Even before sunrise, Seraphina was determined to storm out of Colchester, eager to head back to Bath in peace.

Lying beside Zachary, her emerald eyes blazing right through his sleeping form, his chapped mouth closed, his thick lashes touching his cheek, Seraphina let out a soft sigh.

What transpired yesterday was beyond what she can handle. She can't believe she just witnessed a murder.

What made things worse was, however, Zachary is the one responsible for it. Truth be told, Seraphina knows the man beside her is no ordinary. No ordinary man would prefer locking himself up in his chamber than riding horses. No ordinary man would prefer brutally killing helpless creatures than actually hunting prey like the gentlemen nowadays.

Seraphina already accepted that side of him, heck, she is used to it but still, murdering a man?

However, if you think of it. Zachary only kills Mr. Erickson to rescue her but then again, in the very first place, she wouldn't meet Mr. Erickson if it wasn't for him.

Letting out another sigh, her fingers gazing across Zachary's bushy brows, Seraphina accepted the fact that she is staying in a random inn in a middle of nowhere with a murderer.

Nevertheless, this man we're discussing is not just a murderer. He saved her. He is Zachary Canning, the man whom she began to have a soft spot for. The man...

Shutting her eyes for a brief moment, Seraphina schooled herself to calm down. Everything will be fine. Zachary is here. Nothing will definitely happen, right?

Later that morning, at the sound of the door closing behind her, Seraphina swiftly finished bathing, knowing that Zachary had returned from purchasing a meal for the two of them.

Zachary, dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, sat on one bed, his legs crossed, his eyes following every movement of Seraphina.

Seraphina, drying her hair with the towel the inn provided, stared back at Zachary. She knew she needed to know what really occurred yesterday. She must not let it slide. What has Zachary gotten himself to?

"Who is that man?" questioned Seraphina, her arms crossed, leaning back to the wooden door, wearing a fresh set of clothes, her brow raising.

Aware that there is no need to specify who she is talking about since she is a hundred sure he is aware of it. Zachary's no dumb. Troubled? Definitely.

"Nothing to concern with," was Zachary's only response, his mouth fixed in a straight line.

Seraphina let her emerald eyes travel around the man before her. His hair was unruly, it was as if it was run over his hand for a thousand times throughout the morning. The bags under his eyes are evident. His lips cracked. His clothes are wrinkled.

"I almost got killed yesterday because of the man I have nothing to concern myself with, Mr. Canning," roared Seraphina, pulling her hair momentarily due to frustration.

It stunned her when suddenly, Zachary rose from his seat, grabbing her delicate hand, dragging her over the bed, the two of them sitting side-by-side.

Zachary held her hand, rubbed his thumb over her palm, messaging it, somehow distracting Seraphina, gaped at her straight in the eyes, uttering, "You have to trust me in this one. The less you know, the better,"

Letting out a soft sigh, "you should at least tell me about him, please,"

Silence enveloped them for a moment. Zachary staring down at her, debating whether he should spill something, Seraphina waiting anxiously, still feeling Zachary's warm yet calloused thumb on her palm.

"He has been my client for years and the truth is, I knew something like yesterday will happen,"

"I almost got myself killed yesterday, Zachary," stated Seraphina, leaning her cheek against his palm when he held her face.

"And I am sorry for that, love. I swear that wouldn't happen again," replied Zachary, brushing his thumbs across her tinted cheek.

"He told me it was all about revenge. That you left them. Tell me, Zach, did you join a cult? Is that what all this about? Are you killing animals or God knows what?" Seraphina's questioning emerald eyes dared not to leave his ocean eyes.

He stared back at her, his mouth closed. After a few moments, he broke eye contact, still not spilling anything, he arranged the meal he bought downstairs as if they were not in the middle of a discussion that might kill them both.

The entire time Zachary was preparing their food, still avoiding her gaze, Seraphina let out a soft sigh for she knew she really can't force him.

God knows how much Seraphina desires to ascertain more regarding the topic. Pray that whatever Zachary is doing will not end up in danger.

In the midst of their silent meal, Seraphina decided to break the ice. "We should go back to Bath right away,"

Zachary dared not to look up from his meal, shaking his head in disagreement, "It's still not safe, Sep. Just like Erickson, they already know you reside there,".

