In the Garden


    Half the men led me to the garden while the other half of the team followed close behind. I found


    everything to be over-the-top and very funny. I mean, I was just walking to the gardens right outside


    this mansion. Now that I think about it, Auntie hasn’t given me a tour of the mansion yet because she


    must have been so busy dealing with my other requests. I didn’t mind though since I had the time to


    draft out some designs for my website.


    The garden outside the mansion reminded me of therge garden that I saw before entering the boss’s


    base. Trees, nts, and flowers were arranged artistically to form a very beautifulndscape. Many


    flowers were in bloom and the colors added to the splendor of the garden. Just like I had guessed, the


    weather was perfect for a little stroll. The men gave me some space, but I could still feel their eyes on


    me. It was quite ufortable to be watched like this, but I tried my best to ignore them.


    There was a small path that led deeper into the garden that wounded its way to the side of the mansion


    and I decided to follow it. Flowerpots along with decorative statues in the shapes and designs of forest


    animals lined both sides of the path. The wind blew against my face, sending my long hair back behind


    me. I tucked a few loose strands of hair behind my ears before holding down on the skirt of my dress to


    keep it from blowing too wildly in the wind.


    There were many flowers in the garden that I didn’t know but I found them beautiful and calming to look


    at, nheless. A little whileter, I found a white bench located under arge tree. It was the perfect


    ce to sit and chill on such a day as this and I thanked whoever had the genius idea to put a bench


    here. Straying off the path, I approached the long bench and quickly sat down on it. This is so nice and


    rxing. After being cooped up inside the mansion for so long, this was the perfect break that I


    needed.


    …


    Something is tickling my nose. It feels like I’m about to sneeze. It’s so nice and windy and I felt so


    sleepy.


    Wait…


    I opened my eyes in shock at the realization that I must have dozed off. If I remember correctly, I came


    into the garden and then I sat down on a bench.


    “Oh, you’re up. I was wondering how long you were going to take a nap here,” Hayden said teasingly


    from above.


    The view of the tree branches above was quickly covered by Hayden’s face looking down at me from


    above.


    “Hayden?” I called his name questioningly.


    When did he get here?


    I couldn’t believe that I fell asleep here. Was I that tired or something?


    “Yes, it’s me. Guess your brain isn’t fully awake yet…” Hayden continued to tease me as he smiled


    down at me from above.


    “When did you get here?” I asked.


    “A little while now. You were sleeping peacefully so I didn’t want to wake you,” Hayden said before


    sitting up straight.


    That was when I realized that my head was resting on hisp. Did he do this? I had to say that hisp


    felt good as a temporary pillow.


    “Wee back. Are you feeling better?” I asked.


    Hayden had a shirt on, so I didn’t know if any of the bandages had been removed or was he as


    wrapped up as before.


    “I’m better and it wasn’t that bad to begin with…” Hayden replied with a hint of annoyance.


    “Good then. Shall we go back inside? It’s getting very windy…” I suggested as I slowly supported my


    body up into a sitting position.


    “Any progress on your website design?” Hayden asked.


    It was just like him not to forget about that. I was d that I had some progress to show him.


    “Yup. I have a few ideas. I’ll show you when we’re back inside,” I replied.


    I stood up from the bench, but Hayden didn’t do the same. I turned to face him as I cocked my head to


    one side slightly in wonder.


    “What’s wrong?” I asked.


    Without replying to me with words, Hayden held out a hand towards me. Is he telling me to take his


    hand to pull him up?


    Still quite confused, I ced my hands into his and he gripped it firmly.


    “Am I supposed to pull you up now?” I asked.


    “Want to give it a try?” he asked challengingly.


    Well, I guess I could…


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    I pulled on Hayden’s arm with all my strength, but he didn’t move at all. How heavy is he…seriously?!


    “You’re so…heavy!” I eximed as I tried pulling harder.


    Hayden justughed at my struggle. Suddenly, Hayden pulled on my arm, and I found myself falling


    right on top of him.


    “Hayden!” I cried out his name as I bumped into his chest.


    Somehow, Inded on hisp, and he had his arm around my waist. Hayden was stillughing like he


    was truly enjoying himself and my struggle.


    “You’re so weak and small…” Hayden said as he petted my hair lovingly.


    “Well,pared to you…” I muttered as I red at him.


    His bright blue eyes twinkled in amusement. His touch on my hair was gentle and so was the arm that


    held me to him around my waist. I smiled at him. I guess Hayden is feeling better now and he’s in a


    better mood too. Slowly, our face got closer to each other until our lips met in a sweet and tender kiss.


    It was getting dark now and a little colder too. The wind blew harder than before. This time when I


    invited Hayden back inside, he got up and followed me willingly. We walked hand in hand along the


    small path through the garden back to the mansion. I thought that I enjoyed my walk here decently


    enough when I was alone, but the walk felt so much more fulfilling now that I had Hayden by my side.


    --To be continued…