Chapter 287

Gina’s eyes scanned the table before looking at Mary and Lara. "I hope you didn’t let him cheat." She said. Mary smiled. "Zarin worked really hard. He helped us a lot." She said, looking at him. He smiled back at her. "Well done, brother. You didn’t burn the kitchen." His parents seemed to know about Gina’s plan, since they weren’t asking questions. "Let’s sit and eat then." His father said. All of them sat down, except for Zarin. He felt strange leaving Mary and Lara behind. "What is wrong?" His mother asked when he kept standing. "I will eat in the kitchen with Mary and Lara." He said. They looked surprised at him. Gina blinked a few times. "Excuse me, my Lord and my Lady." He then bowed and motioned for Mary and Lara to leave with him. "What are you up to? Lara asked. "We cook together, we eat together." He told them. "Silly boy." Mary said. After finishing his lunch, Zarin helped them clean up. By the end of it all, he was exhausted. He was a demon. He shouldn’t get tired this easily, but he had to admit that cooking was a hard job. Using a knife to cut small vegetables that slid out of his fingers was needed so much focus. It was harder than sword-fighting. He would rather go to battle than stand in the kitchen all day. These women were really strong to do that and Zarin needed more strength because Gina wasn’t done with him. She still had tasks for him to complete. What did she have in store this time? "Laundry." She said. Laundry would take time, and he had a few things he wanted to do before being tortured. "Gina. I’ll do whatever you ask of me but I need to meet a few people." He said, thinking of apologizing to Zamiel and Heaven. Gina nodded. "Heaven is back." She told him. Zarin was surprised. "She is? When?" "Last night she was here and had dinner with us." Zarin knew Zamiel would save her, but he didn’t expect it to be so soon. Gina saw his confusion and explained to him everything. Zarin was relieved to hear that Heaven was back, but he was sad that Irene had to stay hidden. He wondered if Zamiel had an additional plan or if Irene would have to stay in the ocean forever. "I am going to see Zamiel first." He said, knowing that he would need a lot more time with Heaven. Gina’s eyes lit up. "I am coming with you." "No!" He was already nervous about apologizing. He didn’t need more eyes and ears around him. "Yes!" Gina insisted, crossing her arms over her c.h.e.s.t. Zarin sighed. He knew it was useless to fight her. She wouldn’t give up. "Alright." He said. Zarin felt his heart race when looking at the front door of Zamiel’s house. He had mixed emotions of shame and gratefulness. He hadn’t even planned how to apologize. He learned that apologies didn’t work like that. When it was real, it came from the heart. He would let his heart speak and see if he had truly changed for the better. "He has a gracious home." Gina said. "But he won’t be living here for too long." Yes. He would get married to Heaven, and they would live in the castle. Zarin walked to the front door and was about to knock when the door opened by itself. Zamiel seemed to like doing that. "Should we just walk in?" Gina asked. "Well, he opened the door." Zarin said. They walked in and Zamiel stood in the grand hall. As usual, he welcomed them with a polite smile.