Schooling herself not to show further surprise, she questioned him, "What do you mean they, Zach? There are others who are eager to murder me?"

Letting out a sigh hard did not elaborate his statement, leaving Seraphina stunned.

"You'll be safe back in Avebury, dear."

"I know you know how I still can't go back to Avebury, Zach. This is my last year in school, Zach, please,"

Frustrated, Seraphina let her spender's fingers pull her hair a bit. Zachary held both her hands, stopping her, enclosing her palm across hers.

"Goddamit, Sep." roared Zachary, shutting his eyes for a second.

Seraphina gasped. With that, Zachary's eyes flew open-book, I mean it, that boarding school is no longer safe,"

Shaking her head, Seraphina uttered the words, "I promise nothing bad will happen, Zach, really, please,"

Sighing, "How about this, I'll let you stay in Bath as long as I'll visit you every night," suggested Zachary, his brow raising.

"in one condition, Zach. Never will you enter my chamber intoxicated or in drugs,"

Zachary was momentarily silent, his feature flashed guilt for a second. Perhaps he was remembering what transpired back then.

All he could reply is a mere nod, satisfied, urging her to give him a smile. Still, he doesn't mirror her expression.

Attempting to erase that sudden mood of his, Seraphina lifted her slender hands, using her fingers, she touched the ends of his lips, lifting it into a form of a huge smile.

Seraphina chuckled at that sight which earned her a chuckle from Zachary as well.

Who are we kidding? Coming in and out with or without permission is what Zachary always does.

Shrugging, Seraphina nodded, "If that makes you sleep at night then fine,"

"Fine," responded Zachary, smiling.

Rolling her eyes heavenwards, Seraphina replied, "Fine."

"Fine," added Zachary, mimicking my voice.

Eyes widening, jaw-dropping for a second, "no way do I sound like that," grunted Seraphina.

However, Zachary did not reply to her. I stead, he smirked at her which frustrated her more.

Seraphina was about to argue more when Zachary proceeded to finish his meal though Seraphina could still feel his lingering stares and his sideways smiles.

After their meal, the two of them just talk about everything under the sun, Zachary's head on her lap, her fingers brushing his hair, both of them occasionally bursting into laughter.

Seraphina cannot believe a day like this would happen. No way did she imagine Zachary like this, the two of them alone in an inn, laughing and sincerely talking.

Later that day, Seraphina prepared their suitcases including Zachary's since they'll be leaving later tonight to Bath after supper.

Zachary insisted they'll consume their supper downstairs, saying there's not much guest so they could still dine in peace.

Seraphina's hand snaked around Zachary's arm, the two of them headed upstairs back to their room minutes after supper, a loud gunshot was heard.

Seraphina was glued in her spot. Fortunately, Zachary did not since he automatically bolted inside their chamber, dragging Seraphina with her, his arm protectively encircled around her waist.

It was as if Zachary is already ready in cases such as this.

Her heart beating so loud, Seraphina began walking back and forth around the room, her eyes wide.

Zachary's back against the door, his eyes following her. His face is unreadable.

Then, they heard it again. The gunshot. Followed by another gunshot and again and again and again. All mixed with hollers downstairs.

"Dear God, please let them be okay," whispered Seraphina, biting her thumb, still walking across the room.

However, despite the continuous gunshots, it doesn't seem to be coming near them.

Seraphina jumped from her spot when she felt a hand on her shoulder blade, "Sep, clam down," murmured Zachary in her ears.

Looking up at him, her brows meeting, "Calm down? God, Zach. There might be people dying down there and any minute now, that psycho will come barging into our room. Tell me, is this related to you again because I swear, Zach,"

Zachary stood still for a second, only staring back at her, his eyes unreadable, "Nothing will happen, Sep. They're just sending a message,"

Seraphina forced herself not to scream in distress, "What do you mean they're sending a message? What message and why?"

As usual, Zachary did not answer her question. Instead, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders, caressing it.

