Ryan couldn't sleep. He kept tossing on the bed. His eyes were closed as he tried to find the perfect position to sleep. Trying to get every thought out of his mind.
"Can't sleep?"
That voice. Ryan shot his eyes open and rose up immediately. He was shocked at the person he saw. Reading his book and sitting on his couch. He hadn't seen this person for so long.
The person turned to him "Hi brother" he smiled.
Ryan looked him up and down "W-What are you doing here?" he asked, shocked at the sudden visitation.
"Can't I visit my brother anymore?" he asked "It's over a century. Didn't you miss me?"
"Leave! Now!" Ryan sounded authoritative as he got up from the bed and headed for the door.
"What?! I just got here!"
Ryan opened the door and ushered him out." Leave now, Zayden"
Zayden scoffed. He took a breather and walked out the door. Ryan followed behind him down the stairs.
"Leonel! Ms. Jung! " he called, anger filling his voice.
Leonel froze. Ryan didn't even sleep up to three hours and the dessert hasn't frozen yet. Though the weather was cold . Zariel shot him him a glare, then headed for the living room.
"Yes, young master" Zariel answered while bowing and Leonel did same.
"How did he get here?" Ryan asked, pointing towards Zayden.
" Oh, we were about to tell you..."
"Brother!" Came a voice from a cute smiling face, cutting Zariel off. Her eyes were filled with joy and they sparkled as she smiled.
Layana? They both came to see him? Ryan was at loss of words. His mouth was open but no words came out. Layana rushed towards him and hugged him. He was so dumbstruck that he couldn't even even reciprocate the hug.
"I missed you" Layana said. Ryan pulled her away with force.
"Brother?" she called with furrowed brows, surprised at his action.
"What are you both doing here?" Ryan asked through clenched teeth.
"We came to visit you" she replied. A frown settled between her brows
"WHY?!" Ryan roared and Layana flinched "You're not supposed to be here!"
Layana looked into his eyes, searching for that brother she once knew. That brother that would always hug her and wouldn't want to let go. That brother that always cared and loved her, and was always there whenever she wakes up, or when she's asleep, or when she's hurt. That brother that would always cup her cheek and say soothing words. But she couldn't find him anymore. She just couldn't. Tears brewed in her eyes.
"Now you're hurting the girl" Zayden said.
"Zayden..." Layana cried as she turned to him "Ryan doesn't love anymore .." the tears streamed down her face and she cried even more. She hadn't seen him for two centuries and look what he did.
"Yana..." Ryan called softly.
"It's okay, don't cry" Zayden patted her head. "Let's just leave him alone, okay?" Layana still cried, increasing her pitch by the minute.
"Yana.... I'm s-sorry" Ryan said but she still cried.
"Oh now you're saying sorry?" Zayden spoke. "You don't know how it hurts. I'm hurting here too" he pointed at his heart "We came here too see you and all you had to do is push us away? How ruthless can you be?" he yelled.
Ruthless?! If only he knew what that meant.
Zariel gasped at his words. She was expecting Ryan to punch him or set him on fire with his words. She could see the anger in his eyes, but his next words shocked her.
"Get them something to eat" he said. And without waiting for their reply, he walked up the stairs and into the bathroom, ready a have a very cold shower, not minding the weather. He was willing to quench down the fire inside of him. How worse could he get? He was slowly turning into a monster. If he wasn't already. Zayden was right. He is ruthless. All he cared about was finding her and breaking the curse, not minding if he's cruel. He wondered how Zariel and Leonel were able to live with him. He has to stop hurting others, and at least smile on some occasions.
*....*....*....*...*....*.....*.....*.....*....*....*
Amaya had already been discharged from the hospital. Her injuries had already healed two nights before and she was perfectly fine. She took her bath and got dressed ready for work. She worked at a restaurant in the city as a chef. She couldn't wait to get to get to work already.
Amaya pushed the door and she walked in. The workers there were stunned. They thought something had happened to her became she never called. Her phone hasn't been reachable and they were worried.
"Amaya" one of them called as they approached her, surrounding her from all corners. It was still early so there weren't any customers.
"Where have you been? We were worried" he said.
"You didn't even call. What happened?" Another asked. As Amaya was about to speak, a lady cut her off. It was there boss.
"Hey!" she said and they turned to her.
"Can I borrow her for a bit?" She asked like she needed there permission. And waiting for a reply.... "Thank you" she said, grabbed Amaya's wrist and then pulled her away. Taking her to quite spot. Once they arrived, she gave her a slap on her shoulder.
"Ouch!" Amaya cried. " What was that for?" She rubbed her shoulder.
"Where have you been? Better start talking or else I'll beat you to a pulp."
"C'mon, I was only away for two days. And I lost my phone " Amaya said with a pout.
"I need explanations now" So-hyeon said
Amaya exhaled "Alright, you see, two days ago I was....attacked"
So-hyeon gasped, with her hand covering her mouth "How?! When?!"she exclaimed
"At night on my way back home" Amaya said " And you know what? He looks so scary. To me he's no human. He's something worse than that" Amaya whispered. So-hyeon's lips parted but no words came out.
"He had claws..." Amaya continued ".... and long canines. His eyes were red and he looks....dead"
So-hyeon steamed, like he was there. Amaya covered hre mouth and said " Don't scream. Take a deep breath. In....and out. That's right." She slowly removed her hand after So-hyeon had calmed down.
So-hyeon scanned Amaya's body. "But you look just fine" she said
"I was taken to the hospital thereafter. Someone took me there and the doctors did their work. See, no bruises" Amaya said. She couldn't bring herself to tell her about the mysterious man who saved her. Though So-hyeon was a little older and had two little kids, she talks a lot.
"Then why didn't you rest back at home?" So-hyeon asked,concerned "You shouldn't have come"
"I need the money, see. So I can take care of my child when it comes" Amaya clarified.
"Oh, I see" So-hyeon said "Even still, you shouldn't have come. I would've paid you extra. You're even lucky your child didn't die. Others would have gotten a miscarriage."
"That's why I have to keep working for it " Amaya said
So-hyeon nodded "Fighting!" She exclaimed, holding her fist up in air.
"Fighting!" Amaya did the same and they laughed.
Though So-hyeon was her boss they were more like sisters.