There was no way for Carmen to know what Ronin was thinking, but the desire to understand the thoughts racing through his mind sent little ripples of curiosity through her. She didn't want to disturb him, but she still found herself leaving her room and heading downstairs.
The pool water sparkled beneath the glittering stars, the trees swaying with the cool breeze around the property. Goosebumps exploded across her arms the moment she stepped out of the door, her eyes instantly spotting Ronin at the same spot she had seen him from upstairs.
For a moment, Carmen paused and tried to think it over—think over what she was about to do. Was it okay to interrupt him right now? Would he be irked by her presence?
Sigh.
She knew she was probably overthinking. Ronin had changed. He didn't look at her the way he used to, and he didn't treat her that way either. He was nice to her now. He cared. He was also kind of worried sick about her because if that wasn't the case, he wouldn't have rushed to bring her back the moment she made contact with Molly.
And she was grateful because, even though she should have been delighted to see her mother after such a long time, she felt trapped and unsafe with Simon nearby. Sure, she and her mother had a lot to catch up on, and if Carmen were to be honest, she did want to know where that woman had been all this time—why she left—but the truth was, neither did she have the strength to deal with the hurt that conversation would undoubtedly cause, nor was it time to let her own problems distract her from what really was important.
Speaking of which...
A burst of cool breeze of the night air swirled through her hair and sent a slight shiver down her spine, causing her to wrap her arms around herself. If it weren't for all the painkillers she had been taking, her whole body might have been crazily hurting. But she had just taken the latest dose a few hours ago, so no doubt she felt only the slightest discomfort while walking as she finally decided to move around the pool and see for herself if Ronin was still awake or had already fallen asleep. If he had slept, she would have to wake him up and remind him to go to his room, or else he would catch a cold.
Carmen walked quietly, her footsteps barely making a sound on the cool tiles surrounding the pool. As she approached Ronin, who was still sprawled on the recliner, she hesitated for a moment before gently calling his name.
"Ronin?"
His eyes were closed, the natural light of the night playing on his features, revealing his rugged yet handsome face, those beautiful thick lashes, and those lips upturned into a frown. Carmen sighed quietly, deciding to go back and return with a blanket instead. Ronin looked so calm and soft while sleeping that she didn't feel like disturbing him.
However, she had barely turned around when something warm closed around her wrist. Carmen gasped, turned, and found her heart racing less wildly when she saw it was Ronin's hand and that somehow he had woken up.
"Hey," he replied, offering a faint smile.
"Sorry, did I wake you?" she asked, trying to keep her voice low.
He shook his head. "No, I was just dozing off. What brings you out here?"
Carmen hesitated, glancing at the recliner. "I was going to get a blanket for you. You looked comfortable, and I didn't want you to catch a cold."
A smile crossed his face, the kind that made it impossible for her to breathe. He let go of her wrist eventually, and she didn't want to admit it, but disappointment pressed hard against her chest. "Always the considerate one, aren't you?" He shook his head, his eyes only on her. "Thanks, but I'm alright without a blanket. What about you? Couldn't sleep?"
Carmen shifted her weight from one foot to the other. "I tried, but it seems like I'm not tired enough. So I thought maybe a little walk would help."
Ronin sat up instantly and swung his legs onto the floor, standing up.
Carmen couldn't help but frown. "What are you doing?" she asked, arching a brow.
"Coming for a walk with you, obviously."
"You don't have to. I don't want to disturb your sleep."
Ronin flashed another one of his smiles, the kind that made her heart skip a beat. "You won't disturb anything. Besides, I could use some fresh air. Mind if I tag along?"
She couldn't refuse that smile, and truth be told, she didn't want to. She wondered why.
"Sure." She finally said, and smiled.
* * *
Carmen and Ronin strolled around the garden together, the cool breeze playing with Carmen's hair, and the soft glow of the moonlight casting a gentle ambiance around them. For a while, neither of them spoke, content in the quiet companionship.
After a few minutes, Ronin broke the silence. "So, how was it?"
Carmen shrugged. "How was what?" she asked, not able to understand what he was trying to ask.
Ronin didn't hesitate. "Seeing your mom after so long," he said. "It must have been...overwhelming."
Carmen didn't say anything in response, not for a long minute. But just when Ronin thought of apologizing, assured he had said something wrong, he heard her sigh, her arms tightening around her. "I don't know why she is back now...." she said quietly, her eyes trained aimlessly ahead. "She never made any effort to contact me before. I don't know what she wants from me now."
Ronin nodded, understanding her confusion. "But wasn't it odd for her to be with Simon?" he asked, not able to help himself—or his curiosity. He turned to face her. "If you don't mind me asking, do you know what connection she has with him?" The truth was he hadn't been able to come up with a single reasonable reason for Carmen's mom to have anything to do with Simon Walsh, and it confused him just as much as it infuriated him.
Carmen sighed, her gaze still distant. "I wish I knew. I never expected to see her again. And to be honest, she didn't even mention him when we spoke briefly."
Ronin furrowed his brows, trying to make sense of the situation. "It just seems strange, you know? If she's been out of touch for so long, why come back now, and with him of all people?"
If only Carmen knew. But she didn't. And that was just the tip of everything she had been curious and worried about. She sighed. "Doesn't matter now, does it?" She offered a weak smile. "I'm here now, and if I'm being honest, I don't want to know anything either. There's already so much for us to worry about..."
"You're right," he said, gently cutting her off. But then he stopped walking and stepped in front of her.
Carmen must have looked surprised by the abrupt pause as she came to a halt at the same time, ending up standing too close to him.
Her breath hitched in her throat for a moment, her eyes locked with his. "Wh—what happened?"
Ronin took a deep breath, his gaze unwavering. "Carmen," he began, his voice soft but filled with intensity, "I know you'll be against this, and you might not like it, but I can't allow you to put your life in danger for us anymore. Whatever happened to Willow, whoever is behind the attacks...you don't have to worry about it anymore. In fact, once you get well, you should move in with your dad until everything here calms down. I have already talked to a security agency. They will take care of you without intruding on your daily life. Your dad won't know a thing. Well, unless you want him to know—"
Carmen frowned, suddenly offended. "Ronin—" she stopped him before he could say more. "You can't make that decision yourself. I...I want to help."
"I know," he said to her, something in his eyes deepening. "But I can't let you. Not after what happened." He stepped closer, something glistening in his eyes, his brows pinched. His fingers slid under her jaw, thumbs stroking her cheek. "You have no idea how scary these past few days have been for me, Carmen. I was...I didn't know what to do, how to find you, how to make sure you're alright. I thought something—"
He couldn't even say it—it hurt too much.
However, he didn't have to either because even though he couldn't put his experience into words, the emotions behind his sincerity were easily conveyed.
They stared at each other for a long, silent moment, neither of them saying a word.
And then, as if the emotions churning inside Carmen became too much, too overwhelming, too hot for her to handle, she couldn't help but rise to her tiptoes and press her lips to his.
A/N: Oops, looks like Carmen's finally taking the initiative :P