She stared at the young baby as if in a trance. The baby stared back in dreaded silence , that a passerby could have mistakened him as dead.

He had silky black hair , pale skin and dark green eyes. He looked like a doll at first glance , a doll she wanted to hold in her arms and never let go.

It was only just yesterday that she had given birth to him , the happiness she felt then and now couldn't be compared to anything in her life.

Her family had sold her off to the Sakura clan , making her leave her own clan - the Palm clan , a clan full of prideful people who boasted about their superiority and excellence.

Even though she had been kicked out of the clan , she was actually glad she wouldn't live under the toxic environment of the palm clan.

To think she had been sold due to her supposed infertility. Yet the baby now was more than solid evidence that was just a fabricated lie made by the traditional doctor she had visited who had been bribed so that her family would have some a reason to sell her off and have money on their hands.

Zoe felt a tug at her finger, when she stared she saw the baby's soft and cute hand wrapped around it - so small.

He seemed to be now staring her intently. Even though he didn't smile , Zoe could clearly feel the kindness coming from his eyes.

" Ah.. my cute baby. "

Zoe couldn't hold her happiness and ended up hugging the baby in her excitement , he made a small squeal, obviously suffering from her enormous strength compared to his inferior baby strength.

" Oh , sorry.. "

Zoe backed down , realizing that he really wasn't at the age to be receiving fierce hugs.

Baa ! !

Suddenly the door to Zoe's two roomed small house crashed open , and a frantic woman came into sight looking like she would tear everything in her path apart.

At first Zoe was afraid that a mad woman had infiltrated her house or even a psychopathic killer was out to get her for some unknown reason that she ended up covering her baby's face with a blanket , protecting him as her mother instinct kicked in.

But her agitation soon melted when she saw the familiar face and recognized it.

" Zoe !! Oh my goodness are you alright ? "

The woman said In terrified tone , throwing a glance at Zoe as she neared her.

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She didn't even wait for Zoe to respond.

" I heard from the village gossip that you had given birth , but I don't see the baby, where is it ? Don't tell me it was merely just baseless gossip after I ran all over from my house ! "

Her friend Shirley exclaimed with rising worry obvious in her tone.

Zoe removed the blanket which had been covering her baby - acting as a veil.

Shirley rushed over quickly and grew closer to his face than she should have , that they almost exchanged breathes.

" Oh my goodness , he is so cute !!! "

Shirley also couldn't hold back her excitement when looking at the baby that she almost ended up scooping him from Zoe's arms but quickly stopped herself from doing so , imagining the consequences that would follow carelessly moving around a day old baby.

" I know right.... I kinda like his green eyes. "

Shirley stared at Zoe momentarily then back at the baby.

" Green eyes ! I didn't notice those at first , can he see me with those ? "

" Shirley don't be ridiculous , how can a day old baby be able to see ? "

" Hmm... Zoe I think you are the ridiculous one. Look !

Shirley held put a finger at the baby's face and started moving it , to Zoe's surprise he actually trailed it.

Zoe was left speechless , that she gasped.

" Ahh ! He can actually see ! "

" I told you. "

Shirley said with pride , showing off.

" How can you tell ? "

" How can you not tell , he was with you the entire night yet you weren't able to. "

Shirley took in a deep breathe before continuing.

" Zoe , I am so sorry I wasn't here when you gave birth to him , to think you suffered in pain alone. "

she said in a firm tone , seriousness painted all over her face.

" It's alright Shirley , I don't blame you.. after all , you had your own problems to look after. "

Zoe said pitifully , before glancing at Shirley's round and bulging stomach which was holding her treasure.

" How did you even manage to travel this far like that ? "

Zoe said pointing at Shirley's stomach.

" Everytime I felt exhausted and like I could faint , your face in agony was pictured in my mind and that gave me strength and vitality to carry on. "

Shirley said , quite happy with herself. It was dangerous that a nine months pregnant woman like Shirley had ran all over the way to Zoe's house , that was atleast a good twenty metres but Zoe knew that even though she lectured her about it , it would simply go over her ears.

" Alright , out with it. What's his name ? "

Zoe was suddenly startled , realisation finally hitting her as she stared deeply into space.

" Don't tell me you haven't actually given him a name.. "

" Well... I was about it when you walked in. "

Zoe defended herself.

" Oh my goodness ! You should have named him a while ago ! I'll help you name him. "

" Name him.. like , right now ? "

Zoe timidly said , Shirley simply rolled her eyes not even taking into consideration Zoe's poorly voiced complaint.

" What's stopping us ? Come on let's think of a name.... How about Levy ? "

Zoe thought about it before realisation hit her.

" Levy ?! That womanizer everyone in the village knows about ? I'd rather die than name my baby after him ! "

Zoe strongly voiced her disagreement , to her dismay Shirley suddenly cracked into laughter.

" I was joking ! You should have seen your face. "

Zoe pouted , looking at her baby as she caught him looking at her and then Shirley back and forth everytime they spoke.

Shirley seemed to have noticed that too.

" Zoe... sorry to say this , but your baby's a little weird, him being able to see was one thing on its own but him looking at us everytime we speak is just too much , are you sure he isn't a man disguised as a small baby ? "

Shirley said jokingly.

Zoe quickly threw a light punch at Shirley's arm.

" How could you say that about my baby you...you... you home terrorist ! "

" Don't worry , I'll have my husband fix your door before sunset... alright I think I have a name in mind , How about Rocky ? "

" Rocky... I don't know , that doesn't sound right to me. "

" How about Nole ? "

" Nole ? Is that even a name ? "

" Sibiah then... "

Zoe didn't even bother complaining but faked a yawn , hoping Shirley would see the meaning behind it.

" How about you try naming him then ? And see it it's easy.... "

Zoe became quiet , closed her eyes and entered a deep trance of thoughts. Shirley - usually mocking as ever held herself this time and simply gave her the silence she needed.

In her mind Zoe thought of the baby's father ; a proud man who loved fighting that it could have been considered to be like a drug to him , she thought of the first time she met him - when her family had sold her off.

She remembered the tenderness she had treated her with , the soft kisses she had given her - she strongly remembered the beautiful flower garden he used to take her too and the various bright colors and scents she never grew tired of being surrounded by.

She remembered his name , a name she had promised herself to toss into the fiery pits of hell to never let surface on her mind again.

" Leon.. I'll call him Leon. "