Chapter 9

I end up searching for my body essentials. It's nearly seven, so I dried my hair and got ready. I played the song 'Believer' by Imagine Dragons and slightly danced to it. I braided my hair and put on light makeup. I'm satisfied with the results though, I'm so proud of myself. I'm not the kind of girl who wears dresses, but I like to at least just this once. I didn't have any reason to wear a dress before but right now I’m interested in this change.

I changed my phone and turned off the lights before going out. This room is too big for me. It has everything that I need. It looks like an entire house already. It almost gave me a mini heart attack when I saw Troy outside my door. Our eyes met. He’s waiting for me outside.

"You startled me. What are you doing here?" I asked as he stared at me like he's shocked to see me too. He’s wearing his usual suit and white shirt nevertheless he looks stunning. Everything about him is admirable except his personality.

"You look great." he commented and bit his lower lip. I thanked him and he once again snatched my hands and held onto them, tight. His hand is really warm and comfy. I will allow it just now. His steps are silent yet powerful, some of the helpers of the house bowed their heads to us as we passed by and I smiled at them shyly. They don’t have to bow to mee too right?

He opened the huge oaken door of the kitchen and Aunt Beth and Grandma Candice smiled at me. I see they 're talking again about something. That's a lot of stories to tell huh?

"Well, look at my cousin. What took you so long?" Madame Rosette asked, but Troy just ignored her. Maybe this is normal to both of them.

"Excuse us." he said and pulled the chair for me, I thanked him and he sat beside me. The servants are arranging the table, but the funny thing is no one dares to go near me. Am I being ignored?

"Ugh. You are such an annoying boy. Come here Aubrey, I'll take care of you.", Madame Rosette said and I laughed. She wants me to sit beside her instead.

"No one's shifting seats. Shut it Rosette." Troy snarled at her. Strange, he seems so calm and funny when he's with me. Why is he being so serious right now?

"Troy.", I called his name and he apologized.

They all laughed saying, "Troy's weakness." I just smiled at the thought. Actually, nothing really changed. Troy is like his usual self, childish. The way he eats the steak never changes, he will use his hands to eat it like a hungry wolf and I admit he looks really cute.

The dinner went well. And as usual, Aunt told them about the prom night! Well practically, it was just the first time I got drunk and went home with my friends covered with my own puke. I have the most epic pictures of that day and it will hunt me until I die. I hate it when she mentions every detail of embarrassment.

Troy remained silent and glanced at me when he got the chance. He’s not laughing at me? When he finished eating, he held onto my hands again under the table. Seriously, where are we going? I'm not leaving.

After the long chats and good food, I excused myself outside. It's cold during the night here; you'll catch a cold without a jacket. The wind here is a little different than the city. The moon, how came she's always beautiful? Whichever side of her, wherever you look at her beauty never fades, even though the light she emits is shared. It doesn’t matter if she’s half, full or gone. People always search for her beauty at night.

I saw a vacant bench near so I decided to sit for a while and cherish this moment. I heard some faint howl from the woods that sent me chills. That’s right I experienced this before too.

"Never go outside alone. It's dangerous." I almost jumped from my seat, it's just Troy. I sighed. How did he get there so fast? He did not even make a sound. Or maybe I was just too focused on staring at the moon.

"Oh.. I just want to see the moon." I said and relaxed my chest. This guy always makes my heart skip a beat.

"Beautiful.", he whispered. We are looking under the moon together.

"Yeah. Look at the stars too." I said pointing at the stars. I see a lot of constellations too!

"I was talking about you, dummy." he said and patted my head. What?

"Oh.." I blushed. I'm not expecting him to say those words of flattery. I never actually heard him say so, just today. And somehow, it makes me happy. To be honest no one ever told me that I am beautiful. Maybe because I was just ordinary and I have nothing interesting in me.

He sat beside me and snatched my hands again. I didn't complain, it's impossible to stop him anyway because he already has it. He kissed the back of my hand, the third time today and with the same look on his eyes. It looks like something is bothering him, I don't really know if I should ask.

"Audrey.", he called my name and I looked at him.

"Hmm?"

"I love you." he said and kissed the back of my hand again.

"What!?" I snapped. How can he say it without caution! I blushed and I'm sure that I look like a tomato now. We just met again today and he's telling me this! Why would he tell me that he loves me now?

"I said I love you Audrey." he said and smiled at me. "Do you love me too?" he said and leaned forward to me, he's so close I can smell his woody scent with mint.

"Okay.. You’re honest. I appreciate that, but how about we do things a little slow." I said pushing his face away from mine. Why does this man lack so much self-control? I’m blushing too much.

"Is that a 'no'?", he pouts.

"We-Well.. it's not like a no and not a yes as well. Let's just say it's pretty soon for Me.", I explained. Seriously this guy is really straightforward! “I don’t think I can give you the honest answers right now.”

He chuckled and he leaned on the other side of the bench. "I see." he said and sighed. Did he really get it? It was the gust of wind that pushed me to ask the question that has been clouding my mind ever since.

"What did you do with all those years?" I asked and he sighed. I have always wondered about it.

"I went to training baby. It was all because of my father, his last wish is to ensure the future of this territory- this land. He's dying, without my mother he became weaker and weaker every day. He wants me to rule just like him." he held my hand, "-when he knew the real thing between us, he forbade me from seeing you."

"Why? What's that real thing?" I asked.

"Do you believe in soulmate Audrey? The match made by the moon, true love?" he asked.

True love from the moon?