Mean Looking Sweetheart

CHAPTER 23

Is my love any less valuable than theirs?

"We can not ignore the beastlings for too long. You must come with me. My cousins have planned a welcome party for us." She wanted to make an excuse but couldn't come up with something good. She could say she was tired and wanted to sleep, but he knew very well she slept most of the way.

She nodded and he smiled victoriously. She then realized he had changed into their traditional yukata. A dark blue one with black embroidery. Since she has come here, she has seen finest embroidery ever. Her fingers twitched to feel the art of thread on his yukata but she refrained from it.

"You can go ahead, Ikigai." She looked up and noticed how his gaze was on her fingers understanding her wishes. His observation made her accept the fact that he belonged with something so dangerous. Her first thought was to refuse his offer but her curiosity got the better of her.

She moved her hand towards his cuff but his hand captured hers, guiding it till it rested on the fabric over his hard, muscled chest. He took a deep breath which made his muscles wave under her touch and she felt every slightest movement under her palm.

This made her feel warmth behind her ears, the feeling so bizarre that she snatched her hand away, embroidery long forgotten.

"I asked them to make the gathering American style, so you could be more comfortable." Him mentioning the name of her home, made her ask him. "Where is Ava and the child?" At her serious tone his smile neutralized and he sat back down cross legged with a huff.

"She is where she should be. She is safe." His tone wasn't pleasant for her. "Safe with who?" She asked sternly at which he replied. "With Salvatore." He expected some sort of reaction if not at outburst from her, but got nothing but a nod.

"Do you think he will protect her?" At her light tone he have a soft smile and scooted closer to her. "He will, over his own life." Despite his restraints, his hand moved on it's own towards her face to cup her cheek. To feel the softness he has secretly felt on their way here.

She looked at his extending hand and glared at him, which made him stop in his track. "He hit her, he made her bleed. He hurt her so much, she tried to kil..." Tsuda's focus on her expressions made him realize she was getting down the lane of rage.

"He made a mistake and he is very sorry for what he has done. Even God gives a second chance, why can't you?" He tried to pursue her to let go of her hatred. "It's Ava he has wronged. Who am I to give a second chance?" He nodded at that.

"And it's Ava who has chosen to trust him. Do you have so little faith in her?" Words were one of his best pursuits and anyone could tell why. She hummed in reply.

"Look at the time it's getting dark soon. We must go now." He made her follow him, but before that he made sure she was fully covered in sweaters and top it all off with a jacket. She didn't have the verbal strength to stop him or fight, so she had let him be.

"Oh! You guys are here. Come come the barbeque is almost ready." One of the female cousins said while waving at them with one hand and flipping a pattie on the grill from the other. He had made all the servants free from the chores of the party because all of the cousins were supposed to do it.

The house had an open side which touched the forest directly. And there were lanterns and fairy lights around one opening to the forest. A banner hung and the head of it, which has 'Maze Gunner' written on it. She found it amusing and funny to some extent.

"Winner gets one of my watches." Tsuda whispered in her ear, his closeness made her flinch. "Let's eat first." He took her to the benches around the camp fire and sat her there. "I'll be right back with your food." He knew her likings and dislikings when it comes to food by some means.