BROKEN VOWS

Chapter Eleven. Hide and seek or something?

Rainbow's POV.

Wave, nod, and smile...smile, nod, and wave and repeat- that's what my neighbor and I have been doing. Our routine had become an intricate ballet, a delicate dance of avoidance and acknowledgment that I'd perfected over the past week, two days, five hours, thirty minutes, and forty-six seconds. The countdown ticked away in my mind like a metronome, marking the passing moments since our last encounter.

Every time our paths crossed, I feigned obliviousness, a charade we both played along with, our eyes locking in a fleeting glance before I hastily looked away. But the weight of his knowing gaze lingered, a constant reminder that he'd witnessed my unguarded moment, my panic and vulnerability exposed like an open book. His silence was both a comfort and a curse, leaving me to wonder what he thought, what he knew, and how he'd react next. The uncertainty hung in the air like a challenge, daring me to confront the truth and shatter the fragile equilibrium of our neighborly encounters.

Lately, I've found myself drifting into a haze during meals, my mind consumed by the haunting question: what did Hunter really think of me? The frequency of these episodes had increased, and I could sense Ben's growing frustration. His usual rebukes, however, were noticeably absent. Instead, he'd simply rise from his seat and exit the room, leaving me to ponder the reasons behind his uncharacteristic restraint.

But Ben's annoyance was no longer my primary concern. A more pressing question had taken hold of my thoughts: why was I so invested in Hunter's opinion of me? What was it about this enigmatic neighbor that had me tied up in knots, obsessing over his every perception? The uncertainty swirled within me, a maddening vortex that refused to relinquish its hold on me.

The nagging voice of self-doubt had long been my unwelcome companion, fueled by the scrutiny of others. My physical appearance had always been a sensitive topic, a vulnerability I'd learned to shield from prying eyes. But there was one person who'd witnessed the unvarnished truth – my husband, Ben. He'd seen the fear, the brokenness, and the bruises that I'd carefully concealed from the rest of the world.

For days, the prospect of facing Hunter again had haunted me. The uncertainty was suffocating, a constant reminder that I'd exposed a fragile part of myself to this stranger. The questions swirled in my mind like a maelstrom: Should I visit him again? Would Ben approve of our budding connection? The answer to that was obvious – he'd never tolerate it. Yet, I felt a spark of defiance ignite within me, a refusal to be bound by the shackles of his disapproval.

But what did Hunter think of me? Did he consider me a friend? Were there unspoken rules governing our unlikely relationship? The questions taunted me, a relentless drumbeat that threatened to consume my sanity. I felt like I was teetering on the brink of madness, torn between the desire for connection and the fear of rejection.

The prospect of social interaction had always filled me with a sense of dread, a crippling anxiety that left me tongue-tied and eager to escape. But Hunter's presence had awakened a dormant hunger within me, a yearning for connection and conversation that I couldn't ignore. I felt an insatiable curiosity, a burning need to uncover the secrets hidden behind his enigmatic smile.

With newfound determination, I steeled myself for the encounter ahead. I was going to confront Hunter, to demand answers to the questions that had been swirling in my mind like a maelstrom. This game of cat and mouse, of hide and seek, had to end. I needed to know the truth, no matter how daunting it might be.

Taking a deep breath, I mentally prepared myself for the conversation that would change everything. My heart pounded in anticipation as I steeled myself for the unknown, my senses heightened as I stepped into the great unknown.