BURNING AFFECTION - EPISODE 40 AND 41

Next morning**

Brayden woke up first and when he opened his eyes and saw Ginelle sleeping beside him, he smiled and touched her hair fondly

Last night was the best night of his life for the fact that it was spent cuddling and romancing…. With her

He blushed when he had a reminiscent of it and eventually chuckled

He touched her cheek and though he has no intention of waking her up, she woke up

Her lashes parted ways and she opened her beautiful eyes

“Did you sleep well?* He asked and she smiled lightly before nodding shyly

“You’re so beautiful, even early in the morning like this” he said

“You’re the most handsome man I’ve ever seen” she replied and he touched her lips

She closed her eyes when he leaned in for a short kiss which left her wanting more but she decided to keep it in

He kissed her nose tip afterwards. “I love you” he said

“Me too” she replied quickly

“Why did you tell me you hate me the other time?” He asked, concentrating on her eyes

” I…. Wanted to push you away” she replied

” Why? ” He asked, rubbing her ear and that’s just making her want to kiss him again

” I have a reason* she replied

” Tell me why, I’m ready to listen to you, I plan to spend much time with you today” he said

” I’m a…. ”

The rest got stuck in her throat and she just stared at him

” A? ” He said

“What if he runs away from me after I tell him?, What if he won’t want to see me again?, What if he’ll be the one to tell me he hates me then?, I won’t be able to stand it when I love him so much…I can’t” she thought fearfully

” I’ll tell you later, not just now” she said, letting out a deep breath she’s unaware that she’s holding

“You’re scared of something, I see fear in your eyes” he said

“Yeah I’m scared… That you might leave me for a noble girl” she replied and Brayden smiled

He moved closer to her and took her hand, he placed it on his chest

“Can you feel the fast beats?” He asked

“It’s beating so fast” she replied

” It has been like that since the first time I saw you at the palace, that day when Kimora was nearly executed, that was the first time I saw you, it was love at first sight Ginelle, so tell me how I’ll be able to leave you if my heart beats this fast.. for you” he said seriously

” You love me so much right?” She said

“I swear on everything I have” he replied sincerely.

Ginelle smiled, trying to hide her fears..

“I love you” she said

He hugged her affectionately

“Me too…” He said

“What should I make you?” She asked after they broke the hug

” Anything” he replied

She kissed him deeply immediately then got off the bed

She’s only in her inner clothes so she quickly put on her robe before leaving the room

Brayden walked behind her till they got to her small kitchen

“You should stay in” she said

“No, I’ll help” he replied and a wide smile spread on her lips

” Stop smiling like that, I might want to kiss you all day” he said

” I’ll set you straight with a stick” she replied seriously

” Yeah… That crazy side” he said and Ginelle laughed.

****

Kimora got sick before dawn, she shook with cold throughout last night and couldn’t sleep, coupled with the fact that she’s really missing Jimin, and maybe the upcoming wedding, the cold generated fever and she’s so hot right now

She got down from the bed and sat in front of her table

She took her drawing book and opened it slowly, her hands is shaking as she did, the cold is still struggling with her,

She smiled faintly, it’s been long since she drew in it and that’s funny, she couldn’t do without drawing everyday till Jimin came and took her attention

She picked her drawing brush and got her ink bowl, after dipping the brush, she started drawing his face in the book

She finished up fast and opened to another page, she drew his face again

She continued drawing his face for more than two hours, making sure she drew it on all the remaining thirty pages before stopping

She waited for the last one to dry up before starting to turn the pages one after the other

She had barely turned four when tears fell from her eyes

It fell on his face on the book and she let out more

“Why aren’t you talking to me, you didn’t even give me a chance to say sorry…..I miss you” she said gently, closing the book , knowing if she continues staring she might just soak the book with her tears

She looked at her other table which has her medicinal herbs, it’s been long since she made medicines too

She picked her small basket and hoe then wiped her tears before leaving the room

“Kimora” Tania called when she passed by her room, she’s just coming out too

“Hey” Kimora said slowly

“What’s this?, Your eyes are red, are you unwell?” Tania asked and made to touch her forehead but sue stepped back, knowing if she gets to know how hot her temperature is, she’ll never allow her to leave for the forest

“I’m fine, my eyes are red cos I couldn’t sleep at night” she replied

” And why will you lose your sleep”

” I dunno, but it’ll be ok before noon, I need to go pick some herbs” she replied

” The preparation for the second prince wedding is going on and the palace is lively, there are lots of goodies in the kitchen, you sure you wanna miss that?, Everyone is in a festive mood and you want to go into the forest?”

” Just tell headmaid Ambrosia that I went to see Ginelle because she’s sick, I’m not interested in the preparations” she replied and left immediately

” Her voice is so weak, is she ok?, Wait….my suspicions” Tania said

” Were they right?, Prince Jimin and…my friend” she said and covered her mouth with her palm

” I never knew you do talk alone” Cory’s voice said behind and she quickly looked back, holding her chest

“You scared me!”

