An Inconvenient Attachment

Chapter 9

Cecilia pov
I walked down the stairs and headed to the living room. The only person that was there was Alec, sitting on the sofa, who seemed like he was in a lot of pain. As he silently grunted, he started checking his forearms.

"Where's everyone else?"

Snapping his head back to meet my gaze, his initial startled expression quickly changed to smiling. He had bruises on him again just like the first day I saw him under that streetlamp. A faint purplish bruise became prominent on his cheekbone area.

"What happened? Did you fight someone again?" Naturally my feet brought me closer, I slightly bent to be on a face level with him as I looked intently, trying to observe more.

My hand was twitching to reach out to his cheekbone and trace it lightly with my finger but I stopped myself. His lips curling up to display a smile shifted my gaze to his lips and feeling my cheeks burning warm, I redirected it at his whole face.

He smiled but it didn't reach his eyes this time like usual... almost disclosing it was a sad one. It was as if he was trying to mask some complex emotions with a smile.

"Why?" His voice came out tired and raspy, displaying a playful smirk, "Does it make you worry?"

For a second, I swear, I saw his gaze lowered to my lips or maybe I'm seeing things. My stomach twisted, until now... I have repeatedly mentioned that Alec is one attractive guy but feeling this prominent flutter... Do I like Alec in that way??

Appreciating someone's good looks and liking someone is totally different! One can think, 'Oh this person is good looking,' without ever liking them but to like them is a whole different story!

Instantly, I felt my cheeks burn up. "Do you need ice? I can get some from the kitchen," I offered, retreating quickly trying to put some distance between us.

He suddenly grabbed my wrist and pulled me closer to him. The sudden force trips me over, landing me on top of him. My breath hitched and I could feel my face burning up even more.

Too close!

I quickly got off of him and rushed to the kitchen. What's wrong with him?! Why did he even do that...

I walked to the kitchen in a hurry, the sight in there made me jump back. I let out a brief scream, "AHH—"

The scream makes Blake and Jess flinch.

"Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt," I blurted out to them while looking away from their direction and left in a hurry.

"NOOO! IT'S NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE!!!" I heard Jess yell out but I kept up my pace.

Quickly grabbing Alec's hand, I pulled him, making him get up from the sofa. He had a confused look on him but didn't protest and followed along. I led him downstairs as he made grunting noises from behind.

"How many floors do you have in this house?" He continued to repress his grunts.

I didn't answer, wanting to get away from that possible awkward confrontation. I sat him down on the armchair.

He looked at me puzzled, "Where's the ice?"

Panting, "Sorry, there's a second kitchen here. Do you want to sit here or come along with me?"

He started what it seemed like, trying to take his shirt off.

It catches me off guard— "Wha— What are you doing??" I stuttered, trying to process.

Automatically, my hands quickly come up to cover my eyes and I slowly peeked through my fingers. I could feel my cheeks burning up by looking at his toned torso. Why is everyone and every corner trying to take me by surprise? Can't I catch a break—