Chapter 5: The First Touch
511 Words
Ari was starting to feel something she hadn’t felt in a long time.
Safe.
Not fully. Not yet. But a little.
And that scared her.
She was in enemy territory. Surrounded by men who had killed her father’s men. Surrounded by secrets. Watching her every move.
But with Dominic... it felt different.
He didn’t treat her like a tool or a threat. He treated her like a person.
Even when she didn’t speak.
Especially when she didn’t speak.
---
It was raining again.
Thin, soft rain that tapped on the windows like fingers. Ari was standing near one of the glass doors, watching the drops run down.
Dominic walked in behind her, holding two mugs.
He offered her one.
Hot chocolate.
Ari blinked in surprise. She took it slowly and gave a small nod. [Thanks.]
He smiled. “You like the rain?”
She signed: [It’s quiet.]
Dominic leaned against the wall beside her. He looked at her face—not just her beauty, but how still and strong it always was.
“You always look like you’re thinking ten things at once.”
She looked at him and signed:
[I am.]
They both smiled a little.
---
Dominic started visiting her more often after that.
In the mornings, they practiced sign language together in the library.
At lunch, they sat across from each other, trading notes and half-smiles.
At night, they walked the garden paths in silence.
Their hands never touched. Not yet.
But their eyes did.
Every glance was louder than a hundred words.
---
One afternoon, Ari was walking through the hallway when she bumped into one of Dominic’s cousins—Marco.
He was older. Meaner. And he didn’t like her.
“Well, if it isn’t the mute princess,” he sneered.
Ari ignored him and tried to walk past, but Marco grabbed her arm.
“Not so fast.”
Her blue eyes went sharp.
She pulled away quickly, signing fast:
[Don’t touch me.]
Marco laughed. “Can’t speak but full of attitude. I like that.”
She stepped back, ready to fight if needed.
Then—
“Let her go.”
Dominic’s voice came from the corner.
He walked toward them, eyes burning.
Marco raised his hands. “Just saying hi.”
Dominic didn’t blink. “Say it from a distance.”
Marco backed off slowly.
Once he left, Dominic turned to Ari.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded, but her eyes were still cold.
Dominic reached for her hand—slowly, carefully—like asking for permission.
She didn’t pull away.
His fingers touched hers.
For the first time.
Her heart jumped.
He signed:
[I’m sorry.]
[For him.]
Ari stared at their hands.
Then she signed:
[You didn’t do it.]
But she didn’t let go.
And neither did he.
---
That night, Ari sat in her room, thinking about that moment.
His hand on hers.
His voice soft.
His eyes... honest.
She had spent her life building walls.
But Dominic was climbing them, brick by brick.
And she wasn’t sure she wanted to stop him.
- Writer
