Zelda receives a message and her eyes shift to her back car parked on the opposite side of the road under the big shady tree.She walks towards the car and finds an unknown guy near the car,waving at her.
Who is he? His friend? Zelda narrows her eyes and reaches near the car.
“ Hello,I'm Kendrix...Personal driver of Reyes' Sir.Please come...He is waiting for you inside the car,” Kemdrix says in a polite tone as he bows his head a little.His one hand rests on his back while the other one,on his heart.
“ H-Hi! '' Zelda says,her eyes blinking in confusion.He expects him to be Reyes' friend not driver.Kendrix opens the front passenger door and gestures to her to get in.But she feels hesitant to get inside someone's car who she has met twice only.
“ Relax,Man...you're with sane and unharmed people.I can understand your concern.Please get in,” Kendrix says and flashes a little smile.Zelda nods and gets inside the car.
“ Hey...he is my friend,” Reyes says,the moment she settles inside the car.Zelda nods.
“ Can you open the car windows...please!” Zelda requests.
“ Sure! '' Reyes opens all the windows of the car.He feels something different in her,to be precise like a normal person.No weird outfit and hairstyle.
“ So,what's the urgent matter you wanted to talk about,Ms.Zelda,” Reyes asks.Somehwere he assumes that she would talk about their old meeting.
“ First of all,Thank you,Mr.Albrecht for agreeing to meet me in such a short time,” Zelda states.Reyes feels her voice is calm unlike the twice he had met her.
“ It's alright...now tell me,” He says.
“Actually...the day you came with your parents to my home and the outfit I wear,the fake tattoos and the little stunt I had pulled was...” only to make myself the maniac girl...” Zelda pauses,and feels too embarrassed to even look into his eyes.
“ I know that was all to portray yourself as some maniac one...right?" Reyes says and laughs softly,adding a cherry on top to her embarrassment.It's good that both are looking ahead instead of facing each other.
“ Yes...but all my efforts failed in portraying myself as a maniac girl and you agreed for dating,I wonder,why?” She says.
“ Well,Ms.Zelda,my upbringing never taught me to judge people by their outfit,so in that way,your efforts aren't failed.In Fact I appreciate it,especially those crazy tattoos and the unique hairstyles,” Reyes comments and couldn't control his laughter which sounds low and soft.
“ Making fun of someone' situation is considered bad,Mr.Ceo that too without knowing them,” Zelda snaps and maintains her sound cold and serious.
“ I apologize...but that cockroach was also one of your tricks to scare me or are you really in love with that creepy creature?” Reyes asks,and his lips spread in a teasing smile.
“ Of course,it was a stunt too,” Zelda squeezes her eyelids in embarrassment and tilts her face towards the word.
This man! Such a teaser! Zelda inhales.
Is she angry? Reyes wonders.
“See,Mr.Albrecht,the dating thing was just another stunt and I was expecting you would deny right away after seeing me.I never want to date you," She says,while fidgeting with her fingers.
“ May I ask the reason for not dating? I mean we can date and if we find ourselves compatible, understandable and trustworthy,then maybe marriage can happen too,” Reyes explains what he really feels at the moment.
“ Excuse me! dating is a serious thing and dating someone means to invest your time in that person,which is a big thing...I don't want to waste your and mine time when I'm zero percent interested in it,” Zelda states and voice raises a bit at the end.
“ Ok...Ok,Relax,don't need to yell,” Reyes says as he moves his hands in the air up and down,indicating to her to calm down.Zelda sighs.
“ I have my reason which I can't share...so I request you too please tell your parents to inform my Dad that we are not dating and are not married... definitely not," Zelda says and hoping to get a response in her favor.
“ So it means you were forced by your parents for this proposal ?" He asks.
“ Kinda yes...but not entirely,”
“ And what would I say to my parents for rejecting you? "
“ Anything...Like you didn't like my way of dressing and I'm sure your parents didn't like me either in the first meeting," Zelda
says and chuckles slightly.
“ Well,I can't say anything about Dad,but my Mom surely liked you in the very first meeting and about your clothing,Ms.Zelda..." He pauses for a while.Zelda narrows her eyes at him.
