Chapter 323
Arabella Rivera
“Thanks.” I spoke softly as I made my way over to her. I pry the bowl away from her hand gently while her eyes continued to scrutinize my room like she was an undercover cop.
Growing uncomfortable by her sudden interest which was leaking with suspicion, I place the bowl down on the bedside table and turn to her. “Is that all?” I asked with an impatient edge in my voice while tugging the ends of the oversized shirt covering me until mid–thigh.
Her green eyes drag towards me slowly as if afraid to move her eyes away for just a second. They stared at me questioningly as I pinched the ends of the cotton fabric.
A quick flash of understanding flares in her eyes before she moves them away from my face and gives me a silent nod.
“Yes, that’s all.”
My stomach chooses this moment to let out a growl. Mother smiles, which was very rare.
“Might want to hurry eat that to feed the monster.” She nudges her head to the bowl I had settled on the table.
I stood quiet for a while, utterly stunned by her rare smile. It wasn’t huge but it was still very noticeable. It wasn’t the ones she forced to just put up a front. This one finally reached her eyes after years. Something that was a miracle, well at least for me.
A light banging sound brought me out of my shocked stance and made me think quickly as mother’s eyes snapped to my closet.
“Well I have a lot of assignments to get done by tomorrow so I guess I’ll get to them now. “I spoke a little louder than normal seeing that another light thud came from the closet.
“Is there something in the closet?” The dreaded question I didn’t want her to ask slips past her rubbed–off lipstick lips. She looked skeptical and by her tense form, I knew she was without a doubt making the worst scenarios in her head.
Sweat began to make me glimmer under the light as I sorted through my mess of a brain to come up with a good enough answer to not have her walk to the closet to literally find my dirty laundry. By dirty laundry, I meant Haiden.
A step forward and my heart dropping has my mouth uttering words I didn’t quite account to as yet.” It’s a kitten!” I yelled.
Her head snaps to mine and her eyes narrowed slightly. “What?”
I let out a breath and forced myself to calm down to not raise any more suspicion. “Gwen and I saw a stray kitten by the side of the road on our way here. I couldn’t leave the poor guy all alone…… so I took him?” I finished off with a nervous question knowing fully well that mother despises those creatures.
One of her eyes twitches which is one of her habits when she is extremely irritated. “Toss him out before your father gets here. He wouldn’t be too happy to hear that you let in a stray cat which might have fleas.” Her face scrunched up in disgust as she sends a glare towards my closet.
“Get rid of it.” She grumbles and struts over to my opened door.
Her fingers latch on the door, slowly tugging it on her way out before she stops. After a couple of heartbeats and heavy uncomfortable silence later, she turns around much to my displeasure.
“Do you need anything to stop the menstrual pain? I have some painkillers and-”
“No! No it doesn’t hurt anymore. I’m good.” I rushed out feeling the heat of embarrassment crawl up my neck to settle on my cheeks knowing that Haiden might have heard.
She nods and softly closes the door and leaves. I swiftly run to lock it, not wanting a repeat of what just happened. I was definitely running out of excuses and my lies were embarrassing enough to be buried in dirt and never to be talked about again. I was a terrible liar and most people knew that.
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18:05 Sat, 23 Aug
Chapter 323
Perks of having her not knowing me enough to pick out my lies.
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instead of feeling relieved by the revelation I only felt the heavy weight of, pity. I turned around, not that all shocked to see Haiden out of the closet. His brown eyes prodded me from where he stood, taunting me with a knowing look.
1 feit naked, bare in front of him and that alone was enough to push back my earlier anger to the front.
I crossed my hands over my chest not trusting myself to be near him. Not after the intoxicating kiss that nearly ruined my sanity. Everyone was right. Harden Cross ruins everything he touches.
And he touched me.
“What are you still doing here? Get out.” I spoke faintly while nudging my head to the opened window I assumed he entered from Scratch that, trespassed through.
He cocks his head to a side and looks at me intently. After a few silent seconds, he spoke up. “Are you that mad I kissed you?”
I sucked in a sharp breath, not exactly ready for that question.
Why?
Because I wasn’t sure I’d answer it truthfully.
The way his eyes pick up every inch of my emotions was alarming. He was reading me like an open book and I hated it. I needed to throw myself back into the dark closet that locked away the real me, the one that didn’t have to hide.
“Yes.”
My answer was curt and straight to the point. I didn’t care if I lied to myself or him. Truth was, that I needed to stay clear of Haiden but I feared it was already too late.
Something flashes in his eyes before he quickly conceals it. He was good at that, almost as good as me.” It was just a joke Bella.”
I narrowed my eyes at his face. Haiden was very handsome, like panty–dropping handsome. I guess that was one thing everyone was right about too.
“Friends joke. We’re not friends remember?”
My words must have struck him more than I realized because his facade cracked a little where his emotions played out quickly.
He looked upset, almost lost. But instead of acting upon those emotions he sealed them back in with worn–out tape and gave a single vague nod.
He did not say much after that, just went on his way. Which was technically out through my window.
He only left the lingering scent of mint on my bedsheets and pillow that night. The scent that lured me into the most calming sleep I ever had in days.
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