Chapter 74 - Scent And Warmth... (1/2)

[Music Recommendation: ”Interweave” by Chewie Melodies (Genshin Impact OST) - available in Youtube or Spotify] ~ Please listen to it in a loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this chapter ~

Extremely scared, my trembling body slowly turned around.

”Senara?” a familiar voice called me.

It was Kaiden.

”H-haaaahh…” I breathed heavily in relief. Tears started falling from my eyes.

”What are you doing—”

”Kaideeeen! Waaaaaaa!” I wailed like a kid.

Next thing I knew, I was running towards him. And I didn't know what got into me—probably because of my fear, but I… I shamelessly embraced him, burying my face on his chest.

”Wahu-hu-hu-hu…sniff… sniff…” I cried like a little kid. I guess I really was too scared.

”What happened?” Kaiden asked, perplexed.

I tried to explain but my words just jumbled up.

One of the things I hated in life were ghosts and I thought he was a ghost! My heart almost jumped out of my chest in my nervousness. But good thing he wasn't a ghost or I wouldn't know what to do. I'd probably freeze up, unable to move or say anything.

Kaiden did his best to calm me down, patting my back. But my tears just wouldn't stop, and my body kept trembling. Even I didn't know what to do with myself. I couldn't think straight. I tried inhaling and exhaling deeply but it was no use.

Then, Kaiden ushered me inside his room. Seeing I couldn't make a single step, he lifted me up in a princess carry and walked towards a huge couch where he sat me down. The way he carried me nonchalantly as if I was as light as a feather was supposed to be heart-pounding, but even that… didn't snap me out of my scary thoughts.

It's weird that I never believed in fantasy but I got so easily scared by ghosts or even just their stories. It was one of my weaknesses. That's why I never even tried watching a horror movie, or any gore, or anything that had blood in it.

There was a moment during my childhood that I accidentally watched a single clip of a horror film. The night after, I had nightmares. What's worse, my photographic memory made me remember it for weeks, making it play over and over in my mind. There was blood in that movie I saw which was probably why I detested the sight of blood ever since.

Kaiden offered me a glass of water. I drank it in one go but my body continued to tremble.

'Ugh. Come on, Senara. Calm down. It was just Kaiden. There was nothing there.'

”If you're still scared…” Kaiden said. Then, he opened his arms as if telling me to hug him some more.

[Music Recommendation: ”Scenery” by Kim Taehyung (BTS - V)]

My eyes cried out more when he did that. And of course, I took the kind offer. I buried my head again on his chest and cried my heart out. Perhaps that would help me calm down since my body wasn't listening.

And so, I cried and cried for I didn't know how long. Kaiden kindly patted my back and kept on saying ”It's alright. I'm here.” I was reminded of that time with the car accident. He also embraced me and told me everything's alright.

As he gently whispered to me, I didn't notice that I fell asleep. His sweet scent and warm embrace… I never knew it had become such a refuge for me. How very calming and comfortable it was.