Sacred Ties

Chapter Thirteen

Cemil's POV

Zach: Lemon, choose any restaurant or hotel that you want us to dine tonight.

I read the text again and again while my brain digested the core meaning of it. Zach loved taking me out but for some reason, I didn’t want him to take me out to a hotel or any five star restaurants. I never asked but I was smart enough to know that Zach had money and whenever I pictured him taking me to such places, I imagined him renting the whole place out just to dine with me. That thought didn’t sit well with me and so I hesitated to reply his message.

Zach: Lemon, talk to me babe. Can I take you out tonight?

Cemil: I am free tonight but if you can allow it, can we please change the setting you’ve planned for us? I don’t like being restricted in a building, I’d rather be outside.

Zach: I can arrange that for us. What do you prefer; a garden restaurant or a rooftop one?

Zach: I know a few outdoor restaurants we can go to and there is also this hotel that provide rooftop service if a customer request one.

Cemil: No, Zach. I just don’t want a restaurant or hotel dinner. I’d prefer if we could do something else for our date. It cannot be dinner only so don’t be limited to one thing.

Zach: But Lemon, I get off work late and I’d like to meet you right away so dinner should be on our plans. I don’t want to starve you.

Cemil: Okay, fine. But not a restaurant or hotels, please.

I expected Zach to push on the matter as I waited on his reply since he didn’t reply right away. Since I’d been talking to Zach for a while now, I’d come to know him better. We were both learning each other but one thing that really interested me about Zach was his ability to not hold a mistake against me. He was a very open-minded guy who wasn’t afraid to express his feelings which was a little overwhelming at first but I liked that side of him now.

Zach: How about this; can you cook for us tonight? What will you need? I’ll send the ingredients right away.

I read the message and wondered what was going on in his mind now. I left my bedroom and went to the kitchen to check what we had in the fridge for a meal. I decided on a dish and noted down what wasn’t available in the fridge and sent it to him.

Zach: Alright, I’ll send someone to drop those for you. Do you think you might be done by 18:00?

Cemil: I think I can manage that.

We texted a bit before I was left to start on dinner and I got the ingredients I requested after twenty minutes which a man in black suit delivered. I had seen him before with Zach so I didn’t question his presence too much. I had less than two hours to cook and get myself ready. By the time I was done, it was 18:15 and I wondered why there had been no ringing on the doorbell yet.

Fortunately, Uncle Liam was out visiting a friend’s house since morning and I was glad he wasn’t around to ask where I was going tonight. I didn’t want any relative knowing I had a boyfriend because it was bound to raise many questions and hopes that I couldn’t afford to deal with at the moment. Plus my brothers wouldn’t allow me to date anyone who wasn’t my mate so this relationship with Zach was better maintained in secret.

‘I’m here, babe.’

I read Zach’s message which was my cue to leave the house. I carried the basket of food I prepared and after locking the house, I started my way to Zach’s car. He met me halfway as he helped me with the basket then opened the car door for me. I slipped on the seatbelt as Zach went to the driver’s side and the moment he got seated, we were off.

I didn’t bother asking about where we were going since I was already told it was a surprise so I chose a playlist on my phone as Zach was on call about his work, then had on my Bluetooth headsets. I didn’t need to inquire as to why he was late picking me up as I suspected from his phone call that work had stretched on than expected. I was just grateful our date wasn’t cancelled.

I was lost in the music when suddenly a hand held my own and I removed the headsets when I saw Zach needed my attention. He kissed my hand briefly and muttered that we were almost there to which I nodded.

It wasn’t long before we pulled up to a large gate that had ‘Bird Sanctuary’ in bold capital letters. I raised a brow as we were allowed to drive inside the gate, wondering what we were doing there. Zach parked in an empty parking lot and we exited the car together. I looked around the place that mostly looked like a garden with so many flowers around.

“Good evening, Sir.” A woman approached us and greeted Zach before greeting me.

“Can you please make sure my arrangement is done as I show my guest around?” Zach said while he gave the basket of food to the woman.

“Yes, Sir.” The woman got the basket and left us alone.

“Can I ask questions now?” I pouted at Zach who chuckled and held my hand.

“Calm down, babe, I’ll explain first.”

Zach pulled me along and so I followed him while I looked around trying to figure things out myself.

“I’m sure you read the sign; this place is a sanctuary for birds. It has more than a 50 cages with different kinds of birds. Some come here when they are sick to receive treatment and after their treatment, they are let go. Some birds were adopted and so they permanently live here. People come here to look at the birds while some come with the intentions of getting themselves a pet. Apart from that, it can also be used for photo shoots; wedding, advertising or just ordinary photos.” Zach explained briefly.

“Wow, this place is amazing. I wonder how it is during the day.” I said just as we stopped by a sign that briefly explained the birds that were available as well as where they could be found.

“Unfortunately, it is night and most birds are sleeping. We have owls if you want to see them.”

