A sombre moonlight welcomed me as I stepped off the stationary vehicle. The overwhelming thought of an unforeseen happenings put a weight to my feet. Yet, each glimpse Thalaa posed towards me forced a step nearing the entry.

Do this, I told myself. Do this for ma, and do this for Alfie.

With newly graced pace, I halted at the threshold, skimming my fingers on the morning glory twining at the side of the motel building. In case I needed Alfie, I hoped nature could guide him to me.

"Are you okay?"

Turning my head to Thalaa, I released the sleeping bud and tucked back my hair. "Yes, I was just looking at this. I mean, even though it's not blooming."

Despite making the flower as the centre of my attention, from the corner of my eyes, I saw Thalaa smiling. The moment our gazes entwined, he spun, resuming his stride into the gaping entryway without another word.

We climbed a flight of stairs and walked into a corridor. At the second room before the end of the hall, Thalaa stopped. Swiftly he ran a keycard on the sensor then pushed the door open. He stood by the door as I entered. When my shoulder grazed over his chest from the push of the hydraulic door closer, I almost jumped forward.

Once the door shut, the air around me turned dense on instant. Under addled, I reached up to my temple, feeling the forming sweat beads. Pressure was trying to get me, yet I refused to give in. Just two steps, two simple steps on most day I could do without force yet at the time felt like a thousand miles was all it took. I reached the window, flung it open and inhaled like never before. My eyes closed, collecting my happiness for bravery. The face of my Alfie appeared, drawing a smile to my lips.

"Are you claustrophobic?" Thalaa's voice reverberated from somewhere behind me.

Slowly, I swivelled around. As my eyes unfolded, Alfie's image left me, replaced with a sight of a worry looking Thalaa. "Yes, I am, " I lied.

"I never know that you do, " Thalaa mumbled, hasting to fold the other blinds and windows.

Along came my cessation of fret with the surrounding breeze. My functioning rationality gave baffle from Thalaa's choice of words. He was talking as if he'd known me more than what I expected him to. But my mission today was not getting acquainted with him; his chip was my goal. So I let the issue slide.

"You often visit Dutchess?" I opted for another subject.

"No, I'm just here--" He stopped fiddling with his coat and looked at me "--for something important."

My eyes trailed to the little couch on the corner, hoping for an invitation to sit, which he understood. "Please, just make yourself at home, " he said.

As I sat down, the draped coat he always had on him was loose, disclosing a white fabric underneath. I anticipated for it to finally came off, hoping for something with access to his shoulder. Alas, a long buttoned sleeve was revealed, stretching slightly from his muscled torso. What puzzled me more was his firm chest, and for a few second, I stared.

"You just rest, I'll see if I can make a porridge without burning the kitchen." He started to the kitchen while folding his sleeves.

As soon as the clutter began in the kitchen, I pulled out my phone. A message notification popped up from a contact named sexy girl; it was July.

Talk more. It's so quiet here.

Flustered by whatever she meant by it, I shoved my phone back into my purse. Nevertheless, I knew she was listening from the start so I couldn't be mad at her. I turned on the television, but my eyes glanced at Thalaa on every passing second. He was constantly looking at his phone and rubbing his chin. When he turned on the tap water, an idea waved into my mind.

I got up, meeting Thalaa at the kitchen. "Let me help you, I'm not that good at cooking, but porridge is my speciality, " I offered. A memory of the last time I made one flashed into my mind. A more reminder that this cause was important for Alfie. He deserved life as human.

On tentative, Thalaa kept insisting on doing everything after I started on it. We didn't spill a word beside the recipe, and I tried my best not to show my nervousness every time he came near me. Before long, the smell of our teamwork dish hovered in the air.

"I feel bad you ended up cooking. I would say I hope you love it, but since you cook it yourself, I'm sure it's delicious, " he started as we sat facing each other on the small table.

At Thalaa's kind compliment, I smiled. Several minutes passed with us awkwardly in silence, me wondering what was running in his mind, uncaring if he noticed me watching him. The sadness radiating from that two deep dark eyes yet again became an enigma, and I questioned myself for my actions; of using his feelings.

But I was deep in to turn back. July had promised he wouldn't be tied in any way too as my assurance. Moving my eyes to my bowl, I spooned a little and brought it to my mouth, later pretending to choke.

As expected, Thalaa hassled to get me water from the tap. I got up too in what should be a reasonable action. Once he swivelled, I purposely bumped to him. Liquid spilt on his shirt. Regardless, he ignored the incident and hurried me to drink.

"I'm sorry, " I uttered.

He shook his head, "No, no, it's okay. Go ahead and continue eating. I'll take care of this."

When he turned around, I bit my lips, contemplating my next move. The thought that he would put on another long sleeve was flushing my plan down the drain. I refused to use the last option; I refused to seduce and drug him. But it seemed fate wasn't siding with my way.

Tears were flooding my eyes as I paced back to my seat; the pressure was crumbling my repose. As I stared at the porridge, I heard footsteps coming. When I looked up, Thalaa was shirtless. Muscles trimmed his body, and nothing was binding his chest, just a mark left where what was suppose to be something similar to mine. If July hadn't told me he was a trans, I would never have guessed it.

"I didn't expect to stay the night actually, so I didn't bring any clothes with me. But... What's wrong? You are crying."

I was speechless, occupied by a mix of confusion and relief. Seeing Thalaa was another degree of truth behind Alfie's word; anybody could have murdered Amy and her mother. When Thalaa closed in our distance, I didn't move. I let him hugged me. At the opportunity, I put my hand where the ring July had given me on his shoulder. Like a windfall, my mission was accomplished.

He pulled back, then caressed my tear dampen cheeks, "You can trust me, I promised."

Sincerity mask his face, but I'd been trusting and betrayed by my friend in the past, how could I trust him? He was a mere stranger.

"I've been searching long for you, Charis. I know I've disappointed you in the past. But I would never betray you, " he whispered.

Shock rammed into me from the meaning behind Thalaa's word. Like a shot, I recoiled from his hold. The chair crashed to the tiled floor upon my abrupt rise.

"Who are you?" The question tumbled as I reversed.

To be continued...

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