123 Black Aura 2

(Alexandra's POV)

Zaaaaa---

After we got off from the train and strode outside the station. It was raining cats and dogs outside, I looked at the watch on my left arm, it showed 13:49 PM. We were waiting outside in front of the station as we waited for our pickup car to arrive, which there was no sign of showing up in a moment.

Prof. Matsushima took out his smartphone and called someone. When the person answered the call, I could hear a woman high pitch voice from the other side. She should be Nancy, the house caretaker or I should say our host family.

When I arrived in Cambridge for the first time, she was the one who let me stay in her place and helped me to get to know about this city and the university. She also took care of my daily foods and necessities. Besides being a warm-kindhearted lady, she was also intelligent. She was one of the professors of University C, the lady who invited me and Prof. Matsushima to come here to teach at the university.

{Sorry, there's a traffic jam. Can you wait for about fifteen minutes? I will try to make it on time. Once again, I'm sorry.} Nancy said with apologizing tone.

Prof. Matsushima creased his brows, sighing, he said, "Alright, take your time. We will be waiting in Cafe S across the station. If you already arrive, call or text me."

{Got it!}

He closed the call.

"Let's go." He said as he walked in front of me. He pulled out his short umbrella, which he brought from Japan, out from his bag. I was wondering why he was so prepared? Perhaps, it was his hobby or habit, to prepare everything in advance for in case. I didn't know why, but I had an intuition that I was right. I couldn't help to praise him for his diligence.

Suddenly I heard his voice saying, "Come." He tilted his head to his side, saying there was an open spot. He wanted me to share an umbrella together? Seriously?

I blinked my eyes and said stiffly, "The umbrella is only for one person, Professor. You can use the umbrella for yourself and go first to the cafe. I will just dash to the place. It's quite close, so there's no big deal."

He reached his other hand to hold his waist. He retorted me, "Who said I would share an umbrella with you? I was just telling you to walk faster. Don't you see the rain becomes heavier? Now, move."

"..."

Alright.

...

In the end, I got soaked by the rain. I turned my head and looked at Prof. Matsushima's dry outfits and face. He indifferently glanced at me as he closed his umbrella.

Did he just ignore her poor condition? Why he suddenly becomes a jerk today? I frowned from the thought.

Cling~

The cafe's doorbell rang. We went inside to the old looking European style cafe, yet the people here made it more advanced in the current modern time. Suddenly I felt warm in my body. It wasn't only due to the heater inside, it was because of him as well.

Prof. Matsushima abruptly took off his coat and draped it on my shoulder, he said, "In the autumn, rain will never a good thing to the body. After we arrive at the house, you should have a hot bath quickly."

I gripped his red-wine coat and said, "Yes." I noted his words in my mind.

He continued, "You should go to the washroom and wipe yourself. I'm going to order some drinks. What do you want?"

"Hot chocolate."

"Sure, I'll be waiting for you in that table." He pointed the table near the glass window. I nodded and quickly left him as he went to the cashier counter to order the drinks.

After five minutes finished wiping my self, I searched for his figure in the room. Instantly I noticed his presence because of his iconic ir*nman mask. He lifted his mask slightly and sipped his drink while staring at the rain outside the window. He noticed my movement who was trying to approach him.

I sat down in front of him. I gratefully said, "Thank you." while drinking the hot chocolate.

Ouch! It was still hot!

I put down the drink and waited for it cooled down. I glanced at him and the people in the cafe. Helplessly smile, once again, people were whispering about his weird mask. Prof. Matsushima knew about it but he chose to ignore, he simply didn't care about them. 'Yes, yes, I know he is odd. So, please stop staring at him with those judging eyes!' I groaned inwardly.

Meanwhile, to distract the uncomfortable vibe, I let out my voice and asked him, "Professor, can you explain more about the black aura? Is the black aura the only aura you can see?"

Clink.

He placed his cup on the table and answered with an annoying tone. "I told you, further explanation will be later at the homestay. But, because I'm a kind man today, I'll just answer it." He said as he was tapping his fingers on the table.

Clatak. Clatak.

Annoying sounds. I wanted to protest, but I chose to ignore it and listened to his statements. He elaborated, "Just like you said, the black aura is not the only one. There are two other aurae. It was gray and white. Gray aura, means depression, stress, sadness and emotional unstabilized. While white aura simply had a heart of good people without any mischiefs heart. Just like you."

I fell jolted. "I have a white aura?" I asked him with my eyes gleamed.

"Not all the time, I said that an aura could change depends on the individual heart, mind or intention. For example, when you talked about something happy, your aura turned to white, yet when you talked about the man from last time, your aura turned to gray. Right now, in front of me, you are facing the same cycle again." He exclaimed.

"..."

"Were the answers satisfy you?"

I nodded slightly, "One more thing, why are you so easily show me your face? Isn't it supposed to be a secret?"

He was mulling over and replied shortly again, "Because I merely wanted to show my face to you."

"..." I rolled my eyes while facepalming. 'Of course! I should have known the answer before!' I thought. I said with a firm tone, "I. Am. Serious."

He snickered and answered seriously now, "Well, in fact, it wasn't a secret that I tried to cover my face. I don't see a problem if they look at me. So, you don't need to worried about me." He retorted shortly.

I snorted, "Who said I'm worried about you? I was just asking you a question." I stated while smirking.

"..."

Ting!

Messages came to his chat. Nancy had arrived. Ignoring our recent conversation. He turned his head to a small silver car parked beside the road. He told me, "Let's meet her now."

...

In the car, the raining was continuing with no intention to stop. One by one the water was was swept by the windscreen.

I sat beside Nancy in the front passenger seat while Prof. Matsushima was right behind me. I was wondering, did he fell asleep? Because I didn't hear his voice along the way. Ignoring him, I talked to Nancy instead.

As far as I know, her husband was working on a business trip now, so I asked her recent activities when her husband away. She curved her lips when I spoke about her sweetheart, the next thing I knew the topic change to her praising him over and over again. 'She must love her husband deeply.' I thought while slightly irking.

Through the narrow medieval passageway, I could see her brick house in front. It was a three-story house with eight rooms available for guests. As we arrived, I went to my room while Prof. Matsushima was having a conversation with Nancy downstairs. I heard him yawned tiredly, 'See, I knew it.' I grinned while feeling good inside. My guess was right, I felt joy.

In the bathroom, I took off my half wet outfits, placed it in the basket and relieved the coldness inside the hot tub. This spot was great, there was a small french window, I could see a few of the buildings scenery.

As I looked at the city once again, It brought me memories. How the buildings here were close enough to the buildings which had been built in the Gerald Kingdom, yet It pricks my ached heart.

I remembered about my past, about my old life, about my beloved one. My parents, sister, brother and my fiancee. 'How are they? What are they doing right now? Are they still living? Will I meet them someday again?' I silently asked inside.

I didn't cry, I didn't want to cry. This the life I chose so I will live with it. There was no regret or there was no 'if only'. I didn't know if become a lecturer was something right for me, I didn't know if it was the right path. But I will try my best so I can live the second life which God sent me too.

'For my loved one, Shamus Madison.

Did you still remember the time when we vowed to love each other until death separate us? Now, you can fulfill that promise. I hope you can find a good woman to love you as I love you back then. Personally, if I can turn back the way it was, I want to say we should never make that vowed. It just made me suffer when it happened.

I hope you are still alive knowing me dead as I was Queen Tereza's followers. Even though I know, you are King Zay Monterg's, right-hand man. I believe you are not that kind of man.

I believe it until now.'