Chapter 114 Warm Comfort

KIA

When one is lost, what exactly does that mean? There are a number of interpretations available for the word "lost." One is the only one I can attest to personally witnessing. It is a whirlwind of feelings that conspire to toss me out of a logical and reasonable world and into an uncharted sphere of life. One is considered to be lost when they do not have a location, when one does not have a reason for living, and when one does not feel safe.

But when he arrived in my dismal life, everything changed. When Ares entered there, everything changed. He drew me out of the shadows that were protecting me so that I would not be able to escape the melancholy that I had been living with for the entirety of my life. I don't have anyone else, yet as soon as he arrived, I had the impression that he was the only thing I required in this entire world.

"Hon, are you okay? You continued to look at me for what seemed like an extended period of time. Is there something that's not quite right here? ”

When I least expected it, his voice jolted me out of my daydream. I gave him a friendly grin and shook my head in response to his question. "Yes, I'm OK. I am just exhausted, yet as I look at you, I have the sensation that my energy is being replenished."

As he stood up and reached for the light switch, he poked my forehead and patted my head. After that, he grabbed for the switch. He whispered, "If you are exhausted then we should rest now," suggesting that we should now sleep.

"Mhmm… but we still haven't asked each other's day…" I said while pouting my lips even though I didn't know if he could see my face clearly since it's too dark already in the room.

"You said you are tired. Take some rest now. We can ask each other's day tomorrow—"

"No. I want to do it now. We have been so busy recently that we don't have time for each other. I want this moment to be our time together."

Ares mumbled, "Alright. Alright. Well, my day isn't that nice. There is a lot of work to do at the office and everyone is rushing to get their quota for the month. I was about to have an overtime tonight but gladly Kyle helped me and took over some of the work that I am working so that I can get home early."

"Really? Then I ought to be thanking him. Oh, how about we give him a meal tomorrow for lunch? Do you know his favorite food? Let's make something for him!" I exclaimed with enthusiasm. "Do you know his favorite food? Let's cook something for him!"

He responded, "I'm sorry, but I really have no idea..."

"Oh no... Can you recommend any dishes that you think he might enjoy?"

"Well... he enjoys everything. Don't worry, hon. I will just treat him at the cafeteria tomorrow. I know you are busy and cooking would be a tremendous waste of time since your class is too early. By the way, how was your day today?" he asked.

I was taken aback by the turn of events. I'm completely lost for words when it comes to responding to him. When I was too eager a little while earlier to find out how he spent his day, I forgot how I would respond to him when he asked me about my own day and told me he was interested in hearing about it.

"Hon?" he asked me when he got my attention.

"Ahh— it's, it's good! It's just a bit tiring since being an ace isn't that easy but I am trying to adjust to it and I guess soon enough I will get used to it."

"Really? Like what?"

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"What did you do today? Is the pressure of being an ace giving you any headaches? I can talk to your dean if you want me to..."

I was unable to control my emotions and ended up hugging him. "....I met them at school today."

"Mhm? You met who?" he inquired in a questioning tone of voice.

I responded by saying, "Dad, they came to school, and things didn't work out so well. I made him disappointed again. For him, I am just a disappointment and a hard-headed daughter who always causes humiliation to the family. With what happened I just feel like he really doesn’t even love me as his child. It feels like I am not his own blood. Like I was an orphan."

“What happened? Did they hurt you?

Did they hurt me? This is a question that I don’t know how to answer. I was hurt not just physically but also mentally and emotionally. I wonder when my dad will see me as his daughter. Will, there be a time when he will treat me special just like how he treats Asteria?

I buried my head into his chest and whispered, "I'm alright... I just didn't expect him to be so upset with me. I am just learning to protect myself and that makes them angrier than before. Like I didn't even have the right to protect myself from those people who kept on hurting me. Is standing for yourself not a good thing to do, hon?"

"It is a good thing, hon. Finally, you are now learning to defend yourself from that kind of people and you are so brave for doing that. I'm sorry that you are going through those things, honey. Don't worry, I will make your day wonderful tomorrow. We are going somewhere—"

My curiosity got the better of me, so I inquired, "Where?"

"I will introduce you to my parents," he said in response. My heart started racing, and I didn't even know what to feel or how to react. Is this even real? Is he now ready to expose me to his family? Is he ready to confess everything and answer every question that builds up in my mind?