NO PROMISES

I got in his bed and laid down under his blanket. This bed smells of him and I found it so comforting and

safe. Reiner switched off the lights and the room became quite dark save for the light that was coming

in from the window from outside. I closed my eyes and tried my best to fall asleep. Reiner was right, we

can sort out this mess tomorrow when we will hopefully be less tired than we are now. Why is my life

falling apart again and again?

…

Is it morning already? I don’t remember when I fell asleep. I guess I was too exhausted to remember.

Sometime after I got into Reiner’s bed, I must have drifted off to sleep. I slowly opened my eyes to find

that the room was completely silent and still dark. So, morning had not yet arrived.

I reached out my hand and couldn’t feel anything. Where is Reiner? Oh right, he didn’t sleep with me

on the bed. Where is he? I slowly sat up and looked around the room, but I couldn’t see very well.

Quietly, I started to get off the bed. The room was slightly cold or perhaps that was because I was

naked. I tiptoed a little around the room as my eyes adjusted to the dark. I could see a little better now

but there was still no sign of Reiner. Did he leave?

As I tiptoed towards the door, I thought I can make out something on the floor next to the door. Is that

Reiner? I walked closer to the door and crouch down to come face-to-face with a sleeping Reiner.

Reiner was sleeping in a sitting position with his back against the door. Had he been here in this

position this whole time? I couldn’t see his face very well, but I think that he’s still asleep.

Reiner, you always try so hard to protect me and put me first. I’m sorry that you had to get caught up in

this mess too. I’m sure this wasn’t really the job you signed up for when you decided to become my

bodyguard. Who would have thought that guarding a simple lady would lead to something so

complicated?

It’s a little cold, I should at least put a blanket over him…or should I wake him up so he can get into the

bed? I tiptoed back to the bed and took the blanket in my hand. When I was back in front of Reiner, I

crouched down again and slowly and very gently started to place the blanket on him.

“R!” I screamed in shock when Reiner suddenly grabbed my wrist and pushed me backward onto the copyrighted © content.

floor with his full bodyweight on mine. It all happened so fast that I was shocked. Was Reiner awake all

this time?

After a short moment, Reiner seemed to come to his senses as he shook his head slightly from side to

side. I could see him slowly open his eyes as he woke from his slumber. He seemed slightly shocked to

see me pinned underneath him on the floor.

“Natalia…” Reiner said slowly as he emerged from his dazed state.

“Sorry, I guess I woke you…” I apologized softly.

“It’s ok. I’m sorry for pushing you down…it was part of my reflex,” Reiner explained as he relaxed his

grip on my arm and started to get up.

“R, wait!” I called out as I hugged his waist to stop him from getting up.

“I guess it’s almost dawn, you should go back to bed,” Reiner said as he glanced out the window.

“Have you been sleeping in front of the door this whole time?” I asked, although I could already guess

the answer.

“Yes. That way if someone tries to enter the room, I will know right away. It’s almost dawn now, so I

guess we’re alright now. Why?” Reiner answered casually. It’s amazing to me how he does all these

things as if it were nothing at all.

“Thank you…R,” I whispered as I hugged him closer. Reiner did not resist although his body did stiffen

at my touch.

“You should go back to bed. It’s uncomfortable on the floor, right? You don’t have to worry; dawn will

break soon. We’ll be ok,” Reiner said reassuringly. However, the truth was I wasn’t scared or worried at

all right now.

“R…can you be with me forever? Can you never leave?” I asked solemnly. To be honest, I think I

already knew his answer, but I just couldn’t stop myself from asking this same question again. Perhaps

there was a very slim possibility that his answer would change.

Reiner was silent for a few seconds, and I knew that all hope was lost. His answer has not changed

after all. Sooner or later, Reiner would leave. I knew deep down that this was what was right. I shouldn’t

expect him to be with me forever because to him this is just a job. One day, he’ll find new employment

to serve someone else elsewhere. I was the one who was wrong for involving him in my problematic

life.

--To be continued…