Kill Or Be Killed

Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Celestina's POV

I do not know how to start again a conversation about my father because he might lose his temper in me. But I still want to try and hope that he will let this one slides since we are talking about my birthday. I can push my luck this time and grant my only wish. Because seriously though, this will be my first birthday without seeing my dad. And I do not want to experience that since he is the only one left in my life.

"So tell me what you are thinking," he utters when he noticed that I am silent because of a deep thought. He really knows already how to read me and I hope that I can do it to him too.

"About the last thing you have mentioned, King Zen," I said and he frowns, obviously remembering the last thing that he said to me. He nods a little when he remembered it and giving me signal to tell me more. And that is what I am going to do. "Since it is all came from you, can I invite my father?" And I saw the way his expression shifted from serious to God knows what expression he is using now to me.

I can even see a protest in his face but he remains silent. I know that he is thinking of something to tell me and he just cannot construct the right sentence to oppose me. Until suddenly, he sighs. And I do not know if I heard it right but I think that it is a sigh of defeat. And the hope in me risen that he will finally approve my one and only request to see my father.

"If that is the only way for you to celebrate your birthday here in the mansion, then go, Celestina," he says and I slightly jump from where I am sitting just because of excitement. I could not believe that I have made him agreed. And thank God I did it. Now, my only problem is that, how am I going to invite my father if I do not have any contact from him.

"Really, Zen?" I asked and I cover my mouth because of the way I address him. I look at his reaction but it seems that he does not mind. "I-I mean King Zen. I'm so sorry. I was just that excited," I said but he shook his head. And I have no idea on what did he mean by that.

"That's fine. Drop the king. You can call me Zen," he says and my eyes widen because of what he said. Why would he lets me call him that way? He is a king and I just could not drop that from his name. So I could not do that even though it was insist by him. I look at Mirah and I can also see the surprise in her face. And I completely understand her because who would have thought that King Zen will tell someone to refuse calling him king. For me, that is so disrespectful and I do not want to disrespect him. Maybe he is a very dominant and cruel king but he has not shown me bad yet. Well, except the fact that he parted me with my father.

"I don't think that is appropriate, King Zen," I said and that is what I really think. But he frowns as if he does not get what I was trying to say.

"And addressing me King Zen is appropriate." I could not help but distort because of what he said.

"Of course, King Zen. Everybody is calling you king. What do you expect me to call you?" I asked him but it did not change his mood. And I think that he really has made up his mind. He is now decided that I should call him Zen--dropping the king. That would be really awkward and I do not think that others might understand why. Well, even me, I would never understand that.

"They should pay respect to me," he says and I frown.

"So you want me not to pay respect to you?" I said he glares at me. I suddenly feel tensed but his glare is not an indication of anger like he is going to hurt me because he does not like what I have said. He is looking at me this way just for a warning. A warning that I must now follow what he said and I will be punished if I would still firmly oppose his order. "But King Zen..." I was not able to continue I want to complain when he leans his back while crossing his arms over his chest. He looks at me intently and I could not do anything but sigh...in defeat.

"That was an order, Celestina. And I guess that you got no choice but to follow that," he says with a huge smirk in his face. And that smirk was because of victory. He knows that to follow his order is the only option I have right now.

"This is all came from you, Zen," I said and I saw him smile. That was the first time I saw him smile that way. And I think that is the first time I saw him smile. And I just found out that he has a very cute dimples in his both cheeks. I cannot help but stare at it. And It think that staring at it still not enough that is why I decided to stand to my feet and poke his both cheeks with my both index fingers.

I did it fast so that he could not push me away. And it was a successful move because I was able to do it even just for a few seconds. And even though I have done it already and I am now back on my seat, Zen is still dumbfounded just because of what I did. And I got a little nervous on what would be his reaction the moment he is back in his senses.