Chapter 14

When they arrived back to the lake house, Harry carried Reina who had fallen asleep during the trip back in his arms and took her to her room. She was too tired and had fallen asleep on his shoulder but he didn't have the heart to wake her up.

When he placed her on the bed and saw her sleeping so peacefully, he caressed her her beautiful face, tracing her delicate features from her forehead to her eyes, nose and finally land on her lips. He caressed her lips with his finger as his lust filled eyes stared intensely at her body. Bothered by whatever was on her lips, Reina opened her mouth and bite on his finger.

Hissing in pain, Harry took his finger away, looked at as she adjusted to more comfortable position and continued to sleep. He laughed."Wild cat". He called her as he leans down to kiss her. Just then a knock on the door distracted him. He frowned in annoyance as he eyes darken.

Who dares to ruin his good thing. "Come in" he spoke coldly. Nina opened the door and came in holding a big teddy bear. Harry had gone it for Reina in a shooting contest at the ferry.

"Take care of her".He ordered and walked away.

Nina looked at the sleeping Reina and smiled. She placed the plush toy besides her. The next morning, Reina woke up late and was surprised to find herself sleeping in her bed and Nina waiting on her.

She looked at her surrounding in confusion and asked"How did l get here".

"Don't you remember? Mr Harry brought you here. You were asleep and he carried you like a princess".Nina hurriedly explained, looking more excited than her mistress.

Finally recollecting what happened last night, Reina smiled happily as she cuddled the teddy bear. Seeing her looking so smitten, Nina started to tease her about her falling for Harry. Reina wanted to see Harry to thank him for last night but Nina told her that he has already left for work.

That morning, Reina felt like everything was beautiful. After taking care of her daily needs, she decided to go see Giselle. Today Giselle was more pleasant without her nasty tantrums.

"Good morning"Reina greeted her.

Giselle nodded at her in acceptance. As they started chatting and getting to know each other better, they realize that they get along so well and has more in common.

Both love to paint. Before dropping out of school, Reina was majoring in art. Giselle has a passion for painting until the accident rendered her crippled.

"Why are those curtains covering the windows"She asked. She has wanted to ask this question yesterday but didn't dare. Giselle stared at the thick curtains and didn't say anything for a long time. Just when Reina thought she won't say anything, Giselle finally opened her mouth,"I didn't want to see the sun".

Confused, Reina asked,You don't like the sun?" Giselle shook her head.

"It's too bright l feel envious so I don't dare to see it",She replied, her eyed filled with pain and longing.

"I haven't seen it in ten years".She whispered but Reina heard her. Shocked, Reina's eyes widen. She hasn't seen the sunlight for a decade long. She couldn't help but feel sorry for her.Taking her hand, Reina asked,"Do you want to see it? Not only see it but don't you want to feel it on your skin?" Giselle bite her lips in anguish refusing to say anything.

"It's not your fault for what happened. You're alive so you must live on, fighting for the chance to get out of the darkness and into the light".Reina spoke softly to her. Giselle looked at her as she burst into tears.

She has been hard on herself because she still blames herself for what happened ten years ago. If she hadn't been so wilfil and forced her parents to take her out, perhaps her parents wouldn't have died.

"If only l hadn't insisted on going out that day. Perhaps my mama and papa will still be here with me. It's all my fault. I should've died instead. I should be the one who died. I feel so guilty for being alive."Giselle spoke as she cried bitterly.

This was the guilt that has been eating her up for so many years but she didn't dare to open up to anyone. Not to her family, doctors or psychiatrist. She has refused to be treated even when the doctors said there's a chance she could regain some mobility in some parts her body.

She didn't want to see the sun that will give her hope every day and hadn't taken a single step outside of her room. It was all to punish herself for what happened. Her mother had used her body to shield her and died in the process.

Feeling sad and sorry for her plight, Reina hugged her, assuring her over and over again that it's not her fault. It was after a long time that Giselle's emotions finally settled.

Standing by the windows, Reina looked at Giselle and asked, "Are you ready?" Giselle took in a deep breath as she looked on in anticipation. Reina smiled at her and ordered the maids to pull down the curtains. It took the effort of three maids along with Reina to tear the heavy curtains down.

Rays of sunlight hit the glass window and reflected in the room, brightening up the room in seconds. Giselle stared at the bright sunlight and her chest swelled with unexplainable emotions.

Outside the window is the view of her very own flower valley of hundred types of exotic flowers. Flowers of different and unique shapes, radiant varieties of colors and laid out in a formation which spelt her name. They're a breathtaking view and a feast to the eyes.

When she was young, she loved drawing all type of flowers and was practically obsessed with it for a while. Because of this, her father ordered a hundred type of rare and exotic flowers from all the the world and had it planted outside her window. She loved it very much. Her mother's hobby was to take care of her beloved flowers herself.

Over the years, Harry had it taken care of meticulously and remained the same. Giselle closed her eyes unable to contain her emotions. All those locked away memories of her happy childhood days came crashing, flooding her mind and making her relive the happy moments like it was yesterday.

"Do you want to go out?"Reina asked.

"Can... can I?"Giselle asked tentatively. Smiling, Reina nodded.