Chapter 15:
Nadia's POV:
I had no idea where all my strength came when I stepped on my tiptoes and kissed Zack seconds after he asked me to go on a date with him. All I knew is that I felt happy and butterflies kept roaming in my stomach. Even when he pulled away and rested his forehead on top of mine, I still felt giddy and my skin tingled because of his simple touch.
Debating with myself whether I wanted to ruin that moment by asking about the reason he apologized to me or leaving those thoughts to myself, I exhaled and just embraced him, enjoying his scent which surrounded me, and decided against it. I could deal with my stupid inner voice later. In that moment, he was the only thing which quite mattered to me.
We were jerked out of our world when we heard a knock on the door followed by Mrs. Collins's voice which echoed in the silence that settled between Zack and I. I had a feeling that she would burst on us like that because she didn't show up for an entire week. a whole week.
Lifting my head to take a sight at grumbling Zack, I couldn't help but smile at his perfection. His hair, tousled in his bed kind of style, it gave me an urge to mess it; he still didn't shave but I liked his beard that way since it gave him a more attractive look, he was topless which exposed his perfect set of abs for my sight, and could leave every girl drooling over him. 'Just like you' My inner voice stepped-in again but I dismissed it right away.
Catching me staring at him, he chuckled with a mischievous grin plastered on his face and I knew that he would just mess up the situation by saying something idiotic and childish "Admiring my charm?" He smirked lifting his shoulders up, as a sign of showing off.
Yeah he messed up...
"Charm? Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately?" I giggled obviously to divert his attention from my flushed cheeks to my weird giggle.
"So you're telling me that you don't like the view?" He pointed at his face and body but when I didn't give him the reaction he wanted, he just shrugged off and rolled his eyes "Whatever makes you sleep at night"
Trying to fix my hair to look at least descent in front of Mrs. Collins, I pulled away from his embrace and brushed my hands through my hair several times then I gestured at Zack to open door "Your grandma is waiting, put on a shirt"
"I am good like this" He replied, a hint of mischief apparent in his eyes "I'm more attractive like this"
"Now" I glared at him, sternly.
"Okay but you have to consider changing your clothes into one of the nightgowns she brought you" He chuckled tugging on my pink baggy shirt, then he walked to the closet, grabbed a shirt and tossed it on top of his head.
"Why? What's wrong with my clothes?" I questioned because I was just fine with what I was wearing.
"Hey do you think that a newly married couple would sleep together in shorts and a baggy shirt?" He burst out laughing at my innocence especially when I hit his arm playfully and headed to the closet.
"Stop laughing and go out" I threw my hands in the air in desperation.
"I will tell her you will be there in two minutes" He winked at me while opening the door, then he left.
Staring at the nightgowns in the closet, I scolded myself for my stupidity and blamed my innocence, dumbness and lack of knowledge for the embarrassment I felt when Zack started laughing at me.
'What was I thinking about?' I thought to myself, recalling the movies I've watched of a wife wearing shorts and a baggy shirt while sleeping with her husband, but I didn't find any in my mind.
However, the idea of wearing a nightgown in front of him was the problem since we had to DTR (define our relationship) because I had no idea what our status was. Were we a couple? Husband and wife? Were we friends? Then again my inner voice reminded me that friends don't sleep together and kiss each other although we only kissed once, twice or maybe more.
After picking up the one that had the longest robe, I headed to the bathroom and got changed to a black silk nightgown that reached just above my knees. It was the only thing that didn't reveal my cleavage but yet somehow it still made me look feminine.
After fixing my hair, I strode to the door, I opened the bedroom's door and peeked out. Mrs. Collings was sitting beside Zack on the couch, talking about something that I couldn't hear. I kept staring at them for few seconds before I decided to make my presence known, therefore, I walked out and closed the door behind me, making both Mrs. Collins and Zack turn their heads to my direction.
Zack's eyes lit up at the sight of me as they travelled all over my body, making me uncomfortable and unconfident out of sudden, since no one had ever looked at me that way and I didn't know how to react to it; it was different from the way he used to look at me when he was being playful while pretending, he made me feel like I was wanted.
