Capítulo 22: Chapter 22 (Story)
Another evening went by at the NICU. Kreo was happy that he and Azazel were getting along again and finally seeing their children together. But something still lingered in his mind: where did Azazel go for the past week?
As they were driving back, Kreo couldn't contain his curiosity and asked, "Azazel, where did you go when you went missing?"
Azazel seemed a bit surprised and was silent for a while. Kreo thought he had made him uncomfortable, so he didn't say anything else. Then Azazel broke the silence.
"How about we go there?" Azazel suggested. "It's a bit far, though."
"How far?" Kreo asked, glancing at the clock. It was almost 9 p.m.
"Thirty minutes."
Kreo thought for a moment and then agreed. Azazel took out his phone and used GPS to guide them. As they drove, the city lights gradually gave way to darkness.
They turned onto a narrow path leading into the woods. Kreo felt a bit uneasy but continued following Azazel's directions. After a while, Azazel signalled Kreo to stop.
It was dark, with only the crescent moon providing some light. Kreo and Azazel stepped out of the car and walked toward a giant wooden gate, which Azazel pushed open. They walked a few more steps on stones and grass before stopping. Azazel slid open a door, took off his shoes, and went inside.
He turned on the lights, revealing a modern Chinese house lit with warm yellow light. The walls were decorated with scenic paintings, and a huge stainless steel folding screen divided the rooms.
"This is where I stayed for the entire week," Azazel said, looking around with Kreo. "My old home before moving to my apartment."
"This place is beautiful," Kreo said, genuinely impressed. "Why did you move?"
Azazel's face changed, and he walked away without answering.
Kreo followed, but decided not to press the issue further for now. Instead, he took in the serene beauty of the house. The layout was spacious, with a central courtyard that featured a single, elegant tree.
Azazel showed Kreo to a room. "There are beds here," Azazel reassured him. "We can stay the night if it's too late to drive back."
Kreo nodded, feeling a mixture of curiosity and concern. "Thank you, sweetheart. This place… it feels special."
Azazel smiled faintly. "It is. It holds a lot of memories."
The two of them settled in for the night, the air filled with unspoken words. They lay side by side, but Azazel faced away from Kreo.
"Hey…" Azazel spoke softly. "Do you remember when I frowned when you said I was never a threat or a killer to anyone?"
"Why?" Kreo asked gently.
Azazel let out a sigh, then turned to face Kreo.
"My family and I once lived here…" Azazel began, his voice trembling slightly. He told Kreo the story of the accident that had changed his life forever. He spoke of the horror scene he saw of his family, the murder, and the overwhelming guilt and grief that had driven him into the shadows.
Kreo was silent through the whole thing, listening carefully to every word Azazel said. He could see the pain in Azazel's eyes, the deep scars left by the past.
When Azazel finished, tears were streaming down his face. Kreo reached out and gently wiped them away.
"This isn't the last anymore," Kreo said softly. "I'll be here to protect you."
Azazel nodded, his heart feeling a bit lighter. He had carried this burden for so long, but now, it was all going to be all gone one by one with Kreo by his side.
Kreo pulled Azazel into a comforting embrace, holding him close. "Thank you for trusting me with your story," Kreo whispered. "You're stronger than you know."
Azazel clung to Kreo, feeling warmth and real safety he hadn't felt in years. For the first time in a long time, he allowed himself to believe that things could get actually better, and that he could find peace and happiness he longed for again.
As they held each other, the night seemed a little less dark, and the air started to be light and breezy again.
—
The next morning, when Kreo woke up, Azazel was already gone. He walked out of the room, the sun just rising. The sky was beautiful, and the architecture of the house made it even better.
He wandered around, calling out Azazel's name. Azazel answered back from another part of the house that he hadn't shown Kreo yet.
"Where are you?" Kreo shouted back.
"Turn around, you dummy," Azazel popped up behind him and pulled him toward a pond.
"You have a pond too?" Kreo asked, surprised.
Azazel nodded. The pond was filled with lotuses, lily pads, and koi fish.
"Was your family secretly rich or something?" Kreo joked.
"No, you people call it rich while my family calls it nature," Azazel replied. "We don't destroy nature, we build around it."
Kreo smiled at Azazel when their eyes met after looking down at the pond. It reminded him of the day he picked Azazel up for the gala. He gave Azazel a small kiss before walking back into the house towards the kitchen.
Azazel stood there, frozen and flushed from the kiss. He slowly caught up with Kreo, and they ate breakfast together. They decided to spend the day there, using it as a small vacation from city life.
The serenity of the house and its surroundings offered them a much-needed break. They explored the grounds, shared stories, and enjoyed each other's company. Azazel showed Kreo more of the property, revealing hidden nooks and serene spots that spoke of his family's deep connection to nature.
As the day went on, they found themselves more relaxed and in tune with each other. In the afternoon, they sat by the pond, watching the koi fish swim lazily beneath the water's surface.
"This place is incredible," Kreo said, leaning back on his hands. "I can see why you came here."
"It's my sanctuary," Azazel replied softly. "Whenever things got too overwhelming, I'd come here to find peace."
Kreo reached out and took Azazel's hand. "I'm glad you shared it with me," he said. "I feel closer to you now."
Azazel squeezed Kreo's hand, feeling a warmth spread through him. "I'm glad you're here with me," he said.
As evening approached, they sat under the stars, the quiet of the night enveloping them. It was a stark contrast to their hectic lives in the city, a perfect escape where they could reconnect and heal.
"Thank you for bringing me here," Kreo said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Thank you for staying," Azazel replied, leaning his head on Kreo's shoulder.
In that moment, everything felt right. They had each other, and that was all they needed.
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