26

Annabel held her eyes shut for a while, scared to look at it, scared the surprise wouldn't surprise her. She didn't want to break his heart. She knew he had put in a lot of effort into whatever he had planned, it explained why he wasn't home for some days.

" You can look now Annabel." He said, suddenly afraid she wouldn't like it. He didn't know much about surprisea but he tried his best he could. She braced herself and opened her eyes. She stood there shocked and surprised.

Why would anyone go through this pain for her? Why would a Master go this length for a pet?.

Tears rolled down her cheeks.

It had been long she had seen something so beautiful and the first time a male would do this for her.

" Did I do something wrong?.' He asked innocently, confused to see her crying. ' I knew I was bad at surprises. It's okay if you don't like it, we can just go anywhere else you like." He said sadly. He had put in so much effort to see her smile but instead he had made her cry.

Damnit Alac! Damnit!.

He cursed. Since he knew he wasn't too good with surprises, he wished he had just stocked with the first idea he had and was the ice cream surprise.

" No....no Alac....I... I love it.' She said admist tears, her voice shaking. ' I love it so much."

" Really?." He was happy to hear the words from her even though deep down he doubted that she meant it. He had known her long enough to know she would say anything just not to shatter your happiness even if it would hurt her.

" Yes Alac, I love it.' She screamed and jumped into his arms, hugged him tightly. ' I am sorry, I got carried away." She said and broke the hug.

" It's okay Anny, I am happy you like it.' He said and smiled at her, ' Let's sit." He dragged her by her hand and pulled out the chair for her to settle in before settling opposite hers.

The soft music playing at the background, most of which she presumed were Bebe Rexha's album. She turned to admire the tenth, she could see the clear view of the waters from there. She liked the smell of it. The food was well spiced and garnished, everything looked like paradise to her.

When was the last time she had gotten this kind of treatment?.

She thought.

The kind gesture had made her feel less of a pet and more human.

Thank you.

She wanted to scream but held it in.

" Taste the food, I'm sure you will like it." He said and passed the beef sauce to her. She picked the fork and digged into the plate, dropping some into her mouth.

Yummm. It tasted different to the one they made at home.

" It's soo good.' She said and ate another one. ' Who made it?." She asked and dropped another into her mouth.

" Whoever made this must be a very good cook." She complimented.

" Thank you." He said blushing and watched as she dropped in disbelief.

" You did! Hell no, you didn't." She said confused.

Was she dreaming? How could he? How could someone like him be good at anything?.

Be positive Anny.

The voice replied

" Of course I did Anny, I am good at stuffs you know." He replied proudly.

Did he just read her mind? Could he read her mind? Has he ever that before now? If he did, then she was in for a lot of trouble.

" Calm down Anny, I learnt some skills while in the army. I had to fend for myself so here I am." He said and laughed out, remembering his rough beginning.

" I just thought that..." The words deserted her.

" I know Anny, you didn't expect that from a Monster like myself right." He said and watched her face turn with guilt. He had overheard her say that to the other pets once and it had shattered him.

" No, I just....."

" You don't have to feel bad. I just want you to be happy today, I want to put a smile on your face." He told her boldly.

Even though he didn't know why.

She stared into his eyes and saw something spark or was it her imagination.

Why he was being nice to her was unknown but she was willing to go with the flow.

" Try this too." He passed her the meat steak and watched her face brighten with excitement as soon as it landed in her mouth.

" Why do you never cook back at the Mansion? How come no one knows of it?." She challenged.

His face became sad. " Father believes Masters don't do the work of a pet and he thinks cooking is one of it.' He replied bitterly, ' That aside, you should keep the whole compliment till you taste the last thing on the menu." He said happily. He felt so happy to see someone ear his meal with so much joy and excitement and he felt better to see that he made her smile.

" I can't wait." She replied happily.

" Tell me about your life at the army.' She said and his face turned sad. ' I'm sorry, I guess I shouldn't have asked." She said and awkwardly sipped the wine in her glass. She didn't want to ruin in the moment.

" No it's not, it's just that it comes with a lot of bad and painful memories but I will tell you the less traumatizing ones." He replied, not wanting to ruin in the talk.

" You don't really have to tell me, you know." She told himself. She feared that it would peep his old unhealed wounds and it might change the man he became again.

