Chapter 7:
Heartbeat
"Aoba!" Mink immediately shouts; his deep voice piercing my eardrums although gazing into his expression-filled eyes showed no anger. For the first time, I notice something different; terror, fear. His usual tender eyes are replaced with this new, unfamiliar agony; somewhat reminding me of an animal faced directly with its predator. I've never seen Mink's eyes like this before.
Before I could say anything, his body was already at my side, tugging at my arms with his immense strength.
"Mink…I…"
"What happened?" Mink asked, almost instantly. His tone was raised, his eyebrows bowing down to his eyelids and his lips were curved into a frown.
"The…pot fell. I'm sorry, I couldn't finish dinner." I squeaked, hearing my voice breaking as I spoke and feeling the tear stains still tainting my cheeks.
Mink exhaled deeply, his body loosening up from its clenched position. "You scared me."
Scared… you?
His words surged through my mind as I stared up at him in astonishment; the impact of his words thrashing at my brain. I didn't know why but they were words I never expected to hear.
Suddenly, his arms pull at my body, bringing my head to rest against his chest; the thumps of his heart beating in my ears. As if confirming his remark, the sound that echoed through my head was rapid and strong like the noise of an inmate hammering violently on prison gates.
"I don't want to lose anything special to me again." His words, like daggers, pierced through my insides as we sit together in the kitchen; his arms holding me tightly against his body.
"Mink..!" I yell into his chest, tears breaking through and sweeping down my cheeks. Realising how much I love this man, I throw my slender arms around his body. However, as my palms connect to his broad shoulders, a familiar stinging sensation makes me wince instantly.
"Ow!" Unable to hold back, I whimper, causing Mink to realise and pull at my arms. Gently bringing my palms up to his face, his expression changes once again; this time I can faintly see a glimmer in his eyes but before I can think on it, he shuts them.
"Aoba…" His voice is barely audible as he presses his soft lips to both my palms. He continues, this time in a louder voice, "I knew something was wrong. You weren't acting like your usual self and I was concerned…So I left work early."
"Mink…" Trembling, I look away. "I'm sorry, I should have told you."
Abruptly, my legs are effortlessly lifted off the messy floor and I'm reluctantly carried in his strong arms like a bride.
"H-hey-" I instantly cry out but the words don't seem to reach him as he walks past the living room and into the hallway. Knowing exactly where I am being taken, I shut my eyes and brace for the impact.
Huh?
Instead of throwing my frail body onto the soft, bouncy bed like he always does, he lays me against the bed sheets gently and climbs over my relaxed figure.
"Then, tell me now." Mink says, replying to my previous statement. His expression as he looked at me showed affection yet his eyes held deep concern and sorrow.
I had no choice but to tell him now.