Through Your Eyes — Chapter 51

"Do you wish to die?"

My feet tipped off from the log as a force tugged me backward. I screamed, thinking I wouldn't be able to walk anymore! But then, my back landed on a pair of strong arms halfway to the ground. My eyes dilated in fear, and the first thing I saw as I opened my eyes was the reddened face of a man in her forties.

The man put my feet down on the ground, and as soon as I gained my balance, he threw me a  scowl, followed by a growl. His eyes almost popped out, and the veins in his temples bulged.

"Why are you wandering in this dangerous place? And entering in this restricted territory is even not enough for you. You dared to open the lid. Do you know what's inside?"

My knees were already trembling. I was both scared at this man's reaction and guilty for trespassing. I did not answer, but my eyes stayed on him, wanting to know who he was. The fact that he was furious that I touched that huge barrel was enough to tell me that he was related to this somewhat experimental area.

"Haven't you read the signage at the entrance? And if you ever noticed, the whole area is enclosed by a net. That only means you should not trespass. And dear, do you have any idea how many cobras and pythons are in this forest?"

The voice of the man was as loud as a rumble of thunder and his face as scary as a bolt of lightning that my lips just moved without a sound. I remembered the wounded bird in my hand, and I abruptly turned my head away from him. I scanned the ground to look for the pitiful creature, and before I could find her again, the man chuckled. I turned to look at him, and I saw him bending down in the ground, picking up that lovely creature that caused my wandering.

"Oh, darling, I'm sorry," I approached the man in big strides and grabbed the bird from his hand. "Can you please help me find the cure for his wound? I was searching for a medicinal plant, that's why I reach this place."

I knew I looked silly and stupid, but that was all I could do to divert his anger from me. I no longer looked at him and wait for his answer. I just rubbed the wounded leg of the bird gently and blew air to her wound, hoping to ease her pain away.

"You're willing to risk your life just because of the bird?" His voice was no longer angry, and I wondered how easily he calmed down.

"The cat chased her, so I ran after them. I no longer notice that I have come this far. By the way, how far am I? And if you don't  mind, may I know who are you?"

"If I say I am an assassin, what will you do?" He smirked and stared at me, waiting for my answer.

"You're not. You wouldn't be that angry if you want to kill me. Who are you then? Are you the one who set up all these weird things here? And what are these for?"

He laughed softly and replied, "Darling, ask me one question at a time. And let me ask you a question first. Aren't you afraid that you may not be able to come out of this forest anymore because you have seen all these?"

"Sean is going to scour this whole area if ever I won't be home by dinner," I raised my chin high and looked at him. I wouldn't believe if he would say he didn't know Sean.

He laughed out loud and shook his head. "So, you're Sean's wife."

"Not yet." Why does he and auntie Dina say the same thing about me being Sean's wife?

"Oh, you're right, but you're going to be. There's only one woman that Sean wants to marry, and that is the only woman he will bring here."

"You're wrong. Sean is going to marry his first love from Sama island because they are having a baby soon." I pouted as the pain started to stab my heart again.

"He told you that?"

"Of course, he did not. Why would he? No thief would ever admit that he is one." I wondered why I poured out my heartaches to him. Just a few minutes ago, he roared at me like the lion I imagined hiding in this forest.

"You're hurting," he chuckled. "Darling, since you know about it already, please take my advice. That thing happened before you met him, and he couldn't just turn his back on the baby. But it doesn't mean he'll back out on his proposal to marry you."

I let out a mirthless laugh because I found this situation a joke. "What do I have that Calla doesn't? What do I have that he would choose me over her? Just because she is the president's woman? She can always end her sinful relationship with the president because he is a married man."

The man walked closer to me and rubbed my back. "Darling. Sean has all the reasons why he will choose you over her. I am just not in the position to speak on his behalf. Just wait. He takes you here, so it means he's going to confess everything."

"What difference is there if he had confessed it right away while we were in the city?"

"Because you can't run away from him. And by staying with you instead of her, he can prove that he wants only you."

I dropped myself on the ground and held the bird to my chest. I pulled up my knees and rested my forehead on top of it, hiding my face. The weight on my chest pressed so hard on my airways that I heaved it out and cried. I didn't know how long I stayed like until another voice jolted me out from my grief. It was Sean, and I was surprised at how he found me here.

"Red? My goodness, why are you here?"

I looked up and glanced at him, but I resumed my position, ashamed of my emotional outbreak. I regret that I opened up to that man because he might tell everything about what I said. That was supposed to be a secret since that was a part of my plan.

"She opened the barrel of the Bronca breeders. Sean, check her out!" I looked up and saw the man's worried eyes on Sean and me.

Sean immediately yanked me up and touched my face. Then his eyes widened in horror. I couldn't understand why.

"Patrick, look here. Fast! Isn't this a Bronca bite?" His voice was shrill and quivering.

"That must be a Bronca bite! I thought I had yanked her away from the flock." The man's voice was louder than a whisper, but I could tell that he, too, was scared.

Why are they afraid? Am I going to die?"