(Arata)
My heart was running a hundred beats a minute as I woke up drenched in sweat.
The nightmare—the bloody nightmare.
Soone was chasing , like a shadow on my tail, trying to catch . My belly felt so heavy as I tried to run, I clutched it tightly and then I tripped and fell.
Mind-numbing pain erupted in my belly as blood began to leak from between my legs, making a pool all around .
Scread, I scread so loudly only to awaken in soone’s comforting arms. Without thinking I clutched whatever I could grab and began to sob in a hard chest.
Soothing fingers, calming brush of skin against mine and gentle rub on my back and arm.
The feeling was too familiar, and it brought back to my senses as I realised it was Karsten who held .
Instantly I let go of him and hurried away. I had no intention of being comforted by a man who had so blatantly shattered my heart into so many pieces that I was finding it impossible to collect all the shards.
So many emotions swam in his face as I distanced myself from him and cried in an anguished voice.
"... you, it’s all because of you I am having these nightmares."
He just sat there staring at . I expected him to pass so cutting remarks, but he didn’t.
I huddled into myself, hiding away my face and softly crying.
I had promised myself that I wouldn’t shed tears anymore, but the pain in my heart was so blinding at that mont, and that nightmare had felt so real.
Soon, I heard the door close, and I knew he was gone. I curled my arms around my legs and just sat there.
The door opened after a few minutes, and soone walked in.
"Arata!" It was Asbela’s soothing voice. Lifting my head, I gave her a broken smile, and she just threw her arms around with concerns dancing on her face.
"I got you, it’s alright."
I quietly sobbed in her warm embrace and she just let be.
While crying I fell asleep and was only awakened when Asbela slowly shook .
I opened my eyes, letting them adjust to the low light in the room.
"Hey, good morning," she greeted with a smile and helped sit up. "How are you feeling?"
I rubbed my eyes and a yawn escaped .
"Better, is it still night?"
"No, it’s almost 8am."
"Ohh! Last night, what happened? You ca to the room, right?" The vague mories of the previous night had begun to erge and I wondered where Karsten was.
Asbela sat beside on the bed and held my shoulders. She gave a small understanding smile and explained.
"You had a nightmare last night and Master didn’t know how to console you. So he ca and fetched . I stayed with you and you slept peacefully after. I just woke you up."
Her words made look around and I couldn’t find Karsten anywhere.
"So Karsten didn’t co back?"
She shook her head.
"He slept in your room and just called to wake you up. Mada is awake and she will be asking questions."
I understood what Asbela was trying to say.
"I will get changed and will co downstairs for breakfast."
Asbela gave an appreciative nod as I got out of bed and proceeded to grab my clothes; she had already laid them out for . Only then did I rember.
"Asbela, can you bring so of my regular nightwear? I am not really comfortable in these." I pointed to the one I was wearing and she scrunched her brows together.
"But, Master will love them on you. You look amazing, n like such night dresses."
Oh! Sweet Asbela if she only knew how pretentious our relationship was.
"I know but please. Sotis I just want to be comfortable." She gave a hesitant nod but I knew she didn’t want to.
Once I had finished my morning rituals and exited the bathroom dressed for the office, I stopped in my tracks to find Karsten sitting on the bed with a glum expression.
His large hands were steepled in front as if he was in deep thought. The eyes were bloodshot again, aning he hadn’t slept the whole night. He was still in his nightwear.
His eyes wavered to and stayed on my face as I hardened my expressions and uninterestedly said.
"I am ready, we will head down together whenever you are."
Slowly, he got up and prowled towards , halting beside . His slightly worried gaze t mine, sideways.
He asked. "What did you see last night?"
Shadows of darkness danced in his eyes as they refused to waver from . How this man affected on such a nuclear level was beyond my understanding but I was not the one to cave.
"Nothing and it’s none of your concern," I abruptly said, leaving no room for discussion on this topic.
He closed his eyes just for a second as if trying to hide whatever sentints were trying to peek out.
Opening them he quietly moved away as I let out a breath I had been holding. He reeked of tobacco and smoke.
How much has he been smoking?
And so early in the morning?
Did he not at all care about his lungs and this aspect of his health?
I put on my court shoes and grabbed my bag, checking my phone inside it.
Soon, Karsten appeared fully dressed in a charcoal-shaded three-piece with black oxfords. His muscles rippled underneath the fabric and I had to avert my gaze.
That usual scent clung to him as he proceeded towards .
"Shall we?" He asked, his voice lacking hostility. He was in his zone, now that we were going to have breakfast with his mother.
He opened the door and gestured for to exit first.
I did and he joined .
We reached the bottom of the stairs and he said in a flat tone.
"Properly eat your breakfast, unlike how you had your dinner. Health is important."
I wished to turn and argue with him but Camilla’s voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Finally, I thought the old won’t get to see you both. Co, breakfast is getting cold."
So, instead of blasting him off, I plastered a smile on my face and wished his mother a good morning.
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