The Dying Soul

Chap 15 – It Is You?

EVA POV

    I could feel him watching me. I have never felt more alive though it is ironic when looking at my situation. It felt as if he was tongue-tied. I turned slightly to glance at him. He was still stuck to the floor that he stands on. His eyes on me caused a chill to run down my spine. 

    I know mama told me to never trust a stranger. But, the first time I caught a glimpse of his eyes, I knew he was not a danger to me instead it felt the opposite. His eyes spoke volumes. Protection, safety and hurt? Something about him says that he is in search of a possession. But why here is a question only he can answer. I broke his stupor of thought by calling out to him again.

“Again. Are you going to stand there all night and stalk me?”

“I’m sorry. Firstly, I didn’t mean to trespass. Secondly, I never knew that my presence was known earlier” he said with a hint of embarrassment.

“You weren’t necessarily discreet.”

“Hmm… May I join you on the dock?” he asks.

“Yes, if you’re not here to murder me” I laugh softly. 

    Not like I’m living long anyway. He starts to walk onto the dock. He strides to me with full authority and confidence. Every step he takes are perfectly measured that it creates a loop of rhythm. Remarkable.

“I assure you I have no such intentions of any such and I won’t be starting anytime soon” he chuckles. “but I would like to get to know you if it’s okay” he says with sincerity.

“That depends”

“On?”

“Questions that I would like answer to Mr. Ekon Valerio Keats” I says now looking at him in the eyes.

    His advance towards me stopped abruptly at the middle of the dock. I rise from my position and get to my feet to face him as both of us stand under the dark sky. I was unable to perfectly study his feature. We were covered by darkness where the only source of light comes from my patio a distance away from us. However, my heart thuds as I take in his presence and physic, especially his conflicting eyes. 

    He is a tall man, probably somewhere around 6.3 feet. He is fit and muscular. His hair looks long on the top but trimmed shorter at the sides and probably back as well. It looked like he ran his hand through his hair. He wore what I believe is a fitting three-piece suit. It hugged his body perfectly. He could be a model if I didn’t know better. Even though I am unable to examine his facial features, I’m confident that he is a very good-looking gentleman.

    I felt heat rising to my cheek when I realise, I was checking him out. Impossible. I can’t do this. It is unfair to him. Thank God his shadow is on me that he can’t see me blushing. I quickly look away to avoid any further embarrassments while hugging myself.

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EKON POV

    I froze when I heard her call my name. How could she know me? She could have recognized me only if she saw me. But judging there isn’t any light around us, how could she make me out and that too way before she turned to look at me? How could she know that I was here or would be here? Did she lure me here? What are her intentions if so? Most importantly what are her questions for me?

    She stood up and faced me. I silently took a sharp breath in and gulped as I see her in front of me. Her petite form standing at 5.6 feet and a small body frame. She is beautiful under the night sky. My heart attest to what my eyes longed for. Eva. My eyes steadily admire her simple yet enchanting sight. Her dress a simple design yet draped gracefully on her. I stood watching her eyes rake me from top to bottom. I wished my shadow wasn’t falling on her. I only wished that I could see her judgement for me. As if, granting me my wish, she looks away causing a ray of light to fall on her face as she hugged herself. I felt happy that her judgement of me caused her to blush. My Angel. 

‘My? Mine? Could this be possible? I do like the sound of it. Only time would tell’

    I schooled on a calmer face and covered the distance between us. The need to be near her was excruciating. I remove my jacket and placed it over her bare shoulders shielding her from the cold wind. She looks at me shocked.

“I’m sorry if I’m out of line but it’s cold and you don’t have a shawl to cover yourself” I have never apologised to anyone besides my parents and I have already done it twice in the past 15 minutes. Wow.

“Thank you, Mr. Keats,” she says in a small voice hugging my jacket tighter to her. Bloody bastard of a jacket.

    “Please call me Ekon. I don’t know if I would be able to answer your questions but I would sure try to answer them as honest best to my knowledge. In return for your name and friendship” I smile at her. She turns her head to look at me and nod in approval before granting me with a soft smile. My heart flutters at the small gesture. 

‘Gosh, what am I a girl now?’

    She sits back down on the dock still holding on to my jacket and pat the space beside her. Taking a seat beside her, I feel weirdly good. My heart feels whole. The sweet smell of sweet pea, honey and fresh sea wafts my way. It tickles my senses and creates a sense of tranquillity. Her dog lays of his belly beside her. Sitting so close to her, I had to focus on the sea in front us. Seeing that I am focus is on the sea, she pulled on my jacket and took in its scent subtly. I could see her shiver to it. I was glad she liked my cologne judging by her expression.

‘I won’t be putting you in the laundry for a long-time man’

    This time I turn to look at her as she removes her hair for her messy bun and turns look at me just in time for her eyes to catch the light. I gasped audibly as I take in her eye colour. I quickly look away as my heart starts running a million miles per hour. My dreams start to flash in front of my eyes. I look around me. The beach, her voice, her hair and her AMBER eyes. I quickly get up to my feet, slid my hand into my pockets and walk a few feet away from her. I try to control my racing my heart as everything falls in place. She falls in place. My Angel. The girl from my dream. I run my hand through my hair as a shiver runs through me. The sound of a soft whine reaches my ears and I know it’s her dog but I can’t turn and look her way just yet. I need to calm down.

‘Breathe Ekon breathe’

“Are okay?” she asks. Concern lace through her voice.

“Mhmm” I nod unable to answer her just yet.

    “Leo, he’s fine. Relax” she says petting him. “Please calm your rapid heart” she says in the softest voice and felt as if everything in me ceased for a moment. I turn to look at her with a raised brow though my heart was still running a marathon within me.

'How the hell did he know?' I ask myself. 

“Leo is able to sense your anxiety and stress.” she answers my unsaid words.

“How does he know?” I was shocked that he understood the state of my heart when I could not. 

“He is a service dog. He is trained to handle and accompany patients.” She said. I frowned and look at quizzically. 

    “He’s my dog” she said to my relief. She told him everything is fine and asked him go away for a while. Leo look at her in the eye for a moment. “I’m fine. Now go” she said and it took off running leaving us alone. Something about their conversation wasn’t normal but it will do for now. 

    Breathing in deep I take my place beside her again. This time with more confidence and a new resolution.

‘She is mine and if this is LOVE. I will take her as she is.’