(Author’s POV)

"Hahahhahah~ ... seriously~ ... you seriously did that? I can’t even imagine, hahahha" Myra laughed without restraint, holding her belly, listening to Fabian’s words. "~ ’The Prof. Stephens.’ Synonyms for prim, proper, and disciplined: was such an unruly kid. Nahh~ nopes~ .... I can’t believe it. You are making this all up. It is too much out of character."

"It is real," he said, rubbing the back of his neck, feeling abashed. "I may not look like it, but~ .... I was a bit of a troublemaker. After all, I was the only one who had a football, so they all worshipped me like some mighty god. It’s embarrassing to admit all this in front of you, but I was just four years old, so I enjoyed the attention. Which four-year-old would not? My gang~ .... *ahem ahem* I mean, my friends followed me everywhere at that time, like my tail. We were famous as the defence unit of our neighbourhood."

"How cute, a defence unit full of cutesy toddlers. The four year old Fabian must have looked really adorable, hehe," Myra mumbled, still laughing. "Leading his teeny tiny pack of soldiers to defend the neighbourhood."

"Defend the neighbourhood ~ ...." The word hit him like a sledgehammer; his eyes unconsciously welled up a bit, reddening. The memory of his gruesome past resurfaced in that instant. The gang~ .... His close friends, whom he had vowed to protect and lead, died painfully, were killed without a shred of mercy. And he, like a fucking coward, a dastard, was hiding to save his own life. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

The people he cherished, not just his mom and dad. But his friends, their parents who had fed him, the gardener, the house help, they were burnt alive, their limbs torn apart brutally. Their ear splitting, desperate screams, their cries, which he ignored to survive, haunted him to this very day. He would see them in his dreams from time to time, cussing at him, shouting for help, asking why he did that, why he didn’t save them. Why he was the one who got to live and not them, or their children? That he was a monster. That, because of his own selfishness, everyone perished.

"I wish I could meet the little Fabian," Myra said, smiling, imagining the young brigade of toddlers following Fabian. Then she realised he hadn’t said a word for a while. She looked at him and called out, "Fab~ian~ .... Fabian, you okay?" Her hand resting on his shoulder, seeing the sentimental look on his face, she asked concernedly.

Fabian’s eyes flickered. He tilted his head to the other side, quickly wiped away the lingering tears and released a long breath to compose himself, ’Let’s not think about the past. Today is supposed to be a happy day, Fabian.’ He channelized this thought in his head.

"I am fine~ ...." He said, forcing a smile. He then looked at the time and added, his voice came out a bit too loud, "Ohhh~ ... look at this. It’s almost lunch time, and here I am, boring you with my childhood stories. Silly me~ .... You must be hungry." He got up at once and then extended his hand for Myra to take.

Putting her hand in his without hesitation, she tried to get up, but after sitting for a long while, her legs had gone numb. As a result, she lost her balance and yelped.

Fabian’s reaction was fast. He swiftly pulled her towards his body, locking her in a tight embrace. "Careful, Myra," he said, his voice coming out a bit strained. Her bosoms were firmly pressed against his lower chest, their bodies pressed together, making him almost lose control. He gulped hard, trying to subdue the desire burning inside him.

Myra, who was nearly glued to Fabian’s torso, could hear the erratic heartbeat, but she couldn’t tell if it was her own heart or his. After a brief moment, she awkwardly pulled away, creating some distance, mumbling, "Sorry, my legs~ ... they lost sensation." Her face was beetroot as she avoided Fabian’s gaze.

Fabian mistook her embarrassment for shyness. A knowing smile appeared on his lips, though he concealed it quickly. He then took her hand again and said, "Come~ ... our lunch is waiting, as well as my confession." The last bit of words, he spoke them too softly, so she didn’t catch them.

"Huhhh? Already?" Myra was puzzled. Fabian was with her all this time, and she hadn’t seen a single soul nearby. So, how?

Fabian caught the look and said, "I already arranged for it in advance." He then took her back to the living room, "Wait a minute. I’ll just be back." Saying this, he strode towards the bedroom.

Myra did what she was told, and not even a minute passed before Fabian was back, "I have prepared another surprise for you. So, can I~ ...." He asked for permission to put the blindfold on her.

Myra hesitated, asking, "What surprise?"

"If I tell you, it won’t be one," he replied.

Seeing the look on his face, she agreed, though she didn’t want to. Fabian happily covered her eyes as she clenched the hem of her dress. After that incident, anything binding her senses would make her feel uneasy.

Fabian grasped her hand, taking this chance to intertwine their fingers. He explained, "So~ ... you don’t stumble and fall. Safety first, right? Don’t worry, I will lead the way."

Myra nodded as they both started walking.

Fabian took her out of the resort house and turned right. Myra couldn’t tell where they were going, but after a short distance, the hard flooring changed into something cushy. She could feel the sand beneath her footwear. They were heading towards the beach.

Fabian kept looking at her, grinning from ear to ear. He was nervous, yet his heart was brimming with anticipation.

"Where are you taking me, Fabian? Is it too far?" Myra inquired.

"Just a minute away," he replied, guiding her carefully. Just around the corner, behind the partition by a massive rock, he had ordered his professional team to prepare the beach area for a grand setup.

With each step, his excitement bubbled up. The stage was set. The person to confess was here. There were no hindrances, no disturbance. This time, she wasn’t going to make a single mistake.

They were just a few meters away from the partition when, all of a sudden, someone called out Myra’s name, "MYRA~ ..."

Fabian and Myra halted their steps as she quickly took the blindfold off and turned to the source of the voice. When they saw who it was, a collective gasp escaped their mouths as Fabian said, "Impossible~ ..."

To Be Continued . . . . . . . .