Sold? - Chapter 170

I heard a knock on the door while I was standing in the library going through some files. The door opened as I turned my head towards it and saw Zara enter the room.

“Yes?” I asked her while still keeping my eyes on the document I was reading.

“Arius I need to talk for a minute, you’re not busy, are you?” She asked politely.

I shut the file and turned to her, then shook my head, “Its fine. Is something bothering you?” I saw her nervous face.

“Oh nothing serious, just that, I think I’m coming down with a fever so I wanted to tell you that I might go home tonight.” She seemed a bit stressed about it and I guess it was making her worry.

“I see…” I acknowledged the fact but what about Athena?

“Don’t worry about Athena.” She spoke as if she caught onto the question in my mind , “My youngest daughter will come in place of me for a day or two.”

“Your ‘youngest’ daughter?”

She chuckled, “Oh! Don’t worry, she’s a college student and adores kids. Athena will get attached to her in no time.”

I opened my file again and nodded, “As long as she gets here on time, it’s fine.”

“Thank You son. Then I’ll be leaving.” She gave me a polite bowing gesture and then left the room.

I sighed and placed the file back on the shelf. I couldn’t concentrate. Two days had passed but I got no word from Azalea. I try to distract myself by doing stuff and work nothing works. My mind keeps going back to her.

I’m getting desperate here.

Is she really not coming back?

Arrghhhh!

I rubbed my head on the shelf in frustration and felt the friction make my forehead warm.

She said she’ll give me an answer ‘soon’ When is soon?!!? Soon should mean a few hours! Not days because days are long and I hate long!

I looked at the moon through the open window.

I want to see her…

Now that I know she’s here I’m getting more anxious! More frustrated! And more… childish…

I clicked my tongue in annoyance.

I’m going to see her!

What if she gets angry? She did say to wait… But I’ve been waiting for so long.

…

Let’s just go to sleep.

***

Somethings happen in the most unexpected way, at the most unexpected time.

I had pretty much given up on the thought that it could ever happen because even when I could see her from afar almost everyday it didn’t happen.

But there she is.

Sitting in the second floor lounge playing with Athena.

“Canaria…” I called my sister by the name she was supposed to have, “Oh My God… Zara Nim…” I came to a sudden realization at that moment. It suddenly crossed my mind, the name I had read of the baby who died twenty years ago on that day, “Liliana Nim.”

She turned her head towards me when she heard her name and stood up, smiled and waved at me.

I awkwardly waved back.

My mind was in a state of extreme confusion. It had happened so fast I had no idea how to react.

Canaria- I mean Liliana began to type something on her phone and then looked at me while a sound originated from the phone.

“Hello, I’m Liliana, daughter of Zara Nim. I’ll be taking care of Athena for two days.” She smiled and I nodded at her.

“It’s nice to meet you Liliana. Your mother-” Mother… “She told me you loved kids.” I smiled at her.

She nodded vigorously and began typing something on her phone again when I stopped her.

She looked at me when I hand signed to her, ‘I can understand no matter how you speak.’

She was awestruck and stared at me with an open mouth for a few seconds.

It was a bit embarrassing, the way she was looking at me with sparkling eyes.

Then she hand signed, ‘You’re amazing!’

‘Thank you.’ I felt a weird sort of satisfaction, ‘If you need anything tell me.’

‘Yes!!’

Finally, I grinned.

It happened. I looked down at my hands. I’m so glad I learned this!

I looked back at Canaria while she held Athena in her arms.

I wanted to spend some time with her but how do I do that without it looking weird?

No one here knows she is actually my sister…

Athena looked at me with her thumb in her mouth.

She kept staring at me with her big round eyes then took out her saliva filled thumb and pointed at me, “Dada!”

“Did you forget that it was me for a while?” I looked at her suspiciously and she pouted so I walked to her and poked her cheek, “Huh? Did you forget daddy?”

“Nu!!” She denied the accusation.

“Are you sure about that?” I smirked and Canaria giggled. Athena felt offended that I didn’t believe her so she turned and hugged her aunt instead.

It was a cozy feeling.

Not only me, but my daughter met her blood too.

I placed my hand on Athena’s head and gently ruffled it, “I’m just kidding.” Then I looked at Canaria- or should I say Liliana. It’s sort of sad that I’ll never get to call her by the name she was supposed to have.

I gave her a gentle smile and then turned to leave, “I have some work, so I’ll be leaving.” But before I actually left I gave her a short soft pat on the head, “If you ever need anything, let me know.”

She was surprised by my action.

Of course she won’t understand the reason behind it.

As I started descending I glanced back and saw her hand on her hand, the expressions of surprise then turned into a soft smile and she nodded.

It gave me a weird feeling.

Something I couldn’t exactly describe but maybe somethings really can’t be expressed in words.

But, it wasn’t a bad feeling.