PART 7

Anxiousness flows; I could not help calling mom and told her about my romance relationship.

“Hello mom…I miss you. How is everything over there?”

“Oh my dear, it’s okay here. I miss you more.”

“I miss you much.” we laughed together. This is a common phrase we like to talk to each other.

“Mom… I have something to tell you.”

“What is it? Your sound scared me. Are you well?”

“Yep, I’m pretty well but there is another thing I want you to know…that… mom, I love a guy.”

“Delaney, oh dear… please be fair to him.”

“I know I am wrong but I just can’t stop my heart.”

“Oh lord, please forgive my lil daughter… but what you want to do now?”

“I don’t know… mom I want you by my side. I wanna hug you tight as close as we used to.”

“Darling, I found her.” Mrs. Laura broke into her husband’s office.

“Who?” asked Mr. Eric.

“John Wilson’s only one daughter…”

“What you said?” “She’s still alive? and how can you know that?”

“I have already clarified it… Darling, we should send her to her parents now.”

“Wait… I feel so awkward on John’s family all my life, stop all those sins …and let her go.”

“No darling, it’s impossible… are you sure you want to give this enterprise to her and sentence yourself to jail?”

Mr. Eric buried his face in his hands remaining silent.

“If you don’t wanna do, keep it on me.” Mrs. Laura said walking out.

Someone knocked my apartment door as if the war was about to start downright. With napkin on my body, I left the kitchen and instantly opened the door.

“An…” he didn’t wait but pulled me running down the hind stair. We then paused at the edge of the stair hiding behind trash bin while several men crossed. They were Mrs. Laura clan; I didn’t know what happened but I knew for sure things were wrong. When we were trying to escape from them, we confronted other men. They wanted to arrest me but quit as Andrew used his Eric’s son power to command them.

“We are not safe Delany, hurry up this time we are free from those men but it isn’t the end.”

“What they want from me? What happen?”

“They come for your dead, but I will never let it happen. No one can touch you.”

We finally left the apartment but there was an ambush waiting for us in the park. Each of them held a gun in hand. Andrew shouted “Run”. They chased after us closely to the coast. The situation grew tension.

“I’m so scared, An…” Soon my words were cut off the sound of gunshots.

Andrew covered me as we continued running till an edge of the coast… we were now on the rock above the sea where there had no path for us to go anymore. They raised their gun up toward us. Nevertheless, before bullet fled out and pierced our heart, Andrew held me tightly and jumped down the sea.

“Mrs. we didn’t shoot them but they felt down to the sea and they may become a prey for fish already.” said a man.

PART 6

“Mom I like a girl, but Andrew wants her too.”

“That jerk always fights over me.” said Albert as he stabbed his mom’s desk in furious.

“Calm down my dear, how can he compare with my son?”

“But she seems to like him too.”

“Don’t worry, I will run it for you, son.” Mrs. Laura said tapping Albert’s shoulder.

“Anyway, this evening we will have a dinner with president of THE PRINCE hotel at home, so you should come back home early…okay? I want to introduce you to him.” she added.

“…but I will go dancing with my friends. I don’t like to see that president.”

“um… you said you want a girl at the moment, didn’t you? Well I am so tired. If you don’t want to join dinner, I will ignore your problem too.”

“Mom!!! …okay okay, whatever.”

I could tell that Mrs. Laura is a scary woman. She could do something people could not predict that’s why Albert listened to her.

After Albert walked out of her office, she called her secretary to come in.

“Go and explore a girl who is with Andrew for me.”

“Yes”

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Another day, another morning, Secretary John stepped in Mrs. Laura’s office with a folder in hand.

“Mrs. here is the information about a girl you want me to search for.”

“Great job, brief it for me; I don’t have time to read.”

“Her name is Delaney Lewis; she’s got Alzheimer's. She is adopted at Rose Marry Orphanage at the Hammer Spring, south island…

“Wait… did you say Hammer Spring?” Mrs. Laura interrupted.

