" and I chuckled uneasily.
"So, what are you expecting me to do?" I almost leaped at the chance when he made his presentation.
"Could you assist me in making Raven envious?"
"Scarlett, you realise I have Sophia and—"
"Can you see that I'm hurting too, even though I know you don't want to hurt her?" With both of his hands, I begged him.
He sighed and gave me a serious look before speaking, and I could feel the fireworks going off above his head.
"All right, but keep this to yourself; it would only benefit a friend. Don't tell Sophia about it, please." His words seemed like a warning, but I still laughed and hugged him.
"Lucas, thank you so much!"
"Oh, and I wanted your assistance for more than just that."
"What else?"
"I wanted you to track out the woman Raven is sleeping with."
"What's my reward then? That's a lot for a friend."
His attitude instantly brightened at the mention of his fiancé: "Soon, I'll give you a reward that you wanted to see, and I know Sophia will be very happy about it." It was as if the kiss from earlier had never happened.
Indeed, very soon.
I smiled at him as I showed him the sky, with the sun already beaming.
He nodded as I continued, "I guess both of them would be worrying about us already."
Before he had a chance to respond, I started to munch on the fruits I had managed to grab, and I heard him laugh.
"Scarlett, you ought to eat like a lady, not a tomboy. I suppose if you did that, Raven would be happy."
"Regarding Raven, don't forget our agreement, okay?"
"Yes, and in addition, if it's okay with you, I'd like to ask for a favor regarding Sophia and me and our anniversary."
"Lucas, tell me what I'll do."
***
"Lucas, he, he, he just continued dating that woman and had another affair. Tell me what to do, Lucas. Tell me, please, that this isn't real!"
To start fooling this man, I'll start to fool Raven first. Such an excellent actress is Scarlett Vermont.