<h4>Chapter 273: Ambiguous Atmosphere</h4>


    (Author’s POV)


    "You are thinking way too much, Myra. It is just a children’s storybook from my childhood," Fabian rified, then he changed the subject. Keeping the book safely and out of her reach, on the topmost shelf, he then sped Myra’s injured hand gently and led her to the sofa, stating, "Now, forget about that. Let me clean and dress up your wound."


    Myra sat obediently on the couch as Fabian settled right beside her, never letting go of her hand. He untied the tie he had used as a makeshift bandage. The piece of clothing had turned from blue to a shade of purple. Myra hissed slightly as thestyer of clothing was unwrapped. A diagonal abrasion was very well visible on her beige skin tone.


    Fabian raised his eyelids to capture Myra’s furrowed face. Her eyes were wrinkled a bit as she carefully examined her own wound. Next, he utched the first aid box and took out some wet cotton swabs. He quite carefully and thoroughly cleaned the dried blood around the injured part.


    Myra was noticing how attentive and subtle his actions were. In her eyes, he was such a good person and a friend. Fabian then cautiously applied the medicine to her wound and blew on it as Myra bit her lips, in order not to make a sound. The wound was not big or deep, but if left unattended, it could have led to infection and scarring.


    "Don’t bite your lips so hard. Otherwise~ ...... it will hurt even more if I have to apply the medicine there. Don’t endure the pain," he teased her and chuckled while pointing at her lips.


    Myra rolled her eyes at his remark andmented, "I am not biting it hard. Don’t you exaggerate. And I am not a child, unlike someone." She stifled a smile, countering his teasing.


    "Ayee~ hey~, didn’t we decide to just let it go? You are being way too naughty, hmmm. Do you want a punishment, Ms. Miracle?" he spoke, his tone was that of when he gave his lectures.


    Myra chuckled at his words and asked with an amusing tone, "Ohh~ really, what will you do then? Prof. Stephens would punish me. Tell me how?"


    Fabian was thoroughly enjoying this conversation as well. He arched his right brow and muttered, "Ohhh~ should I?"


    The atmosphere immediately turned suggestive. Fabian gazed at Myra as the light from the sputnik chandelier cast a warm glow on her face, making her look like a goddess. The tick ticking from the roman numerals embedded style metal wall clock was the only thing that could be heard in the background, with their breathing.


    He couldn’t help but bore his amber shaded eyes into her hazel ones. Unconsciously, his Adam’s apple wobbled as he felt parched from this sudden thirst. His heart leapt at their close proximity and Myra’s unique and ethereal scent. It was clouding his mind. Maybe it was because of her blood or because he was alone with her in his house. Who knows?


    Myra also sensed a sudden change in her environment. The unclear atmosphere made her feel uneasy.


    The next second, Fabian ced a gentle hand on her cheek, his eyes full of softness. Myra hadpletely frozen by this time. He was about to lean closer, but when he saw her reaction, he halted whatever he was about to do and wiped her cheek with his thumb, saying, "There was a slight dust on your cheek. There, I cleaned it for you." He withdrew his hand and clenched it.


    Myra snapped out of her rigid state and instantly spoke, "Is it~ .... Is it still there?" As she tried to wipe the non existent dirt from her cheek.


    "Nahh~ .... You are all good," saying this, Fabian resumed dressing her wound. Myra observed his expressions carefully. He was acting just like always, his usual self.


    She mentally smacked her forehead and thought, ’Arghhhh ... this Yelena. It is all because of the weird questions she has been posing to me about Fabian. Ohh gosh~ ......" She looked around to distract her and noticed there were basically no family photos, nor any childhood pictures of Fabian.


    Not thinking about it too much, she started casually, "Fabian~"


    "Ummhmm~ What is it?" Fabian hummed in response, giving her a green signal.


    "I don’t mean to probe into your privacy. It’s just that I noticed there are no pictures of you or your parents in your ce. You have never ever talked about them as well. Are you not in touch with them?" she asked.


