Kilamin’s POV

Serene’s words took me by surprise and I blinked my eyes several times to let that sink in. I liked Mariela but as a friend. She had helped me heal and took care of me when I was injured. Besides she was extremely smart and intelligent, in a long long time I had never found someone like her, with whom I could converse with ease.

But I never thought of her romantically, nor did I want to have a romantic partner in my life. I couldn’t afford such distractions besides my life was unpredictable, and it could end at any instance, why would I want anyone to suffer on my behalf?

My ultimate goal was to keep my family safe, keep Serene safe. I couldn’t risk that by getting distracted by romance.

"Heya! Brother, you are still with me?" Serene clicked her fingers in front of my eyes, bringing me back to reality from my thought world.

"Yes, yes! I am and what makes you think we will be compatible with each other," I asked her with solemnity.

"You both are intelligent and broody, so a perfect match." She laughed at her own response as if she found our broodiness amusing.

"Right so that’s your reason for trying to turn us into a couple. And what makes you think Mariela likes me too?" I inquired while borrowing my eyebrows at her.

"Why don’t you ask her and find out?" She tilted her head at me, giving me a knowing smile.

"Serene, we are living through turbulent times. I can’t have such distractions right now, too much depends on my actions."

"Exactly, that’s why you need someone who can support you through these times. Someone with whom you can relax at the end of the day like I have Zeph." She added not giving up.

"I am not interested in romance, it’s not something I seek," I told her clearly.

"Do you like her or not?" Serene asked while scowling at me, not liking the answer I had given her.

"I like her as a friend,"

"Everyone starts as a friend and then finally relationships bloom into something beautiful. You have to go talk to her. Pleaseee, for my sake." She begged me with quivering lips and sad eyes. It was impossible to say no to her and she was taking advantage of that. My little sister was extremely persistent and I knew she won’t give up.

"Alright, I will talk to her. But I don’t promise anything. Such relationships can’t be forced, Serene." Her sad face instantly lit up with a bright smile and she moved forward to embrace me.

"Never said force yourself but at least try. I don’t want my only brother to have loveless life." She said lovingly while continuing to hug me. I never wanted to spoil her but I guess I was going to spoil her, by giving in to all of her requests.

"I will see what I can do," I reassured her. She let me go and took my hand while dragging me to get up and pushing me toward the door she said:

"Go now, talk to her." I stopped in my tracks, feeling nervous.

"Right now?" I asked her perplexed.

"Yes, right now. When else? You are here, it’s the perfect opportunity to talk to her." She kept pushing me to the door.

"What should I even say to her?"

"What you always say to her. Just talk about your mutual interests. Be yourself." I couldn’t believe my younger sister was giving me love advice, it made heat creep up in my ears, turning them red. She chuckled seeing me feeling nervous.

"Right," I mumbled.

"Want me to come with you?" She teased, nudging me with her shoulder, reveling in my misery.

"Absolutely not," I told her sternly and she pursed her lips to suppress a smile.

"I will see you soon then," I told her finally taking a deep breath, and she waved me goodbye and said:

"Good luck."

I made my way to her office so I could wait for her. Knocking on the door I didn’t expect her to be there for it was too early. She must still be sleeping. To my surprise, her authoritative voice sounded from inside:

"Come in," I turned the doorknob and peeked inside, letting her know it was me. Her face brightened as her eyes landed on me and she got up from her seat, to rush to the door. She opened it wide for me.

"Heya! What a surprise." She said while smiling.

"Heya! Yes, I was visiting Serene and thought I would drop by to say hello." I entered her study and stood awkwardly right beside the door.

"Come have a seat," she closed the door behind her and led me to her desk. We both settled down.

"How have you been? How are your beloved pets?" I inquired casually. She had undergone tremendous weight loss in the past few months. I wanted to ask her about it but didn’t want to pry.

"Oh, you know same old same old. Pets are growing, Serene and her team brought me two new ones yesterday. Observing and studying them now, providing them with the environment they are most used to." Her eyes always twinkled when she spoke about the creatures, they fascinated her and I always found her power to be captivating. Unique powers were my weakness and I was always seeking them out.

"Seems interesting," I smiled slightly.

"So you are here just to check up on Serene or something official?"

"Well, she called upon me in the middle of our night. Made me worried sick, so I came as quickly as possible, thinking something had transpired here, and guess what. She called me to report about her week so I could inform her father. I was relieved and angry at the same time." I confided in her half-truths half lies, not telling her why she had called me.

"I see, I think I am to be blamed as well for her calling on you like that." She lowered her gaze to break eye contact with me and then shifted her gaze back before continuing:

"I don’t like beating around the bush Kilamin. So I will be direct with you. I am not a romantic person, nor had it been my agenda to seek someone out in that way. But I like you more than in a way a friend should. I tried to repress these feelings because I understand beauty is not my forte. I failed and decided to at least tell you how I feel and see where it goes."

Her cheeks had turned crimson as she spoke these words but she maintained her confident posture. This threw me off guard, I had a feeling she liked me but not like this, and I never expected her to open up to me. My palms began to sweat and I had no clue what to say to her except the truth.

"Oh! I see. Mariela my life is not an easy one and I never wanted to drag someone else with me. To make promises which I won’t be able to fulfill, I don’t want to disappoint or leave someone hanging. My time gets consumed by my work and I believe I won’t be able to do justice to a girl if I bring her into my life. Exactly the reason I never sought out this path, I don’t consider myself to be fit enough for keeping someone happy." I replied with a sigh before continuing:

"And I didn’t like the way you said you are not beautiful. The beauty standards we set to judge others, I don’t agree with them."

"Kilamin neither is mine. My whole life revolves around my work and I am usually so immersed in it that I don’t realize when the day falls and night starts. I am not a complaining type nor do I hold too many expectations from people. If you can have it in your heart to accept me then we can move forward with this relationship and I promise I wouldn’t nag you for I understand your duties and loyalties."

Her words spoke her truth and I realized how practical she was, I couldn’t find a girl as practical and intelligent as she was. So I smiled at her and said:

"If you want that then I guess we can give it a try. But believe me, you will be highly disappointed by my simple unromantic nature and lifestyle. If you do, please let me know of it."

My words made her face blossom like a flower and I could sense the happiness she felt before saying: "I don’t think you can disappoint me, Kilamin. It’s you I desire not your wealth, I believe we are very much alike and will fit with each other well." This made me chuckle.

"As it pleases you. But don’t say I didn’t warn you."

"I won’t," She laughed with me.

Never had I found someone with whom I could just be myself and easily carry out a conversation. We even made each other laugh which usually didn’t happen with others. Well, I guess Serene was right to some extent. I did need someone to share my burdens with me and I could feel in my heart that Mariela will be a perfect choice.