That night, I sat on the bed, fondling Phoenix’s fur. The creature has a special aura around it. From its black gleaming eyes to its innocent look, everything was simply special about it.
“Phoenix?” I called. “Do you know why I named you Phoenix?” I asked and it made a meow sound. I bet it didn’t know. “I will tell you. I named you Phoenix because if by chance you ever leave me, you will come back for me. Phoenixes don’t die once, they will always be back,” I said sadly. Phoenix was listening to my emotional expression. It simply kept its gaze on me, looking maybe sad or concerned. I sighed. “You know, Phoenix, my sister left me. She never came to my rescue like she used to. With each passing day, I wish she could come back for my sake. Crescent moons do reappear, right? I still hope Luna emerges like a wildflower and come in search of me,” I poured out and sighed. Phoenix didn’t meow this time. It sounded like “aww!” I held it close to myself while still massaging its soothing fur.The following day, I freshened up. I dressed up in a short beige gown. I let my hair fall in a short wave to my back. I heated my hair to a wavy style last night. I wanted to look different, maybe more attractive. I clipped a butterfly hair clip to the side of my hair. I did light makeup, accentuating my rosy lips with a natural lip balm. I placed a small arched band on Phoenix’s head. We got to look our best today. I carried Phoenix in my arms as we descended the staircase. I simply couldn’t wait for Emiliano’s persuading compliment. As we reached the living room, I could see no sign of him. We went on to the kitchen, he wasn’t there. Breakfast was served on the dining table. I wondered where he went this early. I opened the food. The aroma was welcoming. My stomach was already growling for the meal. I wanted as much as sit to eat but I couldn’t. I got to look for Emiliano. I headed upstairs to his room with Phoenix still clung in the crook of my arms. I have never entered his room. I only knew that was his room. I took each step with hesitation. Was he sleeping? He has prepared breakfast already. He wasn’t a heavy sleeper. Sometimes I wonder if he sleeps at all. A few nights I will wake up to get water only to still see him in the living room focused on his computer.“Why aren’t you sleeping yet?” I had asked once.He looked at me with his usual captivating smile. “I got to finish this on time for a client,” he responded.“It’s late, you should rest,” I told him while walking to the kitchen.“I will soon,” he accepted.The following morning, he was still the first to wake up. I always wonder how he manages to do that all over again. As my hand went on the door handle to open it, I took a deep breath. We entered the room. Wow! Awesome! I found myself exclaiming from within with a gaped mouth. The bed was spacious, his curtains were beautiful, and he got lots of gadgets. A standing mirror, a wooden closet, a small books clustered shelf, and ancient picturesque paintings. The painting of a golden falcon almost contained a whole wall. It seems real. When I first looked at it, I gasped. It seems the falcon was staring at me. Phoenix kept on meowing. I put Phoenix down. The room attracted me to the point that I forgot why I was there. I began touching the books. “The Wandering Falcon” I read it in my mind as I took out the book from the shelf. I opened the first page and then flipped through the pages. I would love to read this book. I put the book back on the shelf. I moved closer to the bed with my hand feeling the mattress. On the nightstand was a lamp, a bind of sticky paper, and a pen. I drew out the drawer and I saw a journal. A terracotta-colored journal with a russet bind around it. I opened the journal. “SACRED” was boldly written on the first page. What does that mean? I opened the next page. “LUNA” covered the whole page. My stomach was flustered. Does he know Luna? Why does Luna’s name have to appear and that too, super boldly written? I flipped through the next page.“My Luna is beautiful.”“My Luna was from seventh heaven.”“My Luna drew the eye heavens bound.”“My Luna is translucent.”“My Luna appears more lucid.”“My Luna will emerge like a sprouting seed.”“She will fill my world with more joy than I needed. She will be back.”What is all this writing about Luna? Who was Luna to Emiliano? My head spun with these questions. I flipped to the next page.“My Luna is a wildflower.”“My Luna sparks to emerge.”