When the Flower Falls (Fitzmael 7) - COMPLETED

20: That Didn't Happen

HER LIPS WERE STILL ON MINE... I slowly closed my eyes then held her face. I parted my lips, giving her the permission to continue.

"Did you touch her?!"

I flinched when I suddenly remembered what Elimae's father told me. I pulled my face away from Jealrain. She looked surprised but she didn't say anything and returned her attention to her food. I looked down, staring blankly at my plate. My chest suddenly tightened.

"W‑Why are you asking me that? I'm not a predator."

"Answer me!"

"R‑Ren?"

My thoughts were cut off when I heard Rain call my name softly. My breathing was deep and unsteady.

"Y‑You're pale..." She immediately stood up and caressed my face. She knelt in front of me, staring in worry. "What's wrong?" Her eyes scanned my entire body. "T‑Tell me what's wrong? A‑Are you okay? W‑Where does it hurt?" Her voice was trembling. I looked at her shaking hands.

"I‑I... k‑kissed you..."

"I was the one who did," she replied, shaking her head. She then looked away. "I'm so sorry..." She took a deep breath. "I‑It was a... m‑mistake..."

"No..." I answered immediately. "Nothing is your fault." I swallowed hard. "I just remember s‑something..."

She pressed her lips together and smiled, but it looked forced. "Y‑You remember your e‑ex..." She chuckled, slowly nodding. "I get it..." She wrapped her arms around me tightly. A few seconds passed before I heard her soft sobs.

"Rain..." I whispered.

"Hmm..." She sniffled. "I'm fine..." She gave a small laugh. "Are you okay?" she asked, still hugging me.

I hugged her tightly with my eyes closed. "I'm better now," I replied. Fear crawled up my spine when I remembered Elimae's father. I didn't want Mr. Forrester to think of me that way. "Let me look at you..."

She pulled away from the hug. I was about to wipe her tears but she beat me to it. "I'm glad you're okay now," she said before returning to her seat. She started eating and I followed. I forced myself to hide the uneasiness. We ate in silence. When we finished, she immediately told me she was leaving.

"I'm going home, Ren..." she said. "I still have things to do."

As much as I wanted to stop her, I knew she had her own life. I understood. "I'll walk you home," I offered.

"My house is just nearby."

"And?"

"I can go alone, Ren."

I turned around and went to my room. I grabbed a jacket and returned to the living room. "Come on," I told her. I gently held her forearms and led her outside my unit.

"You don't have to walk me home, Ren..." She let out a small laugh. "There's no lunatic on this beach."

"But still..." I insisted. I stopped walking and faced her. I slipped the jacket onto her. "Mosquitoes might bite you."

"Ren..." she laughed a little more. "It's normal for me to get bitten by mosquitoes."

"Well, now that I'm here, that won't happen anymore." I replied. "And the wind is strong. Just wear it."

She scoffed. "You always give me jackets. You already left so many at my place. I'll return them later or you'll run out."

"Don't return them. They're yours. I'll buy you a whole truck of insect repellant so mosquitoes won't bite you."