Nevertheless, Mrs. Collins didn't give me any time to think of Zack's looks since she stood up as soon as she spotted me, and started walking toward me as I did the same, she met me halfway with a huge smile plastered on her face and hugged me so tightly that she left me out of breath, but I didn't budge to move since I knew that that was her way of showing affection. However, Zack decided to put his nose between us.
"Grandma, are you intending to kill her" He chuckled when he saw my discomfort.
"Sorry my dear, I didn't mean to" She pulled away immediately and gave me an apologetic look, as if she had done something bad.
"It is okay, you kind of remind me of my own grandmother" I reassured her, throwing my hands around her and engulfed her in a hug.
"I am also your grandmother my dear" She caressed my cheek tenderly after she pulled away two seconds later.
"Hey, you two, I would be jealous" Zack whimpered gaining stern looks from his grandma and I.
"Stop it" I glared at him for acting like a little child.
"It's okay my dear, since he was young, he hated sharing" She winked at me as if she meant something else since Zack's face flushed red and his grumble could reach our ears.
"I will tell you his stories later but today I came for a purpose" She took a deep breath before leading us to the sofa.
She sat elegantly on the sofa, twisting one leg on top of the other one, he hair was perfectly styled as her makeup was pleasant to the eyes and did her justice. However, it only made me look down at myself. I was the opposite of a sophisticated lady. I knew I had to be eventually but sometimes not sticking to rules made by society is pleasing therefore, I was enjoying every opportunity I had to act like myself, free.
I offered her a drink but she refused reasoning that she already ate and running late. From her seating position, she gestured at Zack and I, to take our seats in front of her. I threw myself down and looked at her, anticipating her words since she seemed determined to get something done, and it made my curiosity grow even bigger.
Zack didn't sit immediately, he went to the kitchen first to grab the coffee he was making while I was in the room changing my clothes; the moment he came back, holding two big mugs of coffee, he threw me one of his megawatt smiles then he sat right beside me on the sofa, so close.
He handed me my mug of coffee and made sure to brush his fingers in mine in the process, sending me chills all over my body and a shiver run down my spine at the instant contact. Mrs. Collins, or shall I say grandma was obviously aware of the reaction I had since as soon as I flinched and smiled genuinely at him, she squealed like a teenage cheerleader and clapped her hand to her mouth to stay quiet.
"She was funny" I noted to myself.
"So, what's so important?" Zack asked her when silence started settling between us and no one spelled a word.
"The Collins will throw a big gala after two weeks and I came here to inform you that you would be hosting the event" She spoke calmly gesturing at the both of us.
"Grandma!" Zack whimpered, making us turn to look at him "You know I hate those events"
'He could be a child sometimes'
"Why so?" I blurted out.
"Because those events are full of hypocrites who act like they really give a damn about others while in fact they only give a shit about themselves" He retorted as if he was making that answer in his mind for so long.
"Watch your language, young man" She scowled at him "And before you even start complaining, I'm informing you that I won't change my mind because it is a good way to introduce both of you as a married couple" She explained "You still didn't make an appearance, it will be good for your image"
"I don't want to but what do you think, it can be funny?" Zack whispered in my ear, asking me if I was okay with hosting the gala, which I answered with a nod of my head.
"Excellent" She stood up at my gesture and pointed at us "I'm happy you're in, you will do great trust me, I will arrange everything don't worry"
"You know I won't" Zack stood up and offered me his hand that I took gladly, and he helped me to stand up, then he turned his head to his grandma "Grandma, you know I will do everything which would make you happy" He poked her cheeks gently before hugging her tightly to his chest "Now, come on; your high society friends are probably waiting" He chuckled.
"Don't even think of calling them like that in the gala" She glared at him, pointing with her forefinger.
"She was more adorable than frightening"
Mrs. Collins left right away after crushing my bones in a bear hug as she complemented my look and gave me few types of advice to stand living with Zack; such as counting to ten before answering him and cook chocolate for him when he's sad or mad.
