Trauma

Emma 

It was already close to bedtime by the time I came back from strolling with Lady Alfa, 

"Goodnight my dear and have a nice sleep"

"Good night to you Lady Alfa," I said with a smile and watched her walk to her room upstairs. I still can not believe what Lady Alfa told me, she said that Mr Valmore has been through a lot in life but then I'm wondering how a spoilt brat like him who have never known what hard life is has been through a lot, could it be that Lady Alfa is lying to me? If not, what could it be that happened to Mr Valmore?

As I climbed upstairs to our room, I can't help but wander in thought. I walked inside the room and was surprised to see Mr Valmore already sleeping. I walked closer to him and sat on the bed, looking at his peaceful face. I can't help but wonder if I was really harsh on him, was he moody as Lady Alfa said? 

How can he be so handsome even when he's sleeping, if not for my hatred towards him I would have said he is an angel, slowly I brought my hand close to his face, I wanted to feel what it's like to caress his pretty face, my hand was so close to his face when suddenly I stopped halfway and drew back. I wanted to take a pillow and a blanket and leave like I normally do, but then I took another glance at Mr Valmore, and decided to stay back, it's not that bad if I sleep here for today. 

I laid back on the bed and covered myself with the sheets before turning off the bedside side lamp, I closed my eyes hoping to sleep but I couldn't, I was in thought all through the night, after being awake for almost half of the night, I finally fell sleepy, I was about to close my eyes and sleep when Mr Valmore started to make weird sound in his sleep, at first I thought he was going to stop but then he started struggling and panting heavily like he's having a bad dream 

"Me Valmore…." I called but he wasn't hearing me and he kept on struggling, 

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, please forgive me" He continued to whisper, I didn't know what to do, I did the only thing that came to my mind, I pulled him into my arms hugging him so tight 

"It's okay Mr Valmore, I'm here now"

"It's okay" I kept on whispering into his ear and he finally calmed down, his breathing returned to normal, and that's when I realized he was hugging me so tight that I could barely breathe, his hold on me was so tight that I couldn't pull away, I had to adjust in that position and laid down. 

Mr Valmore looked so scared in his sleep making me wonder if he used to have this dream every day, since this is my first time sleeping with him in the same room, is this what Lady Alfa meant when she said that Ajeez has been through a lot in life, what really happened to Mr Valmore, does this mean he has trauma?

"Shit! What's wrong with me" I said, tapping my forehead. How can I be worried about the man who killed my father? What's wrong with me? I shouldn't worry about him. You need to focus, Emma, he's your enemy and does not deserve your pity.

The next morning I stirred in my sleep and noticed a strong pair of arms wrapped around me, I opened my eyes and met Mr Valmore still sleeping so peacefully, I looked at the time and nearly screamed out my lungs when I saw its eleven in the morning, 

"Shit…." I cursed and tried to lose his hold on me but damn! He's so strong, after struggling for a while, I gave up and laid back on the bed hoping he would wake up, I heard a knock on the door 

"Who's there?" I whispered yelled, and was surprised when Lady Alfa peeped into the room but immediately she saw us she had a surprised and happy look on her face 

"Ohh sorry I didn't mean to disturb," She said happily 

"Oh no Lady Alfa, it's not what you think," I said hoping she stopped but she closed the door with a smiley face and left, I clenched my teeth in frustration and turned to meet Mr Valmore staring intently at me 

"Oh, my world….!" I nearly screamed holding my chest 

"When did you wake up?" I asked but he was busy staring at me, 

"You slept beside me last night," He said with a smiles, 

"Hmmm…" I nodded remembering what happened to him yesterday, he slowly loosened his arms from my body, 

"Did I act somehow in the night?" He asked looking ashamed, like he's afraid of something, could he be talking about the dream? That means he normally has this dream every night, 

"No, you didn't, you were just hugging me that's all" I smiled 

"Ohh okay" He smiled awkwardly like he didn't believe what I said, 

"For the first time in a long time, I slept for so long"

"You don't usually sleep for long?" I didn't know when I asked that 

"No," He said and shook his head 

"I normally wake up in the middle of the night, I think it was because I was hugging you that I slept well" 

"You mean I'm now your sleeping pill," I said with a smile trying to brighten his mood 

"Kind of" He winked 

"Can I take you out today?"

"Is that a date?"

"Hmm" He nodded 

"Where?" 

"It's a secret" He winked, 

"Then I'm ready for it" I smile.