15        SUSPICIOUS

AZALEL POV

I can't explain how or I don't know why I'm doing this. Call me insane or silly. If there's any specific reason, it's probably because I don't believe in this creature. Human. Any of them, except for her. In that term, watching her put all her hopes high on this guy faithfully who she told me was the big fan of her paintings.

I've been living long enough to not trust them. They are hypocrites, deceitful, unreliable and, constant liars. Easily break up their promises and left a trace of heartache afterward. How many kingdoms had fallen because of treachery and betrayal of its own people? How many people have been hurt and severely broken heart because of justifying and unfair prejudices of its kind? When do they put stigmas and stereotypes as they wish?

Whereas Our Lord is full of mercy and forgiveness but sadly, His wonderful creature wasn't. They're totally opposite of His. Full of hatred, anger, and fury. So, I have this obligation. Telling her before she got hurt even deeper.

I arrived at a fine dining restaurant. It's has a fancy name. The Haven. Another place for the haves to spend their time in classy lifestyle. From the window, I peeked inside. Ah, there they are.

Sitting leisurely at one of the best spot inside the restaurant and chattering. I narrowed my eyes and eavesdropped. Focusing my ears hearing to their conversation.

....................................…..

ILIYA NARA POV

"Are you ready to make an order, Miss Nara?"

Mr Monav Mokshit asked me while his eyes trailed the menu in his hands. I puffed and calmed myself. I gulped a lump inside my throat. Trying to be relaxed but to no avail. All menus before my eyes were written in French which, unfortunately, was never been my expertise. I suck at it. All of them were look similar in my eyes. Crappy and weird.

"I… um…."

I stuttered and tried to explain but my silly brain and tongue utterly behave differently.

"Mr Mokshit, I'm so sorry. I'm not really good at French. Would you mind if you choose the menu for me?"

There, I said it while I can feel the heat slowly creeping on my face. Made me blush like a ripened tomato. But, Mr Mokshit just smiled and then, in the next minutes, he raised his palm, called the waiter, and make an order for us both in fluent French. Gezzz… he's a real gentleman…

Not long after, our food was coming. Served beautifully and neatly in front of us. The air that I smelt blended with the scent of our freshly made meal and it made my tummy fiercely growl down there.

"I know you must be very hungry, Miss Nara…"

"Shall we?"

.................................…

AZALEL POV

I quietly watched them. Staring at them intensely while an uneasy feeling was growing and rage on inside my chest. They were laughing, chatting, and smiling at one another like old friends. But I knew it well. It wasn't a business proposal, either, a partnership. It was chemistry. A preliminary symptom of something that they oh-so-called "love".

What an illusion. It would shortly bloom and then, withered afterward. Like a single breath that they inhaled and exhaled every day. What a fragile and vulnerable thing.

Looking at her gorgeous smile, I knew she was already trapped under this delusion. So, I must warn her before it's too late…

....................................…..

ILIYA NARA POV

The lunch date was great! It's more like a stepping stone for me. A fascinating leap for a rookie like me!

The business proposal that he offered indeed exceed my expectation. Mr Monav Mokshit will be my first-hand buyer of each art piece that I made. And if, he made a replica or used any of it for other purposes like rugs, pillow sheets, etc, I'll get thirty percent as my share!

How wonderful does it sound?

I felt like the entire heaven opened their gates for me and they're singing a chorus for me only!! And today, only today, I can feel that GOD truly exists. And He has just done an amazing thing for me. Goodness. A kindness. A grace. A miracle.

But, my happiness didn't stay for long when I suddenly saw him who now is walking fast to my direction. Right after I left the restaurant.

"Azalel?"

"What are you doing here?"

..........................................