Chapter 11 - Remedy
833 Words
“Feeling any better?” Fiona asked as Bryan stepped out of the bathroom.
The warm cedar wood bath had eased some of the tension in his muscles but did little to remedy his burn out. All he wanted now was a long uninterrupted sleep.
“A little,” he replied drying his hair with a damp towel.
She waved a sleek black folder at him. “You won’t be going to the onyx gala without a date right?” A playful smile tugged on her lips.
Bryan’s movement stilled. She must have gotten that from his suitcase.
“What do you mean?” A frown knitted between his brows. He knew where this conversation was heading. And he did not like it.
“Oh come on,” she rolled her eyes playfully. “You know exactly what I mean.”
“That’s way too risky, we can’t be found in public together and you know that.”
Silence settled in the room. Her expression became sour, she knew this was going to be his response yet hearing it from him cut through her as knife slices into butter.
He met her gaze, her puppy eyes lifted to his which made her seem like a child being denied sweets. The guilt tightened around his chest.
He dragged a hand through his damp hair. “Not yet, the media is watching with keen interest,” he added trying to do damage control for his words. “And Kate,” he exhaled deeply. “She is still missing.”
“I understand,” she sounded calm trying to betray the ache brewing in her chest.
It’s all about Kate, it’s always all about her. She lowered her gaze, tracing absent circles with her trembling fingers along the edge of the pillowcase, as if that would inspire her with the next words to say. “We don’t necessarily have to be together, I can attend separately, at least my presence there can be an emotional support for you.”
Her fingers tightened around the hem of the pillowcase. “I haven’t had the chance to attend such events before, maybe as the future daughter-in-law of the West family, things can be different?” Her voice faltered as she held back the pool of tears gathering in her eyes.
Bryan closed his eyes briefly, he wish she’d stop looking at him like that, making him seem like a bad person. These events are strictly by invitation. “It’s not that simple.”
“No!” she bawled letting the hurt she’s been bottling spill down her cheeks as streams of tears. “You just don’t want me there, you don’t want me anywhere near your life!”
She threw a pillow at him, he caught it against his chest out of reflex. She turned away from him, burying herself beneath the blanket as quiet sobs echoed through the room.
Bryan placed his hand over his forehead. This was the last thing he had strength for this evening, not now that he just wants to have a good rest. He’s already mentally exhausted and now he’d have to deal with another stressor.
“It’s not like that, baby.” He cooed after deliberating on the right words to say to quench the burning inferno.
There was no response, only muffled crying.
“Babe…?” He climbed unto the bed and entered beneath the blanket, leaving the two of them in a cozy hideout. He pulled her in for a cuddle, she resisted and fought hard against him but she lost to his powerful muscles.
“You know I didn’t mean it that way, uhmm.” He whispered into her ears.
Her body remained stiffened in his arms.
He sniffed her neck taking in the enchantment of the Daloura scent.
She finally gave up and leaned in closer melting into his embrace.
“Yeah.” She wiped the tears from her face and turned to face him.
Their eyes met, she searched his handsome face. How dare her get angry at him, this is the hottest man in Lavoire, and with those blue eyes of his staring right at her, damn!
She’s so lucky to have him.
Bryan gently brushed a loose curl from her face and cleaned the tears left on her face. Her heart skipped a beat. She rested her head on his chest and smiled sheepishly, her cheeks hued red.
He lifted her chin and stared deeply at her. “I like your lips.” He brushed a gentle kiss against her lips. She felt a shiver run down her spine.
“And here I was looking for a remedy, without realizing that’s it’s right here.” He said lazily trailing her neck with his tongue. “How could I have missed that uhmm?”
Fiona giggled as his breath tickled her neck.
He caught her lips with his and kissed her, hard, pulling the air right out of her lungs like he couldn’t get enough.
- Writer
