Her Home, His Heart | ✓

☆*✿TWENTY-EIGHT (28)❀*★

This is the third part of a triple update. If you haven't read 26 and 27, scroll back up and get to them!

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♪♪ Although it's hard now...
To be human is to love
Even when it gets too much
I'm not ready to give up ♪♪

ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ[To be Human] - [Sia]

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Numbness seeped into every part of Esmé's being as she crashed onto the sofa in the living room. Her head dipped backwards onto the head of the sofa and her heavy eyelids closed, giving her a satisfactory moment of peace. Intending to relax further into the couch, her shoulders sagged, giving her away to the exhaustion she felt.

But her moment of peace only lasted for a second. Persistent hammering on the front door popped her eyes open.

Esmé groaned, and a series of curses flew out of her mouth. The room spun briefly as she hauled herself up from the sofa. Her feet shuffled against the floor as she made her way to the door. Though all her body seeped from exhaustion, her heartbeat pounded against her ribs and her eyes held a glare that was ready to send the person behind the door six feet under.

"Oh my. You look terrible," Petra chipped in with a grimace once Esmé opened the door.

Esmé gave a low chuckle at the comment. A timid smile replaced her angry look. "Thanks?"

Petra's brows drew together, and her eyes softened, taking Esmé in. Sighing, she stretched forth her hand and pulled Esmé into a hug. "Oh, dear. Don't worry, I'm here now. I hear a warm hug soothes all worries." She patted her back soothingly.

A sudden tightness formed in Esmé's chest at Petra's words, remembering why she hadn't sought her out before. Her chin quivered at the thought of receiving comfort from Petra, and she moved to pull away from the hug, but Petra held on tighter, soothing her further until Esmé had no choice but to relax slightly into the hug.

The hug helped lift a bit of the burden Esmé felt, but her guilt didn't let her fully relax. Petra realized this and released Esmé with a deep frown edged onto her lips.

"This won't do. You need a break and I know just the perfect place for that."

Esmé's quivering squashed easily at the sneaky smile that popped on Petra's lips. She shook her head in disapproval. "I'm in no mood for the club right now, Petra."

Petra gasped, and her hands flew to cover her mouth dramatically. "The club? What exactly do you take me for?"

Esmé's pointed look was enough for Petra to get the point. She pouted and huffed, stepping into the house. "Fine, maybe that would have been an option but ... it wasn't my first! I was actually thinking of a place with more solitude and a spectacular view."

Esmé's head jerked back with a narrowed gaze at Petra. "Really?"

"Yes! Now, come on. Let's go." Petra pulled Esmé out of the house, not without sending a sad gaze toward Kian's room door. She caught herself quickly and sent a smile to Esmé, who still held her narrowed gaze.

The want to refuse the mini trip Petra had in mind for her churned within Esmé but as they stepped out of the house and the cool night breeze hit her, her thought swayed to dwell on what she needed at that moment and it was to step out of that house for a moment.

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Their destination was closer to Kian's house than Esmé expected. Alighting from the car, Esmé's stared jaw dropped. The house before her stood tall and magnificent, like the mansion it was. The exterior leaned into the lights of the surrounding lamps, seeking warmth and emitting a strange peaceful aura with the beautiful flowers that adorned the house, given it the extra homely feel.