Straight Out of a Fairytale (Completed)

chapter 18

Both of us fell silent. The splattering of the rain seem to be music to my ears as well as the soft tuneless hum that he usually do as he swerved the car left and right. Somehow, as time flew by I began to trust him behind the wheel. He may drive the car real fast but I know that he's not a reckless driver. I feel thankful for the heater, given that my gown is drenched and I feel like my makeup is a mess—no, it is a mess. But nonetheless, I'm happy to be away of it all.

"Aiken, I have a question." I say, weighing out what my next words would be. He gave me a glance, smiled, and said,

"Ask away."

"You're real mother is alive, and your brother too. Pero bakit nananatili ka parin sa El Suelo? You told me that your Kingdom, El Malefico, still stands. So why won't you just go back?" I saw uncertainty in his eyes. He cleared his throat and snatched for something in the pocket of his coat. He retrieved a wooden box and gave it to me.

"What's this?" I asked, inspecting the object. 

It's a small wooden box with a silver ribbon tied on all corners. Slowly untying the ribbon, I saw a single tulip flower with two elongated leaves engraved on the lid. My name Seraphine Vienna is engraved in a cursive font on the lower part. I opened the lid and realized that it's a music box. The kind that has a small lever inside for it to play.

"A wedding gift. Didn't want to miss your special day." His halfway grin suggested otherwise. 

I wrinkled my nose at him and turned the lever to the right, four times. It played a soft beautiful tune, and I bit the insides of my cheek to hide my smile. Small creaking sounds played along the way but it's perfect. And it's mine now.

"Thank you" I say, genuine and sweet. He shook his head and motioned for me to give the music box back. I frowned, confused. Is going to try to play with it? Nakikipagbiruan ba siya? "Why? You're driving, you cannot use it."

"Give it back, I need to repair it. Something's not right." He says, frowning at the road. He's grumpy for no reason.

"It's perfect." I say while shaking my head. 

He tsked and I saw him biting his lower lip to suppress a smile. This guy really needs to work on his facial expressions. It's getting confusing somehow.

"It's not yet perfect. I'll give it to you when it's fixed."

"Well, I like collecting imperfect things. And besides, you still haven't answered my question." I turned the lever again and the box continued the slow and soft tune.

"Are you cold?" Ken asks instead, his voice light and slow as he parked the car beside a small wooden shack. 

I looked around and realized how far we are from the city. Rice fields laid out on each side of the muddy road, and the rain poured with all its might. The sky is shedding tears for this day.

"A little. I don't have anything else to change with." I answered. He fumbled for something at the back of the car and cursed.