Forbidden Attraction

Chapter 12: Turning Points

Hinata cast an inquisitive glance at Sasuke. "So, they couldn't repair your door, and now you're planning to stay here another night until they sort out the issue?" she inquired with a hint of uncertainty in her voice.

Sasuke replied with a simple "Hn."

Hinata's worry intensified as she asked, "What about Sakura?"

"We're taking a break."

Hinata began to pace around the room nervously. "That's okay, you can stay here and I'll go to Sakura's," she suggested.

Sasuke promptly dismissed the notion, his fingers tensely clasping her wrist. "I'm not evicting you from your own home. It'll be similar to last night," he asserted with determination. When their eyes locked, Hinata swiftly averted her gaze, sensing the mounting tension between them.

"Would you like to do something before bed?" Hinata asked, her voice slightly shaking. "Maybe play some board games or something?" She nervously twirled her hair around her finger, trying to avoid Sasuke's gaze. "Hn."

She pulled out the classic game of Life from the closet and set it up on the coffee table. Sasuke sat down on the couch, his arms crossed and his face expressionless as Hinata started to explain the rules of the game.

"So basically, you spin the spinner to see how many spaces you move, and then you have to make choices based on the cards you draw," Hinata explained as she handed Sasuke his car piece. "The goal is to end up with the most money and have the best life."

Sasuke nodded, still silent, as Hinata spun the spinner and moved her car piece. She landed on a space that gave her the option to either invest in stocks or take a trip to Europe. She chose to invest in stocks, hoping to increase her money in the long run.

Sasuke spun the spinner and moved his car piece to a space that gave him the option to either take a promotion or have a baby. He chose to take the promotion, and Hinata couldn't help but notice that he seemed to be getting all the good choices while she was getting all the bad ones.

As they continued to play, Hinata landed on spaces that forced her to pay off student loans, get a flat tire, and even go to jail. Sasuke, on the other hand, landed in spaces that gave him big paydays and opportunities for advancement.

Hinata was starting to feel frustrated with the game, and she couldn't help but think that it was a reflection of her life. She had always struggled with making the right choices, and it seemed like everything always worked out in Sasuke's favor.

But despite her frustration, Hinata kept playing, determined to turn her luck around. She landed on a space that gave her the option to either start a business or get married. She chose to start a business, hoping that it would bring her success and financial stability.

Sasuke landed on a space that gave him a big promotion and a raise, and Hinata couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy. But she kept playing, determined to make the best of her situation.

As the game came to a close, Sasuke had accumulated a vast fortune and had achieved all of his goals. Hinata, on the other hand, had struggled to make ends meet and had faced numerous setbacks along the way.

But despite her losses, Hinata couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in herself. She had never given up, even when the odds were against her, and she had learned valuable lessons about perseverance and determination.

As they put away the game and got ready for bed, Sasuke still remained silent. But Hinata could sense a change in him, a newfound respect for her and her unwavering spirit.

"Thanks for playing with me," Hinata said softly, walking with him to her bedroom.

"It was...interesting," he said, a hint of a smile on his lips.

Hinata returned the smile, feeling a sense of contentment wash over her. Once Sasuke had closed the door, she made her way to her closet to grab an extra pillow and blankets. She knew it was going to be a long night.

𝌀☯𝌀

Sasuke tossed and turned in Hinata's bed, unable to fall asleep. He stared up at the ceiling, listening to the sound of the city outside the window. Hinata had been kind enough to let him stay at her place while he waited for his apartment to be fixed, but he wasn't used to sleeping in a strange bed.

Just as he was about to give up and get out of bed, he heard a soft meowing sound coming from outside the door. Sasuke got up and opened it to find Hinata's white cat, Mochi, sitting there looking up at him expectantly.

"Hey," Sasuke said, crouching down to pet the cat. Mochi purred contentedly, rubbing her head against his hand.

Sasuke picked up the cat and brought her back into the room with him. He settled back into the bed, with Mochi curled up next to him. Her fur was soft and warm against his skin, and the sound of her purring was oddly soothing.

As Sasuke lay there with Mochi, he felt himself starting to relax. He closed his eyes and let out a deep breath, feeling a sense of calm wash over him.

"Mochi," Sasuke whispered, "you're a good cat."

Mochi meowed in response, nuzzling her head against his chest. As Sasuke drifted off to sleep, with Mochi snuggled up next to him, he felt grateful for the unexpected comfort that she had brought him.

𝌀☯𝌀

The day Sasuke was able to go back into his apartment he sat on his bed, staring at his phone as it buzzed incessantly on his nightstand. He knew who it was. It was Sakura, his girlfriend. He picked up the phone, hesitated for a moment before answering.

"Hello?" Sasuke said in a low voice.

"Sasuke, hi, it's Sakura," she said, her voice filled with emotion.

Sasuke sighed, preparing himself for another argument. But instead, Sakura surprised him.

"I just wanted to call and say that I'm sorry. I know I messed up, and I'm really sorry for being so clingy and not giving you the space you needed."

Sasuke listened intently, surprised by Sakura's words.

"I miss you so much, Sasuke. I love you, and I want to be in your arms again," Sakura continued.

Sasuke was unsure about his feelings. The spark he and Sakura had once shared was slowly fading away, but being with her also made him feel normal and safe.

"Miss you too," he said quietly.

"I know we can do better this time. I promise I'll give you the space you need, and we'll work on our communication," Sakura said.

Sasuke thought about it for a moment before finally agreeing.

"Hn," he said, a hint of a smile in his voice.

Sakura let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Sasuke. I'll do my best to make it work this time."

Sasuke hung up the phone, feeling conflicted. Part of him wanted to believe that they could make it work this time, but another part of him couldn't shake the feeling that he was making a mistake.