★ 𝐄𝐋𝐘𝐒𝐈𝐀𝐍 ★

Chapter Eight

A/N : Guys I've changed the book name from ' Darkest Hour ' to
' ELYSIAN '. I think this new name's PERFECT !!♡ enjoy !!♡

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I ran my hand along the smooth surface of the marble bench we were sitting on. An enormous Pomegranate tree stood silently beside us.
The only sound that could be heared was it's leaves rustling to the gentle breeze.

His was gazing into the distance, lost in thoughts, once again. Like he had forgotten I was there, next to him. He constantly slipped away to a far-away world, where he would stay until something stirred.

Or until someone spoke.

The silence grew, so I cleared my throat.

" Erm.. so..", I started.

" Emiline ", he said suddenly, eyes till fixated on a distant point.
I froze. This was the first time he called me by my first name. The way he pronounced my name made my stomach clench.

I have never heard anybody pronouncing my name in such a dream-like way..

" Emiline..", he repeated,  returning his gaze towards me, his icy blue eyes starring right into the depths of my soul. His eyes observed me carefully.

" Is that your name ? Am I right ? ", he asked in a quiet voice.

" Yes..", I replied, still trapped in his strange gaze.

" Well, I would love to know more about you ", he said, pressing his back towards the bench and exhaling slowly. " But don't worry, I already  know the fact that you murmer my name in your sleep ", he added pursing his lips.

My cheeks flushed red. My hands became sweaty.

" Go on ", he encouraged his lips still pursed.

" Uh.. I'm Emiline. Emma for short ..., I'm from another village ", I said which was half true - half lies.

I cannot tell him where I came from...

" And as you know, I work as a waitress at the Shackern. I love to paint and collect flowers in various colours ".
" Uh.. basically I love anything related to art..", I concluded.

I smiled. " Well now it's your turn .. Adrian.. ", I added almost blushing.

He glanced at me and raised an eyebrow. " Are we playing some sort of game then ? Or am I mistaken ? ", he asked, this time -

- was I imagining it ? Or did the corners of his mouth slightly lift up for a smile.. ?

But it was gone as soon as it came.
I wonder whether he EVER smiles.

" Yes ", I replied.

He sighed. " Alright. Very well then, my name's Adrian William Haze.
A former Commander General of the army. Now I'm a businessman ", he said simply.

" And what do you like ..? Things you love.. ? ", I pressed on.

I wanted to know more..

" Ah..", he pinched the bridge of his nose, shutting his eyes for a moment.
" Emma, for a person who fought the final war, the only thing that remains to love is the freedom I received after it. I adore this peacefulness. No explosions. No guns being fired. No men dropping dead. No allies being buried.. ", his voice trailed off.

His expression was serious. Like he was reliving those nightmares briefly.

My heart felt heavy.

I slowly placed my palm on his hand. He froze from that simple gesture. His hand was unnaturally cold.

" I'm sorry..", I whispered.

He looked at me, his eyes once again strange and distant. Like he was not here anymore.

I looked into the distance. The sun was setting in the horizon. Twilight was taking over, slowly and slowly ..

I wanted to change the subject. I raked my brain to find some other subject to talk about. Suddenly it hit me.

" That day, that day I got hit by something. A vehicle. And the next thing I knew, I was here on a bed ", I asked quickly.
"What actually happened to me ? ".

He thought for a moment.

His fists clenched and he gritted his teeth.
" That scoundrel , Guzeman. He did this to you in the disguise of an accident ", he recalled.

" Oh..", I said, unable to believe what I was hearing.

" I would have made him come to you, kneel infront of you and beg you for forgiveness, but ..", he smirked and continued.  " But he's in no condition to come and meet you much less kneel infront of you ".
He fixed his eyes at me, a malicious glint dancing behind his pupils.

" Tell me Emma, how can a person kneel down, when their legs are broken, their whole body bruised and their eyes bleeding ? ", he said starring at me, his eyes alight.
" I couldn't just let him go ", he shrugged turning away from me.

My eyes turned to the size of saucers.

" Y-you .. hurt.. h-him..? ", I stammered.

Adrian stood up and looked down at me, his hands in his pockets.
His eyes were flaring with anger.

" NOBODY lays a hand on you Emma. Not until I'm alive ".

He stretched a hand down towards me. " Get up now. We have to go in. It' getting late ".

***