Beyond The Gaze: A Love Unseen

Chapter 61

"You see that, clumsy head," Sven exclaimed, "She doesn't even let us show our love for her now." Esme rolled her eyes at his complaint, but there was a trace of amusement in her gaze.

Witnessing their familiar banter, just like how they used to be in the past, it felt so beautiful, surreal, and calming that I just wanted to set aside all my worries and simply be with them.

I hadn't expected Sven to return so soon, but seeing him now was both reassuring and surprising.

I rushed toward them, wrapping one arm around Sven's neck and the other around Esme's, hugging them tightly while tiptoeing on my feet. "I missed us all being together."

After more than eight years, we were all together like this again, and the thought of being separated was something I never wanted to entertain.

"You're still short, beautiful," Sven teased with a chuckle, both his and Esme's bodies slightly bent due to my height.

He never missed a chance to tease my stature. Amidst them, with Sven towering at 6'3" and Esme at 5'9", I stood at just 5'6".

I slapped his back playfully and retorted with a wide smile, "Do you want to be stomped on the other foot too?"

"Ow! You've picked up the wrong habits from this heartless woman," Sven replied, laughing, circling an arm around my back and effortlessly lifting me off the ground as he straightened.

"Want another beating, Damaris?" Esme responded on my behalf.

Before their banter could continue, I interjected, "Let's eat; the food is getting cold. You guys can continue later."

Esme nodded, releasing me, and Sven wrapped his other free arm around me. "Hey, put me down, you tower," I protested when he refused to let go.

"Who are you calling a tower, you shorty," he retorted, lifting me even higher, causing me to yelp when he playfully swirled us around. I hit his shoulder, exclaiming, while he laughed as if he were having the time of his life.

We all ate together, discussing anything and everything, catching Sven up on things that happened during his absence. We talked all night, watched our favorite movies, but I couldn't help but notice that whenever I tried to share details about the situation with Ares, he promptly changed the topic.

Perhaps, I thought, I would tell him after some time, when he was more open to the discussion. When it was past midnight, Sven and Esme dozed off beside me, their heads dipped on my shoulders.

Sven softly snored, clutching my sleeve tightly in his sleep, and I couldn't help but smile at his peaceful features. I turned to look at Esme on my other shoulder, still holding the bowl of popcorn while breathing peacefully in her sleep. For a moment, it felt like we were back in our school days, carefree and just enjoying being together. Resting my head on the couch rest, my smile gradually faded as I stared blankly into the distance.

Sleep was once again far from me, and now that they were both quiet and not distracting me, my mind wandered to certain someone who wasn't present here. I wondered how he was, what he was doing right now.

The night passed slowly, but I couldn't sleep a wink, like the past few days. When it was morning, I carefully stood up from the couch, massaging my shoulders. Correcting their blankets, I placed pillows under Sven's and Esme's heads.

I stared at them for a while before going to refresh and get ready to visit Mom in the hospital. I wondered if I was developing insomnia, which was why I couldn't sleep.

Quietly preparing breakfast, I ate just cereal and left notes for Sven and Esme before glancing at them once again. A smile spread across my face seeing them tucked inside their blankets. Sometimes, I really felt like their mother.

Leaving the apartment, I descended the stairs. Just as I stepped out of the front gate, I spotted a familiar car parked in front of the building, and a familiar figure leaning against it, causing me to stop in my tracks.

Ares was still wearing the same clothes as yesterday. His coat was off, white shirt wrinkled, top buttons undone, revealing his collarbone and a hint of muscles on his chest, sleeves folded up to his elbows. With hands inside his black pants pockets, he stared at the ground, his gaze seemingly blank.

As if on cue, he lifted his eyes, meeting my gaze and freezing in his place. His hair was disheveled as if he had run hands through them restlessly. Bloodshot light brown eyes reflected utter exhaustion and lack of sleep.

Since when had he been here?

My heart involuntarily skipped a beat at his unexpected presence. It was the first time I had seen Ares looking disheveled, appearing like a mess without a care, a stark contrast to his usual composed self.

As he stared at me, hesitancy lingered in his eyes, surprising me even more. My heart felt like it was in my throat, unsure of what to say or do in this moment.

Ares was always a person of strong beliefs, and decisions, never hesitating, yet today I wonder why he looked hesitant?

After a few moments of pause, Ares straightened and walked towards me, his gaze never leaving mine.

"Ely!" Sven's sudden familiar voice behind me almost made my heart sink, his footsteps approaching. Ares paused in his tracks at the sound.

"Where are you going so early in the morning?" Sven asked, nearing me. I glanced at him; his voice was still groggy from waking up, and he looked half-asleep.

My gaze instinctively moved towards Ares in a fleeting moment, seeing him staring at Sven with slightly parted lips in confusion and shock.

Sven followed my gaze, also halting in his tracks. His jaw clenched instantly noticing Ares, as he met his gaze with equal coldness.

I noticed Ares clenching his fists at his sides as he resumed his steps and approached us, stopping in front of me, his icy gaze fixed on Sven.

There was a sudden change in Ares' gaze as he eyed Sven and me back and forth before his gaze stopped at Sven's neck. Following his intense gaze, I noticed him fixated on Sven's locket – the one I gave him in school. The pendant was a puzzle piece of a heart with "forever" engraved on it. Instantly, I felt Ares' gaze hardened, noticing a vein visible on his temples.

His cold and calm aura was long gone, replaced by a seething temper. In that moment, both of them felt like a ticking bomb, ready to explode any second.

I couldn't help but feel a headache coming on...

*****************

Share your thoughts about today's chapters lovelies. Get ready for the drama that is about to happen from now on... 😉

Game is on, my dears, someone is on their way to reveal themselves.