Zarin woke up with the worst headache. It felt as if his head would explode. You would think he would be used to it by now, but it hurt the same every time.
Last night, he went out with his father so they could enjoy some time alone. They had deep conversations over a few drinks that soon turned into more than just a few. They ended up drinking bottles and Zarin couldn't even remember how he got home. But he knew he had a good time with his father.
Suddenly someone kicked him out of bed from behind. He flew across the room and bumped into the wall. "Good morning, brother."
Of course. It had to be Gina. She couldn't wait to begin her torture.
"Hurry. I am hungry." She said.
He stood up with a groan. His head throbbed even more. What did he have to do with her hunger?
Gina threw his clothes at him. "If you don't come down fast enough, I will kick you down as well." She said then vanished.
Zarin had to take a moment to recover before getting dressed and hurrying down. He didn't need another kick.
Gina was already waiting downstairs for him. "Come with me." She said.
He wasn't even fully awake yet. Still, he followed her obediently. But why was she taking him to the kitchen?
"Mary and Lara. Zarin is here. Remember what I told you." She said.
"Yes, My Lady."
What did she tell them? Zarin was confused. He looked at his sister questioningly.
"You will help Mary and Lara to make us lunch. Please hurry. I am hungry." She said, then turning, she left.
Zarin knew kitchen work wasn't easy. To stand in the heat all day and boil things didn't sound fun, but since he was going to make it up to his family, he pulled his sleeves up and prepared to do some labor work.
"What do I need to do?" He asked and so his labor work began.
The maids sent him to carry water and chop wood. Then he had to light a fire and make sure it stayed alive. The heat was already making him sweat and now peeling onions made his eyes water.
What was happening?
"My eyes are burning." He said, and the maids laughed at him.
"You will get used to it."
Then he had to chop the onions, and other vegetables and it didn't go well. Mary shook her head at him, looking at what he had created.
"Mother Mary. Please, have mercy." He told her jokingly.
Mary and Lara have known him since he was a little boy.
She chuckled and patted him on the shoulder. "This is only the beginning child."
Zarin realized how much work they went through just to make them food. Once they were done with the cooking, he served the dining table with them. His parents and Gina came to the dining room for lunch.
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 chest.
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.