Days passed, and Rhia tried her best to avoid Zander. Coming back with James, she entered the mansion. "Don't go," she heard a deep voice, turning as her gaze met Zander's. There was a flicker of emotion in those unfathomable eyes, but Rhia couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.
"Why are you avoiding me " He asked.
Rhia's heart raced as she stood frozen, her eyes locked onto Zander's. She hadn't expected him to confront her so directly.
"I...I wasn't avoiding you," she stammered, trying to sound convincing.
Zander's gaze never wavered, his eyes piercing through her defenses. "Don't lie, Rhia. I can see it in your eyes. You're trying to stay away from me."
Rhia felt a surge of guilt, her conscience pricking at her. She hadn't meant to hurt him, but she couldn't deny the truth.
"I just needed some space, that's all," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Zander's expression softened, his eyes losing some of their intensity. "Space from me, or from the situation?"
Rhia hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But something in Zander's gaze made her trust him, just a little.
"From the situation," she admitted, her voice still low. "I feel like I'm trapped in a world I don't understand, and I don't know how to escape."
Zander's face remained impassive, but his eyes seemed to hold a glimmer of understanding, a hint of empathy that surprised Rhia.
"You're not trapped, Rhia," he said, his voice low and husky as he began to walk towards her.
As Zander advanced towards her, Rhia's heart raced with anticipation, her eyes fixed on his piercing gaze. She attempted to retreat, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot, and soon her back was pressed against the wall. Zander leaned in, his face mere inches from hers, his warm breath caressing her skin.
"I shouldn't have driven you away," he whispered, his voice low and husky, laced with a hint of regret. "You're right, Rhia. You deserve so much better than the way I've been treating you."
Rhia's eyes widened, taken aback by his unexpected words. She had braced herself for anger, defensiveness, or even cold indifference, but not this...not this gentle, almost-apologetic tone that sent her heart racing.
Before she could formulate a response, Zander's lips grazed her forehead, a soft, gentle touch that sent shivers coursing through her body. His thin, pink lips were surprisingly soft, and the peck he gave her felt like a whispered promise, a hint of something more to come.
Rhia's heart fluttered wildly, her mind racing with questions. What did this mean? Was Zander finally opening up to her? And why did his touch make her feel like she was melting into the wall, like her very existence was surrendering to his embrace?
Zander turned and walked away leaving her in more questions than answers.
Rhia couldn't shake off the feeling of Zander's lips on her forehead long after he walked away. It was as if he had left a mark, a claim, a promise. She felt confused, unsure of what to make of his sudden change in behavior.
As she tried to gather her thoughts, James approached her, a concerned expression on his face. "Rhia, are you okay? You look a bit shaken."
Rhia hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "I...I think I need some fresh air, James. Can we take a walk outside?"
James nodded, and together they strolled through the mansion's gardens, the cool breeze and vibrant flowers providing a welcome distraction from Rhia's turbulent thoughts.
As they walked, Rhia couldn't help but wonder what Zander's intentions were. Was he genuinely sorry for his behavior, or was this just another ploy to manipulate her?
And what did she feel for him, exactly? Rhia's heart raced at the memory of his touch, but she couldn't deny the uncertainty that lingered beneath the surface