Chapter 7
1578words
I should’ve resisted but that scent… it was familiar, calming. His face was inches away from mine. He leaned in, slowly, his breath brushing over the skin of my neck.
“Why did you leave me yesterday without saying anything?” he asked, voice low and laced with a hint of hurt.
“But… we met again, didn’t we?” I whispered back, trying to downplay the tension.
“Uh-huh,” he murmured teasingly, pressing a light kiss against my neck.
I froze my body wouldn’t move, like I had been nailed to the wall where he held me. He must’ve sensed the unease in my posture, because he suddenly backed off, giving me space. He leaned against the wall instead, slipping his hands into his pockets.
“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice softer now, a sigh escaping his lips as he stared ahead.
I found myself smiling at his shift in demeanor. I turned to face him, ready to speak until I noticed his brows furrowing as he looked down at me.
“Are you still in pain?” he asked with genuine concern.
“Ah… y-yeah,” I admitted, a little embarrassed.
“Have you eaten? Let’s eat,” he said quickly, already moving toward me before I could answer. Without warning, he lifted me into his arms, bridal style.
“Hey! I haven’t even said yes!” I protested.
“I didn’t ask for permission,” he corrected, amused. “I asked if you’ve eaten.”
Before I could form a comeback, I was already inside his car don’t ask me how he opened the door with me still in his arms.
“What do you want to eat? Know any place?” he asked as he started the engine.
I bit my lip and shook my head. I didn’t know how to answer. I wasn’t exactly familiar with restaurants I barely went outside, except for Selene’s ice cream parlor.
“I… um, I just want strawberry ice cream. And no, I don’t know any place,” I answered honestly.
His brows pinched slightly. “I meant a real meal, baby. But you can have your strawberry ice cream after.”
We drove in silence until we reached a restaurant building. We ended up eating beef steak and vegetable salad. True to his word, he ordered strawberry ice cream for me after the meal.
Feeling warm, I slipped off my outer layer. As I continued eating my ice cream, I noticed he had gone quiet again so I glanced at him his eyes were fixed on my arm. I my right arm particularly.
Following his gaze, I saw it. A dark bruise. I’d almost forgotten Ana had hit me earlier with a billiard cue. It still ached especially my right leg.
“What happened?” he asked, tone sharp and serious.
“Ah… I just got hit, by my aahmm- cousin, that’s all,” I said casually, like it wasn’t a big deal.
“Hit? At your age?” His brows furrowed deeper.
“Yes? Haven’t you ever been hit before?” I asked, attempting a lighthearted tone.
“Not after I turned twelve,” he replied, dead serious.
“Well… good for you then,” I muttered and took another spoonful of ice cream.
We were alone on that floor, he must’ve reserved the entire level. We were at the top floor too, giving me a breathtaking view of the city skyline.
From Selene: Where are you?
I read Selene's messages.
To Selene: I'm with a friend. Don't worry, we just eat.
I replied to her message.
I minute after I received another message from her.
From Selene: Ok, take care. (kiss)
I put my phone into my pocket as I was admiring the view from up here. Until I felt something cold touch my skin. An ice pack.
Zane was gently pressing it against my bruise, careful and quiet. I didn't even felt him walking near me.
We spent almost an hour just breathing in the view from that rooftop, the kind that makes you forget the world exists beyond what your eyes can see. It was quiet, comforting… until I got a message from Selene.
I unlocked my phone and read it.
From Selene: We're heading to Crystal Island Beach Resort, we'll pick you guys so you can come too"
“I got a message from Selene, they're heading Crystal Island Beach Resort. She said she'll pick us up.” I said to Zane.
Zane glanced at me from the side. "I can take you you there, tell her we'll follow" He said.
I nodded as I type.
To Selene: No need, we'll follow you guys there.
From Selene: Okay see you! Finally you'll get to see a beach now. I'm so excited for you (hugs and kiss emoji)
I chuckled at the message. I felt Zane looking at me, so I just showed him the phone.
"Let's go?" I said. As I pull back my phone to my pocket as I head to the elevator.
"You've never been to a beach before?" he asked me curiously as his brows slightly pulled together.
"Obviously" I replied with a smile creeping into my lips. I didn’t even try to hide the excitement this time.
We made our way to the elevator. The doors slid shut behind us, locking us in with nothing but that strange kind of silence that only builds tension.
Zane wasn’t saying a word. I didn’t either. I was too caught up in the moment. But I felt him.
I didn’t even have to look. The air changed the moment he moved.
He leaned in, slowly. Like gravity was pulling him toward me. I took a small step back, only to feel the cold, hard wall at my back.
He was close now. Too close. A playful smirk tugged at his lips that cocky expression he wore when he knew exactly what effect he had on me.
His hand gently found the side of my neck, thumb brushing against my skin like he was testing how soft I was. And then, I felt it, his breath, warm and teasing, just inches from my skin. And then his lips were on me.
Right there, a kiss, just below my jaw, like he wanted to drive me insane slowly. My eyes widened. My breath hitched. The elevator dinged and the doors began to open behind him, I was about to push him away, really, but he stopped me.
His lips kept grazing my neck and I froze. But it wasn't Zane that made me freeze. It was her. Standing outside, mouth parted in pure disbelief…
And she saw everything.
For a split second, we both just stared at each other. Me, caught in Zane’s arms, his lips on my skin. Her like a deer in headlights. Then an idea sparked in my head.
I tilted my head slightly toward Zane, eyes still locked on Ana.
“Kiss me, love,” I whispered, the word rolling off my tongue, “the way you wanted.”
Zane didn’t hesitate. He turned and slammed me softly but firmly against the other side of the elevator, his mouth finding mine with zero warning. His kiss was intense, hot and overwhelming, but I kissed him back without missing a beat. My arms looped around his neck, pulling him closer.
My eyes stayed open. And they were on her. Ana looked like her soul left her body. Before she could even move or react, the elevator doors closed on her shocked face.
I pulled away just before things went too far. His lips were still inches from mine when I teased, “You really kiss like you’ve been starved.”
He chuckled, dark, amused, and totally unbothered, but I wasn’t paying attention to him now.
I was too busy thinking about Ana’s face. I smiled quietly, letting her witness it. She will tell her family for sure. But of course she doesn't have any evidence, I smirk form in my head again.
'Fate, it seemed, was finally playing on my side.'
The elevator doors opened again and this time, we were greeted by a row of luxury cars in the parking lot. Before I could fully take a step, Zane hugged me again. Like a kid denied his candy.
He even pouted slightly, muttering a soft “Tsk” under his breath.
I couldn't stop myself from laughing, it was so un-Zane, it was adorable. When we got into his car, he leaned over me again, so close I could smell his cologne, spicy, warm, expensive. It made my skin tingle. I couldn’t move. He reached for the seatbelt and click.
“Sh*t,” he muttered under his breath, pulling away and strapping himself in.
I looked at him. He wasn’t still, not the usual composed Zane. He was fidgety.
And I… I don’t know what got into me but I softly whispered,
“I’m sorry.”
He turned to me for a second, brow furrowed again.
“Why are you apologizing?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” I answered honestly, looking down at my lap. “I just… felt like I needed to.”
He let out a heavy breath and didn’t say anything right away.
"You didn't do wrong" he said.
I found myself gripping the fabric of my dress, trying to ground myself. A few minutes later, the car slowed and then stopped.
I looked out the window.
The ocean and the sky are both stretched endlessly, two different shades of blue, one soft and endless above, one deep and mysterious below. It was... breathtaking.
Zane opened the door on my side.
"Come on," he said with a soft smile, like the moment earlier didn't even happen.
