Page 29 of Light in Your Eyes

"Thank you. You don't know how much this means to me." I want to hug her, and since she doesn't show any reluctance, I wrap my arms around her.

When I pull away, I see the same happiness skating on her face. This girl seems like a genuine person. I feel like I can be her friend.

"Did Kellan tell you about this?" I ask.

The answer is obvious, but I just want to hear it from her. She only nods, and I assume that she's not a talkative person.

"I'm Layla, by the way." I stretch my arm for a handshake, which she accepts. "And you are?" I raise my eyebrows.

To my surprise, instead of answering my question, she pulls out a pile of small notepapers and a pen from her pants pocket. My curiosity kicks in as she starts writing something. When she shows me what it is, my heart sinks.

I'm Zoe. Nice to meet you, Layla.

I'm mute, by the way. I can't talk. I hope you don't mind talking to me like this.

I shake my head and smile. "Of course. I'm so happy to meet you, Zoe. Thank you for helping me out."

To answer your question, yes, Kellan did tell me to do these things for you.

Honestly, it's rare to see him do something like this.

"Is he a nice person?" I ask. "Please be honest."

Zoe shakes her head in amusement.

Sometimes he acts like a pain in the ass, but he's actually a good person. Don't worry.

I let out a sigh of relief. Talking to Zoe is already making me much calmer. I need someone like her in a place like this.

"My job is to take care of him," I say. "But he doesn't let me."

A frown touches her lips.

Why?

"I don't know." I shrug. "I'm pretty sure that he found me annoying."

This time, Zoe shakes her head in disagreement.

Don't let that get into your head. Please don't give up. I think he needs someone like you. Just let me know if I can help you with anything.

There's so much more I want to hear from her about her sentence, but I decide to focus on one point first.

"I really appreciate your help," I say. "Can you tell me more about him and this place? He's blind. How does he usually get help around here?"

With enthusiasm, Zoe writes me, and her answers are long.

Kellan has been living here since he was born. He lost his eyesight when he was only nine years old in a car crash that killed his parents and his sister. After that, he changed into someone who was always angry. Many people saw him, and still see him, as a lost cause because none of them knows him better. He's traumatized, andnot many people can understand that.

Please don't give up on him. Behind his harsh exterior is a kind and caring person.

As for his daily needs, he usually takes his meals in his room unless he wants to eat in the kitchen occasionally.

All Black Wings members do their laundry by themselves, but that doesn't apply to Kellan. My father does that for him.

I ponder in thought. Zoe's father might not have to do that anymore because it's now my job.

Curiosity builds up inside me. "I'm sorry for asking this, but what does your father do? And what about you? In which part of the house do you two live?"