Hidden Tale - 18+

Ch. 4 - Alicia's POV

I swallow hard, feeling a wave of anxiety wash over me as he pulls me toward his car. The night is dark, illuminated only by the bright streetlights, and the air is relatively still.

As he unlocks the doors, I quickly slide into the seat, instinctively shifting closer to the window as my heart pounds with trepidation.

He enters the vehicle, visibly upset, and with his heavily tinted windows, he casts a look that seems to say, "You must be joking!"

He fixes his gaze on me, compelling me to meet his eyes. He approaches with a stern inquiry, "Do you understand why I had to bring you here?"

I flinch, my gaze dropping in shame and fear. "I shouldn't have said that..." I whisper softly.

He raises an eyebrow, his anger palpable, his knuckles turning white. "Said what?" He inhales deeply, gripping my chin to ensure I maintain eye contact.

"T- that you drove me home," I stammer, striving to hold his gaze.

"Yes, that's correct. I need you to keep whatever occurs between us confidential from now on, understood? No one should be privy to our private matters," he states firmly.

I nod, sealing the promise with a pinkie swear. He offers a slight smile in relief, mirroring my gesture.

"I can't believe you had the audacity to say that. Why would you even mention it? There could have been rumors circulating throughout the school, leading others to think something inappropriate was happening. Even your parents might have grounded you, as you know better than to get into anyone's car except for your parents', friends', a bus, taxi, subway, or limo."

I exhale, acknowledging his point. "Yes, that's accurate. I just got carried away and let it slip..."

"Alright, but I want to ensure nothing negative happens to you, okay? Do you comprehend my feelings regarding this?" he asks earnestly, concern evident in his tone.

I nod sincerely. "Yes, I can see that. I believe you feel a sense of responsibility, awareness, and protectiveness."

His expression brightens, and he gives me a thumbs up. "So, Amber is the clumsy one, is she?"

"No, actually, it's typically Amelia. Amber can be clumsy at times, though."

He nods, realizing he was mistaken.

"Is that so? I should take that into account. By the way, please don't be concerned about my shirt. I do not plan to wear it frequently. In all honesty, it does not hold any particular significance for me." He states calmly.

I nod, feeling a sense of relief. A moment of silence envelops us.

He exhales softly, regarding me with a serious expression. "Alicia, I would appreciate it if you could come over to my house. I noticed that you struggled with your test on identifying various poetic devices in different forms of poetry. Regrettably, you received a C, but I am willing to help you study so you can retake it and improve your grade. What do you think?" He expresses, filled with hope.

I laugh lightly, sensing his optimism. "Yes, that sounds perfectly fine to me; I would love that."

He nods enthusiastically, already making his way toward his home.

His residence appears quite elegant. It is painted a deep blue, featuring tall white-framed windows, and is a single-story structure. It also seems to be immaculate and newly built.

He invites me inside, motioning for me to sit at the kitchen island. He retrieves a fresh copy of the test and hands it to me as he takes a seat on the stool to my left.

As he assists me, I find myself distracted by his captivating appearance while he helps. I envision various outfits that would suit him well in this context. My focus drifts as I gaze at him, only to be caught in the act.

I freeze, my cheeks flushing as I avert my gaze, unsure of how to respond or what to say.

 He chuckles, admiring my expression, his gaze intense as it shifts back to me. "So, Alicia," he says, his voice steady but warm, "are you willing to explain what this is?"

I gulp, my fingers fidgeting nervously as I wrestle with my thoughts. "Um... n-nothing," I stammer, trying to appear nonchalant.

He smirks, a spark of mischief in his eyes that sends my heart racing. "Come on, no lying to me, sweetheart. Tell me the truth. Don't be shy- go on." His eagerness makes the weight of silence between us feel electric.

I take a deep breath, attempting to ground myself. "I- I have something to confess, really. Honestly, I'm attracted to you." The words tumble out in a rush, each heavier than the last. "Ever since I first laid my eyes on you, I've felt this indescribable pull towards you. I know I sound like a creep, but I can't help it. You have this way of ensuring my safety, being there for me, your kindness, making sure nothing bad happens to me, how you insisted to help me, and how you engage with me nicely... it captivates me. I can't help but wonder what all of this means for us."

He raises a brow, a hint of a challenge in his gaze as he gently tucks a stray strand of my hair behind my ear, his touch sending shivers down my spine. "Alicia, look, I appreciate your honesty, but I can't engage in anything inappropriate with a student, only outside of school I can do so. I respect your feelings, truly, but it feels a little early in the year to be sharing this." He pauses, his expression softening. "That said, I'm glad you're telling me this now. I need to be upfront too-I've had strong feelings for you since the first day of class. There was just something about you. And during that moment before I woke you, you looked like a peaceful angel. I couldn't resist watching you sleep; it felt secret and special. And let's not forget how smart you are. Your first assignment blew my mind. You're kind too, as you showed earlier today."

A rosy flush creeps across my cheeks as he leans closer, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "I can't hold back any longer. You make me feel things I've never felt before. There's this spark within me that insists you're mine. You're my priority, Alicia, because you've given me every reason to be drawn to you." His gaze bores into mine, filled with sincerity. "I don't know if you truly understand this, but I want you- right here, right now."

I can feel my heart racing wildly, and I lower my head to the countertop, overwhelmed by a mix of excitement and embarrassment. But he won't let me hide. His fingers gently tilt my chin upward, forcing me to meet his eyes. Leaning in, the warmth of his cologne envelops me as he whispers in my ear, "Please, Alicia- step out of your comfort zone with me. You've got this. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere. You're mine, and I'm going to prove it to you." With that, he captures my lips in a long, deep, passionate kiss that leaves me utterly stunned, the world around us fading into nothingness...