Finding You, Again
Us 28 - Eyes and Resolve

The humans at the table all reacted differently.

Jovi at first screeched in surprise, but then smiled widely and clapped his small hands. El and Farjad, as if infected, began to clap little hands with him.

Charlie widened his eyes while looking in amazement at Bee, but his mouth was speechless.

Bee also looked a little agitated, but finally returned a smile and a wave from Jovi. She tightened her hand, as if asking for help from me.

"Yes, we're getting married next week, but I'm sorry, for something. We can't invite you there" I added, to distract.

"Whaaaat???"

Jovi squealed the highest tone as soon as my sentence was finished.

I smiled regretfully "Sorry Jovi, I promise after my family's condition is calmer, we will have another bigger party. We'll invite you all in"

I looked at Jovi with a face pleading for understanding.

I know how a friend's marriage means. She must have been very disappointed knowing that the marriage would have taken place without her.

Hearing my explanation Jovi's anger subsided a little, or maybe it was because Bee signaled, that he would explain later.

"You're joking right?!"

This time the actor no longer looked at Bee, he saw me and Oscar, who was now casually drinking his coffee until the toilet.

"No, I'm not the kind of person who likes to joke around at dinner" I said, seeing that Oscar had no desire to answer.

"You only met Lui a month ago, this is impossible!!" His voice is getting louder now.

"Zeno-"

I cut off Bee, who was trying to explain to the actor by tightening my hand. Bee doesn't need to give any explanation, if the actor is forced to ask for an explanation, I will speak

"What do you mean impossible?" I asked, with the voice I was trying to be as normal as possible.

"You must have forced him, or maybe you!"

His hand now pointed at Oscar who started to spend the coffee on his refilled cup.

"Are you crazy? Lui is a grown-up girl who can make her own decisions, why would I force her? And if Duke's right to force it, you think I'm gonna let him roam free?"

Oscar's tone of voice was normal, but a chill emanated from his words that contained a faint threat.

"Of course no one forced me. I consciously made this decision!" Bee replied in a slightly quivering voice, the result of gathering all his courage.

I stroked his shoulder in praise of his efforts.

The actor's face paled even more hearing Bee's words.

"You heard it clearly! So lower your voice, you make my ears ring" my hiss.

"alright. I hope this will be the opening door for Monath and Delmor to work better together in the future"

Once again Oscar lifted his cup, I think he deliberately did it to cut my debate.

"Oscars!!" Bee sulked pouting at Oscar. He must be upset that Oscar brought business to our wedding.

"Do you accept me because there's a special agenda with Monath?" my question, while smiling wryly.

"Hey. Most of my brain is business, of course I will maximize the potential that comes by itself. I won't waste it" Oscar replied lightly.

I can't guess if he's serious or just joking.

"What do you mean?" The actor asked Oscar again curiously.

"Oh.. Duke is the owner of Monath" Oscar replied.

The actor's face looked like someone had punched him in the stomach, I even felt a little pity. But I don't plan on cultivating that feeling.

"All right, I'll end this. It's good to know you all. Enjoy the rest of the night" concluded Oscar, as he rose from his seat carrying his cup that has not been empty. The actor followed Oscar's steps in an instant.

While Jovi, without wasting a second, jumped up and seemed to fly toward Bee.

"You owe me a lot of explanation !" He pulled out Bee's hand which was still in my grasp.

"Oh comeon!!" Jovi groaned, when he saw our hands emerging from behind the table still holding tight.

I smiled amusedly at Jovi's careless face, while Bee wrongly took off her grip.

"I'll be right back" he whispered softly, while following Jovi's hurried steps leaving the dining room.

I just gave a smile to understand.

"Whoops...!" Mom breathed a sigh of relief while glancing at Charlie. "And you must have a lot of questions for me"

Charlie nodded excitedly.

I got up and approached El. "Watch around this house, check out all the suspicious smells"

I whispered, but I think all the werewolves heard it. Except Mom, they got up almost at the same time.

"All right!" El gestured for all the werewolves to follow him.

I snatched the cup and walked along to the scent of Oscar and the actor, leaving Mom and Charlie who were now starting to talk about the wedding dress.

I arrived at the rotating staircase in the corner of the hallway. Oscar's voice was heard from above. So I went up and found that I was in a large swimming pool, which was emitting warm steam.

