Chapter 9
Zack's POV:
To say I was amazed by Nadia was understatement because the main reason why I chose that movie: "The exorcist", it is because it mostly freaked girls out just by the mention of its name but when it came to my annoying stupid wife, she was actually making jokes about how silly it was and making fun of me when I almost choked, thinking that I was actually scared of it.
In moments like that, when I just had fun with Nadia as normal friends not two newly married couple who hated each other, I couldn't help but wonder if what I thought of her was wrong? Was I missing something? I had to look for the truth in order to move on with my life. However, I didn't know if I wanted to move on with her by my side or alone!
the movie came to an end and we were both staring at each other weirdly since throughout the movie, we had no idea how close we were seated because we were so focused on teasing each other, but as soon as we acknowledged our position, I just froze there, gazing at Nadia who was looking at me with the same confusion written on her face.
Nadia's legs lied horizontally on the couch as she rested her head on my shoulder as I insisted earlier to keep her balance while I just sat there beside her, my legs crossed and were rested on the wooden table, my right arm was on top of Nadia's arm to have a better access of the snacks that were on Nadia's lap as the left one sat proudly on the couch beside me.
After a whole minute of staring, Nadia sat properly and put the almost empty bowl of snacks between us and replacing its place on her lap with a pillow, she just kept her gaze on the TV screen while I was lost in her, trying my best to study her but I failed miserably since she was a puzzle that I wanted to solve so badly so that I could look forward in my life.
"I can't believe you call that a scary movie" She glared at me, pointing at the TV screen.
"Who are you? I guess that you're from another planet" I stared at her mischievously, putting the bowl of snacks on the wooden table "I'll call you buddy from now on"
"Why?" She put her hands on her hips still sending me one of her dreadful looks.
"Because girls are supposed to be scared of this movie but then look at you" I gestured at her up and down.
"Hey, excuse me for not being a bimbo doll" She yelled at me as I covered my ears, totally exaggerating.
"Yeah right!" I smirked at her.
She was defiantly not one of the bimbo dolls since all they cared about was taking care of their appearance and how people thought of them and Nadia was way far from being that for sure because she managed to look cute without any makeup on and with the messy ponytail which was messing with my nerves every time she moved her head.
/*I guess I'd be falling pretty badly by the end of that year*/
"I guess I'll go to sleep" She suddenly put the pillow she was holding aside and tempted to stand up.
"Have you seen what time is it?" I laughed out because it was actually quarter to eleven and she was already preparing herself to sleep, how cute was that for a baby?
"As if you haven't noticed I have eyes" She snapped at me immediately as soon as her feet landed on the ground.
"Sarcasm is in your blood my dear, have a good sleep baby" I smirked at her, putting so much pressure on the word "Baby" which made her whimper loudly before sitting beside me again.
'I guess I found her point of weakness: Challenge' I thought to myself while she was getting comfortable on the sofa. Again.
"What are you up to? Big boy!" She stared at me looking extremely adorable although I guess she was trying to look somehow ugly in front of me, but she was failing miserably.
She was smarter than I thought she was since she kind of blew my cover in a fraction of a second. I was willing to find the truth about Lara but firstly I wanted Nadia to open up to me, I wanted to know the truth from her not after hiring an investigator.
"What's so odd about wanting to spend times with my beautiful wife?" I moved closer to her and enfolded her in my arms.
as soon as I touched her, she flinched and stiffened a little bit since she didn't expect me to do such thing but then after seconds she rested her head on my shoulder, inhaling a deep breathe. She was clearly debating with herself whether she could just stay there in that position or move away.
Although I believed that she was the same girl that I hated, I couldn't stop my heart from itching at the sight of her, tingles I felt whenever I touched her or when we made physical contact, and butterflies that erupted my stomach every time she winced and whimpered out of pain.
Staring down at her, I realized that I just liked having her in my arms; it gave me a feeling of security and protectiveness and it reminded me of my mother, who had Nadia's hair and eyes, the same petite frame and outspoken personality. The way she intertwined her fingers because of nervousness, how she was watching my every move from the corner of her eyes like I was unaware of it, and her shaky breathe which meant that I was affecting her, they all made me want to tease her more since it was the only way possible to take a step toward our friendship
Since the wedding day, I couldn't stop thinking about my mother; my mother was a successful lawyer in Washington; she was one of the best as all of her clients confirmed. She was an amazing women with a great spirit, she loved to help kids in hospitals and even made me go with her every once in a while to give them presents. She was bubbly and full of life, she always made sure that I was happy and that I got everything I wanted. Overall, she was a great women, that's why her loss affected me and a lot of people around me.
