The Witches Image

Chapter 11

As you walked side by side through the Ministry halls to the cafeteria, Copia kept stealing glances at you. He had seen you so vulnerable, so troubled and confused before, but it tugged at his heartstrings in a way he hadn't expected.

The cafeteria was empty by the late hour, and you sat at one of the tables and put down your laotop while Copia prepared the hot chocolate.

His movements precise and his concentration divided between the task at hand and the thoughts swirling in his head. The room was quiet, the only sound being the ticking of the clock on the wall and the soft sound of Copia pouring the hot chocolate into two cups.

As Copia finished preparing the hot chocolate, he added a dash of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon to each cup. Then he walked over to the table and placed one of the cups in front of you.

"There you go," he said, his voice soft. "I hope it helps."

"Thank you!" you said, blushing.

Copia smiled warmly, his eyes on your flushed cheeks. He pulled out the chair opposite you and sat down, his own cup of hot chocolate in his hand. He took a sip and watched you carefully.

As you tried to avoid his gaze, Copia chuckled softly. His eyes were still on you.

He knew you were probably still embarrassed about being caught researching behind his back, but he couldn't help but find your shy behavior endearing.

Copia continued to watch you as you avoided his gaze, a small grin on his face.

"You can look at me, you know," he said playfully, his tone soft. "I won't bite."

You looked at him and swallowed hard. "Sorry, I was lost in thought!"

Copia smiled at your answer, his expression soft and understanding.

"No need to apologize," he said, his voice soothing. "We all get lost in our thoughts sometimes. But I'm glad you're here with me now."

You smiled and took a sip from your cup, his words making your heart flutter again.

Copia noticed a warm feeling filling his chest. He knew he shouldn't feel this way, that it was unprofessional and inappropriate, but he couldn't help himself. He leaned back in his chair, sipping his hot chocolate and casually watching you.

The silence between you grew heavier, the atmosphere awkward as you both sat there sipping your hot chocolate. He wanted to say something to break the tension, but he didn't know what.

After a few moments of silence, Copia cleared his throat.

"So," he began, his voice sounding a bit strained. "How's the hot chocolate? Is it making you feel better?"

"Yes, thank you, Papa!" you said. It helped you to forget a little about Lilith's probable possession. But it did not help you to calm down at the fact that you were here with Copia.

Copia smiled, relieved that the hot chocolate helped you to relax at least a little. But he could tell there was something else on your mind.. He felt he knew what it was. Even though he himself had tried to hold back his feelings. He could not do it anymore. He saw your behavior and thought he knew he wasn't the only one who had such feelings. Could it be that you had feelings for him as well?

Suddenly he felt something inside of him, wanting to know... wanting to know if you felt the same.

He took another sip of his hot chocolate, pretending to be nonchalant as he looked at you out of the corner of his eye.

"You seem a little... nervous," he said, his voice casual. "Is there something else on your mind?"

You looked at him "Ehhmm no! just thinking about...the things that lie ahead!", you said.

"I understand," he said, his voice softer now. "But you don't have to worry about that right now. Right now you're here with me and I just want you to relax and enjoy this moment."

Copia studied your face for a moment, trying to gauge your expression. He could tell that you were hiding something, but he decided not to push the issue. At least not yet.

"Yes, you are right Papa!" you said, gripping your cup.

Copia smiled at you, his eyes fixed on your hand holding the cup. He noticed the way your finger clenched the handle, and the subtle trembling in your hand. He could tell that you were still nervous, perhaps even more so than before. He put down his own cup and leaned a little closer to you, his gaze unwavering.

"You're still not being completely honest with me," he said, his voice soft but firm. "You can tell me what's really on your mind. I won't judge."

You swallowed hard and looked at him. Before you smile and take a sip from your cup.

"Ehhmm no, everything is fine!", you said and cleard your throat.

Copia raised an eyebrow, not convinced by your answer. He could tell that you were still hiding your true feelings, and it drove him crazy.

"You're a terrible liar," he said, a hint of teasing in his voice. "I know you're not being completely honest with me."

You looked at him in shock. "What do you mean?"

Copia leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on you.

"I mean," he said, "that I can tell you're not telling me everything. You keep avoiding my gaze, and your hands are shaking a little. You're still nervous, and not just because of the sleepwalking and the nightmares. Or that I caught you investigating".

"What should I be nervous about?" you asked, trying to act normal, but you started to shift in your chair.

Copia watched you, his eyes not missing a single detail. He saw the way you shifted in your chair, the way your voice trembled slightly as you spoke. He knew that you were trying too hard to act normal.

"You're nervous because you're with me," he said, his voice soft but firm. "You're nervous because you feel things you shouldn't feel for me."

You almost choked on your chocolate . Looking at him in shock.

Copia chuckled softly, enjoying the reaction he got out of you.

"See?" he said, his voice teasing now. "You're still nervous. And you didn't deny it."

"I...I!", shit, get a grip on yourself, you thought.

Copia saw the struggle on your face, and he couldn't help but find it endearing. He loved seeing you so nervous and off balance. He leaned closer, his gaze never leaving your face.

"Go on," he said, his voice soft. "Say it."