เกิดใหม่ วิวาห์เชื่อมสัมพันธ์สัตว์อสูร

"Are you sure he's my uncle?"

I turned to look at the man again whose eyes were devoid of emotion despite hearing my question.

"Yes, Athi... Why? Do you have any doubts?"

"I just thought he's too young, Grandpa."

"He's five years older than you. Don't you like that? I'm sure that you two will get along."

The man's eyes were deep and sharp and his gaze was penetrating. He was looking at me, yet not speaking. He was leaning against the doorway of Grandpa's mansion. He waited for me to approach so we could leave already since I would be staying with them for a while.

"I don't think so..."

I was sure the man heard me, but his reaction remained unchanged. He is like a living statue, observing me emotionless.

I don't think I would like to stay with him for long. I'm a bit childish. Maybe because I grew up with my grandfather who was willing to give me everything I like, everything I want, and treated me like a fragile glass. They spoiled me for everything but they didn't tolerate me when it comes to a bad manner. So my behavior was not pretty rotten like a usual spoiled brat. They provided me with everything but never neglected to teach me proper behavior.

I glanced at Grandpa and let out a melancholic sigh.

"Can't I just come with you?" I sighed melancholy.

Grandpa's gloomy sigh answered me. I don't know why they don't permit me to go with them. They were leaving to go abroad. Grandpa was unwell and needed extended medical treatment there.

"I entrusted you with him. He has two sisters. You'll have fun with them," Grandpa said, trying to convince me.

"But how long will it take, Grandpa?"

Wrinkles appeared on his face as he smiled. He placed his palm atop my head and looked into my sad eyes. I wasn't keen on being separated from him, especially in the hands of unfamiliar people.

He promises me they are all my relatives and the fact that he entrusted me with them was something. I had never heard Grandpa trust anyone else when it came to me. I grew up without parents, and only Grandpa accompanied me in the vast hacienda and large mansion. We were together with the household staff in the mansion and the workers in the hacienda.

One night, Grandpa had a sudden health crisis, and local doctors from the neighboring province and some of our private doctors arrived. After a week, he informed me that he would need to leave for another country. I was afraid and deeply worried. I thought he would take me with him, but as our farewell approached, he told me that he needed to entrust me to those he trusted.

"It will not take too long, Athena. You'll be surprised how quickly I'll be back." He continued to smile, despite the fatigue in his eyes.

"You're not gonna die, aren't you?"

He laughed wholeheartedly. I pursed my lips, still worried. I turned my gaze to Grandpa, then shifted it to the man standing by the mansion's door. He raised an eyebrow and briefly smirked. The expression vanished quickly before it returned to an emotionless demeanor he had earlier.

"I'm leaving to heal not to die, Hija." He was still laughing. I couldn’t help but smile as well.

Manang Lupe approached and picked up my belongings. The household staff was lined up, and I noticed some wiping away tears as Lolo and I bid our farewells together.

"They'll all be sad because we are both leaving. I'll just wait here for your return, Grandpa."

My shoulders fell as he shook his head in disagreement.

"Silas is waiting, Athena. I'll be more at ease if you're with him," Grandpa explained then pointed to where that man was standing.

I keep my eyes on him, and he stared back. Silas? Grandpa said he's my uncle. We had different eyes. He has a deep set while mine were round. We also have a different complexion of the skin. He's tanned while I am too white as paper. He's also too young to be called my uncle.

"Okay, Grandpa," I smiled and finally gave up.

I know Grandpa, he always wants the best for me. If he promises to come back soon, then he will surely do that.

He led me toward the man who stood upright and impassive; his arms crossed over his chest. From now on, I'd be living with them, so I needed to establish a good rapport and get along well with them.

He and Lolo talked briefly, and then he instructed a staff member to load my belongings into the car.

"We'll get going," his deep voice made me stare at him more.

I was already standing close and gazing at him intently. He has these strong features, authoritative and respectable.

After some final farewells, Grandpa released us. Silas opened the car door for me. I didn't immediately enter and instead glanced at the staff members who looked mournful that I’m leaving.

"We'll wait for your return, both you and your Grandpa..." I nodded at Manang Lupe, who’s been like a mother to me in the mansion.

"We have to leave."

I sighed downheartedly then stares at him when he speaks. He told me to go inside without showing any feelings and emotions.

I entered and settled down next to the driver's seat still feeling downcast. He didn't close the door yet and he just stood there emotionless. I smiled at him but he glanced at my seatbelt instead.

"Oh! Right!" I said and locked my seatbelt.

He closed the door before I could look up at him again. I even opened the window and waved to the people I had grown up with.

I sat upright beside the man who remained silent throughout the night. He drove in silence, and I couldn't gauge how long the journey to our new home would be.

"Are you really my uncle?"

"You heard what he said."

I sighed and smiled a bit when he answered me vaguely. I really want a conversation with him. I can't contain the silence and I want to ask him about our relatives.

During the times our relatives visited the mansion, they were absent. I had never seen him before, and I suspected the same was true for his siblings.

"I've never seen you before. Didn't you used to visit the mansion?"

He licked his lower lip and took a glimpse of me. I quickly smiled as our gazes met.

"We met twice. I suppose you don't remember..."

His gaze returned to the road after my eyes widened in surprise.

"We met?"

He remained silent. I smiled while maintaining my gaze on him. I tried to recall our two encounters, but I couldn't remember the harder I tried.

"How did we meet?" I asked excitedly.

"The last one was ten years ago," he started with a tense jaw.

I nodded and tried to think deeply what had happened about that year. I sighed when I realized I didn't remember him.

"Ten years was incredibly long. I can't remember anything..." I smiled sadly.

"You were just about twelve or thirteen years old at that time."

I smiled and continued to steal glances at him. His eyebrows furrowed when he glanced back at me but I maintained my smile.

It was unusual for me to be staying in a different house. But as I stare at him, I think it's not that bad either.

"How about our first meeting? And can you tell me what we did ten years ago?" I asked again frantically.

He gritted his teeth. His facial expression changed as he looked straight at the road. He clenched his jaw and didn't say a word but it seems like he knew something I didn't know.