"Your beautiful wife?" She giggled at me blankly gesturing at herself, bringing me back to reality "You call this beauty? Are you blind or what?"
"I know what you are trying to do" I put my chin on top of head "You are trying to look as ugly as you can in front of me"
"So? Am I getting any results?" She titled her head up a little bit in order to face me.
"Hell yeah, you look horrible" I faked a horrified look.
"Grow up, now will you excuse me! The ugly girl needs some sleep" She started pulling away by trying to move my hands off her but I was well determined to not let her go any time soon.
To call my relationship with Nadia complicated was an understatement because I couldn't define what we had. Surely not love because even though my heart skipped some beats around her, I wasn't head to toe over her. Absolutely not hate because I didn't want to get rid of her anymore and I couldn't stand the feeling of jealousy which consumed me a day before. Maybe friendship, I wasn't that sure also, but one thing I was sure of is that I wanted her near me.
"Stay" I demanded huskily tightening my grip around her.
She looked confused at first and just stared at me blankly. her eyes glued on mine as her hands tightened on the end of her shirt. She looked beautiful and I didn't even know what I was doing, I just wanted to have answers to my questions and having her near me to break her walls, it seemed the most convenient solution.
"What ar... are... you... doing?" She started blabbering but I cut her off immediately.
"I enjoy your company" I confessed honestly, smiling at her genuinely.
The moment I uttered those words, her mouth dropped slightly and she just gazed at me, awkwardly while I didn't wipe the grin off my face and looked at her back. Then I realized what I actually told her so I mentally slapped myself and added mischievously "I won't bite"
She kept her gaze on me but instead of snapping at me or protesting back like I thought she would, she just rested her head on my shoulder again and snuggled against me as if she was waiting for me to spell those words. We just remained silent for a couple minutes before she reached for the remote control and switched the TV mode from DVD to normal then she started hovering from a channel to another until she stopped when she noticed "Suits", which was one of my favorite series of all time, even grandma loved it.
"Nice choice" I commented when I saw her setting the remote control on the coffee table and pushed the empty bowl of snacks aside, snatched the full one and put it on her lap.
"I love it, love him" She pointed on the screen, admiringly staring at the actor.
"Who? Gabriel Macht?" I blurted refusing to believe that she was drooling over him "Seriously?"
"Yeah, have you seen the man in suits?" She snorted beside me "He's handsome"
"Oh really, you're looking at him just like you were gawking at me in the wedding" I stated, poking her on the shoulder.
"No way, I was faking it" She pushed my loose hand on her shoulder away and she was ready to stand up but my arm of course somehow found its way back on her shoulder protesting her to stay still.
"Come on; don't tell me that being around me, it doesn't throw your heart of the window" I breathed as my chin rested comfortably on the top of her head as I felt her take a deep breathe beside me.
"It's only because I'm not used to being this close to boys before except Dillon and Col" She stuttered staring at her feet as if she was ashamed of what she just said but I thought the opposite, it was actually great. However, I felt a rush of adrenaline in my veins at the mention of 'Dillon and Col'.
Who were they?' I thought to myself but I didn't ask her since it was none of my business, or was it?
After two seconds she added hitting me slightly on my arm "Don't lie but I know you feel the same thing" She tilted her head to side and lifted it a little bit, trying her best to hide to hide her chuckled but failed since her lips were tugged upwards and her dimples were apparent.
'Wait dimples? How came I never noticed?' I stared at her astonishingly.
She knew exactly how to throw my own trick on me because she left me confused, disordered in my head and most importantly paralyzed. I didn't even know what to say because I was exactly like her. Despite my looks and playboy manners, I was way far from being the image everybody saw. But was I ready to show her the real me? Was I ready to break down my walls? Was I ready?
"No way, have you spared a second to look at yourself in the mirror lately" I chuckled nonchalantly, trying my best to hide my shaky breath and sweaty palms.
