12. "I'm Sorry, Dewdrop..."
1190 Words
~XANDER~
With my gaze fixed on her receding figure, I gritted my teeth to the point I was sure it would crack, but it didn't. I wish it did, so I would have another pain that would distract me from the one that was gnawing at the pit of my stomach.
I shouldn't have replied to her like that. But would you blame me? I was trying to cut off the connection that hitherto existed between us. I figured that if I could, it would be easier to quench this fiery feeling that was rearing its head inside of me.
But instead of doing so, it drove an imaginary spear through my heart. It was an imaginary spear, but the pain was lethal; I could feel it deep into my soul.
Still gritting my teeth, I removed the already toasted bread from the machine and proceeded to dish out the fried eggs. She might say she had lost her appetite, but I couldn't care less.
"Hell, I am not buying that." I brought out her plate as well and began dishing. Despite the determination to discontinue whatever it was that was going on between us, that didn't mean I would let her starve or lack anything as long as she was under my roof.
The timer on the coffee machine went off, indicating that it was already. I usually like my coffee black with no sugar, but I figured she would be the sugar and cream type, so I didn't hesitate to add them.
Satisfied with the arrangement of the meal on separate trays, I carried them in both hands and started heading out of the kitchen.
I was already halfway in climbing the stairs when I sighted Ace coming out of Luna's room. A low possessive growl rumbled within me. Heck, the thought of hurling one of those trays at him crossed my mind, but I held myself. Plus, I needed to eat, and Luna did too.
Our eyes met as I finished climbing the last room. He had already passed the stairs, but stopped in his tracks when he saw me. His face registered surprise. He was probably wondering why I was carrying two trays.
"Well, don't ask," I muttered under my breath, raising my chin to meet his narrowed gaze.
"Did you make me a plate?" He asked, parting his lips in a smile, his eyes glinting hopefully.
I resisted the urge to tsk and mutter 'you wish, while shaking my head. "Nope." Who was I kidding to think that Ace would just overlook the two plates and two coffee cups on the tray and go on his merry way? No way.
His brows furrowed in confusion. "Who are they for, then?"
God! Can't you decipher the bloody obvious? I desperately wanted to scream, but held myself. I couldn't afford to lose my composure.
"For Luna. She requested it." I replied in the calmest way I could, but I could detect the venom edged in my voice. I didn't know if Ace did.
His brows furrowed in confusion for a minute before he set it straight. "I thought she said she wasn't hungry. I asked her."
'Before or after she left the kitchen?' I wanted to ask, but decided against it. Of course, it had to be after she left the kitchen. My heart constricted at the thought that I was partially responsible. Ergo, the need to rectify it by bringing the food to her.
"Well..." I gestured towards the plate. I didn't like my patience being tested. "She did ask me to prepare something for her. " I didn't wait for his response before walking past him, heading towards her room.
I was almost near her room when it occurred to me that she might not actually open the door for me. But it wouldn't hurt to try.
I dropped the tray on the floor and started knocking while glancing in the direction where I had left Ace before. Thankfully, he wasn't here to see me make a fool of myself.
"Luna," I called out after a few knocks. No sound. I knocked again.
"I brought you the dinner you asked for." Muffled sounds emanated from the room, but they stopped almost immediately.
I couldn't help biting my lips. Was she that angry at me? I was sure she heard me.
"I'm so—" I started, but halted midway, tilting my head to check my next words out. What was I really apologizing for? My mind spanned back to our exchange in the kitchen. That was when I saw my errors.
"I'm sorry for being snappy earlier." No response. Not even any faint sound was made.
Letting out a whoosh of breath, I rested my back against the wall, genuinely wishing that Andy hadn't shown up tonight.
~LUNA~
Minutes after Ace left my room after asking if I needed anything for dinner— of which I replied nada— a soft knock had sounded on my door again. I thought it was Ace who came back to convince me to eat something, till his deep voice penetrated the door and sent a chilly rumble down my spine.
I was lying on the king-sized bed, staring absentmindedly at the chandelier, my phone in hand.
Color me shocked when he mentioned coming with my dinner. Who would have thought that after that snappy reply of his that he would actually find his way up to bring me dinner?
It stirred a blissful feeling in the pit of my stomach, warming my insides all the way down. Same with his apology. But then, he wasn't apologizing for denying that what he said meant something, but for his approach. The blissful feeling sank even before it made its way up to my heart.
"I'm leaving the food at your doorstep. Goodnight, Luna." He said, after a few minutes of not hearing either his knock or his voice. I thought he had already gone. I closed my eyes to let the effect of his voice seep through my pores and soothe my insides.
"Shame on you, Luna." The voice inside my head mocked, but I ignored it and sat up, leaning against the edge of the bed.
His receding footsteps echoed through the hallway, all the way down to the stairs, till it faded into the distance.
A part of me wanted to open the door and at least see his face, but I had to hold on to the last shred of pride left in me. I couldn't afford to throw it all to him just because he looked every inch like an Adonis god.
"Get a grip, Luna." I chided myself, getting to my feet when I was sure he had gone down. Barefooted, I padded across the room. Opening my door slowly, I peered down.
True to his words, the tray containing coffee, toasted bread and fried eggs peered up at me, alongside a note. I crouched to take a better look at it.
"I'm sorry, dewdrop. Really. Please, eat." My lips parted in a smile, and the appetite I thought I had lost came rushing back.
- Writer
