Heart Stealer

Chapter nine: Like paradise.

CASSANDRA

Paradise? I don’t know that. Though this place might seem like a place near heaven, I still couldn’t tell if it’s either a better one or the worst one. I never tend to judge things because of their appearance. Maybe that’s why I don’t trust this place that much, despite its pleasing and peaceful ambiance. I hate it. I simply hate myself sometimes for not being able to enjoy things like this, for not being able to think about myself even just for a very short time.

Ever since the end of my conversation with the unknown old lady, I still haven’t tried to walk out of this room again. All I did was lie down, stare at the ceiling instead of staring outside of the window, thinking about how I would leave this place.

I may be good at running away, but this one seems different. I’m not that familiar with this island. That's why even though I manage to take one of those boats, there’s still a huge percent possibility that I will end up getting lost in the sea.

While squeezing my mind over something impossible, I suddenly heard someone knocking on the door thrice. “Come in.” I uttered as I stood up from the bed.

As I expected, the old woman appeared behind it and it seemed like she was trying to flash a slight smile on her face while facing me. “You should have eaten at least a small amount of food. Skipping breakfast is bad, dear.”

It has been a while since I’ve heard such a sweet nag from someone older than me. This makes me miss my mother so much and also, it makes me feel bad for ignoring her kindness and wasting her effort preparing those foods outside.

“Don’t worry, I won't stay and watch you eat. Feel free to go down whenever you feel like going.” She told me. 

I couldn’t nod nor smile at her. Something that I’m not sure why I couldn’t. She left right after saying those words and then I suddenly realized that what I did was awfully wrong. But what can I do about it? I’m stuck between being guilty for letting her down and being shameful towards my attitude.

“Come on, Cassandra. Don’t be like this. You’ll end up losing focus on your real goal.” I reminded myself.

I took a deep sigh right before getting out of the room and heading downstairs once again. The moment I reached the dining room, the food was already served hot and there, just like what she told me earlier, the old woman wasn’t there to look after me. It didn’t take me a lot of time to finish my food, that’s why I stood up and was about to clean it when she suddenly arrived, carrying a bunch of white flowers.

“Oh, you don’t have to clean the table. That’s my job, dear.” She uttered as soon as she saw me picking up the plate.

“Um, well, I can at least help you with this.” I responded. At that moment, I couldn’t help but to look at the flowers she was currently holding. “ Are those chrysanthemums?” I asked her.

She lowered her head and surprisingly stared at the flowers she was holding, “I completely forgot. Master wants me to give you this.” She started handing me the flowers and all I did was stare at them blankly for a few seconds before turning my gaze back in her direction. “Come on, dear. Take it.” 

She looks so happy fulfilling her master’s request, which made me think that maybe that person she’s working for isn’t a bad guy. I tend to overthink everything ever since the tragedy in our village happened. Maybe that’s why I couldn’t help but to keep my distance every time I feel like it.

The flowers were too pretty to resist, so I gladly accepted it. Not to mention, the truth behind how much I love and feel better whenever I see them.

My mother and I used to spend most of our time taking care of our garden. We love to plant flowers because of their beauty. All of them are meaningful. Every time she grows different kinds of flowers, mom always explains to me the meaning behind a certain flower. That's why my interest in it started to grow bigger and bigger.

“What kind of message does he want to give me through this flower?” I uttered to myself. “Is he telling me to leave for a long time or to be happy?”

After wondering about it, a sudden idea came into my mind. At that moment, the old woman was in the middle of cleaning the table. I quickly put the flowers on one of the chairs and then I began to help her. “Um, do you perhaps have a garden on this island?” I asked her.

She looked at me and wondered, “You mean a field of flowers, dear?”

 “Yes.” I responded.

She nodded her head and smiled at me. “Yes, we do. Let me take you there once I’m done cleaning. Is that alright with you?”

“I would be honored. Thank you.” I responded.

She actually refused me to help her but there was so much food to pack all by herself, that’s why I decided to help her regardless of her rejection. I badly wanted to go to the flower field as soon as possible because maybe when I got there my brain would be freed from thoughts for a while.

It didn’t take us much time to get it done. She headed out first and I, on the other hand, went inside the room where I used to put the flowers. 

“Wait for me.” I uttered before finally heading out of my room.

When I walked outside the house, I saw the old woman standing near the tree. Her eyes were locked in the calm sea the moment I got near her. “Let’s go?” She uttered with a broad smile on her face.

LUCAS

It’s been two days since I stopped searching for that woman. Damn it. I badly need that necklace she took from me. How am I possibly going to know what Mr. Smith’s daughter looks like she didn’t have that heart necklace?