“You’re frail then” he replied and she smirked

“Why are you in the maids chamber?” She asked

“To look for lady Kimora”

“She left just now to look for herbs in the forest…she won’t even let me feel her temperature, she looks sick but she insisted she’s ok” Tania replied sadly

” She looks sick?,…” He said and heaved…”Jimin why do you have to be so stubborn” he murmured

” You just called the prince by his name, and what has he got to do with Kimora” Tania said

Cory moved closer to her and she shifted back, leaning on the door

He placed his pointer finger on his lips

“Shhhh” he whispered and smiled before leaving

” He’s weird…gosh!” Tania said, going back to the kitchen

****

Forest**

Kimora picked herbs slowly, breathing heavily occasionally, when she gets tired, she sits for a while and rests before moving on again

She did that for thirty minutes and when she saw she has six herbal leaves in her basket already, she relented cos she’s damn tired already

She’s even too tired to walk home right now, she might just faint if she tries

She tried to transform so she’ll teleport back to her room but surprisingly she couldn’t

She tried harder but it’s not happening

“Why can’t I use my powers?, Why can’t I transform?, Is it because I’m sick?, Or because Jimin has been avoiding me?, Why?” She wondered

” Lady Kimora” she heard Cory’s voice and turned back to see him walking towards her

” Cory!” She said and surprisingly she found the strength to walk to him, almost falling down

“Easy” Cory said

“I’ve not seen you nor Jimin since yesterday noon, why?” She asked and Cory kept looking at her sickly eyes

” Is Jimin ok?, Talk to me is he fine?” She asked

“You’re unwell, right?” He said

“I’ll be ok, just tell me how he’s doing” she replied

” Heck, you two are what I don’t understand” he said

” Is he sick?”

” You expect him to be ok when he has been avoiding you since yesterday?, His temperature is high, he eats just little from his food and even the candies he loves, he hasn’t taken candies since yesterday, he just stayed by his window, staring at the palace with sadness in his eyes, I tried to persuade him to come see you or send for you but he won’t even listen he’s too stubborn, he says he doesn’t deserve you and doesn’t want you to get hurt, he wants to give up” Cory said though the last line was a slip of tongue, he never meant to tell her that…

“eish” he muttered

“He’s… he’s giving up on us?, We love each other so much he can’t do that” Kimora replied at the verge of tears

” I tried to make him understand Kimora, but he just won’t listen, now look at this….he looks pathetic and so is you….I don’t know what to do” he replied

Kimora almost fell but he held her

” You can’t do this” he said

“He’s planning to give up?, He can’t, if only he knows how strong is the fate, he can never run away from me, it’s Impossible, getting married to Riya is sad but it means nothing, it’s just one of the obstacles we have to face” she said

” I’m sorry you had to get hurt” get said

” It’s ok Cory”

” Are you sure?”..

” Of course” she said

” Be ok” he replied and started leaving

” Tell him I miss him so much that it hurts” she said

” Ok” Cory said and left

Kimora walked grudgingly out of the forest as if she doesn’t have even a pinch of energy left

She managed to walk to town and eventually to Ginelle’s place

“My pretty Kim-Kim” she gushed when she saw her

“Gin-Gin” she replied, faking a smile as they hugged, she quickly broke it so she won’t detect her burning body temperature

“I have a big news!” Ginelle said happily

She has never seen her this happy for a long time

“What is it?” Kimora asked

Ginelle’s excitement didn’t make her notice the weakness in her voice

“I got a lover” she said happily and though Kimora isn’t herself, she’s surprised

“A lover?, Crazy Gin-Gin got a lover?, Who’s he?, I want to know him right now” she replied

” You’d have met him if you came a little bit earlier, he’s someone you know though” Ginelle said, smiling excitedly

” Tell me already”

“Brayden”

“Brayden Jung?, Janis twin?”

” Yes Kimora, I can’t believe I’ll ever fall in love, isn’t it awesome?, I love him so much” Ginelle said

The excitement in her voice can’t be compared to anything else, it’s much

“Unbelievable, I’m happy for you” Kimora said and this time , Ginelle noticed the sadness in her voice

“Are you sick?” She said and before Kimora could stop her, her palm is already on her forehead

“What the heck!, You’re burning up, you have a fever” she said and took her to the bed

” Lay on it” she said

” I’m not…

” Shut up and obey” Ginelle interrupted

She reluctantly slept on the bed and Ginelle got a wet towel which she placed on her forehead

“Let your temperature cool down first” Ginelle said, sitting beside her

“How can you get sick when tommorow is the first prince wedding, you don’t want to miss the palace festivities” she said

” How can I be happy when the groom is my lover” Kimora said

” What are you talking about?”

” Prince Jimin…. and I… we’re in a serious relationship, fated one” she replied

” What!”

