Christian

I drew in a deep breath to elude the laziness presently surging through my body as I eventually fluttered my eyes open. The sight of the ceiling greeted me first.

Get up.

A voice ordered in my head and so without thinking twice, I turn to my side and with the aid of my hands pressing the bed, I attempted getting up only to be startled back as my eyes fell on someone’s face. For the first few seconds, I just stared in surprise at the person and only when I got a hint of who it was did I eventually look away for a few moments. An unknown sigh eluded my lips before shifting my eyes back to her.

She never listens.

I stretched my hand in an attempt to wake her up but once my eyes fell on her face, I found myself hesitating. My hand hung in the air, unable to perform the expected action. She looked... different. Different in a strange and bothersome way. There was something peaceful about the way she slept. My eyes momentarily leave her face and down to her body. While her body sat on the floor, her head laid on the bed, close enough to my reach. My brows lightly furrowed.
It must be uncomfortable. It didn’t make much sense that she would prefer to fall asleep in an uncomfortable position. Wait. Does this mean she spent the night here?

Immediately, I withdrew my hand as my brows narrowed further and I looked away from her. Without wasting a second more, I made my way off the bed. Once on my feet, I took one last look at her and she barely made a move. She must be deeply asleep to not have felt me move on the bed. In the end, I looked away before heading into the bathroom.

Harieth

In a sneak peak, I slightly opened an eye, turning it left and right for any sight of Christian. Clearly, I heard the door shut but I had to be sure he was out of view. Graciously, there was no sight of him so I opened my other eye as I slowly raised my head. A tiresome sigh eluded my lips as I placed a hand on my chest to calm myself. I can’t believe I spent the night here. How did I end up falling asleep? I came here to have him explain his words to me but ended up staring at him while he slept. How I fell asleep was truly a mystery to me. I must really be losing my mind. Nothing is the same with me anymore.

Regardless, I did a good job pretending to be asleep. I had to. My eyes had suddenly fluttered open only to meet him already awake, staring elsewhere and then it hit me that I was in his room. Deep down, I began panicking but before he could turn back to my side, I quickly shut my eyes. I just couldn’t face him. I didn’t know why. I mean, I’m Harieth. I’m not shy. I don’t even care what people have to say about me. I just do what I want. Why do I seem loss for words most times I’m with him?
I shook my head a bit violently like that would do the trick to ridding me of my thoughts. Well, for the moment, it worked so I began my attempt at leaving his room without having him notice a thing. He was in the bathroom so this was my free pass out. Stealthy and in a careful manner, I rose to my feet and with a deep breath, attempted my first step. The door knob to the bathroom suddenly made sounds and I instantly turn my head to its direction, my eyes widened in surprise. What? Is he done already?

The door flung open and instantly, I dropped down to my previous position with my eyes shut. He has to believe I was still asleep. Suddenly, it hit me that my entire body was faced in the wrong direction. I got it wrong! Damn it! I hope he doesn’t notice. The sound of the door having shut emitted and I was grateful to the universe for the first time for aiding me. I better leave before he walks out again and so I flickered my eyes open. My whole body froze.

I was unable to blink for the first few seconds as my breathing ceased as well. My heart sank within my chest and my entire thinking faculty went blank. His face was at the same level with mine, barely fifty centimetres apart. His eyes burrowed into mine as if in search of something.

“Are you done?” His question threw me back to reality and I blinked, catching my breath as well. My heart begins to beat once more, unusual than normal. Slowly, I raised my head off the bed, looking away from him to get back in control of myself.

“What are you doing in my room?” He questioned in a calm and polite manner that it makes me look back up to him. His face held no expression but something strangely softer drew across it. It confuses me.

“Forget it.” He suddenly counters with a light wave of his hand and I stared at him a little bewildered. I watched as his hand suddenly reaches for me, tucking a few strands of my hair behind my ear. My heart ran a thousand miles and I’m forced to tighten my hands into fists on my laps just to avoid doing something I might regret. I’m pretty sure my eyes widened the farthest it could go.

