Aselia looked ahead and almost gasped as her eyes fell on the huge two-storey L-shaped villa, which had been constructed mainly from tainted blue glass and white marble.

In front of it lay a rectangular pool with crystal clear blue water, surrounded by sun loungers. The white-tiled path led to the front door of the villa which was made up of tinted light and dark blue glass with a mosaic pattern on it. It was breathtakingly beautiful.

"Wow," she said in a startled tone looking at the marvelous villa. "Your house is beautiful." She slightly turned towards Rivan, who was observing her.

"I am glad you like my humble abode. Let’s go inside and I will guide you to your room." He blinked lightly at her as the chauffeur opened his door, he stepped out and reached her side to assist her.

She observed white and blue floor lights had the whole place lit up and provided a warm ambiance. They made their way inside and it was so well furnished with a futuristic theme. She felt like she had stepped into a sci-fi setting.

The combination of white and cobalt blue for furniture, paint, and curtains soothed the senses. It was way modernised as compared to Xiran’s home which had an old homely feeling to it. This felt different but in a good way. It had its allure, a certain neatness to it.

Rivan led Aselia up the white and blue marble staircase and stopped near a light blue wooden door. Rivan opened it and said: "Aselia this will be your room during your stay here. Don’t hesitate to ask for anything you require. My assistant Melori will be here shortly and she will bring your luggage. There is an extension phone which you can use to reach me or her. Please, get comfortable."

Aselia stepped inside the room and faced Rivan before speaking: "Thank you for all the help Rivan, I appreciate it." She noticed that Rivan had not stepped inside the room and stood outside, maintaining a respectable distance from her.

"Please, it’s no big deal. There is a kitchen next to your room with a well-stocked fridge. Tell Melori whenever you are hungry and she will bring you food. Also, I will tell Melori to change your bandages regularly, if your wounds are not healed by the time Xiran comes back, he will get mad at me so try to take care of your wounds." Rivan added with a warm smile which Aselia reflected with a slight one and nodded at him.

"Get some rest, you must be exhausted. Melori will be here shortly." With those words, Rivan closed the door with a slight click.

Aselia approached the four-poster bed with royal blue velvet bedding and flopped on it. Her eyes fixed on the ceiling which illuminated her with icy blue lights. She was lost in thoughts, his thoughts.

’Where was he now? What was he doing?’ She thought.

For the past few days, his continuous presence has made her addicted to his warmth. Her thoughts were consumed by his infectious smile and warm touches. Unintentionally her hand went to the pendant and she clutched it tightly in her hand, feeling the wings, and she remembered how his wings had cocooned her inside them.

The memories brought her immense pleasure and filled her with the warmth she was always lacking. Just then there was a slight knock on the door and she said: "Yes."

The door opened and a slender girl who was almost the same height as her entered the room. She had curly black hair and piercing light brown eyes. She wore a radiant smile on her face.

"Hello! I am Melori." She chimed while carrying her hand carrier.

"Hi! Nice to meet you." Aselia replied.

"I brought your stuff. I will place it in the cupboard. Let me know if you need anything else." Melori said while making her way toward the cupboard in the corner.

"Thanks, I will," Aselia replied before going back to staring at the ceiling. After placing all of Aselia’s things in the cupboard and her toiletries in the bathroom. Melori brought the first aid kit to change her dressing.

Aselia removed Xiran’s coat and carefully placed it on a side before sitting down so Melori could clean her wounds and apply new bandages. The fact that Melori didn’t question her about her wounds revealed that she was someone who would mind her own business and won’t indulge in small talk, unlike Frila.

After dressing was done, Melori gave her another warm smile and said: "I will be available 24/7 to you. Let me know if you need anything." Aselia nodded at her as she took her leave, this left Aselia alone with her thoughts.

She carefully picked up Xiran’s coat and hugged it, taking in his scent which still lingered. She then hung it in the cupboard and rubbed her hand over its sleeve, she didn’t want to take it off and hang it. She wanted it around her but she was afraid she would ruin it if slept in.

With a heavy heart, she took out a night suit and went to the washroom to change. The bathroom had the same blue and white combination as the rest of the house, only the tone of blue varied.

She stood under the hot water as it cascaded down her body and all she could think of was his warm hands fondling her.

’What the hell, brain? Stop already.’

’Well you gave him permanent residence, I am not responsible for his actions anymore. Deal with him.’ Her brain was as cruel as always. She sighed and tried to push away his thoughts.

She stepped outside and slipped into bed. But there was no sleep, she tossed and turned but it was useless. She was too restless. She finally gave up on asleeping and decided to head down to grab a book. She had seen a tall bookrack in the living room when she entered.

She headed down. Lights were dimmed, and as she was about to approach the bookrack, she saw Rivan sitting on a divan near the fireplace. He was sipping a red liquid from the glass.

"Can’t sleep," he said softly seeing she was looking at him.

"Sorry, yeah. I just wanted to grab a book. I forgot to pack any while coming here. I wasn’t thinking straight."

"You don’t have to apologize or explain yourself. This whole house is at your disposal. Feel free." Rivan took another sip, his hand resting on the armrest.

She took the book and sat on the other divan before speaking: "I am worried about him."

"I worry about him too, always do. I am just glad I have someone to share my worries about him now." Aselia noticed that Rivan’s words were heavy with emotions for his friend. He wasn’t smiling and his eyes were almost sad. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"I am glad he has such a caring friend and he won’t be all alone."

"Won’t be? You are not planning to stick around." Rivan finally diverted his gaze at her which held questions.

"No," Aselia responded softly, her heartbeat was steady throughout.

"He loves you Aselia, he will be heartbroken. But I guess you already know that." The questions in his eyes had turned to hurt. He didn’t like when people hurt Xiran. That’s why he had warned Xiran about it.

Aselia felt a bit flustered at his direct words. Her heart picked up the pace and she could feel her cheeks and ears becoming warm so she said: "I do, but we can’t be. Our species are mortal enemies and one of us is always getting in trouble because of the other. Do you actually think I am stupid enough to not know I am the reason his family has called him?"

Rivan was taken aback by her words, he knew she was smart. But she was surpassing his expectations. She understood the risks and unlike Xiran she used her brain to make decisions. Xiran was always the emotional one, who made decisions on a whim, and Rivan was always practical, a clear thinker. Aselia was like him.

"Don’t say that to him though. It will drown him in even more guilt than he already feels when it concerns you. He holds himself responsible for what happened to you." Rivan wanted her to know how much Xiran had suffered and still did. It was a tactic to make more space for his friend in her heart. Maybe, she will change her mind and stay.

"I know and I won’t. I have told him multiple times that it wasn’t his fault."

"That’s his first time falling in love. He will feel responsible for everything that will happen to you. And no words can change that. I have been there, so I know." Rivan’s words carried pain and Aselia noticed the sudden shift in his demeanor.

"Not anymore?" Aselia asked softly.

"No, we broke up after spending 15 years together. It wasn’t meant to be."