Gillaume Men #01: Ranzar Craestok

CHAPTER 17: Lavender, Pine, and Rosemary

~Ranzar Craestok~

Lavender, pine, and rosemary scent. Those scents filled my nose as Laurent sat in my lap. It may not be my everyday favorite scent, but I think I like it now.

To be honest, I didn't know what came to me when my hands decided to stop her from going back and returning to Westbrook. I didn't know what came to me when I decided to tell her to not leave. Didn't know what came to me when I reasoned out that Westbrook would understand why she would stay here with me. 

I honestly don't know.

But do I regret it? the honest answer is No.

It felt right to me that she is here. It felt right that she was beside me--- sitting in my lap in a bar. I'll blame the alcohol. I think that I drank more than I could handle.

"Um... Ranzar", She said.

God, my name with her voice combined... sounds so surreal and perfect.

I think I'm losing my mind. Or probably the built-up guilt mixed with a ton of mixed alcohol. I just hummed and waited for her to say more.

She just looked around and then back at me. She slowly stood up and transferred herself to the next seat beside me and I didn't stop her since I knew that she wouldn't go back to the main hall for a while anyway--- well, not just yet.

"Why did you stop me from going back?" She asked, and I didn't know what to reply.

"I don't know. I also ask myself that", I replied.

She looked at me confused and I couldn't blame her. Since I also don't know why I did it. It just happened.

"I see..." She paused.

I ordered us another round of drinks and she accepted it. Though we were silent throughout, I know that we had some unspoken thoughts that needed to be let out, and maybe alcohol would help with it.

"I'm sorry", she was surprised and startled when I was the first to say it.

I sighed and took another sip before continuing. "For my overreaction and rudeness. I am not used to people entering my personal space. It takes time for me to accept it, so I apologize for it", I added.

"Also it wasn't my intention to grab you and push you to the wall. I was on edge and the anxiety mixed with anger clouded my mind at that moment", I continued and she listened thoroughly.

I didn't know what washed through me as I said those words, but I knew they were my true emotions and words. And I hoped it come across as such to her.

Another round of silence came to us and it broke when she let out a small chuckle.

"You know what Ranzar, I would never imagine you to be overworked like this. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate that you know and were aware of your mistake. It's just that I find it quite adorable that you can be like this." She replied and I was confused.

What does she mean that I looked adorable? Do I look adorable in her eyes when I apologize??

"And I accept your apology Ranzar. I would also like to apologize and say sorry that I snooped around your house without your permission. It was out of a genuine curiosity really, I didn't mean any harm. I was unaware that that specific room would be forbidden. So, I am also sorry Ranzar." She added and smiled at me. I nodded and accepted her apology deep in my heart.

"Then let's have a drink?" Laurent offered and raised her glass. I leaned closer in her direction and clicked our glasses.

With that, we both took a sip of our drink, both of us looking half red in both cheeks as the alcohol hit us once again. I stared at her for a while, remembering her face and her eyes closely, memorizing it. 

She looked back at me and I just stayed still.

We were still on the high of whatever this is when I saw in the corner of my eye a glimpse of Westbrook entering the bar with Vanderson. They walked in our direction when they saw us and I went back to the way I was sitting before. 

And I guessed that concluded whatever happened between us back in my house.

"You found a new drinking buddy other than me, Raz?" Vanderson said and acted as if he was hurt in his chest.

He then turned to what he called my 'new drinking buddy' and was confused for a second. "And nice seeing you again, Julliane", he added and looked at Laurent, who was now trying her best to not appear tipsy or drunk.

"Hello Ranzar, I haven't seen you around the main hall. So this is where you've been", Westbrook joked and I nodded at him.

Westbrook then went to Laurent's side, leading her to another seat, away from me and Vanderson, as Vanderson gave me an earful of how he didn't see anyone he could drive back to his flat tonight. I just half-heartedly listened to him as I sipped my drink and casually stole glances in Laurent's direction.

"By the way Raz, how did you get acquainted with Julliane?" Vanderson asked and that stumped me for a while.

I forgot that only Mother and Vincent knew about this arrangement with Laurent.

"She was the one Mother flew from France to here", I ended up saying. Vanderson then almost spit out his drink and I slightly turned my body away from him.

"What?! Er du seriøs?" He exclaimed as he wiped his mouth. I gave him a quick nod and he was silent for a while, quite rare for him.

"Oh God... Raz..." Vanderson seems to find a hard way to express the words he wants to convey.

"We have a dilemma at hand!" He exclaimed again.

He muttered some things that I barely heard and then he clapped his hands after several more mutters. "I have your back always Raz!" He proclaimed and made me even more confused.

I don't know what conclusion he concluded in his mind but I know it was just a waste of time to ask him. For the long years that we have known each other, I can say that Vanderson is only good at several things, and one of those is being stupid.

I didn't remember what transpired the rest of the evening. I just woke up the next day feeling like my head was splitting and being drilled hard.

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