Dante's Love (18+)

Chapter 31

Then, Cy took me far far away.

She took me to a small cottage on the hills surrounding by crops, vegetations and beautiful flowers.

She explained that since our last rendezvous, her mother decided to retire to the countryside and live independently, growing her own crops.

"Mother. This is Quincy. She is visiting us to research on her new article she is writing." Cy cleared her throat uncomfortably.

Her mother took me in kindly. She gave me a long hug in which I patted her back awkwardly.

"Come, come! I've set up your room." She grinned at me.

She took my cold hands into her warm ones and ushered me in a room. It was pink and filled with vines and potted plants. The bed was barely big enough for me and the little desk was filled with colouring books and pencils.

It was strange, almost comical to see myself living in a room like this but I was grateful. Grateful for the shelter against the roaring nights and sunny days.

-

The morning after, I offered to help with the crops in which Cy's mother smiled in glee.

She quickly got another basket for me before trotting outside to her impressive vegetations.

"She is just really excited for the help you know?" Cy nervously laughed her mother's odd behaviour off.

Cy's mother and I spend the whole day tending to crops while Cy disappeared off. Her mother was a quiet lady but she was very content and intrigued listening to my life story.

Days flew by quickly and the whole week was almost over. Spending time with Cy's mother kept me busy. almost too busy to thing about him. Its almost as if she knew I needed the distraction. Because every time I stopped to think too much about him, she pulled me away to do another task.

For the first weekend, I stood outside in the rain for too long, despite Cy's mother's protests and ended up falling ill. When I was alone living in New York City, I would order takeout. I couldn't be too bothered to cook any home meals.

But here, I was being take care off. Cy's mother concocted me all sorts of soup and congee. By the time Monday came, my cold cleared up significantly.

Then on, she would keep a watchful eye on me, as if I were to fall ill again. She became almost deathly fearful for my safety.

My life became peaceful. Although its a small house, Cy's mother and me fitted in just fine. Cy, however had to go away on a business trip. leaving just the two of us alone.

-

I twirled the pretty ring around my finger.

I didn't have the heart to take it off, despite everything. And despite everything, I found a little part of myself hoping he would appear. Hoping he would come to take me home.

I was missing him so much so that sometimes I forget the things he did and I forget that I was supposed to be mourning my friend's death. I find myself making up excuses to make whatever he did seem less horrid. And for some wild reasons, it worked.

However, whenever I started to have these thoughts, Cy's mother would usually pull me away to do another task as if she was distracting me.

She appeared distraught at the sight of my engagement but less so when I explained that we were taking some sort of break.

"What is your favourite fruit, dear?"

"Pomegranates." I instantly said, without a second thought.

She appeared even more displeased.