La Arquitecta

Chapter 15

No mention had been made of Zelina's horrifying story since the night she had recounted it all to Seth. He had been reluctant to bring it up himself, fearing upsetting her. It had been obvious that she hadn't wanted to get into it again, either. The morning after she recounted it all, after he had stayed in her room and held her all night, she had thanked him for being there when she had needed him, and that had been that, as far as conversation was concerned.

However, Seth had noticed that in the couple of weeks since that night, Zelina had seemed closer to him, as he felt closer to her. He now believed that they had transitioned from two people having sex and hoping it might become something more, to a couple who were starting out in a relationship.

In part, that was because hearing her dreadful story had naturally made him feel much more protective of her. The very thought of what that evil bastard, who Seth still didn't have a name for, had done to her was enough to make his skin crawl. It had stunned him once he had thought about the fact that even while living through those appalling memories, Zelina had managed to put in a good performance for the cameras at Raw, and had even cut the required scathing promo on Sasha Banks after being rescued by Kurt Angle. Where exactly she had found the inner strength to do that, Seth couldn't even begin to imagine. Maybe she had tried to channel her hatred for her attacker towards Banks? That was a guess on his part, but it seemed like there might be some logic to it.

Seth told himself to stop thinking about those kinds of things, as hard as it was to do, and focus on the night out they had just enjoyed together. After all, they were on their way back to his place after the cosplay party she had invited him to. After such a fun and enjoyable time, he hoped that tonight might be the night where they could have 'that' conversation about whether or not it was time to consider what they had a relationship.

Catching sight of himself in the rear-view mirror, Seth had to smile. Cosplay had been a first for him, and had had to admit he hadn't been very imaginative with his choice of character. The specified criteria had been video game characters. He had decided to go as Super Mario, and had put together a costume consisting of blue dungarees, a red T-shirt, a red hat, a pair of white gloves and a ridiculous fake moustache. He had at least been rewarded with a giggling fit from Zelina when he had arrived to pick her up and take her to the home of her friends Dan and Laura, where the party had been held.

Zelina's costume, on the other hand, had been no laughing matter for him. In fact, he had found it hot as hell. Dressed in black leather pants, a red top with the top two buttons undone, and elbow length black leather gloves, she had informed him that she was Ada Wong, apparently of Resident Evil fame. The character meant nothing to him, but he was certainly on-board with the costume. She had even topped it off with a large plastic assault rifle.

"Slow down, Seth," Zelina said from the passenger seat of his Mercedes. "If we get pulled over, you're going to have some problems explaining the way you're dressed."

Glancing at her, Seth was warmed by her amazing smile. Such a natural beauty. She was one of those rare people who could make you feel positive and uplifted just by being around her.

"Speak for yourself," he said, returning his attention to the road and lowering his speed a little.

"I think my outfit is more easily explained than yours. You're wearing dungarees, Seth."

"Good point," he chuckled. At least he had discarded the fake moustache as soon as they had left the party. "This is a look I'm trying to bring back in."

"It was in before?" she asked in disbelief.

Seth laughed loudly. Even though he hadn't been able to drink, since he had offered to drive them, he had still really enjoyed the night, and considered it a shame that when they got to his place in a couple of minutes, it would be coming to an end. But there was still hopefully a chance to have 'that' conversation. It was quite an awkward thing to actually bring up, though.