    Fabian paused and pursed his lips at the mention of his family. It took him two to three seconds topose himself and answer her, "My parents~ .... they are no longer in this world. They passed away when I was five." No matter how much he tried to speak casually or suppress his emotions, his voice came out hoarse.


    Myra gasped at his words. She never expected Fabian to have such a heartbreaking childhood. "I am so sorry. I misspoke."


    Fabian tried to downy it, "It isn’t your fault. So, you don’t need to apologize. And~ .... It happened more than twenty years ago."


    Myra didn’t know what to say to him. She was stunned by this revtion. Her eyes turned a bit watery. She asked, "Who took care of you when you were young?" She now understood why Fabian was ’protecting’ that children’s book. It must be one of the cherished items from his childhood days.


    Fabian looked at the sympathetic look Myra was giving him as he told her, "I have a grandfather ... maternal one. He took me in, fed me as well as bred me well. Whatever I am today is because of him. Ohh~ Myra, why are you the one getting emotional?" saying this, he wiped the corner of her eyes.


    Myra didn’t resist his touch as she uttered, "Your grandfather must have loved and doted on you since your childhood. Is he doing well? How is his health now?" She calcted Fabian, who has turned twenty nine this year, meaning that his grandfather’s age has to be seventy plus or something.


    "He is as healthy as a horse, fit as a fiddle. He looks more like my brother than my grandfather. He doesn’t look his age at all. You will be surprised when you see him," Fabian stated casually. ’After all, he stopped aging.’


    "That’s good then. I would love to meet him someday," Myra spoke with delight.


    As the mood had lightened a bit, Fabian thought it was the perfect opportunity and inquired about today’s incident, "By the way~ ... did any of you ...... happen to encounter any familiar face at the mall?"


    Myra’s eyes flickered just for a sh of a second, but she resumed her usual demeanor and replied, "No~ .... Why do you ask? Was there someone I knew?"


    Fabian, who has been thinking about this throughout the journey and getting anxious on his own, visibly rxed.


    He then replied, "Nahh~ ... just asking casually. The ce was packed. I thought I saw someone from the university there. By the way, don’t take my request so casually. I am still angry about it, you know. And next time, don’t go out without telling me."


    Myra sighed, "You are being stoic again. We were just there to shop. By the way, tomorrow~ ..." She was about to tell him about tomorrow’s invitation, but before that, his ringtone erupted.


    He nced at his phone and clicked his tongue unconsciously, "It’s an urgent call."


    "Go ahead," Myra said.


    He picked it up right in front of her and answered, "Hello."


    Myra couldn’t hear what the other person was saying, but the changes on Fabian’s face were telling that it had to be something work rted. Fabian hummed in response, "Got it," and then disconnected the call.


    Myra asked, "What happened? Is everything going well with the work you are busy with?"


    Releasing a heavy sigh, Fabian replied, "It is nothing serious. You know, about the annual seminar held by Red Stone. It is scheduled for tomorrow. And all the prominent figures, politicians, and influential business personalities from around the globe will be attending. I am in charge of it this time. It is a bit taxing for me as I have to check every minute detail. I don’t want any mistakes to happen."


    "I know you will do well," Myra encouraged her.


    "I will be busy tomorrow, so don’t go out on your own. And tell this to Yelena as well as Wendy, hmmm?" Fabian spoke, his voice stern.


    Myra held her tongue, thinking of giving him a surprise at the event. ’He would be shocked to see us at the venue. I should zip my mouth for now.’ She nodded at his words, trying to picture his face when he sees them tomorrow.


    "Oh, you were saying something about tomorrow. What is it?" Fabian inquired.


    William’s call saved her as she picked it up hurriedly, "Yes, dad. Ohh~ .... I am with Fabian. Yelena said that. Yes~ .... Yes~ ... I came to discuss that. Yups~ ...... ummhmm~ .... I am on my way. Will be there in five minutes," saying this, she disconnected the call.


    To Be Continued . . . . . . .