Have loved you for a long time

Asari and Renzo went down stairs to have their breakfast and their dinner was silent with the occasional cling and clang of their cutlery. Asari decided to break the silence as she cleared her throat.

"Ahem! Uh…Renzo, I've been feeling bored at home, can I get a job? Since I am not familiar with anyone in this world, ahem! I mean city, please be my guide," she spoke, straightforwardly expressing her intention.

Renzo remained silent for a bit, making Asari tense but he eventually agreed, "Ok, I'll take you around to familiarise with the city first."

Having finished their brief discussion, the two finished their meal silently. As one who keeps his promises, Renzo took Asari to the city. The two veered down the magnificent streets of Legalese City. Asari noted that everything was the same as her past life, the city had skyscrapers, hotels, motels, restaurants, malls and clubs. However, they looked more luxurious and she thought that Legalese justified the saying, Heaven on earth.

Renzo on the other hand enjoyed his short trip in the city with her by his side. He had always fantasised about these moments in the past. Looking at her wide eyes which looked exciting, he found her reaction cute. Perhaps she had stayed in the dungeons for a long time that she missed seeing the change in the city.

He felt bad for her, she had suffered a lot and at first as he thought of how he was just going to use her for his needs, he felt guilty. He subconsciously tightened the grip on the driving wheel. He was still in his reverie when he heard a voice in his mind, 'I am hungry. I am not sure if I should tell Renzo about it.'

Renzo could read people's minds, an ability which was passed down from his late mother. He'd kept it a secret ever since he noticed it and later he realized it could be a hidden weapon. Especially now that he could read beloved's beautiful mind, he wouldn't want to miss out.

He immediately parked his car on the lane side and happened to see a mini restaurant. Even though Renzo was rich and came from a wealthy background, he had once fed and slept on the streets. His family was quite complicated and he didn't want to relive those dark days.

Asari jolted back to reality when she heard the sound of the front door opening. She didn't realise it as all along she was gazing at the scene outside through the window. She saw Renzo's torso tower above her as he opened the door for her. He held out his hand to her and she held it.

The two displayed a picture of a perfect couple and as they headed towards the mini restaurant for their lunch meal, Asari felt envious gazes from women piercing her. However, she didn't cower as she'd been through a lot and such reactions didn't bother her at all.

Meanwhile, Renzo was thinking about her and when she read her thoughts, he felt her pain. He didn't want to read her mind but he couldn't help it when her inner voice seemed to flood into his mind. He felt bad for her again. Even though she looked confident of herself, still it didn't erase the fact that she had suffered.

Finally, the two entered the restaurant and Renzo's eyes swept past the rows of tables until he landed on one that faced the window. Asari loved looking through the window, he thought to himself. He held her hand as he led her to the table. The two were silent but the atmosphere was harmonious.

The food he placed on her plate was eaten without any complaint and this placed a smile on his face. She wasn't picky like other women whom he'd been set up with by his parents he didn't want to remember. It wasn't such a wonderful memory to recall.

Eventually, it was time to leave the restaurant and the two exited the place. Asari bore a satisfied look as she rubbed her stomach. Barely had two stepped outside the place when a voice called out, earning their attention.

"Sari! It's you finally. I knew you were still alive," came a female's voice. Her eyes were teary as she looked at Asari.

Meanwhile, Asari looked confused as she asked innocently, "Are you sure you got the right person?"

The female froze but before she could utter anything, the two had already left. She could only mumble to herself, 'You even don't remember me? It hurts.'

Renzo gave one last glance to the female before going to the other side to open for Asari the door. The woman seemed to be related to her but what happened? He couldn't voice out his concerns for fear of triggering something she wouldn't wish to remember.

He already had her now, he said to himself. If she wanted to recall her memories, he'd fully support but if she didn't want to, still he'd do the same. By the time they finished their tour around the city, it was past sunset. Asari soon began feeling sleepy and without knowing it, she dozed off in the car. Renzo reached his mansion only to find out that she'd slept off.

He took his time to get a good look at her . She looked peaceful compared to her indifferent appearance she bore during the day. Slowly, he opened the door and exited before going to the other side to open for her.

Lifting her up in bridal style, he marched into the mansion, past the hallways to her bedroom. Gently, he placed her on the bed, careful not to wake her up. He covered her with a blanket and kissed her forehead.

Feeling unsatisfied, Renzo sat beside her with his head resting on his elbow. He raked his fingers into her hair and smiled.

"Do you know that I've missed you so much? I have loved you for a long time now and I felt I'd go crazy. You were with your lover at that time and I could feel you were close," he said almost to himself.

Tracing her eyebrows and nose as though they were some kind of pattern, he continued, "I have always loved you and I still do. I don't know what happened to you in the past but I'll do anything to make you happy, Asari."

"Goodnight, beautiful," he concluded and stood up to leave her room.

No sooner had he left the room than Asari opened her eyes. She kept on pondering his words, not sure if she can trust him. But one thing for sure, he was very sincere. However, will sincerity prevail? Or will it be another of those nightmares… Only time will tell.