Thicker Than Water [18+]

Chapter 5: Secret

The bright sunlight streaming through the windows was what woke me up from my deep sleep. It usually took me only a couple of seconds to become fully awake for the day, but for some reason, crawling out of bed was tougher than usual. It was tougher in a lazy, relaxing way. I was so comfortable that the temptation to go back to sleep was winning. I buried my face in my fluffy pillow and inhaled, taking in a scent that smelled so pleasant yet familiar.

My eyes fluttered open for a moment as the scent stirred my brain away. When I realized where I was, I bolted up in bed and clenched the sheets to my naked chest. I gasped for air as my heart rammed into my chest. This home wasn't my own. The bed was a king and the decor was too sleek to be my own. There were clothes strewn across the floor which included my dress and a silver suit.

All of a sudden, it came back to me. The hunt, getting hit, Mr. Sterling. He took me to his place to keep me safe. He saw me in my Sizuno form. He. . . We. . .

My cheeks began to burn red hot and I just about had a heart attack. I couldn't believe it. This had to be some sort of dream. Did I really have sex with Mr. Sterling? My boss?!

I reached for my hair and ears, feeling that they had both returned to their original, humanly shortness. I inspected my own naked body too, blushing as I remembered how sexual I had been with it. This body was meant to heal and hunt! Not-

Taking a deep breath, I calmed my nerves. As terrible as this situation was, perhaps I could salvage it. Perhaps Mr. Sterling left for work already and I could just leave and pretend this never happened. If he tried to bring it up, I could lie to him. I was alien last night so it wouldn't be too hard to allude that maybe it was all a dream for him. Even if it would make me feel like a horrible being for gaslighting him like that, it would've been necessary.

Then, I began to smell the scent of fresh coffee wafting through the room. There was the light sound of shuffling further within the apartment as well. Denial wasn't going to get me out of this one. That was Mr. Sterling for sure.

On the edge of the bed were folded clothes, seemingly intended for me. I bit my cheek as I got up and got dressed in one of Mr. Sterling's t-shirts and gym shorts, fighting off wave after wave of pure embarrassment and shame. The fact that his clothes smelled like his usual sandalwood scent didn't help repress the memories of last night. Once my borrowed clothes were on and I didn't feel like fainting, I opened the door of his bedroom and walked out.

Mr. Sterling had on a plain white t-shirt just like me and some casual blue jeans. His hair was tousled as if he didn't fix it from last night yet, the locks cascading down in a graceful yet messy way over his forehead. The shirt he had on was a bit snug, showing off some definition in his toned muscles. His stubble was a little longer than last night.

I shook the weird details out of my head. Why was I thinking about his appearance so deeply?!

"Oh? Hema! Good morning. Would you like some coffee?" He finally noticed, giving me a heartwarming smile that made my stomach fill with butterflies.

I couldn't meet his gaze. The mere thought of looking into his eyes made me flush. Still, I nodded at the offer of some coffee. Something told me that we needed to sit down to talk about this anyways. A cup of coffee may make things easier.

A mug of coffee was poured for me and settled on a small oak dining table. I took the seat in front of it and gazed into my mug. The coffee was light brown from milk and sugar already. I took a hesitant sip only to find that the coffee was flavored just right to my taste. How did Mr. Sterling know I liked my coffee like this?

The seat across from me was taken by the owner of the apartment, his body language relaxed before his eyes settled on me again. His ears began to turn a light shade of red, his expression no longer as happy-go-lucky. "Erm. . . so. . . Last night-"