Chapter 51

It took everything within me to not punch his face.
I was not in anyway someone that could smell.
‘Hell no, I did not get the title of clean freak in high school for nothing. ‘
“What!!!” I blinked, hoping that I was the one that heard him wrong.
“You stink” he said unbothered, not looking at me as he took a drag of his blunt.
“fuck you” i said blowing out a breath and leaving. I had nothing to say, better yet, I didn’t want to say anything. ‘he was after all marrying my mum. For her sake, I was going to put up with his bullshit.’ “i am not dealing with this bullshit.” I muttered.

Before I could leave his presence, he pulled me by my hand, roughly dragging me closer to him. “what the-“
“Where is it?” he demanded, his voice a low growl that sent a shiver down my spine.

“What—what are you talking about?” I stammered, trying to pull away, but his grip only tightened.

He dragged me closer, his other hand coming up to roughly cup my face, his thumb brushing against my jaw. “The scent. Where did you get it? Where is it from?” His eyes were wild, burning with a mix of fury and desperation .It was as if he was on the edge of something, something dangerous. I stood, a bit shook as he moved from cool headed to frantic in a moment.

“Scent? I—I’m not wearing any perfume,” I protested, my voice trembling. My heart pounded wildly in my chest as his fingers dug into my skin.
“Liar,” he hissed, his breath hot against my face. “Fucking bastards! I told them to customise this scent only for me!” he growled again. Talking more to himself as it was a low rumble.

“I’m not lying!” I gasped, as his hold on my hand became more painful “This is just... you better unhand me you bastard!” I yelled, unable yo take the pain from his hold anymore.

inhaling deeply, his grip on me unrelenting. “No,” he muttered, more to himself than to me. “No, it’s not possible. This... this scent, it’s...”

He looked lost in his world for a moment before he finally let go of me

“Please,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “Please, let me go.” I pleaded like j was not the same person threatening him few seconds ago.

For a moment, he didn’t move. He just stood there, his hands on me, his eyes boring into mine as if he was trying to extract the truth from the very air between us. Then, slowly, as if coming out of a trance, his grip on me loosened. His hand dropped from my face, his fingers uncurling from my arm, leaving my skin tingling where he had touched me.

He took a step back, his expression haunted. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice thick with regret. “I didn’t mean to... I just...”

I backed away from him, my heart still racing. “What’s happening to you?” I asked, my voice trembling. “What’s going on?”

He looked at me, and for the first time since he came outside, I saw fear in his eyes—real, bone-deep fear. “I don’t know,” he confessed, his voice barely a whisper. “but you smell....” he exhaled. “never mind, you reminded me of something special just now, but I can’t remember what it was even...”

I pressed my hand to my chest, trying to calm my racing heart. “It’s just me,” I said, my voice shaking. “There’s nothing special about my scent.”
“Indeed, perhaps my senses were playing a trick in me just now again, my apologies” he said. Looking as composed. You would not have believed he was Batshit crazy.
I stood for a while, ready to get this nightmare of a night behind me.”good night Mr. Moirai” i ignored his gaze as much as I could, running inside to tell my mum good night
That was the least l could do after feeling the way I did when she shared something that was to be the happiest day for her.
**

I walked back to the study to find that my mum was no longer there. “mum?” I called out, but it was pointless. The house was too big.
I continued walking around, this time accepting that I was lost in the god damned house

I found her in the kitchen, her back to me as she rinsed off a plate, the soft hum of her tune filling the air. For a moment, I just stood there, watching her,
She seemed happy

She must have sensed my presence because she turned around, a warm smile lighting up her face when she saw me. “Valerie, sweetheart.” She called, wiping her hand on the towel.

“I’m fine, Mom,” I replied, stepping into the room. “I just... I wanted to talk to you.”

Her smile softened, and she reached out to take my hand, pulling me into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she murmured against my hair. “It means the world to me that you came for dinner tonight. I know it’s been a lot to take in.”

I hugged her back, feeling the warmth of her embrace but also the weight of the question I needed to ask. When she pulled back, her eyes were bright with happiness, and I couldn’t help but wonder if she would be hurt if I told her that I found her husband to be somewhat sexually provoking.

“I’m happy to be here,” I said, and it wasn’t entirely a lie. Being with her, seeing her so full of life and excitement.

She turned back to the sink, rinsing the last of the dishes. “He’s a good man, isn’t he?” she asked, a soft smile playing on her lips. “I know it’s probably strange for you to see me with someone after all these years, but he makes me so happy, Val. I’ve been alone for so long, and he... well, he makes me feel alive again.”

I swallowed hard, her words cutting through me like a knife. She was in love with him, deeply, genuinely in love. Ahhh, more guilt

“Mom,” I began, my voice hesitant. “Do you really love him? I mean, do you love him enough to marry him?”
“yes, surprisingly I do” she smiled. And I nodded.
“Good” then as long as my mum was happy. i was going to get rid of this fucked but thought that plagued my mind.