Dear Sweetheart

Chapter 87

Chapter 87 We Are Now Husband And Wife

The villagers were pleased that Curtis brought a truck full of food to the village, so they allowed Rayna and him to stay for a couple of days since the vehicle’s tires went flat.

After turning down their offer out of courtesy a few times, she eventually accepted their offer.

In the late evening, Curtis, the village chief, and a few other villagers returned with a load of wild animals. It looked like they had a fruitful hunt.

Meanwhile, the ladies set up the cooking station. They even served the mustard leaves they only consumed on special occasions and whipped up a sumptuous meal for the crowd.

The well-lit courtyard was as bright as day. Laughter filled the air as some villagers entertained the crowd by singing their unique folk songs.

As usual, wine was provided.

Last night’s experience had prompted Rayna to remind the village chief. “Mr. Yildiz, my husband is allergic to alcohol, so I’m afraid he’ll have to sit out the drinking session.”

Upon hearing that, Murat took away the wine glass as he did not want to pressure Curtis.

Curtis knew what Rayna did. While the villagers were enjoying themselves, he approached her and whispered in her ear, “Nothing bad happened to me last night, right?”

“Of course, something happened to you. You were allergic to alcohol,” Rayna explained, “I almost forgot you had red spots all over your body. I guess you’re not aware of it, too, right?”

“Really?”

Rayna gave him a sincere nod. Yet, a line still formed between Curtis’ brows. Is that why Gabriel always stopped me from drinking heavy liquor?

Somehow, he felt something was not quite right.

Curtis and Rayna stayed in the village for the next few days. When the former went for a stroll around the area, Rayna would remain in the settlement and chat with the women.

Most of the children were boys under the age of ten. As they were all considerably obedient, Rayna enjoyed teaching them the Tyrandasian language by writing words on the rock.

The children’s curiosity boosted their learning abilities. They were able to write a word after repeating it six times.

Rayna opined that they could enjoy a more meaningful life had they received formal education in the city. The fact that the life expectancy in this village is only around fifty years old might have something to do with their health. Therefore, she believed they should go for regular checkups at the hospital.

Meanwhile, the custom-made glass jars arrived five days later. All rights © NôvelDrama.Org.

After dinner, Rayna went to look for Murat. “Mr. Yildiz, Ms. Aisha told me a plant that can prolong a person’s longevity could be found in the village. She also said all of you would make soup out of it.”

“Yes, that’s right,” Murat said, “we consume them daily. And that’s why we’re as fit as a fiddle. Those in their forties tend to look like they were in their twenties or thirties.”

He then let out a sigh. “But somehow, many of us won’t live past fifty-one years old. This also makes us question the effectiveness of the plant. Why do you ask? Would you like to try it?”

Rayna nodded. “To be honest, I’m tempted to bring some home after learning about it.”

“I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed,” Murat responded with a frown. He continued, “In the past, villagers tried growing it elsewhere but failed. The plant can’t seem to grow outside the village.”

“No worries. As long as you’re willing to give me a few plants.” Rayna gave him a grin. “My husband and I bought a few jars when we drove past Ackleton. The locals told us we can store anything in it.”

“All right. Feel free to collect as many plants as you wish.” Murat chuckled while expressing his gratitude. “You and your husband have given us so much. In the last few days, we’d been scratching our heads to think of the best gift to repay your kindness.”

“Don’t mention it, Mr. Yildiz,” Rayna responded with a smile.

Last night, Curtis thought he had successfully hidden the glass jars in the car without anyone noticing them, but somehow, Rayna seemed aware of it. She went to the car today and retrieved five of them.

After that, Rayna and Murat went to the shed.

After unfastening the jar’s cover, she dug out the plants with some soil, placed them in the containers, and fastened the lids.

In a matter of minutes, she filled all five glass jars with the plants.

Murat looked at the containers and asked Rayna, “I can’t tell what is so special about these jars. Are you sure they can keep the plants alive?”

“I hope so.” Rayna wiped off the sweat droplets on her forehead.

She might have instructed Gabriel to custom-make those glass jars, but she had no idea if they could keep the plants alive.

The moment they stepped out of the shed, Curtis arrived.

“Look at you. Are you worried that something bad might happen to your wife when she’s only here in the shed for a while?” Murat teased him. “Though you always carry a deadpan expression everywhere you go and tend to give people the cold shoulder, you seem to dote on your wife.”

Curtis did not fully understand what Murat said, but when he noticed the expression on his face, his lips began to twitch. He must be saying nasty things about me.

Rayna, who was standing behind Murat, could not help but giggle. Well, that’s because Curtis’ identity as a villager is fake. Anyone who gets to see him smile should count themselves lucky.

“Mr. Yildiz, please don’t mind him. He has been like that since he was a kid,” Rayna said.

Murat immediately put on a stern face and said, “That’s not good! Men should always treat their wives well! You should stay here with us. My son is twenty years old too, do you know that?”

“You flattered me, Mr. Yildiz.” Rayna felt the situation was spiraling out of control. After hooking her hand around Curtis’ arm, she continued, “Trust me, he has improved tremendously under my guidance. Moreover, I’m pregnant with his child.”

Murat had no choice but to give up. “All right, I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone. I’m going to go now.”

Once Murat left, Curtis stared at Rayna deeply. “What were you two talking about? You seem like you’re having fun.”

“Mr. Yildiz wanted me to stay and told me his son was twenty-three years old.” Rayna skipped the comments Murat made about him. “And he wants me to be his son’s wife.”

Curtis glanced at his arm and knew what she was trying to do. “So you used me as a shield?”

“Of course. We’re now husband and wife!”

Her remark left him bereft of words.

“Here. Take a look at these precious babies.” Rayna lifted the ropes she used to tie the five glass jars.

Curtis took one of the jars and studied the plant closely. “It looks fresh.” To him, there was nothing unusual about it. “Anyway, we should leave the village tonight if there’s nothing else we need to do.”

Rayna bobbed her head in response.

All of a sudden, something hit the shed, and a buzzing sound emerged from a distance.

Curtis’ brows twitched after he noticed a tiny object glittering in the sun. Out of instinct, he lunged at Rayna, and they fell to the ground.

Rayna, who had no idea what was happening, accidentally tossed the glass jars when she fell. She immediately grabbed the ropes and pulled the containers back.

In a split second, the shed exploded. The explosion was so powerful that it sent all the broken pieces from the building flying up the trees and onto the ground at lightning speed.

Rayna’s ears started buzzing before losing her hearing for a moment.

After the explosion died down, Curtis helped Rayna up. They did not sustain injuries as they were in a safe spot.

Curtis gently stroked Rayna’s cheeks. “Rayna?”

Rayna shook her head repeatedly. It took her a while to regain her hearing. “What just happened?”

Curtis looked behind her with a grim expression. Rayna followed his line of sight and noticed the shed was ravaged. The explosion even left a two-meter depression on the ground.

“Look away. The bomb is toxic.” Curtis cupped Rayna’s nose with his hand and brought her out of the scene.

The explosion had also drawn the villagers’ attention. They all ran out and were stunned by the depression on the ground.

Murat, who also came to check on the shed, asked, “W-What just happened?”

Rayna pursed her lips and remained silent.

She felt something was amiss, as the last few days had been exceptionally peaceful. She knew Jefferson, given his personality, would not give up easily when he lost the deal. Apparently, he hasn’t conceded defeat. He was merely waiting for the right time to blow us into pieces.

Though they had walked away from the shed, they could still smell the musty stench in the air. The explosion had destroyed the entire garden, turning it into a barren land.