“Do you like me Harieth?” His question threw me off guard and all I could do was stare at him as my body went through several unusual feelings.

Do I like him? His question rang throughout my mind but my lips felt unable to utter a word. The craziest part was my inability to give the easiest answer to the easiest question.

“Seeing as you seemed comfortable the way you slept in my room and the fact you’re blushing right now, I would say yes. You like me.”

What? I’m blushing!?

Instantly, I place both hands on my cheeks. I could feel the light heat. Why would I blush in front of Christian?

“NO!” I exclaimed louder than normal without meeting his eyes.

“Why would I like a man like you Mr. Christian Hendrix? You’re snobbish, rude, impudent and you treat me like crap. No, I don’t like you!” I exclaimed the last sentence before quickening up on my feet and finding my way out of that room faster than lightening.

I didn’t stop till I was back in my room, my back pressed against the door.
In that moment, I had to catch my breath whilst my hands remained on my cheeks as if doing that would change the fact that my cheeks had heated up at his very touch. It’s official. It’s certain. I’ve lost my mind. I’ve lost my sense of reasoning. I mean... why am I attracted to Christian? He has never done anything nice for me. He’s always in his own world and he doesn’t even realise I exist. How then can I like him?

I shook my head quite violently once more. No, I don’t like him. I don’t even like him as a person so it’s definitely impossible to like him as a man.

“Why did he tuck my hair behind my ear?” I threw the question to the air a bit frustrated at his action and in that moment, I recalled how his hand had slowly approached me and carefully tucked a few strands of my hair behind my ear, lightly making contact with my skin. The scene played over and over again on my head, the emotions swirling within me. In the end, I covered my mouth with both my hands and yelled as loud as I could, frustrated with myself.

Christian

“Why would I like a man like you Mr. Christian Hendrix? You’re snobbish, rude, impudent and you treat me like crap. No, I don’t like you!”

Her words came through my mind once more as I stare at my reflection in the mirror. A sigh eluded my lips as I look down to the sink beneath my fingers. It’s no new news that Harieth Gryffin was a bit unusual. At first, I just believed she was arrogant and self centred but now, I would add abnormal to her description.

“Do you like me Harieth?”

I lightly slap my forehead.

“Why did I even ask that?” I questioned in disapproval before looking away then heading for the shower.

* * *

That early afternoon, on my way back home, I dialled Harieth’s number and put it on speaker whilst my eyes remained on the road. It rang a few times before she finally picked it.

“I’m on my way back. My belief is that you’re ready. Right?” I stated firmly before waiting for a response on her part. She took a while that I had to take a look at my phone just to be sure she was still on the line.

“Uh, well... You don’t have to pick me up or come with me. Just send me the address and I’ll be there.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I thought I made things clear to you. We’re going together and I’m not about to give you the chance to mess things up so get ready.”

“Mess things up? What do you think of me Christian? I’m a grown woman and I don’t need my husband babysitting me so leave me alone!” Her voice heightened a bit and before I knew it, she had cut the call.

My grip around the starring wheel tightened as anger surge through my being for a moment. Perhaps, she thinks it’s okay to raise her voice at me whenever she feels like it. It’s starting to piss me off.

Harieth

I held onto my phone right after I hanged up the call like my dear life depended on it. Was I too harsh on him?

“Whatever. He started it... I just reciprocated his gesture.” I countered my thoughts to remind myself of my true self. In the end, I threw my back down on the bed and stared at the ceiling.

“...Use any means necessary but be fast about it. We don’t have much time left...”

Dad’s words suddenly came across my mind reminding me of what truly matters here. He was right. We didn’t have much time left. I shouldn’t get distracted by unnecessary thoughts. I have to end this as quickly as possible and with that, I was up on my feet.
A light sigh eluded my lips as I sight his car driving into the compound from where I stood outside the entrance into the mansion.

“I’m in control. I’m in control.” I recited a few times until the car stopped in front of me and I made my way towards it. I made myself comfortable on the passenger’s seat beside him and without glancing his side once; I fastened my seat belt and stared ahead. A few seconds later, he hadn’t attempted driving away and I could feel his eyes on me.
Don’t look his side.

