Abstain fondness

Meeting her

Darius opened the car door for Arsenio as he sat in. Packing a bag of barely two outfits and his laptop, there was nothing much to carry. But the journey was long, almost 12 hours to reach there.

The driver ignited the engine and they were all ready to leave ahead. In the last moments, he constantly received calls from Faye because Gavyn actually informed her where Arsenio was going. And she was mad that he didn't inform her herself.

Ravenna was better now and was soon going to be shifted to home.

"Sir you may rest now, it's a long journey" Darius suggested as he realised that they just started.

"Okay, but we need a break after 6 hours. So make sure to stop the car at a hotel and have a rest. The driver might feel dizzy" Arsenio stated, keeping in view the circumstances as it was almost night time.

"Yes sir" Darius continued to work on the laptop as Arsenio tried to get comfortable and closed his eyes for the moment, even though he knew he wont be able to sleep much.

The journey was really long and it became more devastating because it was actually the night time. They stopped at a hotel to have dinner after six hours but that didn't stop the sleep invading their eyes. They all drank a cup of coffee as they started their journey again.

Arsenio was worried because except the name, he didn't have any number of the woman he was going to meet and not even the exact house number. Their families didn't meet in ages and no one had the exact address of their location.

They drove continuously for the rest six hours as it was still 04:00 am in the morning. As soon they entered the village they were supposed to, unluckily their car gave up. Smoke started to come out of the engine as the driver panicked and got out of the car.

Arsenio and Darius followed, trying to analyse the surroundings for some help but it was all dark there.

"f**k!" Arsenio cursed as he looked at the struggle of driver trying to restart the engine again and again but it won't start.

"Sir the car has broken down and it will take a lot of time to repair. I will suggest finding a suitable shelter and wait for the time being" the driver told Darius as Arsenio looked around for a soul.

"Take your time" Darius replied and walked over to Arsenio.

"Look around for some motels, we can spend the night there and start searching for the house in morning" Arsenio commanded Darius.

"I'm sorry sir! But this is a village, there are no motels around here. We'll need a shelter in someone's house" Darius lowered his head and stated hesitantly.

"Gosh where the hell this girl Anastasia lives? Where am I even gonna find her!" Arsenio growled out of frustration as he rubbed his forehead.

Just then they noticed a woman coming out if the woods, carrying a basket. She wore a scarf on her head which was knotted behind her head. Her figure was so petite that she looked lean, young girl.

Her eyes were deep green and they shone even in the hazy twilight approaching the sky. Her expressions looked of a sorrowful woman, who forgot to smile in ages. The strands of her shiny hair were escaping the scarf and scattered on her shoulders. They also noticed when she came closer, that there were trails of dried tears on her cheeks.

The basket looked full of fresh flowers, as the girl walked slowly and her eyes remained downcast. For the first time in a while Arsenio Leonidas was struck by a girl. The strands which shaped her face made her look so alluring that it was impossible to look away. The innocence on her face and the collarbones below her neck were the perfect combination of seduction without effort.

The moon light which made her face shine and glowing in the dark looked ethereal. She looked like some goddess.

"I think I should ask her" Darius stated and started walking towards the girl.

As soon she saw the man coming in her direction, she jumped and panicked. Her eyes turned wide and lips parted as she looked around her sides for help.

"Hey! Hey! Don't panic! We're not going to hurt you! We just need help!" Darius tried to calm her before she scurries away and they'll left all alone again.

She didn't speak and simply looked at him in question.

"Our car just broke down, and we came here to meet someone. Can you please tell us if there is any nearby auto shop?" Darius asked her, pointing in the direction of car so she would see it herself.

"No! It's closed....." She blinked twice while replying as her eyes roamed over and over again around the three men.

Arsenio stood at a distance, his both hands tucked in his pant pocket. His sleeves rolled up to his elbows, showing off his toned muscles and veins bobbing. While his face looked more deadly with the mix of striking features and malevolent expressions.

"Can you please help us? We need a roof to spend the night, are there any motels or hotels nearby?" Darius asked again in hope to find something to stay at.

"I'm sorry but there's nothing such nearby and people are awake but nobody would let you in until they know you" the girl replied thoughtfully while fumbling with the flower basket in her hand.

"Do you know Gerald Francis? Where is his house?" Arsenio had enough of it as he stepped forward and asked the poor girl who shrinked back more under his lethal stare.

As soon she heard the name, she looked up at him. Straight in those grey orbs despite fearing her. Green against grey, she couldn't hold his gaze yet she dared. Her eyes were vulnerable and full of misery with a tiny of red, swollen and deprived of tears. While his were destructive, evil and intentions so dark that one would fear knowing them.

