Paid It Red

Chapter 7: Sweet-Time Confusion

The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over Alice's little home. Inside, the comforting aroma of braised pork lingered in the air, a testament to her recent cooking endeavors. Alaric, having grown accustomed to the scents and sounds of her kitchen, leaned casually against the doorframe, a playful glint in his eyes.

“Do you ever take a break from cooking, or is this just a clever ruse to keep me around?” he teased, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips.

Alice rolled her eyes, trying to suppress a smile. “And what if I am? Maybe I just enjoy seeing you work up an appetite.”

He stepped forward, closing the distance between them, his gaze intense yet playful. It was in that moment that Alice, flustered by his presence, hurriedly turned to grab a dish from the counter and accidentally brushed her lips against his. The unexpected collision left her stunned, her cheeks flaming as she pulled back.

“Uh… I—sorry!” she stammered, mortified by the accidental kiss.

Alaric, however, wore a teasing grin. “Well, that was unexpected,” he said, his tone light but with an undercurrent of something deeper. “Perhaps you should do that more often.”

Her embarrassment only deepened, but as the days passed, the tension between them grew palpable. It happened again one afternoon while she was reaching for a jar on a high shelf. Alaric had moved to help her, but their hands brushed, and in her surprise, she lost her balance, turning her head at the last moment to steady herself. Instead, she ended up kissing him again, this time fully on the lips.

“Oh, not again!” she exclaimed, backing away, wide-eyed.

Alaric laughed, a rich sound that sent butterflies fluttering in her stomach. “It seems the universe is trying to tell us something, Alice. Maybe I should consider this a sign.”

That night, as they shared a quiet moment together, Alice found herself lost in his gaze. It was then that Alaric leaned in with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, clearly intending to make the most of the playful banter they had established. “You know,” he said softly, “I think you owe me another kiss.”

Alice’s heart raced at the boldness of his words. “I owe you nothing!” she retorted, crossing her arms, but the teasing smile on her lips betrayed her.

“Is that so?” Alaric leaned closer, his breath warm against her skin. “Then how about this?” He moved swiftly, catching her by surprise as he stole another kiss, his lips brushing against hers with a lightness that felt both thrilling and terrifying.

This kiss was deliberate, playful, and intoxicating, sending a jolt of electricity through Alice. She gasped, her eyes widening in shock, but Alaric merely smirked, his expression that of a man who had just claimed a small victory.

From that moment on, the kisses became a playful game. Alaric would steal a kiss whenever he sensed Alice’s flustered state—when she was cooking, when she was scolding him for his teasing, or even when she was lost in thought. Each stolen moment made Alice blush harder, her heart fluttering like a caged bird.

But she also began to realize that each kiss was more than just playful teasing; they held a deeper connection that she could no longer ignore.

Yet, as they shared these sweet moments, Alice felt a weight settling in her chest, an ache that grew with every kiss. How could she let herself fall for someone who might still be longing for another?

...

With each day that passed, the tension between them grew. They danced around their feelings, wrapped in a bubble of budding romance and uncertainty. But that night, as Alice prepared for bed, a heaviness settled in her chest, one she couldn’t shake off. She lay down, hoping to dream sweet dreams of Alaric’s teasing grin, but sleep eluded her.

In the stillness of the night, she heard it: the soft murmur of Alaric's voice drifting through the thin walls. Curiosity piqued, she rose from her bed, careful not to make a sound. She moved toward his room, her heart pounding with each step.

As she neared, his words grew clearer, sending a chill down her spine. “Fleyna… we will be together again…”

Alice's heart stuttered, a sharp pain piercing through her. The name echoed in her mind, a foreign whisper that sent waves of confusion crashing over her. Fleyna? Who was this person? Was he longing for someone else? The realization struck her like a cold wave, and suddenly, all the sweet moments they shared felt tainted.

Taking a step back, she stumbled into the shadows of the hallway, her heart racing. She wanted to cry, to scream, but instead, she forced herself to breathe.

The next day, as dawn broke, Alice resolved to avoid Alaric. Every time he approached, she’d find an excuse to flee, her heart too heavy with the burden of what she had overheard.

“Alice, where are you going?” Alaric asked one morning as she hurriedly grabbed a basket, her eyes darting away from his piercing gaze.

“Just… going out for some fresh air,” she lied, her voice barely above a whisper.

His brow furrowed in concern, but Alice didn’t wait for his response. She hurried out of the house, needing space to gather her thoughts.

As she made her way to the village market, her mind was a whirlwind of emotions—heartache, confusion, and an inexplicable sense of loss. How could she feel this way about a man who might still be pining for someone else?

“Why do I even care?” she muttered to herself, walking briskly along the cobblestone path. “It’s not like he’s mine to worry about.”

But the truth was undeniable; she did care. The thought of Alaric with someone else twisted her insides into knots.

Distracted by her thoughts, she hardly noticed the figure stepping into her path until it was too late. She collided with something solid, stumbling back and falling into the dirt.

“Whoa, easy there!” a deep voice said, reaching out to steady her.

Looking up, Alice found herself staring into the warm, chocolate-brown eyes of a young man. He stood tall, with a muscular build that suggested he was used to physical exertion. His skin was tanned, and dark curls fell over his forehead, giving him an almost carefree appearance.

“Are you alright?” he asked, a slight smirk playing on his lips as he offered her a hand.

Alice blinked, momentarily taken aback by his charm. “I-I’m fine. Just not watching where I was going,” she stammered, brushing off the dirt from her skirt.

“Clearly,” he chuckled, his laughter a melodic sound that made her feel oddly at ease. “You seem lost in thought. What’s got you so preoccupied?”

“Nothing,” she replied, a bit too quickly, turning her gaze to the ground. “Just… trying to get to the market.”

“Ah, the market,” he said, nodding. “Best place to get lost, if you ask me. I’m Brandon, by the way.”

Before she could respond, a small figure darted past her, and Alice glanced down to see Snow, her pet bunny, wiggling his nose curiously at Brandon’s shoes.

“Hey there, little guy!” Brandon knelt, extending a hand toward Snow. “What’s your name?”

“This is Snow,” Alice said, her heart warming at the sight of her little companion.

“He’s cute. Got any plans for today?” he asked, still focused on Snow, who seemed to take an immediate liking to him.

“No, not really,” Alice replied, feeling the tension in her chest ease slightly as she watched them interact. “Just picking up some groceries.”

“Mind if I join you? I could use a break from my routine,” Brandon offered, a friendly grin lighting up his face.

“Uh, sure. I mean, if you want to,” she replied, caught off guard by his easy demeanor.

As they walked side by side, Alice felt a mixture of confusion and curiosity. While she hadn’t expected to meet anyone new, Brandon’s presence was strangely comforting. Yet, her heart still lingered on Alaric, weighing heavily in the background.

“So, what’s your story?” Brandon asked, glancing sideways at her. “You don’t seem like the type to just wander into people.”

“I guess I’m not,” she replied, her thoughts drifting back to Alaric. “Just… trying to figure things out, I suppose.”

As they reached the market, the vibrant colors of fresh produce surrounded them, the chatter of villagers filling the air. Alice felt a small thrill at the busyness around her, but her heart still ached with unspoken words.

And deep down, as she exchanged polite banter with Brandon, the shadow of Alaric lingered at the edges of her mind, reminding her that she had a choice to make.