MY MOON

CHAPTER 8: ALYA

As I struggled to open my eyes, the weight on my head felt heavy, like a fog encasing my thoughts. Groaning, I attempted to wake myself up, but before I could fully register my surroundings, a firm grip pulled me closer. My heart skipped a beat as I turned, startled, only to find Alex Hall resting beside me, his arms wrapped around me as if I am his. My mind raced, trying to piece together the events of the previous night.

I glanced down and realized I was wearing his shirt, a wave of confusion washing over me. Did something happen between us? Did we...? Panic threatened to overwhelm me, but as I looked at Alex, a sense of safety washed over me. I couldn't imagine him ever taking advantage of me, especially in a drunken state. Seeing him there, sleeping peacefully, somehow reassured me.

With a sigh, I leaned back on the bed, resting my head on his arm, the other pulling me closer to him. It felt strangely comforting, his presence beside me. I couldn't help but notice how wonderful and beautiful he looked, even in his slumber. My fingers traced lightly over his features, memorising the lines and contours of his face. There was a sense of familiarity in his presence, a feeling of being exactly where I was supposed to be.

"If last night really was my first time, then I guess it's okay," I murmured softly, more to myself than to him.

"You're a virgin?" His voice, tinged with surprise, he opened his eyes which cut through the quiet, and I froze, pulling back and sitting up on the bed.

He gave a smirky smile, the corners of his lips quirking up, and getting up to reach for his shirt on the floor. I couldn't help but feel a flutter of attraction, even amidst the uncertainty of the previous night. There was something undeniably sexy about him, buttoning up his shirt with such casual confidence.

Despite the lingering questions and doubts, I couldn't deny the pull I felt towards him. "So how was it?", he asked as he finished buttoning the shirt.

As Alex's question pierced through the fog of confusion clouding my mind, I blinked, trying to process his words. "Huh?" I stammered, feeling a surge of uncertainty wash over me.

He crawled closer on the bed, slowly and I couldn't help but feel a flutter of nerves at his proximity. His fingers lingered tantalizingly around my thighs, sending a shiver down my spine. "How was last night?" he asked, his voice low and filled with a hint of mischief. "Your screaming made it seem like it was good, but I want to hear about it."

My heart raced as I struggled to find the right words. "Nothing happened last night," I insisted, my voice trembling slightly.

A smirk played at the corners of Alex's lips as he leaned in closer, his gaze piercing through me. "Do you remember anything?" he pressed, his eyes intense and unwavering. 

I shook my head, feeling a sense of unease settle in the pit of my stomach. "No," I admitted, my voice barely a whisper.

"Then how can you be sure that nothing happened?" he challenged, his tone teasing.

I swallowed hard, "I just know," I replied.

A smirk danced across Alex's lips as he leaned back, his gaze locking with mine. "Well, you're wrong," he declared. "Last night, we both gave in to the lust and did it so many times. In the bathroom, in your room, on the balcony, and here on my bed," with playful smile.

My heart pounded in my chest as his words sunk in, the implications of what he was saying hitting me like a ton of bricks. "I said nothing happened," I insisted.

"Do you trust your drunken self that much?" he challenged, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that made my breath catch in my throat.

"No," I admitted, feeling a pang of uncertainty grip me, "but I trust you."

As the words left my lips, something changed in Alex's eyes, a flicker of emotion that I couldn't quite decipher. It was a new expression, one I had never seen before, and it left me feeling both intrigued and unnerved.

The hardness in his eyes softened, replaced by a glimmer of something else. In that instant, I caught a glimpse of the real Alex—the man behind the confident facade, the one with layers of complexity and depth that I had only begun to uncover.

But just as quickly as it had come, the moment passed, and Alex's expression returned to its usual mask of indifference. He leaned back, the teasing glint back in his eyes, as if nothing had happened.

"Well, if you trust me, then I guess that's all that matters," he said casually, his tone betraying none of the turmoil that had flashed in his eyes moments before. He later went to the bathroom to take a shower.

As I made my way to my room, a flood of memories from the previous night came rushing back, each moment playing out vividly in my mind. Remembering all the memories from last night, I was so embarrassed by myself, I couldn't believe that I had actually asked Alex to remove my dress—it was mortifying to think about, yet at the same time, there was a strange sense of comfort in knowing that he had been there for me, listening and making sure I felt safe all night long.

But amidst the embarrassment and confusion, one thought stood out above all others: what did Alex mean when he said, "you don't know what you do to me?" His words echoed in my mind, stirring up a whirlwind of emotions that I couldn't quite make sense of. Was it possible that he felt something for me too?

Lost in my thoughts, I was startled when a knock sounded at the door. With a furrowed brow, I made my way to answer it, my heart pounding in my chest as I wondered what Alex could possibly want.

Opening the door, I met his gaze, noticing the hint of amusement dancing in his eyes as they swept over me. His lips quirked into a smirk as he took in the fact that I was still clad in his shirt, and I fought the urge to roll my eyes at his teasing.

In that moment, as our eyes met, I realized that perhaps I wasn't alone in my confusion after all. Maybe, just maybe, Alex was grappling with his own emotions, trying to make sense of the connection that had formed between us.

But as quickly as the moment had come, it passed, and Alex's expression shifted back to its usual nonchalant demeanour. With a casual shrug, he flashed me a grin, as if to say, "Well, this is awkward."

I couldn't help but laugh, the tension easing between us as we fell into a familiar banter.

"Just checking, today is the the dance function, right?" he asked, his tone casual.

"Yes, Alex, it's called sangeet," I replied tersely, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Well, I'm not much of a dancer. I hate the loud noises and the people dancing loudly too. I don't even go to pubs as i don't like that crowd or the environment. I promise I'll come up with something to tell Elizabeth," he said, his voice tinged with reluctance.

"No, Alex, you can't skip it. Come on, don't do that. It's your sister's marriage, after all," I admonished, my tone bordering on exasperated.

He pushed back, his expression unyielding. "But it's just a dancing function, and I can't and won't dance in front of everyone," he stated firmly.

"Alex, I put so effort into this sangeet from selecting the playlist to decorations, to fight with for the theme. And after all this, I get to hear that bride's brother hates it. Hates the idea of sangeet that I planned." I said.

"Its not like that, i just don't enjoy loud things," he said trying to not offend me.

"I know we are not that close that i can change your decision but It would make me so happy if u come, and If you don't like it, you can leave. I'm going down in a bit, so I'll meet you there. Be on time at 6:30, okay?" I relented.

"Okay, I will come. but don't force me to dance," he replied, his tone softened by a hint of a smile.

 "I won't, I promise. Now, let me change," I said.

"See you at the party then," he said as I closed the door. 

I know Alex is coming just for me, to make me happy and the thought of him actually thinking about me and my feelings were awesome.