chapter 27: Love Is In The Air

The following day after seeing Diva's workplace, Blaze was coming downstairs, freshened up after returning from his office late at night. He paused on his tracks when he heard someone yelling.
"Diva, how many times have I told you not to play these stupid games?" The voice became clearer as Blaze approached the living room and saw Diva sitting on the sofa with her laptop on her lap, and Emerald glaring down at Diva.
Diva stood up, placing the laptop on the table.
"Why don't you answer? How many times more do I need to repeat myself before you actually listen to me? Why don't you understand that what I am saying is for your own good?" scolded Emerald.
Diva just listened quietly. She knew better than to talk back to her grandma. Not to mention, she had nothing to protest about.
Blaze clenched his fist.
"Diva, this is the last time I'm telling you. Throw these things away, and concentrate on your new life. It was understandable when you're young, but now you're a married woman. Playing games doesn't suit you," Emerald continued.
None of them noticed Blaze, who was boiling in anger. For some reason, every negative word that was being said to Diva just felt a pang in his chest. As if he was the one being insulted. He understood that Emerald was her grandmother and she had the right to rebuke Diva. Even so, he wasn't just going to stand there and watch Diva get scolded for doing something she loved.
Blaze was already mad at Emerald, even though he didn't show it. He was mad at her for forcing Diva into a job that she didn't like. Emerald forced her beliefs on Diva, against her will.
"Diva, did you forget that your parents died because of that thing?"
That was the last blow. Bringing up her parents was a bad idea because Blaze saw the pain that flickered in Diva's eyes for a split second before they disappeared into nothingness. He felt his anger rising up.
"Grandma, please stop," Blaze interrupted, standing in front of Diva, covering her from Emerald's sight.
"Blaze, this is between me and Diva. It doesn't concern you, so don't interfere," Emerald told him sternly.
"If you didn't forget, I'm Diva's husband." Diva's heart skipped a beat in surprise at Blaze's sudden interference. "I have every right to interfere if it concerns Diva," Blaze added.
Diva felt a warmth within her chest that she had never felt before at his words. It almost made her tear up.
"Even so, I know Diva more than you do, and I know that playing games aren't good for Diva," she interjected.
Blaze let out, "But she loves it. I don't see a reason for her to stop it as long as she has a passion for it."
"Her passion wouldn't feed her, would it? It wouldn't let her survive in this competitive world," she objected.
Diva was quiet the entire time, watching the bickering
"It would have if you had let her do a job she likes," he uttered, making Emerald roll her eyes.
"Oh, really? What do you know? You didn't even know what happened to her parents, and you dare oppose me, who had taken care of Diva her whole life?" Emerald turned to give him a challenging look.
Blaze paused for a brief moment. He had no comeback for the previous question. Just then he felt a tug at his sleeve. He looked over his shoulders at Diva, who whispered in a taut voice, "It's okay, Blaze. You don't have to fight for me."
Diva was just overwhelmed at the fact that Blaze stood up for her, something that no one had ever done to her. Her grandma taught her that, in this world, one had to stand up for themselves, no one else would do it for them. Thus, Diva had her mind made that no one would ever stand up for her, talk in her place. But here she was, witnessing Blaze do that for her. She was content with that, she couldn't ask for more. At first, she was bewildered when Blaze stood up for her.
Looking at Diva, it boosted Blaze's confidence as he spoke up again, "I don't have to know about her past to know who she is. And I can assure you that Diva has a bright future if she works in the gaming field."
Blaze was more confident because he had told Atlas to dig up Diva's academic results. As expected, she was a brilliant student, who could easily be a game developer.
"What if she can't?"
"I'll take the responsibility," Blaze said with full determination. Diva clutched his hand tighter, shaking her head, mumbling not to put so much faith in her. "But I'm sure I won't have to do that because I know Diva can do it if she puts her heart into it. Just give her a chance to prove herself. Don't strangle her talent with literature."
Emerald looked in between the two and let out a groan. "Then just do whatever you want."
"No, you have to give permission to Diva for letting her work in the gaming industry. Otherwise, she would never," he spoke up, leaving no option to argue.
"First, you tell me, who will let her work in that industry at this stage?" she questioned.
"I will," Blaze responded.
Emerald was shocked at his answer. She had nothing more to say. After all, what could she say when Diva's husband was allowing her? "As I said, you're allowed to do whatever you want," with that, Emerald walked away.
Blaze released a deep breath as relief washed over him. "Geez. I felt like I was in the final round of debate competition," he let out.
"Well, you won," Diva whispered, her voice still low but disbelief was visible in it.
"That I did��" As soon as Blaze turned around to face Diva, he was engulfed into a bone-crushing hug.
"Thank you, Blaze. Thank you so much," Diva breathed out, letting a few tears slip past her eyes. She couldn't explain how grateful she was to Blaze for giving her a chance to make her dream come true.
Blaze would be lying if he said that his heart didn't skip a beat when Diva embraced him. His hands were itching to hug her back, which he did. He wrapped his arms around her and stroked the back of her head and said with a small genuine smile displaying on his lips, "Don't mention it."
"I promise to not fail you. I'll work hard enough to make you proud of me," she mumbled against his chest in a determined voice.
Blaze didn't reply to Diva anymore because he knew he was already proud of her, even though she was yet to do some remarkable stunt for him. He was just proud of who she was. She was a kind person, who enlightened others' life with her light. He was sure she brightened his dull world with her charms.
He hated hugs and proximity. But he didn't mind it with her. He hated to talk more than he needed to, he often ignored people gelling bullied back at school. Then why was it that he stood up for Diva?
Indeed, she was special. But why was she special to him? Was it because she was his first friend? Or was it something else? Could it be that the introvert was in love with the extrovert?
Just as the thought of being in love with Diva crossed Blaze's mind, he backed from the hug. Diva furrowed her eyebrows at him. Heat raised to Blaze's cheek and his neck turned red too as his eyes fell on a tear-stricken yet angelic face. He took a step back in panic before running upstairs to his bedroom.
Blaze shut the door to his room and leaned his back against the door, inhaling deep breaths.
"I��I am in love with Diva? It's not possible, right?" he asked himself. There was no denying it anymore. He knew he was.
Blaze had fallen for Diva, the extrovert.