| |
––––––––
BRANDON
I CONTACT CASSIUS AFTER Alayna left with John.
“Where are you now, Cassius?” I ask as soon as he picks up.
“I took an immediate flight. Expect me there in ten hours. How’re the girls?”
“Alayna’s going to town now with Betty.”
“Good. What you need to do now is wait,” he instructs. “I already told Oliver to call for security to escort you. You okay?”
“I’m fine,” I assure him. “No one’s tried to harm me up to this point.”
“Don’t be so sure,” he warns. “You still need to be watchful. The security will be there in an hour. Did you tell Alayna?”
“Not yet.”
“What?” he exclaims. “Brandon, that is the plan. You’re there because you’re supposed to tell her.”
“But she’s not ready yet, and I can’t if she’s—” I pause, massaging the back of my neck. “She likes it here, Cassius.”
“She’s never going to be ready.” He exhales. “But there’s nothing we can do about that for now. Just stick to the plan and don’t go out alone.”
“Thank you, Cassius. I owe you this time,” I finally say, after the long cold war we just had. I have to admit that he has been there for me ever since my misery, just like Oliver.
There’s a long pause at his end. “It’s alright.” He cuts the call.
I head back inside when I spot Oliver walking in my direction.
“Ollie?”
“Heard anything from Cassius?” he asks.
“Yes, he’s on his way here,” I inform. “We can expect him in ten hours. What’s the plan?”
He scratches his head. “I don’t have a good feeling about this. I can’t even say anything in detail to Betty, but she’s excited to see the spring and—”
“Hold on.” I raise a finger. “What do you mean she’s excited to see the spring? Didn’t she leave an hour ago?”
“What?” His eyebrow raises. “What are you talking about? Betty’s inside.”
“What do you mean she’s inside?!” I yell. “She texted Alayna earlier, and Alayna already left with John—Fuck!” I curse out loud.
Oliver’s face turns white. “What did you say?”
Alayna...
My chest tightens, and my head turns blank for a moment.
This is their plan. Their target is Alayna. But how can this happen?
I try to reconnect my memory to see if I missed anything strange yesterday. There was no one around the house when we arrived yesterday. I had Oliver instruct them to have everything prepared before our arrival and make sure no one skulks around during our stay.
There’s no one else around but the five of us. And if I were to suspect anyone in our circle, it could be John or Betty. They’re the only persons I met recently—persons I can’t utterly trust.
But if it’s John, then Alayna’s in trouble.
With my shaking hands, I phone Alayna’s number straightaway, but the call redirects to voicemail. I try again and get the same outcome.
“Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!” I curse repeatedly. My vision is beginning to get blurry, and the throbbing in my chest hastens as if there’s a ticking bomb inside.
I tried to call her phone again for the third time, but she isn’t picking up.
Oliver grabs my shoulder. “What are you doing?”
I look at his cornered face. I almost want to yell at his face and tell him my suspicion about his fiancée, but I keep my thoughts unexpressed. I will not go that low when I have no evidence.
“They’ve got Alayna. She left with John after receiving a text from your fiancée. There’s no one else... It’s just us!”
“Brandon, it’s not Betty, I can assure you.”
I want to trust him, but his words aren’t enough right now when Alayna can already be in danger. “I have no time to talk about anything right now, Ollie. I’ve got to find her right now.”
“Goddammit!” he swears, coming after me. I rush towards the driveway, and hastily, I settle into the driver’s seat and buckle up.
Oliver steps into the passenger seat. “Betty’s phone is missing, and she’s been looking for her phone since yesterday,” he explains.
“Call John. If he answers, then he’s not our suspect. Alayna’s still safe. We’ll talk about that later,” I instruct.
Anxiously, Oliver pulls out his phone then presses the speed dial. After numerous times of call attempts, his right-hand man answers and puts the phone on loudspeaker.
“John, are you with Alayna?”
“Yes, Mr. Katrakis. I left with Miss Hart a few minutes ago,” he answers.
“Did you arrive in town?” Oliver asks.
“Not yet, sir, but we're almost there. Is there something wrong?”
