"A-Are you serious?" I stuttered, bewildered. I can't believe my ears! He said he's gonna allow me to study!
"Yes."
My eyes swelled up. I pounced into him and hugged him as tight as I could. Sobbing in his chest, I mumbled, "Thank you so much, Aver!"
He held my waist.
I pulled away and smiled sweetly before kissing him on his cheek.
His hold on me loosened, I took that opportunity to pull myself completely and ran in the garden, giggling to myself.
Yay!
I can't believe that he's gonna allow me. I mean, he's so cold, and scary, and strict, too. And I didn't even imagine he would say this. I'm starting to believe that there's still a tiny bit of humanity within him. Maybe... maybe he still has kindness in his heart.
**
The day passed by quickly. After resting and gaining back my energy, Traiver has sent a professor to start with my class. I'm a bit sad I wouldn't get to experience it on face to face classes along with my blockmates, but it's still okay than never. I should be content.
However, after a week of having a home class, I'm beginning to get tired of it. My mind was exhausted from the lessons and all I wanted was to sleep, sleep, and sleep!
"Why are you pouting?" a voice spoke from behind. I jumped slightly.
"Stop startling me, Aver," I whined, my pout never leaving my face.
I sighed and ate my banana cake.
"Hmm." He sat down on the seat next to me. He rested his elbow on the table and placed his head on his palm. He stared at me. "You're not in the mood," he stated.
I stabbed the banana cake and glared at it as if it was all the reason for my sulking today.
"No. I'm not."
"Liar," he chuckled. "Tell me, prey. What makes you sullen today?"
I pursed my lips, still not looking at him. I brought the pork to my mouth and ate the cake angrily.
"I hate..." I murmured. "... school."
I ate another spoonful of cake.
I heard him chuckling. He cupped my cheeks and forced me to look at him.
He has a smirk on his face. "Hmm, what did you say? I can't hear you."
My cheeks were being squeezed by him so when I spoke, it turned out incoherent.
I pulled my face and swallowed the food.
"Aver..." I whined and flashed him puppy dog eyes. "Can I stop studying? I thought it's nice but it's so boring. It's exhausting me!"
"I thought you'd like to study?" He raised a brow, smirking.
I nodded my head vigorously. "Yes! But I prefer to study in a university than home school! There's a difference with that."
He hummed and nodded his head. "Hmm, so what do you want, then?"
I looked down and fiddled with my fingers. With a pout, I said, "I'd like to stop."
"What else?"
I would've been confused and shocked that he acted differently today, but I was too preoccupied to comment on it.
I bit my lower lip. "I'd like to... uhm, to change my course. I-I mean, I would like to try something else... uh, hehe, like baking... cooking... uhm, yeah."
I chuckled shyly and glanced at him.
"Sure."
I took a sharp breath as my eyes widened. "REALLY?!"
"Hmm."
I smiled widely.
"THANK YOU!" I exclaimed.
He smirked mischievously as his eyes glinted in some unknown emotion. "Yes, but of course, there's one thing I want as an exchange to your request."
I could not stop from smiling. I immediately nodded my head without a thought of it. I'm so happy!
"Great. I will fetch you in your room tonight, then."
With that, he left.
I smiled and punched the air. I'm so happy. I would finally get to learn how to bake and cook some food. I can't wait to cook for Traiver and Rasheb!
I grinned and finished my food. It's the weekend, so it means no class for me today. Which I am thankful for. I'm so tired the whole week!
I went to my room and let Eliza help me with my bath since I'm super duper tired. I even slept in the bathtub.
I stayed in my room for the rest of the day after I ate my lunch. I sleep, trying to take back the energy that has been drained out from me because of the exhausting class, and when I woke up, Traiver was the first person I saw.
"Have you been watching me?" I asked as I yawned.
Without hesitation, he spoke, "Yes."
I giggled. He helped me to sit up.
I rubbed my eyes. "Hmm, is it night yet?"
"Yes."
I licked my lips and sighed tiredly. I'm still sleepy. I adjusted myself and leaned my head against his chest. I closed my eyes.
"Hey, no sleeping."
"Sleep..." I yawned.
"We're going to eat together."
"Really?" I mumbled, already dozing off.
He sighed. "Yeah, so let's go down now before you fall asleep again."
I nuzzled my nose against his eyes and whined.
"Prey," he sternly said.
"No... sleep..." I mumbled.
He took a deep breath. "Fine. But for 10 minutes only. I'll wake you up and let's go down, okay?"
"... m'kay..."
He pulled me to him, making me sit on his lap. My cheek was resting against his chest and he was holding me gently.
With a small smile, I doze off to sleep.
**
"Are you gonna claim it now?" I asked after we finished eating. I only ate a little because I'm not in the mood to eat a lot tonight even though all foods were served according to my likings. I'm so seasonal, omg.
"Yeah," he said and held my hand.
"What is it, and where are we going?"
"Hush, you will eventually know."
I pouted. I let him lead me out of the house. We went straight to the garden. He pulled me onto the bench where I often sit.
He sat next to me.
"Aver...?" I asked, confused.
"Shh..."
I blinked my eyes in confusion but didn't ask him again. He took a deep breath and gazed up at the sky. My eyes followed his gaze. I looked up at the sky and saw millions of stars above. A bright, full moon made me stare at it.
My lips parted in astonishment.
"The sky is beautiful, isn't it?" he suddenly asked after a few minutes of silence.
"Certainly..."
Beautiful is an understatement. It's... enticingly beautiful.
"When I was a kid, I used to watch the sky, especially when it's full moon and star. I love watching it. And then, my mom would join me in my sky gazing... My father would bring blankets and snacks for us. We would talk, eat, and laugh. The sky was the sole witness of how happy he was."
I smiled, still gazing in the sky. "Your parents must be nice people."
"They are..." he said. "Never did I once saw them fight. They always settle things down before it worsens. They would not sleep until they fix their problems. Never did I see them hurt someone. They are kind people. They help those who badly need help and never did they once scold me when I do something wrong. They would correct my mistakes and tell me not to do it again."
I hummed, silently telling him to continue telling me his story.
"My parents are sweet, loving parents to me. Despite their different races, which humans proclaimed them to be monsters, they proved them wrong. Because the people they said to be bad people are contrary to the truth. They're the kindest..."
Sadness laced upon his voice.
I took a glance at him and my heart clenched at what I saw. Traiver's face was filled with sadness and nostalgia.
"I remember when I saw a kid, I was different from other kids. While they are either pure-blooded vampires or half-humans, I have the blood of demons. No one wants to befriend me. Everyone was afraid of me..."
"Y-You're a h-half demon?" I asked, shocked.
He chuckled and glanced at me. "I thought you'd already guessed it before. I forgot that you're stupid."
I pouted and slapped his arm lightly. "Don't bully me! I meant it figuratively because you've been so bad at me before!"
"I'm still bad, though."
"Yes, but at least you're not THAT bad unlike before. You often give me sweets!" I exclaimed and giggled. "Anyway, what happened to your parents?"
"Have you forgotten, prey?"
"Huh? What do you mean I've forgotten—" he cut me off.
I felt chills running down my spine when I heard his cold tremendous voice. Soon, my heart broke.
Traiver smiled bitterly. "Your parents killed them."