Through Your Eyes — Chapter 16

My eyes flew wide when my eyes fell on the driver. I realized how lost I was in my heartbreak that I didn't even look at the plate number of the car that picked me up. I then got worried about being unable to cancel my booking, thinking about the driver's wasted time and fuel. However, the wide grin that broke in his face eased my guilt.

"Don't worry, dear. I was already there when the Grab car arrived, and I took care of him."

I sighed in relief before I answered. "Sean, how come you're here?"

"I just presumed that you might flee from Eric."

Sean laid his tender gaze at me while reaching out for my hand. I just smiled back at him, although the corners of my mouth curled forward, tempting me into another episode of crying moments.

"Let it go, Red," he said, giving my hand another squeeze. And I did as he told me.

To give me a bit of privacy, Sean turned the engine on and sped off to somewhere I couldn't care less at the moment. I returned to reality when he pulled over and turned off the engine. I did not look at him, too ashamed to show my messy demeanor. The next thing I knew was that the window on my side rolled down, and the crisp and cold breeze caressed my face.

"You need to breath out," I heard Sean spoke, and I turned to look at him. He just smiled and glanced outside, so I followed his eyes. What met my gaze was the tranquil garden landscape, highlighted by giant trees, spreading its wide canopies of thick foliage. Feasting my eyes on the serenity of this place, I, somehow, felt peace inside. I had too much crying already, so I guessed the splendid view of the environment completed the release of the load I carried inside.

"Do you want a walk?"

I nodded. I need not ask him for his intention of bringing me to the park. It would be too cruel to refuse a walk under the starry skies on such a beautiful night. He handed me a surgical mask, seeing that I didn't care to wear one. The case of those infected with the virus was already increasing within and across the globe.

"Red, if you don't mind, may I ask a few questions about you?" Eric's voice broke the long silence between us as we strolled across the cemented path amidst the vast stretch of the well-trimmed grass.

"Sure."

"Do you have relatives in the city?"

"I don't know. I was never close to any of them. My father never talked about his family."

"You mean you don't know about where he came from?"

"Yes, topics about his family was a taboo."

"You don't know that his family roots are in Australia?"

I stopped and looked at him. How did he know about my father's family? And why was he interested in it?

I saw the smile disappeared on Sean's lips. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was sure I saw a glint of guilt in his eyes—that kind of look when you're caught doing something terrible.

"How did you know about it?" I stared at him with furrowed brows.

"Because most of the Greys originated from Australia."

"What? Are you talking about me, Sean?" I snapped. Was he in his right mind?

"What did I say?" He chuckled, but that guilt in his face heightened.

"You said that the Greys originated in Australia."

"It's true."

"Sean, I'm not a Grey. You are."

He scratched his head and bit his lip. He could have laughed and corrected his mistake. Yet, he did not. His expression showed something else--he was hiding something. And that was about my family.

"Sean, tell me. How do you know about my family?"

He looked away before he smiled and answered me. "I'm sorry. Probably, it is in my mind that someday you would be a Grey."

I gathered my brows closer as I looked straight in his face. He looked back at me with those eyes that quickened my heartbeat. However, he could no longer erase my suspicions at him. Would I be a Grey? By becoming his wife?

He reached out a hand to brush the strands of hair away from my face. Then he held me at my shoulder and began walking again.

"Red, can you tell me about Eric?"

I shook my head and stopped again in front of him. "No. Tell me about my family."

"Some other time, Red. I want to know about you first."

So, I was right. He knew about my family. My heartbeats thumped louder, and I didn't understand why. Why did I suddenly feel that it was a huge matter?

It then occurred to me that there must be a mystery behind my father's refusal to talk about his family. I wouldn't wonder about my mother because, as she said, she was an orphan. She also mentioned that she and my father first met when they were both in college. And aside from that, there was nothing more. It's only now that I regret not knowing many things about them.

"My mother died when I was three, and dad left me in the care of my nanny. Dad and I seldom see each other because every time he comes down from his ship, he was always at his other woman's home. However, he showered me with material things and a huge bank account. When he died later, I ran out of savings, and Eric rescued me. That's all."

I stopped again and blocked his way. "It's your turn."

"Not yet. Tell me about Eric and you."

"No. I don't want to talk about him yet. You know why? Because I also see my best friend's face in every mention of his name."

"How long are they into the relationship?"

I no longer answered as I continued gazing at him. I placed my hand akimbo and demanded, "It's your turn. Sean. If you don't talk about your family, then tell me about your girlfriend."

"Calla?"

"Whoever is she!" I rolled my eyes, and he laughed.