The pool is on the top floor of this house, with glass walls all around. The balcony outside the wall is now full of snow. Contrast with the temperature of this room which is very warm like spring.

There is no need to ask who often uses this pool. Bee loves water. I'm sure Oscar specially built this pool for her after Bee stopped ballet.

In the corner of the pool, a row of colorful beach chairs, two of which contain Oscar lying relaxed, while the actor sat facing him with his back straight.

They turned their heads when they heard my footsteps, the actor's face immediately turned dark, while Oscar looked unconcerned. I followed Oscar lying casually on the seat next to him.

They still don't make a sound, though,

"If you have any questions then let's say it now, I doubt we'll see each other again after tonight!" I put down my cup and closed my eyes.

"I have a lot of questions for Lui, not you" The actor replied in a furious tone.

"Oh, that means you're gonna take that question to death. I'll never let you two be with Bee"

"Bee? Who's Bee?"

"You know him as Eluira of course" I replied cynically.

"What kind of call is that? It's disgusting" His nose shriveled at my answer.

"The call that Lui really likes. And I plan to keep calling him that"

"Zen! Never mind, you don't have a chance anymore. Lui chose based on her common sense. And believe me I didn't force him to just develop Delmor. So stop your anger, and try to accept Lui's decision freely"

Oscar finally replied with a vexed face.

Looks like the actor again accused Oscar of planning this wedding because of business. Thought with a pathetic degree of accuracy.

"But-but he only met with Lui a month ago, how could it be?"

Now he ruffled his hair in annoyance, then threw himself irritatedly onto the chair.

"Don't you give up and just want to be friends with Lui? Why are you fighting all this now?" ask Oscar.

"I'm just saying that Lui doesn't shy away, I don't want our relationship to be far away"

The actor, apparently did not know the word backwards.

"It's a shame that Bee took her very seriously, and she already considers you a friend. That's why he accepted me"

If I could, I'm pretty sure the actor would want to kill me. But of course it's impossible. He could only look at me with fierce eyes

"I've been trying for months to get close to Lui, why are you--Ck!!" He woke up trying to digest what happened at dinner last night.

"I don't care how long you've been trying to get close to Bee, which for sure is now mine" I said firmly.

"So once you know this fact, I'll be very grateful if you don't bother him anymore. The definition of distracting I mean, including hugging Bee when you meet"

I explained in as much detail as possible for him to understand, there would be no chance for him to approach Bee as long as I was alive.

"Ck.. so possessive, are you afraid that Lui's feelings will be doubted as soon as I hug her?" His tone was mocking.

"Nope, I just don't like it when something that's already mine is touched by someone else!" my reply was flat, making the annoyed strokes on his face deepen.

"Are you guys going to have this discussion all night? I'm tired of hearing it!"

Oscar once again replied with annoyance. The friendly and warm face of the host that had been in his cage during dinner, was completely unnoticed.

"No!! I'm gonna go. Thank you for dinner" The actor nodded towards Oscar then walked out of the pool.

"Bye....!" I waved as decently as I could, watching him go down the stairs.

"Should you be that cruel to her? And I beg you, remove that annoyingly satisfied look from your face!" sergeant Oscar, annoyed.

"I'm not--!" I tried to argue, but maybe I did it unconsciously.

"No?! I almost kicked your leg at dinner for not being able to stand it"

I shrugged without feeling guilty, but I immediately fixed the look on my face. It's not a good idea to irritate Oscar at the moment.

We ended up just lying down enjoying the warm air that kept coming out of the pool.

"Why do you heat the pool water these nights?" I was curious, after a long time of seeing the unceasing steam rising from the surface of the pond.

"Lui usually swims before going to bed. That's why Charlie warms him up knowing Lui's coming home"

"I'll take Bee to Lycos tonight!". I won't let Bee be here with human guard.

"Hell no! Whatchu mean? Here is his home, why should he stay there?"

"I'm not going to let go of Bee with just human supervision, Oscar! You forgot who was after him. Why do you think I brought so many people here?!" my clear.

I can't believe he's still asking.

"Kc... Lui's not going anywhere. Leave some of your men here, after that you go home to Barnet!" Disconnect after thinking for a moment.

