章 4: She Who is Constantly in His Mind

Duncan McLaren had finally met her.

The woman who had been plaguing his dreams for the past several years. The woman who would linger in his thoughts even though he had never seen her. The woman who had called to his lonely soul.

Julie Madrigal was stunning.

Her small but curvy frame fit his like they were puzzle pieces. Her long black hair fell like a curtain of silk behind her. Her round plump face looked perfect together with her whiskey-colored eyes that shone with intelligence and weariness.

Her body was like a work of art that he wanted to explore. From the curve of her neck till the arch of her feet.

She was perfect.

Duncan could feel that she had also been studying him. He could only hope that she too, liked what she saw.

For now, though, he could take what he could get.

He held out his hand and shook hands with her. "Soft," he whispered.

"Heh?" the latter replied.

"Your hand, they are soft compared to mine," he said running his thumb across her knuckles.

Duncan felt her shiver from his touch. He smiled inwardly, the attraction it seemed, was not one-sided as he have thought. Should he take it as a sign? Not likely.

"MOMMY!!!" Nicole called her mother.

Duncan looked at the little girl. They looked almost alike. It was no wonder that he instantly fell in love with the little pixie. Ever since meeting these two kids, he felt protective over them.

Meeting their mother, he finally understood his fierce emotions towards them.

"Mommy, Mr. Duncan has a castle! He told me and Kuya that we can go there if you said so," the little girl said.

"Can we mommy?" asked Claude.

Duncan looked at the lad. At a young age, he could see that he was a cautious one. The way he smiled and reacted to everything around him was merely a mask to show the world he was okay.

His heartache to hold this boy. Whatever happened to this little family, he vowed that he would do anything to make them feel safe and happy.

Duncan looked at Julie once more. Their hands were still clasped together. He was not about to let her go. Her touch ground him somehow. He could not pinpoint the reason, but he will not question what the gods have given him.

"A castle huh?" she replied. "Hmm maybe..."

"MOMMY!"

"Julie!"

Duncan could only support their mother as she lost her balance once more and slumped against him. It was a good thing that he was near her or she might have fallen to the ground.

Renzie and Jana rushed to help him but he waved them off. Instead, he told them to take a break because of the scare the man gave them.

He could hear Jane giving orders in the background. He looked at Claude and Nicole. They were worried. He smiled at them and said, " Your mother is just tired. Could you tell me where you live so we can put her to bed?"

The two of them nodded and waited for him to carry their mother in his arms.

She felt light as a feather, and the way her head fit into the grove of his arms was like a balm in his soul.

And when Duncan kissed her forehead, it was the most natural thing in the world for him to do.

Suddenly his world began to brighten. In five minutes, all the missing pieces of his soul have been returned to him. Making him whole again.

Then again...

Fate had never been this giving to him. Not with his track record.

He looked at the two beings who were talking as they went to their dwelling. Duncan's heart filled with happiness when they looked back at him and smiled.

[I swear by the gods, I will do everything to make sure they are happy,] he vowed for the nth time.

He smiled when they had reached their house.

It was the old coach house on the property. His aunt took his suggestion and made the unused part of the hotel into a livable place.

It still has the same orange structure, but it has two french windows. The door was also upgraded.

Claude opened the door and what greeted him was a room full of clutter and the homey feel of a well-loved house.

The kids' toys were scattered.

Several plushies were lying on the floor complete with pillows and blankets. It looked like they were taking a nap. On another side, several Lego buildings were in the process of being built.

The sofa was also occupied by the art material and pillows.

"Mr. Duncan, here," called Claude.

He chucked when he saw Julie's room. The room itself was a reflection of its owner.

The huge queen-size bed was covered by a dark-themed moon and stars design. Several pillows were leaning against the headboard.

A huge light grey crochet mat was at the foot of the bed. The design looked intricate but it made the room have that elegant look about it.

Duncan shook his head when he let his gaze roam the room. He wanted to examine how the woman in his arms tick. But now was not the right time.

He gently laid her on the cover and swept her hair off her face. On impulse, he softly kissed her lips.

He could feel her kids looking at him, The curiosity must be getting into them, but they remained silent.

When he was sure that she was comfortable, Duncan looked at the kids who first had his hearts in their tiny hands. He stood up and held out his hands for them to take.

Nikky had an uncertain look on her face, while Claude had a mixture of fear in his. That made Duncan lower his hand, but midway, the two ran and pulled him out of the room.

His heart soared.

These two tiny beings that he had only talked to five times since meeting them had placed their trust in him.

They might not know it, but that simple act was a catalyst for something big.

With one last look at Julie, Duncan whispered a prayer of protection, before partially closing the door.

When the three reached the living room, he hunched in front of the two and said, "Your mum is okay. Don't worry, something happened at The Belle, but no one was hurt."

Duncan saw relief in Claude's eyes, while Nicole threw her arms around him. He drew the little girl in his embrace. She was shaking, so he picked her up and made his way to the single sofa in the room.

When both were settled, he titled her face only to see tears running down her face. He gently wiped her tears, "Och, Nikky, why are you crying?"

"I thought mommy was sick. I..." she was not able to finish her words because she had started to cry. It was not a wail, or the loud cry a child of her age does, not, she tucked her head underneath his chin a snob.

All Duncan could do was close his eyes and wait for her tears to die. Claude must have gone to the kitchen to get something to drink because something cold touched his cheeks.

The young boy was holding a can of orange juice and a small carton of chocolate milk. There were traces of tears on his face, but unlike his sister, he was too afraid to show weakness to some like him.

Duncan could wait. He had waited for them to cross paths. He could wait a little more to get them to trust him.

After all, he has all the time in the world...