Good. If they’re already near the town, then she’s still safe. “John, this is Brandon,” I say. “Give me your exact location, stop the car right now, and wait for us. Why is her phone out of coverage?”
“Brandon, what’s wrong?” Alayna speaks softly. “I forgot to charge my phone.”
I shut my eyes in the pleasure of hearing her voice and sigh in relief. John isn’t the culprit. That leaves Betty.
“Alayna, baby, listen to me. You can’t go to the spa.”
“Why? Betty’s waiting for me there.”
I scowl at Oliver. He shakes his head.
“Betty's phone was stolen, Alayna,” Oliver answers her.
“What? How can that happen?”
“I’ll tell you later,” I say. “Just stay with John and don’t leave the car. We’ll be there.”
I drop the call then shifts the car’s speed.
“Do you think they’re on the move?” Oliver asks me.
“What else would it be? My enemies are on the run now, Ollie.” I grip the steering wheel hard.
“Our enemies,” he corrects. “I know that you suspect Betty, Brandon. You have every right to, and I can’t blame you for that, but she’s not a bad person. I know Betty and her family.”
I grip the steering wheel tight. “And you have to understand that we can’t drop our guard.”
“Of course.” He looks away, dejectedly, and his jaw twitches.
“And I won’t be able to forgive myself if anything happens to Alayna.”
I clutch my chest with my free hand. I was wrong for not thinking this through... of trusting something so easily. Betty could’ve asked Alayna about the change of plan herself. She is at the next door, but Alayna received a text instead. Suddenly, I feel the burning pain inside me again. But nothing is more grievous than realizing that I have involved Alayna in my war.
––––––––
ALAYNA
CHILLS TRAVEL DOWN my spine, making me colder than I already am.
How can someone steal her phone when there’s no one else in the house but us? How can they know that I’ll be meeting Betty at the resort?
Oh my God! The culprit must be in our circle.
Is it John? No. John spoke to Brandon and Ollie and told them where we are.
How about Betty? We don’t know much about her. However, she wouldn’t do anything that obvious. No sane person would prank us using their own phone number.
I jerk in fear when someone suddenly knocks on the window a few minutes later, but relief floods through me as I find Brandon standing outside.
I push the car door open, and he instantly catches me with his arms, holding me tight against him.
“I’m alright,” I assure him, wrapping my arms around his body.
“You are certainly not alright because of me. I thought I'd lost you,” he says breathlessly.
I gaze at his eyes. “You didn’t, so don’t worry, okay? What happened back there?”
“Brandon.” Oliver appears behind him and hands Brandon the car key. “We don’t have much time. Hurry up and leave. I still need to go back to the house. Betty’s still there. But will you two be alright?”
I feel Brandon’s arm tightens on my waist. “I’ll keep her safe.”
“Be safe, okay?” Oliver briefly hugs his cousin.
Brandon nods. I look over my shoulder and give Oliver and John a small smile before stepping into the other car.
“Where are we going, Brandon?” I buckle my seatbelt.
“Somewhere safe.” He brushes his thumb on my chin. “Do you trust me?”
“Always.”
Brandon revs up the engine to life, then pulls out of the place.
After almost an hour of drive, we stop in front of a soaring traditional Japanese wooden gate with two pointed roofs and Japanese calligraphy paintings on each side of the towers.
“Did we just escape to Japan or something?”
“This was a dojo. Come, let’s get inside.” Brandon entwines his fingers with mine and leads the way. It’s even more surprising that he opens the gate by pushing some blocks of wood like a combination code lock.
“Dojo? Is that where people practice martial arts or something?”
“Yes.”
Entering the gate is like entering another world. The cold wind blows on my face and reveals one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in my life. The enormous land in front of us bore a Minka; a triangular roof, handcrafted natural wood houses with cherry blossom trees around them, and the atmosphere of ancient culture are in the air. It’s like coming back to early Japanese civilization. It’s incredible.
Brandon comes in first through the house's largest entrance, and an old woman in a kimono appears at the doorstep. Though, she doesn’t look Japanese at all.
“Lydia.” Brandon embraces her instantly.
Lydia’s eyes seem to sparkle—like a mother’s gaze to her long-lost son she hasn’t seen for a long time.