Gunner, during this situation, was taking care of his own business and I am not really sure what it exactly is, but he’s acting a bit strange and distant, so maybe it’s something really important. Talking about the problems we had with our Chinese Alliance, it was already taken care of. One of our buildings that was burned was also in the process of recovering. In short, we no longer have problems to face regarding the recent issues we had except from our enemies. The fact that they are still breathing is simply frustrating.

Staying here in the office after two days that is full of transaction schedules sucks. I couldn’t bear doing anything. That's why I called out Search to ask about that female snatcher whom she was trying to track. 

She came earlier than I expected. She just barged in inside my office not even trying to knock. She sat comfortably on the couch and poured a drink on the glass that was already on the table. 

“I’m really, really starting to lose my confidence, Lucas.” She surprisingly uttered.

I was just looking at her the whole time she was drinking, sighing and then flashing an angry expression on her face. 

“Are you really that woman I know? I can’t believe you’re saying that.” I smirked. I walked near her and sat on a couch in front of her. “You failed to track her this time.”

Search took a deep breath and faced me with her eyes widened, “I mean, what kind of woman she is? She just disappeared without a trace. Not to mention all the effort I put into this just to find her.”

It’s pretty odd of her to admit that she failed in this job since she had never done this thing before. Because every time I give her an assignment, I’m certain that she will finish it without having any problems. If there is, then she wouldn’t whine and give up as easily as that.

On the other hand, my mind couldn’t help but to agree with her. I kind of started wondering with myself too, about what kind of person she is. I wonder if she’s just a normal snatcher who does horrible things and causes nuisance to others.

“So what now? Are you giving up?” I asked her.

Search shook her head and sighed, “Who do you think you are talking to?” She asked me. “Why in the world would I give up just because of that snatcher?”

I stopped minding her nonsense speech and began to drink as well. In addition to that, talking back to her at times like this will just worsen the annoying feeling she is currently having towards that female snatcher.

“So, what are you planning to do after you get the necklace from her? I mean, I’m pretty sure you already have something on your mind right now.” She told me right before taking another sip.

“That was random. Why do you ask?” I asked her back.

She shrugged her shoulders and uttered, “Well, nothing much. I just wanted to make sure that it’s only the heart necklace that concerns you, not her. Remember you’re not supposed to be bewitched by anyone because you still have a  goal to achieve and that is to take revenge on the Alpha.”

CASSANDRA

“Beautiful.” I uttered as I stood up in front of the wonderful flower field. 

There were lots of different flowers planted on it. What I mean is, there were pretty ones whom I didn’t know much about. I already saw some of them in our previous garden but it's my first time seeing the other ones whom I only see in my mother’s flower journal.

“Take your time to relax. I’ll just go to my friend somewhere nearby.” The old lady told me as she pointed towards the direction where she was planning to go. 

“Um, Granny, wait a minute.” I uttered with a loud voice to stop her from walking away. She faced me with those widened eyes and while raising both of her eyebrows.

“Are you sure I can freely walk around here? What if the owner gets mad?” I wondered.

She smiled at me and responded, “Of course, dear. You are definitely allowed to and, just like what I have told you, our master isn’t here.”

She left me alone after that. Until now, I still can’t believe I am able to enjoy such beautiful scenery alone.

I wish mom had been there with me.

There was a path leading to somewhere and it was perfectly built, separating a certain flower from the other one. There were also some kinds of well designed benches and displays where you can take pictures or sit whenever you feel tired of walking in the field.

“This is really refreshing!” I exclaimed. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the pleasing scent of the flower field. It is kind of a rare experience for me, since I believe that I don’t deserve things like that.

It makes me feel sad reminiscing about the bad things I have experienced before, all the hardships that I went through. Starting from the day I lost my mother to the day when I lost my people. That kind of thought made me take a sudden deep sigh and then as I tilted my head somewhere on my right side, I saw a small lighthouse painted with a creamy white color. I decided to go there, so that I could enjoy the rest of the view from above.

The view of the field was much prettier from this position. I leaned my arms on the handrail as I watched the flowers getting swayed by the wind which caused their scents to mix up and scatter around the wonderful place.

“Beautiful.” Those were the only words I could keep on saying. “Really, really beautiful.” I don’t know why but I can’t stop myself from adoring the field. I’m so happy at this moment, to the point that it nearly made me cry.

I was having some kind of peace, I guess. Enjoying the moment, thinking that I was alone here all the time, but then I suddenly heard footsteps approaching my direction. I turned around to check and then I ended up seeing a man standing in front of me.

He smiled widely at me and said, “Beautiful, isn’t it? Just like paradise.” Honestly, I was already shocked seeing him here, but then what he said next made me even more surprised. “Hi, Cassandra. It’s really nice to see you.”