Don't cross the limit Anny.

She told herself.

" No I will, let me tell you this. One time I had a set a trap for an animal to feed on the next night, I was so happy that I hoped for a better catch. I remember waking up the next morning so happy and running to see my big catch only to realize I never set the trap right. Hahaha I spent the day hungry. That is one mistake, I won't ever make again." He said. He knew it wasn't what she expected but that was the only funny time he remembered.

" Ouch Sorry." She said and laughed real hard, trying to remember if she had any funny moment too and found none. Her past looked blank and empty to her, the more she stayed a pet, the more she forgot her old life.

" Tell me about yourself, I mean your old life.' He said then added. ' If I may ask." He didn't want to bring back painful memories of watching her people die.

" Of course you can." She said, laughed bitterly. She had never told anyone about her old life since no one ever asked. She doubted she still knew what it really was and who she really was.

" I grew up in Everland, a peaceful and loving environment. As a child, I was happy and full of joy. I had a best friend as most people called us twins. People of Everland were farmers, happy ones and as I grew up to hear that it is called " Love Forever Land". People found it so hard to pronounce so they had to shorten it." She completed.

" Hummm. Guess your people were one happy folks." He teased.

" Oh it's late.' Anny said, staring at the moon shining dimly in the sky. ' We were too engrossed in the talk to notice the sun had set.

" Hmmm.' He hummed and gulped down the last of his wine. ' Can I have this dance, My Lady." He joked and stretched his hand forth. The song " Love you like I'm gonna lose you." was playing and It felt akward for her combined with the heat she could feel between them. He stared at her with his hand still stretched out, a bit worried she would turn him down. He was one person whom hated rejection.

" Y....ye..yes." She replied slowly and gently placed her hand in his. He pulled her up, bringing her close to him. Her body against his. His feets barely inches from hers. His hand on his waist. She danced shyly, following the movement of his body.

" I presume you have never danced before right?." He asked.

Did she do that bad? Was it so obvious? Was she that terrible? Should she have declined.

" Hummm, yes." She replied embarrassed.

" Hmmmm, not bad for a starter." He teased and they danced, silent all through

The song was over and she felt more tired than ever before. She knew it was time to take a long break and rest, probably sleep too.

" I will go sit now." She told him, breathing heavily.

" Guess I will too." He replied smiling at her. He was also starting to run out of breath.

She turned taking a step forward and almost slipped, luckily he had caught her in his arms. It reminded her of when Mackie had caught her.

She stayed in his arms numb and speechless as their eyes locked and his breath falling on her lower neck close to her cleavage.

She saw sparks in his eyes, one she couldn't explain. A part of her wanted to break the gaze but couldn't, she felt captivated by his warm eyes.
He took in every detail of her beautiful face. Her eyes, her full lips, everything reminded him of Aliya. His eyes traced back to her lips and he wanted a taste of it. He ignored his instinct telling him not to and brought his face closer to hers. The move had being sudden but Annabel had quickly averted her face making the kiss land on her neck. Her eyes wide, time froze. That was the second time he would kiss her without her permission. She was starting to think he was nothing but a pest who tried to get advantage of her anytime he wanted.

She couldn't stand another awkward kiss. It would make her feel like being swallowed by Mother Earth.

Leave now before he tries it again.

The tiny voice told her and she stood up, freeing herself from his grip. He looked at her baffled and shocked as she walked towards the table to pick her hair bow.

" Can we leave now Master?." She said and walked towards the car before he could give her a reply. She doubted that she knew the way there but was willing to walk all night and stay there with him.

" Okay." He replied and picked his car key lying on the table too then ran after her.

" Wait for me!." He screamed but she wouldn't listen and walked further the more.

She heard his footsteps behind her and walked faster the more, hoping she could get home without having to ride in the same car with him.

~~~~~~~~~~~

" I have to have her." The masked man said as he wandered through his cave. He had to get her, he needed her and he would get her at all cost.

" But Master, how do you intend to do that?." His errand boy, a young boy in his twenties asked.

" I just have to have her, I always get the best. I spent years, months, weeks, days, hours, minites, and seconds searching for someone like her. Now that I finally see her, I cannot let her go. Get ready Abibi, things are about to go our way." He said and laughed aloud.

It was time Tarafita became his.