CHAPTER 24
The warmth of the soup had not only comforted his body but had stirred something deeper within him, something he couldn't quite put into words.
He watched Amara, her shy eyes and tinted cheeks only added to her ethereal beauty.
The admiration he felt for her swelled in his chest, making it difficult to breathe.
Rafael’s phone rang cutting through, frowning he picked it up. “Hello?”
“The files you asked for are here. Do you want me to send them to your apartment?”
Rafael glanced at Amara and shook his head. “No, not here. I’ll be there in ten.”
He said before hanging up. Whatever emotions he felt inside him a second ago were now replaced with deep sadness and regret. The files he asked for were of Amara’s condition.
He did not want her to stumble upon those files. She’d know about her scars and the rape. Rafael tried his best not to let his emotions show in his face as he averted his eyes to the side and started getting up.
Amara looked worried at him. “Are you going somewhere?” She asked with a confused voice. Rafael tried not to look at her and the still hand with a spoon. How much he loved the time with her. He sighed.
“I have to. Something urgent came up.”
Amara nodded understanding. “Okay, I’ll pack lunch for you.” She said but before she could get up, Rafael’s words stopped her.
“No need, I’ll be back before that.” Rafael fumbled through his dress shirts as he ran his hand through his hair. Amara nibbled on her lips and nodded grabbing the bowl and the utensils before going to the kitchen.
Rafael sighed as Amara left the room, her lingering soft scent lingering in the air. He moved through the room buttoning up his shirt, his thoughts consumed by her as he stood in front of the mirror.
After taking a deep breath to steady himself, Rafael made his way back to the kitchen where Amara was doing dishes.
"I’m going.” He said waiting for her to acknowledge him. Amara looked over her shoulder and passed a small smile.
“I’ll wait.” She said and Rafael’s chest tightened. She always said these words in past too. She said the same words on that day too.
Before he could be swayed, he nodded and walked out. Amara let a sigh before looking up at the ceiling recalling how Rafael insisted her to feed him.
With the intimacy and the closeness, she should’ ve felt butterflies in her stomach, the time should stand still for her, the
The moment should be a timeless dance of hearts, a symphony of emotions that transcended the bounds of time and space. It should in the subtle glance lingering between them for a fraction too long, in the shared air they breathed.
Her heart should flutter. But, as to why there was numbness seen within her? Why she did not feel those subtle emotions? Why? Why…why she felt like the love she had for him was slowly fading?
Amara shook her head getting rid of negative thoughts as she focused on the task at hand. Maybe just because she had been spending too much time home, she was being slaty.
After taking a shower and getting dressed, Amara headed to the laundry room to start a load of laundry and Rafael’s clothes.
She sorted the clothes, added the detergent, and turned on the washing machine.
As she waited for the cycle to finish, she found herself lost in thought, now and then thinking about Kaelith.
She couldn't help but feel a heaviness in her chest as she imagined what he must be doing.
Once the laundry was done, Amara hung the clothes to dry and headed to the kitchen to prepare lunch since Rafael said he’d be home soon.
She cracked some eggs into a bowl, whisked them together, and poured the mixture into a hot skillet.
As the eggs sizzled, she glanced out the window and saw the since sunny sky.
As the eggs finished cooking, Amara plated them with a side of toast and poured herself a cup of coffee.
She sat down at the table and savored her breakfast since she didn’t have anything, her thoughts drifting back to Kaelith and the way she always made sure to feed her food.
She wondered if he ever thought about her the way she thought about him.
After eating, Amara cleaned up the kitchen and put some vegetables to boil. She prepared some rice and soaked it in water.
Once lunch was ready, she set the table and looked at the time. It was past noon. After four in the evening. Rafael should be home but he wasn’t.
She felt déjà-by hitting her. Rafael was home late yesterday and today also. Was he drinking again? The thought worried her as she wondered if he was with Abigail again.
Thinking about Abigail have Amara chills. But she quickly shrugged it off. She glanced at the clock and sighed.
The sound of the doorbell broke her reverie, and her heart leapt. Rafael must be back.
Smiling to herself, she pushed the chair back and jogged to the door. She opened the door to find a man wearing delivery clothes standing there, a smile on his face as he greeted her.
Amara quickly alarmed as she looked bewildered and her smile dropped. “Amara De Luca?”
The man asked reading her name from the paper. Amara nervously nodded as the man handed the bouquet to her.
Amara swallowed. “For me?”
The man nodded asking her to sign. “Yes. Can you sign here please?”
The soft fragrance wafted through the air, creating an unexpected atmosphere.
Amara managed a polite thank you but couldn't shake the uncertainty that lingered in her mind. As he left, she closed the door, fingers tracing the delicate petals of the peonies. The vibrant hues seemed to match the swirl of emotions within her.
Sitting on the edge of the sofa, Amara looked at them closely. With a deep breath, she stood up filled the vase with water and placed the delicate flowers in it. Her heart pounding loudly against her chest as she stared at the flowers.
The white peonies now stared back at her. Somewhere, deep inside her heart, she knew who they were from.