Chapter 22: The promise

In the car, Ember couldn’t help asking what happened between Grandpa Ben and Valentina.

She shook Aiden’s hand as she asked, “Come on. Tell me what happened. How did Grandpa Ben and Valentina end up in bed? I mean…Obviously, I know how, but you know what I’m asking.”

“Did you think she would stay quietly at home? I expected her to do something. So I let Grandpa Ben have some fun.”

“But how were you so sure he would say yes?” Her eyes gazed at Aiden curiously.

She was lucky to have the system tell her some things about her in this life. So she basically knows what she should. Grandpa Ben has been in the family since forever. He takes care of their daily lives, but she never really sees him around much.

“Don’t worry about Grandpa Ben. I just decided to let him have a good time. He deserves it.”

Ember crossed her arms across her chest. Cheeks puffed and pouting at Aiden. “Fine, don’t tell me.”

She then turned to him abruptly, “Since you don’t want to tell me about them, tell me why you decided to go out with me. You don’t believe the doomsday stuff. So why are you willing to go out with me now?”

“I can’t accompany my favourite girl to go shopping?” He said, pinching her cheek.

Rolling her eyes, Ember answered, “Favourite girl, my ass. I know you’re up to something and you won’t tell me.”

“Whatever I’m up to, I won’t sell you, so you have nothing to worry about,” he smirked.

Sighing, Ember said, “You don’t even deny it.”

“Ember, I would never lie to you. If there’s something I don’t tell you, it’s because I think it’s for your own good. I don’t want you seeing the darkness of this world. You know how important you are to me.” His eyes lingered on her, as if trying to memorise her.

He was so sincere, Ember didn’t know how to refute him.

She took his hand in hers. “I’m not asking you to tell me everything. Just don’t hide things from me. If it affects me, I have the right to know.”

He looked at her, trying to decide whether or not he should say anything. Something like this might make her panic. He also couldn’t help thinking about the dream. The dream she had seemed to revolve around Valentina.

He wondered if it was really a dream. Or if there was something else happening. Could she be like Valentina? Whatever that might be.

He questioned it because her dream was mainly about Valentina, while, based on what Valentina said to her father, she knew much more about what was going to happen.

Especially listening to her talking about how much food they would need and the preparations for winter. Even things like mutated animals and plants would happen.

The only saving grace was that humans were still able to handle it. Although barely.

Her father wasn’t away on business. They were literally preparing for what was to come.

He took a deep breath. Reaching out, he put a stray hair behind her ear. “Valentina had a dream like yours,” he watched her eyes go from confused to wide. “I heard her talking to her father. They were talking about what to pack and where to go.”

He stopped talking, giving her time to process.

“She…same dream?” Her eyes were incredulous.

Ember felt as though she wasn’t understanding what Aiden said. Valentina had the same dream as her? So she knew Aiden was supposed to be with her? She knew that doomsday was supposed to happen?

Is that why she is so adamant about getting close to Aiden?

Ember felt her vision swim; her breathing was shallow. She gripped Aiden’s hands, determined to anchor herself. She couldn’t panic now.

She looked at Aiden, trying to figure out what he thought. Did he want to go to her?

I’m important to him, but who knows if he would choose me or a way to survive. The world will be in chaos, and people betray people for less.

She didn’t even realize that Aiden had kissed her until she felt the warmth of his lips. Her eyes focused.

His lips crashed on hers. When he saw her focus on him, he started devouring her. He could see the stupid thoughts floating around in her head. He thought she didn’t want him.

He couldn’t help himself. Seeing her doubt, he did the only thing he could in the moment. A kiss to let her know everything he was feeling. How much he wanted and needed her. If something were to happen to her, he doesn’t even know what he would do with himself.

He needed to let her feel it. He pulled away.

“Look at me, he whispered. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.” Then he kissed her again.

Not like before. Not deep or hungry. More like a promise. A press of his lips against hers, barely moving. His hand cradled her neck, not pulling or pushing, only accepting the stillness.

It was his promise to her. A promise that he would stay with her no matter what.

They break away from the kiss, and he presses his forehead to hers. He waits for her acknowledgment.

Ember’s tense body relaxed. She didn’t even realize she was tense. Everything that felt overwhelming, trying to crash into her like a tide, receded.

Something inside Ember steadies. The feeling she had before, that she would lose him at any moment, is gone. Not a sudden disappearance, it had been receding for some time. But only now did she let go and trust him.

She pulled away. Her penetrating gaze locked onto him. She smiled.

“Okay,” her voice steady. “Now tell me what’s going on.”

Aiden felt the air shift. Before, there felt as if there was a layer separating them. Now he could feel she was closer to him. She was willing to allow him inside. And he was grateful for her trust.

He felt she might even tell him the things she had been hiding from him before.

He would wait until she was ready to say whatever it was.

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