“Yes”

She looked far ahead through the window thinking about something.

“Continue… I mean how old was she when she was adopted?”

“About 7 year-old.”

“Give me her detail information.” She asked taking the file quickly.

“You have to take me to that orphanage now.” said Mrs. Laura.

Rose Marry

“Excuse me madam, I need to ask you something. Can we sit down and talk a few minutes?”

Mrs. Laura made an offer to mother Marisa.

“It’s would be my honor. Come on in, my office is small but it’s a nice place to talk.”

“I want to know about …Delaney.”

“Oh my dear daughter, do you know her? Are you her family?”

“Well I thought I know her parents but where did you find her?”

“Oh that’s awesome! She always wishes she could find her parents. And well, I found her on the alley near the Christchurch.”

“Christchurch? Do you have some clues left about her?” She asked as her eyes grew wide.

“Let’s see… Yes, I have her childhood dress which she wore on the day I found her.”

“Take it, I wanna see.”

“Okay wait a minute.”

“Here it is!”

Mrs. Laura’s face turned pale and her hands started trembling.

“Are you okay Mrs. Laura?” asked mother.

“Can I have this dress?”

“I’m sorry Delaney loves it so much and it’s the only proof to find her parents. I cannot give it to you now… or I will talk to her first.”

“Nope… don’t tell her anything about this. I meant let’s wait till we find out the truth.”

“Thanks for your warm welcoming. I should go now.”

PART 5

“Delaney, come with me…“ Andrew braked his bicycle in front of me.

“where?” I’m curious.

“…to a beautiful place, and play with a beautiful creature.” said Andrew smiling.

His face was full of joy and peace that I have no skeptic to go with him.

“Outskirt of the city? Rotten apple tree?”

“Nope I take you to another place.”

“Okay”

Soon then we reached a small wooden house; it’s old but nice. Andrew pulled me in and he went straight to open the hind door where I can see scenery of a long glittering beach stretching under the golden shine.

While I was in a coma, Andrew shook my hand. “Come on!”

Since the house was in the hill, we needed to walk down the stair to reach the beach.

He ran to pick up something in the sand and threw it to the sea.

“What is it? What are you doing?” I asked as I ran to him.

“Star fish… hurry up help me; our job is to recur them… Their family are waiting for them; tides cannot take them back as we do.” his voice fused in the sound of tides crashing the shore.

We continued throwing them one by one to the sea and I intently grasped a star fish from Andrew. He chased after me as I ran and smirk. He finally reached me and lifted me up on his back as he whirled around before falling to the ground. We laughed out loud cheerfully watching the stars above us...

“Delaney… I love you” he said as we confronted.

My heart bumped, I was afraid Andrew could hear it “…stupid! Do not tease me. Hey, my clothes are wet now; it’s your fault…what the hell are you throwing me to the sea as if I was a star fish.” I spoke crankily as I stood up.

Andrew scratched his head and said sorry.

“I may have some childhood clothes left in the house, let’s go and check it.”

Andrew handed me a pair of blue pajamas. “Change it and give me your clothes; I will dry it for you.”

After taking a shower and dressing up; I saw a hot bowl of noodle on the desk as I open the bathroom door. Andrew wasn’t in home, I went outside looking for him and I saw he was hanging my clothes near the bonfire. We sat, eat, and talked about this and that.

“Andrew do you miss your mom? I don’t know who are my parents exactly, I have a wish; I must find them, see them even once and called them mom and dad.”

“what… if they already died?” Andrew question shocked me then he continued.

“My mom is in the sky; when I miss her I look at that brightest star and I anticipate she is smiling at me.” he said pointing to the sky.

“Delaney…I have only two nice people in my life. One is my mom and another is you.”

“I don’t neither lie nor tease you… the truth is…I really love you.” he said turning his face to me. I smiled unconsciously but instantly stopped as we stared into each other’s eyes.

