All Of My Silences Will Be Your Words [English Vers. - FINISHED]

Chapter Six

When Sae-Jin shook her head negatively, Felix felt relieved. Although he would have respected her decision if she wanted him to go, he wanted to stay with her. Besides, this was a good time to...

- Okay, he said cheerfully. I've got a little welcome-home present for you. I was waiting until I was alone with you to give it to you, because I didn't want to make you uncomfortable at dinner. He explained, reaching into his pocket.

He pulled out a small black and gold gift-wrapped package and handed it to her. She looked up at him in surprise. She certainly hadn't expected to receive anything from a stranger.

- I know you've been here for a month now, so I'm getting in late ! He laughed, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment. But everyone's offered you something, so I couldn't see myself arriving empty-handed.

As with her question earlier, Sae-Jin watched him for a long moment before finally taking the small package still held out to her. Felix wondered why she was doing this. What was she thinking ? Was she afraid of being tricked or that it was a bad joke on her part ? Or was it just her way, thinking long and hard before making any decisions ?

He watched her tear off the wrapping paper, his mind still on her questions. Sae-Jin finally unwrapped the jewel, turning from surprise to a kind of expression that Felix described as admiration. Her mouth formed an "oh" and her eyes sparkled. A small brown lock of hair slid down her cheek. Felix found himself wanting to tuck it back behind his ear.

His gaze went from the jewel to him, then from him to the jewel. Felix smiled, but refrained from saying anything, for fear of breaking what was happening. Because something was happening, even if he couldn't work out exactly what. Sae-Jin observed the jewel from every angle. Slowly, his gaze as bright as ever. Felix's smile widened again. Presumably, she seemed to like his gift, and her reaction was worth all the words and phrases in the world to him.

***

I didn't expect him to give me a present. We didn't know each other, and he spent three-quarters of the year abroad. Why bother buying something for me, the unknown girl who'd crashed at his place and, what's more, slept in his room ?

That's what I was thinking as I tore up the little gift wrapping paper. That's probably why I was so surprised to find a bracelet inside, as pretty as it was discreet. How had he known it was just the kind of jewelry I liked ? Had Madame Lee bought it for him ?

It was made of gold, and tiny black and red stones complemented it perfectly. Thin and discreet, in my favorite colors. Perfect for a girl like me who didn't like to stand out.

I tore myself away from the bracelet and looked up at Felix. He was smiling at me, even more than before. I wanted to thank him, but seeing him smile at me without saying anything disturbed me a little. He had a lovely smile. He was also making his eyes shine in a way I'd never noticed in other people.

In fact, I realized, Madame Lee hadn't bought it for him. He himself had actually bought it for me. No one would be smiling like that if he had. I wanted to thank him. But no words came. This time, it wasn't for lack of ideas. Quite the contrary. It was just that no words were strong enough to describe how I felt seeing him smile like that. His smile warmed my heart, made it swell with an emotion I couldn't define. It made me want to smile back.

So I tried to smile back. And so I did, by way of thanks.

I felt my cheek muscles stretch, and my eyes crinkle a little. My cheeks hurt a little, but the more I smiled, the more I wanted to smile. He too was smiling as he looked at me.

He didn't speak, I didn't write in response, but I felt like I'd never had such a long conversation.

***

- Lix ?

His younger sister's voice startled him, breaking the silence that had settled in the room. Felix turned towards the door Olivia had just opened. She was looking at them, raising an innocent eyebrow.

- What are you up to ? She asked curiously.

Felix blinked several times as his sister's question popped into his head.

- Ah ! Uh, I was giving Sae-Jin my welcome present, he snapped.

- Oooooh ! Let me see ! Olivia exclaimed as she entered the room.

Sae-Jin waved the bracelet gently in front of her as Olivia approached them. She placed herself between them, forcing her brother to move aside.

- He's so beautiful ! She commented, whistling with admiration. Did Mum help you choose it ?

Felix smiled as he noticed Sae-Jin's suddenly very interested gaze turn towards him. With this reaction, he understood a little better her long silence earlier when he'd handed her his gift. She hadn't expected to receive anything from a complete stranger. Perhaps she thought he'd only bought it to be polite ?

- Mom just told me they were Sae-Jin's favorite colors. He explained. At the time, I didn't know what to buy.

- What a coup ! Rachael and I asked Sae to choose for herself, since we were afraid of getting something she didn't like... Laughed Olivia, a little embarrassed. You outsmarted us.

Felix opened his mouth to reassure his sister, but Sae-Jin tapped Olivia on the shoulder before writing a few words in her notebook. This made Olivia smile as Felix leaned towards them, curious.

- I didn't see your welcome present, by the way ! What did you choose, Sae-Jin ?

Olivia clapped her hands and Sae-Jin gave her a stomach-churning smile. He barely heard his sister tell him to stay here and that she was going to get the present.

- Come with me, Sae ! She said, taking her friend by the arm.

She led him out of the room, not noticing that Felix was silently staring at them, hypnotized by the smile Sae-Jin was still giving him.

Once alone, it took him a few seconds to realize that he was smiling at the door.

- I'm going crazy, he muttered, shaking himself.

His eyes fell on Sae-Jin's notebook, open to the page they'd used moments earlier. He looked at the last sentence written, Sae-Jin's reply to Olivia.

It's okay that I chose my gift. I was glad you gave me something, it was the first time anyone had ever bought me a present. I was very pleased.

Felix pondered these words for a few minutes. Like earlier, he felt touched by her, by what she'd been through. He wanted to help her. He wanted to offer her all the happiness he could, so she could finally be happy and enjoy her life.

He wanted to give her all the love in the world, he realized.