Sea God's Bride

07. Family reunion

•••

"Since your grandma really loves Lemuria. This cake will help," he said confidently, lifting the birthday cake box in his hand.

I sigh. "Just don't get mad if grandma doesn't eat that. I told you she doesn't like cakes."

"She'll eat mine, don't worry, cause she loves me."

I roll my eyes nonchalantly. Can't believe he's actually this stubborn and too confident. Kinda annoying me but since he has the looks, the money, and the title, I won't protest.

Gasped, I glance at my right hand, where our fingers intertwined. "Rafayel?"

"Shh! That guy is checking on you. I don't like it. Let's keep it like this so he knows you're mine."

I chuckle. "What?"

Rafayel doesn't correcting his sentence. Otherwise, his face is full of determine returning that stranger gaze. Like he really means what he said.

To make that guy knows that I'm his.

Says nothing, I continue walking down the sunset next to him, with our fingers intertwining along the way.

As we arrived, I knocked the door. "Grandma! Bro-"

"PIP-SQUEAK!"

I jolted, taking few steps back to gain my balance after getting a hard bump.

"God, I miss you so much!" Pulling back, he squeezes my shoulders gently. "How you been? How's the college? You eat right on time?"

"Ekhem!" Rafayel clearing his throat loudly. Annoyance etched on his face. I forgot his existence for a while.

"YOU'VE GOT A BOYFRIEND?!"

"Caleb, relax!" I exclaimed. "Can't you let me answer your first question first before adding another?"

He laughs softly. Reach my head to give a gentle pat. "Sorry. Too excited. Come on in."

Caleb walks in. I sigh, shaking my head and smiling. He's always been like that. Too much energy. But before I can step ahead, Rafayel grab my wrist.

"You owe me an explanation," he said, pouting.

"Inside," I replied. Switching our hands position that now I am the one grabbing his wrist. Pulling him inside the house with me.

"Welcome home, pip-squeak!" Caleb's voice echoed the living room.

"Welcome home to you too... brother." I smiled. Discreetly noticed Rafayel's gaze to me. I walk to grandma who's sitting on her favorite single chair and hug her. "Happy birthday, grandma."

"Thank you, darling." Looking behind me, Grandma smiles warmly. "Welcome to our house, Mr. Mo."

Rafayel's expression softens. He returns the warm smile of my grandma. "Just Rafayel, grandma, and this is the cake and my present for you."

"You brought present too?" I asked immediately, I don't remember he mentioned anything about present.

He winks. "A present is a secret."

"Here, grandma, let me handle the cake." Caleb reaches the cake from grandma and look at me. "Help me to cut the pie, can't you?"

"Pie?" He tilts his head to the kitchen table. I walk there to take a look. "Is it..."

"Strawberry apple pie. Your favorite. Brother made that special for you." Hearing Caleb saying that, I feel warmth rooting in my heart. He slices the pie and put it on a plate and giving me a spoon in his hand with the pie on it. "Open your mouth. Aaa!"

I happily welcomed Caleb's meal. Tasting the deliciousness of his homemade pie with a big smile. "Always so good," I said sincerity.

Caleb laughs softly. He puts the spoon down and walks closer to me. Using a thumb to wipe tears that unconsciously trailing down my cheek. "You suppose to be screaming in ecstasy like you always did back then, pip-squeak, not crying like this."

"I don't know. It just happened. I'm sorry."

He smiles, patting my head. "No need to say sorry. I honestly wanna cry too but... not in front of your boyfriend who's staring jealously at us right now."

Turning my head, I see Rafayel sitting on the double couch. His hand holding a cup of tea and the plate, but his eyes narrowing at me with that lips pouting dislike.

"He's not my boyfriend, Caleb, nor my friend. I had interview assignment with him from my lecture. I was at his house for that."

"And why's he following you here?"

"Because Nana told me that Grandma loves Lemurian. I know every details of them." Rafayel interrupted. Walking to my side with hands crossing on his chest. "And since today is Grandma's birthday, I think I can bring something of Lemurian as a gift."

Rafayel looks over Grandma that still sitting on the couch. Looking in awe at blue bracelet on his right hand. "Do you like it, Grandma?"

Grandma nods. She's smiling. "This is the best present I've ever had. Thank you, Rafayel."

"My pleasure," he replied with a nod. Turning his gaze to me and Caleb. "I guess we should start the blowing candles session now. Can we? Because I have something to do right after this."

"You can go now if you're really in hurry," I retorted nonchalantly. Though, I didn't ask him to come here anyway. He did it by his own will.

"Hey, pip-squeak!" Caleb pinches my cheek lightly. "That's not how you talk to your boyfriend! Don't be like that." Caleb picks up the pie and brings it to the couch Grandma.

"Listen to your brother, pip-squeak."

Rafayel picks the plates, forks and spoons, joining Caleb and Grandma. I stare at him blankly before shaking my head and grab the drink, joining the others.

"Oh, great. I forgot my lighter." Caleb looking around.

"I got it."

Rafayel moves his hand and suddenly there's fire shows up. He gestures the fire to the candle, light them up. That time, I realized that he has fire evol. Just as I discreetly admiring his power, he turns his gaze to me, catching my awe expression. Pridefully smirk etched his face. Snorted, I look away, regretting myself for being lost for a second in his power.

Me and Caleb singing happy birthday for Grandma excitedly. Rafayel isn't really singing, he's mostly humming along with us. Grandma blows the candle, again and again, but it didn't work.

"Oh gosh, my bad." Rafayel moves his hand again, causing the fire gone before he places it with little ones. The firelight isn't as bright as before. "Go on, grandma."

Grandma hesitate a bit but she blows it anyway. This time, she managed. Making me realized that Rafayel's power is really that strong depends on his will.

I'm secretly starting to afraid of him.