CHAPTER 22: THE MAN SHE LOVED

Eira’s POV

After drinking the porridge, it didn’t take long for my body to react. My skin began to itch, a raw discomfort spreading across my chest. Breathing grew heavier with each passing second.

Despite the growing tightness in my lungs and the burning beneath my skin, a faint smile played on my lips.

’I’m going to meet Alice.’

I curled up in the bed, ready for the end. Darkness began to cloud the edges of my mind, pulling me gently toward the abyss. I was dying. Finally.

At the final moment of life, what does a person think about? Perhaps not of regrets or pain. Maybe they think of the memories they cherished the most.

My subconscious drifted six years back into the past, the day when Alice took me to her home for the first time.

But I didn’t know that day would lead me to him, the one who stole my heart the moment I saw him.

Alice and I stood in front of the cozy-looking cottage home, surrounded by a beautiful greenery. The air was fresh, touched by the first chill of approaching winter.

"Eira, wait here," Alice had said, already walking toward the door. "I need to check if Fluffy is tied up. He’ll bark and jump all over you the moment he sees you."

Fluffy was her dog, golden retriever, who I had heard about from Alice.

I stayed outside, taking in the peaceful surroundings, and then I saw him.

My breath almost caught in my chest at the sight of him.

He was lounging in a chair set in the middle of the lawn, soaking in the sunlight beneath the wide blue sky. Clad in a crisp white shirt and light trousers, he glowed beneath the pale light of the day. His eyes were closed, face calm and untouched by worry. The breeze tugged gently at his shirt, and his short hair moved slightly with it. I almost had an urge to move my fingers through them.

He looked like something drawn from a dream.

I was never the kind of girl who looked at men so boldly. In truth, let alone take interest in anyone ever. But with him, I couldn’t seem to look away. He was, without a doubt, the most enchantingly handsome man I had ever seen. And the pull I felt toward him, I couldn’t describe it, only feel it.

I was lost, not realizing that he had opened his eyes and turned his face to look at me.

"Had enough of staring yet?" His voice was calm, slightly hoarse voice brought me back to my senses.

It startled me like a thief was caught red handed. Not knowing what to do, I looked toward the house entrance—but Alice was yet to return.

He stood up from the chair, graceful and unhurried, and walked toward me. His face gave nothing away. No smile, no frown. Just quiet curiosity.

I swallowed hard, my instincts telling me to run, but within seconds, he stood directly in front of me. He bent slightly, lowering himself to meet my height, his light green eyes scanning my face closely.

"And who might you be? A little rabbit sneaking into my garden?"

I took a step back, my gaze falling to the ground. I didn’t dare meet his eyes again.

"I’m Alice’s friend," I murmured, voice barely above a whisper.

"Then why are you outside and staring at me like you’ve never seen a man before?" he asked.

"I..." I stammered, at a complete loss for words. My mind blanked, and I shut my eyes like a frightened child, unsure what to do or say.

Just then, the door creaked open and Alice’s voice rang out, scolding her dog. "Fluffy, stay quiet, alright? Don’t scare my friend. You’ll like her."

Relief washed over me. I opened my eyes but he was already gone.

Alice came outside and took me in, apologizing for keeping me waiting. I looked around, but there was no sign of him. ’Who was he?’

"Today is my mother’s birthday," Alice said cheerfully. "We’re celebrating it with lunch and a few close people."

"Birthday?" I exclaimed lightly. "Why didn’t you tell me before? I didn’t even bring a gift."

"Your presence is already a gift," she said as we entered the home. "It’s always my brother’s friends who are invited for meals, but this time, there’s my friend as well—you."

I watched a few people already present inside the home—five men and one young woman. They looked at me, and I felt like their gazes could pierce through my body. Or maybe it was just my nervous self that felt that way.And among them was him—the one who talked to me outside.

He had a light smirk on his lips as he watched me, making me even more nervous.

Alice introduced me to her two brothers, and then to the other three—friends of theirs—the young woman Sophia, and her own mother, Jennifer.

I greeted them with a silent nod, keeping my gaze lowered to the floor, not daring to look at them for long.

Jennifer greeted me warmly. "You are just as beautiful as Alice told me."For the first time, I saw what mothers are like—and I never had one.

Jennifer loved Alice and her two sons deeply.

We had lunch together. It was difficult for me to eat the way he stared at me while eating comfortably. Without even looking at him, I could feel his piercing gaze.

I felt like I should leave that place quickly—and I did by making an excuse just after we finished eating.

I escaped that day, but after that, it became frequent that we came across each other. The frequent encounters made us familiar with each other and without knowing we were already in love.

But we couldn’t let anyone know about it, especially my grandparents, who were already strict with me—and I was a minor as well, just a few months apart from my adulthood.