Touch Of Solicitude

QUINCE

The pair continued to talk, but Luigi, on the other hand, felt restless; no one spoke as the woman walked away. The ticking clock was the only sound resonating across the room. The silence was deafening. "I suddenly remembered, you're now working here, right? I heard it from your Mother," The Mother spoke first, "Well, I was introduced to the world of Business and Finance because of my Father, I began to like it as he continued showing me the ropes," Luigi responded.

"How are the women at your company?" She asked, which caught him off guard, "They're, well- fine..." He smiled bitterly.

"Is that so? Do you like someone, from them?" She followed, "Sun Hee is at the right age of marriage, but after her fiance left her at the altar she dispised the fact of dating and marrying,"

"After being the editor in chief, she became busy and didn't care about her love life, at all! If you know anyone that suits her well, I would like you to introduce them to each other," Her statement made Luigi devastated, "You grew up together, you know each other's taste quite well, I do hope that she finds herself again,"

"I- I understand," He stuttered, avoiding her gaze, "I would leave that to you,"

As the clock struck twelve, Sunny came back, wearing sleeping clothes, "Mother, it's already twelve, I told you to go back early so it won't be that dangerous to go out late," She complained, "Is it already that time?" She stood up.

"I will ask our driver to take you home, Mother, please rest assured." Luigi stood up, guiding the woman out, "You should let me be, Sun Hee, I haven't seen this man for years, also we haven't talked and catched up for long," She complained.

Deep in his mind, Luigi wanted to let the Mother stay but knowing Sun Hee would not let the older woman be at her sight. It will only end up as a fight. He hoped that he did not look rude in front of the woman. "I'll take her out, Sunny," The man presented, "Thank you, you really are kind, Luigi. Also, Sun Hee, take care of him, he just returned so he would probably be unfamiliar of the changes in Ylury," She soon left, as the driver drove her off.

Luigi knew that his Mother and Sunny's Mother only agreed to this setup because they wanted to keep each other intact and close. It would also be safe for them since they knew each other way back. "Sunny," Luigi called her out, "We should talk," She turned around, wearing a stoic expression.

"We should do the talking tomorrow, we are both tired, and it's late, let's rest for today, all right?" He questioned and started to walk off, "Is it wrong for me to ask you just this one?" Luigi stood frozen.

"Don't tell me that you're perhaps purposely avoiding me? Let's not go any further and talk this out," Her voice raised, he soon came walking to her, holding her in his grasp, "Don't touch me," She tried to push him away, but when their skin touched each other's, her mind went black.

Sunny thought that her face might be read at this moment; he nuzzled his face to the woman's neck, "Luigi," She uttered her name, "You're too sensitive to me, Sunny. I know how much you hated my touch, even with a simple nudge. Your reaction makes me want to touch you even more,"

She pushed him away, "What are you even saying?" She raised, "Keep yourself at my reach, or else, that thing might happen again,"

Sun Hee's face fell, she might hate the man right now, but Luigi leaving her again, she will not endure it again, once was enough, even though she almost went mad to the point that she blamed the man for leaving her when it was not his fault.

Luigi walked to her, patting her head, "That's a good girl," With that statement, he walked out of the room, "What am I even doing?" Sunny mumbled to herself.

Sunny thought that it would be great to work on her things to get things off her mind. She made her way to the living room and started fixing her stuff. She was in charge of the publication's look and felt since she had the last say on what was published and what was not, and also led the publication's team of editors, copyeditors, and writers. 

Sunny was tasked with reviewing content because the publication team had handed her the content for the issue. Each issue must be free of copy mistakes and inappropriate content. Sun Hee would also appoint an editorial board, then transfer management of the issue to the editors and authors before conducting a final check to verify the content meets the publication's standards. Before the final review, she sometimes is involved in editing, composing, and evaluating the publishing numerous times, even copyediting.

As time passed, making his way to the kitchen to drink a glass of water, Luigi noticed that the living room lights were open, only to find a sleeping Sunny with files laid out across the table. He switched the lights off and went to her, gently carrying her in his arms.

Sunny looked small in his arms. Luigi felt like she looked similar to a child while sleeping. Too adorable and quiet when they were asleep, but on the opposite, they seem like a spawn of Satan when they are fully awake. Luigi walked to her bedroom and opened the door; for hours ago, this place looked as if a typhoon had hit the space, but now, it looked neat, almost shining. He even told that woman that he would call over someone to clean the place.

However, knowing Sunny, once she decided on something, nothing could stop her, even if it was him or her Mother. He slowly placed her on the mattress, tucking her in the bed. Before leaving, he observed her for the last time, kissing her forehead. "I know how tired you were today," He mumbled, "Sleep well, Sunny, sleep well," The man slid some strands of her hair to the back of her ear and soon left the room.