Heartless (Completed)

Chapter 34

Chapter 34

It felt as if thousands of hands were gently caressing my heart with every word Art had whispered to me earlier. His voice echoed in my mind, repeating those sentiments until they were etched deep within me, a permanent inscription in my soul. I could hardly keep my eyes open as I recalled the husky tenderness in his voice, each word dripping with meaning and intimacy.

Darn!

"Are you okay?" he asked when we finally reached home. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the evening sky, but the dark clouds rolling in hinted at an impending storm. We hadn't intended to come home yet, but the threat of rain made our decision for us. I sighed deeply and nodded.

"Yeah, I'm okay." I assured him with a smile, trying to convey my calmness.

"Are you sure?" he pressed, concern etching his brow.

"Art, you're so persistent." I teased him, unable to stifle a soft laugh. His chuckle was infectious, and I found myself swallowing my own laughter. Even now, everything felt brand new to me, and I couldn't quite believe the depth of our connection.

"I love you, Art," I whispered, and he simply smiled back, his eyes sparkling with unspoken emotions.

He was about to speak again when his phone buzzed, interrupting the moment. He glanced at the screen, his brow furrowing slightly, but instead of answering, he silenced the call.

"Who was that?" I couldn't help but ask, curiosity tugging at my mind.

He met my gaze and smiled, though it felt forced. "No one," he replied. There it was again—the evasiveness. I chose not to push further and sighed, unwilling to let anything ruin the joy of this day.

"Shall we rest?" I suggested, hoping to shift the mood.

He smiled warmly. "Yeah. You go ahead; I'll join you in a bit."

"Okay." I returned the smile, but that peculiar feeling still lingered, a nagging unease creeping into my thoughts. It felt as if something was off, and I couldn't shake the anxiety gnawing at my insides. I hoped I was just imagining things.

I had no idea where Manang Beth was at that moment, but I decided to push those thoughts aside. I entered the room first, heading straight to the bathroom for a much-needed shower and to freshen up.

Afterward, I slipped into my pajama and sweater, feeling the chill in the air as the wind howled outside.

I settled on the bed, using the hairdryer to dry my soaking wet hair. Just as I was getting comfortable, the door creaked open, and there stood Art, his handsome face lighting up the dim room. Despite looking slightly worn and tousled, his charm remained undiminished.

"You're staring again. At this rate, I might just melt away!" he teased, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. He leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on my cheek, a sweet gesture that made my heart leap. He winked at me before heading into the bathroom, leaving me momentarily breathless, my heart doing its familiar dance.

Once I finished drying my hair, I heard the bathroom door swing open, and there he was—Art, standing before me topless, a towel wrapped around his waist. Our eyes locked, and he smiled sweetly, that charming grin causing butterflies to erupt in my stomach. I rolled my eyes in mock annoyance, but he just laughed, a sound that filled the room with warmth.

He walked over to the closet, and I couldn't help but furrow my brow when I noticed he wasn't reaching for sleepwear. What was he planning? My curiosity piqued, and the air between us crackled with unspoken questions and the thrill of the unknown.