Luna Kiara

How Can I?

Kiara

He still wouldn't let me go. However, I was aware that I would have to leave at some point. I was concerned, in part, about the undeniable attraction I was feeling. I couldn't afford to be taken advantage of by another person. I was concerned that my passion to fight would wane. I was afraid that my desire to avoid males would be overcome by the attraction I felt.

He was being gracious to me, but the question was, until when?

I put on the clothing he had brought for me. After tossing the soiled shirt, I felt much better. The new garments, at the very least, smelled better.

The days that followed were very routine. Oswald made sure I didn't leave the cottage and that I had a good night's sleep. I could tell he was concerned about the bruises on my arms and legs, and he went out of his way to make me feel at ease.

He cleaned the cottage and prepared meals for us every day. He never made a request of me. He didn't even try to touch me, which surprised me a little. Nonetheless, I wasn't about to let down my guard just yet.

I was never hungry because he gave me fruits and meat every day. Though I could understand that he might be picking fruits from shrubs and trees in the woods, I couldn't figure out how he caught a deer every day without using any weapons.

My wounds healed over time. As the days passed by, I found myself progressively leaning toward this attractive guy, despite my best efforts to resist the power of attraction.

He reminded me of the models I'd seen in magazines, with his glowing umber complexion and piercing blue eyes. He wasn't just good-looking. He was thoughtful as well.

I told myself this over and over again that it was wrong. That I shouldn't be feeling like this, just because he was being nice. Still, my heart and soul seemed to have a mind of its own.

I should definitely speak with him about returning to the city. Maybe he would agree to let me go since my wounds had healed.

I woke up early to catch a glimpse of him leaving. I kept a close eye on him, unsure if I'd be able to leave before he returned. I shook my head. I can't run away.

What if I'm attacked by another gang of thugs? At least, Oswald isn't a threat to me. He is respectful toward me.

I peeked through the thickets of the woods. He had told me on numerous occasions that I would have no idea where I was going from here. He was right. Most likely, I would get lost.

If only he would take me out of here with him. Sighing, I exited the cottage and made my way to the brook where I had cleaned my body. The sun shone brightly on the beautiful creek, its water shimmering like clear crystal. The songs of the birds offered a new sense of fulfilment. I smiled to myself as I took a deep breath, inhaling the forest's fresh aroma.

In the city, I wouldn't be able to appreciate nature's pristine beauty. This was an extraordinary experience.

I turned back, just in time to observe Oswald panting a short distance away, thanks to the sound of frantic footsteps behind me. He ran up to me and gave me a worried look.

He inquired, "What are you up to?"

"I wanted to look around," I explained, shrugging my shoulders.

He exhaled deeply and appeared to be at ease.

"When I went to the cottage and you weren't there, I was worried. I actually followed your sc...." He trailed off but quickly recovered. "I went looking for you."

I raised a brow. Was he going to say something to me? What did he follow?

With a raised brow, I inquired, "You followed me?"

With a shake of his head, he scratched the back of his neck.

"I wouldn't say that." He answered, "I... I simply assumed you would come here."

However I got a feeling he wasn't being completely honest with me.

I shook it off, though. I shouldn't give him too much thought. He was merely a new face.

"I've brought food." He shifted the subject.

"All right," I said as we went towards the cottage together.

Despite the fact that my sight was drawn to the dried leaves on the forest floor, I was preoccupied with plans to go back to the city.

"I'd like to leave," I expressed my desire.

"It's impossible for me to live in the woods. I must go back. You forced me to vow that I would stay until my wounds were healed. Now I'm all better."

When I realised he had stopped walking, I gave him a quick glance and said,

"Let me go."

When I realised how upset he was, my lips parted. I grimaced and pursed my lips.

"Please," I added.

With a long sigh, he exhaled deeply.

"Can't you stay?" he asked, "I enjoy having you around."

I twitched my lips. Did he truly enjoy my company? How sweet.

But then I shook my head.

No. Getting attached to him was something I must avoid. I was tricked once and that was enough. With a courteous smile, I shook those thoughts away.

"We can't live in the woods. We need to be part of a society in order to survive. We need one another as friends, helpers…. We can't survive on our own," I explained, hoping he would get it.

He only shrugged his shoulders, though.

"I think I can live with you." he said.

For a moment, I was speechless. Was he interested in living with me? In the woods? Well that was strange.

"Can you tell me why you're doing this?" Finally, I approached him with my query.

He asked, "Do what?"

"You rescued me from those goons, helped me recover, but refused to allow me return to the city," I explained. I told him, "You're polite, but I'm not sure why you won't let me go back."

He groaned, his arms crossed across his bare chest. I couldn't stop staring at him.

