Chereads / The Silence that fades.... / Chapter 12 - Embracing Vulnerability

Chapter 12 - Embracing Vulnerability

"LET'S GO!" I shouted, caught up in the frenzy with my friend Anne. We linked arms, our inhibitions lost to the night. Meanwhile, Jackson, Detstvo, and Asher remained sober, observing our antics with amusement. As I clung to Asher's hand, questioning his sobriety, he replied, "Who would take care of you when you are drunk?" Undeterred, Anne and I danced on, oblivious to everything but the rhythm of the night. Eventually, I found myself in Asher's arms, suggesting we end the festivities. With a nod, he signaled to clear the room, and soon, we were the only ones left. "This was the best night of my life," I declared, twirling in delight until rain began to fall. Ignoring Asher's aversion to the rain, I danced outside, reveling in its embrace. His reluctant smile melted my heart as he joined me, lifting me into the downpour as laughter echoed around us. Concerned maids rushed to our aid, urging us inside before we fell ill. Escorted to the upper floors, Asher and I parted ways to change. Emerging from the bathroom, I encountered Asher's disapproval of my attire, but his urgency sent me on my way. In the solitude of the bath, as steam filled the room, I prepared to immerse myself in the hot water. Yet, a presence behind me halted my movements, a touch against my back sending shivers down my spine. I turned to find Detstvo standing there, and our eyes locked in mutual surprise. "Oh, damn," we exclaimed simultaneously before a flurry of exclamations filled the air. Reacting swiftly, I wrapped myself tightly in the towel and retreated. "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING!?!?" Detstvo's voice thundered behind me, matched by my own incredulous outcry. "I was bathing!" he insisted as Asher and the maids rushed in, their confusion evident. Asher's protective embrace shielded me from Detstvo's gaze as he questioned whether Detstvo had done anything untoward. "No, it was my mistake. I was drunk and just walked in," I assured him, while Detstvo expressed his regret for not locking the door. The maids suggested I use the next bathroom slot, and I complied, though I could sense Asher's simmering anger. Entering the adjacent bath, I discovered a setup with a slide cover for privacy. As I immersed myself in the hot water, fatigue washed over me. The sound of Asher's voice calling me "Bae" penetrated my drowsiness. His confession of jealousy stirred conflicting emotions within me. "Why?" I countered, my tone cool. His admission of feeling torn apart by Detstvo's proximity left me grappling with empathy. As I finished bathing, his vulnerability tugged at my heartstrings, and I resolved to reassure him. Returning to our room, I noticed the separate beds as his parents had arranged, reflecting our divergent tastes in décor. Dressed in a black shorts and loose white shirt, I settled into my bed, my mind restless. Asher's presence nearby heightened my awareness, and my thoughts swirled with concern for him. Unable to ignore the connection between us, I turned on the bedside light, signaling my own sleeplessness. Asher's silent approach and subsequent request to share my bed softened my resolve, and we drifted into a peaceful slumber, cocooned in each other's presence.