Lovely words

Atasha’s Point of View

Bewildered, I turned around and shut the door upon realizing what I’ve just seen from the inside. I took a deep breath and fisted my hand as I felt the mixed emotions building up inside of me. I heard the sound of the door opening and I knew it was Elijah who went out and followed me.

"I apologize. I guess I'm not supposed to be disturbing you here with Clarence. I should’ve stayed in the Coliseum," I said as I owned up for my actions and at the same time, embarrassed for what I witnessed.

I kept sucking my breath. For some reason, my chest felt heavy and it was way unbearable this time. Elijah, on the other hand, snatched my hand right away from behind and held it there. He shut the door and it was followed by his ragged breathing.

“Let go of me.” It was in a cool and calm voice that I begged him to let go of my hand. "I understand that you need to be with Clarence at this time. “I knew she worked hard for the last couple of days and as a result she’s not in her best condition right now.”

I didn’t know what had gotten into me right now, but my heart ached more as I explained to him that Clarence put her heart and soul in order to make this event extravagant. She believed that she would see him along with the Alpha’s arrival.

“Atasha, it’s not what you think it is,” he said in his deep tone of voice.

"Please take the time to pay attention to her. I have to go moving, and I'll check in on Leo to see how he's doing right now,” I expressed my point in a serious tone.

I was about to walk ahead but Elijah took a step in front of me, holding my hand tightly. My breath hitched at the sight of him. I looked down and swallowed the big lump forming inside my throat.

He sighed and I knew his eyes were pinned on me. "Listen to me, Atasha. What you saw back there, it’s not really what you think it is. I assure you that it is not what you believe it is,” he assured me, still not letting go of my hand.

Why was he explaining himself? I knew my place and role when I decided to join him in this plan. I didn’t want him to have this impression that he needed to explain everything to me, especially if that matter included Clarence. I didn’t want to hear any of it. I took a long gasp and gathered all the words I wanted to say.

“You have nothing to worry about, Elijah. I am not your true Luna. We are just pretending,” I uttered as I gazed up at him, my voice was cold and brave, brows wrinkled in emphasis. “That being said, regardless of what you do, I will put my trust in you as my only goal is to achieve what we have planned and reach the success as promised. In addition, I believe we haven’t made a formal agreement on whether you will sleep with another woman or not, so who am I to stop you from doing such? This includes me too, who is free to date other men whom I genuinely like. With this, we can form a genuine alliance with others.”

I didn’t know where those words come from but as much as possible, I’d like to keep my emotions and personal thoughts at bay. "Mind you, I have absolutely no interest in what you guys are up to at this point in your lives. Carry on, Elijah, if you want to spend the night with her, then you should. This isn't really important to me at all. Now, you can let go of my hand as I need to go back to the Coliseum.”

Silence filled our direction for a brief moment. Elijah looked me in the eyes as if he wanted to see something through it, but to no avail as I didn’t want him to have such a dilemma when he only wanted to reconcile with his first love. A minute passed and then he released his grip on my hand. I breathed sharply and was about to turn my back on him but got startled when Clarence shouted from the room, which drew our attention.

"What is it that is taking you so long, Elijah? Please, come on in here right now!" I heard her yell.

“Get inside. She’s waiting for you,” I said, took one last glance at him and looked away.

Despite the fact that my chest was heaving as I marched along the corridors of this clinic in stilettos, my long thread of patience was slowly fraying and cutting itself. I walked away as soon as I heard Clarence's another shout and left Elijah from that moment.

If only you could see me right now, Veronica. I bet you would be glad how I have mastered the art of walking swiftly in my heels. I didn’t understand why she loved wearing such shoes but now I thought I knew why; it gave me a great deal of confidence when I had to speak up to someone in unwanted circumstances. In some ways, it seemed like an additional boost of power within me.

As I ran in the corridor, I had an unintentional run-in with one of the nurses who had been assigned to this particular clinic.

"Atasha, are you okay? I heard some shouting back there?"

