CHAPTER 92: THE GARDEN PHILOSOPHER

"Is that how to see a person’s reaction? Do you know how you make me feel?" Ava questioned him, her voice tight with emotion. It was clear she felt wronged.

"I know I shouldn’t have done it," Azazel replied, his tone quiet, almost hesitant, "especially since this is your first time in my brother’s house. But... I just couldn’t stop my heart from wanting what it wants."

Ava stood speechless. She stared at him blankly, as if allowing everything to sink in slowly, the meaning of his words pulling at her like threads unraveling.

"I saw your smiling face," Azazel continued, his eyes softening, "and then I just felt like seeing your bad side too. But instead of you being offended, you thought that you had offended me."

Ava’s mouth fell open.

What am I, an open book to him? How can he tell exactly what I’m thinking? My God! she thought, completely caught off guard.

"Then who wouldn’t think that way?" Ava said, her brows furrowing slightly, her voice rising just enough to show her frustration.

"I don’t usually see someone with that kind of expression talking to me."

Her eyes narrowed as she spoke more firmly now, no longer holding back. "You may have just been joking, but seriously—from the bottom of my heart—I hated it."

Azazel took a breath, his jaw tightening, but his tone remained composed. "I’m sorry. But please... stay. I don’t want to ruin my sister’s time with you."

Ava looked at him for a moment, then nodded slowly.

Before she could turn around, Julie stepped forward, her eyes searching Ava’s face. "I’m sorry," she said, voice low and sincere.

Ava quickly shook her head, smiling so wide it almost masked the awkward energy in the air. "It’s not your fault, so don’t be."

She glanced toward the flowers again, her voice brightening as she turned to Julie. "Shall we continue from where we stopped?"

Julie nodded, her expression warm and grateful. She gently pulled Ava back with her, walking further into the garden and leaving only Roman and Azazel behind.

Roman’s eyes followed his younger brother, watching as Azazel stood completely still, rooted to the spot.

He hadn’t moved a step since Ava walked away. Not forward. Not backward. Just... still.

Roman stepped closer, placing a steady hand on Azazel’s shoulder.

"From everything you’ve done today—and everything I saw—it’s clear something changed in you," Roman said, voice calm but knowing.

"Even though you don’t usually get involved with girls, I can say your interest was definitely piqued when you saw her."

Azazel turned his head slowly, his face unreadable, though his eyes flickered.

"Why do you observe so much, brother?" he asked, trying to sound casual. "I just apologized. There’s nothing more to it."

Roman offered a small smile.

"I’ll be inside when you’re done staying out here," he said simply. "Join us when you’re ready."

He turned, walking away and leaving Azazel alone.

The breeze carried a soft floral scent, brushing against Julie’s skin like a whisper.

She walked slowly along the stone path, barefoot, her fingers trailing across the edge of a blooming bush.

Beside her, Ava bent to admire the delicate white hibiscus, her eyes wide with wonder.

"The flowers in your garden are so beautiful," Ava murmured, turning her head to take in the vibrant mix of roses, jasmine, and lilies. "Julie, you didn’t tell me you lived in a fairytale."

Julie smiled, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear as she glanced at her friend. "I didn’t know I had to send out a brochure to convince you to visit."

Ava laughed softly, the sound light and airy like wind chimes. "A little warning would’ve helped. I’d have worn something poetic. Maybe brought that heartbreak journal I pretend not to use."

"Oh? You mean that deadly book of heartbreak spells?" Julie teased, raising a brow.

Ava grinned, pretending to clutch an invisible book to her chest. "Deadly and accurate. That’s why I keep it close."

They reached a small bench beneath the jasmine tree, its petals fluttering down like soft snow.

Ava sank onto it with a content sigh, her arms stretched across the backrest as she looked around.

"This place is unreal. I could write an entire novel just sitting right here."

Julie took a moment, gazing at the same scene.

The green stretched calmly around them, vibrant and peaceful. "It’s my favorite spot. Especially when I want to think... or forget."

Ava’s smile faltered a little, her voice softening. "You okay?"

Julie didn’t answer right away. Her eyes followed a butterfly drifting past, wings flickering like firelight.

Then she gave a small shrug. "I’m okay. Just... you know how some places are quiet in a comforting way? And sometimes... the same silence just feels too loud."

Ava leaned over and nudged her gently with her shoulder.

"Well, you’re not allowed to think heavy thoughts while I’m here. I bring chaos and energy. That’s my job."

Julie laughed, shaking her head. "You talk too much to let me spiral anyway."

"Exactly. Verbal sunshine," Ava said proudly.