"What makes you think I'm gonna leave Bee here? Of all the werewolves here, I am the strongest, and most experienced, vampire. So obviously, I'll be wherever Bee lives"

Oscar looked like he wanted to throw me with a cup in his hand, when he heard my answer. But he knows, everything I say is true.

Finally he gave up and threw his body into the chair, grabbing his phone from the pocket and starting typing.

"I'll prepare a room for you!" sanya, pasrah.

"Thanks! But most werewolves were currently patrolling around the Mansion, they would not need a room for the next few hours"

"Hhhhh. ya-ya" his grunts exasperated.

"But please don't change shape around the mansion. I installed a cctv in tens. I don't want any strange creatures recorded" Oscar warned.

Hmm. I have to tell El right away. I hope they haven't transformed yet. I immediately typed a message to El.

"I've imagined this situation a thousand times in my mind, but it still feels annoying!!" Complain Oscar while straightening his sitting position.

"You mean?"

"Lui will marry you. From the first moment I met you, the first time Lui introduced you to me was with happy shining eyes. I knew this was going to happen" he explained as he let out a long breath, as if he had released a burden that stuck in his heart.

"Really?!"

I can't believe it, because Oscar was far from being friendly when he first met me. Yet he nodded while smiling obliquely in earnest sign.

"And also a few months ago when I found out that you were alive. I thought you'd do some crazy shit to be with Lui again"

Oscar looked blankly at the ceiling.

"You know and you're still trying that hard to keep me from getting close to Bee?" grunt me. He should have helped me.

"of course! I'm so mad at you. How do you think Lui is after hearing the news of your death from television?"

Oscar's breathing began to gasp with emotion.

"He ruined Duke! And I can't do anything to fix it. You made me almost lose my only precious family. I don't think the reply you received was worth it. I still want to torture you even longer actually, but Lui--she's too easily persuaded"

"Polluted? I never persuaded him with anything" I said annoyed.

"And what do you mean by reply? You know in the end Bee would choose me, but you intentionally made it difficult for him just to make me suffer?"

How I was half-dead racking my brain just to ask her permission .

"Of course!" answer lightly, without feeling guilty.

"You think I'll welcome you with open arms and a big smile when you get back here?" Oscar widened his eyes fiercely.

"Even though I can't see it, I imagine with a satisfied heart how tormented you are by looking at Lui from a distance without being able to do anything"

"Ck. but you're throwing away all my fun, when you can easily come to the Delmor tower with Rex"

"Hhhh... Monath! I should have checked your background further. Not to mention the presence of werewolf br*ngs*k who tricked Lui. They messed up my plan"

Oscar explained at length, no matter how I felt when I heard it.

"I have completely erased all traces of you. I changed his phone, threw away all the presents from you that were here. Ban your friend from contacting him. But all for nothing"

"Friends?" sahutku. Who wants to call Bee?

Oscar nodded.

"Managermu, Justin. Before Lui lost her memory, she contacted him several times. But Lui was not in a state of being able to take the call. After Lui lost her memory, I warned her not to call again. He's very loyal to you, because he was very angry when he heard my ban. But with little threat, he complies"

I don't care what the guy who said Oscar was good-looking and stuff, because in my eyes now he's a psychopath. She enjoyed every second of my pain with a smile.

If I could, happily, I would throw Oscar's seat down at once right now.

Justin is the only human who knows about my relationship with Bee.

He was having a bad luck, so he had to deal with Oscar. I hope he's okay. Justin is a good guy, even a little chatty. I should check it out once I can.

YES!!!!!.............

The handle of the cup in my hand was broken because my hand was gripping it too tightly.

"Owhh, that's awesome!!" oscar shouted in a mocking tone, complete with applause.

She knew for sure, I wouldn't be able to touch a single strand of her hair, because that would disappoint Bee. Therefore, he casually mocked all my suffering. And of course I have to swallow it round and round.

"I'll tell you about something that will soon make your mood improve. This is also why I let Lui make her own decisions"

"I guess you let it go because it was Bee's wish"

What nonsense will he tell?

As if I should thank her\, for finally being able to marry Bee. At this point I can no longer choose which is more annoying\, Oscar or actor t*l*l earlier.