“My Luna, my Luna will be back for me.”What has Luna gotten to do with anything? What was Emiliano hiding? I flipped through the remaining pages. All was about Luna. I wanted to cry, but I couldn’t. A hand came on my shoulder. I gasped. My heart was banging the wall of my chest to come out. My breath hitched as I slowly turned around to face the red-eyed Emiliano. If I was made to choose, I wouldn’t ever wish to see the opposite eyes of his. I was sweating, my legs wobbled, and my hands clung to the journal.“Don’t ever touch this!” he said loudly, trying to calm his voice along the way. I inhaled sharply. He closed his eyes sharply and opened them. “Go!” he said calmly. Where should I go? “I said go!” he yelled. I shuddered fearfully. I scuttled past him with the journal falling off my hands. Phoenix came after me. I was in tears, I couldn’t wail. I cried inwardly. What was happening? Why was he different today? What was about the journal that got him so furious? Besides, where am I going? Which city am I? Am I still in Venice or around a wonderland? I could hear the splitters of broken glass as I ran out. Emiliano jerked up the lamp and smashed it on the floor. He threw each glass cup he laid his hand on at the wall, splattering each piece to the floor. He was furiously yelling. He began punching the wall, and his clenched fist bled. His blood covered some parts of the room tiles. Why was he demonstrating such anger?AUTHOR’S NOTE ❤️Wow! Hi, my beautiful readers. Hope you are having a good time reading my piece. Was Emiliano honestly hiding something about Luna? Does he know her? What do you think? Let’s find out in the next chapter. Let’s go!After some minutes, Emiliano calmed himself down. He shouldn’t have overreacted. He thought. He went in search of Ginevra. He got his knuckles wrapped with a bandage. Blood was still visible on the wound. He entered Ginevra’s room, no one was there. He looked around the bathroom, the closet, and under the bed. Why? No one was there. “Go!” his own words echoed in his ears. Where could she have gone to? He shouted out her name severally. He descended downstairs. He shouldn’t have told her to go. Where has she gone to? Where does she know? Why did he send her out to danger? What if she tries drowning herself again? He won’t ever forgive himself. Emiliano’s thoughts jumbled. Where will he begin searching for her? She was not around the room. He went outside to the gazebo, he didn’t see her.I was seated on the ground, close to the flowers with Phoenix beside me. I was confused. Luna appeared on every page of the journal. Emiliano got furious because he saw me with the journal. What was i
At night, I was seated beside Emiliano on the couch. He wanted me to continue my story. Phoenix was beside us. I continued in flashback.***In the morning, the singing birds woke me up from sleep. I gathered my fragile self up. My eyes were aching. I couldn’t stare at daylight, it made my vision blurry. I had to squint from the woods. I just needed to leave the neighborhood. I reached a river, I saw a sailor who helped me to cross the river with my bags. I was going to my maternal grandmother’s house. After her demise many years ago, foreigners inhabited the house. We learned they returned to their hometown a few months ago and the house was now vacant. I trudged down the remaining miles, carrying bags all around my shoulders while pulling two suitcases. I almost resembled a camel carrying many loads. After a long trudge under the now scorching sun, I was faced with my grandma’s house. I let down all the loads from my body. I heaved a sigh of relief. I was tired, hungry,
After the last word which came out like a whisper, my head rested against Emiliano’s shoulder. I was drifting gradually to sleep. My eyes closed, and my mind went blank as I dozed off.~Emiliano~I stared at the sleeping Ginevra. I didn’t want to disturb the sleeping baby by waking her up to go to bed. I simply stared at her. I wished she never leaves. After so many months, I finally found someone to relate freely to. Sienna. How can I forget? Sienna was a vivacious idol. Her beauty radiates. Her smile always captured my heart, making me wish never to lose sight of her. I vividly remembered that night we argued. She was deeply furious with me. I never knew a minor case could leave a scar on me for so long. Why didn’t I stop her that night? I was upset from an outing with my friends I could remember. I stayed out late, yet she waited for me. ***It was Valentine’s night. She wanted us to spend time together alone. What would I have done when my old college pals
