Just A Step Away

Chapter 9

Katherine's POV:

"Sorry to disturb you guys." suddenly a familiar voice came and we jumped on our spot. I pushed Adam back and looked at the person who was standing at my door frame. Darwin.

He was fuming with anger, his jaw clenched tightly. He fists his fingers so hard that his knuckles turned white.

"Umm Darwin, he's my friend, Adam." I knew that was not a right time to introduce him to Adam But the silence was too awkward that I had to break the ice.

"And Adam, he is Darwin." Adam eyed him up and down on the mention of his name whereas Darwin is doing same to Adam.

"He seems very close to you." Darwin mocked. He emphasized the word 'close'. It hurt that he had this little trust on me.

"Well I wish but -" I cut him off because that asshole didn't deserve any explanation.

"Yes he is." I wanted to burn him in a way he did.

Adam was beyond angry on him but he somewhat calmed his nerves and side hugged me after saying 'bye' and then left, leaving me alone with Darwin.

Darwin's features hardened after that information. He clenched his teeth again and looked at me with pure hatred or- was it hurt? Gosh! He's so confusing.

For a minute I felt bad for lying.

But then the scene I witnessed from my window came rushing into my mind and I felt a storm of anger within me. I closed my eyes to calm myself down But all in vain.

"Why you're here?" I asked angrily. He should know that I saw that and I am not happy with what I witnessed.

"Mom needs your help in painting. She is sitting for 3 hours in front of her painting and thinking God knows what. She asked me to call you for help." oh, so that is why he is here and I thought he has come to placate me. Well, silly me. I nodded and walked past him without uttering a single word.

I walked downstairs, stomping my feet on stairs purposely because he was on my trail. I heard a chuckle from behind.

"What?" I turned around and asked. He knew the reason of my changed behavior and even after that he had guts to act so casually in front of me. That made me even angrier.

"You look cute when you're angry." his eyes were filled with amusement. But wait a minute; did he just give me a compliment? In a matter of seconds my anger washed away for and I knew I blushed hard. How stupid I am, right? But what will you do when the person for whom you feel so strong stops giving you attention and compliments and then suddenly say that you look 'cute' when you're angry. I bet you'll blush too. If not then I think I am an exceptional case. No, Darwin and I, both are exceptional case. In one minute we literally bark on each other's face and in a matter of seconds, we act normal.

"Day dreaming about me?" he said cockily.

"You wish." I turned around and made my way towards Aunt Marie. And let me tell you, he was still following me. Doesn't he have any work to do? But it's not like I'm complaining, but anyway. Forget it.

"Hey! You seem tense" I walked and stood behind the chair on which Aunt Marie was sitting and squeezed her shoulder for comfort.

"Yeah. I am working on this painting from yesterday and this Saturday we have to organize an auction for charity. But I feel that this painting is incomplete and I am not able to catch the reason. Kathie please help me out on this." she pleaded me.

Aunt Marie works for charity and her part is to do an auction of her paintings to gather some money for charity.

"Hmm let me see." I said and she stood up from her seat to let me sit on.