Cute
As soon as she left, I closed the door and headed directly to my room, neglecting Zack's piercing looks on my back. I had to change my clothes to head to college because I already skipped a lot of classes and wasting more time would be bad for me and the business degree I wanted.
"Hey kitty kitty" He whistled behind me.
"Get over yourself Zack" I snorted trying my best to hide my chuckle and fight the urgent urge to walk back to him "We'll be late for college, hurry"
"Okay but you are coming with me" He stated before closing the bedroom door behind him.
I looked at the closed door for few seconds, smiling foolishly as flashbacks of the previous night played in front of me, making me bounce in my feet like a little girl. However, I had to stop staring at the door like a weirdo and make a move; therefore, I inhaled deeply and entered my room.
In a matter of few minutes, I was under water in the bathtub replaying everything which had happened in my head again, as a lot of thoughts and questions kept prompting in my mind "What was going to happen next? What would it change for us? Why was I happy? Why did he apologize?" I sighed, releasing the breath I was holding for more than thirty seconds, because I knew I wouldn't have the answers I wanted 'needed' in that moment.
'I should just live the moment' I convinced myself as I stepped out of the bathtub 'Live the moment'
Zack's POV:
I wore my clothes rapidly after having a quick shower. I wore blue jeans, a red V-neck shirt with sleeves, brown ankle boots, and a black jacket along with a black scarf. I sprayed some perfume on my neck and scarf before taking one last glance at the mirror not bothering to fix my hair then I headed out to the kitchen to grab something to eat.
As soon I closed the door behind me, I came face to face to Nadia who was also leaving her room. She walked toward me holding my jacket and Bennie in her hands, the same I gave her when we went to McDonald's.
"Thanks" She stood in front of me, a hint of a smile evident on her face,
"You can keep them" I ran my hand through my hair, frustrated, because Nadia I knew she would refuse in a fraction of a second.
"I can keep the Bennie but the jacket is just too much..." She grinned wildly at me.
"Nadia, can't you just say thank you and shrug it off?" I raised my eyebrows at her "Besides, I know you love my scent in it and you probably smelled it so many times like a creep"
"I also have One Million!" She shrugged off "and I have it all to myself" She added, proudly.
"Wouldn't you have Lady Million instead?"
"I like men's perfumes more" She replied, sarcastically.
"Wow, who are you?"
"Oh please, as if you hate women's perfume" She smirked at me mischievously.
"I don't"
"I put on my perfume in case you wanted to creep" She neglected my answer and preceded talking, holding the jacket in front of her "It smells good"
"My dear, that wouldn't be a problem for me, I can always find access to your smell" I stepped closer to her, I threw my arm around her waist and pulled her closer "What were you saying?" I spoke lowly as she was apparently holding her breath since her chest rose up and down in a matter of a second.
Her curly long hair stood proudly on her shoulders hiding every ounce of skin that her brown jacket didn't cover. My hand reached a stray of hair and pushed it aside revealing her neck to my sight as my other one stood on her waist keeping her in place.
"Have you said anything? I lowered my head to her neck level and inhaled her scent, teasingly.
In the process of teasing her, I ended up being trapped myself, she smelled so good, and her scent was addicting, the type of scents who're sweet but yet attractive. I liked 'loved' it. I wanted to stay like that for few more seconds but she jerked me out of my thoughts when she stepped back.
"I did, I said we would be late" She glared at me "Come on" She walked away, heading to the door after dropping the jacket on the sofa and putting on the Bennie.
I chuckled to myself at her stubbornness since I could literally see the goosebumps that appeared on her skin when I approached her and the way her breath's rhythm totally changed to unstable just with one touch. However, I knew she was fighting it just like I was before, and it's only a matter of time that she'd finally give-in.
I followed her silently to the elevator after locking the door, and I didn't utter a word on the lifts since I was too busy observing her moves and gestures. She was nervous, I could tell by the way she was playing with the hem of her shirt and tapping her foot on the floor.
'That was a good sign' I thought to myself as we both stepped out and went to the car.
