Chapter 20: His Smile, Our Argument, and Soft Kisses

A while ago, I opened the red paper bag Hiro brought. It contains a white dream catcher and a music box. The music box is lovely. The song in it is so soothing. I think I can put my mind at ease when I listen to it.

Meanwhile, the dream catcher … well, isn't that thing known to be helpful as an antidote to nightmares, right? I've had weird dreams lately. Is that why Zo gave this thing to me?

I stroked the beautiful feathers that adorn the dream catcher in my hand. It's gorgeous. Where did he buy it?

I sighed softly. That guy really confused me. Not to mention the boy's words that made the pounding in my chest not stop since earlier.

Could it be that the kid was just exaggerating things? But seeing Zo's change in attitude, his touch on me, his overly warm affection, and the things he gives me… at least shows that he cares about me a little.

Or a lot?

I really don't know what's going on.

He's the kidnapper. He's the rapist. It was clear that person conspired with Loko and some other criminals to bring me here, but why is he behaving like this to me? What does he really want?

There are so many questions I have to ask him. So many words to straighten out. Unfortunately, he's been missing all day. Why did he meet Loko again?

"What are you thinking about?"

I jumped from my seat on the floor when the husky I had been waiting for greeted my eardrums. Zo walked over to me and held out his hand to me. I took the hand and stood up.

"I'll take you out."

"You will set me free?" I was almost screaming from the shock. Will Zo let me go? Really go out of here?

"Don't be too happy. I'll just take you to the backyard so you don't get bored."

I immediately pulled my smile back.

Only that? Just to the backyard? He does not…

Oh, such a stupid girl. What a fool to expect more from this person. He's the bad guy, after all. Why do I expect him to help me get out of here?

"I have something to show you," he said.

I lowered my head. I let go of the hand he was holding. I don't know why I feel sad because his plan made me already give up hope.

"Minka?"

Before I knew it, the man's fingers were already on my chin, looking up, making me look him in the eye. His gaze was demanding an answer to my silence. His thick eyebrows furrowed. He tilted his head.

"I thought you would set me free. Let me go home," I whispered. "Turns out I was wrong."

He was stunned and stared at my face, expressionless. I tried not to look into his eyes. My gaze fell on his jaw. His jaw hardened again as if he was holding back something.

"I can't," he answered simply.

I removed his hand from my face. Suddenly feeling incredibly hurt. "Then why are you acting like this to me?"

"Like what?"

I was annoyed. He really is an idiot. Insensitive.

"Why are you being nice to me?" sued me. "Why don't you just like Loko? Why do you always come to me? Why are you paying more attention to me?" I showed the dream catcher in my left hand. "The dream catcher, the music box, the clock, what does all that stuff mean? You also take care of me when I get sick, feed me when I'm lazy to eat, put me to bed when I faint on the floor, accompany me to sleep when I have nightmares, kiss my head when I'm crying, hug me tightly when I'm scared. Hiro said you often tell him about me. What does it all mean? You just feel sorry for me?"

Zo pulled my hand, so my body crashed into his sturdy body. His right hand locked my waist as I tried to struggle. His eyes are gleaming sharply. That unpleasant sight is here again. My heart was racing, worried that his reaction wouldn't match my expectations.

"Minka-"

"Let me go!"

"Minka-"

"Keenan!" I shouted. "You always confuse me!"

The next second he pulled my chin and kissed my lips softly. I was still struggling and trying to get my lips off of him. I was out of breath, but he pulled my face closer to his. I worked again and, this time, managed to break the kiss.

"Shhh," he said soothingly.

His grip on my waist began to lessen. The fingers on his left hand are now gently caressing my slightly messy hair. He bent down and kissed the top of my nose. I subconsciously closed my eyes and held my breath as his face was barely away from mine.

"Breathe, Minka." He reminded her in a hoarse voice. "Did I scare you?"

Does he scare me?

I shook off the giddy feeling I had been feeling. The man did kiss me forcefully. A flash of unpleasant gaze from him was also briefly seen, but it was faint and not as long as usual.

The funny thing is I concluded that I didn't feel the fear he had when he forced me like the other day.

I shook my head slowly.

My answer made him hug my waist again. Carefully he kissed my wet lips. A light kiss without much passion in it. A kiss was full of peace and calm. Which miraculously can make my anxiety and emotions subside.

I closed my eyes and felt the soft touch of his lips on mine. My hand touched his shoulder as my knees felt weak. My thoughts drifted to the clouds. My head feels empty, and I have difficulty remembering his status as my captor when he so gently intimidated me. The boundary between the kidnapper and the victim is now invisible.

I thought I had lost consciousness as I stopped pushing his body and pressed my body against him even more.

Before my sanity is taken any further, Zo ends his soft kiss.

"Keenan?"

The man I called Keenan sighed softly.

"Yes?"

I smile. Only this time, he answered when I called by his real name. Usually, he always refuses and looks like he doesn't like it when I call him Keenan.

"May I call you Keenan? Like Hiro did?"

I guess I'll accept the rejection. Miraculously, the man gave me a slow nod while gently stroking my head. I smiled wider than before.

"Can we go out now? I could lose control if you keep smiling at me like that."