The Warmth In Her Heart

Alicia now on the way to her own place. Although her brother asked her to stay for a week at their house but because of what happen this afternoon, she decided to head straight to her place. She turn off her phone in case her family called her. Family? Until this day she still feel awkward to call Ralph's family as her own. She didn't know what held her back but despite her being naughty sometimes, she was always scared one day she will be abandoned as well. She knows Ralph will be angry if he heard this stupid worry. But her past isn't something that she can easily forget.

"Uncle Kent, could i trouble you not to tell my parent where i am?" She asked as they reach her place. It was a studio apartment. And she doesn't even have a neighbour. She was thinking of renting the other place just so she could conquer the whole floor. But it would be better if she could buy the place. At least it's easier for her to renovate.

"Including your brother?" Uncle Kent who has been assigned to drive her around look at the little lady whose face looking pale. He offered to bring her to the hospital but since she's a doctor herself, she gave herself her own diagnosis making him unable to refute back. Now that she decided to live at her own place, as someone who knew of her story couldn't help but sighed heavily.

"He would know even if you don't tell. You can tell him if he ask. But if he doesn't ask, you can ignore it." She said before bidding him farewell. She enter the studio lifelessly. It still look empty as she doesn't really like having a lot of furniture. Just a small couch, a complete kitchen, and her bed behind the curtain of a big living room. She have two more rooms. But she still haven't decide what to do with the room aside from putting all her clothes. The big bed that she put on the same layout of the big living room are only hidden by a curtain. It's something that she wanted since she somehow detest having to sleep in a room. At least when she's feeling tired she could have just drag her body to the bed and have a nice sleep. Instead of heading to the room which is bothersome.

She was sitting on the floor, looking outside the big window and just watched the world pass by. She even took off her cardigan revealing the ugly scar on her back and her arm. The scars that never goes away after all these years. Meeting those two unpleasant people in the restaurant really brought back the ugly memories that she wished she never had. It was unknown to her when she started crying but she just did as her blurry eyes kept on watching the sky turn dark. She didn't know when she fall asleep as she lies on the floor in front of the big window.

Sometime during her sleep, she felt like someone is holding onto her and carrying her as the person put her on her own bed. She frowned when the comforting heat became too overbearing. But the person kept on caressing her head softly as she fall back to sleep. It all felt like a dream. A very warm hearted dream that she hope to see in reality.

Ralph rushed over to Alicia's studio apartment as soon as he heard the news. And as he walked into her apartment, his heart felt like someone stabbed him. The sight of her apartment is very much like her but it also said a lot about what's inside her heart. He walk in the door to look for her and as he turn the curtain, he finally saw his little sister.

"How is she?" He asked to the person who was holding onto his sister on the bed. To anyone it might gave them a heart attack but he's seen this scene one too many times. And the person who's holding onto her as he calms his sister back to sleep is none other than Tristan aka Lucifer. What he does receive is a gust of cold wind almost blew him out of the house. Feeling the person in his embrace shivering, he toned down his temper letting Ralph finally breathe in relief.

"You shouldn't have let her go there. Is this your way of protecting her? Then you're not doing a good job at all." the man's low voice rung through Ralph's ear. To others, Ralph could be seen as someone who's scarier than any of the Princes of Hell. But in front of Lucifer, he's trembles whenever Tristan spoke in that tone. No one wants to mess with Tristan when he's angry.

"I'm hopeless in this case. My parents are making her go to this blind date and even my wife is supporting my parent as well." Ralph explained but the atmosphere just got worser. He prefers blizzard rather than facing the burning fire that seem to get hotter and hotter.

"If she doesn't want it, don't make her. She is mine." Tristan growled out the words.

"She's my sister, Tristan. You know i never do her harm. It's just today is out of control. And i didn't expect they dare to humiliate her after all these years."

"You shouldn't have let them off in the past."

"Her grandfather beg me not to touch them. I agree as long as they won't bother Alicia. And Alicia wouldn't let me as well."

"If you can't protect her, then I'll be taking her away with me. This will be your last time." Tristan said firmly before getting up slowly from the bed. Alicia frown when her comfort pose was disturb and that warm feeling was gone. Tristan had to soothe her a couple of times as he place another pillow by her side to replace him. He kissed her forehead before heading out of her house like nothing ever happen. Ralph who's seen this scene a couple of times still feeling flustered. Until this day he never know Tristan's real feeling towards Alicia. He's been protecting her from the dark countless times. The only person who doesn't know is Alicia. He sighed when he got the call from Tristan about the incident that happen back at the restaurant. It broke his heart for letting her face the shameless people who cause her so much pain in the past.

"Ralph?" A groggy voice cut off his thoughts. He immediately sit beside her and rub her head lightly.

"How are you?" He asked caringly.

"Pain." She said.

"You don't have to go on the blind date anymore. I'll talk to mom." He said. She just shook her head. She doesn't want to let her parent or her sister in law knows.

"I don't want them to know. But i just hope i don't have to see them again." She said. Her tone sounded upset.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry." He brought her in his arms and gently rub her arm. Her scarred arm. The proof how her early days is a nightmare for her.

"You know, i thought i moved on. When i see them again, i thought i won't feel a thing. But it was a lie. I was scared Ralph. I'm scared i will be imprisoned and tortured again." She wanted to cry but unable to do so. She feel like ripping her own heart to force herself cry just so she won't feel suffocate any longer. In the end, she just beat her own chest and even scratch it until it bleeds. Ralph felt like cursing himself for a thousand times seeing her like that. He caught both of her hand from torturing herself and cry for her. She only looked at him blankly before falling back to sleep.

"You shouldn't have let them get away, Ralph." Tristan said after he saw Alicia finally calm down. Ralph who wasn't surprised he's still here couldn't agree more.

"I'll make them pay." Ralph said choking between his tears.

"No, this time i'll do it. You have a promise to keep." This time Tristan finally left the building.