Since the day I met her, I hadn't seen her drive so she insisted she'd show me her skills when I mocked her. Therefore, we ended up being in her car. She had a mischievous grin in her face as she started the engine; she turned her head to face me and stated "Let the fun begin"
I have to admit that she was an excellent driver; she managed to stay focused on the road even when I tried my best to distract her, and she didn't even acknowledge my existence. Moreover, to say that she loved speed, would be understatement, because she worshiped it, and the look on her face while she was driving was way different than any other look I witnessed of hers, I felt like she was being herself and I liked it.
As soon as we entered through the gates of the parking lot, we were basically the center of attention as flashes of photographers blinded us. They were everywhere and didn't even leave us space to move since they rushed to the car and started taking pictures.
Weren't they supposed to stay outside?
"It's show time" I turned my head and looked at Nadia who shot me a surprisingly amused look therefore, I had to make sure that she wouldn't mess up because it would be a disaster for the gala "We have to pull it together because we'd be all over magazines by tomorrow"
"I know; I will text grandpa to handle them; it's not the first time it happens to me" She winked at me before she grabbed her phone and texted her grandfather "Show time, it is" She grinned widely, opening the car's door.
I went out of the car and was about to go to Nadia's side to open the door for her but she was already out and locked the door. We met halfway in front of the car with huge smiles stretched on our faces, genuine grins not like the ones we shared in the wedding.
I offered her my hand and she accepted it gladly, intertwining her fingers in mine securely, and I liked how it fitted perfectly. The paparazzi were everywhere and even the guards of college couldn't stop them. However, we weren't even fazed by their existence as we walked hand in hand with confidence and normality through the path, two guards secured for us, because the last we wanted was looking fake in a magazine, it wasn't good for our image.
They shot us many questions but we answered none of them because they were irrelevant and it wasn't in our benefit to say something which they would hunt us with in the future. Moreover, the questions they asked were unrelated and had no sense, such as the opportunities of combining our companies as one, the reasons behind our marriage and my called 'lost love' with Jasmine.
"Mrs. Collins! What do you have to say about your husband's night with Ms. Thornton? Did you know about their relationship? What will happen next?" A reporter started asking as he stood in front of us blocking our way.
I had no idea how he knew that I was with Jasmine the night before but he defiantly got under my skin since he started invading our privacy and I couldn't even do a thing about it. I had to be quiet and act like I didn't mind. However, Nadia was tough enough to handle herself.
"Well! I am happy he stood up for his friend because it means that he will do the same or maybe more for me" She put her head on my chest, as she embraced me more, if it was even possible.
"So you thought it was fine that he spent the night with another woman?" The same reporter asked again, making me almost hit him of Nadia didn't squeeze my hand reassuringly and was about to talk when I interrupted her.
"Jasmine just broke her leg so I took her as quickly as I could so that I would be with the beautiful creature standing beside me" I spoke confidently, winking at Nadia and gaining a lot of 'ooohs' and 'ahhs' from other students.
If I knew that few words from me, would make Nadia so happy, I would've done it a long time ago because it gave me a warm feeling in my chest and a serious urge to memorize her features forever. She was so damn beautiful and irresistible.
"Now, if you excuse us, we have classes to attend" Nadia addressed them quietly while I kissed the top of her head and hugged her back affectionately.
"You were amazing up there" I rubbed her upper arm, uncontrollably.
"You weren't bad yourself" She teased me, sarcasm evident on her voice.
We didn't even leave them time to ask more since we stormed out of there as gazes followed us all the way till we reached the cafeteria. We ordered coffee and croissants with Nutella, and sat on the only available table there which was unfortunately on the center of the cafeteria.
"I'm hungry, my wife was lazy to cook" I stated as I pulled her chair.
"Ouh! Then you should find a new one" She winked at me, taking a sip of her drink "I can help you to find one"
"She has to be tall, beautiful, black hair, chocolate brown eyes" I lifted my chair and put it beside hers.
"Carry on" She gestured at me with her forefinger.