"You know what the reason is so that Zeno can approach Lui quite easily? Well-though eventually all Zeno's efforts only ended in failure. The fact that Lui received every date from Zeno was a surprise to me"

"Isn't that normal? Bee doesn't have any memory of me, it's only natural that she receives a date from the man-who approached her"

I almost called him a br*ngs*k\ guy, but I refrained from remembering he was Oscar's friend.

Oscar smiled slightly at my guess.

"No, that's not normal. Lui never received a date from anyone who approached her before meeting you. You know this isn't it?"

I'm nodding.

"But he accepted Zeno's invitation. I just found out what caused it a few weeks ago, his green eyes. Lui subconsciously looked for your shadow on Zeno" he said as he sipped his coffee until it was slippery.

"You're kidding me!" kataku, automatically. Bee no longer remembers anything about me. How could?

But indeed the actor had green eyes, although a little paler than the color of my eyes now.

"No! That's why their relationship can't happen. Lui's just chasing your shadow. Then he found Zeno, but of course it was wrong. Finally Lui gave up, she decided that Zeno was not the man she wanted" Oscar shook his head in annoyance.

"I'd love to blow your head off when I find out about this. But it's certainly not possible, because it means, for the rest of your life, Lui will continue to search without being able to find what she's really looking for"

I was struck by a strange feeling, a mixture of joy, sadness and overwhelming guilt. I covered my face with my hands to better digest it all. And once again the words of El ring in my ear.

How Bee will always keep love for me even if there is no more memory of me. Is this proof that we're really a mate? But it also means Bee has been in a confounding storm of emotions all along.

"You know everything now, for that I'll beg you one last time" Oscar's tone turned serious.

"Blessed Lui, she deserves all the love you have" he added.

Ugh. I was not prepared for this sudden change of atmosphere.

My relationship with Oscar has never been stable, it's always been between hate and admiration, because I know how much he feels for Bee.

And now, she's acting like a real big brother, because she's begging me, not threatening.

"Yes, of course. I also plan like that" I replied short, no need to remind me of such a thing.

"Who..! A little trivia for you. Make sure Lui doesn't meet with Lockhart in the future. I'm not sure he can resist attacking Lui" Oscar said, returning in his tone.

"What does the serpent woman have to do with this?" many wonder.

"Not much, but Lui saved Zeno from his grip a few months ago. Not on purpose, but I'm sure Lockhart was already desperate to attack Lui, because that was the second time he made her lose prey" he explained.

"Bee met the snake woman again? And what do you mean by saving?" my voice rises automatically.

"I invited his father, and he attended Lui's fundraising party. She is shocked to learn that Lui is a Delmora family. To be safe, I had given him a warning back then so he wouldn't touch Lui" Oscar explained.

I'm not surprised by Oscar's attitude, Florence won't be able to touch Lui, but that doesn't mean she won't try, she's very reckless.

"I was a little amazed at how neatly Lui's memory was erased. Without any burden, Lui asks Jovi about Lockhart. While Lockhart recognized him immediately in one glance, you should have seen how he looked when Lui once again defeated him at the auction" Oscar laughed in a cruel tone.

I didn't know what to comment, so I just smiled wryly. But I'm relieved, the memory of Florence is not worth saving at all.

"You haven't explained the auction!" I said firmly. I wonder how Bee got involved with that actor.

Oscar seemed to want to answer, but I held his hand to prevent. I heard footsteps climbing the stairs.

I smell vanilla on the stairs. Mom showed up from there.

"Lui was with the man" he said, reporting without further ado.

I got up and walked down without looking back.

---------- *0o0*----------------

"You mean you've been living in Duke's house all this time, and you've finally fallen in love? That sounds too simple" said Jovi doubting my story. The two of us chatted while lying side by side on my bedroom bed.

I realized that my story was very short, because I had to cut the story that explained the werewolf passage. A little difficult, but quite decent, although not yet able to convince Jovi fully.

"Yes, but that's it. I was there this month, and now I'm fine."

"And Oscar said Duke was Monath's owner? That was crazy! Monath has a business network that's almost as big as Delmor's, or maybe more, I don't know exactly!"

Jovi could not hide his enthusiastic tone.

"really?" I didn't read any details about Monath, I just knew that they were a big corporation based in Quebec.

