The moment Solanne woke up, she was still on the sofa. However, Yael was still sleeping. She looked outside the window; it was still raining, and the time had just passed by one hour. One hour? She looked at the clock in a daze.
Solanne felt like she was lost and that she didn't know what to do.
She saw the book she was reading on the table. Perhaps it was Vincent who moved it. Leaning on the sofa, she can feel her body. She felt like a few of her memories inside the dream were missing, and a void was inside her.
She stared at the space. All of the sleepiness ran out of her body.
She felt like a child. Unable to do anything and hopeless. At the same time, she realized how pathetic she had been. She felt even more embarrassed thinking of what had happened to her dream. She knew this was not the course of actions, emotions, and thoughts, yet… Solanne can't help but sigh.
'Why was I so afraid?" She asked herself. There was something different in that world. Something she doesn't know and something— a variable? Something… something she can't even pinpoint.
"It was just eyes!" She was getting more and more angry with herself. "You can't move with just those things looking at you?" She mocked herself. "Does that even make any sense?"
In the end, was it even irrational because of her irrational fear? Or was it because she had associated those eyes with something? Still, she couldn't see anything like in the previous dreams.
Thinking about it now made her even more frustrated. It was like a dream that was so out of place.
It doesn't make any sense, and she feels like all of these dreams she saw were pointless. She sighed, standing up to grab the book and put it inside her back. She was planning on taking it home to study it more.
Of course, she's planning on asking for Vincent's permission first.
Speaking of which, after she put the book inside her back, she went out of the room they were using and heard noises from downstairs. Vincent still wasn't finished.
After putting some blanket on Yael, Solanne went down, and she was right; Vincent was still there, baking and washing some dishes. His laptop was opened on the table, and some music was playing.
The moment she went down, she smelled the freshly baked bread. She suddenly wants to eat it. "Good evening," Solanne greeted when her feet touched the floor. Vincent looked up, and he smiled. "Good evening to you, too. It's just past midnight. Why aren't you asleep?"
Solanne shrugged. "Some nightmares. Say," Solanne added. She walked to the table where Vincent's laptop was placed. "Have you experienced dreams that don't make sense?"
"Aren't dreams supposed to be like that? A product of the subconscious mind. Something that doesn't make sense?" Vincent threw back her question.
"Well, I get that. But what if the dream has been going on for a few days?"
"A sign?" This time, Vincent turned his back and faced Solanne. He raised his brow. "You don't look good."
Solanne smiled. "I'm confused, too."
Vincent smiled back at her. "Then why don't you just let those dreams be?" He turned his back and searched for something on the cupboard. He then heats some water.
Solanne looked down. "I'm afraid. I feel like I am missing something. I feel like I should know."
"Would it kill you if you don't know about it?"
Solanne shrugged. "I don't know."
"Why are you so afraid of the things you don't know?" Vincent casually asked as he poured the hot water into a teacup.
"I—" Solanne pursed her lips. "Because knowing nothing feels… I can't explain it. But I should know! I should know so that I can prepare for whatever the outcome will be. I should know because I'll be able to spare myself from the hurt and from those things," Solanne sighs. "I just, this thinking saved me so many times I can't get it out of me."
Vincent was silent. He smiled at Solanne, yet his eyes expressed his pity for her. Solanne clenched her jaw. She feels so vulnerable now.
Vincent didn't add any more words as he went towards Solanne, holding a cup of chamomile tea. He put it down on the table in front of Solanne. "I feel like you need it."
"Thanks," Solanne took a sip. The warm tea calms her nerves. "I'm sorry—"
"Don't be sorry because you feel that way," Vincent immediately interjected, catching Solanne off guard. She met his gaze. "Don't be sorry for the things that make you who you are."
Vincent pat Solanne's head as he turned around. "Although I don't know if it would help, there was this one quote I read before; being still also meant that you are doing something."
Solanne blinked. She doesn't understand. She wanted to ask Vincent for more, yet her mouth remained shut.
--
After finishing the tea Vincent gave, Solanne went upstairs as it was already past two, and she wanted to sleep. When she reached the second floor, Yael was already gone and asleep in their room. He was lying there, eyes closed, hugging a pillow. There was also a pillow between them, yet she knew it wouldn't help!
She swallowed. Although she had already gotten used to seeing such a handsome face every day, there was something different and more alluring about looking at his handsome sleeping face right now.
Suddenly, Solanne was finally conscious of how awkward their setup would be. One bed. Just her and Yael? Would she be able to take it?
Besides, She might attack him. He's an idol and an actor. She's just an ordinary citizen. She feels like this is wrong.
Biting her lips, she grabbed the pillow and one blanket and headed out of the room. She's sleeping on the sofa with Mr. Brown.
--
In the morning, Solanne woke up earlier than Yael else. She can hear some people downstairs, too.
As soon as she opened her eyes, she felt something heavy on her chest, only to see Mr. Brown looking down at her as if she was some kind of a lazy wife who does nothing but sleep.
Solanne smiled. The sun has already risen. She slowly moved Mr. Brown away from her chest and put her down on the sofa. "Good morning," she baby-talked at Mr. Brown. Just like any other cat, Mr. Brown ignored her.
Solanne giggled before standing up. She headed to the car and fixed herself. She brushed her teeth, washed her face, and combed her hair before she went down to the café.
She saw a few people lining up to buy coffee and bread as she went down. She raised her brows. At this time, even if they were in the middle of the pandemic, bread was a must.
"Good morning," Solanne greeted Vincent.
"Good morning," Vincent answered, busy packing bread.
"Can I help you with something?" Solanne asked. She also wants to experience selling bread and be cute. She doesn't know why, but she loves it too!
Vincent nodded. "That would be great. You can pack the bread they order and give it to them while I prepare these breads for delivery later."
"You deliver?"
"Yep. It has an extra charge, and it's part of my morning routine."
"Can I come?"
Vincent nodded. "Both of you and Yael are coming since we'll be going out to harvest some vegetables."
Solanne grinned. "That's awesome."
"Is she finally your girlfriend, dear Vincent? She's beautiful. Better marry her fast," the elderly woman in front of the line interjected, which Solanne caught off guard. She looks lovely with her hair all white, and her lips curled up with a smile. Her eyes were sparkling, as she seemed so excited to ask that question.
Vincent just laughed as he shook his head.
"Mrs. Joneson, she's a guest, not my girlfriend."
"Eh, but why not?" Her old voice sounded so disappointed. "She looks lovely. She looks like a girl who'll fight for you just like you always wanted. Hmmm?"
Solanne blushed even more. Vincent then whispered, "I'm sorry about these,"
"Don't be."
Vincent smiled. "They're just excited to see me marry."
Solanne chuckled as she started packing the bread that Mrs. Joneson ordered. "Dear lady, why not consider Vincent, hmm?" Mrs. Joneson persisted. She even winked at Solanne. Solanne can tell that Mrs. Joneson was a mischievous lady in her prime. The elderly woman continued, "He's a man who will take care of you for the rest of your life. He's a gentleman."
Solanne smiled politely. "I'm not looking for a husband, Mrs. Joneson."
"But why?"
"Well, I'm still young with a career I'm pursuing," Solanne answered.
"I don't know why that is a problem. I was 17 when I married my husband. 8 kids, and we are still happy."
Solanne blinked, dumbfounded.
Seventeen?
--