Chapter 42: Last Walk

Xavier was having a foul mood when Zarah called him her brother.

Zarah grabbed Xavier's hand and dragged him with her. This time, his mood became better after he saw how her hand perfectly fitted his.

They stopped walking until they reached a quiet place. Zarah let go of his hand and he became sullen again.

"Why did you do that?" She asked him again.

"To protect you." He repeated his answer earlier.

"Well, I do not need one. If you'd do that again, I will not talk to you ever again."

"But--" Xavier wanted to explain his side but Zarah cut him off. "No buts. I don't like violence."

Xavier kept that in his mind as he didn't want to upset her again. "Okay," he muttered.

"Good."

"Now, let me know your qualifications so I could start listing and screening the candidates for your future wife." She said and she was sure that she saw the shift in his mood again.

"Can we talk about it later?" He said in frustration.

"Later? Why not now?" She asked him.

"Because...I'm still not sure about it." He answered vaguely. Zarah didn't have to go to another place to look for her when she just had to look at herself in the mirror and she had the perfect candidate.

Xavier didn't want her to be overwhelmed with the information. He knew that she was not dumb to not realize that he was describing her.

He did not want her to have that headache again.

"Just give me a hint." Zarah persisted.

"Someone with piercings."

Zarah's lips twitched when she heard it and thought, 'Nice one.'

"That's it?"

"Of course, that's not all. However, I'm still undecided for now."

"Oh!"

"Now, let's go to the villa. Dr. Miller said that Father wanted us to take him for a walk."

"Okay."

There were trees and umbrella tents in the resort where they could stay and hide from the sun. Therefore, it was safe for them to bring Isaiah out.

They waited for the shuttle to arrive and Isaiah was already waiting outside.

"Where did the two of you go?" Isaiah asked in a teasing tone.

"At the restaurant, Father," Xavier answered the question instead of Zarah.

"Let's go, Dad. I got the chance to roam around the resort. I think I know the perfect spot where we could unwind and relax.

"Really? Well then...lead the way young lady." Isaiah said.

They decided to not board the shuttle as it'd defeat the purpose. The distance from the villas to the beach was not that far from what they'd expected.

Xavier volunteered to push the wheelchair for him but since his other hand was in a cast, Zarah held the other handle and helped in pushing. Dr. Miller and Romeo were keeping their distance.

"So, why did you bring us here, Dad?" Zarah asked him.

"Well, this resort will always be special to me and my wife Abigail."

Zarah looked at Xavier to observe his reaction. "Oh?"

Surprisingly, Xavier maintained a stoic face.

"Well, you'll know why later. Ha! Fresh air. It's been a long time since I breathe one."

They enjoyed the view of the tropical plants and some wild animals inside their cages that they had passed by before they reached the beach.

After an hour of strolling, Xavier, Zarah, and Isaiah stopped and took shelter underneath the huge tent which was put up for them. The other two also followed soon after.

"Go and have fun. Dr. Miller and Romeo will stay with me." Isaiah told them weakly.

"But--" Zarah hesitated because she could tell that Isaiah was already tired.

Before Zarah could react, Xavier grabbed her hand and started running. Zarah had no other choice but to run, too.

He had an idea about what his father was thinking.

Isaiah wanted to recreate the scene during the last summer they spent together, four years ago.

Indeed, that summer was magical even for him. As that's when he knew Zarah better.

Zarah inspired him to be a better person and challenge himself.

That was also during that summer that he understood what it felt like to love another human being other than himself.

So, was his father helping him to win Zarah's memory back?

Maybe. If he was sincere about them being siblings, he should at least tell her that he also existed and they met before.

He was not surprised that his father hid the fact that they met before. He was opposed to them dating remember?

Maybe Isaiah was afraid that once Zarah remembered about Xavier, she might hate him.

"What are you doing?" Zarah asked him.

"If you want him happy, just play along." He said which urged Zarah to look in Isaiah's direction.

She was surprised to see the latter holding a phone with the camera pointing at them.

"Is he trying to take a picture?" She asked and Xavier nodded.

Isaiah on the other hand became frustrated that he could not capture a good photo due to his shaky hand.

Aside from that, he was not very familiar with how to use this new gadget. He was used to his old model phone.

Therefore, Romeo volunteered to do it for him.

"Okay! Make sure that you'll give me a good one."