Julie smiled again, this time with a touch of peace behind it. "I missed this... just sitting with you. No explanations. Just existing."

Ava shifted in her seat, tucking one leg under the other and gazing at her friend with a tender warmth in her eyes.

"You don’t have to explain anything to me, Julie. You never did."

There was a pause, filled only by the soft rustle of leaves.

Julie reached for her tea on the nearby table, lifting the delicate cup to her lips and taking a slow sip. "Thank you for coming today."

Ava waved her hand like it was obvious. "Please. Like I was going to turn down a visit to Julie’s Secret Garden?"

Julie raised a brow, amused. "It’s not exactly a secret anymore if you’re here."

Ava gasped with exaggerated offense. "Wow. Just call me an intruder, why don’t you?"

A laugh escaped Julie’s lips as she plucked a petal from her lap and tossed it toward her friend. "You’re my intruder."

Ava caught the petal mid-air, holding it between her fingers like something precious.

"Good. Because I’m not leaving until I see the lemon tree, hear all the details about the necklace you didn’t thank Roman for, and roast marshmallows in this magical yard of yours."

Julie groaned playfully. "Avaaaa..."

"Yes," Ava said with a grin, standing and spinning slowly with her arms stretched like she was soaking in the sun. "I’m your reminder to enjoy life, remember?"

Julie stood as well, brushing off the folds of her dress. "You really are."

A shadow moved through the open path toward the garden, and Roman appeared, hands tucked in his pockets, a slight smile tugging at his lips as he watched the girls laughing under the jasmine tree.

His eyes met Julie’s first, and something unspoken passed between them—soft, warm, and just theirs.

Julie’s smile brightened. "You’re here."

"Couldn’t resist the laughter," Roman replied, glancing between the two. "You two sound like you’re building a comedy show out here."

Ava grinned. "We’re considering it. ’Julie and Ava’s Garden of Giggles.’ We’d need a sponsor though."

"I’ll get back to you on that," Roman said, chuckling softly as he came closer. "Need help with anything?"

"We were just about to collect sticks for the fire," Julie said.

"Perfect. I’ll help set things up here while you gather them." He bent down beside her and began stacking stones for the fire ring, brushing her hand lightly as he handed her one.

Julie glanced at him, her heart doing that thing it always did when he was near—quieter, but fuller.

Just as they started arranging the space, Azazel appeared on the path, hands loose at his sides, walking with his usual casual grace.

But his eyes immediately found Ava—and stayed there.

Ava, who had been halfway through adjusting her hair, froze as she noticed him. Why was he looking at her like that? Like he knew she had just thought about him?

Julie looked up. "Oh, you’re back. Perfect timing—we’re about to get the sticks ready."

Azazel’s voice was calm, almost too calm. "I’ll help."

Julie turned to Ava, a playful glint in her eye. "Ava, go with him. I think he knows where the best sticks are."

Ava’s body reacted before her brain did. Her limbs moved, her feet walked, but her mind screamed: Alone? With him? Right now? Really?

Azazel didn’t say much as they headed toward the back edge of the garden where the trees grew taller and the underbrush thickened.

He simply walked beside her, his silence louder than any conversation.

"So..." Ava started, grasping for composure. "Do you usually stare at people, or am I just lucky?"

Azazel tilted his head slightly. "You’re not lucky."

She blinked. "Wow. Thank you?"

"I mean," he added, lips twitching slightly, "I stare when I want to understand something. You confuse me."

That made Ava stop. "I confuse you?"

Azazel glanced at her then bent down to pick up a thick stick. "You look like sunshine, but you speak like shadows."

Ava stared at him, stick in hand, completely unprepared for poetic Azazel. "What are you, a forest philosopher?"

He smiled, but didn’t answer. That only made it worse.

She bent to grab another stick and nearly dropped it when she looked up and found him already watching her again.

Her face burned. "Seriously. Stop doing that."

"Doing what?" he asked, clearly amused.

"Looking at me like I’m... a puzzle or something."

"You are," he said plainly.

Her heart thudded. He’s doing it again. With words this time. Somebody call for a rescue team.

They continued gathering sticks. Every few moments, Ava would glance at him, then immediately regret it.

And each time, his gaze was already there, calm, unreadable, but undeniably curious.

When they returned with an armful of sticks, Julie and Roman were almost done setting the fire ring.

Roman was helping Julie steady a stone, his other hand resting lightly at the small of her back.

Ava’s chest fluttered at the soft intimacy of it. She wondered if anyone looked at her like that.

Then her eyes betrayed her and flicked to Azazel.

He wasn’t looking at Julie.

He was still looking at her and her eyes widen before taking it away quickly.