I scrunched my face in distaste; I wasn’t a fun of owls. Zach laughed and I playfully glared at him.

“You brought me here despite knowing the birds wouldn’t be available. So what are we supposed to do now?” I asked Zach who winked at me before grabbing my hand and pulled me in a certain direction. “We better not be visiting the owls, Zach.” I warned to which he chuckled.

“You asked why I brought you here; so I want to show you.”

I followed him blindly as he led me to whatever he wanted to show me. I continued admiring the place until he stopped before huge glass double doors. It was dark inside, so I couldn’t make up what was inside. Zach got out keys in his pocket and used them to open the door. I entered the dark room with him and once we were inside; Zach asked, “are you ready?”

I didn’t know what I was to be ready for but I answered, “yes,” and the lights turned on.

“Oh my god!” I shrieked in fright, closing my eyes and took a step back but I bumped into Zach who held me tightly and shushed me.

“It is just a statue.” He whispered and I shook my head.

What was before me looked so real and I didn’t want to look again.

“Come on; tell me if you hear any heartbeat except mine.” Zach said and I listened.

Frowning, I opened my eyes and turned around to face Zach. I placed my hand on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. It had a strange sound which really confused and excited me at the same time.

“Your heartbeat sounds…-”

“I know; it was how I was born. It somehow echoes and sounds like two heartbeats.” Zach explained.

“The statue is too close to my face, that’s why I freaked out. Can we move?” I asked as I took a glance at the statue once again. “Who even thought of that?”

“I did; it was a gift for my son. He loves birds which is also why I built this sanctuary for him. The statues were his idea but the dragon statue; I had it made as a gift for him.”

“You have a son?” I looked at Zach, startled by his words.

“Yes.” He confirmed and I loosened the grip on his hand but he held mine tightly.

“You are married?” I asked as my whole being filled with dread.

“No, Cemil, I’m not married. I’m divorced, my wife and I separated a while ago. Please don’t get the wrong idea.”

The information raced in my head as it conjured different scenarios and I felt weak on my feet. Surprisingly, Zach walked me to a chair and I took a seat as he kneeled down before me.

“Babe, I’m not married. I was a single man before I met you; it is only you who I’m in a relationship with. I’m not playing you and neither am I cheating on anyone with you. I broke up with my wife when our son was just a small child and I’ve raised him myself.”

I didn’t know what to say so I looked at Zach who was desperately looking at me with hope. I was scared, I thought this was the end but somehow it felt like a beginning.

“Is it okay for us to be dating, Zach?” I asked and he squeezed my hands tightly.

“I give you my word; there is nothing between me and my ex-wife. If you will have me, a single father, then yes it is okay. However, are you okay?”

I looked at Zach and his heartbeat could be heard racing with nerves that my answer could ease. The smartest move was to let go and end whatever we had but something in me imagined Zach raising a child and if this sanctuary wasn’t enough declaration on how much he loved his son, then the huge dragon statue in the room said it all. For just a moment, I wanted to not care about consequences and in doing so, I said my answer.

We walked hand in hand from the room of statues where I discovered it wasn’t just the dragon in it but also other mythical legendary birds that were believed to have existed long ago. Apparently, dragons were his son’s favorite that’s why they served as an extraordinary gift.

The table was set in one of the gardens in the sanctuary and I waited with nerves to hear what Zach would think of my cooking. He ate two full plates as he kept on complimenting on how great the food tasted. After our late dinner, I asked Zach to drop me back home since I had left without properly telling my uncle of my whereabouts.

He carried the empty basket to the car and after talking to some people at the sanctuary, we left. He promised to bring me back to the sanctuary during the day someday and if possible, his son was also to join us.

“Why is your place so close?” Zach whined when we pulled up in my driveway.

“That is because you keep driving so fast.” I retorted and he rolled his eyes which made me laugh.

“Seriously, I don’t want to leave already.” Zach complained and I could only agree silently.

We stared at each other in silent as I wondered how I met him and why I met him. A heavy feeling settled in my heart and I wondered what it was all about. Zach started leaning closer to me but I had other plans as I abandoned my seat and crawled on his lap. Our lips met in a fierce battle as tongues collided and embraced each other lovingly. Zach’s hands joined the action as he caressed my body which left a burning inferno of desire in me. I moaned when he squeezed my butt and sucked on my tongue.

Zach’s phone began ringing and we ignored it at first but when it began to rang the second time, I pulled away to catch my breath. Zach’s hands began lifting my shirt to which I protested by halting his hands and told him to answer his phone.

Zach sighed and simply embraced me as his phone rang the third time. We stayed like that until our breathing came back to normal before I moved away from Zach’s lap.

“I have to go.” I announced the obvious and Zach only nodded.

I got out and carried my basket before I walked to the driver’s side where I leaned down through the window and pecked Zach’s lips before standing to my full height.

“I’ll call you when I get home; don’t sleep.” Zach stated before driving off.

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