“Brandon, my child. It’s really you.” Lydia’s fascination is priceless.
“Oh, Lydia. I’ve missed you.”
I almost want to cry at their reunion, though I haven’t the slightest idea of who she is.
She parts away first and cups Brandon’s face. “Cassius isn’t lying. You're really here.”
Brandon grins. “Lydia, I want you to meet my girlfriend.” He pulls me next to him. “This is Alayna. Alayna, this is Lydia.”
She swiftly gazes at me in an awed expression. “Oh, my boy is all grown up. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alayna.”
We shake hands, and she squeezes my palm softly. “The pleasure is mine, Lydia.”
“Lydia is Lennie’s sister,” Brandon introduces.
Wow. Madam Lennie has a sister! No wonder they look alike. Only Lydia is probably younger.
“I used to go anywhere Lennie went. Brandon was just a little boy back then,” she says heartily and gazes up at Brandon. “You grew up so tall and so handsome. Come inside. You are safe here.”
“She knows what’s going on?” I whisper to Brandon, but Lydia hears me.
“Oh, dear. I always look after Brandon even if I’m too far away. I talk to Lennie almost every day,” she speaks slowly, making her voice sound even gentler.
“I’m glad Madam Lennie has you.” I smile.
“No, I’m glad she has you.” She touches my cheek. “Come in, come in! Let me show you your room first. You don’t have to take your shoes off. You are my guests.”
When we get into the inner part of the house, all I can say about it is a big wow!
The house’s structure, though old-fashioned in appearance, doesn’t seem fragile. The doors are made of a latticed screen, covered with white paper, and the flooring is made out of pure wood.
“I wish I could take a picture.”
“You can’t; her husband didn’t want it to be like a tourist spot,” Brandon whispers. “He is Japanese.”
“Oh, I see,” I whisper back.
“Lydia, where is Kenjiro?” Brandon asked Lydia.
“Ah! You can guess where he is at times like this. His way of living is still the same. He’s in the training camp with his new karate students. He won’t be back until next week. It makes him happy, so I let him.” Lydia stops in front of another door. “This is going to be your room, or do you want separate rooms?”
“No,” Brandon and I say in chorus. “We’re fine here. Thank you, Lydia,” he finishes.
“I know, I know.” Lydia smiles meaningfully. “If you need anything, just tell me.”
“Thanks, Lydia. I’m sure everything you have here is enough,” Brandon reassures, and then she strolls back from where we came in.
Brandon slides the door open.
“Ladies first.”
I step into the room first, and I sit on the floor since there are no chairs but thick comforters with glossy blankets.
“Did I mention they have a hot spring here?” Brandon adds when he sits on the floor across from me.
I catch my palm. “Does it mean I can still try it here?”
He chuckles. “Of course. I planned on taking you here anyway.”
“Is this the place you’re telling me that I’d like?”
“Do you like it?”
“I love it!”
“Hey!”
To his surprise, I jump on him to get on his lap, but he falls out of balance, so I flip on top of him.
“Sorry...” I was going to get up, but he yanks me back.
Brandon assesses me with his gray eyes, and we are both suddenly quiet. He brushes his fingers to my hair and tucks the strands underneath my ears. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispers out of the blue. “Such beauty doesn’t deserve this ugly face.”
My heart melts at his painful, insecure words. I couldn't stop myself from kissing his mask. “You’re beautiful, Brandon,” I say softly. “Inside and outside. I wish you’d stop thinking like that about yourself.”
He curls his arms around me, and I rest my head on his chest. For a long moment, we stay like that, just enjoying the moment.
“Come with me.” He gently puts me aside and stands up.
“Where?”
He holds my hand and hoists me up. “Just come.”
The moonlight is the only source of light in the hot spring, but the clear water’s beauty still stands out. The spring water is formed in the modernized rectangular marble tiles. Around it is bamboo parapets and cherry blossom trees. The lights are warm and so solemn. It’s so peaceful.
