Secrets, Lies, and Deception

Chapter 19: Morning Run

I am not entirely sure what I am doing right now in front of Nathaniel's apartment. I can't even remember how I got here. I just know that I woke up around five o'clock in the morning then rode a taxi with me, dressing like I was going for a run.

Well, I did run a few laps around Nate's apartment. I had to look sweaty right before coming in, or I would look stupid wearing my gym clothes, yet there's not a single drop of sweat on my skin. I checked my watch, and my eyes widened when it was still quarter to six o'clock in the morning.

Damn!

I couldn't sleep last night because many thoughts were coming into my head—for example, Valerie's confrontation and her latest actions on provoking me. I should definitely need to make her remember who the Queen is here. But what she said about my heart has been stuck in my head. It's like I want to prove her wrong, but a part of me tells that I don't need to prove anything.

All these thoughts got me right before Nate's apartment door. I didn't even realize that I had ridden the elevator up to his floor. I shook my head, trying to pull myself together. But before I could even press the doorbell, I walked away, but it was as if fate was bullying me because the door opened at the same time.

"Nate, you have a visitor!" his Aunt shouted gleefully. Her reaction made my eyebrows raised in question. It was as if they were talking about me, then seeing me just made her confirm what she thinks about - which I don't have any idea what it is.

Gosh! All this overthinking is making my head burst. This is not me to overthink things like this. I hate that I cannot feel at ease at all with my thoughts. My life is messed up as it is. Now my brain too? This brain can't even handle a simple math problem. Geez!

Nate followed, catching the door before it closed because I didn't. He placed his right arm on the door frame and his left hand on the doorknob. His hair was still messed, but he looked fresh and... h-hot. His white shirt draped over his sculpted body. Damn, my mind is flying with the wind, thinking of ways to rip that shirt off to see what's underneath.

I shook my head again and slapped my forehead to wake up from my stupid daydream. 'What the hell am I even thinking?' Grr! I think Val really got into my head.

"Hey, what are you doing so early here in the morning? It's still like quarter to 6 am?" Nate smirked.

I was trying to think fast of why but all the excuses I could think of were all lame af. "I--Uhmm, was running around the neighborhood and just wandered here to say 'good morning,'" I said. I tried to sound convincing, but I think I just ended up trying to convince myself and not Nate because he pulled me into his apartment, locked the door behind, and held me by my shoulders while my back is against the wall.

Our eyes locked, but I looked away after how many seconds passed. I can feel the heat coming up again. I can sense my cheeks flushed, and my eyes seem to wander off everywhere but his eyes.

He placed his index finger below my chin and held it, making me face him. For a split second, I felt his nervousness, but then I could only feel these butterflies in my stomach, making me uneasy.

"Why are you really here, Luna?" Nate said intently.

"I--"

// 14 hours ago.

Valerie walked towards me with a smirk on her face. She placed her hand on my shoulder and whispered, "Your heart has been stolen by that geek."

My eyes widened with this confrontation. I froze from where I was standing. I wished I didn't challenge her then because I know she got the reaction she wanted from me, right there and then.