Despite the rapid pounding of Mia's chest, she decided to distance herself from Erik. She even thought that the young man seemed to realize what he had done so he laughed softly.
He went towards her and then stared at her. Their eyes locked for a few moments. After that, she didn't expect what Erik did next. She just breathes hard when he winked at her, face-to-face, which caused her entire face to feel the heat of her sudden blush.
The young lady tactfully averted her eyes from Erik and then returned her gaze to the photo album she was browsing.
The truth is, her attention was not there but on her companion who she felt moved closer to her again so she automatically moved away from him.
Mia didn't know if Erik was just tripping her. Because he kept on coming closer to her while she was constantly moving away from him. It wasn't until the end that she noticed that she had nowhere to go because she was already on the armrest of the long and antique narra chair.
"Why do you keep on moving away, are you scared of me?" Erik's tone was amused, which is why instead of getting angry, Mia immediately felt ashamed when her former classmate said that.
She shook her head one after another then turned her attention back to the album she was flipping through.
For a few moments, Mia was amused by what she was doing until she finally caught sight of two photos on that page of the album.
Mia immediately smiled.
Those two photos were taken at their JS Prom. They were in fourth-year high school then. The first shot is when they were announced as King and Queen of the Night. The other is while they are dancing to the accompaniment of a popular and classic love song made famous by David Pomeranz. The King and Queen of Hearts.
"That dress really suits you, you know?" it was Erik who slightly surprised her. It's a good thing she didn't let the young man know that.
A shy smile broke Mia's lips afterward. "All I know is that I've saved it."
She was referring to the dark burgundy colored prom dress that Erik's mother gave her a few days before their prom. It has long elbow-length sleeves and a Sabrina neckline style.
That dress is so beautiful. The upper part along with the sleeves is made of a beautiful kind of lace and the neckline part is very intricate. While the bottom is chiffon.
"You know, because I thought Bernie was going to marry me, I thought I would wear a wedding dress. Because I love the simplicity of its style, but it's still classy. Only it didn't happen, because he didn't bother. He only got me pregnant, but he didn't offer me a hand in marriage even once," when she finally said, Mia couldn't stop her tone mixed with sadness and bitterness.
Well, that's true. And despite the discomfort, she feels when Erik is around. She still has the feeling in her heart that she is comfortable, and she is confident that she can tell him things about her. Even if it's personal.
"Is that so?" that was Erik.
When she turned around, Mia saw pity in his eyes.
Mia just nodded then decided to close the album and then she put it back under the center table with the others.
"I'll go ahead, it'll be back tomorrow. I'll be early so I can finish before noon," she said as she stood up.
But she was stunned when she felt Erik's hand on her arm and then pulled her to sit again.
"You stay here first," said the young man in a firm but pleading tone.
Mia's chest quickly felt nervous again, then Erik simply withdrew her arm.
"W-What's the matter eh---," she couldn't continue with the rest of what she wanted to say because Erik cut it all off.
"If you need someone who can listen to you, I'm right here, I'll listen to you," said the young man in his low and kind tone.
Mia stared at Erik's handsome face. Her eyes were asking questions and she opened her mouth to ask how he knew that she wanted someone to listen to her. But even before the young lady could say it, the young man spoke about it already.
"It's okay, I'll listen. Do you know since the first time I saw you? The night you knocked here, your wounds were still fresh even the bruises on your body and face. I want to talk to you. The same old feeling that I used to have when we were kids. Even though I really wanted to talk to you, I was having a second thoughts because you're too private, and it's intimidating to ask if you're okay. But I thought, these past few days, are you just waiting for me to ask," when Erik said that the corners of Mia's eyes quickly warmed up.
But no matter how much she wanted to cry, she held it back. And again, she succeeded.
"I'm right, aren't I? Are you shy to tell me about it? Are you waiting for me to ask?" the young man who was smiling even caressed her left cheek where she now has a light bruise.
Mia looks down shyly even though she is smiling. "T-The truth is, I don't know where to start," she said as her voice finally broke, then she forced herself to smile again even though she knew it was fake.
Erik nodded. "In that case, I'll ask the question and then you'll answer, be honest, okay?" the young man took her hand and squeezed it gently.
"O-Okay," Mia answered then bit her bottom lip.
"You said earlier that you got used to not making decisions for yourself, why? How did that happen?" the young man began in a tone that ended with deep concern.
"B-Because---"
"Yes?" Erik was staring at her.
Mia looked down and then smiled bitterly. "The truth is that Bernie trained me in the style that I always have to follow his orders. From the smallest things, it's like me turning my back on the things I really love," she began.
"What?" Erik's raised eyebrows met as he asked that question.
That's when Mia's voice finally broke and at the same time, her tears began to well up. "You don't know what kind of life Bernie gave me, Erik. Even the least thing I like to do like crocheting and cross stitching, he hated them, since I had a miscarriage," she recounted.
"He didn't marry you. Is that what you mean?" the young man asked her again.
Mia shook her head. "Every girl dream of wearing a wedding gown. That's why I told you, didn't I? I want a wedding gown like the one your mother gave me. It's just that Bernie didn't marry me. He just got me pregnant," the last word made the young lady completely choke.