Chapter ten

The outer side of this mansion was simply magnificent. No words would be enough to describe how perfect it looked. The landscape was even, with patches of garden flowers scattered all over. The patches were arranged in different patterns. For example, the one nearest us was shaped into a love heart. There were all sorts of flowers, and to top it all off, there was a huge fountain in the middle of the field! I was enthralled by the place.

I took deep breaths of air, inhaling with each intake. Slowly, everything else around me started to fade, and I was filled with a deep sense of peace. My legs seemed to have a mind of their own as they carried me towards the huge fountain. I touched the soft flowers, smiling to myself. I sat near the fountain and closed my eyes.

The type of peace I was experiencing was like no other I had felt before. I felt deep and complete, as if nothing mattered. I opened my inner subconscious, and it led me to a land full of flowers and chirping birds. The place looked awfully familiar, but I had never seen anything like it, so I ruled out the idea of recognition. That didn’t matter, however. What mattered was the fact that I was here, in this beautiful place that looked like paradise.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, bouts of laughter and shouts of children playing happily erupted from the surroundings. The sounds, mingling with the chirping birds, created a melodious harmony. I hummed with joy and contentment.

I then saw small boys and girls running around the field, chasing each other or chasing butterflies. They looked so happy and carefree, and I couldn’t help but feel elated.

One little girl suddenly called out, “Mommy! Mommy!”

She ran to a beautiful woman I hadn’t noticed before. The lady picked her up and spun her around, making the girl squeal and laugh with glee.

Then, out of nowhere, a man appeared. He embraced the woman and the girl, and the woman looked at him lovingly.

The little girl wiggled out of her mother’s arms and reached out for her father. The man picked her up and threw her in the air. The girl screamed in happiness. They looked like a small, happy family. When the lady turned, I noticed a small baby bump that she was patting softly with a smile.

The man put the girl down, and she ran off to join the other kids. He then held his wife from behind, placing both palms on her baby bump. He smiled at her affectionately, whispering inaudible words that made the woman laugh loudly.

This place was so full of positive energy. It looked serene and complete, like something out of a dream. But it made my heart swell with happiness and contentment.

As I watched the scene in front of me, it slowly faded, eventually becoming nothing. That’s when I began to sense my surroundings again.

I looked around with a start and realized that no one was nearby. I also took note of the setting sun. How long had I been out? The sun had been high in the sky when we had come out earlier, but now it was already setting! That meant I had been lost in my thoughts for several hours.

Had everyone left me to give me privacy? I wondered. I must have looked strange, seated there with my eyes closed. I was sure they thought I was sleeping! I felt embarrassed, but when I remembered my earlier vision, my embarrassment was replaced by joy and excitement.

I couldn’t help but wish to one day have such a family. Kids and a loving husband seemed like a very nice idea.

Wait, why was I thinking about kids and husbands at this point?! I blushed again, as a certain someone popped into my mind when I thought about a future family. I knew I had to get *him* out of my head, but a girl could dream!

Excitement filled my being as I pictured him having a family with me, but I quickly pushed the image away. I had to stop with this habit of daydreaming and imagining impossible things. But a part of me couldn't help but feel like it was possible!

Sighing, I stood up and decided to go back inside and find out where everyone else was. As I began walking back, the exact person who had been clouding my thoughts appeared from around a corner of the mansion. Well, wherever my luck had gone, I needed it back, as I couldn’t understand why fate was playing games with me.

He smiled brightly at me, a knowing grin on his face and mischief in his eyes. I looked down to hide my blush and smile. I never used to blush or get embarrassed easily, but that seemed to be all I was doing these days!

My heart felt warm and fuzzy, and I was afraid that if I looked at him, I might be tempted to do things I had never considered before. The images of a family made me acutely aware of the person walking toward me.

“I see you’ve come back from the land of fairies. I hope you found great things there. And maybe I was involved?” he asked sheepishly, unaware of the level of mortification I was experiencing. If only he knew what I had been thinking! I could never tell him. I would never be able to look him in the eye again.

I didn’t answer him. I only asked him to lead me back, and he didn’t press the matter further, which I was thankful for. Despite the silence, I felt that, even without words, the experience near the fountain had eased my heart’s worries. I was feeling peaceful.

It was as if something had opened inside me. I was no longer jumpy or restless. I didn’t feel the urge to tear people’s throats out for answers. And for some reason, I knew then that most of the things I was going to experience would come to me without anyone telling me. And I was okay with that.

In fact, it made me excited and curious to know what I would experience on my own. If it was anything like today, I was all for it! I would love to experience more visions like that one. They made me happy and at peace.

Even as I wished for that, I knew for a fact that it wouldn’t always be joy and peace. There would inevitably be moments of pain, and I wasn’t looking forward to those.

I hadn’t realized we had reached the doors until I bumped into a hard body. I was about to fall, but hands quickly grabbed me. The tingles were instant, and I didn’t need to look up to know who was holding me.

Could this be any more embarrassing??! I heard a soft chuckle, and I wished the earth would open up and swallow me whole! I was sure he thought being clumsy was my second nature, as I had embarrassed myself more times than I could count since I met him.

Even the first time I saw him at The Home.

I was surprised that I didn’t feel the twinge of sadness I had been experiencing when I thought about the orphanage. That made me wonder if I was forgetting them and accepting my new life. But I couldn’t bear the thought of forgetting my people. They would always be a part of me, no matter what.

Mason cleared his throat, and my face was on fire again! I had managed to zone out, and when I looked up, I noticed how close we were. Immediately, I jumped back to create some space. He laughed out loud and opened the door leading us inside without saying anything—thankfully.

We walked down an unfamiliar hall, and I couldn’t wait to see where we were going. I was eager to familiarize myself with the layout of this place. Then, I wouldn’t have to follow people around like a lost puppy.

Mason finally stopped and opened a door. A beautiful dining hall came into view. I mentally facepalmed myself for thinking that this hall was unfamiliar. It was the hall to the kitchen, and I couldn’t believe I hadn’t recognized it earlier.

Well, the sight of food drowned out all other thoughts. It was time for food, and that was very important...