The Wish You Left Behind

Chapter 28: The Alchemist

'Don't give in to your fears. If you do, you won't be able to talk to your heart.'

-The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho

FAYE

All she wants is a hug. But as soon as Yoko speaks, she froze into place.

I want you.

I won't hold back from pursuing you. Not anymore.

Short words, and yet - her legs might as well become lead.

As soon as Yoko steps back from whispering too close to her ears, the young woman smirks at her flustered face.

But her playful smiles disappear before she touches her arm. Yoko shifts her weight to Faye's arm and stands on a tiptoe - as though she wants to kiss her.

Faye settles for the only excuse she can think of. She grabs her side and howls as though she's in pain.

Yoko steps back upon hearing that. Her forehead creased. "What happened? Are you alright?"

Her wound hurts a bit, but it's manageable.

"Uh, a little. I think I need to see the nurse now. Bye. Miss."

In a hurry, Faye almost trips.

"Careful!" Yoko shouts.

"I'm good. All good," she reassured the young woman without looking back before walking as fast and as far away from Yoko and whatever it is, she's feeling.

Faye sighed as soon as she rounded a corner. She needs to splash her face with cold water for how hot it feels.

Faye shakes her head. She'll take a cold shower just to be sure.

Mr. Bunmi is reading something when she comes back to her room.

The old man smiles upon seeing her and puts down the book. "Did you and Ms. Apasra talk? She's worried about you."

Faye seats on the couch; exasperated. "We did."

Mr. Bunmi looks at her with an eyebrow raised. "Then why is your face looks like a tomato?"

She smacks her cheek and soon regrets it. "Shit."

She forgot how her forming bruises makes her skin tender.

Faye rubs it. "She told me she wants me, Mr. Bunmi."

The old man, being like a father to her, almost heard all the thoughts that usually cloud her mind. But despite their closeness, what she just shared made Faye even more flustered.

"Well, for someone who just received a confession, you don't look that surprised."

Faye holds the old man's hand. "I don't know what to do."

She internally scolds herself again, remembering how she kissed the young woman back then.

She shouldn't have done that. Now things are getting out of control.

Mr. Bunmi pats her hand. "Maybe you don't need to do anything."

When she looked at the man questioningly, he added. "I know you're still healing. You and Third both."

The mention of her cruel cousin made her shift in her seat.

Faye will make sure he will stay in jail for what he did.

Mr. Bunmi's soft voice caught her attention again. "All I want is for you to be happy. If you like her, why don't you give her a chance?"

"But - I'm her bodyguard."