“You know, you have a very nice smile. I want it.”

“Take it then.” I smirked

Before I was aware of what happens next, we were lips to lips and then we had that night together.
I woke up in the early morning in an embracing arm of Andrew. I could feel his light breathing on my neck; I felt strange warmth going through me every time we were near and I knew that right then and there I really loved him. I slowly moved away from him leaving Andrew to sleep alone.

“God forgives me…” I closed my eyes and took a deep breath as wind blew my hair.

“Babe, I will cherish you as best as I could.” Andrew said holding my waist.

“This beach is nice.” said I.

PART 4

         Foods in my refrigerator were gone. I didn’t have anything to cook for dinner, so I decided to go shopping for a week foods. It might be a little bit longer to look for a cheap vegetable at China town. As I passed the alley back home, a hand pulled me in. I was knocked to the ground and a shadow hovered over me. I began to scream but the same hand covered my mouth.In the street light's reflection I got a good look of my attackers. It was a group of youngster and one of them is …Albert. He laughed aggressively; he slowly touched my face downward and tore my shirt. I could shout nothing since my mouth was tied by a handkerchief. “Don't be scared, I will treat you well, my lil chick”. I frightened, shrieked and closed my eyes, muttering a short prayer as I anticipated my life to destroy by this crazy bull. Seconds passed, and i gingerly opened my eyes, to see an outline of a familiar figure wrestling with Albert’s partisans. Andrew beat them up and he was punched back. Albert came in the battle but he was kicked by Andrew. Fortunately, two polices arrived; Albert and his partisans run back to their car and left there right away. Andrew walked weakly to me; he took off his sweater and wrapped it over me. He soon lifted me up and hugged me tightly as i cried and hugged him back. "I love you so much my lil gal, i afraid i will lose you again." I could feel warm water on my shoulder. Well, Andrew was crying too.
“Promise me you’ll never leave me no matter what happens” i whispered. I just knew I couldn’t live without him anymore. Andrew was more than best for me; he was my god whenever I stayed in trouble. “I’ll always be with you” “I swear”. He held out his last finger in which i hooked against mine and we hugged again.
“Andrew your eyebrow is bleeding, let’s go to my apartment I will clean it for you.”
After removing blood out of his face, I went cook something for him.
“Will you go back home tonight?” he nodded his head.
“But…” I looked outside. “it’s mid night now, are you sure you’re safe?”
He remained silent.
"How about staying in my room then," I offered.
He shared at me before refuting me.
“I’m ok, don’t worry.” He said.
I placed my hand on his knee “Please, I’m afraid of dark.”
It was just an excuse. I didn’t want to see he was in trouble because of me again; I was sure, Albert wouldn’t let him free.” Andrew slept on a long sofa in my bedroom while i slept on the bed. Once i woke up in a vague light at night, i was shocked by Andrew bending his body close to me. "what are you doing?" i asked as my eyes grew wide. ""Do you trust me?" he asked.
I nodded my head slowly. "Alright," he said. "It's so cold, i just want to take this to cover you; and then you can sleep peacefully." I just realized in his hands there was a blanket. "so... continue your dream, good night." he said.
When i woke up again, the sunshine through a window had already reached my rooms. Andrew was still sleeping quietly. I moved closer and watched his sleep. His face was so innocent like an angel when he was sleeping. Suddenly he blushed a side, opened his crystal eyes with a charming smile and kissed me softly on my forehead. "Andrew can you tell me why Albert is always aggressive to you? Are you guys really sibling?". "Albert is Mr. Eric's son with his step wife." he said. "His mom and him always want to kick me away from home; Eric loves them so much but he also threatens them not to do such bad things on me..." he said. "Your dad loves you too." i consoled him. "Nope, 'cos he feels awkward on me that is why he tries to repay it. I feel i am exclusive. I'm not belonging to that family long ago...well, since my mom passed away. Okay, skip it." he said as he stood up and walked to bathroom.