I gave her a quick glance and didn't say anything. The Moon Goddess knew how I was trying to strive in keeping my emotions under control at this moment. I left the nurse without a word and ran away.

"Keep your wits to yourself, Atasha, and stay focused. Don't spend your time tearing up about nonsense things, please . . .” I said under my breath.

I had to retain my composure at all times. At this point, there would be no other option except to realize that this was a battle that I had to win at all cost. To become a contracted Luna for Elijah Montreal, I must display the behavior in an expected manner. I had to maintain my composure. So, whatever it was Elijah was up to with Clarence, I had no obligation to be concerned with it anymore.

"Hey, Atasha!" said someone which made me startle as I ran my way out of the front door of the clinic.

There I saw Zach, waiting for me with ice creams in his hand.

“I thought you might want to have some ice cream?” he inquired with a smirk plastered on his lips.

I gave him a kind grin and nodded. I went to him and we decided to walk to an open park next to the Coliseum. It felt good that I had someone like Zach who knew how to lighten up the mood of the night. I checked over my shoulder and looked at the clinic, a shudder coming over my spine as I recalled what had actually happened earlier.

"Atasha, is there anything that's bothering you right now?" Zach asked me.

I looked at him and saw the curiosity in his eyes. I then shook my head.

“I am perfectly fine, Zach.”

“Come on, I'll give you my full attention. There will be no judgment! I'm ready to listen,” he said with a happy face.

I let out a sigh and finished my ice cream. We walked for a while and gradually, I gained the confidence to tell Zach about what had transpired earlier. As I told him how I walked upon Clarence and Elijah at the clinic and how I realized that Clarence was half-naked, I felt my heart shattering into a million pieces.

The truth was, it was terrible for me to express how I felt because I was only an ally for Elijah. Clarence was her ex-love, and I wasn’t. Based on the scene I witnessed a while ago, they had most likely already reconciled. Clarence must have found a way to win him back. No doubt that she was head over heels with him and the only reason why she ended her relationship with him was because her life and family were in jeopardy at the hands of the Alpha.

I was confident that if Elijah heard her explanation, he would give their relationship a second try.

"Zach, please accept my apologies. I shouldn’t have discussed this with you. I should’ve respected their privacy . . .” I uttered, my voice quivered in worry.

He just grinned as he shook his head. The fact that he didn't say anything only indicated that he just wanted me to express my feelings. He solely empowered me to express myself as I see fit.

"I don’t understand why but for some reason, I have a grudge towards Clarence. I'm well aware that I don't have the right to be mean to her. She’s my pack mate and Elijah's ex-lover . . . I know I have no right to be upset at her or to feel horrible about what has been going on with their relationship but I couldn’t control myself. Am I foolish to say these things?”

I looked at him for a moment, waiting for him to respond and help me resolve this emotion I’ve been dying to cease.

"Do you want to go on the wooden swing?"

That wasn’t the response I’ve been expecting from him. However, I still nodded my head. We went to the wooden swing. I sat on one of it and Zach pushed it forward for me.

"All right, here you go!" Zach burst out laughing, as he pushed the swing.

I had to admit that for a little while, I lost track of certain thoughts in my head. The chilly breeze of the night brushed over my skin, and for a brief time, I was filled with bliss.

As I got higher and higher above the ground, I begged Zach to stop the swing, but he just kept pushing it forward.

“Zach, I swear I am going to kill you if you don't stop the swing right now!" I let out a scream and when I began to fall backward, he seized the swing and pulled it straight down.

"Did you have a wonderful time?" he asked.

I gave him a death glare but later on smiled at him as I had to admit that it felt good riding a swing.

"Thank you very much, Zach!" 'I stated this in a soothing voice.

"Whenever you feel lonely or depressed, please feel free to share with me,” he said then he sat on the other swing.

I just realized how Zach consistently pushed me to feel positive, and the same could be said about Veronica.

Even though he didn’t need to, Zach would be there to make me laugh in a variety of ways, and I was grateful that he was a part of my life.

"Zach, could you tell me why you're picking a fight against your brother?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

He merely scratched his head. “I’m not sure how I’m supposed to answer that, Atasha.”

