CHAPTER 46
1076 Words
"I wasn't dreaming, was I?" The question sprung from my mouth loud enough for Aya to hear. She suddenly got confused why have I been talking to myself alone like some sort of lunatic. I can't blame her for thinking such. People who don't know me would easily judge me to say I'm going crazy to talk to myself and even speak my thoughts out loud. Aya was just kind enough not to make her opinions be heard by me.
Aya suddenly stood beside my chair to distract me with a pile of books she is carrying to place on top of the desk, "Here is the new book arrival that you wish to see.
My eyes sparkled seeing the new titles. Especially when Aya began a chatter about how the books arrive in the library. "Sir Leandro informed us to relay to you how taxing it was to purchase a new set of books for the library. Some of the titles that need replacing don't have any copies left for replacement. He just resulted in purchasing other titles which are somewhat related to the books we choose to return and make it look like they were heavily damaged."
"A little quiet please, Aya. Someone or Leandro might hear you."
"Oh forgive me but rest assured that this has been replaced. For the ones that don't have any replacement, sir Leandro allocated funds to purchase a ten-volume title. you might want to check them out too if you still have extra time, Miss Emalia."
"Of course, thank you, Aya," I told her before she left to clean more shelves.
After last night's lip-locking frenzy with the master of this household, I quickly began to move back on my feet and resume with my research as I finally received the new pieces of books. I got myself a new mythology-inspired book, and this time I tried looking at it while contemplating its connection with Amanikable.
I keep thinking about him ever since last night. The thought about what he said regarding his investment in me is still beguiling me. There came a little flashback of what appears to be a scene from last night. And all I could ever remember is the kiss, not once but twice between me and the master of this household. I don't believe this, the kiss is lingering not just physically but even within my thought that also ruin my self-composure. My hand eagers to scan the new books and all my fantasies suddenly disbursed after getting caught into a special page of the book that tackles about Amanikable and little rare facts about him. His little background at the court of Tagalog pantheons, his victory, and most of all and the thing that really stirred me so much is reading through a passage that says, 'Amanikable is An ill-tempered god of the sea. When his love was spurned by a beautiful maiden, he swore vengeance against mankind by sending tempests to wreck their boats and to drown them.' I was so surprised and totally ashamed. To think I even called him incapable of loving anyone but himself when I haven't heard the side of his own story. It's so embarrassing that I have felt like I don't even wish to meet with him anytime soon out of ignominy.
Since I have finally convinced myself that the master of this household is no other than the pre-colonial tyrant sea God, Amanikable. It's unbelievable to actually know that he did try loving someone so wholeheartedly before. And that after being neglected by that woman, the outcome however made him into the hideous God he is today. There was a part of me wishing to witness how was Amanikable like before he got his heart shattered to pieces.
"Miss Emalia?" Aya called out to me after coming back for another pile of books she will be arranging on the shelves.
"Yes?" I was alerted by her sudden presence.
"You were spacing out just now, is there something wrong?" She asked. There was both curiosity and apprehension in her pair of almond eyes painted in a dull shade mixture of grey and sky blue. I wonder if she is a foreigner to acquire such beautiful color of eyes.
"Aya, I happened to notice that you actually have a charming pair of eyes. Its color is very lovely." I can't help but appreciate it in front of her. I didn't mean to startle her but I suppose my comment made her feel astounded for real as she just remains fixed where she stands.
The embarrassment manifested too quickly from her face with the reddish blush rushing all over her face. Did I say too much for her to feel that much awkwardness?
As I can no longer take her perplexing reaction, I had to quickly pull my whole attention to her by asking, "Aya, is something the matter?"
Thankfully she was quick to return me with a response. "No—I mean, I'm completely fine, miss Emalia. It's just that, I haven't been complimented the way you did for me ever since so, I am feeling so overwhelmed. Thank you, Miss Emalia." She admitted with her eyes nearly tearing up. Her reply switches our situation in quick seconds, I have no idea that my simple compliment would completely make a huge impact on her just like that. And I can't help but just gave out a serene smile. Her eyes widened for a bit and as if finally getting my reaction, she also reciprocates me by lifting her lips in a warm approach.
"You don't have to thank me for that, Aya. I don't treat you as a stranger. To me you're already like a friend, so complementing you might come pretty often than you can expect." I told her that painted her face redder than before. This time, I held her hand which she has been clasping together for a little while. It could be her body language of being totally embarrassed about the moment. I can't blame her, perhaps she still thinks that there can't be any employee-employer relationship here. Well, apart from I don't really mind that, I am not technically her employer. So, I believe it would be fine to be friends with her. After all, she has just been the only person here who had the initiative to show a genuine concern for me.
How can I just let that off?
- Writer