Maybe Oscar wasn't joking when he said he wanted more cooperation between Monath and Delmor.

"For this time you have no more doubts, do you?" Jovi looked at me worriedly.

He certainly did not forget how I fell after a dinner that led to chaos with Zeno.

I nodded for sure.

"Because of something, I was scared and stayed away from Duke at first, but that didn't stop me from being enchanted. I was so surprised when I realized that, how could I be fascinated by something I was afraid of. But then I learned that my fears were ridiculous and that there was nothing I could do but accept all those feelings"

"You're afraid of Duke? Why?" Jovi began to question the investigation.

I shouldn't have told you that, I'm sorry.

"There's some things going on, so I'm misunderstanding, but that's it. It doesn't matter now" I'm trying to avoid.

"Of course it doesn't matter. You guys are even planning a wedding. But isn't this too soon?"

Thank goodness Jovi didn't force me to explain.

"I also thought that way when Duke proposed. I doubted Duke's ears and sanity back then. But Duke said he wouldn't back down, whatever my answer was. I finally said yes"

I still failed to manage the look on my face, which was now definitely flushed red.

"Oh.so sweet!!" Jovi hugged me tightly once again.

"I'm glad to see you like this. No longer full of doubt and confusion" he added, with sparkling eyes looking at me.

"Yes, I'm also a little surprised Jov. Ever since some of my memories were gone, I always felt a little uneasy without knowing what caused them. But none of that anymore. No more confused thoughts that upset me. Everything always feels right"

I exposed my whole feeling to her.

"really? What about the weird guilt that went into you when you were with Zeno?" Jovi looked increasingly curious.

"I've even forgotten that I've had such a messy mind."

Jovi nodded in understanding.

"Oh. Now I feel so stupid for telling Zeno about your return. I shouldn't have done that" Jovi covered her face with both hands.

Immediately the guilt lingered in my heart. But I know exactly what caused it, which is because I hurt Zeno. I turned him down raw a while ago, and now suddenly I bring the wedding news.

Oh. I'm so cruel.

"Should I apologize to him? He looked very disappointed earlier." I asked doubtfully.

"No Lui, you've clearly rejected it before. You are free to fall in love and marry anyone. A little cruel, but you're innocent of this. You're only guilty when you give her too much hope. But you've cut off that hope, Zeno should understand"

I nodded in understanding, though still unable to feel relieved.

Tok..tok.tok !!

"Lui, are you inside? I'd like to talk for a minute"

That's Zeno, he's at my doorstep!

I immediately looked at Jovi in a tremendous panic, what should I do now?

"Open the door, and face it bravely Lui. At least he has a little right to hear your explanation" Jovi said in a whisper.

"Just a second!" Jovi answered Zeno's call in a loud voice.

"Jovi!!" I sizzled in panic.

"Come on.." Jovi pushed me up. I nervously tidied up the dress, walked to the door and opened it.

"Hi" I said awkwardly. Zeno smiled a little at me.

"Don't you mind if I borrow it for a second?" Zeno said, looking at Jovi behind my back.

"Of course, but give it back in one piece!" sahut Jovi jahil's.

"Jov!!" I scolded her slowly, but thanked her for the joke, because it made me relax a little.

I gestured for Zeno to follow me.

"Where are you going?" Myra's voice stopped us in the hallway. "Oh, we'll only talk for a while" I said automatically.

Myra only nodded at my answer, but her eyes looked sharply at Zeno who immediately made her look down. Myra's sharp eyes can make anyone misbehave.

"Do you know where Duke is?" after finishing observing Zeno.

"Eh..." I was a little surprised by Myra's question, wasn't she easily able to smell Duke's scent, without needing to ask?.

"He and Oscar are up there. There's a ladder at the end of the hall. They are by the pool" Zeno explained kindly.

"Oh.well, thank you" Myra replied warmly as she immediately passed towards the threaded staircase.

What does all that mean? I can only shake without understanding.

I took Zeno to the corner of the house, which contained the Grand piano and also a comfortable sofa. Nobody plays piano in this house, but Mom used to buy it in hopes of Oscar or I would learn to play it. But we're both not musically talented. Finally the piano had only been sitting there for years.

We both sat face to face on the sofa and then drowned in an awkward silence. I had no idea what to start a conversation with.

