Chapter 32: Chapter 32

“Repeat it,” Reign said as I approached him. I looked at him in surprise.

“What?”

“What you said earlier, repeat it,”

“I said a lot. And why? What’s up?” I was looking at Reign with confusion. He was staring directly into my eyes.

“I want to hear what you said earlier,” Reign says. His baritone voice was serious, so my right eyebrow raised.

“Is it my fault if you haven’t heard what I said?” Reign’s expression changed as the last word slips out of my mouth. I shivered when he suddenly looked at me with a warning. What?

“I said nothing about not hearing your words earlier. I’m telling you to repeat what you said,” Reign even emphasizes the ‘repeat’ word. I stared at Reign eagerly. I’ve said many things before; which one does he want to hear?

“Is it about you having good people on your island?” Reign’s forehead furrowed. So this is not the one he wants, “Then is it about I said that this island is beautiful?” He shrugged. I suddenly felt annoyed, “Then tell me directly! Not that you’re making me guess!” I couldn’t help but explode.

“I was talking about you were saying my na--” Reign’s words were cut by one of the old islanders.

“Good morning, sir Reign. Thank you for visiting and attending with us today,” the old man said when he already approached our stand. Both our gaze turned to the voice direction. His face was familiar. This older man was one of the islanders who faced us yesterday.

I was surprised to see that almost all of the islanders were already in front of us. Seeing in their eyes, they look up Reign. I can’t help but be amazed. Is he that good ruler? I looked at Reign again and was to have a heart attack when I caught his blue eyes staring at me again.

I asked if there was a problem, but he suddenly turned his gaze to the front and smiled at the islanders.  I didn’t bother to say a word and looked straight ahead. I was on Reign’s side while two of his men were behind us.

I looked again at the top where the whose fan was hanging. It was so pleasant to look at while danced by the wind softly. I think today’s celebration is a fiesta in the village of the islanders. This kind of thing also happens during fiestas in small areas of Drein City.

I raised my two hands to hold the leis crown that rested on my head. I smiled because this is the first time I wear something like this. Also, who wouldn’t smile if an adorable kid put it on your head? I feel like the child admired me. I suddenly remember my sister, how is Russiana?

I hope she’s okay. I hope she ate well and nothing wrong happened to her while I was away. I might not be able to cope if something happened. I can’t also find the timing to talk to Reign about my sister but maybe later when we returned to his house.

“No worries, Garry. I also want to talk to you about what happened yesterday,” I heard Reign say. Garry was the name of the old islander who greeted him earlier.

“Yes, of course, sir.” Garry said and then took a look at me, “Who is this beautiful lady?” I was surprised by what the older man said, so my cheeks suddenly heat up. I was embarrassed because this was the first thing an older adult would tell me. Well, adults know the actual quality of physical beauty in a person.

I feel my head has gotten so big because of the compliment I received. I just secretly laughed because of what I think. I didn’t know I had a side like this.

“She’s my woman,” I looked at Reign in shock. I thought he was making a joke, but when I saw his face, he was earnest, and there’s no trace of a good time while looking at the people of his island, “Her name is Ruchee,” he introduced my name. I was even more surprised because a happy smile drew on his lips when he mentioned my name.

“I thought you saved her from the island takers yesterday, sir,” Garry retakes a look at my face, “I never knew that such a beauty like her exists. And she was lucky to have you, sir Reign,” the old man added.

What is he saying? I understood that he admired me and even told me that I was beautiful even if I wasn’t. But I could not understand what he meant by his last words. What more is, I was left dumbfounded when Reign let out a soft chuckle. Even the people in front of us were shocked at what he did.

“You’re right, Garry. She’s so lucky to have me, but why does she keep on running away from me?” He suddenly takes a look at me, causing me to shiver. Not out of fear but because there were flies inside my stomach. My heartbeat is also getting louder.

I don’t know how to say what I saw in his blue eyes. There was written happiness and love on his face. Love? What are you thinking, Ruchee? Stop thinking nonsense!

I thought Reign would turn his gaze back to the front, but he remained to stare at me while the smile plastered on his face.  He kept his eyes staring at me. I want to avoid Reign’s gazes, but I can’t even move an inch.