Brandon walks close to the water first, then he pulls off his shirt, revealing his broad back. Then, gradually, he strips his pants down. My throat dries up, but oddly, my mouth feels like salivating at the sight of his immaculate back view. I remember seeing him the first time this way, and his body is exactly the same as I remembered.
He slightly shifts his body to face me, preventing my eyes from looking down. “Come, Alayna,” he invites softly and steps in the spring water.
I take the garments off my body, letting them drop to the ground before I stride into warm spring water. I blow out a breath of relief, shutting my eyes as the soothing water touches my skin. I follow after Brandon in the middle.
“Beautiful, isn't it?” Brandon's deep, soft voice says as he walks behind me and touches my bare shoulders. He wraps my arms around my body.
“It’s wonderful,” I whisper, smiling.
He buries his face on my neck and kisses me. “I need to tell you something.”
“I expected that,” I say truthfully, anticipating something he really wanted to show me. “I’m ready.”
I spin around, then look up at him, and to my surprise, his face is already bare.
Air stuck in my lungs. My stomach churns inexplicably. I shiver under warm water, and warmness did not help the atmosphere’s iciness. My knees feel frail, and my jaws shudder.
Brandon’s expression is wounded... disgusted... dark.
“Your... your mask,” I murmur.
I tear my gaze away and face down. Honestly, I’m not sure anymore how I would feel. I'm confused. I don’t want to offend him in any way, but I don’t know if it’s still right to look at his face.
But his face... It is so disheartening.
He has severe burn scars. A portion of the right side of his face has irregular fibrous tissues. Other than that, his face seemed to have been sliced off several times. The cuts from his forehead go down to his right cheek. Heck, he doesn't even have an eyebrow there, and it looks as if there's no more flesh but dead skin. I remember him telling me about the acid poured on his face.
“Even I can’t look at my face in the mirror,” he croaks.
“It’s not like that,” I say breathlessly.
“Then look at me, Alayna...”
I gulp dryly, and bit by bit, I gaze up. I haven’t noticed that I’m already crying until my tears stream down my cheeks.
“Oh, Brandon...”
“Doesn’t this monstrous face scare you?” He laughs humorlessly and bitterly. “Tell me because I don’t mind. I’m scared of it myself.”
“No, believe me, no.” I shake my head firmly. “It’s the contrary. It makes me love you more...”
With my words, Brandon begins to sob.
I raise my hands but halt for a moment. “May I?”
He slightly nods.
And with his permission, I touch the side of his face that is damaged. Carefully, my finger trails his scar, and it’s strangely soft. Brandon’s breath hitches.
“Does it still hurt?” I ask.
“Sometimes.”
“Is it hurting now?”
“No,” he says hoarsely.
“This doesn’t look that bad,” I say truthfully, smiling a little. “You’re still so beautiful to me.”
“Oh, Alayna.” He takes my hand, then brings it to his mouth; he pulls and presses me against his bare body, feeling his skin with my skin. He continues to sob on my shoulder. “I can’t live like this anymore.”
I slide my arms around him. “Whoever did this to you, they will pay dearly,” I promise. “How could someone do this to you and still live with themselves?”
“I think I already told you why I had to hide,” he reminds me, probably referring to his illness—the illness that caused him to detach himself from the world, afraid that someone would harm him again.
“But you have to fight back.”
“Yes, but this is also why we are here, Alayna. This is why I’m going to tell you this. Listen to me...” He parts away a bit and gazes intently into my eyes. “I have to go back home and get some treatment.”
I frown. “What?”
“Because you are right. I have to fight back, and I can’t be like this forever. I have to go and fix everything, Alayna. It’s so hard for me to say this, but I have to—”
“Leave,” I stop him from finishing his sentence. “You have to leave.”
“Yes, I need to go to Athens. From where my mother came from. I wouldn’t be able to protect you if I’m like this.”
“Until when?”
“I’m not sure. Cassius said it may take a year.”
“What? That’s a very long time—”
“Alayna, I want to love you in every way. I want to give you more, but I can’t if I’m still like this. And what happened today isn’t something I can take lightly. They already did it once, and I lost my family. I cannot afford to lose anyone.” He cups my face. “Not you.”
