Chapter 9

Calm

As she ran through the lobby and out the glass front doors of the apartment complex, she knew where she wanted to go. She wasn't sure how fast her legs could get her there, but she knew she wanted to go back to the ocean. That would clear her head a little. She would be able to think there. And maybe, just maybe, she could find some answers.

When Saya's legs finally carried her to her destination, she removed her shoes and walked along the water's edge near the ocean, letting the small waves wash over her feet and looking out at the horizon. She wished it was sunset. That was her favorite time to be here, after all. She just wanted to understand why Haji and Solomon had to fight each other still. Everything was supposed to be peaceful, but her life had quickly become a rollercoaster ride since she had woken up a little over 24 hours ago.

She sighed deeply and stopped in one spot, closing her eyes and feeling the ocean breeze blow her long hair around her. She decided then that she would keep it. It felt nice blowing around in the wind like that.

Finally, she had made a decision. But now she had to decide how to deal with her two overprotective Chevaliers. She was in love with Haji, but she wanted to be close with Solomon, too. She didn't just want to cast him aside. He was still a very important person, to her. She wanted both of them to be happy, and for all of them to be able to live together peacefully. But it seemed they wouldn't want to be that way. She had to make them understand her wish. Maybe if she talked to them calmly, they would be able to listen and everyone could get along. Maybe.

She suddenly felt a familiar presence around her and she opened her eyes to see Haji standing in front of her, just an arm's length away. She frowned slightly and looked away from him, still angry at the way he had acted. She folded her arms in front of her chest, her shoes still dangling on her fingers.

"I want to be left alone right now. I need to think about everything that's happened, and decide what I'm going to do with all of you."

Haji's brow furrowed and he stepped a little closer to her, causing her to take a step back as well.

"All? Not both? Who else do you need to decide what to do with besides Solomon and me, Saya?"

Haji's voice was concerned, and yet annoyed at the same time.

'Oh, crap!' Saya cursed herself internally as she tried to think of a way to tell Haji about Kai without him going berserk and trying to kill her brother.

"U-uhm… well, you see… Haji, please don't get angry, okay? It's Kai. Promise me you won't hurt him, or yell at him or try to kill him…?"

Haji's tone got serious and demanding very quickly.

"Saya, did he hurt you? Tell me."

Saya grew uncomfortable and she began to squirm slightly, looking up at him. Her arms dropped back to her sides and she kicked the sand beneath her feet.

"You have to promise, Haji. I won't say anything until I know you're not going to go after Kai. I don't want what happened with Solomon to happen with Kai… I couldn't handle that."

Haji reached an arm out and grabbed her shoulder hard enough so that she would know he was serious, but not hard enough to hurt her.

"Fine, I promise. Now tell me!"

Saya squished her toes harder into the sand and stared at them for a few seconds before she described the events of the previous morning to Haji. As she told her story, Haji could feel his blood boil. Just how many people were going to try and take Saya away from him?

"Haji, you'll keep your promise, right? Haji?"

Saya was staring at him, but it seemed he was lost in his own thoughts as he soaked everything in. He didn't even hear her until she had called his name 3 or 4 times.

"I will."

He finally said, seething.

"But if I ever see him, I'm not sure I could control myself. How could he behave like that with his own sister? How could he put his hands on you like that?"

Saya's eyes began to tear up and she quickly turned her back toward Haji. She struggled to keep her composure. Oh, why did she have to talk about this with Haji? He was the last person she wanted to tell…

Suddenly, his arms were gently wrapped around her from behind, and she dropped her shoes at her sides. She couldn't hold the tears back anymore, so she let them fall, trying desperately to control her breathing so he wouldn't know she was crying. She leaned back into him as he tightened his grip around her.

"Saya, I will keep you safe. I will always protect you. You don't need to hide from me. Just let me be here for you."

His voice broke her down even further as she turned in his embrace and buried her face in his chest, grabbing fistfuls of fabric and hanging on for dear life. She had needed him worse than she realized. She stayed in his arms for a long while, her sobs slowing as time passed. He kissed her head occasionally and rubbed her back gently as she began to calm down.

Saya smiled at first, but then remembered she still had some decisions to make. Her head felt like it was going to explode, trying to figure out how she was going to forgive her brother for almost raping her, find a way to make Haji and Solomon get along, tell Haji she loved him, and also be able to keep Solomon as a close friend when he was clearly in love with her.

"Haji?" Saya looked up at him. "Would you give me a little while by myself to think? I've just got so much in my head, but when I'm with you like this I can't seem to think about anything clearly…"

Haji released her from his arms reluctantly, and smiled down at her, trying to hide his disappointment at having to let her go.

"Of course, Saya. Whatever you wish."

"Thanks, Haji. I'll come back to Solomon's place once I've sorted it all out. I just need to figure out what I'm going to do about everything…"

Saya bent down and picked up her shoes again. She definitely felt calmer after being with Haji than she did when she arrived at the beach. Haji watched her walk away down the water's edge for a few minutes before he disappeared in a flash of light, leaving her to decide how she was going to deal with these 3 men who had caused her so much trouble.