"Lui, I'm sorry if this all sounds so presumptuous and I know, I have absolutely no right to ask, but of course I'm curious"

Finally Zeno broke the silence with great difficulty.

I could only nod because of my ability to speak as if I had vanished looking at the sad look on Zeno's face, and I was the one who caused it.

"You're really going to marry her without coercion? From Oscar or anyone?"

"I decided to marry her because it was my wish Zeno. And I don't think Oscar will ever force me to marry anyone. He's not that kind of person" I frowned in surprise, because Zeno still had this ridiculous idea.

Oscar is a gentle and understanding man, he would not do such evil deeds.

"So you really mmm-love her?"

Oh-h-huh God. It was a bad idea, I had hurt the man in front of me, who was now looking at me with eyes full of wounds. But what am I supposed to say? Where do you start to explain?

"I'm sorry...." I finally said the first sentence that swam in my mind earlier.

I know Jovi didn't suggest it, but I will follow my heart at this time.

"Don't be silly Lui. You don't have to apologize" Zeno brushed off my apology with a headband.

"I love Duke" I said quickly, before losing my nerve.

I could only look down, not daring to look at Zeno's wounds.

"Oh..." Zeno exclaimed softly and then went back into silence.

"Well.it's good news Lui. I'm glad you finally found someone who doesn't make you feel guilty when you're with him" Zeno said in a trembling voice.

"You know what?" I was surprised while raising my face. Zeno's face paled slightly, but his lips were smiling knots.

"I forced Jovi to tell a story. Because I was very confused by all your previous attitudes. And Oscar forbade me to ask or talk to you about it. I'm glad Jovi was finally willing to tell a story after I persuaded many times" he explained.

"And don't be mad at him, because I force it" he added quickly, preventing me from feeling upset at Jovi.

I shook my head, I should thank Jovi for making Zeno understand my unstable state back then.

"He's a good guy?" ask again. I nodded without hesitation

"Duke is very friendly and understanding even though I've been very bad to him" I replied.

Zeno frowned at my answer, as if he could not believe what I said about the Duke, but asked no further.

"Well-fine. Congratulations on your marriage, Lui. I hope you're happy. And it's also a pity that I can't attend" Zeno said with a sincere smile as he stood reaching out.

I stood up and greeted his hand with relief.

"Thank you Zeno" I was a little choked with emotion, imagining how Zeno was feeling right now.

Zeno waved for the last time before finally disappearing in the passageway that would deliver him to the exit.

I threw myself on the couch breathing deeply, between relief and guilt. But this does have to happen like this, what else can I do to cheer her up?

"Nicely done, Bee!" A heavy sound came from next to me, making me almost suffocated.

"Duke! You almost got me having a heart attack!" I cried out while standing in shock. Duke stood next to the sofa with a wide smile.

"Did you hear everything? Since when?"

I did not hear any sound signifying his arrival.

"Hmm... ever since she asked if Oscar was forcing you to get married!" the answer.

It means he heard from the beginning. I had not had time to say anything, the Duke pulled me to sit in front of the piano, opened it and began to carefully examine the keys that were in front of him.

"I'm glad you're doing all your business in peace" Duke said.

"Yes, I have to explain everything at least. Anyway I'm guilty of giving her too much hope" It's hard indeed, but I'm relieved that I no longer have a wedge.

"This piano is out of tune" said Duke, hearing some discordant notes issued by the piano .

"Nobody's been wearing it since Mom bought it ten years ago. It would be very surprising if the sound it produces is still good"

Although there were some discordant tones, a soft tone filled the corner of the mansion, as Duke's fingers danced nimbly over the black and white. His contribution of several tones, successfully hidden by his playing skills.

I'm surprised Duke hasn't become famous for his piano games. Under normal circumstances, I would happily pay to listen to him play. The sound it makes is so smooth and clear.

All the panic, regret and nervousness that I felt, evaporated along with the clang, leaving a warmth that flowed through every beat of my heart.

Comfortable and almost hypnotic.

I remember how the piano sounds made me even more nervous when I had dinner with Zeno.

I breathed a sigh of relief, because my decision was correct.

I really want to spend the rest of my life with Duke. The man who is now drowning in the twang of his beautiful tone.