Romeo who had a hobby in photography only smiled at his patient.

It was such a pity that he didn't bring his camera when he moved to the villa.

Romeo started taking pictures with Isaiah's phone.

Zarah and Xavier were running on the sand barefooted. Xavier was chasing after Zarah while Zarah was giggling and laughing.

His subjects didn't fail his expectation of having multiple good shots as they looked so good in the photos.

'Am I shooting for a prenup?' He asked himself.

Meanwhile, Xavier told Zarah to run and so she did. However, she did not expect that he would start chasing after her.

And so in instinct, she started running faster.

They ran in circles and didn't realize that they were enjoying what they were doing.

Zarah who had not exercised for a long time got tired faster and slowed down her pace.

Xavier took advantage of it and he caught her.

He tackled her on her side and lifted her despite having to use only one arm.

His strong muscles kept her from not falling.

Xavier then made a quick turn making her scream.

He put her down, grabbed her left hand, and spun her around.

Xavier then pulled her to him and held her waist tight.

Zarah instinctively looked up and she was met with Xavier's intense gaze that sucked her soul.

Zarah felt like melting in his gaze.

"You look so beautiful, mi more," he whispered.

Zarah on the other hand recovered her composure and slightly pushed him. Not strong enough so it would not look offensive on his part.

She only wanted to keep a safe distance between them.

She looked at the crystal-clear water and she was tempted to swim.

She hoped that the water could clear her mind.

"I think I'll go for a swim." She said and started removing her dress which hid her white two-piece blue bikini.

She then looked at Xavier whose eyes were glued on her perfect figure. She could feel his hot gaze but she was not intimidated but became confident instead.

Xavier did not expect that Zarah would bloom into such a fine woman.

Zarah's long and toned legs were to die for. Her twenty-three-inch waist, long arms, her ninety-degree shoulders, her toned eleven abs, and her hourglass figure. Zarah was also gifted in the chest department.

Even though she belonged to a model body stereotype, Zarah had a healthy body.

At least she was not all bones and she had those deadly curves.

She tossed her dress to him and said, "Please keep it for me. I still have to wear it back."

Xavier snapped back from his daze and before he could react, Zarah had already run into the water.

He went back to the tent and put Zarah's dress and slippers on the table.

"Did you have fun?" Isaiah asked his son.

It'd be so much fun if he could also join her in the water.

He then started removing the sling and started undoing the tape.

However, Dr. Miller stopped him and said, "Don't rush yourself, Master. Your sprain hadn't fully healed yet."

However, Xavier didn't listen to him especially after seeing some men looking at Zarah from afar.

Zarah on the other hand could feel gazes looking at her.

She didn't mind it at first and tried to enjoy swimming as she thought they were normal.

But then, she looked in Xavier's direction and saw his eyes glued on her.

She suddenly became conscious and her purpose of clearing her mind was not achieved.

Why did he have to look at her like that?

Xavier on the other hand wanted to punish Zarah.

He wanted to teach her a lesson.

He saw her coming out of the water and started walking towards them.

When she reached the tent, Zarah grabbed her dress and wore it back immediately.

"How was it, Zarah?" Isaiah asked her.

"Not bad. However, I'd rather swim in my bathtub at home, Dad." Zarah said while avoiding Xavier's gaze.

"So, Dad. Tell me why this place is special for you and Xavier's mother?" She asked while trying to change the topic.

"Well, because this is where we held our wedding, and today's our wedding anniversary."

Zarah's eyes widened in shock.

"Really?" She asked to confirm and Isaiah proudly grinned.

"Well, it was unplanned. I proposed to her here and then after six hours, we held our wedding."

"Wow. How romantic."

"Romantic? Nope. I called it practical."

Time flew so fast and it was already five in the afternoon.

"Zarah, can you help me? I want to feel the water against my feet."

Zarah did not hesitate to help him. She helped in removing his shoes so they would not get wet.

She then pushed the wheelchair and brought him to the water. Good thing the clouds blocked the sun.

She looked up and saw that they were rain clouds.

"Is this fine, Dad?" Zarah asked him. Isaiah's feet were submerged in the water.

"Yes. This is fine. Thank you."

Cold winds also started blowing. It seems like it was going to rain soon.

"You're welcome, Dad. If you need anything, just tell me." Zarah said and stayed behind him.

