At Your Service

Chapter 18: The Big Twist

"Red is still not here?" Frank asked while I was wiping and cleaning the last table left dirty.

"Nope." I answered. This is strange, he usually comes to pick me up too early than the end of my shift. And it now, my shift already ended for thirty minutes now so I decided to help them as I wait.

"That's weird." Sarah wondered, she was mopping the floor.

"Maybe he fell asleep. I will just go home by myself."

"Walk alone? Let Sarah and I walk you home." Frank suggested.

"No." I quickly rejected. "It's alright, I can walk alone. You guys need to rest now."

They were about to say something when the entrance door opened, revealing Rune. He didn't have this light aura like earlier instead its heavier. Yet, he smiled when he sees me and comes near.

"Sorry, I'm late." He whispered, kissing me on the forehead. "Hey, Frank. Sarah."

"Hey, boy. I was just telling your wife that we will take her home if you haven't come." Frank told him.

Rune wrapped an arm around my waist. "Don't worry, I'm here. Sorry I was late, I fell asleep."

I chuckled. "No need to apologise."

"Well, now that you are here...take your wife home now. It's been a busy night so I'm sure she's tired. We had a lot of customers right now because many stayed in the village last night from the Starry Night." Frank said, smiling then waves his hand at us. "Thanks for the help, Carmela."

I smiled at him before Rune and I turns to leave. When we left the Inn, I know that he is thinking of something. He is in deep thoughts but he is trying hard not to show it.

"Hey." I shake my hand that he is holding, to get his attention.

"Yeah?"

"What's wrong?" I asked, softly.

"Nothing, why?" His eyebrows frowned but I know he is just covering up it up.

"You don't look okay, did something happen while I was gone?" I asked, curiously.

"It's my problem, alright. You don't have to worry about it." He told me, not even trying to look at me. "Please, my lady. It will lessen my worry if you don't know."

"But it concerns me, I want to know." I urged, as I stop from walking as he lets go of my hand. "What happened? Am I still safe?"

Rune inhaled deeply before he starts to turn to face me. "Yes, my lady. You're still safe. And I won't let anyone hurt you. I told you that already, right?"

I hesitated to nod. He still won't to tell me what is wrong.

"This is no big deal, my lady. I will tell you once it is over and you shouldn't worry about it because I have it under control." He assured me, waking closer and lifted my chin to meet his eyes. "You trust me, right?"

I gulped when he asked that. It's just me and him now, isn't it? He's the only one that I can count on. "Yes, I do."

Then a confident smile appeared in him. "Good, and always keep it that way." He patted the top of my head before snaking his hand back to my hand as we walk back to the house.

As much as I want to know, but I just trust Rune. If he says so then I have no choice but to just agree to what he informs and tells me what to do. Even though he said that I'm safe, I'm damn sure that I am not. I have a feeling that it got even worse.

Or maybe Black Phoenix are getting stronger and stronger every passing days. They are becoming even more serious knowing that I have been hiding.

When we came back to the house, Rune is still quiet. Yet, he tried his best to now show the worry in his eyes and actions. He is always putting me first and making it sure to not worry me. But it's not even working. The way he is acting like that, scares me. But I can't do anything.