REIKA

TWENTY-NINE

As I lay next to Alban, hugging him and warming his body, I found myself lost in the charm of his handsome face. He was relaxed and peacefully sleeping, without a sign of pain. A couple of hours passed when Dad returned, but he didn't want to get closer to the house. Dad called me out so I could get the food he had brought for us. Stepping away from Alban's side, I smiled. The moment he felt me move, he groaned while still asleep.

—Get your ass back in bed! I need you, babe.

Bianco protested with a groan, surely missing the warmth our bodies made, just as I did.

—Our family needs to eat, you big baby. I'll be back.

I kissed his forehead and was about to move when he stopped me.

—The lips. I want it on the lips.

—Ok! Just cuz you are not feeling well.

I kissed his lips softly, and he smiled. Alban wasn't conscious, so that was Bianco smiling.

—Another one.

He asked, and I softly slapped his shoulder.

—My dad is waiting for me. I'll kiss you as much as you want later. Deal?

—Deal!

I stood and walked towards the door when he stopped me once more.

—Reika.

—What?

I turned my body towards him.

—Tell me you love me again. I want to hear it.

Taking a pause, I smirked. This dude! I was glad his eyes were closed and he missed the way I bit my lips and my cheeks blushed.

—I love you!

I screamed and ran out of the room, feeling all bubbly and fuzzy inside. Yuck! I had never acted this cringe-worthy.

Walking past John and Arjun in the living room, I exited the house and walked towards my dad. He was waiting, sitting on the back of the truck. I knew he would spend the night there instead of at the house. As I got closer, he passed me the bags, and I took them. I would have to make two trips to get all the things he had gotten for us.

"And you? What are you going to eat?" I asked, worried he wouldn't want to eat with us.

"Don't worry about me. Your mom told me she'll bring something for me later. I don't eat unless it's her cooking, and you know it." Dad reminded me with his head low. He was still picky like that. Dad had to cook for himself or trust in whatever Mom gives him. He couldn't eat anywhere else.

I gave my dad a sad smile, knowing well the food wasn't what he was worried about. What kept him away from this house.

"I know how you must feel. It's hard for everyone, and it will continue to be hard for a really long time." I tried to look into his eyes, but he avoided me.

"I don't regret it." Dad shook his head. He slowly turned around and sat on the back of the truck once more.

"I know you don't, and I'm sure they understand why you did it. It's still hard though. Alban was a baby and he can't remember a thing, just growing up without a father, but she saw it. I'm sure that image had haunted her for years. Still, she welcomed me in." I took a step closer to my father, put the bags down, and touched the hand he had laid over his knee.

"I can't show my face to her. Once he was dead, I thought we would be safe so I did my best to forget about it. For all those years, I honestly didn't think of them much. I bet both of them must have thought about me, feeling hurt every single day. She had such a hard life and lost everything for what I did, and I never reached out to offer my help. I thought that not killing them would be enough. I was so wrong. It's on me. I could have avoided all of this mess." Dad blamed himself with his head still low.