"Okay."

"Can you call Xavier for me?" Isaiah told her and Zarah turned her head and waved her hand at Xavier.

Xavier had no other choice but to follow them.

Xavier jogged to reach them quickly.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"Can you hold my hand, son?" Isaiah asked him and he grabbed it after she saw Zarah's eyes on him.

Isaiah knew that Xavier was not doing this for him. He was doing this to please Zarah.

He didn't mind though.

Xavier also grabbed Zarah's hand and held it.

Zarah then thought of something. She waved her hand and called Romeo.

Romeo and Dr. Miller thought that something probably happened to Isaiah and so they rushed to their side in a heartbeat.

"Is everything alright?" Dr. Miller asked them.

"Why did you call them, Zarah?" Isaiah asked Zarah in confusion.

"I want Romeo to take a photo of us, Dad. I remember that we have not taken one in years." She explained.

"Oh. That's right. Young man, could you please take one for us? I want a souvenir."

"It's an honor, Chairman."

Zarah felt upset. She knew what Isaiah meant.

Romeo grabbed Isaiah's phone and walked away from them to get a good position.

Isaiah then grabbed his children's hands and posed for a photo.

He tried to make a beautiful and energetic smile as he did not want to look weak in the photo.

'Just a little more,' he thought.

"One, two, three! Say Cheese!"

Zarah also smiled as she wanted to save this memory forever.

Romeo took plenty of shots before showing the photos to Isaiah and Zarah.

"Here, Chairman."

"Did you take good shots?"

"Of course." Romeo confidently said.

"Could you please keep my phone with you, Zarah? The pin is your birthday." Isaiah asked Zarah.

"Sure."

Since they're not needed yet, Dr. Miller and Romeo went back to the umbrella tent.

"Can we stay like this for a little while?" Isaiah asked them both.

"Not for long Dad or else you might catch a cold. Also, I think it's going to rain soon." Zarah reminded him.

"Five minutes..." Isaiah protested softly and Zarah had no other choice but to agree.

For some reason, they started hearing thunder in a distance.

Isaiah grabbed both of their hands while they stood behind him.

They looked at the vast water ahead of them.

Waves kept splashing on the shore and their feet. The wind started colder and stronger.

Meanwhile, Isaiah closed his eyes and said, "I'm tired."

Due to the strong wind, Zarah was not able to hear him well. So she crouched down and moved her ears closer to his mouth. "Did you say something, Dad?"

"I'm tired." He repeated.

"Then, let's head back so you could rest," Zarah said and was about to get up when he said, "I'm sorry but that's not what I mean, child."

"Oh."

Zarah looked away as she didn't want to cry. However, her traitor tears started falling even though she did not allow them.

Isaiah looked up and said, "Son. Thank you for forgiving me."

Isaiah showed a smile but it was not as energetic as in the photo.

Seems like he had overdone himself.

Xavier was caught off guard. He could not explain what he was feeling at the moment.

His heart started beating fast and everything became silent other than Isaiah's weak voice.

"I'm so lucky to have you as my daughter Zarah. I love you very much, my daughter." He said while trying to kiss her hand.

Isaiah slowly leaned his head to the side and slowly closed his eyes.

Seconds later, the hand that was holding theirs finally let go with a thud on the side.

Silence comforted Zarah and Xavier. Both were left in a trance.

It took some time for Zarah to comprehend what happened. And when she realized that Isaiah left them for good, she started sobbing.

Xavier stepped back and subconsciously touched his face. He was surprised to see the wetness on his fingers.

He didn't realize that he was also crying just like Zarah. He thought that it was absurd.

He should not be affected. They were not even close, to begin with. But why?! Why did he feel his heart aching? Why did he feel his chest being squeezed tightly?

Why did he feel the exact pain that he felt when he saw his mother die? Why did he feel so weak?

He then recalled her, 'Zarah.' If he was in this so much pain, then Zarah, too.

He then looked down and saw Zarah who was hugging Isaiah's dead body while sobbing.

Xavier's heart ached for her.

He then pulled her up and hugged her tightly.

"Shhh! Don't cry. He's no longer in pain and he's happy now," he whispered to comfort her.

Then Xavier whispered while looking at Isaiah's body, "I have fully forgiven you, Dad."

He hoped it was not too late.

***