CHAPTER 17
1069 Words
"Do you feel like eating now?" He suddenly brought up. I wasn't really hungry, to begin with, and so I promptly answer him with another dry, "Yes," at the end. The other side of his lips arches a bit. I don't even consider it as a grin but more like an agreeing gesture of his lips perhaps. Could he possibly accept my reason without any question just now? If so then it's really strange because he isn't like that all.
With a single snap of his finger, Leandro--who was just standing before the kitchen entrance--instantly went to his side. "Leandro, prepare the shooting range in less than ten minutes. Orient her too." He said leaving us all at the table.
I was completely blank and unaware of what's going on. Did I say something that could've perhaps made him lost his appetite? But I don't remember even saying too much? Now, was that the cause why am I being left out here alone all of a sudden?
His bipolar behavior is unpredictable. I can't keep up with how he can be unreadable most of the time.
Having no more reason to stay here just made me want to retire early in my room. But the perfect timing was burst so quickly by Leandro blocking my exit. "Excuse me but I want to go back to my room." I told him as I try to push him aside but he resisted it and replied, "Master was clear about bringing you to the indoor shooting range, haven't you heard him said that Ms. Emalia?"
I guess my head is dwindling when he said that. Wait! Did he say that? Then why wouldn't I even complain the least if he said so? Did I space out too much? I don't recall him ever saying it except that he wanted the shooting range to be ready. What else would be there that I've missed?
"Miss Emalia?" I wasn't able to realize that Leandro had been nudging me back to reality.
"What is it?" I ask, in case I missed out on anything he said. That's when I noticed I have been spacing too often ever since this morning. I don't even have any appetite. I feel quite bothered, I'm not sick but I just feel somehow empty. This could be because of boredom perhaps. Being here all alone emotionally and quite literally will make me fall for that. It's not something I should be surprised by either, knowing how I have been through the past few days, it's no doubt I might also lose myself if this continues. No one from this household will ever seem to notice it anyway.
Well, not until Leandro asked, "Miss Emalia? Are you sick?" was he too observant to even see that. I never thought he would even notice at all. The idea of being thrown away once they found out that I am sick suddenly terrifies me. And so with a firm lie, I told him "I'm not. sick, Leandro. Let's go inside the shooting range room. Let's not make him wait." and even I couldn't believe I've been a concern for a moment that the master is waiting too long for us again. or maybe I was wrong about saying it's a concern, I suppose fearing should be the right term for it.
There was three simultaneous firing sound that welcomed me and Leandro as we entered the room. And before the cubicles, there stood the master of this household with a steaming gun in his hand. He quickly took a glance at me before moving the lever into position and make the weapon ready to fire again. I got surprised and frozen when he pulled the trigger endlessly while murdering the metal target from afar.
I don't want to be enemies with this man.
"Miss Emalia, I was instructed to orient you with the basic gears. Shall I commence?"
As if I could even object or refrain him from speaking at all. I just nod back at him and as quick as lightning, Leandro placed some items for me after we're at the cubicle. I noticed that we're about five cubicles apart from his master. At least we have this distance better than how it was back at the theater room last night. It was pretty intimidating being close to him to that extent. Yet at the same time, it's also suffocating.
"The ear protection is the most important shooting range gear, miss Emalia. Gunshots are loud enough that can temporarily make you go deaf, and there will even be ringing in your ears for a couple of days. These electronic earmuffs are for you to use since they are pretty good at blocking the gunshots and it will also allow you to hear the instructions around you." Leandro has finally begun instructing me about the basic gears.
And before I could even ask, Leandro has continued to speak again. he then said, "You also need to protect your eyes while shooting, so a pair of shooting safety glasses is a must. In addition to protecting your eyes, these glasses will help you shoot accurately."
"What if I don't use this?" I sarcastically asked. Which he immediately blow it off with a quick reply, "If you won't use it to protect your eyes, your eyes may end up having retinal abrasions or corneal lacerations, miss Emalia."
Suddenly discussing this just made me remember about very good friend Thalia and her eyes. I wonder what has happened to her now. I bet she's very happy celebrating her honeymoon with her beloved that's why she didn't even bother looking for her maid of honor at her wedding. Who do I am kidding here?
Why would Thalia even waste her time with Stefano for their honeymoon just to find me?
Who am I? I'm just her friend. that's it.
I've been here for the last three days and no one is seemed to be bothered among the rest of the people I left behind to look for me. Sadly, there’s none even one from any of my relatives or friends either. No one dared to search for me. It's so pathetic to even think I am going to be rescued by them. That's why at the end of the day, all I just have to count on is me, myself, and I.
Yes, just me alone.
- Writer