PART 3 [[THE PRINCE]]

Sucking in the fresh morning breeze, i smiled as i stretched my arms wide, as though embracing the beauty of nature. Through my window, there were some tiny branches of Maple tree. It’s such a beautiful autumn in New Zealand.
I quickly prepared myself to school. As I reached my apartment gate, Andrew was already there, waiting for me to go to school. He purely smiled and waved his hand to me. It was maybe the first time I saw he smiled and he looked more handsome in my eyes.
Me: I didn’t tell you to pick me up.
Andrew: Can’t I? Hurry up my princess, we gotta go together.
He said, smiling, so did i.
"What should I call you?" Andrew asked.
"Delaney." I answered him.
Andrew: Well like an angel.
We had a small laugh together.
After class, he came pick me up again.
Yellow trees queued in a long line along the street we rode. Andrew stopped his bicycle and walked me to a bench.
"Stay here a minute," he said.
"Where you wanna go Andrew?"
He smiled and walked away.
A minute later, he came back with two glasses of orange juices in his hands and he handed me one. We sat down and chatted in the middle of the garden where brown leaves scattered.
>Ball<
Everyone was thrilling about a dancing party called Ball.
Jenny: Hey Delaney! Who will be your date in Ball night?
Me: lol, jenny… i… I am not sure whether I will join.
Victory: You must be there gal, there are a lot of hot guys and you may find your prince. She laughed and turned back to discuss with other students.
“Prince?” I suddenly thought about Andrew.
Right after class, he appeared firmly in front of me.
“Come go with me Delaney!” he said while he was pulling me right after him.
We arrived a deluxe dress shop in downtown where famous brand names clothes were sold there. . Andrew parked his bicycle in front of the shop and we walked in.
“Hey, why we need to come here?” I asked.
Andrew smiled.
Andrew handed me many dresses to try. A shop assistant followed us as if we were trouble makers.
Shop assistant: Excuse me, but theses dresses cost…
Before she could end her words, a fat man known as manager came.
Fat man: How blind you are, this shop is his father’s. They bended one’s head as an apology. The pile of dresses on my hands grew higher and higher. I tried it one by one. They were all nice but the last one was the best. I put on a short grape Gucci dress and walked out of a dressing room. It glittered as I stepped under light to Andrew. He gazed at me and gushed “My Princess”.
He picked up a pair of silver shoes and put them on my foot. Shopping for several hours made us extremely exhausted; we went to a restaurant nearby to relax and share an ice-cream together. “Andrew you haven’t told me yet, why you buy these expensive stuffs for me?” I asked. “Don’t you hear anybody keep talking about Ball? I never joined it before but now. I want you to be my date, well… the most beautiful princess in the party.” he said.
>On Ball Night<
I put on makeup disguise, curled my hair, wore a dress and shoes that he bought for me and quickly went down stair. He was standing at my front door step! He stared at me with his crystal eyes and smiled as I smiled. Tonight, Andrew looked amazing with his suit; he drove Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and carried a bunch of red roses. He gave me a peck on the cheek and roses. I stood still in shock and touched my cheek. He smiled happily and opened car door for me. “Get in, your highness”.
We arrived campus where many people were already there. He gave me his left hand and I hold it. I could see thousand pairs of eyes looking at us while we were walking on a red carpet. “Amazing, 1st son of Mr.Eric joins this year party!” “who is that girl?” I could hear many girls were discussing about us.
Soon, the music started and the light turned colorful. Andrew asked me to dance but I wasn’t good at dancing at all. Song by song, I didn’t know how many times ago that I stepped on his foot. “Sorry Andrew, I told you already I am not good.” I said. He smiled and held me up to step on his both foot. “See? Like this we can move together at once. You don’t need to afraid of frequency stepping on me again.” he laughed. We were so close but I felt more comfortable with this dancing style. We had danced for many songs, so I asked Andrew to postpone and got some drink near swimming pool. The water reflected Albert and I quickly found a real person. He stood there next to me and Andrew. “You look much hotter gal” “Would you mind date with me tonight?” Albert laughed out loud. I ran to hide behind Andrew’s back. Albert glared at Andrew. Andrew glared back. “Stay away from her.” Andrew said. “So what if I don’t?” Albert smirked. “I can do anything as long as the one girl I love is safe." It was the last words he said to Albert before we left the party.