“ As I said,my upbringing never taught me to judge people by their clothes... especially observing their circumstances," Reyes states,as he looks straight in her oceanic eyes.
____
“ You're at home? ” Zelda asks as she finds Nicolas sitting in the living area,reading a book.
“ Have you eaten something? ” He asks and rises from the sofa.Zelda nods at her in denial.
“I'll reheat the food for you...Go and wash your hands,” He says and walks into the kitchen.He reheats the sandwiches and makes tea for her.He takes two plates and heads out and finds Zelda already sitting at the dining table.
He places the two plates in front of her and settles in the chair opposite her.Zelda stares at the food for a while.
“ You remember...Elana hates when someone doesn't appreciate others' efforts and neglect them like they didn't even exist,” Nicolas says,as he crosses his arms over his chest.Zelda knows what he is referring to.
“ I remember Dad and...I-I'm sorry for the morning,” Zelda mumbles under her breath and keeps her eyes on the plate.
“ You should say sorry to Alessia...but never mind ,I don't expect anything from you for Alessia,” He says and chuckles lightly.
His words feels like someone has thrown a bucket of cold water on her face.His tone and words are painful for her to even react.
She silently gulps down the small bites and sips of tea.Suddenly the air feels so awkward for her in the presence of his father.
“ So you went to meet Delphine and Alderic,right?” He asks.
Oh! No...Should I lie or tell the truth?
“ Y-Yeah! ” She utters in a low tone.
“ You don't need to lie...I'm not against dating,” He laughs and shakes his head a little.She bites her tongue and embarrassment rushes to her cheeks.
“ I'm glad at least you are really taking interest and initiative for the betterment of your life,” Nicolas says and his lips spread in a soft smile.Zelda gulps and remains silent.
“ Now I hope you will think about your career as well,” Zelda looks at her father as he gets off the chair and walks to her side.
“ Relax,I won't force you anymore.You can take your time as much as you want,” Nicolas says and plants a kiss on her crown and walks away.
Zelda's actions become frozen,unable to process anything.She feels tiredness and pain in her father's eyes but couldn't muster up courage to ask him.She knows somewhere she is the sole reason behind Nicolas's such behavior.
Later at night,
Zelda's going through something on her laptop and note down some important detail on her notepad.
“ Sissy...may I come in,” Jack knocks on the door.Zelda gets off the bed and walks towards the door.She opens it and finds Jack holding a book and notebook.
“ Stuck in one math statement,” Jack expresses, making a pout.Zelda lets him enter the room and closes the door but doesn't lock it.
“Give me sometime," She walks inside the washroom.Meanwhile Jack settles on the bed like an obedient kid and his eyes fall on the notepad on top of the laptop.
He just has read a few words and Zelda walks out.
“ Show me the question,” She grabs the books and helps him in solving the statement and a few equations.
“ Thank you so much,Sissy! I'm so relieved now,” Jack expressed in a chirping tone and closed his books with a contented smile.
“ Sissy! Why don't you be my teacher in my school? It will be so much fun and I will introduce you to all my classmates,” Jack states and looks at her with doe eyes.
How can someone be talkative and cute at the same time?Zelda smiles.
“ J...you should be attentive during the class...I won't be available for you in helping with your studies,” Zelda says casually, but his words hit hard to Jack and his eyes instantly become moist.
“ W-why...Sissy? Are you leaving me? " He asks and his voice turns heavy with tears.Zelda stares at him in shock,not expecting the effect of her words on him.
“ What if one day I will have to leave this house for some reason?" Zelda couldn't help but ask,and looks away because his teary eyes are killing her internally.
“ Then I'll accompany you as well...and will never trouble you and will always be a good and obedient boy...Don't ever leave me Sissy," Jack jumps in her arms.
“ R-relax,J...I was just kidding,” Zelda stutters and feels hard to console the poor little soul.But she somehow brings her hand and pats his back and other hand wraps around his body.
God! My one decision will bring tears to so many eyes.
Zelda closed her eyes and inhaled deeply.