The answer of my questions was absolutely negative; I wasn't ready to break down my walls, at least not yet. I wasn't supposed to soften towards her, it was meant to be a fake marriage with a cold hatred relationship between us not resting on the couch together watching movies like old buddies. But I couldn't stay away from her since everybody adored her and respected her while I was the only one who loathed and disliked her and I had to dig into her real personality.
In that fraction of a second, I had decided to pull away before it was too late to collect myself, I had to go back down and close that door for good partially until I uncover the truth but in one way or another I couldn't even move. I stayed still and didn't budge to shift as she was already snuggling against me and she seemed so comfortable and relaxed therefore I didn't want to ruin her comfort.
'Or was I just making excuses?' I peeked down at her.
"You're disturbing me, close that mouth of you yours" She snapped at me, pulling me out of my train of thoughts.
"Cocky" I commented before doing as she said so, and staring blankly at the TV screen.
/*Activating my player mode until I find the truth*/
Nadia's POV:
I blinked several times before opening my eyes slowly to meet the sun rays which heated my face and all of my body, I tried to move from side to side like usual but I couldn't even lift my arm, I was trapped in my place. I took in my surroundings and I realized that I was in the lounging area.
I moved my head slowly to take a full look on what was keeping me still even though my eyelids were desperately craving to close up. Notwithstanding, I could see clearly after few seconds. My heart speeded up in my chest at the sight of one of Zack's arms under my stomach as the other one sat proudly on my waist, while they were clutched together keeping me in place.
Flashbacks of the previous night came crushing in my mind. How we were so close and comfortable around each other although tension and awkwardness were permanently choking the air. The way we just argued like we were old friends. Heat which spread in my body every time his fingers came in contact with my skin. And finally the sound of his heartbeat echoing in my ears like a melody.
Closing my eyes for few seconds recalling the previous night, I sighed and opened my eyes hurriedly when I found myself smiling like a lovesick fool uncontrollably. I tried to separate his hands but as soon as I touched him, he just took a deep breath and cuddled against me and tightened his hold of me even more as if it was even possible, leaving me trapped in his tight grip; he was like a giant baby, so cliche and immature of him.
Looking at him, his lips parted slightly and strands of hair fell on his forehead, I couldn't help but think about everything that happened again; I took the silence embracing me to think about what the hell had gotten to me when I stayed with him as soon as he asked me to, 'what was I thinking about exactly? Did I hit my head pretty vaguely and I somehow forgot about our situation?' I sighed knowing for sure that I wouldn't get the answers of my questions soon.
Nevertheless, I kind of liked being so close to him and butterflies which irrupted my stomach every time he opened his stupid mouth to speak even if he was making fun of me. And that was what freaked me out the most, since when did I enjoy the company of a boy besides Col and Dillon?
I grew up really reserved, I didn't like hanging out with boys except my best friends who were close to me since I was young and of course my brother Adam; therefore I was pretty uncomfortable and weird around other boys until my first year in college where I opened up a little bit and went out of my bubble.
Speaking of my friends, Dillon was the sweetest guy I could ever meet, with his blue eyes and sandy blonde hair along his megawatt smile, he was the combination of the perfect boy. He was one the grandsons of my grandpa's friends so we met every once in a while in parties and social events.
To my surprise, he was in most of my classes back in middle school; we were inseparable to the point that he knew me more than my own brother did. We did almost everything together and before moving to the next chapter of our lives which was high school, Col and Laura joined our group. However, Dillon moved to another state in my junior year in high school leaving me under Col's eyes.
Col was the cocky boy who thought he knew everything in this world, he had brown eyes, black hair, cute dimples and an athlete body which made girls drool over him everywhere because of his good looks. I disliked him at first but when I got to know him better he turned out to be one the coolest boys ever if I put his cockiness aside.
When Dillon moved out of town, Laura went to study in UK after less than a month, leaving me with Col; we became closer than ever, our friendship became stronger and our bound was unbreakable. However, when we went to college, Col reunited with Dillon in Chicago.
Yanking myself back to reality, Zack was literally pressing on my nerves with every breath he blew on my neck, it made me want to slap him since goosebumps appeared on my whole body and a cold chill ran down my spine, but in the same time a part of me softened at the sight of him that vulnerable and innocent; I wished things were as simple as resting on that comfy sofa with him... my fake husband.
