Episode 18

I have dinner alone....

Adrian still hasn't arrived and I imagine it must be something related to his work....

I decide to keep the rest of the food in the fridge for him to heat up when he arrives...

I grab a glass of wine and go to the living room, more specifically towards a shelf of books that was there....

I've always been curious to read them but I haven't had the courage to pick them up...

I don't know if Adrian would like it....

Our coexistence has been very good...

We are getting to know each other more and more and he is not entirely a jerk....

I decide to pick up a book to read....

"Aurora in the Void...." I murmur, reading the title.

I decide to pick it up and settle on the couch while sipping my wine.

As I browse the pages of the book, I hear the door open and then I see that it's Adrian.

"Hi... I got stuck at the office..." he says with a tired smile as he approaches the couch.

"I made dinner... if you want it, it's in the fridge", I say.

"Thanks. I'm going to take a shower and eat", he says, and after a few steps he comes back to me. "This one is very good", he says and I realize he's talking about the book. "It's my favorite."

"Oh... sorry I didn't know... I'll put it back", I say, flustered.

"No. You can read it", he says with a slight smile. "You can read any one you want... But I think you'll like that one".

I nod my head.

"Thank you.." I reply, returning the smile.

He walks away and then up the stairs...

A while later he comes down and then goes to the kitchen and I hear the sound of the plate and cutlery....

"So what do you think of it?" I hear him say.

I turn my head towards him and see him approaching the couch.

"It's very interesting", I reply.

He sits down next to me on the couch.

"What part are you at?" he asks.

"The part where she is saved by Kael in the forest, after the bandits try to take her...." I recount.

"Ah yes...you're still at the beginning...." he says and I nod. "Ayla...." his voice sounds hesitant, his eyes searching mine with an expression of concern. "I went to your house to investigate what happened that night."

My heart leaps in my chest as I absorb his words, a flood of emotions flooding my senses.

I close the book, placing it on the coffee table.

"And what did you find out?" I ask, my voice barely able to hide my anxiety.

Adrian takes a deep breath, choosing his words carefully before answering.

"It was probably caused by the northern village. Every now and then they attack the packs that are separated from the southern village to get our attention.... They... they may have smelled Dark and thought it was a pack."

I feel a lump forming in my throat as I hear his words, a mixture of sadness and indignation churning within me.

"I'm so sorry, Ayla... I'm so sorry", he says sincerely, his expression reflecting genuine concern.

"It's okay, Adrian...." I murmur. "Thank you for investigating", I reply, trying to express my gratitude despite the turmoil of emotions within me.

He then takes a small box out of his pocket and holds it out to me.

"I found something I think belongs to you", he says.

As I open the box, my eyes meet the necklace with the moon pendant, shimmering in the dim light of the room.

It was intact....

My heart seems to stop for a moment, as an avalanche of emotions hits me all at once.

It's as if the ground had opened up beneath my feet, leaving me in an abyss of uncertainty and painful memories. But at the same time, a sense of comfort and familiarity envelops my heart, as if a lost part of myself had finally been found.

I feel on the verge of collapse, my emotions threatening to engulf me whole.

Without a word, without looking back, I simply grab the necklace and rush out, up the stairs and straight to my room.

Each step seems like an eternity, my legs shaking with the intensity of my emotions. Reaching my room, I close the door behind me, allowing myself to finally break down in silent sobs.

I sit on the floor, my back leaning against the bed...

The necklace rests in my trembling hands, its comforting presence against my skin.

For a moment, I allow the tears to fall freely....

"Are you okay?" I hear Adrian's voice echoing through the silence.

My lips tremble as I try to wipe away the tears quickly, wishing to hide the torrent of emotions flooding me.

I nod without looking at him.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."

I shake my head, trying to clear up the misunderstanding.

"No, you didn't do anything... it's just a whirlwind of emotions... but don't worry, I won't burden you with that," I murmur.

Without a word, Adrian sits down next to me....

I allow myself to take a deep breath, trying to find comfort in Adrian's silent presence....

"So.... what's the story behind the necklace?" he asks, his soft voice echoing in the room.

A shaky smile dances on my lips as I hold the necklace dearly.

"My father gave this necklace to my mother... he said it was a gift to show how much he loved her," I reply, my voice choked with memories the necklace brings. "When he gave it to her, he said he would love her until the moon stopped shining in the sky and the stars went out... that's why the pendant...." I murmur.