PART 2 [[CLOSER]]

A modern car was driving not a half feet in front of me while I walked through campus. "Dammit, don’t you ever learned to drive?" A moment afterward, many girls were besieging that car. A modernized guy putting on expensive clothes and shades was walking along with his body guard out of a crowd.
Nothing’s special! (i thought)
Two girls were running to me and said Hi. If I was not wrong they were the ones sitting next to me. Well, classmates.
 
Jenny: Hi, I’m Jennifer Maria, call me Jenny anyway.
Victory: I’m Victory. Everyone says I have charming blue eyes, a beautiful face, long silky hair…
Jenny: Okay, Vic stops it.
Me: Um yeah! I’m Delaney.
Jenny: Hey! Did you see that handsome guy? He’s a millionaire’s son as well as a super star in our college. His father owns an international enterprise and many more corporations.
Me: Well, I got it ever since I saw what he acted rudely.
Vic: His brother is even more handsome…unfortunately …
Jenny: He never speaks to anyone here. Everyone says he’s mute. See…

>Tinkling!!!<
Vic: Hurry up gals.
We ran to class while Jenny hadn’t yet finished her phrase.
 
Lunch Break:

Holding a dish of food on my hand, I was seeking for a free seat. It was so crowded at canteen in the afternoon. Many female students were talking and looking at their super star, Albert, sitting on a special dining table. I didn’t know why they valued  this arrogant guy that much. To me, he was nothing.
"That was him!" Through a half closed door, I stepped straight to a man who helped me previously. He sat alone on the fence outside the canteen.
Unluckily, I was hindered by Albert.
He derided me “Hey, what a nice chick right here! I am free tonight, hottie.”
I intended to leave this crazy bull away, but he hauled me backward to his dirty body. I detested Albert so much. All of a sudden, a strong arm grabbed me out of Albert.
"Uh huh my mute brother! What the hell you are doing here? This lil girl is mine." Albert smirked. The man kept silent but took me with him. "Is he a millionaire son that jenny means?" I thought while I ran after him to his bicycle. I held his waist as i rode behind. Regardless of place he brought me to, I didn’t care. I only knew wherever I had him, I was safe. Sinking in a comfortable feeling, I saw a foggy image in my brain; (two little kids were laughing and playing in a blossom field next to a small bicycle). Before I could blink, I approached a dazzling land where I never saw before. It was a field in the outskirts of the city where Myosotises bloomed its prettiest and hatred never existed. In the mid of blue trillium, there erected a huge apple tree. He picked up a sharp thing nearby the tree and carved tiny letters at that portion of the trunk. Aiyana! It was a name of someone I didn’t know. However it sounded sweet, Forever Flowering. He whispered “Hope that Forget-me-not will fetch you those remembrances”. I doubtfully gazed at him. "You are not mute dude. Why…you never speak? Anyway what’s your name?" I asked. “Andrew” He responded while he looked at ripe apples on the tree. He added “I really detest speaking, and most of the time, I like being alone.” “I have no reason to talk too.”
I continued asking: “Why you always help me?”
Andrew: Because you are so silly.
Me: What?
Andrew: Always stay in trouble.
Me: No one wants it.
Andrew remained silent. His face looked desolate.
Me: "Thanks anyway." I turned back as I tended to get outta him.
Andrew moved speedily to me and adorably embraced me behind as I was going to vanish every minute.
Andrew: Stay here…with me. His eyes were shining as tears were going to roll down.
Me: Andrew! You’re okay?
Andrew: Don’t leave me again.
"What? Again?" I opened my eyes bigger but he said nothing.
…the sun soon fell below horizon; the tiny Myosotis turned navy in twilight.
Andrew brought me back home.
Me: Um… it’s my apartment. Bye.
Andrew: what’s floor?
Me: 46th. Okay, I gotta go now.
Andrew watched me until I passed a front stair

