Nikita's Cousin

Nikita has been gone for close to ten minutes at this point, and she has not yet returned. I was able to examine the various dishes that were laid out on the table and served. I'm also used to looking at the labels on the drinks that are brought to us here.Even if I tried, I would not be able to count all of the servants that walk by every so often. Everyone is giving me thoughtful glances, which led me to believe that this behavior and attitude were a bit strange. I just shrugged my shoulders and ignored it. Maybe they are just like that if they look at their guest for the first time. Who knows, right?

What gives them the right to stare at me like that? I felt uncomfortable somehow.

I didn't even bother to touch any of the food on the table, let alone try any of it, as I was too scared to do that. The only thing I can do is gaze at it and wait for my friend to come back. It appears that they are passing judgment on me with this. Despite the fact that I look this hopeless, I am not nearly as hungry as I appear to be, and I will not eat, especially if it is not offered to me!

"I'm sorry that I kept you waiting, Amelia."

When I heard Nikita's voice, a grin immediately spread across my face. I turned my head to gaze at her, but I couldn't help but stop, wince, and stare at her blankly for a moment. I was not able to get my oxygen back after what I saw. My eyes were unable to comprehend what they were seeing at this very moment. I feel like I'm hallucinating about something. A flash of memories came back into my mind and were replayed.

What an impossible scenario is this?

Is this true?

I am not dreaming.

Why is he here?

The same man who I had seen earlier in the depths of the forest was standing tall just behind Nikita. I simply cannot be mistaken about the human being who shifted into a wolf right in front of my eyes. I know, it was him! I can still recall his physical appearance. But why is he even in this place? Is he related to Nikita in any way?

Hang on, is he Nikita's cousin?

OMG! Wow, the entire island really is so small for us!

I could tell that Nikita had already noticed that I was staring intently at her cousin, who was still standing behind her and was also returning my gaze. I'm sorry, but are we competing in a staring contest right now? I felt nervous!

"Do you know my cousin, Amelia?"

In response to her question, I gave a resounding shake of my head. Never in my life will I admit that he is the creature I was describing earlier in my story that took place in the woods. Perhaps at some point I won't be able to make it out of this place alive. Even though I'm going through this terrible situation, I still have no desire to end my life young and be like Dad. I still have a lot of goals and ambitions that I want to accomplish in my life.

"N-Not yet, Nikita. This is the very first time it has ever happened. Isn't that the case, right?" I responded to her in a low voice while making a slight bow to her cousin, Rofus. Stating that if Nikita examines me thoroughly, she will be able to read my mind and understand that everything I say is a lie and that I am trying to conceal something from her about me and her cousin. "Good evening."

"Good evening to you as well."

Nikita's smile widened on her lips, while Rofus didn't have any emotion on his face as he watched me for a few minutes. I feel like he's flaying me alive with his gaze. And I don't like it! As soon as our eyes connected and we continued to hold each other's gaze for a few moments, I had no doubt in my mind that he was the same guy I had seen in Forester Woods. They shared the same feature of appearance, and he reacted exactly the same way when he saw me again. I could see the amazement on his face and how surprised he is that I am here now in front of him!

Why then doesn't he recognize me? Why does it feel as if this is the first time we've met each other? Perhaps he has a twin, and that was the very first thing I encountered in the woods.

Right! That is possible.

However, my gut instinct tells me otherwise, and Rofus, the guy in the woods, is in fact him. This is what my fast-beating heart dictates over and over again! And I can't be wrong.

"Great!"

Nikita clapped her hands in an attempt to get my attention, which was still focused on Rofus at that point and being channeled toward him. I shyly looked away. After seeing how bloodshot my eyes are, Nikita is probably wondering what else she can conclude about me. Perhaps at some point in the future she will have the mistaken impression that I instantly and hopelessly fell in love with his cousin, which is not true.

She pointed at me and said, "Rofus, this is Amelia. She's a good friend of mine."

Before Nikita sat down on the chair, she couldn't stop beaming at us as if there were a different meaning behind it, and then she turned to me to introduce her cousin Rofus. I couldn't stop smiling back, but I should admit that I was so nervous.

"Amelia, this is my cousin Rofus, whom I was telling you about earlier and who is the owner of this large mansion. He is a wealthy relative of mine."

I don't know if I'm the only one who noticed that at the end of her litany, she had a different meaning. I hesitantly nodded. I have no idea what the next step should be. I can tell by the way he's looking at me that he doesn't recognize me, but I'm positive we've crossed paths before. Despite this, I made the decision not to bring it up and instead to just let it go. It's also a good plan so that Nikita won't have to interrogate me with a lot of questions about it.

"Can you please take your seat, Rofus? I'm starving. Amelia and I are both worn out and tired today, so we'll go to bed early."