Chapter 5 A HEAVILY BURDENED SOUL

I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. How could I possibly convey the whirlwind of emotions churning within me? The fear, the uncertainty, the overwhelming sense of vulnerability. How can I be okay?

The again, he is just a kind stranger or a friendly ghost who has decided to help tonight. He knows nothing about me nor what I am facing nor the ghosts that I am running away from. He already sees me as a weirdo so I better respond quickly before I prove him right.

I meet his smoking gorgeous dark-brown eyes. And for a moment, I delve into them, loving their magic. They are a story for another. "I... I think so," I respond, my voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you," I add, meeting his gaze once again with a faint smile.

And he smiles back, our smiles locking. Holding each other and for a fleeting moment, I can't really explain what is going through our minds as we stare like this. Trading warm smiles that hold hidden meanings that I can't quite decipher.

"Are you sure you will be okay here?" He breaks the silence again.

Is he kidding? like, really? I throw my purse on the pink-themed queen-size bed and, for the first time, I give him a sincere grin.

"Are you seriously asking that?" I query, the smirk fading but still maintaining a bright face. "Who wouldn't be okay with this luxury and tranquility?" I state, rolling my eyes. Honestly, who wouldn't be? This feels like a home that I have been longing for. It's all so peaceful and...

"I wasn't referring to the room."

Huh? I snap my eyes at him. He wasn't?

My face grows wrinkled in a flash. "What then? What exactly did you mean?" I query, gazing straight at his face.

"I don't know," he starts, browsing my face and crossing his arms across his chest, "You seem incredibly anxious and restless. I just want to know whether you will be fine with me around. I am totally harmlessly if it will make you feel any better."

My mouth flutters with a little chuckle. Yeah, right! Give me a damn break! I mean, isn't that the cliche they all use? Nobody goes around flaunting their crimes. Sigh! But seriously, I am breaking into a hysterical chuckle at his words. His demeanor is a stark contrast to his words. I mean, he can not be this hot and yet 'doesn't bite', you know. Not even a fool can fall for this.

"Why all the sarcasm?" Standing upright and with his arms crossed across his chest, he asks.

He looks really tall from this angle. Jeez! I have always been so proud of my 5'4 height. Why do I now feel like a dwarf beneath his lean tall stature?

"The way you sound defensive is what makes all what you said so sarcastic Mr Man," I utter, and he smirks.

An annoying smirk! And damn those long, shiny teeth!

"You must be so terrible at interpreting gestures. I wasn't being defensive at all," He says, still wearing the smug.

I cock an eyebrow. "Really?"

"When you are done with your shower, come downstairs for supper." He says, avoiding my challenge, and my stomach rumbles so loud as if to ascertain just how much I am hungry.

I haven't bitten anything in more than twenty-four hours. I haven't felt the need to eat at all since I saw Leo and Nelly in that revolting scene. My stomach has since been filled with the anger and resentment of their betrayal and humiliation. I haven't felt the urge to eat anything. But I cannot starve myself to death because of those worthless nincompoops.

Along with everything else that had been wearing me out throughout my life, I left them behind. Unfortunately, the heartaches couldn't be left behind. The pain is still so fresh.

Will this pain ever go away?

I didn't know I was crying until I felt his thumb wiping away the tears. Shit!

Get a hold of yourself, Ellie! You are gonna break down in front of a total stranger? And just a few minutes of the meeting, you are showing your weakness?

I am strong! I am bold! I am unbreakable, especially by worthless beings. I am Ellie Marie Riccaford! "No!" I mumble, pulling myself away from him and drying the tears away myself. I am stronger than this. "I am okay."

"You don't look like..."

"I said that I am okay," I snap a bita bit louder than I would have wanted. "I am okay!" I insist.

He nods his head, denoting that he understands the line that I am drawing. "I will be waiting downstairs," he says, maintaining his cold demeanor, and I nod my head.

He stomps out of the room, and the door slams shut. I drop on the bed on my back when he is no longer in my line of sight. I take in a good amount of the fresh air, shutting my eyes, to the old, and the problems surrounding me. But tears start falling again.

Wow, such a fantastic start to life in this metropolis, huh! I had been so resilient for the past few hours. What the heck got into me just now? I have left those disgusting people behind. I would be gazing at my ghost fiance's ugly face right now, but happily, I'm not. I ought to be joyful, right?

Leo was absolutely right, in as much as I hate to admit it. I cannot hide from my father forever. If he so wants, he will move heaven to earth to find me. To attain what he desires, he will, if necessary, turn this planet upside down. In one way or the other, sooner or later, I will find myself face-to-face with my father again, and I know I will dearly pay for my rebellion.

So, in the meantime, with this short time that I have, why don't I try to cherish the uncertain short period of time that I have now? I really should.

It is said that no one can comprehend the mysterious ways of fate. Maybe this is it at work? Maybe there is a reason why I was compelled to do this. Why I dared to do something that no one else had ever dared to do - to go against my father even though I knew the consequences and all that was at stake. Perhaps there is a reason why fate sent me to this city. To finally experience the euphoria and sovereignty I have always dreamed of since I was young, even just for a short moment. To relish life the way I rightfully deserve, away from my father's shadow.

I'm not sure how long I will be free from my father, but in the interim, I am not going to restrict myself to the bliss that life has in supply for me. I refuse to allow guilt or insecurity or fear to interfere with my pursuit of happiness. I yearned for this. I craved for this. I deserve this. I need this. What's worth wasting this opportunity?