we are engaged? part 1

back in the garden...

"Nonsense. I was not thinking about you at all." Alyssa flatly denied 

Calix chuckled, " If you say so, though I would not blame you if you did, I know my level of handsomeness." 

" Narcissist." Alyssa scoffed.

" And I heard you love one." Calix said to tease Alyssa and it worked. Alyssa was rendered speechless after his comment so she did not offer him a verbal reply and instead looked away with a 'humph' and in truth she looked away to hide her burning cheeks.

' Why do I keep reacting to his words, I am flatly making a fool out of myself. It is funny how I thought I would probably be mad at him but right in this moment, I kinda want to stay like this forever, with him...'

" I am hopeless," Alyssa said to herself in a low voice so that Calix wouldn't hear her.

"Mhmm? Why are you saying that?" 

Oh no! He heard me. " N-nothing." Alyssa replied 

" You can not say something like that without a reason." Calix pressed and did not let her remark go. 

Alyssa sighed, " It does not matter." 

Calix frowned at the sight of Alyssa's sad and self-deprecating look and without letting go of Alyssa's hand, he used his free hand to gently turn Alyssa's face so that they could be face to face. 

He looked into her eyes and said, " Everything you say and do matters. It always will. And never say that again about yourself, okay?" 

Calix had a serious look he solemnly never had, Alyssa could feel herself getting weaker and weaker. The defense and wall she convinced herself to build against him especially after all the occurrences they had was slowly crumbling. 

I want to believe him. I want to let go and actually let his words make sense to me. I want to put down all defenses after all the rejections but... he always does this, gives me some sort of hope but he never acknowledges me as a woman or my love for him so why should I believe his words? Why should he care what I say about myself?

Alyssa removed his hand from her chin and looked away, " Like I said it does not matter." 

" I-" (rustle, rustle, creak) 

" Looks like we will continue this later," Calix said as his response was interrupted by sounds not far from their hiding place. He listened in waiting for the other side's move. Depending on the pursuer's intentions he will make a move accordingly. If he attacks them he is going to ensure Alyssa's safety even if it means killing in front of her. As he thought about this he unconsciously squeezed Alyssa's hand with too much strength. 

Alyssa almost yelped at the sudden increase of strength but she bit the bottom of her lip to prevent her from making any sound.

( rustle, rustle)

Alyssa's pursuer attempted to walk without bringing attention to himself but his movements were detected by the other party, particularly Calix and because of this, he suddenly felt that this mission was getting a little dangerous. He could not shake off the ominous feeling he was getting.

To calm his nerves, he decided to make a report to his superior, " I can not locate the target anymore." He said over a small earpiece....

"Got it, I will abort the mission." With that he turned and did not advance any further in the garden, in fact, he could not wait to get out of the maze-like garden because he felt like instead of hunting someone else, he was the prey.

"What am I thinking? Heh, Being scared of a weak woman. I must be losing my touch." He said 

Before his monologue could end, he felt chills and his hair standing on edge. No, someone stronger is definitely in this garden, I better retreat before it is too late. 

On the other side, Calix and Alyssa heard everything he said. Alyssa's mind was in turmoil because she was some sort of target and she did not even get why. She looked distraught. 

Calix wanted to catch the pursuer possibly assassin before he could get away but he looked at Alyssa's face and gave up the idea. 

Alyssa looked horrified only because she heard that she was a target. Calix wondered about what would happen if she entered his life. Will she be able to survive and adjust to the kind of life he lives?

" What? " Alyssa asked pulling Calix out of his thoughts

" Mhmm?" 

" You were staring." 

"Oh, my bad. He is gone now. You should go back to the party." Calix stated as he moved away from Alyssa who instantly felt the cold wind against her face and her gown.

She shivered a little and the action did not go unnoticed by Calix who gave her his jacket.

" This is my favorite jacket, jacket thief. Make sure you bring it back." He said and put the jacket on her shoulders before Alyssa could even refuse his jacket. 

" Thank you," Alyssa whispered.

Calix simply replied with a nod and he guided Alyssa out of the garden in the direction of the party.

" Go in and do not wander around again."

" Wait, your jacket. You can have it back since I am going back inside."

" You can return it later." With that Calix left. 

Alyssa stood there and watched as he disappeared into the darkness, 'I even forgot to ask him why he was in the garden in the first place.' 

(ringgggggggggg) A phone in Calix's jacket rang.

He left his phone? Should I pick it up?

" Hello." 

"Check the left pocket. Good night, my wife-to-be," Calix said on the other side of the call and ended the call.

 'What? What? What did he just call me?' Alyssa shocked by Calix's words still followed his instructions and searched the left pocket of his jacket and she found a...ring.