Black Blood: The Runaway Mate

Chapter Nine

There was an awkward silence in our dining room while my mother rushed to cook another fillet for Aziel who unexpectedly joined us for lunch. Instead of baking, which would take more time, she just pan-seared the salmon with the same ingredients—garlic and butter with a little bit of salt and pepper.

At the same time, I prepared the berry cobbler he brought by giving us one serving each. I put it on separate small dishwares and placed them on the table when my eyes met Aziel once again.

That was the only time I had seen him lose his confidence. He looked uncomfortable, sitting straight on the chair and doing nothing. He was feeling bad that my mother had to cook again so that he had something to eat as well.

“You need to loosen up, Aziel,” I said and smiled while taking the seat beside him.

Wow, big words coming from me!

He apologetically smiled. “I’m really feeling bad,” he said. “I should’ve told you I’m coming over beforehand.”

Yes, you really should’ve done that so I could’ve prepared myself. 

I reassuringly smiled at him. “It’s okay.”

“Chandra’s right, Aziel,” my mother seconded and set down the newly cooked pan-seared salmon in front of him. “Like I said, you are free to come here any time. Cooking you a simple lunch is nothing compared to the help you’ve given my daughter the other night.”

Aziel turned to me and I nodded my head at him.

I was somehow feeling guilty because I knew how my mother truly felt about his visit. She didn’t want him to come over. She didn’t want me getting close to him for a reason she couldn’t explain and make me understand.

“Let’s eat before the food gets cold,” she announced as we were all settled down on the table.

Although Aziel gradually relaxed once we started eating, I ended up the one feeling awkward because of the silence reigning over us. I wasn’t really the type to start a conversation but I felt responsible for acting like a mediator between my mother and Aziel.

“Right…” I said after I chewed and swallowed the salmon. I turned to Aziel and his eyes were immediately on me. I was slightly flustered but I managed to regain my composure right away by clearing my throat naturally. “Uhm, so what’s the problem with my car?” I asked him just to have any topic to discuss while we were having lunch and make eating less awkward.

“Bad fuel pump,” he replied.

“Was it fixed, then?”

“Yup.” He nodded and put a slice of salmon in his mouth.

I couldn’t help but notice how he wasn’t even conscious of how he moves around me. But with a face like his, I doubted he’d feel the same way as me who had to measure how big and wide I should open my mouth while taking a bite.

“But we don’t want you stalling in the middle of the road once it fails you for the second time, right?”

His concern, once again, made its way to my heart. I quickly glanced away from him and poke at a piece of salmon I sliced, but I didn’t actually take a bite of it.

When I got full control of my emotions, I turned to him again. “The repair must have cost you a lot,” I said. “I’ll pay you before you leave. Just tell me how much it cost.”

Aziel leaned his head on one side. He stared at me for quite a long time in silence before he shook his head. “No need,” he said. “I got it.”

My eyes were wide while shaking my head. “No,” I firmly said. “I’ll pay you.”

“You don’t have to, Chandra.” His voice sounded firmer than mine. “I will never let a girl pay.”

“But that’s my car,” I argued.

“You two should stop fighting while we’re eating,” my mother came in between us when I was already feeling quite frustrated.

Pursing my lips, I slouched on my seat and stared at my salmon. “I’ll pay you,” I said for the last time.

Aziel sighed but before he could say anything to counter me, my mother cut him off and sided with me. “I know you’re a good man and you have good intentions, Aziel, but just let her pay you for the repair,” she said. “My daughter’s like me. We don’t really like the thought of owing someone money, especially when we can pay for it on our own,” she explained. “So for her peace of mind, just accept it.”

I had to thank my mother for stepping up for me. Aziel didn’t argue with her anymore. He just silently accepted and said nothing the entire time we ate.

I didn’t know how he could make me feel guilty with the thought of paying for the money he spent on my car, but he did. I suddenly lost my appetite but I made sure to finish my meal. We were about to eat the dessert he brought with him, and I should be saying something before that, but I couldn’t come up with anything until my mom saved us from the awkward atmosphere.

“Berry cobbler,” she whispered to herself while she sliced a small portion with her fork and had a taste. “Hmm!” Her eyes slightly widened, showing a genuine reaction, and looked up to Aziel. “This is delicious! Where did you buy this?”

I also took a bite, and I couldn’t agree more. It’s really delicious.

Hearing the compliment, Aziel smiled. “It’s homemade.”

My eyes widened once again, and so did my mother’s.

“You made this?” She couldn’t believe it.

He chuckled. “I’m not really good in the kitchen,” he said. “It’s actually my mother who made that. She loves baking.”

The smile on my mother’s face dimmed. “Your mother?” she asked, like she heard it wrong. “Did s-she know you’re coming here?”

“Uhm, yes…” Aziel hesitated a bit. “Is there anything wrong?”