I tried to move after a while but I couldn't since he kept pressing me against him and in a moment, I thought that maybe he was fully awake but he was only doing that on purpose because a normal person would be wide awake from all of the movements I was making.
The only idea I had on my mind was using my ticklish skills in something useful so I started by using my foot on his own which made him tense up and loosen his hold of me a little bit but not to the point of letting me go, and that was my chance to turn around and leave my hands do to the magic.
As soon as I touched him, he jumped directly off the sofa and landed on ground with me on top of him, he looked puzzled and extremely funny especially with his tousled messy hair; it only meant that he was actually sleeping not faking it. "Oups my bad" I thought to myself as soon as he was done with blinking and his eyes met mine.
"What the hell were trying to do?" He snapped at me "Kill me with a heart attack?"
"Well, I tried to stand up but because of your stupid arms wrapped around my middle, I was trapped" I reasoned willing to sound strong like he didn't affect me.
"Ouh so you tried to tickle me?" He asked, it came out as a statement more than a question.
"Hum..." I mumbled trying the best I could to kill my laughter but it was only increasing by the second.
"Then what if, I'll seek for payback?" He smiled at me devilishly, rolling us till I was beneath him, keeping his weight off me with elbows so he wouldn't crash me.
His hazel eyes stared at my chocolate brown pair with mischievousness hidden in them. I was lost in their depth and sparkle, they were beautiful and breathtaking.I didn't even realize that I took my time studying him and I felt his grip on my wrists which were trapped in his big hand, steadying me.
"Zack, don't you dare!" I yelled at him but it was too late because he was already holding both of my hands in one hand, while his other hand reached for my stomach and started tickling me everywhere.
I was very ticklish especially in my stomach so as soon as he started his payback, I found myself hysterically laughing to the point that my face was salty because of the amount of tears I dropped from my eyes; I didn't quite get why people laugh in those positions? As much as I wish I could deny it, tickles personally made me aggressive and look like a crazy girl.
"Stop" I yelled at him, kicking him but he didn't stop, he kept tormenting me.
"No way" He smirked at me.
I thought that if I wanted to release myself from that torture, I would say something he wouldn't think I would say. I had to use my devilishness in something useful 'I wasn't that innocent after all'
"Hey I was wondering if we can go and have lunch out" I managed to say between laughs and giggles.
"What?" He stopped his torture to look at me with wide eyes as if I poured a bucket of water on his head.
In that moment, I took advantage of his vulnerability and pushed him off me, I stood up quickly and made my way to the other side of the couch slowly just in time Zack was on his feet, acknowledging what just happened "I haven't said a thing" I lifted my hand in the air, defensively.
"Oh no, you'll regret your choices" His eyes roamed the lounging area like the predator hunting his victim.
His eyes stopped directly on my phone as the most devilish smile flashed on his face, and that made me instantly slap my forehead because I didn't set up a password since no one really messed with phone back home and I actually had nothing in it.
"Let's see what my princess's grandpa, will say if he heard that his granddaughter has been naughty this morning?" He faked a hurtful look as he pressed on my grandpa's name "What do you think he will say?"
"Zack, stop messing with me" I shouted at him but it only made him burst out laughing.
"Then come here right now" He gestured at me to come near him "Now" He added sternly when I didn't budge to move.
I stared at him blankly for few seconds, not sure if I wanted to walk to him but I knew that being the child he was, he would just call grandpa and embarrass me in front of him. His face was immediately covered with his famous smirk after he stated with a wink when I didn't start walking "Come on hun, you can do it"
I hesitated in the beginning but soon enough, I started walking with a slow pace towards him, like I was walking to my own death. As I reached him he had the biggest smile I had ever seen before, he leaned down and he kissed me quickly on the corner of my lips then he stepped back like nothing happened. While in fact, my stomach and heart were driving me insane as my knees felt like jelly.
"Now I call it a morning" He pulled me by the waist till my face was literally an inch close to his his heart. When I just looked down, he lifted my chin so I could look into his hazel brown orbs and stated "Now, what do you say about eating lunch out?" I could feel his heartbeat when he asked me as a stupid big grin found its way to my face.
/*Please, don't forget to vote, thank you*/