"She has to know how to cook chicken lasagna" I studied her, looking for things she did in front of me that made her special to me "She has to be ticklish, taps her feet on the ground when she nervous and Tried to catch her breath whenever I approach her, can you relate?"
"She's hard to find" She narrowed her eyes adorably "Now tell me what happened with Jasmine?" She lifted her gaze to meet mine.
"Still jealous?" I smirked at her but then when she stared at me blankly, I proceeded talking. She was stubborn.
"I hit her with my car so I had to help her" I ran my hand through my hair "Well basically, it wasn't my fault and her parents understood"
"She wants to have you so badly!" She murmured under her breathe but I could hear her anyway.
"What?" I wanted her to repeat what she said.
"Nothing" She feigned a smile "Have I mentioned before that she is my cousin?" She diverted her look to her cup again.
"Hein? How so?" I found myself counting the possibilities of Jasmine being Nadia's cousin in my head.
"Well, my mother's cousin if I may add" She chuckled but it was more to herself than it was to me "She's the daughter of my grandpa's brother" She paused for a second then continued talking, playing with her plastic cup "Her father tried to take my grandpa's money but mom and your mother fought hard to stop him and they succeeded eventually"
"It explains why she hates you so much" I chuckled because everything made sense out of a sudden.
"You can take my car by the way, Laura will drive me home" She suddenly stated, looking at everything but me "I am going with my friends"
"You mean Col and your cutie?" I clenched my teeth at her.
The thought of her hanging out with Col totally changed my temper since I hadn't forgotten that she liked him and that kept bugging me so I had to clear my mind and get what I was feeling before reacting and messing things up.
However, when she kissed me back the night before, I knew that she had the same feelings I had towards her therefore my chances were higher than his, and all I had to do was win her heart so that she could be mine.
"Do I have to remind you that you're mine?" I clenched my jaw and gritted my teeth.
"Hein?" She stared at me confusingly, looking as adorable as ever with her puppy big eyes and chocolate in the corner of her lips.
"I hate sharing what's mine" I tried my best to keep my composure since I didn't want to look like the jealous kind of guys.
"Hey who said I am yours?" She put her croissant and glared at me with sparkly eyes which only meant that she was going to explode.
"I hate seeing you around him" I confessed lowly as if I was talking to myself but she heard me anyway since she kept leaning closer until her face was beside my ear.
"Jealous?" She whispered as soon as I turned my face to look at her.
She was closer than I expected her to be, her breath faned my face with chocolate scent, and her flawless skin almost touched mine as the corner of her lips was full of chocolate mixed with the lipstick she put on which I dared to guess it tasted like strawberries.
My eyes instantly relaxed on her lips which looked so appealing and hard to resist. But I wasn't quite sure how would she react if I kissed her in public, in the college's cafeteria in front of other students. However, one look in her eyes threw my doubts out of the window.
I didn't even have to move to claim her lips since I only opened my mouth to enhale a breathe when I found myself skipping it by claiming her lips in a soft kiss. Her strawberry and chocolate taste along with her own created the perfect combination in my mouth. A taste I could devour forever.
'It was strawberry after all' I chanted in my head, enjoying her taste.
Her hand rested on top of my chest, sending my heart racing as mine reached the end of her hair strays and curled them around my finger uncontrollably. It was sweet and gentle, the type of kisses which would leave you craving for more without trying to push things, and it spoke everything that our mouths couldn't spell since unspoken words with actions are better than million meaningless spelled words.
"Busted" A familiar feminine voice echoed in my ear but I didn't pay attention to it since I was busy, in the presence of the beautiful lady sitting in front of me.
/*Haha*/
"Seriously Zack?" I heard the voice again which made me pull away and stare blankly at the intruder.
"Oops" I mumbled, resting my forehead on top of Nadia's who was trying to catch her breath.
"I will never see the end of it" I thought to myself as I looked at Nadia, whose cheeks were flushed red.
//So what did you think?
Thanks for waiting...
I'm finally done with exams.
Please don't forget to vote ;)
Thanks you... ð