“You told the Alpha about their plan and because of that, they will be detained once we go back to your land. You take actions at your own will and I don’t understand why you’re keeping your plan from your siblings.” Explaining this also brought up memories of how I felt uneasy with him, thinking that he only wanted to cause trouble for Elijah and Veronica.

I also thought about how I ended up becoming his slave. Zach, indeed, was full of secrets and unexpected deeds.

"Can you tell me what you stand to gain by supporting me? Do you only do this because you're battling against your brother, Elijah?" I questioned. "I mean, why would you want to always help me?" I asked yet again, hoping to receive a response.

He then looked up at the night sky and began telling me stories about his childhood memories with Elijah, which I found fascinating.

I recalled Veronica telling me that Elijah and Zach used to be on good terms when they were still young. However, they felt that Zach had changed and became someone they no longer knew. As a result, their relationship was altered, as opposed to how it was previously.

“I want to help you at my own will, and it has nothing to do with Elijah,” he added. “The reason why I’m doing this is . . .” he paused, taking his time to speak.

But then, he suddenly came to a complete halt and turned his face away from my gaze.

Afterward, he rose to his feet and stepped in front of me while I was still seated on the swing. He handed me an envelope.

"Can you tell me what this is?" I asked. I noticed how his cheeks flush. He turned away from me which made me confused.

He cleared his throat. “It’s for you. Go ahead and keep it," he said nervously.

When I opened the brown envelope, there was a tucked piece of paper inside. Upon opening it, my eyes widened as I saw a lovely artwork of a couple kissing in a garden. As I looked at it, it appeared to be the garden of the mansion of the Montreals, at least from the look of its exterior.

“I made it specifically for you.”

“This is absolutely beautiful! Did you draw this yourself?" I wondered. I got to my feet and gave him a bear embrace. “Thanks!”

My gaze was pinned on the drawing again. It was somehow familiar . . . I was stunned when I recalled a memory that happened between us in the past. We kissed . . . in the garden of their mansion. My eyes widened as it was the same scene depicted in the drawing.

I blinked several times and took another look at the drawing, then looked up to face Zach. He looked away.

“Hey, Zach. What is up, really? Who are these individuals?” I asked even though I already had a feeling who they were.

"It's us," he whispered, then glanced at me with a piercing grin on his face as his eyes pierced mine.

I was taken completely by surprise. Heat engulfed my face, making my heart race faster as I recalled that incident in the garden.

"Do you finally recall what it was?" He inquired.

I shook my head, trying to hide my embarrassment.

“No, I didn't do it!" I responded, and then he laughed.

He acted like that kiss we shared didn’t hold any malice at all which made me feel at ease. I chuckled and scolded myself inwardly.

“See, you’re more beautiful when you smile. I don’t want you pouting and frowning as if the world is under your responsibility. I like it better when you smile, Atasha. So do it more often.”

I became self-conscious. Do I need to smile more?

“I’m telling the truth. You see, when you smile, you seem even more lovely and superior. So, you better stop frowning when dealing with some stuff. Face it with your captivating smile.”

My eyes narrowed as I looked at him. “You’re really good with such lovely words, Zach.”

We both laughed.

Minutes passed and we noticed Elijah and Veronica approaching us.

"My goodness! I’ve been looking for you guys! Zach, are you planning to steal her from me? Your time is up!" Veronica scolded her brother. "Let's go, Atasha! The main play will be starting at the theatre!"

I nodded. I didn't look at Elijah and I found it too awkward to talk to him at this moment. However, my inner self scolded me, telling me that I needed to show him that I was not affected at all and so I gave him a glance and smile.

“I didn’t expect you to be back this early. I hope Clarence is getting better,” I said.

"Atasha, what happened earlier in the clinic . . . I just want to tell you that—"

"Again, it didn’t concern me, Elijah. Let's just focus on our main goal tonight," I replied as I didn’t want to hear any explanation from him.

His lips were pressed together and formed a grim line. I turned my back on him and clung to Veronica’s arms.