Twisted Paradise

Chapter 13

After an enjoyable dinner, they both step out into the night's chill. Looking up at the dark canvas, it had uncountable drops of white sprinkled all over, glowing and lighting up the night.

Today's night sky was particularly bright. It was guiding all those who had no light.

She stared up, with vengeance in her wild eyes.

"You keep glaring at the stars." The light whisper at her ear surprised her.

"I just don't like how they shine so bright." She turned her head, eyes of forest green locking with mahogany - the distance between them, they were no more than a whisper away.

Her eyes trailed down to his rosy lips. She brought up her hand and her thumb gently stroked his lower lip. Eyes running up his face, contacting his, she hesitated.

She had never hesitated with anyone before.

Noticing her hesitation, his cold-blooded eyes melted. Melted in a way the precipice of a thousand pitfalls was washed off and in its place was a presence as caring as it was sincere.

He gently removed her thumb from his lips and took a step back.

Unknowingly, so did she.

When she saw his molten mahogany eyes, she found they were shiver-inducing but not quite the same way.

That scared her enough to consider running away.

(Wasn't that what she always did?)

She looked away, scanning the area as best as she could in her state of panic. The night was brightly lit. She wouldn't have much trouble running away.

But he wouldn't have a problem chasing after her either. He had a car but she didn't. She-

"Lilithe." The voice broke through her haze.

She released a pain-filled breath and looked back into his eyes.

And blinked in confusion.

He was looking at her with faint concern in his ruthless mahogany eyes. The tempest in that pair, as unrestrained as always.

Not even a little softness to them.

Was she seeing things now?

Her body, coiled to spring away at the slightest signal, gradually settled down. Her heart beat at a normal pace. And she slowly got back at ease.

She was calm throughout the whole drive. She didn't feel like running away again. She didn't freak out again.

Blaise glanced at her a couple of times through the rear-view mirror. She smiled at him each time, looking very carefree.

He didn't probe.

Wise guy.

But now that Lily was in control on again of her faculties, she was no longer unbalanced at the edge of uncertainty. Blaise was completely his usual self. That gentleness and care were only something she dreamed up. Her mind was playing tricks on her.

That was all.

Back to her playful self, she gave him a teasing look when they arrived at her building as he was going up the floors with her.

He blinked, scandalised.

But before he could come up with a piece to defend his honour, the sleek black door opened.

And Selene was standing right in front of them, staring at him.

Lily raised an eyebrow at her in intrigue. While Blaise, faced with Selene's icy gaze, didn't seem to know what to say.

As if he was afraid of saying the wrong thing and offending her.

"I apologize for arriving with her so late." He finally decided on it.

"Lilithe can come home whenever she wants to."

"Yes, of course," he amicably agreed. "I apologize if I insinuated anything else."

Lily was having the time of her life watching those two. Selene was trying to poke him and see his condition so far, while Blaise was doing everything he could to avoid offending her.

However, as Selene kept staring at him indifferently, lowering the temperature by a hundred or so degrees, Lily felt like she had to intervene before Blaise got frostbite.

"Okay, you two, it's late now. Blaise, thanks for coming up with me. I think the men downstairs are done bringing out all the bags from your car."

He nodded and after exchanging goodbyes, left.

The door closed with Selene and her inside the penthouse.

Selene did not glance at her. Instead, she seemed to be thinking deeply about something, comparing the pros and cons.

Lily was about to leave for her room when Selene spoke up, cool eyes fixed on the closed door:

"You still think everything is going perfectly under control?"

Lily cocked her head to the side. "What are you on about?"

Selene slowly turned around and faced her, ice blue clashing with forest green. Her face was void of emotions, yet the words she uttered next had her blood chilling.

"The look in his eyes, as he stared at you, did not seem casual, Lilithe. It seemed like a man who knew too much - one who was desperately drowning in love."

This chapter was a bit short. Since this was the next part of the previous chapter.

Also... Poor Blaise got his feelings exposed. For someone who barely shows any emotions, Selene sure is an expert at reading them.

But how's Lily going to react?! I'll give you a clue. It won't be pleasant.