Chapter five

Claire pushed the food around in her plate, her appetite gone. She looked over at Micheal who devoured his food like he hadn't eaten in days. He had such a large appetite. She observed.

Feeling her stare on him, Micheal looked up and met Claire's eyes.

"Don't you like the food?" He asked a look of concern on his face.

"I do. It actually quite nice." Claire gave him a small smile of reassurance.

"Then why aren't you eating? You need the food much more than I do. You are malnourished." He said eating his food while keeping his eyes on her, observing her reaction.

Claire smiled and looked up. She knew she needed to get her strength back as soon as possible but at that moment, she wasn't feeling up to it. 

Perhaps it was because she was in an unfamiliar environment and it brought back memories. 

She took up the spoon in her hand and scooped up a large spoonful of mashed potatoes aware of Micheal's gaze on her.

She put the food in her mouth, chewing showing. She had to admit, Micheal is such a good cook. 

"Easy there. Take a little at a time. Else, you'll get the food in the wrong pathway." Micheal cautioned while handing her a glass of water from across the table.

She muttered a small 'thank you' and took the glass from him. She drank in slow sips, Micheal's eyes not leaving her.

"What's your name?" Micheal asked her in a casual tone.

"Claire." 

"Hmm, that's a wonderful name. I once had a friend who had such name. She was one of the nicest people I knew. Sad she didn't last long." Micheal said with a faraway look on his face.

Claire looked at him just in time to see him heave a long sigh. At that moment, he looked like he aged decades more. 

Claire felt pity for him. She knew the person he talked about must be someone of great importance to him. And no one should feel such pain and loneliness. She could understand because she sometimes had such a look.

She looked around the miniature dining room, which barely fit five people. At that moment she remembered what happened the day before and decided to ask Micheal about it. 

The rogues couldn't see the house but she could. That did not make sense to her. Who exactly is Micheal? She mused silently. 

"Look like you have questions. Ask away. I know you are curious about many things." Micheal laughed scooping up a mouthful of potatoes.

He continued, "I'm surprised you didn't attack me with questions the moment you awoke."

Claire was embarrassed as she tucked her head, her hair covering a part of her rosy cheeks. He had seen through her so easily. 

"The rogues couldn't see this house but I could. Why?" She looked up at him. He smiled at her question. His eyes twinkled with mischief.

"That's because you are special. A very special being. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." He looked at her with a serious expression now, his smile wiped from his face.

It was Claire's turn to laugh. It came out as a small sweet sound. She found his words funny. She's special? She's been called different names all her life but nothing came close to what Michael had said. 

"I'm being serious sir, Michael." She used her left hand to cover her mouth to avoid food particles from spilling.

"I'm being serious also. Take it or leave it pumpkin." Micheal smiled. Playfulness washed over his features.

Claire didn't believe him but she decided to drop it. It was a good thing the rogues couldn't see the house anyway. 

She continued eating her food. Her appetite returned slowly. The conversation loosened her up a bit. Perhaps Micheal wasn't a bad person. Not like she thought so but she was just being careful.

She pushed a lone strand of hair away from her face. It was still a mess. She found nothing to make it nice so she used her hands to brush it. At least it looked better than when she newly awoke.

"Your hair's white." Micheal said. It wasn't a question. It was a statement.

Claire looked up at him, her hand on her spoon tightened. She expected him to ask. Was he going to call her a freak like everyone else and throw her out? 

Fear surfaced in her heart. She thought of what to say so he wouldn't see her in the same light but she came up blank. She decided to come up with the truth.

"Umm yes. I was born this way." Claire looked up at him, expecting a look of shock and scorn but she saw a neutral expression on his face. He seemed to be thinking about something.

Micheal found it strange. He looked over at her neck and found the necklace. The necklace was meant to shield her hair color. But since she said she was born this way, does it mean the magic in the necklace no longer works?

He'll have to do something about it. Making her stay this way was risky. He wouldn't let history repeat itself.

He found Claire looking at him waiting for him to say something. He could see the fear in her eyes. 

"It's beautiful. I haven't seen anyone like this. Another reason to believe you are special." He winked at her.

Claire released the breath she didn't know she had been holding. He didn't think her weird which is a good thing. She smiled a genuine smile revealing her perfect white row of teeth which sparkled like polished diamonds. 

She couldn't remember the last time she smiled or even had a conversation. But everything changed the moment she met Micheal. 

"Thank you." 

"No thank you. I haven't had a human company in years over breakfast. It been so long. Thank you for keeping me company. I really hope you'll stay here." Micheal looked at her waiting for her reply.

How could she say no to that look? She'll be the cruelest person if she said no.

"I will. After all, I have no where to go." She laughed and placed her hand on her necklace.

She did that whenever she felt so much emotion. And at that moment, she felt joy.

Micheal stood up with his used plate in his hands. He had finished his food and headed to the kitchen. 

"Don't do the dishes. I'll do them when I'm back. Your work in this house henceforth, is to get back to full strength as soon as possible." Micheal called from the kitchen.

Claire nodded her head as if he could see her. She looked down at her thigh. She had forgotten to ask Micheal about her leg. 

'I'll do that some other time.' she said to herself.