MY SECOND BUT TRUE LOVE #Wattys2016

CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN

The soft sunlight woke me and I lazily opened my eyes. A smile played on my lips as the memory of last night flashed in my mind. I looked beside me and there was my angel fast asleep. I gazed at his face, taking cognizance of every heavenly detail. The sight of his plump lips reminded me of the soft and wet kisses he had placed on my body, how carefully he had lifted the fabric and contacted his lips with my bare skin. It felt like raindrops on droughts, each droplet invigorating the almost deadened land.

I traced his flawless jawline with my fingers and the little touch woke him. He opened his eyes and looked into mine. His gaze was of gold, lustrous and priceless. His brown hair lazily covered his forehead and his lips broke into a perfect smile. He looked like an adorable young boy who had realised in his sleep that it was his birthday. I could see the happiness in his eyes, the gladness of the fear fading for good.

He leaned forward and kissed me. I could taste the sleepiness lingering in our mouths. His lips lightly pressed mine as if greeting a 'good morning'. I pulled away and placed my head on his chest and he swept his hand to the small of my back. The rhythm of his heartbeat reminded how he had pulled me into a hug and softly lifted my fragile body in his arms. The feeling of his fingers against the thin fabric was another reminder of the new traces of touches he had left. He may have not explored every inch of my bare skin but he did discover a few new spots. As I knew that there was nothing that could put us part, it made me feel closer to him.

"Good morning love" he murmured against the top of my head.

"Good morning Amarion" I whispered and smiled from ear to ear, the word 'love' had made my heart flutter.

"Say that again" he said and pulled me closer.

"Good morning?" I looked at his face.

"No, my name" he pleaded. It felt so good to see his eyes brim with love, to witness him falling for me endlessly. If saying his name was what made him happy, I would do it till I lost my breath.

"Amarion" I said softly and a beautiful beam appeared on his countenance.

"That sound is the fuel to keep me alive" he said and kissed my forehead. He was too angelic.

"And it shall never cease to keep you ablaze" I replied and he kissed me in response.

I had to sneak into Jade's room through the pet tunnel for getting my clothes. Fortunately, Jade was asleep and didn't see me in Amarion's t-shirt. I grabbed my brown v-neck top and creme leggings. I took a shower and changed into my clothes. I decided to make my hair into a messy ponytail and wear a few accessories.

I went downstairs and helped Julian with the breakfast.

"You look lovely today" she complimented and I smiled in response.

"Did you talk to Jade?" She asked me and I smacked my forehead mentally.

"I really didn't get a chance to. But I'd definitely try tonight" I replied.

"Sure" she said.

I didn't know why but Julian kept giving me glances every once in a while, a glance of hope. I wasn't sure if that expectation was for Jade or something else but it had began to bother me.

At the breakfast table, I got to know that Jade wasn't going to school and that gave me the perfect opportunity to talk to her and end the awkwardness.

When no one was looking Amarion gestured me to come upstairs but I had other plans.

"I have some work" I mouthed and he playfully pretended to stab a knife in his chest.

I giggled at his childishness, for a moment I felt like agreeing with him but then Julian's gaze flashed in my mind.

"Jade" I said as she was rushing upstairs.

"Yeah?" She replied with her eyebrow raised.

"Mind helping us in the kitchen" I said while gesturing at her mother and myself.

She stood silent for a moment but then responded with a "yeah".

Julian smiled at me and handed Jade some work. Amarion smirked at the sight.

After we were done with the work, Julian was going to get Lily ready for school but I stopped her. Jade gaped her eyes at me when I told Julian that we would get Lily ready.

We got the little girl all dressed up for school and walked her to the bus. She excitedly kissed our cheeks and said "I love you sisters".

Jade looked at me and I gazed at her. We replied an 'I love you too' and waved her goodbye as the bus disappeared into the distance.

There was a strange look on Jade's face as if a question was echoing in her mind. She looked at me silently like she sought an answer.

The soft breeze stroked our faces and our gaze met each other's. I waited for her to say something because a change was evident on her countenance.

"Amour" she said and I grew eager to hear from her.

I nodded.

"Lily called you her sister" she said with a neutral expression.

"She called us sisters. I didn't expect it either" I replied with a half smile.

"She is my sister" Jade retorted and looked away.

"Of course she is" I replied while looking at her.

"Mom treats you like her daughter, Lily called you sister and Amarion is already head over heels for you" she spoke angrily. I didn't understand what she meant. What had gotten into her?

"And soon dad will be talking of you aswell" she flared her nostrils.

I looked at her dumbfounded. What was she even thinking?

"I am already different in the family. Soon I'll be swept aside and you'll become important" she gritted her teeth.

"No, it ain't like that" I replied calmly.

"Then what is it like huh? You spend hours with my mom and sister, if you're Amarion's girlfriend then stay with him. Why the rest of us?" She yelled in aggression.

"Whatever you're thinking is wrong" I said in monotone.

"Wrong? You know what is wrong? You trying to replace me" she shouted, wrath boiling in her eyes.

"I've never thought of that Jade. And why would I do such a thing?" I yelled this time.

"To take revenge" she retorted with a sneer.

"And revenge of what?" I asked with my eyebrow raised.

"The things I said about your ex that day" she replied with disgust. The memory of the day flashed in my mind and it did hurt. Back then, I was stung with those words she had uttered but things were no longer the same. She apologised and I had forgiven her.

"I forgave you when you had apologised" I replied and crossed my arms on my chest. The breeze seemed to turn gradual.

"Well, I know you dislike me and that is why you have kept it all in your heart just like you've kept everything for your ex in your heart. But because you couldn't take revenge from him, you used Amarion" she rambled in anger and stopped when she realised what she had said.

"If I wanted to do anything bad to you then I would have left the mall with Lily and I love Amarion more than my freaking ex" I snapped with my fists clenched.

Jade stared at me silently. Her face was expressionless. She seemed shocked. Without uttering another word she retreated to the house.

I sighed, letting out all the frustration. I couldn't understand what was even going on.

As I was left alone on the silent street, I realised that the breeze had stopped.