pied piper

42 | My Little One

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"Please don't leave," I sighed, closing my eyes for a moment as her voice grew more restless, desperation apparent in her weak tone. "Please don't leave me..."

Softly swaying my hand away from hers, I didn't respond but opened one of the drawers, seizing out a tube of ointment and deviating back to her, sinking down on my knees once again but this time, making direct eye contact with her teary eyes, my heart trembling catching her in such a feeble shape but also seething with intense anger knowing well enough who was behind the cause of her despondency.

I knew well enough that a simple test wouldn't bring her down to such an extent, there had to be a presence of a catalyst behind it.

Taking out a copious amount of the ointment that I had made especially for injuries as such, I cleared my throat, making sure to keep my finger stable as I slowly touched her injuries, cautious and with the utmost care that I could find in myself.

"Were you playing with glass on your way here?" I lowered my voice, adding saccharine sweetness to my already honeyed tone, delicately blowing cool air on the dried-up blood scabs that had formed on her feet.

"I'm sorry..." I exhaled slowly, gulping down but understanding the disarray of emotions she must be feeling right now. I shouldn't force her into telling me anything. She'll do that when she trusts me enough to share the intimate parts of herself.

"I got this medicine when I went overseas for work, it works wonders for all the injuries, whether big or small. You just have to sit tight for a few minutes to let it do its work and you'll be fine without even a single scar!" trying to uplift the depressing atmosphere, I smiled brightly, getting closer to her but ruffling her damp hair.

"What did you have for lunch, hm?" keeping the ointment neatly back to its place, I returned to her side, pursing my lips when the grumbling in her stomach answered my question instead. "Hm, I think I got my answer."

Caressing my thumb on the back of her hand, I met my eyes with hers, "How about you take a nice warm bubble bath here and I make something tasty for us to eat?" I spoke quickly, "Coming to think of it, the last thing I had was this espresso in Italy and it was so bitter I wondered how bad was the worker's ex." I stared at her with curved eyes, earning the reaction that I was hoping for as she pushed her head back, giggling at my words.

"How bitter?"

I raised my brows, lifting my lips into a cocky smile I knew she loved, "Hm, I think I can still taste it, wanna kiss to find out?"

I watched her drowning in shambles, so shy despite being so bold. God, I was falling deeper...much deeper than I would have ever intended to. This wasn't supposed to happen, I stared at her trying her hardest to hide the crimson heat that was steadily making its way up on her neck and cheeks. I wasn't supposed to love you like this but I couldn't stop myself, these growing emotions every time I watched you smile, cry, laugh.

You were my euphoria. The best thing that's ever happened to me.

Shaking my head before my heart could send me into a frenzied state, I smiled, sharing her grin but being meticulous to lift her body and unhurriedly place her in the bathtub. 

"I'll be right there in the kitchen. If you need something, just holler, okay?" initiating a firm eye-contact, I made sure she was comfortable before beaming, rufflling her hair but bending down to peck her forehead.

My little one.

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As soon as Mr. Jeon left, leaving the door slightly ajar upon my request, I laid my head back on the pillow he had placed behind my neck, taking a deep breath and closing my eyes.