Chapter 9
The flipping of the fish in the frying pan only had Lia drifting deep into thought. She turned off the gas cooker, her throat bobbing as her gaze darted on Rhysand's villa from afar through the large kitchen window of their shack.
Have I been way too harsh with my actions with him? Lia's thoughts had her inching closer by the window as she remembered her encounters with Rhysand. It's been six good weeks since she last saw him.
On that day, when Rhysand had received the news of his mother's death, he seemed rather impatient, storming out of the house and in a hurry. Lia had had his meal prepared and done but he had passed her by, brushing off the inviting aroma emanating from the meal in her hands like it never or she never existed.
Prior to that, Lia had avoided trying to be friends with him at all cost, returning every smile with either a scowl or a cold scathing look that still never had Rhysand quiting with trying to get closer with her.
Lia knew what Rhysand was about and the sincerity that came with his manners and approach only got her hating herself the more.
She hadn't gotten over Hector enough to pay attention to any other man even when he is now engaged to his new girlfriend. She needed that time and that moment to heal but Rhysand wasn't understanding any of that.
Even while he was away, Lia didn't stop with her job in the villa. She realized that each time she grilled the fishes, neither Rhysand nor Connor was around to shove it down their mouth. But with each passing morning following her job, she discovers that the meal is always gone with Heather knowing not about it either.
Perhaps, it was a way of Rhysand telling her how hurtful her cold actions had touched him?
But four days ago, she had finally seen Connor when she came to the villa and he had explained all that had happened to her.
His mother had died yet Rhysand couldn't forsake wasting Lia's hours spent on making those meals of tasty peppered fishes and fries.
It was clear to Lia the reason for his actions. It was never because of her coldness towards him in any way. It was simply a natural response to coping with the news of his mother's death. And even while at it, he still thought about her long enough to have a taste of her meals.
Lia felt guilty acting all up with him and decided she was going to make up for it somehow when he returns.
The villa's gate swung opened from afar and Lia's face flushed with excitement. It was Rhysand's sleek sedan car. He is back!
Lia smiled pleasingly to herself, grabbing the small bowl of fried fish she had just made and scurrying out of the kitchen to the living room where the diner is just behind the cushion.
"I'll be going for a walk," she said with her hand to Clara and Derek who are already munching on their meal of rice while they await the fish. Lia served the fish to each of their plate in a hurry.
"A walk?" Clara was the first to ask. "Why not eat first?"
Lia nodded. "The meal can wait."
"But why in a hurry for a walk though?" Derek asked with a mouthful.
Lia ruffled his hair gently with her hand, her lips curling up into a smile. "I won't take long."
~~
Lia sat patiently in the living room downstairs, her eyes darting around as they took in the paintings on the wall.
But she hasn't come to the villa to admire pictures she had seen plenty of times. She had come for something more.
Lia fingers bit into one another as her face fell on them—as she played with the hem of her flowery gown. The sound of soft footsteps from up the stairs made Lia turn, rising up to her feet in anticipation for whosoever it was even when Lia already knew who it was.
Rhys lips curled up into a grin as soon as he got to the living room where Lia is. He was surprised yet pleased to see her that instant.
"Lia?" a red-rimmed eyed Rhysand muttered yet with a smile that only grew wider each passing minute.
Lia felt a surge of pity at the mere sight of him.
Rhysand's face was swollen with dark circles around both his eyes. It was as if he had been crying all day with little to no break in-between. As an orphan herself, she could understand him. She felt the urge to embrace and assure him that all will be okay. She knows what it feels like losing someone dear to the heart; the pain that comes along with it.
Lia waved at Rhysand instead, and for the first time, a smile accompanied the wave. "Hey."
"Hi, Lia," his tone was manly, yet gentle. "Good to see you again. How have you been? And I'm so sorry about the last time. I didn't mean to act that cold."
"I know. I've been good," she gestured with her hands and Rhysand nodded. Lia took advantage of the silence that followed, staring into his emerald eyes before asking. "I heard the news. How are you, Rhys? I'm so sorry for your loss."
Rhysand smile dropped. "It's been hard, Lia. But I think I'll live."
"I can imagine. May her soul continue to rest in perfect peace."
Rhysand's face lit up again. "Amen. Thank you, Lia. Really appreciate it."
Lia nodded. A brief moment of silence filled the space between them and Lia cleared her throat.
"Perhaps, you'd like me to make you some meal now—"
"No, Lia," Rhysand said. "It's dusk already. I'm sure the fishes would be needing some rest as much as you do too. I believe tomorrow would be a better time for that, don't you think?"
Again, Lia nodded, a sheepish smile revealing her hidden dimples somehow. "Goodnight, Rhys."
"Goodnight Lia."
Lia turned to leave but stopped half way just before reaching the front door entrance. She turned around to find Rhys still on the same spot she had left him with his eyes never leaving her.
She strode towards him by the stairs. "Hey, about last time, I am so sorry for my actions. That was so uncalled for and—"
"No, Lia," Rhysand cut her short as her cheeks cupped into his hands. "Nothing you do to me will ever have me demanding an apology from you. That will rather be me. I really like you, Lia. I like you so much and I mean it with every single fibre of my being. I want not only to be your friend but best friend, Lia. I want to be more than your best friend too."
Rhysand's mind was almost losing it as her brown doe eyes shone, roaming round his face. His eyes locked onto Lia's, his voice low and husky.
"Can I hug you, Lia? Please?"
His hand reached out to gently tuck the strand of hair hanging freely on her face behind her ear. His touch felt gentle, his eyes searching Lia's for permission.
Lia could sense the need; the desperation and patience in his words and action. She felt a sort of energy emanate from him that spoke of pure sincerity. Like that hug could heal his saddened heart that instant.
Lia's head bobbed in response to Rhysand's request.
Rhysand snatched her body carefully, pulling it closer, and claiming it in his arms like his life depended on it. His eyes almost brimmed with tears as he felt a kind of satisfaction and joy that only he could understand.
For some reason, Lia felt glad her body wasn't fighting his touch either. Infact, she found it welcoming, reciprocating the embrace. She felt glad that her body was letting herself be free from Hector's arrow he had had impale her heart when he felt her love couldn't be good enough.
Rhysand kissed her forehead after the hug broke and with a chuckle, Lia said as her lips moved with silent words that Rhysand has always been smart enough to decipher.
"Friends?"