My Invisible Wounds | ✔

34 | Pool

HARRIET

I felt like a teenager when I keep stealing glances at Zayden. And the kiss - the kiss kept replaying in my mind causing redness to erupt on my cheek.

The dinner was set up outside, just besides the pool area adding up to already cosy environment. Zayden, I, Stella and Nathan were seated on one side while our parents took the other side.

Just as we were about to begin, Zayden interrupted. "Oh yeah. Mom Harriet wanted to tell you something."

I faced Zayden looking almost cluessless. I don't remember any such conversation. "What?"

Zayden leaned closer to my ears and answered in a low tone, only for me to hear. "Angel, you wanted to tell mom about our first kiss. Did you forget it?" As he completed his sentence, his eyes dropped to my lips for a second and my heart thumped against my ribcage.
Blood drained off my face but wierd yet amazing feeling took birth in my stomach. Did he just flirt with me? I narrowed my eyes and looked at Zayden, asking me to shut up but all I got in return was his evil smirk.

Our little staring contest was broken by mom. "As much as I love seeing you both gazing at each other. Can you both tell us what you are whispering?"

"Oh that -" before Zayden could complete I cut him off.

"Nothing Mom. I am not feeling better so Zayden is going to do my work of setting the bed on terrace." I answered and gazed at Zayden, "You sure you don't want my help?" I bat my eyelids.

Stella and I were supposed to do the arrangements of the bed on the terrace but I couldn't come up with another reason when mom asked what we were whispering.

I expected some reaction from Zayden but he just peered at me for few seconds and mumbled. "I can do your work if that is going to make you feel better." He said with a straight face as if we were having a normal conversation.

GOD!

How can he say something like that and not have a hint of change in his expression. But my condition was opposite from his, my cheeks burned red from his answer.

"Harriet are you okay?" Mom asked.
"Yeah mom, just a bit of headache. I have already taken medicine." I lied.

We resumed eating. My left hand held a glass, while my right rested idly on my knee.
Suddenly, I felt a warm hand wrap around mine; I shuddered when my skin made contact with his. He didn't release my hand; instead, he interlaced our fingers.

"Can someone please explain what is wrong with Zayden Harley?" I wondered silently.
I looked to him for answers, but he was busy eating his food without a slight change in his facial expression. He remained perfectly calm, while I, on the other hand, almost had a mini heart attack.

"You can stare all night if you want, but we should probably have lunch," he said, his voice dropping to a low, teasing hum.

Is he serious? It was impossible to eat with him still holding my hand.

"Don't flatter yourself. Your charms aren't working on me." I said flatly, another lie to add to the list. He raised an eyebrow, clearly caught off guard by my sudden backbone. "Care to explain why you were staring, then?"

I glanced pointedly at our joined hands. "I'd love to eat, but I'm currently being held hostage."

A mischievous smile played on his lips. I truly couldn't keep up with this new side of Zayden. He finally let go, and I quickly turned my attention to the pasta on my plate.

Without warning, I felt his hand settle firmly on my thigh.

A small jolt racked my body, and I jumped, nearly knocking over my drink.