For a long time, he stayed silent. I gave him a courteous smile and glanced at him, making eye contact, when I felt his eyes penetrating into mine. My heart skipped a beat when my breathing hitched.

What could I say to explain my heart's erratic palpitations whenever we locked gazes? It was quite odd.

He began walking ahead of me, murmuring, "You won't understand."

I followed him, grimacing as I tried to keep up with his quick pace.

"Then why are you keeping me here if I don't understand? What makes you so adamant about not allowing me to leave?" I questioned.

He made a grunting noise but said nothing. My queries might have irritated him, but I needed to know what was going on. There were a lot of questions I needed answers for.

"Besides, why are you living in the woods by yourself? Why aren't you living in a city?" I added, "You don't strike me as a horrible person."

I ran into his back as he abruptly stopped walking. A short breath escaped my lips as the sparks erupted. Slowly turning around, he locked his gaze on me. My mouth felt as if it was parched.

He murmured, "I wouldn't mind living with you in the city."

I got a little shiver up my spine. I was taken aback by the way he whispered. With a shake of my head I gulped in hard. What was this unusual individual doing to me?

"What?" I asked, gulping down the saliva. My voice was just above a whisper.

His lips twitched with a smile.

"If I can live with you," he reiterated, "I might travel to the city."

My mouth hung open in shock. Did he want to live with me? But why would I do such a thing? I was attempting to depart before succumbing to the enticement I was feeling. What made him want to live with me in the first place?

"Are you sure? Why, though? We've only recently met. We barely know each other. You wouldn't want to live with me anyway once you come to know who I am," I said, but he silenced me with his fingertip on my lips. I was astounded by the explosions of sparks. It was... amazing.

"I'm sure I wouldn't mind living with you. I believe I will value your presence in my life. I believe I will enjoy you in every way. Your sun and rain will enchant me. I'll accept you just the way you are. Through it all, I'll love you. Because I want you to be the queen of my life, I'll treat you like one."

I was taken aback by his deep whisper. Did he say what I thought he did? If only he knew what he was talking about...

No! This is impossible!

I pushed him away as quickly as I could.

I sputtered, "No... I... I can't..."

I could tell Oswald was anxious, but his statement made me queasy. I suddenly started to feel hot. Sweat dripped down my brow in clumps.

Those false promises….those wasted promises ...

On my off day, I planned on spending it with Joy. We hadn't seen each other in a while. We stopped at a cafe and headed to the park, chatting about everything. We had a close relationship. That was my initial impression.

A large number of people gathered in the park. Various types of flowers bloomed in various locations. The scenery was perfected by trees of varied forms and sizes. We used to go snap pictures at a small set of stairs that led to a fountain.

Danny was waiting for me with a bouquet of red roses on that particular day, which shocked me. I foolishly accepted it, but I couldn't fight back my emotions when he knelt down and pulled out a royal blue velvet box.

He stated something that sounded a lot like Oswald's words.

"I'd like to make you my queen." Please allow me to love and cherish you till death separates us..."

It was all a fabrication. Every one of them was a lie. Both of them deceived me. All the while, they were plotting against me. They took advantage of my innocence. How could I possibly put my faith in anyone else at this point?

As I stepped back, tears welled up in my eyes. "I... can't..."

My cheeks were flushed with heated tears as I sniffled. I had turned into someone I despised: a murderer, thanks to them. I had a hellish time in the woods as a result of them.

I don't know how I would ever be able to forgive them. What's more, how can I believe what I'm hearing right now?

I hated my life. I just hated it. With troubled eyes, Oswald looked at me. He was concerned. This wasn't about him. It was about them, but would he understand?

I dashed into the woods, sniffling. I had a feeling Oswald would be rushing just after me. But I needed time and space. I wanted to think.

I wasn't ready to be in a relationship with another man yet. After everything I had gone through, I didn't think so.

I dashed till I came to a stop in front of a large oak tree. I leaned against the trunk of a tree, gasping for air. My chin were dripping with tears.

Through my hiccups, I mumbled to myself, "I'm not ready."

Gasping for breath, I cried. I cried because I wished things had turned out to be different. I wished I didn't trust them. And most of all, I wished I could know if Oswald was being serious.

A twig snapped and I realised I was not alone. I wiped my face and looked into the trees. Perhaps Oswald had tracked me down to this location. I surveyed the area. There was no one in sight as the dried leaves crunched. Someone was there. A crease appeared on my brow. The subsequent silence was unnerving.

I called, "Oswald?"

The surrounding was deafeningly silent. Fear grabbed my chest as my heart began to beat faster.

"Oswald!"

Instead of his calming voice, I got a menacing growl in response.