Her lips parted to hear that and a smile lit her face up. “Nothing,” she said. “Can you please thank her for me and tell her that I really enjoyed her food, though?”

“Sure thing,” he replied with a smile.

After knowing that Aziel’s mother baked the dessert we were having for lunch, my mother seemed to enjoy it more. She ate with such gusto that she even finished two servings, despite not having a sweet tooth. It felt like there was something odd about it, but then again, the berry cobbler must just really suit her palate.

The lunch officially ended when my mother felt like she was having constipation from eating too much. She bid an excuse right away to relieve herself.

On the other hand, since he was still feeling guilty for rushing my mother to cook him lunch, Aziel offered to clean the table. I didn’t feel like having another round of argument with him, so I just let him be and quickly went to my room.

I spotted his black hoodie neatly folded on the bed end. I had not washed it yet, but I didn’t want to miss the chance of returning it to him without stressing myself. Besides, it still smelled like him, and I only wore it for less than thirty minutes.

Holding my phone and his hoodie, I went out of my room, just in time for Aziel to finish cleaning up. The dirty dishes stacked up properly on the sink and our dining table was spotless.

“Aziel,” I called him, and he slowly turned his whole body to me. “Your hoodie,” I said and placed it down on the table separating us.

Just like before, it seemed like he really had no plans of taking it back, but he still picked it up and said, “Thanks.”

“I haven’t washed it yet, though,” I said. “I hope it’s alright with you.”

He smiled at that. “No problem.”

I pursed my lips, not knowing what to say after. Luckily, I remembered the money I owed him. I looked down on my phone and pulled up the mobile banking. The cash I had on hand would surely not be enough to pay for the car battery so I had to transfer him the money instead.

“Uhm, here…” I offered my phone to Aziel.

He slightly tilted his head, staring at my phone. It was like he had no idea on what he should do with it, even when the screen already showed I needed his bank account.

“I need your account number to transfer the money,” I explained just in case he forgot. “I don’t have enough cash with me.”

“Save it,” he said after a long pause, then quickly strode off the kitchen on the way to the living room.

I panicked and followed right after him. He was already out on our front porch. His legs were much longer than mine, that’s why he could walk faster. I had to jog in order to catch up. 

“Aziel!” I frustratedly called his name, desperately trying to keep up. “You agreed that I would pay you back.”

He stopped walking and I was finally able to catch up easily. And right when I was standing behind him, he spun around to face me again. He even lowered his head to lean closer and simply stared at me.

My heart began to pound so loud. I bit my tongue and unconsciously took a step away to widen our distance, but he held the lower part of my back to keep me in place. I wasn’t prepared to go out and didn't wear a coat, but I didn’t even need it as heat raced across my skin.

“I don’t remember agreeing to anything,” he said, sounding so innocent.

I furrowed my brows. “Yes, you did!”

His eyebrows quirked as a smile tugged at his lips. “Did I, really?”

My lips parted as I was lost for words.

Looking back, he didn’t really say anything, He just remained silent while we continued to eat, and I took it as a yes from him.

He must have noticed from my expression that he outsmarted me. His eyes lit up as he pulled his head away and stood up straight. However, his hand never left my back to keep me warm while we were still outside. “I didn’t, right?” he asked, knowing that he would win the argument.

Acknowledging defeat, I exhaled a deep breath. “I really want to pay you, Aziel,” I told him how I really felt, hoping that it would somehow convince him. “You’ve given me so much help already since you saved me and my best friend from Zed and Vivian. I don’t know how else I should repay you.”

“You should know that I’m not asking for anything in return, Chandra,” he assured me.

“I know, but I also don’t like owing people anything,” I said.

Aziel’s jaw clenched as he stared back at me again. I fought so hard not to shy away and held his gaze. Several seconds of silence passed between us until he breathed out heavily, which made me think that he was finally conceding to my wishes. But in the end, he just flashed a grin before speaking.

“If you really want to repay me, then can I ask you a favor?” he said, and I knew just by those words that I should be up for something I had to digest and think about for days or weeks or months.

“What is it?” I braved myself to ask.

Still wearing a grin, his hand left my back and I could feel the cold seeping through my skin right away. The warm feeling from his touch was immediately replaced by an icy shiver. I almost threw myself onto him just to feel his warmth again, but the next thing he said made me freeze like ice.

“Be my friend, Chandra,” he said and offered his hand. His grin slowly faded and his resolve was staggering, showing me how serious he was. “I want you to be my friend.”

Each and every word which came out of his mouth sank deep into my heart. My lips quivered from the unexpected emotions swelling inside me. I stared down at his hand with my thoughts in disarray for a moment until a sudden thought came into mind.

I’m sorry, mom.

I didn’t know if it was the cold which triggered me but I just found myself slowly reaching out to him. And as soon as our hands touched, soothing warmth spread across all over my body and it somehow reassured me that I made the right decision to give him a chance, get to know him more, and hopefully, prove my mother wrong.