OUR LITTLE SECRET

Part 7

Several days later...

The somber air in the church gradually dissipated once the ceremony concluded. You stood beside Cillian, watching as mourners filed out, many offering condolences and sharing memories of the deceased. Although still dressed in black, an undercurrent of sexual tension simmered beneath the surface, drawing the two of you closer together.

As the last of the guests departed, the group gathered in the reception hall attached to the church. Cillian offered you a glass of wine, which you accepted hesitantly just as your stepfather approached.

"Don't give her too much to drink or I will be in the doghouse with Sarah," Frank said, trying to lighten the mood after the saddened events took place.

"You worry too much, man. Last, I have checked, she was already nineteen. Besides, we're here to celebrate the life of our dearly departed, so I am sure Sarah will understand," Cillian retorted, chuckling.

Frank shook his head, knowing well that there would never be a perfect balance when it came to dealing with a stepfamily dynamic like this.

"She is nineteen, but she is still my stepdaughter," Frank exclaimed while Cillian raised his brow in mock disapproval, sipping his wine just as his brother disappeared into the crowd to spend some time with his parents.

"I fucking hate funerals," Cillian muttered, casting a longing glance at the bar.

You looked down at your glass, still not quite sure if you should continue drinking it. But the mood had changed slightly from solemnity to resignation, and it seemed fitting to carry on with the day's activities.

Seeing Cillian's discomfort, you offered him your glass, suggesting he could finish it instead. He flashed you a grateful smile and took a swig before placing the glass back on the table.

"I have never been to a funeral, you know," you pointed out to him

casually, your tone light-hearted as you attempted to break the awkward silence that had settled upon the two of you.

Cillian shook his head in response, taking another sip of his wine, the glass of which was almost empty. "Funerals can be depressing affairs," he muttered, his voice thick with emotion. "But then again, they serve as a reminder of our own mortality and they most certainly become more frequent events as you get older," he explained while staring into the crowd.

You nodded, understanding that he was struggling with the loss of his aunt, who had played a significant role in both of his and your stepfather's lives.

"So, we will be staying at your holiday house tonight," you then mentioned to him casually, changing the subject back to less somber matters.

Cillian raised an eyebrow at you, slightly surprised by your forwardness. "Well, yes..." he replied, his voice a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

"Don't you think that this will be weird, us being in the same house together for the weekend, with your wife and my parents?"you questioned Cillian with a hint of concern in your voice.

Cillian shrugged casually, appearing unfazed by the idea. "It won't be a problem. We all know each other, and no one knows about us. We just need to make sure that we keep it that way," Cillian pointed out and, despite his seemingly nonchalant attitude, you couldn't help but feel a flutter of nervousness.

"So your wife has absolutely no idea that you are sleeping with me?" you asked, testing the waters.

"No, she doesn't," Cillian confirmed confidently, taking another sip of his wine.

"That's good," you nodded, thinking of the consequences if anyone were to find out. It wasn't something you wanted, but somehow, being with Cillian felt wrong yet irresistible.