Selene's Whisper

Chapter Five: Orange Tulip

[ THE PAST - 12000 YEARS AGO ]

BOOK'S CHAPTER THREE: ORANGE TULIP

SELENE'S POV

The bright ray of sunlight woke me up in a cozy little room. I slowly perched my back on the pillow and traipsed my eyes around the room. "This isn't my room," I mumble.

I groaned as I tried to get up from my bed.

"Selene?" I instantly turned my gaze onto that voice, only to find out it was Archie. He immediately pulled me into a warm embrace.

"We were so worried about you!" He exclaimed as he pulled out from our embrace. Worry was literally drawn all over his face as he looked at me.

"What happened?" I asked, so confused.

"What do you mean what happened? You don't remember anything?" he frowned and looked at me as if he's examining my face, trying to figure out if I'm pulling some sort of prank of what.

"Really, I don't remember a thing." His forehead furrowed in confusion as he gently pinched my cheek with his left hand.

"Are you okay? You sure you don't want me to call a doctor?"

I lift one brow.

"What—"

My words were immediately interrupted when we both heard the door open widely, there we saw Alyssa along with Hannah and Diana. Their eyes widened in an instant the moment they saw me. Diana then instantly hugged me tightly.

"WE WERE SO WORRIED— I WAS SO WORRIED WHEN I FOUND YOU THERE BREATHLESS!" She began to bawl, as if I'd already died.

I slightly patted her back, comforting her, while she was crying her heart out. But what does she mean breathless? Me? I darted my gaze on Alyssa's and Hannah's direction, and it seems like they're frozen, looking at me with so much worry.

"We went all the way here when we heard the news. Aside from that, I-I'm just glad that you're alive, Selene." Hannah uttered with a slight smile plastered on her face.

I smiled back.

I heard Archie's sigh-of-relief seeing me in that state. I don't exactly know what happened but I'm glad that they're here with me. Not long, Alyssa and Hannah had left because they had other plans to do. While on the other hand, Archie and Diana stayed and took care of me.

I turned my gaze on Archie who fell asleep in his chair, and Diana who's now sleeping on the couch peacefully.

I heaved a sigh as I've thought about what really happened that day. But I couldn't bring myself to ask them because I knew they'd surely bombard me with questions as well.

I looked out to the window, and the city lights looked so alive like twinkling stars from the sky. It's so mesmerizing, and it makes me want to go out for a bit. I gaze over at Diana and Archie...

Although, a stroll wouldn't kill. would it?

I slowly got on to my feet from my bed, trying not to wake them up. I quickly grabbed my IV stand and went out. But as soon as I stepped out of the room, everyone seemed to be staring at me, whispering in each other's ears.

I slight tilt my head as my brows furrowed in confusion.

"What's with them?" I quietly whisper through the air.

I shrugged it off and walked all the way to the hallway. As I was passing through door to doors, I suddenly bumped into a doctor, and he seems very surprised to see me standing on my own feet.

"Well, Selene. I never expected you to see here— standing and walking all well and fine." From head to toe, his haze travels, assessing every detail of my appearance. The way he looks feels almost invasive, leaving me with a mix of self-consciousness and curiosity about what has drawn his attention so intensely.

"I'm sorry but, is there something that you'd like to tell me?" I bluntly asked.

He shot me a firm and intense expression, giving off a sense of deep contemplation. "You know what you did right? Drop the act, 'cause you surely won't go away with it."

In an instant, a menacing aura wrapped his presence. The air started getting heavier as he looked at me with such an unwavering expression.

What does he mean by that?

"Let me give you a brief recap." He took a step forward as he whispered in my ears.

"You crossed the border— which was strongly forbidden, all for nothing. Curiosity? Well, your curiosity almost killed you that day. But don't worry, I'm sure they'd give you a reasonable punishment for this." He then looked at me with his eyes sparkling in amusement.

"I always knew you were trouble." His lips formed a playful smirk.

"Ciao." and left.

And I was left standing there frozen with wide eyes, mouth agape, and hands trembling. I felt my face turned pale, shivering with disbelief.

"Now, I do remember."

[ FLASHBACK ]

"I have never seen someone with eyes like yours." I mumbled.

"And I've never seen someone with such a divine and majestic face like yours."

And in that moment, it seems like the world stopped spinning for us.

"I am Denovian." He softly uttered.

My eyes locked with him, finding myself unable to look away. His every movement and expression hold you spellbound, as if time itself has slowed down. It's as though their essence radiated a magnetic aura, drawing you closer, making your heartbeat faster.

"Please, don't come any closer. It might be dangerous for you. Please stay where you are." He pleaded.

But I didn't care, at that moment, everything else became insignificant, lost in the enchantment of his voice and presence.

I slowly took a step forward.

I noticed that I was already slightly out our border line that separates them from us, but that didn't stop me, instead I took another step.

"I want to feel your warmth..." I trailed off.

His eyes squinted as he was looking at me all worried. "But that's not how I actually—"

His words were quickly interrupted with loud screams and sirens everywhere. I didn't know what was happening. My eyes kept on looking at him as he hurriedly wore his mask, he was about to run off when he quickly glanced at me with so much sorrow in those emerald eyes of his.

The next thing I knew, I was gasping for air. I glanced over at the border and saw Diana, it was so vague.

[ END OF FLASHBACK ]

Four days had passed since that happened, and that never left my mind. I always thought of it with so many unanswered questions; how is he? what's going to happen now? did he get caught? am I going to get banned or worse killed?

I tried so many times to shake that thought off, but I just couldn't.

"Make sure to take your medications, Selene. Don't make me regret this, okay?"

After I came back home from being hospitalized, Diana refused to leave my side because she felt as though I was her responsibility after that happened, but we talked things through, and I finally convinced her.

I happily nod as we bid our goodbyes.

These days have been very tough and stressful for me, I might need counseling after this. I threw myself on the couch as I laid my back, looking at the ceiling. Would I be able to see him again? Eye to eye? Would I finally get to feel his warmth? I wonder.

I fell asleep then.

I woke up to a knock coming from my door.

"DELIVERY!"

My eyes squinted as I got up from the couch. What could it be? At this hour? Really?

I opened the door and found Dennis. "Hey. I didn't expect you to be here," those were the first few words that came out from my mouth when I found him standing before my door holding a box.

"Oh, I heard and thought that I should pay you a visit. Besides, I owe you that one." My lips broke into a smile as I let him in my apartment.

"I never thought that you were that crazy, girl. Like really." We both laughed for what he said.

"By the way, what's that for? You didn't have to."

"Oh, this wasn't from me. I just found them outside your door and thought that I should just also bring it in 'cause you know, I'm also going in."

He then gave me the box and tramp all the way to the kitchen to grab something to drink. I carefully opened the box and found a few orange tulips inside it with a note.

Dear Ms. Divine,

I hope you don't mind me calling you that, although I already learned your name from a friend where I bought these, I think Ms. Divine suits you better. I apologize for what happened. I hope you're feeling better.

Mr. Emerald Eyes.

My lips curve upwards into a gentle smile, as I carefully grab the flowers into my hand. I gently bring the flower to my nose, taking in its honey-like fragrance.

"Ohhhh, flowers." I immediately hid those behind my back.

"Tulips huh? That's romantic. Did you know that orange tulips mean I am fascinated by you? So, whoever gave you that is indirectly telling you that they wanted to know more about you." He exclaimed happily.

I never knew that this world was filled with vibrant colors such as these flowers, until you came.

TO BE CONTINUED...