After dinner, I went into my room. Phoenix was already sleeping on the couch. I took a cool shower and sat on a stool in front of the vanity table to apply my night cream. I was already in my nightgown. I flipped my hair aside as I applied the cream to my neck and way down my shoulders. I lifted my leg, applying the cream to my thigh and down my flawless leg to my foot. When I was done, I stood up. Turning to the bed, I drew in the air sharply. Emiliano was at the door. His arms were firmly crossing his chest while leaning against the wall and gazing at me. Why didn’t I notice him earlier? Did he appear like a ghost or what? Besides, why was he staring lustfully at me? He began walking toward me. I took a step back. I wanted to ask why he was in my room at this specific nighttime, but the words died in my mouth the moment he crossed the distance between us and stood right in front of me. He leaned forward and tilted his head to the crook of my neck. I let out a gasp. I clutched the ed
Later in the day, I allowed Phoenix to go play outside with a ball while I went to meet Emiliano in his room. I placed a knock severally on the door, he didn’t respond. What could be wrong? I held the door handle and creaked the door open. He wasn’t inside. Where did he go? I wondered. I went to the book self, picking up “the wandering falcon.” I want to read the novel. Was the falcon lost in the forest or what? What does the novel entail? As I started to read the back blurb, the door to the bathroom opened and Emiliano walked in, cleaning his wet hair with a towel. I swallowed hard, staring at him. He had another towel around his waist, fully showing off his v-cut and well-defined abs. He was stunning. His toned chest was flawless. His shoulders down to his arms were sturdy and hard. How can he be so beautiful? He cast a surprised look at me as he stopped cleaning his hair. Water dripped from his hair onto his shoulder and down his chest making me almost swoon. He moved closer, I too
The next day, I decided to continue my story, maybe since it was daytime, I wouldn’t fall asleep easily. We were seated on the silver swing, facing the yard flowers. The vegetation seems to be getting more beautiful with each passing day.“Where did I stop?” I asked Emiliano. I wanted to know if he remembered the story.“After a horrible night at your grandma’s house, your sister returned in the morning. After explaining her escape strategy, you two went out to get something to eat,” Emiliano responded.“You still remembered! Bravo!” I laughed.“I can’t forget an important story,” he said. “It’s your life story and it’s very much important to me.”“I do matter to you, don’t I?” I asked, smiling at him.“You mean more than matter to me, Ginevra. You mean the world to me, and I can’t ever imagine losing you, too,” he expressed. His voice got me feel sorry for him. It’s more like a fellow feeling.“I’m going no place either, Emiliano,” I assured. “Eve
At dawn, I woke up and dialed Luna’s number, still switched off. I went into the bathroom to freshen up. I returned to the bedroom, dressed up, and carried my traveling bag to the living room. I returned to the bedroom to take my phone and change my purse. I went back to the living room, did a silent prayer, and walked to the door. As I opened the door, I was dumbstruck. I let down my bag. Tears fell from my eyes. Luna was laid down with a bruised face, neck, arms, and a sign of a bullet shot in her thigh. I dropped down to my knees. I placed my head on her chest, she was still breathing. I gathered my strength and helped her to the bedroom. I didn’t know what gave me the courage to do all these, but I was grateful. The normal me will weep, fumble around her body, and never think. Thank God for the new me. “I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise,” I assured amid tears. My new me will still cry but with reasoning. At least I knew I needed a doctor. I ran out of the house
***I yawned. Emiliano smiled. I was hungry. It was sunset already, no dinner yet.“Let’s go get dinner fixed then,” Emiliano said.I nodded. We headed inside. I carried Phoenix in my arms. When we reached inside, I put Phoenix down on the couch and followed Emiliano to the kitchen. I wanted to join him in fixing dinner tonight. I should become responsible too.“What can I help with?” I asked.He turned to me. “What can you do?” he smiled at me.“I can do many things,” I smiled back, moving to the countertop. I picked up the knife to cut the vegetables. I wonder when last I did that. Even with Luna, I don’t cut vegetables, she only allows me to do the dishes and then hands off. She will do everything else then I will help her to set the dining table. But I do know how to cook. Most times when Luna goes on a business travel, I do cook.“Be careful,” he said. I smiled.He set the pot on fire. We were going to make chicken casserole alongside ric