The morning light filtered through the thin curtains, casting a pale glow across the room. I couldn't sleep much once again, my mind churning with thoughts of Theo’s coldness and the tension that had settled between us. I mean whats the use of a vacation when I can't even rest properly. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his distant expression, felt the sting of his curt responses. It was like he was slipping away, and I didn’t know how to pull him back.
I couldn’t ignore it anymore. Something was wrong—terribly wrong.
Karen suggested we stay a few days after the weekend, which everyone agreed shockingly. I didn't expect them too, since they've got work and all. I'd choose anything to be out of this vacation cos it's definitely already choking me.
Downstairs, the house was buzzing with activity. Nathan and Karen were chatting in the kitchen, their voices bright and cheerful, oblivious to the storm brewing beneath the surface. I hesitated at the bottom of the stairs, bracing myself for another day of pretending everything was fine.
As I stepped into the kitchen, Theo was there, leaning against the counter with a mug of coffee in hand. He looked up as I entered, his eyes meeting mine for a fleeting moment before he turned away, focusing on the conversation between Nathan and Karen.
“Hey babe” I said, forcing a smile.
“Hey” he replied, but the warmth that used to color his voice was gone. His tone was flat, distant, as if he was speaking to a stranger.
I swallowed hard, trying to push down the rising tide of anxiety. I moved to pour myself a cup of coffee, my hands trembling slightly. The clink of the spoon against the mug sounded unnaturally loud in the quiet kitchen.
Nathan, always the peacemaker, suggested we all go for a hike. “We’ve been cooped up inside too long. A little fresh air will do us good,” he said with a grin, oblivious to the tension radiating between me and Theo.
Karen agreed enthusiastically, and before I could protest, the plan was set. We’d spend the day hiking through one of the nearby trails. Maybe it was exactly what we needed, a change of scenery to shake off the weird vibe that had settled over us.
As we gathered our things and headed out, I couldn’t help but notice how Theo stayed close to Nathan and Tim, keeping his distance from me. Every attempt I made to bridge the gap between us was met with polite indifference, his answers short and noncommittal. It was like talking to a wall, one that I couldn’t break through no matter how hard I tried.
The trail wound through dense woods, the air cool and crisp, the scent of pine and earth filling my lungs. But even the beauty of the surroundings couldn’t distract me from the gnawing worry in my chest. Every time I glanced at Theo, I found him looking at me with a guarded expression, as if he was hiding something—or worse, as if he knew something I didn’t.
We reached a scenic overlook, the view stretching out over the rolling hills and the distant glimmer of the ocean. It should have been breathtaking, but all I could focus on was the heavy silence between us. I lingered at the back of the group, feeling more alone than ever.
Theo finally approached me, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, his gaze fixed on the horizon. “Nice view,” he said, but there was an edge to his voice, something bitter and sharp.
“Yeah, it is,” I replied, trying to sound casual, but my voice wavered. I wanted to reach out, to touch him, to ask him what was really going on, but I was afraid of what I might hear.
He glanced at me, his eyes searching mine as if he was trying to find something hidden beneath the surface. “You’ve been quiet today,” he said, his tone unreadable.
“I could say the same about you,” I countered, hoping to draw him out. “Is everything okay?”
He hesitated, his jaw tightening as if he was holding something back. “Just a lot on my mind, I guess.”
The way he said it made my heart sink. He wasn’t going to tell me what was really bothering him. He was keeping something from me, and the realization made me feel sick.
“Is it about us?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
His eyes flickered with something—guilt, maybe?—before he quickly masked it. “No, it’s nothing like that. Just... stuff.”
“Stuff?” I echoed, frustration bubbling up inside me. “That’s not an answer, Theo.”
He ran a hand through his hair, looking away. “I don’t want to talk about it right now.”
The dismissal stung more than I expected. I opened my mouth to press him, to demand that he stop shutting me out, but before I could say anything, a shadow fell over us.
Dax.
He had been keeping his distance all morning, but now he was suddenly there, his presence overwhelming. He looked between me and Theo, his expression unreadable, but there was something in his eyes that made my pulse quicken.
“Everything okay here?” Dax asked, his voice casual, but there was an undercurrent of tension that I couldn’t ignore.
Theo’s jaw tightened, and he took a small step back, putting more distance between us. “Yeah, everything’s fine,” he said, but his tone was colder than before.
I glanced at Dax, feeling a surge of panic. He was the last person I needed here right now, especially with Theo acting so strangely. The last thing I wanted was for things to escalate.
But Dax didn’t seem to notice—or care. He lingered, his gaze flicking to me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. “Good,” he said, his voice low. “Wouldn’t want any misunderstandings.”
Theo’s eyes narrowed slightly, his suspicion clear, but he didn’t say anything. The tension between the three of us was suffocating, and I felt like I was caught in the middle of something I couldn’t control.
Finally, Theo turned on his heel and walked away, heading back towards Nathan and Tim without another word. I watched him go, my heart aching with the distance growing between us.
Dax stood there for a moment longer, his gaze locked on mine. “You should talk to him,” he said quietly, his voice surprisingly gentle.
I looked away, unable to meet his eyes. “I’ve tried.”
“Try harder,” he replied, before turning and walking away, leaving me standing there alone, my emotions in turmoil.
As I stared out at the view, the beauty of the landscape lost on me, I realized that the cracks beneath the surface were widening, and if I wasn’t careful, everything would come crashing down.
YOU ARE READING
Bonds Of Desire
Romance" It doesn't matter how I feel Dax, being with you isn't proper" I stated whispering lowly as I stared into his eyes. There's only one thing I see, Lust. I can't deny the fact that a part of me wants him. A small part of my heart still beats for h...
