Scars of Time

Chapter 44: "Cloudy thoughts"

Hope's POV

"I talked with Time, and he's going to pick me up tomorrow" I mentioned and he acknowledged with a nod, as a notification popped up on his phone. I caught a glimpse of it because I was close to him. It was Time. He just talked to me, so why did he message Alex?

I inquired about what he said, but he refused to disclose any information. His suspicious expression only added to my curiosity.

"Are you going to work tomorrow?"

"I am. Why?"

"Oh, I see! I was just curious, that's all. Will you be alone?"

"No, my assistant will be with me."

"Okay."

"Why do you ask? What did Time say?"

"Nothing. I'm just trying to make conversation."

""Hmm, okay" I murmured with a hint of skepticism in my voice.

"Nial is not here, so you can sleep in my room and I'll sleep in his" he offered and I nodded in agreement.

However, just as I began making my way towards the room, he gently halted me in my tracks.

"I wanted to thank you for today. It felt so good to finally let everything off my chest. I hope I didn't bore you with my problems, though. As always, you're such a great listener, but I wish you would open up about your own problems too."

"Who said I have any?!"

"Well, I don't really know anything about you, so I can't tell if you have problems or not."

"Wait, you actually want to know more about me?" I exclaimed, taken aback by his interest. He simply nodded, and I found myself at a loss for words. Opening up about myself is not something I typically do, so I was unsure how to respond.

"What do you want to know?"

"Hmmm...Why did you become a vet, for example?"

"I just like animals."

"That simple?!!!"

"Did you expect something else?"

"To be honest, yeah."

"I mean, sorry to be generic, but I just like them and want to help them. I can't stand seeing them hurt. What about you? Why did you become a taxi driver?"

"Oh, guess my answer is going to be generic too, because I was looking for a job and it was the only one available at the moment."

Curiosity got the better of me, and I couldn't help but ask, "Can I ask you something personal?" I nervously awaited his response, and to my relief, he agreed. "How long have you stayed in the orphanage?" The room fell into a profound silence, and after a brief pause, he finally spoke up. Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned the orphanage at all.

"Until I was 18."

"Where did you go after you left?"

"I had some friends who left earlier than me and they helped me for a while."

"Were they from "Wings of Angels" too?"

"Yeah. They are older but I got introduced to them by someone."

"Okay. I haven't seen them around. That's why I asked."

"Since when did this conversation become an interview for me?" he noticed and avoided answering any more questions.

"Everyone tells me I tend to ask a lot of questions about people I like, but if it's annoying you, I can stop."

"No. That's not what I meant" he panicked. "I wanted to be the one asking questions today. That's why."

"Oh, okay then. Sorry."

"No, I'm sorry. I can't really express myself in situations like this, so I get misunderstood. What I want to say is that I'm interested in you." What he said made my heart skip a beat. I'm sure he didn't mean it like that and he really is not good with words, so I didn't even want to get my hopes up.

But I could dream for a short while. Even though he was crying about Josephine to me just half an hour ago.

"Can we continue with this another day? I'm very tired and I need to go to work tomorrow."

"Okay, no problem. As I said, you can use my room."

As I nodded in agreement, I made my way to his room and couldn't help but notice the luxurious bathroom it had. Nial's wealth was on full display. Before calling it a night, I thought it would be a great idea to freshen up with a relaxing shower.

....................

Alex's POV

Earlier, Time sent me a message, warning that Hope might be in danger again. He placed his trust in me to ensure her safety.

I didn't want to make it obvious to her, but I was curious about the situation. What was it now? Was it Ian again? I think there might be something else he was not telling me. He wouldn't have asked me to protect her otherwise. I could see how much he doesn't like me. How come he trusts me with his sister?

After I decided to go to sleep, I realised I hadn't taken my charger from my room. I got up and decided to bring some clothes too while I was at it.

I gently rapped on the door, hoping to catch her attention, but there was no response. Trying again, I knocked twice more, assuming she must be fast asleep. With caution, I slowly turned the doorknob, making sure not to disturb her slumber. But to my surprise, she wasn't there. The bathroom light was on, so I swiftly retrieved my charger and made my way towards the exit. Unfortunately, my speed wasn't enough, as the bathroom door swung open and she stood in front of me, frozen, because she obviously thought she was alone.

As I stood there, she clutched the towel tightly with both hands, teetering on the edge of losing her grip. Her damp hair tumbled down in a cascade of darkness, droplets of water tracing slow, delibrate paths along her skin. I knew I should have looked away, should have turned and left, but I couldn't. My eyes betrayed me, fixating on a single droplet that slipped from the tips of her hair, landing delicately on her shoulder before trailing down to the hollow of her colarbone before vanishing into the folds of her towel.

In that moment, an irratinal thought consumed me- a yearning to be that tiny droplet of water, to trace the contours of her body with such intimate freedom.

It's absurd, I know. What the hell am I even thinking?

"Are you leaving or do I have to change in front of you?!" she exclaimed, abruptly snapping me out of my trance.

The words hit me like a cold wave, and I blinked, trying to summon an appology, "Sorry." I stammered "I didn't know you were....my voice faltered. "I just needed my charger."

I turned around to leave, shame curling in my chest but then I felt it, a tag on the back of my shirt.

"Aren't you curious?" she asked softly.

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry, "About what?"

"About what's inside."

I spun around, intending to protest, to end this before it spiraled into something neither of us could undo, but the words died in my throat. She stepped closer, her gaze locking onto mine and before I could react, her hand pressed firmly against my chest, propelling me towards the bed. I stumbled and descended onto its soft surface.

She gracefully positioned herself on top of me, causing the towel to slide, teasingly exposing a mere hint of her alluring breasts. It wasn't enough to ignite an insatiable desire within me, compelling me to yearn for a taste, to savor and pleasure it.

Again. What the hell am I thinking?

With each passing moment, my breath grew more rapid, craving to witness her take charge, while simultaneously attempting to purge these thoughts from my mind. Finally, I firmly grasped her waist, my fingers trmebling as I guided her to lie beneath me. Her body tensed beneath my touch, and for a heartbeat neither of us moved. Then slowly, deliberately I reached for the towel. But instead of pulling it away, I slid it upward, covering her more fully. Even that brief contact, the brush of my fingers against her skin, sent shocks rippling through me. I felt her shudder, a delicate tremor that mirrored my own turmoil.

I can't do this. She's here so I can protect her. Not take advantage of her.

I bestowed upon her cheeks a passionate, lingering kiss before swiftly departing from the bed and from her.

The reason behind my impulsive action eluded me, yet I couldn't bear the thought of leaving her unsatisfied. Undoubtedly, she had no intentions of pursuing anything further. It seemed she was merely toying with me. However, if I lingered a while longer, things could escalate beyond control.

Maybe it's best if I take a shower as well.