“It’s not your fault, what happened before. You didn’t know.” The tension building in my chest finally burst out. I finally cried. “When are you leaving?”
“Tomorrow. Cassius will come here to take you back to Manhattan, and we will leave as soon as I know you’re safe.”
“That’s so soon...” I remark, but I know I can’t do anything about it anymore. Brandon is still going to leave. And I can’t be someone who stopped him from achieving his goals, even if it’s painful for me.
“Wait for me.” He wipes my tears away. “I’ll come back to you. So please, Alayna, will you wait for me?”
“Y-yes...” I snivel hard. “I love you, Brandon, and if you think this is what’s best for you, I will wait.”
“I love you.” He brings me back to his arms and kisses my temple. “I love you so much.”
“How can I do my job if the Master isn’t even there?” I have to ask.
“You can still stay at my house and do your job even if I’m not there. What happened today can happen again too, so I have to keep you safe,” he states, reminding me of what happened earlier.
“You still didn’t tell me what happened. I was going to meet Betty in the town.”
Brandon grunts. “Oliver and Cassius received photographs of us when we arrived at the villa yesterday. The sender is anonymous and can’t be tracked. Then Betty said her phone was stolen today—if that really is the case—but I have a suspicion, though I hope that I’m wrong for Oliver’s sake.”
I frown. “You suspect Betty?”
“I don’t know much about her, but she’s Oliver’s fiancée, so I let her come with us. But that’s what I’m going to find out. It could be one of the housekeepers. I don’t know.” He hurls an exhale. “But whoever sent you that text wanted to take you away from me. This is how it happened ten years ago before my family was slaughtered, Alayna. And it’ll kill me if I lose you too.”
“You won’t lose me.” I tighten my arms around his body. “I’m not leaving your side unless you tell me to. Even if you’re away... I will still be here. Just come back to me no matter what.”
“Of course, Alayna.” He kisses my forehead and smile. “I’ll come back to you.”
After those words of promises, he lowers his head and claims my mouth.
One second, his mouth is aggressively coaxing mine. I groan as tiny bolts of electricity rush in me. His kiss grows demanding. I wrap my arms around his neck, and my nails dig into his back. He thrust his tongue into my mouth, and his mouth devours me... possessing me.
He grips his fingers on my waist, and leisurely, he slides his hand up to my breast and pinches my nipple softly.
“Ahh...” I can’t help but moan loudly.
“Shh...” He chuckles. “Come. Let’s get you out of the water.”
I shiver with the anticipation that he wants this to lead to something more. He takes my hand, but I stop. I cover my bare self with my arms. “I’ve never walked in an open-air in this state.”
He chuckles. “No one will come here. I promise,” he assures. “Come on.”
Brandon emerges out of the water, and his erected shaft displays before me. I had no idea he would be this big. I squirm between my thighs. “Brandon...” My throat dries up, and my eyes grow wide.
Brandon takes me again, heaves me out of the spring, and presses me against his large frame. His eyes assess me shrewdly, and he frowns when his eyes travel down my upper belly.
I gasp as I realize what he is looking at, and I have completely forgotten about it. I free my chest unknowingly to cover the imperfection on my body, but Brandon grips my wrist.
He groans angrily. “What is this?”
He sees it now—my own insecurity...
“What happened to you, Alayna?” he asks.
These are my own scars from cigarette burns. I’ve had them since I was sixteen. “It seems we’re not so different,” I say bitterly.
“Is this ...” he pauses. His expression darkens. Furious. “Is that what I’m thinking? Who did this to you?”
“I don't want to talk about that,” I refuse.
“Oh, baby.” He suddenly bends down and touches my waist, then starts kissing my stomach.
“Brandon!” I hold his head to maintain my balance as my arousal increases.
He presses soft kisses on my scars, making sure his lips touch each of them. We stayed that way for a long time, but I need more of him. I’m willing to give all of myself to him now.
“Brandon, please... Please come up here, please...” I beg, and he answers my demand.
“No one will hurt you again, I promise,” Brandon claims my mouth again deeply. We sigh and pull on each other's mouths as if we can’t get enough.
