"BETROTHED" ✔️

Chapter Fifteen (Comfort -2)

***

"You're feeling cold?" Shane asked me.

"Yeah."

I watched him take off his jacket and cover me with it. Now I was going to have that sweet perfume all over me.

"Thanks." I looked at him and realized that his grey eyes were glassy with a beautiful reflection from the moonlight. He was handsome. I normally didn't appreciate guys with piercings but this particular one on his brow made him even more attractive.

"No problem. Shayenne, please tell me what's wrong."

I felt my eyes prickle but I blinked away the tears.

"It's Josh."

"What did he do?"

I took in a deep breath and told him everything about Josh. From when I was living with him to when he broke our engagement the last week. Shane had been silent the whole time till I finished.

"So that's–" I cleared my throat, trying not to sob again, "That's why I've been like this."

"And your parents really approved your engagement to such a man?"

"I've always been under rules, Shane. It's by grace that I was allowed to come to New York."

I was so angry. I told him about Keisha always trying to help me socialize more. Shane clearly pitied me.

"Has he ever raised a hand against you?" he asked.

"No. When he wanted to, I'd end up being saved by a thing or two."

Shane stared at me and I saw his jaw clench. He was angry.

"I can't believe this. How's this possible? And you still love him?"

"Y– yes. I'm trying to destroy that love, Shane. I'm trying. I hate him, but love him."

"Why?"

"What do you want me to do? He's the only guy I've been allowed to know. The only guy I've ever dated. I was forced to love him."

Shane angrily stood up. He clearly hated what I was going through. I was always being pitied as usual.

"A young woman already destroyed. Just like that. This is madness."

I just kept on sobbing. He approached me and made me stand too.

"Get up."

I did, wiping my tears away.

"If he ever hurts you again, you let me know. I'm your friend now. I'll be there for you now."

He took me into his arms and hugged me. He smelled so good and I felt protected in some sort of way.

I already trusted him, though I hadn't known him for long. Yes, I was naïve and maybe trusted people way to fast. But something about Shane made me feel like I could tell him a lot, which I already had.

I felt protected and that was when I realized that no other man had held me this close before. None had even really touched me apart from Josh. Shane had not just touched me, he'd hugged me. I surprisingly felt more comfortable than I'd ever been. His hugs were tender. Josh's hugs were cold and never lasted ten seconds.

I opened my eyes in embarrassment when I'd realized I'd been standing there in his arms, tight and cozy for up to a minute already. I panicked. It wasn't right. I abruptly got out of his grip, more nervous and shy. I looked at the sand.

"Um, I guess we should go home now." I stammered and looked at him. He smirked, then held the side of my face with a hand.

"You'll have to get used to it."

"To what?" I asked, confused.

"Other guys being good with you. Me being good with you."

He was referring to the hug and my reaction. I looked at my fingers. He smiled.

"It's fine, Shayenne. Let me take you back."

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