Louise Rose

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So, how will I do this?

I looked at Hendrix, concentrating on his instructions and the details of how we met, but my mind was nowhere. It was flying in different dimensions, taking me back to when I was sixteen.

Changes are: Hendrix has grown mature, solid, dominant, and more snobby than ever.
I wonder if he could smile like how he used to when he was still intact?

"Are you listening, Louise?" he raises his brow.

"Oh, yeah." I swallow the sand in my throat.

I wasn't paying attention at all. His deep blue eyes are brighter this time than usual. I remember when I was a teenager, Hendrix's eyes turned greenish, and it was beautiful.

"Okay, then, we are good to go."

I blinked fast as he stood up, getting ready for us to go now. We will meet his sister, his half-sister, to be precise. I didn't know this until he told me the truth about it.

Hendrix is a Findlaech-Crinain, but not now because he is a Mondragon.

He left the door ajar on the car's passenger side and abruptly moved to the other side. He slid himself into the leather crimson car seat and started the ignition.

My heart is beating fast, and I feel nervous. I opened my bag purse to check for a candy mint, but I guess I had left it inside my room's drawer. I need something to chew to ease my nervousness. Suddenly, my hand feels the dragon-type toy.

Oh, the G-Dragon. I took it halfway and checked its head.

It's beautiful.  I smile before pushing it back right at the end.

I have done some research about it and found out that a big company actually sells them for a limited time. The linings and the dragon itself are gold. It was solid gold. I was shocked when Canor told me about it. He is a gold expert. He was a miner hunting for gold in Victoria Ballarat when he was young and knew a lot about them. He even knows the company that made this design, and he reckons that this one I'm holding belongs to a royalty.

My heart skips when I glance at Hendrix. It's been ten minutes, and we were just quiet.

"What does Elle like? Should we get something sweet for dessert?"

I know we are having lunch at Eleanor's, and I think it would be good to carry something sweet.

"Elle can bake much better than the ones in the shops," he answers without looking at me.

"I see. . ." I bring my head down, trying to calm my senses.

"What about drinks?" I looked at him again. I just need to get out and buy some candy mint.

"I've already had some," he says, moving his head to the back and back to the road.

"Oh," disappointment was written all over me.

"Do you have some mint? Or candy?" I courageously asked. Somehow, getting shy at him was no longer valid to me. There's nothing to be shy anymore. I'm purely transparent to him now.

"Check it in the glove box," his eyes pointed to the car's compartment in front of me. I opened it and saw the packet of tiktak.

"Can I have one? I mean, two?"

He nodded, and I quickly grabbed two from it. The moment the mint reached my tongue, I felt relief.

"You can have more if you like, or just put that inside your bag." His eyes quickly look to where my bag is... on my lap.

"Oh, okay." But before that, I opened it again and said... "Do you want one?" I showed him the tiktak in my hand.

"Yes, please. Thank you," he responded, and I smiled as I put it in his mouth.

My heart beat faster this time, and the warm feeling cuddled me comfortably. I'm beginning to calm down.

We arrived at an extravagant driveway. The security system was tight, as expected, once we entered the village. It seems like this village belongs only to the Findlaech-Crinain. I wouldn't be surprised if Hendrix's house is just a few kilometers away.

Covered in extravagant architectural designs, the house is not a house in my eyes but a mansion. Hendrix guided me as I ascended the stairs that led to the massive door. It swung open, and a stunning woman in her early thirties emerged.

"Hendrix! Brielle!" She says with open arms as she welcomes us. She hugged me and then beamed at Hendrix right next to me.

"I'm Eleanor Marie. It's finally nice to meet you." She extended her hand, and I reached out to accept it.

"The pleasure is mine, Elle. I'm Louise Rose Stewart."

"Yes. I know," she said, smiling at Hendrix. "Come on in." She spun around, and we followed her.

I gave Hendrix a friendly gaze, and he smirked slightly and waited for me at the door's entrance. I don't know if Eleanor knows our story, but I doubt it. Even though my mind was fidgeting before, I clearly heard him say that only we know our real score.

The light meal and fresh dessert made me feel more at ease. Eleanor is easy to be with, and laughter suddenly came naturally to me in every conversation. Most of the time, Hendrix was upstairs, playing with Elle's son, Axton. He was such a well-mannered boy when he introduced himself to me. I couldn't believe it. It totally blew me away that a seven-year-old could act like an adult.

"My husband treats my son as his sibling. He never once baby-talks Axton. That's why he is very mature at his age," she explains. "Unlike our second child, she's a princess," she giggles.

"I agree." I nodded and dipped my head down. Cute photos of Axton as a baby and Hendrix holding him warm my heart.

"Hendrix is very close to Axton. He sees himself at him as a child. My husband frequently travels to Greece for business, and there are days when Axton spends most of his time at Hendrix." Her face lit up. "Hendrix never once introduced me to all his exes. You're the first one," she grins. "I know he is grumpy at times with an unreadable mind, but he has a good heart."

I bite my inside cheek, and my heart beats much faster this time.

Partly, I knew that Hendrix was a gentleman with a big heart. His heart always belongs to the poor and to the people who need justice. Whenever there was a call for a missionary or duty, he would willingly volunteer without hesitation. Even now, though he has become cranky and snobby, there's still hope in him.

"What is your opinion of him? What is it about him that you like the most?"

"Oh, uhm..."

Think, Louise. I have to delve into the depths of my memory to recall what I truly admire about him. I need to envision the young Louise, who was deeply in love with him. 

A smile spreads across my face.

"Hendrix is Hendrix. It's difficult to explain, but I love everything about him, including his flaws." I grin and slightly shake my head.

What a whole package, huh? I'm imagining his abs and everything.

"Oh, that's definitely love. I'm so happy he found the right one!" She hugged me tightly, and I swallowed harder. My heart just beats faster. I wasn't lying. I was being honest about that.

After a few more hours, we bid our goodbyes. Axton seemed to have more energy than ever, and Hendrix seemed worn out.

"Damn, I forgot something." He placed his hand in his pocket and patted his back pockets as well. It seems like he is missing something.

"Hang on for a minute, Louise. Here's the car key. Wait for me inside. I won't be long!" He turns quickly and heads back inside.

My mouth parted, and my hand was still in shock as I held the key. "Okay," I said, looking at my hand. 

For a moment, my eyes widened after seeing a familiar keychain. . . his G-Dragon.

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c.m. louden

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