During the remaining two days in the basement, Vincent and Iris spent time together like a married couple. Or more precisely, nurse and patient? Siblings?
The point is they spent time very closely, but Iris took care of all of Vincent's needs during those last two days.
They ate together, drank together, played together, and fell asleep together in the damp basement room whose walls were covered with various photos of Vincent.
Vincent got his watch and phone back. They spent time watching romantic or action movies together on the bed enough for two adult man lay together located in the middle of that 5x5 meter wide basement room. There was only one lamp hanging above the bed as the lighting.
They were very close, Iris seeming unwilling to leave Vincent's shoulder for even a second. And whenever there was a chance, she would ask Vincent to kiss her or vice versa. Just kisses. Nothing more.
Vincent decided to keep some distance from affection with Iris since Iris had just returned to her shy and emotional self. Vincent was a bit worried that Iris's obsessive personality might still be inside her. Hopefully not, because if that happened, Vincent would struggle to survive from Iris when she became dangerous due to obsession.
When Vincent needed to relieve himself, Iris would take him out of the basement room. Behind the iron door was a long corridor. On the sides of the corridor were the bathroom and kitchen doors opposite each other. At the end of the corridor was a staircase leading upward. Iris said that the stairs led directly outside to the main road. In other words, the exit.
And now Vincent's kidnapping period was over. They walked out of the basement.
"Are you going to act like nothing happened after we get home, Vincent?" Iris asked without turning her face. Vincent glanced at her and replied.
"I don't know. But I will still hold onto my promise to you. So don't worry, you can come to my house anytime." He ruffled Iris's hair affectionately. Iris smiled upon hearing that.
They then climbed the stairs.
The sun shone brightly in the blue sky. Vincent was surprised to see that in front of him was a church and beside it was a big highway.
Iris had already ordered a taxi to take Vincent home. The girl did not go home with him.
"You're not coming home with me, Iris?" Vincent asked. Iris shook her head slightly.
"I… still have some business to do. See you at school tomorrow, um…"
"Hm?"
"May I ask for a kiss? For the last time."
Vincent nodded, and they kissed once more before Vincent got into the waiting taxi.
Iris looked satisfied with the last kiss from Vincent.
"Thank you, Iris. I love you." Vincent said quietly while kissing her forehead and stroking her head one last time before getting into the taxi.
Iris's cheeks turned red with shyness. She then replied.
"I love you too, Vincent."
Vincent nodded, waving his hand behind the taxi window. The driver didn't waste any time and stepped on the pedal immediately. Maybe the driver get jealous seeing two lovely couple.
"See you later at school, Iris!"
Iris nodded and waved back.
"See you later… my prince…"
"Is he gone?"
A nun approached Iris who was silent, watching the taxi grow smaller in her view.
Iris nodded slightly. "Thank you for helping me, Sister Margaret." Iris bowed to the nun who still looked very young. The woman smiled gently.
"Did you guys manage to make love?"
Iris's face turned very red upon hearing that.
"Um... that... um..."
Sister Margaret laughed heartily seeing Iris's embarrassed and flustered face.
"Seeing you like this, you must have failed, Iris. What a pity, if it were me, I might already be pregnant by now."
Iris turned her face away. She had been friends with Sister Margaret since middle school. Almost every afternoon after school, Iris always prayed in her family's church. Praying that someday she will met Vincent again and her love to him getting answered. That's where she met Sister Margaret, and they became good friends. In fact, it was Sister Margaret who suggested Iris spy on Vincent and keep his photos in the basement near the church. The two of them were so close that Sister Margaret wouldn't hesitate to help Iris do anything she wanted.
"Sister Margaret... Is this really okay? I... have sinned, haven't I?" Iris said hesitantly, recalling the past few days. She stalking, kidnapping Vincent, and did many things that were close to sinful.
But Sister Margaret shook her head.
"I'm not in a position to say what you did is a sin, Iris. As long as you both love each other, it means God has answered the prayers you've been pray every day."
Iris nodded happily.
"In that case, please help me down there. I have to go home." Iris said as she hailed a passing taxi. She didn't hear Sister Margaret continue speaking.
***
"I'm home."
When Vincent stepped into his house. It was still daytime, and his older and younger step-siblings were still at school. Only Violet, who had just finished knitting, welcomed Vincent home.
"Ara ara~ Mother's beloved son is finally home~"
Violet, wearing a tight home dress, stood from the sofa and hugged Vincent tightly, releasing all the longing from three days of not seeing her beloved stepson.
Vincent's face immediately sank into Violet's exposed sexy cleavage, so soft and fragrant. Vincent felt embarrassed, but his hands betrayed him and returned the hug tightly.
"Ara? Are you tired, Vincent? Want to sleep on mother's lap?"
Vincent floated upward and shook his head slightly.
"I'm fine. I just feel happy to be home."
Violet was confused to hear that but still held Vincent until he finally pulled back.
"Are the others still at school?" Vincent asked. Violet nodded in reply.
"Yes, they're still at school. How about your office business, Vincent? Is everything okay? The five of us missed you so much, and tonight we planned to visit you in case you haven't come home yet." Violet said softly while one hand touched her cheek worriedly.
Vincent shook his head and sat on the sofa.
"Well, I think it's fine. Manager Jian should be able to handle everything."
As Vincent said this, his phone vibrated. He checked the phone and answered a call.
Violet took juice from the fridge and poured it for Vincent along with sweet mochi she made that morning.
"Ara~ Mother is glad to hear that. Vincent must be tired, so I prepared juice and a light snack for my son."
"What?" Vincent said loudly, causing Violet, who had just put the glass of cold juice on the table, to almost spill it. Violet looked worried hearing Vincent raise his voice.
"All right, I'll be there as soon as possible."
After that, Vincent ended the call.
"Did something happen?" Violet asked anxiously. Vincent hurried upstairs to get a jacket to wear.
"Manager Jian called me to return to the company immediately. The company's Executive Directors decided to secretly replace the CEO without informing me or Manager Jian's agreement. Half of the board forced Manager Jian to step down because, according to them, the chairman seat should be held by the legitimate heir, not an interim administrator." Vincent explained as he took shoes from the rack.
"But you just got home. Be careful on the road, mother will wait at home tonight."
Violet looked at Vincent with gentle gaze. She was a little worried but trusted her son could solve all the problems. Vincent stood and nodded to Violet.
"I'm leaving."
After that, Vincent disappeared out the front door. In Violet's hands, a newly finished knitted scarf was gripped tightly. She intended to give it to Vincent but refrained upon seeing Vincent in a hurry.
"It seems I have to give this later. Hopefully Vincent will like it."
A dark red knitted scarf. Although simple, Violet needed two months to make it. She held the scarf in her hands and sat back on the sofa. Waiting for her son to return home.
***