CHAPTER 459: REY’S DESPERATION

When Coco woke up from her three hour nap, she was startled by the sight of Konoha and Lala staring at her from the single couch that was right in front of the couch she was sleeping in.

"Heiren pushed the seat here because I asked him to." Lala said, perching her small body on top of Coco’s head. "Anyway! Alhai and Kairo just got back!"

"You sound excited." Coco murmured sleepily, rubbing off the eye discharge from her eyes. "Did they bring back something with them? Why are you happy with Alhai being back from work?"

As if to answer her question, a chuckle came from behind her and caught her attention.

"You look adorable as usual." Came the baritone voice of the third husband which caused Coco to whip her head around to look at him, only for her to look away again because Alhai was too close to her face.

Bad breath! I just woke up, come on.. Coco thought, feeling her cheeks get warm with embarrassment.

She can’t believe that someone would be this close to her even though she just woke up— actually, Alhai also got too close to her this morning..

Ugh.. Why does this guy like to get so close? Can’t he at least wait until I brush my teeth? Coco mused in her mind, covering her face so Alhai wouldn’t see how embarrassed she was with what had just happened.

"Stop being cute and go to the kitchen!" Lala whined and tugged her hair gently. "I’m hungry, Coco!"

Coco grumbled incoherent words under her breath and got off the couch, rubbing her face up and down to get rid of the lingering embarrassment as well as drowsiness.

"Are you feeling shy?" Alhai asked, rushing to get to her side. "You looked adorable. Don’t worry."

"That’s not what I’m worried about." Coco mumbled as she made her way to the kitchen with Konoha and Alhai trailing behind her.

She walked past the door and entered the room, the sound of her heavy and trudging footsteps catching everyone’s attention, causing them to turn their heads in her direction which left her feeling self-conscious.

"Uh.. I’m going to the bathroom." Coco announced and did one eighty out of the kitchen.

"Come on! Aren’t you hungry? I’m sure you’re hungry! We’re both hungry, aren’t we? Shouldn’t we start eating with them?" Lala whined, patting Coco’s head as Coco walked to the first floor bathroom.

"I know, Lala." Coco sighed and settled herself in front of the bathroom’s sink. "Let me just do my thing, then we’ll eat, okay?"

The garden fairy puffed her cheeks out and didn’t say anything else, making Coco believe that Lala is giving her time to do whatever she wanted to do without bothering her so Coco took this chance to do her business.

Once she was done freshening up, she exited the bathroom and closed the door behind her.

"Coco, can we please talk?"

She froze in her tracks when she was met with Rey, face to face, a desperate and pleading look crossing his face as he bit his lower lip.

Oh, shit.. It completely slipped my mind that he wanted me to protect Kairo by marrying him. Coco thought to herself, feeling guilty and concerned on how many days had passed since Rey asked her for a favor.

"Sure.. But let’s talk after we eat, okay?" Coco said, smiling softly to assure him.

Rey chewed his bottom lip and stared at her, making it obvious for Coco that he was contemplating whether to accept her offer or not.

"Okay.. Please let me explain to you what’s going on." Rey begged, lowering his head to show his sincerity.

"Hey, hey, hey, hey.. No need to bow." Coco rushed to lift his head up and frowned. "I’m willing to listen, alright? There’s no need for you to do all of this."

Rey lowered his gaze and looked like he was stopping himself from crying.

Coco felt her heart squeeze painful at the sight and it reminded her of the little boy she had met a couple of months ago, the look of desperation on his being made him pitiful for her eyes.

"I promise that I’ll hear you out, Rey." Coco swore and squeezed Rey’s shoulders. "But we have to eat first because the others are waiting for us."

"I’m really sorry." Rey mumbled, raising a hand to his face and wiping his unshed tears off his eyes. "I didn’t want to bother you and your husbands, but you’re literally the first person that came to mind that can protect him."

Coco simply smiled and started leading him back to the kitchen, walking slowly to give him time to wipe his tears.

Coco isn’t the type to be moved by other people’s tears, but it’s a different story for children— honestly, Rey may have looked like he was past his puberty, but he’s still the same kid in her eyes.

"Thank you so much, Coco." Rey whispered, his eyes shifting from the floor to look at her.

"No problem." Coco said, not looking at him.

Unbeknownst to her, Rey had harbor feelings for the woman, but from the past few days that he had stayed in their house.. It was clear to him that she doesn’t see him as a grown mediator.

Who knew that Coco Hughes would be loyal to her four mediators that she was forced to marry?

Rey didn’t resent the four husbands for being the first to get involved with Coco’s life, but he envied every single one of them.

It’s better to leave the house without Rogue.. This way, I don’t have to worry about him. Rey thought, biting his lower lip as he savored the feeling of Coco’s warm hand on his shoulder.

By the time I come back, I’ll make sure that I changed. The young mediator thought, his resolve hardening.

"Welcome back, Coco.." Zaque greeted his wife with a smile, but then, his gaze landed on the mediator beside her. "And.. Rey?"