Paint Me Saved ✓ Book 1

32. Restrained steps

Leonardo

With only twenty-five days left, every single one of them counted. Every passing moment struck like a clap of thunder, reminding me of my agreement with Zemira. So much to do in so little time.

Our interview went quite well. After every social media account and gossip column started booming with quotes from the interview, Dad was pleased. He even took time to call me, to sing laurels about the plan and how it would help us.

Since Mom's birthday debacle, I concluded he might sever our ties or financially cripple me. I was wrong to assume. Dave Brenton had always been a calculative, predictive man. Behind his relaxed attitude, he masked something ominous for me. With Dad, it was never a genuine interaction - even on a call.

In contrast to Dad and his façade, it was Zemira's interview performance that took me by surprise. Everyone adored her wit. 

One answer in particular - when she fell in love with me - was delivered with perfection. She even fooled me. For a moment, her reply felt like an avalanche of a bleeding confession than what it truly was - a lie.

As bewitching as it was to hope for us, the truth always slapped me back to reality. From the day I would rejoin duty, I would carry my life upon my sleeves. A rogue bullet, a hidden mine or any misguided step could be my last.

That thought scared me, rattling my senses to stay away from Zemira and her enchantment. Dreaming about her or our future was taboo. I refused to drag her with me to the grave I walked towards.

~

"Leo, we've to meet before you leave." When my buddy Kyle saw the interview, he rang me up. "It's been long since we all hung out. Shawn and Greg are also coming. And I don't want to hear no for an answer."

Kyle's proposal for a get-together before rejoining duty grew on me. I managed to succumb to his demands; one such being bringing Zemira along with me.

Kyle and I met during our training. Our initial hostility towards the rule-following regime and the resultant punishments cemented our friendship. Having recently returned from active service, Kyle was enjoying the excruciating summer and heat of Florida, only to subject us all to it with a barbeque party.

The drive to Kyle's residence in Pinecrest was longer than expected.

Rolling down her windows, Zemira conducted her inquisitive stare over places and houses flying past us. Her gaze remained at a distance, those ravishing, cerulean orbs widening with every turn in the street and my abrupt breaking. 

Her head turned back every time some dilapidated building cruised past. Raven-colored tresses floated over her face, yet never bothered her. She was a sponge that soaked up the heat and everything the surroundings had to offer.

In a forty-minute drive with traffic burning down our speed, we barely spoke. 

Thinking of it, we barely spoke since the day I told her about my deployment. I knew in my heart that she was sad. Zemira and I had grown closer, forging a bond of friendship and understanding. It was valid for her to be disheartened with our adventure coming to an end. I felt it too.

There was something else that I felt.

A poking sensation in my chest, every time our eyes met. Her darkened gaze would remain fixed on me even when we were done taking, holding me hostage.

Was I imagining things? Sure.

Was I going to do something about it? Nope. I wasn't willing to risk our friendship.