Gold Heart, Warm Soul

26| Cloud Palace Library

Ambar's POV:

As I walked through rows and rows of bookshelves high up to the ceiling painted with swirls of gold, I feel like I'm in my element. If Ethan had access to the library, he would've have followed me here to the library. He's following me everywhere now, like a little puppy. He fetches me home from university, takes me out on the weekends and tries to be with me every chance he's got. Once I broke the news of the curse, he's been desperately finding ways to help me. Now he sent me list of books that I have to find in the library. It's been almost a month since his confession, and I have not replied him. I do like the guy, but I don't want to jump into a relationship when I have so many problems in my life. It would be selfish. If I were gone from this world, it's going to be painful for Ethan because I can tell that he truly loves and care for me. He's like an open book. His eyes show his thoughts and emotions.

I stopped and sighed. I pull out the list of the books I have to get about the curse. As I browse through slowly, something caught my eye. It was reflecting light from the large windows at the end of the library. I pulled out the gold covered book from the shelf gently, and flipped it through. They were no words written in the book. Just pictures and drawings from the ancient times. A particular page caught my eye. It shows a jade broken into pieces. The next page shows a fallen girl. And the next, shows a heavenly being coming down from the sky. The pages went on, where some shows incidents that happen recently. I was shocked with silence. This is a prophecy book! With shaking hands, I took out my phone from my back pocket, and failed the first number I could think of. Ethan. The phone rang for five times before I could hear Ethan's bubbly voice. "Hey, Ambar! How was the trip to the library?" "...I- I think...," I said incoherently unsure how to phrase what I had just stumbled upon. "Love, are you okay?" Ethan gently asked trying to calm me down. "Erm, I think I found the prophecy book for my curse," I whispered feeling scared and shocked. I didn't know Ethan picked up my words but I could hear chairs scraping the marble floor in the background. "A prophecy book?" "Yes... it shows all the incidents that occurred in the past and some drawings of the... near future I believe," I responded on auto pilot as my mind was going around in circles. "Alright. Okay. Go get the book and the other books from the list. I'll create a meeting with the Lee and Zhang Family to decipher what is going on," Ethan stated. "No, don't gather the family, please," I pleaded desperately. "Ambar, you have to. This isn't something we can solve alone." "N-no, please Ethan," I mumbled. "Alright, I'll just ask Titus to meet us, alright? And you have to ask for Kace too. We have to at least tell someone. If there is a prophecy book, then the situation is very serious right now," Ethan insisted trying to get me to understand his point of view. "... Okay, that works. Should I tell Felicia? I did visit her library, so she should at least know?" I suggested warming  up to the idea and in need of a close friend to help me out. "That's a good idea. She might know more about the curse. Of course, if you're fine with her knowing." "Yeah." I ended the call feeling my body slide down to the ground. Ethan promised to fetch me home from the library. I'll have to wait for half an hour before he arrives.

I have to get myself together. I could do this. This isn't something that should phase me. I've already faced death once, why should the hope of living shake me off my calm? I clutch the book tightly towards me. I decide to listen to Ethan and called Kace. I repeated my conversation with Ethan to Kace. Kace was a tad bit annoyed why I can't tell him the news first. I apologised feeling a little embarrassed. I should've have gone to my brother for helped beforehand, but I couldn't think straight and the first person that came to my mind was Ethan. I felt sheepish. We decided to meet at the Lee family's house to continue the discussion. I got up from the floor, and dust myself off. I took a big breath and continued my hunt for other books. Once I checked out all my books, an assistant helped me carry all the books to Ethan's car that was already parked outside waiting for me. He was leaning on his car, dressed in a navy suit. Ethan must have immediately got off work to come find me. I sighed at myself. In my head, I beat myself up. I shouldn't have troubled Ethan. He must have been busy and now I troubled him with my problems. Once we finished storing the books, I thanked the assistant and settled into the car comfortably. Ethan took a hold of my hand and said to me, "I know what you're thinking, love. You're not wasting my time at all. I'll do anything for you, alright." He gently placed his lips on the back of my hand and for a moment I was mesmerised by his actions and words. Once Ethan realised I didn't say a word because I was shell-shocked, he had a cheeky smile on his face. "Take a picture, love. It'll last longer," he amusedly spoke up which brought me out of my trance. My cheeks started reddening involuntary and Ethan let out a laugh. I huffed in annoyance. "It's not funny, Ethan," I stated trying to stay serious which was very hard. Ethan started up the car and drove towards our destination. "I know, love," he vocalised to appeased me.