"He's dead, why do you want to go there?" She came back with another question and this time she didn't look away from him.

"Not your business, and I know he's dead but that's not an answer to my question. Where is his house?" Arsenio stepped closer and her breath hitched as Darius was even scared now for the poor girl.

"Sir...." Darius tried to speak but Arsenio raised his finger and it was enough to shut him down before he even started speaking.

The poor girl remained silent but didn't also look away which confirmed Arsenio's suspicions.

"What's your name? Tell me straight now, don't mess up and I'll let you go" he told her with a smile and she couldn't come with a lie as she was stroked with an amazing offer. Nothing was more appealing to her than escaping these weird men.

"Anastasia" she whispered while looking at those flowers, whose few petals dropped on the ground when she turned around before, violently.

"Anastasia Francis! Daughter of Gerald and Maude Francis. That's how you introduce yourself" Arsenio smirked at the fate.

"How do you know me? And who are you?" Anastasia was flabbergasted thay how these unknown, strange men knew her family and moreover her full name.

"I'm Arsenio Leonidas, your cousin. Son of Ravenna and Gavyn Leonidas" he introduced himself fully and Anastasia looked up at him again, assessing his dressing and and face.

She didn't see him ever but he was handsome in real life. They never met before, she only saw his few pictures. Her mother used to tell her how much her father wanted Anastasia to marry Arsenio. Gerald wanted to give his only, precious daughter to Arsenio but he couldn't ever let his wish slip his lips because of the difference in their standards and class.

Gerald didn't want to force his daughter on Arsenio that's why he never said it to Ravenna but wished that someday he would come over and visit them. But Arsenio was never interested in meeting his only uncle. And now he only came after he was dead.

Anastasia's eyes filled with tears as she remembered her father.

"Why are you here?" She asked him and he was struck by her straightforwardness. He didn't imagine the girl would be so bold.

"To attend funeral" Arsenio replied rather uninterestedly.

"It already happened and now that you excuse me I'm headed to my parents grave" Anastasia stated and started walking in the direction.

"Stop! I'll accompany you!" Arsenio called out to her as he pointed to Darius to wait as he will come back.

He walked with Anastasia to the graveyard where she found her parents graves and covered them with the fresh flowers. She said her prayers as the tears involuntarily spilled her eyes while Arsenio stood behind her.

She sobbed silently as she caressed her parents grave and placed a kiss on the name stone.

She whispered inaudible things to the grave which he couldn't hear but something inside him made him curious. He wanted to know what she was actually saying.

After she was done, she got up and stood beside him as Arsenio offered some prayers too in formality. Anastasia looked at his face as he closed his eyes. He might be the most handsome man she ever laid eyes on, but the hatred which started to root up inside her when she saw her father talking about class differences and how this mighty cousin and her rich aunt never even spit on them.

She promised herself that she will never allow this man near her ever or even see his face. But now here he was, offering prayers to her parents grave.

"Can you take me now to your house? My assistant and driver are exhausted due to the long journey, we need a roof to stay and something to eat" Arsenio asked her as she kept staring down at her parents graves.

Without saying another word, she lead him the way. On their way, Arsenio took Darius and his driver along with him after they locked the car.

Anastasia unlocked the empty house and lead them in the living room. They all sat on the couches as she took a bucket and went to the small farm to collect milk from the milk man.

After that she made them tea, toast and omelettes. Serving them the breakfast on the table, she asked them if they need anything else.

"Can we get a bed to sleep on? We didn't sleep all night" Arsenio pointed in the direction of his assistant and driver.

She nodded and went to her parents room where she changed the sheets, placed the pillows and settled everything. Her eyes started to hurt as she couldn't even cry anymore as she put away her parents belongings in the wardrobe.

She was adorning a black long dress which only left her ankles bare. She realised it was almost a day now after her parents passed away.

She came downstairs and informed them that there's not much space so two of them will have to share a bed. And the other one can sleep in her room.

The driver being a humble man chose the couch and Darius slept in her parents room. While Arsenio slept in her room. After they all were asleep and on theyf respective beds, she collected the dishes and started washing them in the sink.

To Arsenio's dislike, the house was very simple and small with no luxury. Made out of wood, there was nothing fancy. But yet it was so cozy and warm. Everywhere his uncle and Aunt's memories reeked, from every corner and wall, it smelled like cinnamon rolls. Arsenio couldn't help but think about those green eyes which were innocent yet so captivating like a fearless tigress. She was different, he thought.

Just then his mind remembered his very own pretty fiancee and he discarded the thoughts of Anastasia like some trash.