An Inconvenient Attachment

Chapter 17

Alec pov
I rang the doorbell to snob's house. Sofia answered with a smile.

My mouth opened about to say something but she quickly interrupted with that knowing smile, "Looking for Cecilia?"

I nodded.

Walking through the front door, snob's eyes widened looking up at me but her eyelids quickly drooped, like she was happy for a second and looked displeased.

She sighed deeply, "Where have you been?"

"Somewhere," I answer noncommittal.

"Uh huh. Right. Why are you here? I have to go out to a family brunch soon."

My gaze panned at her whole figure. No wonder why she looks dressed up... I mean she always does but she looked even more dressed up today.

"What time are you guys going out?"

"Mmm, an hour later," she flashed a quick smile.

It looked fake. "Don't smile if you don't want to."

Her eyebrows raised, looking surprised.

I surprised myself too, "Uh, I mean nothing, ignore that." An awkward laugh followed after.

Fake smiles reminded me of that miserable face she always had. Maybe I feel sentimental after finally having properly thought about mom many months later. It's probably even the reason why I could tell a fake smile from miles away. Been and seen too many not to know the difference.

"But that's enough time," I smirked.

"Enough time for what?" She looked puzzled.

Oh, how I missed the puzzle look on her face. I chuckle at her. I left in time before that old man got to the house and I've quite missed seeing familiar faces.

"Let's hang out till you go out with your family, come on," I grabbed her hand, tugging her.

She pulled back, not moving.

I turned my head to look behind.

"Hang out doing what?" Her tone came out cold.

"You have a cinema downstairs right? Let's go watch something." I pushed down an uncomfortable sinking feeling that I couldn't place.

Strange... She's acting differently around me. Or am I overthinking this?

She would usually avoid my gaze and glance at me from time to time. But today she's definitely confronting me and there's no more nervousness around her. It somehow made me feel anxious and uneasy. Shit. I felt my eyes darkened and my face falling flat. I'm starting to feel sad like her. I don't want to be like her, fucking miserable.

Without a second thought, my instinct made me pull snob toward me and I wrapped my arms around her. When I came back to my senses, my eyes shot open in surprise, realising what I had done.

Silence fell between us. This is so awkward but why isn't she pushing me away? Instead, she wrapped her arms back around me and I placed my chin on top of her head.

I felt warmth engulfing over my cheeks. The silence between us lingered...

A sudden sound from the doorbell, interpreted us and we pulled back, giving each other an awkward smile.

I let my arms drop back to my sides.

Her cheeks flushed warmly and that awkward smile still plastered on her lips. "I'm going to go get that," she said softly, leaving my presence.

"Hey Cecilia!" Colin smiled brightly by the front door. "Let's use the cinema. I wanted to use that place for a long—" His gaze met mine and his smile disintegrated.