A kiss in the Chaos

Lina’s POV

It started like any other day—chaotic, noisy, and way too busy for my liking. Preparations for the gala had hit full swing, and the mansion felt more like a bustling train station. I was trying to avoid the madness by hiding in the study, but, of course, Zara found me.

“Lina, are you seriously hiding again?” she asked, leaning against the doorway, arms crossed.

“Not hiding,” I said, without looking up from my book. “Strategically retreating.”

She rolled her eyes and walked over, plopping down on the couch beside me. “Come on. You can’t avoid this forever.”

“Watch me,” I replied with a smirk, but my confidence wavered as she leaned closer.

Zara’s presence was like a magnetic pull—impossible to ignore.

“You’re impossible,” she muttered, shaking her head.

Before I could respond, we heard a loud crash from the hallway, followed by someone yelling.

“What now?” I groaned, closing my book.

We both stood and headed out to investigate.

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Zara’s POV

The source of the commotion turned out to be a toppling tower of crates in the main hall. One of the staff members had accidentally knocked them over, scattering decorations everywhere.

Lina knelt down to help pick up the pieces, and I followed suit.

“Careful,” I said, grabbing her hand as she reached for a broken glass ornament. “You’ll cut yourself.”

She looked up at me, her brows furrowed. “I’m not a child, Zara.”

“I’m aware,” I said, not letting go of her hand.

Her eyes flicked to where our hands were joined, and I saw the faintest hint of color rise in her cheeks.

“Fine,” she muttered, pulling her hand away.

As we worked together to clean up the mess, it became clear that whoever stacked these crates had done a terrible job. The crates were wobbling again, teetering precariously.

“Watch out!” I called as the stack started to fall.

Without thinking, I grabbed Lina and pulled her out of the way. We stumbled back, her hands clutching at my jacket for balance.

Before I knew it, we were pressed against the wall, her face inches from mine.

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Lina’s POV

It happened so fast. One moment, Zara was pulling me out of harm’s way, and the next, we were pressed together, our breaths mingling in the narrow space.

Her hands were on my waist, steadying me, while mine were clutching her jacket like it was the only thing keeping me upright.

“Are you okay?” she asked, her voice low and laced with concern.

I nodded, unable to form words. Her face was so close, her eyes searching mine, and the warmth of her hands seeped through my clothes.

And then it happened.

Neither of us moved intentionally—it was like gravity took over. Her lips brushed against mine, soft and fleeting, but enough to send my heart racing.

We both froze, our eyes wide as the realization hit.

“Did we just…?” I started to say, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Yeah,” she replied, her voice equally stunned.

For a moment, neither of us moved, the world around us fading into nothing.

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Zara’s POV

It was accidental, I told myself. A misstep, a fluke. But as I looked at Lina, her lips slightly parted and her cheeks flushed, I couldn’t deny the spark that had ignited between us.

“I didn’t mean to—” I started, but she cut me off.

“I know,” she said quickly, stepping back and putting some space between us. “It was… an accident.”

“Right,” I said, nodding. “An accident.”

But as we stood there, awkwardly avoiding each other’s gaze, I couldn’t help but wonder if it really was.

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Lina’s POV

I avoided Zara for the rest of the day, keeping myself busy with anything and everything I could find. But no matter how much I tried to distract myself, I couldn’t shake the memory of that brief, accidental kiss.

That night, as I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, I replayed the moment over and over again. The way her lips felt against mine, the way her hands had held me like I was something precious…

It was all too much. And yet, I couldn’t bring myself to regret it.

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