I have fallen for him like a ravenous woman. I’m touching him and grinding myself against him. I have never felt so good with a man, given my issues in the past. His expert hands and touch have only made me want him more.
My head is still spinning and I’m still gathering my thoughts when he gradually glides his hand to my fold.
“Brandon, are you—”
“Shh. Do you trust me?”
“Yes...”
A playful smile curves on his lips. Carefully, he lays me on the tiles, and without warning, he cups my cleft. His thumb presses my clitoris gently, then he thrust his finger into me.
“Oh gosh...”
Round and round, he hits my spot as if he knew my body more than I did.
“You’re so wet... Look at how your pussy throbs.” His grin is playful as he continues to thrust his finger into me.
He has never spoken to me like this before; so raw and rough. I bite my lower lip hard, and my eyes flutter with each stroke. He moves so slowly inside me, massaging my soft tissues.
“Ahh...” I moan. I’m ready to beg for more, but it’s as if he knows my body; he softly touches my very sensitive spot.
“Oh gosh!” I cry in pleasure, but as I’m on the brink of orgasm, Brandon pulls his fingers out again, and he brings them up to his mouth, licking his fingers with his eyes glued to mine.
Damn. That’s insanely erotic.
“How could you do this to me? Making me lose myself, hmm?” he whispers, his voice rasp.
“Please...” My body arches with yearning. I’d be willing to give more if he asks me to. I’ve suddenly become too greedy, but I can’t force him to do something he might not be ready to, given his complicated condition.
“What, baby?” I sense the amusement in his expression.
“I want more...” I whisper.
“Are you sure?” His voice is ragged.
I nod. “Y-yes... but if you are... if you want to...”
His gaze softens. “Of course, I want to. You have no idea what I want to do with you right now.”
“Then I’m sure... I want this, Brandon.”
My throat dries up.
But just as fast as he moved seconds ago, it seems like forever before he sweeps down, so I part my legs further with him between me.
“Now, please...”
And he answers my plea without hesitation. Brandon thrusts his cock into me. At first, I feel slightly sore because of his size, but it’s like my whole body has fallen into a pool of pleasure. His shaft is throbbing inside me, filling me, and is hitting every sensitive nerve. He feels so firm, so powerful... so perfect.
“Fuck! I knew you’d feel this good,” he murmurs harshly, and at his next fierce thrust, his mouth savagely claims mine again. I tangle my hands in his hair, and I feel his muscles agitating.
“Brandon...” I call, but he rams into me relentlessly... fucking me.
He groans in response, and his sounds are very rough. “You feel so fucking good.”
I shut my eyes, relishing the boundless pleasure he’s giving me. It’d been a very long time since I felt genuinely aroused. I had been in senseless relationships where sex didn’t give me much pleasure at all—just a dull act couples do to kill time.
However, sex with Brandon for the first time makes me feel alive again. It makes me feel that I’m wanted... that I’m loved.
At the back of my mind, I want to ask him if he’s okay, but I keep my words unsaid because I don’t want him to feel differently about himself. I’m only worried that our actions might be hard for him. He has never fully recovered, and basically, he has never been this intimate with someone in ten years.
Nevertheless, he was right when he told me he can make a woman feel satisfied. Brandon tenses up, quickens his pace, and grips my waist tighter so he can pump through me. I cry as my orgasm finally takes over me, and the tremors spread to my toes. After several more thrusts, Brandon pulls out of me and withdraws his spurt on my belly.
At that moment, I wish I wouldn’t have to get up and just stay like this with him forever, but my heart tells me an unknown future. It’s as if Brandon has read my mind as he hoists me up so my legs are wrapped around him. In one ferocious thrust, he pulls me down, and he is inside of me again.
I wake up in the middle of the night after a terrifying dream, and when I open my eyes, Brandon is staring back at me.
He wipes away my tears. “Are you okay? You were crying.”
“Hey...” I buried my face in his chest and embraced him. “I thought you left without saying goodbye.”
“Alayna, I’ll never do that to you. But are you sure you’re okay with this?”
“I am okay with this,” I whisper. “I’m happy that you want to finally do this.”
“Then what are you worried about?”
“We don’t know what’s going to happen. Everything is going to change,” I say confidently.