Adrian listens attentively to my words, his face reflecting a mixture of compassion and reverence for the love between my parents.

"That's really beautiful..."

A lump forms in my throat as I nod, tears threatening to return.

"Yes... It was the only thing I had left of her...", I whisper, a feeling of longing gripping my chest. "Thank you for this Adrian.... It means a lot to me...." I murmur with a slight smile to him which he returns.

We sat there in silence for a while, just feeling each other's presence.

"Ever feel....like the weight of the world is on your shoulders? And when you think about running from it, you feel like a coward?" I murmur my voice breaking the silence, carrying a weight of vulnerability.

Adrian pauses for a moment, his gaze meeting mine with a serene intensity.

"Every day...." He replies with a slight laugh in a melancholy tone.

I end up chuckling softly.

"Sometimes I forget who you are in this village..." I murmur which makes him laugh a little.

"Sometimes the weight of responsibilities, of expectations... feels suffocating. And it's tempting to think about running away, getting away from it all," he says, looking away.

"What do you do when you feel that way?" I ask.

"I keep going... Because even if I throw it all away, this village will catch fire," he says in a playful tone, making me laugh a little. "I've thought about giving up... several times... but... I try to focus on taking one step at a time... So I just keep going..."

"Anne told me the Supremes ran away... is that why you have to rule the village...did you want them to come back so you wouldn't have to worry about it anymore?" My voice comes out cautious, loaded with curiosity.

I watch him take a deep breath, his eyes reflecting a deep serenity.

"Yes..." His answer is sincere. "But not just for me... But because the village needs them." I nod, understanding the gravity of the responsibility he carries on his shoulders.

"You're doing an amazing job," I say.

I notice the surprise reflected in Adrian's eyes as the compliment escapes my lips.

His gaze furrows his brow slightly, revealing a self-criticism that seems to accompany him constantly.

"I don't know... Sometimes I feel like I could do more," he confesses.

"I understand how it feels, but you need to know that the whole village recognizes and values your work... Everyone talks about how you've handled the responsibilities of leadership, and how you've been a strong and compassionate leader to all...."

Surprise shines in Adrian's eyes, a mixture of gratitude and disbelief.

"They say that?", he asks, his voice laden with surprise.

I nod firmly, a comforting smile lighting up my face.

"I didn't know...", he murmurs, his voice echoing with a mixture of surprise and emotion.

"Yes, everyone says so. You have been a source of inspiration to many in the village as a leader.... Even to me..." I murmur with a slight smile.

Adrian smiles slightly, his expression reflecting a mixture of gratitude and surprise.

"I... thank you, Ayla," he replies, his voice conveying a tone of genuine gratitude.

"So...if you didn't have to lead the village anymore, what would you do?" After my question, a brief silence falls upon us, filling the room with a silent expectation.

Adrian seems to sink into his thoughts for a moment, his eyes wandering the space before meeting mine.

"If I didn't have to rule the village anymore... well, I like to be on the front lines, protecting our village and our people. It would be gratifying to be able to focus exclusively on that, without the worries of leadership. There's so much to be done to keep our village safe, and I wish I could devote all my energy to that cause," he continues, his voice laden with a deep sense of purpose.

Somehow I feel like I want to make that possible for him....

As we get lost in conversations about dreams and possibilities, time seems to slow down around us, creating a space of shared intimacy between us.

As the night progresses and our conversations turn to whispered murmurs, I realize that I am enjoying Adrian's company more than I ever imagined.

Then a soft yawn escapes Adrian's lips, indicating it's time for bed.

"Well, I think it's time for me to go to sleep. Tomorrow will be a busy day," he says with a slight smile.

"Me too.... Thank you for tonight, Adrian. It was good to talk", I say, my soft tone carrying a touch of sincerity. "And for the necklace too...."

He just smiles at me and then gets up and walks towards the door, but before leaving the room he turns back to me.

"Oh, before I forget..... There's going to be a festival in the village this week. I was thinking... would you like to go with me?" He asks with a slight smile that sends a slight warmth spreading through my chest.

I nod my head.

"I'd love to go with you", I reply with a smile, feeling excited.

"Great.... Good night Ayla...."

"Good night Adrian..."

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