Chapter She Loves Him
"You're here!" Christina squealed happily at the top of her voice when the car came to a halt in front of her. An unfamiliar handsome and well built-up man opened up the door for her sister but that was the least of her worries. Her sister was finally here. She didn't know if she wanted to hug her sister to pieces or jump on her but she knew she wanted to do both. She was dying with so much eagerness inside her. Hera took the first step when she noticed how excited and surprised she was to see her.
"I missed you." She whispered affectionately, wrapping her hands around her tiny frame so that she doesn't let go. Christina reciprocated the same action. Tears stung her eyes but they were happy tears so she didn't bother to wipe them off. She basked in delight instead. She was finally back at the convent. Took them all day to arrive here. She has been excited, nervous and scared but now that she's here, she felt alive again although a little guilty.
"I couldn't stop thinking about you on the way over here." She confessed with a wide grin on her face. Her smile spread out from ear to ear. "It's been so long hasn't it?"
Christina nodded from her shoulders before pulling away. "I've been expecting you ever since the sisters told me that you would be coming back home for Thanksgiving. I have a lot to talk to you about, a lot to ask you."
Hera touched her cheeks affectionately. Her kid sister had grown so much in her eyes. She couldn't believe that she was the same person she had left months ago. How quickly time flies. King barked from behind them and they both turned their attention to the dog that had sat on its hunches next to Hera, his tongue sticking out of his mouth as he took in hurried breaths.
"You have a dog now?" Christina asked in astonishment. Her eyes widely open as she crouched down to the height of the dog to pat his head. "I've always liked one."
"Actually, he belongs to me." Bryce chirped in and Christina darted her attention to the broad man standing in front of her. "And his name is King." He added.
"Good day Sir. You have a very nice dog." She greeted nervously, rubbing her palm together. Bryce took of her behavior which was almost the same as Hera in so many ways. They were indeed sisters weren't they? Judging from her looks and appearance, he would probably say that Hera was a few years older than her but still it felt like she was a little innocent kid who would never do wrong.
"Call me Bryce." He corrected her after a brief silence. "I'm your sister's..."
"Boss." Hera interrupted. "He's my boss from the city where i work." She somehow felt guilty with what she had said but it wasn't entirely a lie. Besides, Bryce hasn't defined their relationship so that was the safest available option.
Bryce smiled at her attempt to cover up the situation. Not that he was complaining though but after their wild session last night, he felt somehow hurt hearing her address him as her boss. Was he asking for too much or does he suddenly want more? She wasn't just his maid to him anymore. Although he was scared of committing but he knew that she was in a higher status in his life and not a maid.
"The sisters told me so much about him." She informed Hera. "Thank you for taking care of my sister over there. It means a lot to me that she has you to rely on big brother."
Big brother? No one has ever addressed him as such. It felt warm and deep down, he sort of liked it even though he couldn't voice it out that he did. The idea of being a big brother to someone wasn't looking so bad all of a sudden.
"Christina, why did you keep your sister standing outside when you could've escorted them inside?" A familiar voice asked as she approached them with two other ladies who took turns in hugging Hera.
Bryce could tell that the one who spoke was sister Martha. He'd recognize that voice anywhere.
"Forgive us sister Martha. It's not her fault. We had a lot of catching up to do." Hera covered uo for her sister so that she doesn't get scolded.
"You must be Bryce?" She titled her head to the side, giving him a chance to admit that her suspicion was correct which he did with a nod of his head.
"We're so glad to have you join us this weekend for our Thanksgiving." She welcomed him with a smile before proceeding to give him a hug. "We thought that you wouldn't want to come."
His eyes washed over Hera's frame in a subtle glance and a small smile ghosted his lips unconsciously. "I certainly cannot survive the weekend without Hera so i had to come. Thank you for having me and of course, King."
Martha noticed the little body interactions that went on between the two of them but she chose to pretend like she didn't see it. She had always had a keen eye so it wasn't a surprise that she would pick up things that no one paid any attention to.
"We prepared the guest room for you." She informed him. "It might not be compared to what you're used to but we can all guarantee that it is certainly comfortable and will serve it's purpose. Hera will accompany you to put your things away and then you can join us for dinner." "Thank you so much for everything." He answered politely.
"Bless you my child." Martha touched his face affectionately before making her way inside, with the two other sisters trailing behind her.
"I'll take your things to your room Hera and meet you both at the table for dinner." Christina informed her. "Come on, King." She called out to the dog who readily wagged its tail as he followed her closely. She wanted to stop them but Bryce told her not to. Apparently, he didn't mind.
"Shall we?" He picked up his bag, urging her to lead the way which she did. They arrived shortly at the room and she helped him put his things away nicely while he sat down at the edge of the bed. "I can't believe how big this place is. Did you grow up here?"
She nodded once before answering. "Yes. Our house went up in flames by accident and both our parents didn't make it because they chose to rescue us instead."
"I was only six years old." She
muttered as she paced round the
room to organize his things. "We became homeless. That's when we met the sisters. They always donated to the homeless where we lived. They took pity on us and decided to bring us back here with them to raise us. Christina and i were lucky to have met them. I don't know what life would've been like if they didn't make that decision to take us in."
"I'm so sorry Hera. I didn't know." He apologized but she only smiled.
"It's okay Bryce. We're okay now." She said to him lovingly.
Bryce stared at her. His eyes unwavering. Just how was she smiling after going through such? How does she always try to stay positive and see the good in people when she has gone through something as painful and heartbreaking as this?
"If you don't feel comfortable at some point then, you can go. I promise that i won't get angry or complain." She blurted out. "I know that you don't like this place and it's nothing compared to your mansion so i don't want to act selfish by asking you to stay here when you don't want to."
He stood up and wrapped his arms around her waist, hugging her from behind. She was startled but tried not to show it. "You can be selfish all you want Hera, I'm not complaining and I'm definitely not leaving here without you. We came together and we'd leave together." "Are you sure?"
He breathed her in. Her scent calming his insides. "How else would you want me to prove it to you? Trust me, I'll do anything you ask me to."
"Thank you." She whispered with a
full smile on her face. She didn't
know if this was wrong but she knew that she loves this man. Every second that she stays next to him she loses pieces of her heart to him. It felt scary because she knew t that she was threading on dangerous waters but she couldn't help it. Her persistent feelings was a realization that she couldn't hide it anymore but she also knew that he probably doesn't feel the same way about her and it troubled her.
"I'm just upset that i can't share a room with you anymore. It's heartbreaking." He said to her, his eyes still closed with his head rested on the bridge of her shoulders. "It's going to be a lonely night without you Cara. I'm already used to the idea of knowing that you are next to me but now, we'll be separated for two whole days."
She wiggled free from his grip. "it's not that bad. You need some time on your own as do I."
"You really don't mean that, do you?" He arched a brow at her, dipping his hands into his pockets. She giggled. "Possibly."
"Dinner is ready!" Came Christina's voice and she knew then that it was finally time to face her family.