“My feelings for you will never change,” he promises.
I force another smile at his pledge. “You should have decided to do this a long time ago, you know?”
A soft sob escapes his lips, and he embraces me. “It will be torture without you.”
“That is why you have to heal fast,” I encourage. “I’m looking forward to seeing you succeed.” But I then laugh softly between tears. “Is this going to be our last night together?”
He does not bother to reply because we both know the answer. I hear him weep so softly—like a child crying silently.
It’s the next morning, and Cassius has finally arrived at Lydia’s house. He gives Brandon a brief hug, then pats his back as if they are longing to hold each other for a long time. It is short but emotional. They had fought long enough, and they are each other’s best friend.
Cassius flashes out a weak smile when he sees me. He isn’t the Cassius I met before. He has dark circles under his eyes, like shadows—the mark of a sleepless night.
“Hi, Alayna,” he greets with a weak smile.
“Hey.”
“Are you okay? Are you ready?”
“Yes. How about Brandon?”
“I’m safe here,” Brandon answers slowly. “No one knows I’m here except Cassius and Oliver. I asked him not to tell his fiancée, and he understands.”
“But there’s another sudden change of plans,” Cassius informs. “I’m supposed to take back the two girls, but we should be more careful. Oliver’s coming here alone in a while to get you, and John flew back to Manhattan with Betty last night. You know my brother, and for him, family is more important.”
Brandon agrees with his cousin, then faces me. “Don’t leave Cassius’s side, do you understand? I already asked for additional security for your safety.”
“Don’t worry about me,” I say. “Where is Lydia?”
“Lydia’s inside preparing breakfast. I don’t want you to leave with an empty stomach.”
“Great, because I’m starving,” Cassius inserts, chuckling. “I’ve been flying back and forth. I’m getting sick of it.”
Brandon taps his shoulder. “Then you go first. You have another flight later.”
After our breakfast, everything seems normal. The two cousins talk a little more with Lydia, mostly about their childhood. I already know that Brandon and Cassius were best friends since grade school, but I haven’t seen them speak without roaring at each other’s faces.
I hear from their conversation that Lydia was once Oliver and Cassius’s nanny, and she used to live with them in Athens. Brandon is laughing so carefree with Cassius’ inside jokes. Lydia reminded them how much of a headache they were as kids. Until... it’s time to finally say goodbye.
“Ready to go Alayna?” Cassius asks as he carries my suitcase. He’s already by the gate with Lydia.
“Yes, I just need a few more minutes,” I say.
I throw my arms around Brandon’s neck. This time, I could not hold back my tears. I cry so hard that I'm crushing him, but he doesn't mind. “I know. It’s hard to do this, but promise me that you’ll come back healthy, okay?”
“I should be the one saying that,” he whispers painfully, almost inaudible. “I’m the one who’s leaving.”
“I can take care of myself. Oliver and Casey’s with me.” I hold his face. His beautiful eyes are swollen just like mine. “Promise you’ll come back.”
“I’ll come back. Just go, Alayna. Before I change my mind.”
I brush away my tears with the back of my hand. “I love you.”
“I know.” He presses a lingering kiss on my forehead lightly. “Go. Cassius is waiting.”
God. This is more painful than breaking up. I turn away from him, tempting to look back, forcing my feet to walk away.
“Shall we?” Cassius asks.
I sob even more.
“Are you sure you want to go?” he asks again. “We can still leave later if you like.”
“What’s the difference?” I ask.
“Just imagine how hard this is for him,” he says softly.
“I know that, Cassius. He’s the one who’s leaving.” Damn. My tears just can’t stop, but then I turn to Lydia. “Thank you for everything, Lydia. You really have a nice home.”
“It’s my pleasure, my dear.” She touches my face. “I’m glad you like it here. I wish we could spend more time together.”
I hug her. “I wish that too. Take care, Lydia.”
She strokes my hair affectionately. “Of course, dear. Now, go on.”
I release her and then continue to walk outside with Cassius. I glance in Brandon’s direction once more, but he has already turned away as if the world has slowed down.
I guess this is it.
Goodbye, Brandon.