” We love each other so much but I guess he’s scared, he says he wants to give up and hasn’t been talking to me since yesterday when he caught Janis kissing me, I miss him so much and that resulted in my condition right now, Ginelle I’m dying” she replied in a rush

” Why are you just telling me this” Ginelle said

” Not like you can do anything anyways, I just thought of not bothering you, though the wedding was fated to happen, it’s just an obstacle we need to fight but it hurts” she replied

Ginelle sighed and held her hand. “Rest first, just rest for now, don’t say anything and don’t think about anything” she said.

*****

Morris Jung’s house, evening**

” Father I think you’re becoming a grandpa soon” Brayden said happily, coming in with a bottle of liquor

” Tell me more” Morris replied as he placed the liquor bottle on the table

“I got a lover” he replied, pouring him a drink

Morris drank before facing him

“A lover?, Who?”

“You’ll get to know her soon, I’m so glad father, finding a chaste girl in Miryang is not so easy, a lot are sluts at the brothel” he said

” So you slept in her place last night, you didn’t come home” Morris said

” Yes father…clean sleep” he replied and Morris laughed

“Funny, what’s clean sleep..”

“You understand what I’m trying to say father” he replied

Janis came in immediately, his face is still swollen up

“Hey where have you been” Brayden said, standing up to him

“At the vineyard, was taking fresh air” he replied slowly

” You’re just so weak, you refused to tell us who made your face like this” Brayden said

” You don’t have to worry, I’m fine, I’ll be ok” Janis replied and went in

” If only I can get whoever did that to his face” Morris gritted.

*****

Next morning.. Miryang palace**

The festivity in the air is sadness to Kimora as she stepped into the palace

She actually spent the night at Ginelle’s place since she insisted though her health didn’t improve, only her temperature cooled down a bit but she’s still so weak

She looked at the happy palace and sighed with an heavy heart before walking into the maids chamber

Everyone is dressed already, the maids are putting on same robe, the royal robe that was given to them when they were taken in

A blue robe stripped white

“Kimora you need to go dress up” Tania said quickly when she sighted her

” I’m not attending the wedding” she replied and without waiting for another word, she left

*****

Jimin’s room**

The servants just finished dressing him up in his red wedding robe, his cap was placed gently on his head too

He kept a straight face throughout, not smiling

He’s seriously sick but he’s keeping it all in, till the end of this

Not seeing Kimora since two days ago is the hardest thing he has ever experienced, damn hard, he almost went crazy last night if not for Cory

Sera entered his room and when she saw the sadness on his face, she understood immediately

She hugged him lightly and smiled without saying a word

Suzy came in with Royalty, both dressed up already too, they hugged him at once and that left him wondering the reason for the sudden reconciliation

He smiled sadly as he left the room with both of them beside him

Guards lined behind behind them as they walked to the hall

*****

“She’s here!, Riya Park is here!” Tania said amidst the other maids and they all rushed to glance

Riya came out of her litter and smiled arrogantly, looking at the rich palace

She’s pretty!

A beauty to behold!

It’s true she’s beautiful!

Her maids surrounded her as she started going in, the palace maids led the way for her to the wedding hall

Cal came out of the princes chamber and when his eyes met with hers, he stood still for almost two minutes, his eyes widened and he still won’t stop staring as she walked past him

He looked back and stared till she’s out of sight

“Your highness* Darrin said and that woke him

“She’ll be in her room, she can’t possibly attend the wedding” he replied

“I’ll do the right thing your highness” Darrin replied and left

Cal smiled darkly

****

Wedding hall**

Riya came in in her elegance, making sure to keep a pretty smile on her face

Jimin is seated already, not looking at anyone, he’s not smiling and his face is emotionless

Riya sat beside him gently

Everyone is already seated except Rachel who decided not to attend, Cal is present though his eyes is on Riya

Suzy is sitting on the right side of Sera while Royalty is on the left

The drinks were brought in immediately and a jug of wine was placed in front of everyone to bless the wedding with

“This is not my regular wine” Sera said, looking at the bottle of wine in front of her

“I think the maid served me your drink” Royalty replied and exchanged it

The maid trembled in fear but tried hard to cover up till she’s out of the place

All the maids left the hall and king Jung’s wine was poured for him

Everyone poured their wine in their cups also

King Jung held up his cup and said his blessings

“May this marriage bear fruits” he said and drank

Everyone drank from their cups too.

Another drink was poured

*May it bring peace to the palace” king Jung said and drank

Everyone drank too and the third drink was poured

” May it bring oneness and love” king Jung said and drank for the third time

Everyone drank too and dropped their cups

“Now the vows” a minister said, standing with the vow book

“Prince Jimin, Riya Park, please stand” the minister said and Riya stood

Jimin kept sitting, his mind is not there at all and he’s not listening to their shit, all he has in his head is Kimora… kitten, her lips… and her smile…