Elysia's POV:
My heart constricted painfully at the sight of his disheveled appearance.
His biker jacket hung open, revealing a black t-shirt beneath. Dark grey eyes, bloodshot and weary, met mine. His hair was a complete mess, nose was red, probably due to staying in cold for long.
Staring back at me, Sven's lips were tightly pursed, his jaws clenched firmly. Blinking repeatedly, his eyes grew even redder before he briefly averted his gaze. A lump formed in my throat as tears welled up, witnessing the clear agony in his eyes.
When his gaze returned to mine, I noticed the unmistakable tears in his eyes, piercing my heart. His voice, barely above a whisper, reached me.
"Sorry..." he mumbled in a hoarse voice, his eyebrows furrowed, casting a helpless gaze my way. I have never seen him like this, he looked almost vulnerable, as if he were lost, with no clear way out.
Words caught in my throat, rendering me speechless, as tears threatened to spill. I swallowed the lump in my throat and managed only a subtle nod, conveying that I wasn't upset with him at all.
Sven inhaled sharply before swallowing, as a tear leaked from the corner of his eye. In the next moment, he moved swiftly, taking long strides towards me. Before I knew it, he had enveloped me in a tight embrace, just making me realize that his body was trembling.
His arm encircled my shoulders while his other hand gently rested on my hair, and I felt his chin resting on the top of my head. My cheek rested on his chest, as the familiar scent of rosewood enveloped me.
Placing my hands on his back, I softly patted in a reassuring manner, sensing him sniffling. Tears slipped from my eyes, falling and absorbing into his shirt, knowing well that he, too, was shedding tears.
"Silly, I'm not mad at all," I mumbled, responding to his earlier apology, my voice heavy with tears. "I'm also very sorry for everything."
I felt him nodding as he spoke, "Beastie told me everything about what happened. It's not your fault," Sven responded, his embrace tightening around me.
Slowly, he released me, looking down with a somber gaze. I sniffled and remarked lightheartedly, "You've lost weight. Do they not give you good food in the States?"
An immediate chuckle escaped his lips as he wiped his eyes, and replied, "You're Sandra's daughter indeed." His response brought a wide smile to my face as I hastily wiped my eyes.
"I'm sorry for not telling you everything," I added seriously. "Mom was worried that you'd be in trouble again and about Ares—"
Before I could finish, Sven interjected with a small smile, "I'm only forgiving you for this." He gestured towards the dishes of pasta and rice on the table.
A chuckle escaped my lips as I playfully slapped his arm. My gaze then shifted to Esme standing a few steps away, arms folded across her chest, wearing a soft smile while observing us.
Sven followed my gaze, his smile widening. He winked at me and stepped towards Esme, raising his eyebrows. As Esme met his gaze, she raised an eyebrow in a warning stare.
"Don't even think about it, Damaris," she declared, her voice maintaining its usual coldness, yet carrying the familiar hint of softness that she only reserved for us.
Sven, like always, disregarded her words and immediately enveloped her in a tight hug, giving her a playful swirl, making me laugh heartily at Esme's scowl.
As soon as he put her down, Esme stomped her foot on his, causing him to exclaim in pain. He looked at me, pointing accusingly at her, while holding his foot with other hand, a familiar complaint etched on his face.
"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...
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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.