A REASON

Present Day,

A week passed in a blur without Zeda seeing Kamaz. The times she tried to stop Falkur to ask him of Kamaz’s whereabouts, he was either too busy to listen, or he was running off to only heavens know and it was making Zeda's head spin.

Kamaz had decided to keep her beyond arm's length, and the result of that decision was that he left the mansion.

Rena had made a point, and from the cameras stationed in the mansion, he was able to see that Zeda had been able to stay awake more now that he was no longer around her.

The housemaid - Nanny Greta as she is referred to -with the help of two other attendants, had gone shopping for suitable clothes for Zeda.

When the clothes didn't seem to appeal to Zeda, Kamaz ordered the best fashion stylist to visit the mansion with their best outfits for Zeda to pick from.

It was like an occasion and Zeda could not understand, especially when the one person that should explain was nowhere to be found.

Then she kept herself busy with movies and card games. No attendant wanted to play with her even though she invited them and tried to woo some.

They were just too scared of what Lord Kamaz would do to them if he found them with the one person he looked at like his very life depended on.

Monday came by in a blurry flash and it was time for her to resume the next semester.

“Since no one has decided to speak to me, I do not know who to tell. But I have to go to school,” Zeda told Nanny Greta, who was making breakfast for her.

"You will need the permission of Mr Ragnar Miss. I think you know that” Nanny Greta replied with a small smile.

"Yes…Yes, I do, but he isn't here, and I can't have my life paused because he suddenly disappeared," Zeda responded.

“I get you, child, but I thought the reason you are here in the first place is because you are trying to hide from certain persons,” Nanny Greta said, trying to give Zeda more reasons to postpone schooling for as long as Lord Kamaz wished to stay away.

“I know them and they wouldn't try anything rash for now. They know there is a chance that whoever is protecting me is also on to them and regardless, I'm tired of staying here and being on my own. I hope you understand”

"Alright, I'll reach out to Mr Ragnar and tell him of your plans,” Nanny Greta said, abandoning the vegetables she was slicing. But as she turned around, she yelped, placing a hand over her mouth.

Lord Kamaz was standing by the kitchen door in all his regal glory.

“Mr Ragnar.." Nanny Greta called somewhat nervously.

Zelda turned to see what caused such a change of ambience in the air and when her eyes caught sight of him, she felt her heart miss a rhythmic flow.

His black shirt wasn't tucked in his black trousers, and for once, he wasn't in his coat. His hair was packed but not tightly and some loose strands fell at the sides of his face.

His hands were in his pockets and his unreadable facial expression was settled on Zeda.

Staying from Zeda had been a strain on him and seeing her from a monitored camera wasn't enough. He had been restless and uneasy and the light purple lines under his eyes were a proper sign.

“Ka..Kamaz" Zeda stuttered, unable to make a sensible word.

She was surprised to see him and there were times over the past few days that she thought that he had forgotten about her existence.

“You won't be leaving the mansion Zeda. I'll arrange for your schooling to continue virtually. Now go and rest” Kamaz said.

‘Rest again? Is that all he is going to tell me?’ Zeda thought within her.

He was about to turn when Zeda crossed the counter in quick steps.

“Not going to happen, Sir," Zeda said firmly.

Kamaz' paused frame with a raised eyebrow was enough to make Zeda take back her words. Even Nanny Greta widened her eyes when she heard Zeda talk back to him. But Zeda didn't.

Zeda was waiting for him to verbally ask what her reason was but when he just kept staring at her without a word, she caught that as the question.

She wiped her clammy hands on her dress before she continued.

“Don't see this the wrong way, Sir. But…I'm grateful and very thankful to you for saving me but I can't keep living like this.

I can't keep living my life in fear of when they want to attack me.

I plan on paying you back for your immense generosity to me and the children, but I won't be able to do that if all I do is stay in the house,” Zeda presented her words.

Kamaz fisted his hands in his pockets.

She was stubborn in her past life and even in this other life, this trait of hers had not been tamed.

Either as Zelda Elsher or as Zeda Altair, she has always known her own mind.

Falkur, who was by the wall outside the kitchen, was waiting for his boss to say something else to Zeda, but when Kamaz just stood there, looking less impressed by Zeda's words, he knew he had to step in.

Besides, they had only come back because Lord Kamaz said he wanted to get a document.

Falkur knew it was no document that brought him to the mansion. He knew his boss just wanted to see Zeda even if it was for a few seconds. Till they find a way for them to coexist normally.

“Miss. You have to…” Falkur started, and Zeda's eyes that were on Kamaz went to the new person by the door.

Kamaz was irked that Falkur had taken Zeda's attention away from him. He was trying to imprint every little detail of her feature in his mind before he left again, but his most trusted being had to show up.

“You can work in the mansion then.

Most of the attendants earn close to some CEO in the nation, and I could triple the pay for you.” Kamaz said, cutting Falkur off and Zeda's eyes returned to his.

‘CEO’s pay? Triple the amount?’ Zeda screamed in her mind.

‘This just has to be impossible or is he lying?

With that, I could pay my school fees and debts till I graduate, and if I… No, I shouldn't be thinking of actually believing him.

Why is he being this way to me?