Encounter

Aleia’s POV

My knees are still trembling, my heart pounding heavily as I hide behind the bathroom door. What did the hell happen? We were making out for the fact that we met just this morning. I almost get naked in front of him. Thank God, Cleofe came.

My emotions and desire carried me. I have loved him since I was ten, contented to see him from afar, dreaming of being with him. And suddenly, he was here with me, and I almost gave in to him knowing that he would be engaged to my dear sister.

But until when do I have to give way for her? Dad told me before to give Nathalie what she wanted because that brat has a heart problem. We should do everything to make her happy to avoid complications. But it seemed that we had the same taste in almost everything that we even fell in love with one man.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

We are both in love with Zach, but she was not aware of it. It might put me in a challenging situation knowing that her mother hates my existence. I avoided Zach as far as I could; I hid in my room every time he was in our house. I just peeked through the door to take a glimpse of him.

That was enough for me not until today when I had the chance to taste how it feels to be in his arms. Until I got a taste of his lips and touch in my bare skin. I am a hypocrite if I would not admit that I liked what we did. It feels like a dream, and if it is, I don’t want to wake up forever.

I’d rather live in this dreamlike fantasy with him by my side than live alone in reality. And the realization came; I could not let go of him. Not anymore. I think it’s time to give way for myself. I need to fight for my own life; that’s him. But fighting my love for him means opposing my father’s will. I wish mom were here to help me with all of these. I loved him, and since we were here, maybe I could take advantage of the situation. I might as well play with fire if needed. Then I would have no regrets afterward.

“Hey, babe! The brat went home already. You can come out from there,” Zach said behind the door. But I couldn’t move. I froze to where I was. Now what? I don’t think I still have the guts to face him after what we did.”Babe?” he called again.

I slowly opened the door and went outside. I looked away. “I think I need to go,” I said and headed to the door. He grabbed my arm then suddenly, I felt him hugging me from behind, sniffing my hair, and kissing my nape. I gasped and tried to push him away until he let go of me.

“Don’t go yet. I know you are hungry. We left our coffee untouched a while ago. I can’t just let you go with an empty stomach,” he said, still holding my hand. His eyes are looking and piercing my inner soul, saying everything he can’t express in words. I thought I was lost for a second while looking at them-they are the best pair of eyes I have ever set my eyes on.

He smiled playfully and pinched my cheeks.” I know I look good but don’t stare at me like that, “he said and leaned closer to me and whispered,” it made me want to kiss you again.”

I stopped breathing for a few seconds. My heart was racing so fast that I could not breathe normally. I needed something to lean on. If not, then I’d fall for him even harder.

With my unstable state, I said,” I think-” But he stopped me midway by putting his fingers on my lips. I bit my tongue to suppress a gasp.

“You stay here first. I’ll ask Cleofe to bring us food to the cottage near the shore. Don’t think of walking away. You know that I will still find you,” he said and stormed out immediately.

I looked for a chair and sat there with my knees still weak. I combed my hair with my hand and pulled the hem of my shirt. I tried to recover my composure so that when he came back, I would not look like a teenage girl in love. This is not me. Maybe the saying is true that ‘when we are in love, we lose our real self and become someone else.’

“Babe.”I glanced at the door and saw him there walking to where I am seated.” Let’s go. We prepared the table already.” He offered his hand. At first, I was staring at it, thinking if I’d accept it.

I decided to take his hand and stood up.” Let’s go, “I said, finally getting back to my senses. He locked his fingers with mine as couples do. His hands perfectly fit mine. As if they were made precisely to hold and never let go of me. They were big and warm. I loved the feeling. It made me feel that I am not alone anymore.

“Ale,” he said softly as we were walking on the shore, going to the cottage where he set up for dinner.

“Mmmm,” I replied. Half of me was listening to the crashing waves. I can feel my mom’s presence by just listening to them as if she was watching me with the man I loved almost half of my life.

“Have I been rude to you? Yeah, it was not right for me to do it. We just met today, and we hardly know each other. But I feel like I knew you a long time ago.”

I stopped walking, and he did too. I could not even say a word. We were staring at each other, trying to read each other’s minds.

“But I won’t say sorry for doing it. It was not a mistake. You’re beautiful and hard to resist, and I think-” I felt like I was a convicted criminal waiting for my sentence. “I think I’m starting to like you. I want to know more about you.”

I felt like I was on cloud nine after hearing it. But then, after recalling what happened, a smile escaped from my mouth.

“Why are you smiling like that?” he asked with his eyebrows furrowed.

“Sorry.” I could not tell him I was smiling because the make-out happened first before the getting to know stage. Instead, I cling to his arm. “I’m just happy, that’s all,” I said as we continued walking.

I understand that someone like him is not used to confessing his feelings just like that. He does not chase women; women chase him. That’s how it works for a hot and rich billionaire like him.

I’ll still count myself lucky that he wanted to more about me. But how would he react if he learned that I am Aleia Reign Grymes? The sister of his soon-to-be fiancee.