“This is the first time you’ve smiled like that, sir Reign,” because of what old Garry said, I turned my gaze back to him. I want to hear what he has to say next, “It is not new for us your smile because you always give it every time you face us, but your smiles are very different now. Is it because of her?” the old man asked while there’s a smile on his wrinkled lips.

For no apparent reason, my heartbeat increased. My breathing gets heavier but not choking me. This feeling is the first time for me. I was even more shocked by what Reign did.

He gently took my hand and pressed our palms together, which gave heat to my body, “Stop teasing my woman, Garry. Maybe she’ll realize what we’re implying,” Reign’s meaningful whisper while holding my right hand.

I was ashamed of what he was doing. What if the islanders give malice to the things he says? I’m sure there’s no reason for everyone not to believe him. I wanted to retract what Reign said, but I just closed my mouth when I saw the islanders.

I was too late because they were already looking at me. The islanders were smiling and seemed pleased with what they heard from Reign. They already believe his words!

But for some unknown reason, I saw one of the islanders who seemed dissatisfied with what she heard. Even though I haven’t talked to her, I know her name. She was one of the island females who intensely stare at Reign yesterday. If I’m not mistaken, her name was Sharmon.

Reign and Garry talked a lot more, but my attention was not on them because I was staring so hard at Sharmon could not take her gaze away from me. There was a streak of anger and envy in her eyes. What’s the problem with this one?

Yesterday, she just stared and smiled at Reign. But why is she like this to me?

“Ruchee,” I looked at Reign.

“I’m sorry. What is it?” I was shocked by his sudden calling, but I managed to calm myself. This one is also surprising.

“You seem to be thinking deeply. What’s the matter?” Reign asked. When I stared at his eyes, there were traces of worried. I shrugged my head.

“Nothing. I’m just mesmerizing this island’s beautiful village,” I reasoned, but yes, this village is beautiful with an ancient type of housing, “What is it that you called my name?” I added.

I wanted to be surprised because I talked to him like this, but I didn’t feel embarrassed every time I thought of his name and who he was.

“I will be away for a couple of minutes. Maybe half an hour. Garry and I will talk about an important matter. Are you okay being here? Don’t worry; I’ll leave my men here for someone to watch you,” he said. I just nodded.

I no longer answered. I was surprised at what Reign did next. He kissed my forehead, causing me to stiffen in my stance. What is he thinking? We are in front of his island people!

His lips pressed to my forehead for a long time before parting, “Let’s go, Garry,” he usually said like there’s nothing happened. I was dumbfounded. Reign was unbelievable at any rate!

“Yes, sir, Reign. Who can go with Ma’am Ruchee while sir Reign and I will be away for a moment?” Why does Garry call me ma’am?

“Me, old Garry,” myself returned to normal because of someone’s answer. When I looked at the owner of the voice, she was also looking at me. She was smiling, but I felt she strained it.

“Okay, thank you, Sharmon. We will take our leave now,”

“I’ll be back,” I returned my gaze to Reign. I wanted to say that he doesn’t have an obligation to worry about me, but I just remained silent as both he and Garry disappeared from my eyes.

After Reign left, his two men remained behind me while I was suddenly surrounded by children islanders. Some of the older islanders returned to what they were doing earlier.

“Can we talk?” I was surprised and looked at the speaker. It was Sharmon. We don’t know each other for her to ask me if we can talk.

“For what?”

“I know you want to leave this island,” my left eyebrows rose.

“Where did that come from?” I sarcastically asked. I don’t know what she’s trying to convey.

“Even if you don’t say it, I know. I can help you. I’ll offer myself to help you out of this island,” she desperately said. I don’t know if Reign’s men hear what we’re talking. The children around me earlier had also left.

I let out a deep sigh and compose a very annoying smile on my face, “Sorry, but I’m not planning to get out of this island. Not anymore. Only Reign can help me get out of this place,” I said as I grinned widely.

I don’t know, but I felt a rival aura around Sharmon, and for what? I don’t understand why she’s like this, but she seems to want me to leave this island, in Reign’s life for good. Well, sorry to say. I wanted to go, but Reign didn’t want to.