Love on Trial

Chapter 17: Jealousy

A’ishah's POV

I lay there, the morning light filtering through the window, casting a soft glow over everything. My heart was still racing from the realization that Maxine, she had kissed me. Not once, but multiple times. It wasn’t just a fleeting thing. It was real, and I could feel the weight of that kiss lingering on my lips.

I glanced over at her, still sound asleep beside me, her face relaxed and peaceful. My chest tightened in a way that made it hard to breathe. How did we end up here? How did we go from awkward glances and half-hearted conversations to this? To us?

I gently touched my lips again, still in disbelief. Maxine Blair De Luna was my first kiss, my first kiss! It felt surreal, and yet… It was perfect. She was perfect.

I carefully rolled onto my side, taking in every detail of her face. The gentle curve of her lips, the way her hair fell across her face. She was so beautiful. I wondered if she even knew how much she meant to me.

As I lay there, thoughts of the night before came rushing back. Her confession, the vulnerability in her voice as she said she loved me, the way she held me so tightly as if she was afraid I would slip away. I knew Maxine struggled with her insecurities, her past haunting her more than she’d let on, but hearing her promise to be open with me was all I needed.

I sighed softly, feeling a strange mixture of excitement and fear. Where would this lead us? There was so much to think about. What people would say, the rumors about Miguel, Denise lurking in the background. But as I watched Maxine sleep beside me, none of it seemed to matter. For now, this moment was enough.

Carefully, I shifted in the bed, not wanting to wake her, but a part of me longed to reach out and hold her again. I wanted to kiss her awake, to see the smile that I knew would spread across her face the moment she realized we were still together in this room, on this bed, with nothing between us but the truth of our feelings.

But I stopped myself. This was all new to me, to us. I didn’t want to rush it. We had time, and we were finally starting to let ourselves be together without all the walls we’d both built. There was no need to rush anything.

I shifted again and felt Maxine stir beside me. Her eyes fluttered open, still hazy with sleep, and when she saw me, a sleepy smile spread across her lips.

“Morning…” She mumbled, her voice deep and raspy.

I smiled back, my heart swelling at the sight of her. “Morning.” I whispered back.

She rubbed her eyes and sat up slightly, leaning against the headboard. Her hair was a mess, but she still looked so effortlessly gorgeous. I couldn’t stop staring.

“Did you sleep okay?” She asked, her voice still thick with sleep.

I nodded, feeling the warmth of her presence wash over me. “Yeah.” I said softly. “You?”

She smiled lazily and shrugged. “Best sleep I’ve had in a long time.” She admitted, her eyes locking with mine. “Being next to you makes everything better.”

I blushed at her words, feeling my face heat up. “You’re such a flirt. Ang aga-aga Maxine ha!” I teased, trying to hide how much her words affected me.

Maxine laughed softly, and it was the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard. “I’m just telling the truth, A’ishah.” She said, her tone playful yet sincere.

I looked at her, my heart swelling with so many emotions, happiness, nervousness, love.

“You’re mine now.” She whispered, there was a possessive glint in her eyes that made my heart skip a beat.