THE CURSE UNLEASHED

CHAPTER 11

The walk was really not that slow and easy as she imagined it to be from the way she judged him in the church. He was walking fast, too straight and stiff making her doubt if he was wearing a straight jacket inside his big ass outfit. He held the umbrella mostly to her side and he was slowly getting drenched in his left side but he didn't seem to bother. Aveline has been going to the church since the past six years and never once met the man.

She wanted to initiate a talk, ask him more about his life and where he came from all of a sudden and how long has he been playing the piano. The words which he said in the church like, they need to keep it professional was not helping it. What if he mistake her questions for something else? He was warm or his jacket was warm but that didn't make any change as he looked scary when Aveline took a quick but a long glimpse at him.

"Staring is kind of rude." He spoke lazily tossing his head to her side and Aveline burned like a camphor.

"I was not doing that." Her courage was worth to be given a big token of appreciation.

"I recently moved in here so you haven't met me till now, if that is what you are wondering."

The answer he gave was what she exactly wanted because missing out a mint haired, strange pale man from neighbour hood made her feel stupid. The man seemed to have read her mind well or maybe she expressed so much in her face that he easily read it. Aveline was trying her best to not be curious about anything else. She guided him to her house as he still wasn't familiar with the streets and buildings.

"Hmm, how did those men know your name?" Aveline had to ask that because those men seemed to be really scared that day.

"I have met them before and that didn't end well either."

Why was it so hard to talk to him? He seemed to answer on point with few strong words which was understandable but the thickness in his voice added to his cold careless face. Aveline started to think more liberal like, maybe he has a warm heart and him trying to be cold is just a self defense. What if he has been through something really bad in the past that made him change like this? What if he needs someone to depend on and to trust?

They abruptly came to a stop when he pulled her hands all of a sudden, making her heart beat out of the box. She looked at his hands tightly clasping her fur jacket sleeve and if it wasn't what a domineering nature is, then she doesn't know what it really is. He was waiting for her to tell him something so he can take the next step but Aveline just stood there, staring into his eyes. He did the same, as if he was pulled into her not bothering about the rain, thunder and even the flash of lightening which struck.

"You should stay over." Aveline finally spoke because through out the walk, the only thing that bothered her was his safety.

"Excuse me?" He asked bewildered at her sudden attack.

It was very uncommon for someone to stay in other's place those times especially when they are related to church. Aveline looked like a total believer to him so getting such an offer was confusing and he didn't know how it would be if he rejects it. He looked her again while frowning a little to make sure if she really meant it. Aveline smiled at him a little before leading him to her place as she should.

"I live alone, so don't have to be worried."

"That is what I am concerned about. How can you invite a stranger to your house at night when you are alone?" His question only eased her tension because he was doubting her instead of making use of the situation.

"It is fine, I called you in because of the rain. I am not sure if letting you walk alone would be a good idea." She opened the door and let him get a view of her neat and luxurious insides.

He took off his shoes after hesitating for some time but he decided standing by the door step, because the drunken men would spot the scene. He knew how stupid the whole neighbor hood is and what they would take everything in negative sense. He closed the umbrella behind him and kept it in the stand before walking in, taking glances all around.

"Make yourself comfortable."

"I will be fine, here." He said taking a seat near the door by dragging a wooden chair to him from the side.

"Are you going to sit there in that small chair? Have a seat here, I will prepare some soup for you." Aveline pointed at the couch and moved to the kitchen after throwing her coat to the side.

Richard was not much comfortable because he was literally soaked and water kept dripping down his large jacket, wetting the floor. He took off the jacket and placed it along with the umbrella and sat on the couch as she asked him to. The place was really warm and comfortable if he think about it but something was missing, maybe it was not as bright as he imagined.

"Do you want to play piano? There is one in there, you can use it." She insisted peeking out of the kitchen with a small smile and pointing to the room on the other side of the room.

"It doesn't feel right to use that without you. I will wait." He answered moving a little in the couch.

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Aveline finished it off till then because speaking of the next step would be a little awkward as Casper may figure out, it was her own life story. She took a deep breath and looked to the side as the boy didn't ask her to continue. He was fast asleep on the bean bag with hands, supporting his head which was dug in his knees. She couldn't help but smile seeing him being so in peace, his raven hair being all fluffy and bouncy in the gentle breeze.

The world wide famous singer and influencer being asleep in a bean bag, with his friend not being worried about anything was literally screaming friendship goals. Aveline stood up and walked to the railing, to watch the night sky as always, taking in the fresh air. It was cold and welcoming that her uneasiness disappeared quick and along with it, her fear of losing him.

He came back faster than she expected and spend his time with her in spite of having a tight schedule showing how much she meant to him. She felt stupid for fighting with him knowing the impulsive nature of the boy and was now anticipating to get all curses from Gilbert. She took off her jacket and wrapped it around him because the cold wouldn't be good for his throat. Gilbert take a lot of effort in maintaining his health like that of a baby so now it was on her.

"How cute can you be?" She asked ruffling his hair softly.

She missed Richard even then, more than she should because the truth was there in front of her. He wouldn't be able to be with her for long and the same goes to Casper. Maybe five years more and then she will have to shift from there, far away from his sight. How hard can things be in her life? How would she even tell Casper about all that?