Chapter 37

                                    

                                          



Shock overwhelmed her as she dropped her music box and fell backwards onto the ground. A chill ran down her spine as it didn't make any sense to her. From what she could remember, her mother died from childbirth yet this picture exists...
"Asteria? Are you okay, here take my hand—" in an instant Asteria had slapped the hand that had reached out to her out of generosity and care, however she had reacted in a manner. 
Coming back to realization she apologized. "I'm sorry Jeremy, I know you didn't mean any harm.." sighing as she spoke. But this didn't stop Jeremy at all, even his sharp animalistic senses were tingling. "What's wrong? Why are you so shakened all of a sudden?" He asked. 
Kneeling down to face her. She looked at him before looking at her hand. "Don't push it Jeremy." He didn't care and looked around to see the opened music box on the ground that she had dropped not long ago. 
His body froze as if he couldn't even dare to speak. One by one as the time goes by it seems that her friend group can only uncover secrets that should've remained as ones.
Whilst some must be uncovered by force...
"Hey...what kind of gift is this?? Is this some kind of joke!?" Jeremy growled. Although his voice was more on the softer and quieter end because he had a feeling Asteria didn't want any exposure as of right now. "I don't know...I can't remember anything!!" She felt scared.
Scared of the unknown 
That has yet to come...
Her hands were on her hand as she shoved her face into her knees. Jeremy quit looking at the music box while carefully closing it back up before attending to his friend's needs. 
Wrapping her hands around him and putting her face in the crook of his neck he lifted her up into his arms. "It's been a long day, yeah? So let's head on to bed now Asteria." He spoke. His words were a way of comfort as Asteria can see glimpses of his future self. "...okay" she replied.
***
As they reached Asteria's chambers he cautiously placed her on her bed before taking a knee. And with a soothing tone he spoke. "Do you want to change into another night gown?" He asked. 
To which she shook her head in response. "It's okay, you act like I got it all dirty or something.." She said as she began to get under the covers. Jeremy stood up ready to leave but was held back in return. He looked to see Asteria's hand on his wrist.
Her hair covered her face as the moonlight shone behind her. "Can you...stay just for a little bit? Or at least until I fall asleep? Please." she begged. 
Jeremy's face tensed up as he turned around and her hold on him loosened. His hand reached behind his head as he scratched it. "Well, there's not much harm but me? I'm a guy too, you know, it's just not right to be in a girl's room at night.." Jeremy was stating facts. 
She nodded understanding everything but in the end she also knew that Jeremy wasn't the kind of man who would do such a thing to her. Not one bit. Her trust in him was much more than he knew. 
"But I trust Jeremy. Never in a million years would he ever try to do anything that'll anger me." She looked up at him purely. He groaned heavily in annoyance. "I can't believe this..."
A second later he sat down on the edge of her bed as he pushed her to lay down and cover her up. "Go to bed you child!! I'll stay here 'till you fall asleep alright?!" He raised his voice slightly. 
Shortly after, a small smile appeared on her face although she covered it with the blanket. In her heart she was correct about Jeremy. "Thank you Jeremy, goodnight." She said, He acknowledged her and did the same. He began to softly pat her to lull her to bed.