Vows and Bullets
Chapter 142: Last Week of August (Part 5)

Chapter 142: Last Week of August (Part 5)

Please DON’T READ this Chapter yet. I will update this next week!

I sincerely apologize, beloved agents, my hand hasn’t healed yet T_T. I’m taking medication and following doctor’s advise so hopefully I can get back to writing soon.

I will replace this Chapter with the real one soon, don’t worry, and upload a new one for the next day. I really apologize once again.

In the meantime, please enjoy the continuation of the story below titled "The King’s Beloved". This is the revised version I am planning to submit for paperback publication. Hopefully, I get a chance someday.

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(Part 5 - Continuation...)

Not hearing any more response, Rania sighed deeply. It was still before dawn, and she was already wide awake from a simple dream and unanswered questions. If curiosity could kill, she would be dead by now. Trying to brush her thoughts off the matter, she carefully got out of bed, afraid to wake up Lailee, who on second glance, wasn’t on the bed anymore.

Since she sweated a lot, she took a bath before heading out. It was Friday, and she still got work in the morning, so she had to go. On her way out, she was greeted by everyone in the church and orphanage with a big cake and cute singing voices from the children. Her eyes widened in surprise. She did not expect that.

"Wait a minute—Is this why you asked me to sleepover?" she asked, turning her head to the guilty Head Pastor who looked exactly how you would imagine Santa Claus minus the long, white beard because his’ was way shorter.

"Ho-ho-ho! It seems that I have been found," he replied with a laugh so contagious that everyone started laughing as well.

"We are aware that you’re always busy on Fridays to the point you don’t even care about your own birthday!" Lailee butted in, shaking her head. "So, we decided to prepare a little something before you go."

"Awww... Thank you so much! You’re making me cry," Rania replied but she was already crying buckets. "You didn’t need to prepare this much. I’m fine with just a greeting."

"No way! If we don’t, you’ll forget it’s your birthday," the other pastor jested. "You’re too workaholic. You should learn to take a breather now and then."

"Aye! Who in the world forgets yer own birthday? I dun forget ma birthday. Tsk, this child. Ye always tell us t’ take care of ourselves but look who’s forgot’n about herself?"

"What? I do take a break from time to time. I go to my favorite coffee shop—"

"A vacation is what we meant," Lailee corrected her.

"Oooh, I see."

"I knew it."

"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!"

And so, they ate and celebrated merrily that morning. The little children even prepared a cute performance for her despite their sleepy appearance. She appreciated all their efforts, and her heart was touched so much she kept on crying. By the time the sun rose, she had to bid them a sad goodbye since she needed to go. With much reluctance, they all hugged each other and waved their hands goodbye. Then, Rania got in her car and drove to work.

"I should have filed a leave and spent the day with them. I’m so stupid," Rania whispered to herself while driving. "I’ll check my calendar again and see when it’s okay to file a vacation."

With the exception of her dream, Rania’s day had been perfect from morning till she got off of work. The clear blue sky and the falling leaves from maple trees that dressed the sidewalks on fire created the perfect contrast. The breeze quietly kissed her cheeks and in every kiss was a slight shiver for her but not as harsh as it was during winter. The owner of Starr’s Café even gave her a free drink paired with her favorite cake as a treat for her birthday.

Soon enough, Rania’s shift ended, and Zeid fetched her from outside their company in his rather luxurious sports car—a Mercedes-Benz. Like a handsome model, he leaned his back on the side of his car while he waited for Rania. Passersby couldn’t help but stop and try to steal a picture of him from afar. His cinnamon brown hair looked silkier and redder due to the light of dusk. His green eyes turned brownish combined with the orange tinge of the surroundings. But his blue shirt and white suit stood out from the fiery background. And most of all, his smile that could render everything else in a blur.

"Babe, I’m here. Where are youuuuu?" Zeid cutely texted on his phone, with matching emojis of cute puppies at the end.

A few seconds in and a reply from Rania came.

"I’m in the lobby now. I can see you."

At these words, Zeid beamed with joy, and little dimples could be seen on his cheeks. Like an adorable puppy wagging his tail, he gazed towards the lobby and tilted his body from left to right, trying to eye Rania from the crowd. Once he saw her, he smiled all the more, making the other employees that were getting out at the same time as Rania giggle at his captivating smile. A few of them even tried flirting and approached him, only to be ignored as he walked past them and went to hug his beloved girlfriend.

"Baaabe! I missed you!" Zeid pouted as he embraced Rania tightly.

Surprised by him acting so cute in public, Rania chuckled. A tall man like him, with lean muscles all over his body, fawning over her like that—it was funny to look at. And sweet.

"I missed you, too, babe."

Zeid kissed her cheeks then sprinted for a second to the car to get a bouquet of blue roses from inside. Smiling handsomely and giving the flowers to Rania, he leaned towards her, wanting to get a kiss as a reward for his good deeds. Rania laughed at him and shoved his face gently. As much as Zeid was okay with PDA, she was the complete opposite. Instead, she got inside the car and smelled the flowers, leaving Zeid pouting. But then he just brushed it off and went inside the car and took off.