As we walked towards the car, I glanced at her and smiled. "Let's find you something nice to wear," I said, trying to lighten the mood. She looked up at me, a hint of a smile playing on her lips, and for a moment, I saw a glimpse of the warmth and vulnerability hidden beneath her surface. It was a small victory, but it made me hopeful that there was more to this woman than the cold exterior she had initially shown. Today would be the first step in uncovering the real person behind those guarded eyes.
After our shopping spree, we returned to the car loaded with bags of new clothes. I turned to her and asked, "Are you hungry?" My voice was gentle, laced with genuine concern. She nodded quietly. I called my friend Blare. "Blare, I'll be there soon. Can you prepare a savory meal for us?" I requested.
Entering the cozy restaurant, Blare spotted me and greeted me with a warm smile. However, the moment her eyes landed on Bianca, her face turned pale. "Yura... is that you?" she asked, her voice a mix of confusion and shock.
Quickly, I grabbed Blare by the arm and led her to the bathroom, away from Bianca's earshot. "She's not Yura. My wife is dead, remember?" I said, my voice urgent but calm. "Her name is Bianca. I know she resembles Yura, and I don't know why. I'm still waiting for Charles to finish his investigation."
A sigh of relief washed over Blare's face. "Sigh... I thought you had somehow revived Yura. I'm so sorry... I won't make that mistake again," she said, her voice a mix of remorse and embarrassment.
I gave her a reassuring nod. "It's alright. Now, cook us the best meal you can, and all will be forgiven," I said, a hint of a smile playing on my lips to ease the tension.
Blare nodded, her demeanor shifting back to its usual warmth. "Consider it done. I'll make something special," she promised, her voice filled with determination and a touch of lingering unease.
As I returned to the table where Bianca waited, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions myself. This day had been filled with unexpected turns, and the resemblance between Bianca and Yura had thrown everyone off balance. But as we settled in to enjoy our meal, I reminded myself that this was just the beginning. There were still many questions to be answered and mysteries to be unraveled.
For now, though, I would take things one step at a time, starting with a good meal and a moment of calm amidst the storm.
After the meal, I said goodbye to Blare and we headed home. Once there, I instructed the maids to put all the things we bought in her room.
"I'm going to my room," I said, my voice tired and drained. After taking a long, hot shower, I emerged only wearing a bathrobe. I lay down on the bed, reflecting on the day. It had been a while since I had fun like this. I was lost in thought when I sensed footsteps approaching my door. Instinctively, I sprang up, opened the door, grabbed the intruder's hand, and pinned it to the wall.
I realized it was Bianca. "Don't you ever do that again," I said, my voice a mixture of relief and irritation.
"Sorry, I... was just..." she began, her voice trembling.
"Okay, enough. Tell me why you are here," I interrupted, my voice demanding and sharp.
As I lay back down on the bed, she hesitated, her face flushed. "Did you just come out of the shower?" she asked, flustered.
"Yes, now tell me why you are here," I replied impatiently, trying to keep my irritation in check.
She couldn't seem to form the words, her eyes fixed on me. Instead, she came closer, reaching out to gently move my hand away from covering my face. As I opened my eyes and saw her so close, I stepped back, startled.
"Why did you do that?" I shouted angrily.
"Sorry... I... I don't know. My body just moved on its own," she stammered, her voice filled with confusion and regret.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. "Bianca, you can't just invade my space like this. What do you want?" I demanded, my voice still harsh but more controlled.
She looked down, ashamed. "I... I just wanted to thank you. For everything. Today was... it was the first time in a long time that I felt human again," she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.
My anger softened at her vulnerability. I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Blair, I understand. But you need to respect boundaries. We both need to figure out what this all means," I said, my tone gentler.
She nodded, wiping her eyes. "I will. I promise," she said, her voice small and sincere.
"Good. Now, get some rest. Tomorrow is another day," I said, offering a small, tired smile.
She returned the smile, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "Thank you," she said softly before turning and leaving the room.
As I watched her go, I couldn't help but feel a complicated mix of emotions. This woman, so much like Yura and yet so different, was now a part of my life. And as much as it scared me, it also intrigued me. I knew the journey ahead would be fraught with challenges, but for the first time in a long while, I felt a spark of something I thought I'd lost forever: hope.