On the verge of opening her mouth, Zachary silenced her by brushing his thumb over her lips, "Rest, my love, we'll just leave in sunrise,"

Still, Seraphina's anxiety still hasn't ceased. "How could I sleep knowing someone might be dying downstairs and that someone might come in?"

Hands across her cheek, Zachary was about to respond when Seraphina raced him off, saying, "I don't want to die, Zach."

Tears began flowing down her cheek, Zachary then rubbed her back, "I really don't want to die, Zach. I still want to live in the country peacefully, get married, and have three children,"

Looking up at him, Seraphina cannot believe she could see amusement in his face. How could he find this funny?

With that, her tears hardened. "Please don't tell Aunt Veronica about it,"

Brow raising, Zachary questioned her, "and why is that, sugar?"

Ignoring his endearment and his gentle hand across her back, Seraphina answered him, "Because I don't think she'll approve of me purchasing farmland with my dowry and worse, actually wanting to have a simple farmer as my husband,"

Zachary couldn't take it anymore, he let out a soft chuckle, annoying and shocking Seraphina at the same time.

"There's nothing funny about it. I really don't want to die yet,"

Shaking his head, his hand traveling back on her shoulder, the other brushing through her soft untied hair, Zachary smiled at her, saying, "I wouldn't mind being a farmer,"

Cheeks turning into the color of a tomato, Seraphina momentarily avoided his piercing gaze which earned him a chuckle from him.

"Provincial life doesn't quite suit you, Sir. Think of the poor animals, you'll just brutally slaughter them,"

"I'm a changed man now, love," responded Zachary, slowly lulling Seraphina into sleep with his constant brushing of her hair.

"Those expensive suits of yours wouldn't go well with farming, you know," added Seraphina, her brow raised sardonically, amusement plastered on both their faces.

"Keep this between you and me, sweet but I do fancy the idea of being naked all day long,"

With that, her cheeks turned crimson once more. Avoiding her gaze, she felt Zachary's hand on her chin, lifting it to him.

At that very moment, their faces are only inches apart. Heck, she could even feel his warm breath.

At that very moment, Seraphina thought any minute now, their lips would collide.

Alas, Zachary did not initiate such a thing. Instead, he smiled at her, ruffling her hair with his finger, causing her to frown.

Seraphina groaned at herself in the back of her mind for somehow being disappointed that Zachary did not kiss her.

Really, Seraphina?

There was silence after that. That's when she realizes the gunshots halted. Since when?

Gaping back at him in amazement, "You distracted me,"

Pretending to be oblivious to what she was saying, Zach raised both his brow in pretend confusion, "Distracted you from where?"

Seraphina only responded by playfully rolling her eyes heavenwards. Zachary then encircled his arm around her slender waist, dragging her to the bed with him.

Speechless Yet comfortable. That's what Seraphina is right now.

Instead of struggling to escape his embrace which she usually does before, Seraphina found herself returning his warm hugs.

Hiding in the crook of his neck, Zachary sat in the bed, Seraphina on top of his lap, her arms around his neck, his arms encircled around her waist, the other brushing his cheek.

After a second, Seraphina felt him whisper the words, "Tell me about this farmland dreams of yours, love," his voice low, his breath sending chills down her spine.

The two of them exchanged looks first before Seraphina found herself smiling, nodding.

And so, she told him about her dream.

A dream where the farmer began to have a face.

It was minutes before midnight when the two of them finished talking. Seraphina was already fast asleep in his arms, on top of his lap.

Zachary cannot himself from chuckling as his ears picked up her snores.

Gingerly, Zachary tucked Seraphina in bed as he sat beside her in bed, daring not to sleep to watch over her in case an intruder came by.

Seraphina climbed her head to his lap, causing Zachary to smile, his fingers brushing her hair, his blue eyes blazing right through her ajar mouth, closed eyes, and messy hair.

With that, Zachary's attention was divided. He alternates between staring back at the door and to the beautiful sleeping woman in his lap.

Truth be told, he was more invested in the second.

However, he found himself chuckling silently at himself at his ridiculousness, eager to mask his anxiety, anger, and guilt.

"What the hell am I doing?" Zachary whispered at himself, his fingers stroking the woman he'd always wanted.

No way is he regretting his foolishness.