...??!!
'What? What have i done? What just happened?!'
Laurice snapped back from her trance in an instant.
Just now, her body absentmindedly moved on its own. A wave of nostalgia came over her.
...
"S-sorry. I ... d-didn't mean to ... " Laurice stammered as she frantically get out from the sheets in bed to pick up the tumbled glass on the floor. "I'll clean up this mess." She uttered rather anxiously.
The way she reacted just now was completely way out of line. She was both nervous and embarrassed towards the man who had seen her at such state.
She fear the man would think she was clingy and acting all childish and foolish. She was deeply regretting it already. Laurice wanted to pretend like nothing odd happened and wanted to act normal but her body just won't cooperate. She was still somewhat trembling inside. What was wrong with her?
'Damn it.'
As soon as Laurice stood up, a pair of strong arms gently wrapped itself around her body from behind.
...
Sid have never considered himself a sensitive man. However, he wasn't numb and entirely clueless about feelings and such especially towards that of the opposite sex, it was just that, he lack the necessary interest and experience to meet and interact with people, let alone engage in relationships. Nothing and no one had ever caught his interest before.
He always tend to be polite and civil towards others though, but he was still likely an awkward and aloof man on the surface which most people find appalling. It was as if he was always putting on walls and was always on guard. He never dared show his vulnerable side with anyone, not even with his son. He was always in control of his own emotions whatever the circumstances may be. He was always calm and collected and unfazed ... or so he thought.
...
Sid stared at the only woman who had just gave him the first genuine scare in his entire life. Her behavior was making him all the more confuse for some inexplicable reason. He doesn't like what's he's seeing. Something was definitely off about Laurice. Just like last time.
He hugged the woman from behind in an instant. It wasn't a conditioned response. He indeed hugged her willingly knowing it was the only right thing to do at the moment.
...
Laurice stiffened from the man's embrace and was even more surprised when she heard him spoke near her ears in a low and gentle voice.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
Laurice felt a lump in her throat she could not speak. What is she supposed to say anyway? There was no excuse for her odd behavior.
"You're shaking. Did i frightened you or something?" Sid asked worriedly.
"N-no. I just ... i got caught up in the moment. I'm sorry." Laurice fumbled in her words. She was still a bit tense but the man's warm embrace was so comforting and reassuring her body was slowly relaxing. Was she getting used to him being this close to her?
...
Sid pondered.
Caught up in the moment?
She was literally asking him to stay just now.
She even acted all weird for a moment there.
Did Laurice think he was leaving her behind?
Was it because he left her house in a sour mood?
Why would she even think that way when they had just shared a wonderful time together. They even kissed.
Did she misunderstood his intentions again?
Does she really not trust him enough to know anything?
He wanted to understand her. He wanted to be understood in return.
He does not like to keep an ambiguous relationship with Laurice. Was he being selfish?
Sid was struck with a sudden realization.
'Damn it.'
What was he rushing for? He was getting so impatient. He was always losing his cool towards the woman it was so unlike him.
After a long pause, Sid finally responded and said, "Hmm. Is that so?"
Laurice was stunned. She felt quite guilty somehow. Sid sounded a bit disappointed. 'Was he sulking?'
The man buried himself in her shoulders and hugged her tighter. He was feeling a bit insecure. He could sense there was something special going on between them already and it's obviously mutual but he feels unsatisified somehow. He was getting frustrated for not being able to ask her anything like he has no right to even be curious about it at all. He just wanted to know everything about her. Was he being too greedy? He wanted to hug and kiss naturally and comfort her when she's upset and just talk to her free of any inhibitions. He wanted those privileges and more exclusive for himself.
Not wasting anymore time moping, he pulled the woman face to face and confessed to her, "I like you, Laurice. I like you a lot. I'm attracted to you. You can feel it too, don't you? So please ... could you please give me chance to prove myself worthy of you? Could you spare me a space in your life atleast? I want to get to know you more. I want to hear your thoughts. What makes you happy, what makes you sad. What upsets you. Your dreams. Everything."
Laurice: " ...!!!??? "
'What's with the sudden confession?!'
Shock was not enough to describe how Laurice was feeling at the moment. Her senses overdrive. The man was talking too much it was overwhelming. He looked somehow dejected and perhaps a little desperate too. Well he sounded desperate alright. She gaped at him with mouth wide opened. She did not expect this from Sid at all. He was way out of character. Was he drunk or something? Isn't she the one who had a drink last night?
She faltered. A sudden rush of memories came through her.
Wait, did she passed out somewhere and Sid found him and took her to his place instead to spend the night with? What about Catherine then? What exactly happened last night? Laurice wanted to ask him all sort of questions. But was it even important now? She was probably just hearing things, isn't she? But, it seemed so real. The man had just confessed his feelings to her! She almost went crazy about the kiss awhile ago and now, a confession?
"W-what did you say?" Laurice muttered in her breath and asked incredulously.
The man's gaze deepened.
'This woman. Can she not look too flustered and just give him an answer already. He was feeling so anxious he already felt his knees buckle. What? Is he afraid of rejection? Seriously?'
With a firm voice Sid repeated, "I said, I like you."
"But ... we just met." Laurice responded. She seemed to disbelieve him. Her brows creased.
Sid felt a nerve twitched.
He sighed incredulously and said, "You're not listening Laurice. I just said i wanted to know you personally. And i don't care how long we've known each other. So whether you like it or not, we're already official."
'What?! What's this sudden change of temperament?!
Official? What does he mean? I haven't said anything yet!'
Sid grinned. The man leaned forward and whispered in her ears, "Besides, we've already kissed. I don't just kiss anybody Laurice. And you're not allowed to kiss anyone else either."
The man's breath was hot and seductive. Laurice had goosebumps all over. Her face was flushed.
'What the h*ll?!'
Does he even have to mention that?
"What right ... " Laurice was about to yell at the shameless man who was making her heart beat out of her chest when he cut her midsentence.
"You're mine, that's why."