Chapter 53 #2
His eyes focused again on my forehead. He leaned closer, and the scent of cedarwood and vetiver enveloped me, urging me to breathe faster so I could keep the scent inside. I watched the rise and fall of his Adam’s apple and the pulse at his neck.
My heart pounded.
Zioh stared at my bruise, murmuring. “If I’m level with you, it’s easier for me to treat you, baby,” he said, flicking his eyes down with a soft smile.
He blew on my forehead, and the warmth of his breath made me shiver. I winced as his fingers smoothed ointment over the swelling, massaging in slow circles.
Silence wrapped us as we stared at each other. Zioh didn’t say a word; he only kept soothing my wounded forehead with gentle strokes. It was as if we were the only two on this round earth, the only ones in the scene.
Then his soft smile shifted into a sly grin. “This isn’t because of me, is it?”
I raised my brow. “Hm?”
He tucked stray strands of my hair behind my ear, his mouth curving wider. “I didn’t make you sore enough to fall, did I?”
Heat flushed my face. Oh, he was so wrong for that.
Laughing, he stroked my hair, and I swatted his arm, making him laugh louder.
Where had the sweet, calm boy I once had disappeared to?
I couldn’t stand his laugh without falling into it until we laughed together. He leaned in and brushed his lips against my cheek, my injured forehead, and my lips.
I wanted to stay here.
Even amid storms, we could create happiness in its simplest form.
Just by holding on to each other.
Zioh pulled back, resting his forehead against mine with careful motion.
His hand cupped my cheek, and it felt achingly soft, yet I could feel the rough, hardened texture of his skin as it brushed my face.
“Let me ask this, and please be honest,” he said.
I met his eyes as his thumb stroked my face. “Is everything okay? How’s Tsabinu?”
Of course…
Sooner or later, he’d ask.
Especially since Tsabinu had clearly seen us that night.
I licked my lips. I couldn’t look at him, torn between honesty and fear, even as he silently begged for the truth. “Mas Bibu… he—”
Sensing my hesitation, Zioh tilted my chin, locking our eyes again. His smile was soft, reassuring. “Let me talk to him,” he offered.
I shook my head, panic rising inside me. “Don’t, Zi—”
He repeated, gentler now. “Let me talk to him,” steady and controlled, as if to tell me there was nothing to fear.
I swallowed, glancing away. Tsabinu was still furious and avoiding me. “It’s not that,” I said, shaking my head, trying to think. I looked back at him. “Let’s give Mas Bibu some time first, yeah?”
Silence thickened the air, and he stilled. His gaze changed…
He studied me. “Answer me honestly,” his eyes sharpened, “Are you ashamed of me?” he murmured low, heavy with pain. His eyes locked on mine, tension etched across his face. “Or of what we have recently?”
Shaking my head frantically, I grabbed his shoulders and clutched them tight, shaking my head again. “What? No, Zi,” I blurted, terrified of his misunderstanding, of the flicker of hurt in his eyes and voice. “Of course not.”
I opened my mouth, searching for words that wouldn’t wound him. “It’s just… Mas Bibu needs time,” because he genuinely did. “When I’ve spoken to him, then we can talk to him together, yeah?” I offered gently.
I observed him, afraid even my softness would hurt him.
Zioh stayed silent, his brow still furrowed. He looked at me, searching, long and submerged, and I let him.
Something flickered across his face.
I wished I could explain in a way that made him understand that I wasn’t ashamed of him or of us, and that I wasn’t hiding out of shame.
But giving time to Tsabinu, to him, and to us.
Time for him to open up to me, so I’d know where we were going before we shared it with anyone else.
I wanted to be sure this time.
Because I couldn’t take uncertainty anymore.
If it happened again, I wouldn’t survive. Believing it would last forever, only for the pain to return.
We stayed like that for a long time before Zioh exhaled and nodded, making me smile with relief.
Courage bloomed inside me from nowhere, because in the next second, I lifted myself to press my lips to his. I rarely moved first, and my heart tried to leap out of my chest every time I did.
Zioh smiled at my action and cleared his throat, his eyes intense. “Hmm… I’ll pay you back for that,” he said with a soft smile. “Tonight. I’ll pick you up, we’ll go to the penthouse.”
I hesitated, thinking of Tsabinu’s state, but Zioh spoke again.
“Nothing’s like that.” He tugged my hair behind my ear.
“I’ve no intention of making Golden any angrier.
” His voice was low, almost pleading. “Just keep me company for a while.” He looked at me with a slight shrug.
“I’ll cook steak, and we’ll talk,” he coaxed.
“There’s something I want to show you, and after that I’ll drive you home. ”
He took my hand and kissed it. “Do we have a deal?” I sighed and nodded.
Zioh drew his lips to mine again. His soft mouth landed on mine, drawing a small breath from me, making warmth burst through my body. Before I could sink into it, he pulled back and kissed my cheek instead. Raising his feet, he gave me a meaningful smile.
“I’m sorry, baby, but as much as I’d love to continue this,” he gestured at his desk. “We have to work.” He brushed my head, the warmth of his hand lingering on my scalp. “I’ll make it up to you later.”