My subconscious advised but in the end, I slowly turned to his side, our eyes met.

“What?” I questioned after a bit of hesitation. He just stared at me. His face held no definite expression and his eyes were a mystery for me to decipher. I couldn’t fathom what was going on in his mind. Does he have something to say to me? It’s best he say it once and for all.

Suddenly, he looked away and before I knew it, we were on our way out of the compound. A light frown surfaced between my brows as I looked away from him. Perhaps, it’s best he says nothing, that way; I don’t have to say anything as well. Let’s just focus on what’s truly important for now.

* * *

I won’t lie. I was a bit uncomfortable to random kids hanging around as I’m forced to take part in their several activities. I couldn’t refuse. Eyes were watching and pictures were being taken so I smiled and pretended like everything was okay even when dirt was thrown at me, I smiled.

Finally, I was allowed to get some rest as I watched the young kids get creative with crayons and water colours. I looked away from them for a moment to catch a glimpse of Christian who seemed engrossed in a discussion with the staff. A light frown surfaced between my brows. Sure, he doesn’t give a damn about how I’m doing. Am I okay? Do I like being here? Can he be of any help? A tiresome sigh escaped my lips. I shouldn’t expect too much.

As I looked away from him, my eyes fell on a little kid, seemingly the age of five or six, seated amongst other kids but refused to get involved with them. His head remained bowed and his hands tucked away beneath the table. Whilst the rest of the kids got involved with each other and went all creative, he remained silent and idle. For a while, I just stared at him, observing his weird behaviour. Something about him reminded me of the past and so I looked away from him, refusing to recollect the past.
In the end, I placed my seat beside him and he slightly looked my side for a moment before looking away. I watched him for a while without saying a word, somehow searching for the right words to say to him.

“Hello.” I started, hoping he would reciprocate my greeting but he spared me no glance. Okay, I quite expected that.

“My name is Harieth. What’s yours?” I attempted once more and waited for his reply but got nothing.

“Don’t you like drawing? Everyone else seems to love doing that even though I have no idea why.” I expressed and he slightly glanced at me. Something about my statement must’ve caught his attention. A moment of silence drew between us and because I didn’t quite know how to give up, I continued.

“Don’t you like it here? I know I won’t. Imagine growing up here, sharing almost everything you have with people you barely know anything about. You must feel terrible.” I expressed based on my own point of view and by the time my eyes shifted to him, he was staring at me.

A simple smile surfaced on my face in joy of getting his attention. Suddenly, he returned to his old position. Eyes focused down and head bowed. The smile on my face slowly varnished. Talk about regressive.

“Mum said she would be back. She said to wait for her. She promised to come get me.”

His little voice got back my attention and I found myself staring at him. His words found a soft spot in my heart and for the moment, I couldn’t seem to find the words to console him.

“My mum... she was the best. She always protected me even... till the end. Mine can never come back but yours... she promised to come back for you so she will but don’t you think she’ll like to see you happy and playful. I’m sure she wouldn’t want to see you sad and down.” I expressed, a part of me trying hard not to think about the past. He stared at me and something soft displayed within his eyes. Great, I was finally getting to him.

“What do you say we create something beautiful for her? Something she would like when she comes to get you.”

After a moment of hesitation, he nodded and a broader smile drew across my face, a sincere one. Who knew making a kid feel better would make me feel better as well. I drew the paper and crayons to his reach and watched as we began scrambling together.

Christian

I noticed nearly everyone’s attention seemed perked in a certain direction and so I follow the direction of their eyes. For the first time, the wide smile on her face and the twinkle in her eyes expressed genuine kind of happiness. The little kid by her side was finally putting on a smile of his own. It seemed no one had taken notice of his gloomy face from start, turns out, nearly everyone did and now, there was a change on his face. My eyes shifted back to Harieth. I had never seen her look so bright. Unknowingly, a slow and simple smile displayed across my face.

She isn’t so bad after all.

The update's a bit late but I tried my best to meet the deadline. I hope you love the chapter.😍😍