PART 1 [[STRANGER]]

February 14, 2020
Aiyana we have no longer fear and nothing could ever tear us apart…

_____________________________________________________________


May 19, 2018
>>Tinkling!!!<<
Come on! It’s time. Where is B1? Building A, 4th floor…
I kept refreshing a location of my psychology class while I didn’t know where to go… I started running from an edge of Building A to another.

Argh!!! Oh shit, it’s hurt. My knees were bleeding after I slapped down on a wet floor.
a pair of long legs in black pans stopped in front of me. I raised my head and wiped my tears to see that man apparently. He stood still, a strong face and bleak eyes were staring at me inertly. Seconds passed, he bended down and took a white handkerchief from pocket to remove blood on my knees. He was far cool than his look. I instantly felt we ever met elsewhere before, but where?
He helped me stand up, put me on his back and brought me to my class.
How come this man knew i study in psychology class? Immediately, after he placed me on my desk, he faded away like a shadow. Even a word, we didn’t make while i didn’t know his name either.

It was raining outside. I had difficulty to move with my swollen legs but I tried to step toward the balcony. No wonder, I am a girl who is fond of rain, so I cannot stop myself not to touch its soft and cool drop. Humidity in air calmed me down; it authentically washed away all my sorrow.

Phone's ringing!!!
Hello, sweetie! How was your first day at college?
(On the other end, it is a sound of an old lady.)
Well mom… that… that’s absolutely precious. (it must be very awful, i thought)
Great! also don't forget to take medicine my dear. Okay, i gotta work at once. Love you sweetie.
Love you too mom.

(Mom is a word i call her since she took me to adopt in orphanage last 15 years.)

In a snowy night, mommy, Marisa, picked me up from a pile of garbage along the street. A little girl in a nasty blue dress with bare-foot was shaking in frozen temperature. She had neither food nor drink. Maybe life was ended that way without Marisa. She cuddled me in her warm hands and brought me to my new home. Maybe no one ever does as well as Marisa to me; she loves me like her blood child, and I love her too.

Class hour was finished; and I must walk miles to my cramped apartment room. The sky still cried and I had no umbrella too. It gradually turned dark so I decided to walk under rain. From a far distance beyond my way, a vague image was shifting closer and closer. That’s…I guessed that's a man helping me this morning. Everything twirled around; before I passed out, I found myself resting on the strong grasp of a hand. Trying to open my eyes, my heart momentarily stopped beating as i came face to face with a stone-faced man.

…a sweet smelling fragrant woke up, my heavy body was laying on a big white bed. I forthwith stood up and fell on my knees due to fatigue but nothing could stop me to approach a mushy rhythm filling up my ears. In a black wear, a man was standing next to an opened window and playing violin sentimentally. Sunset glow casting a golden shine on his face made him looked just like a prince. He helped me again. Who is he? The music’s stopped while he saw me there. I smiled and said thanks, but he replied nothing besides nodding his head. He looked back to the violin on his wide shoulder; his right hand moved slowly with a bow set on the string. Soon, the music started. I looked at his tardy movement and listened to music silently until it ended. I was willing to ask what his name is, yet a luxurious car was driven in to an enormous villa. He stared at it devastated before pulling my hand tough and walking to a hind outlet.

I finally backed to my room, took a shower and crept to bed. (A boy was pulled by two strong arms… sound of gun exploded… a man was laying on a bloody floor…toys turn red.. she!! A little girl was in a closet.)
A flash of nightmare happened again. Obviously annoyed, I hated it. This happened since I was a child, I always dreamed about this stupid thing again and again.