Lesley's eyes stretched wide as she realized what she had just done. She had kissed Zaden, the man who had been teasing her and pushing her boundaries all day. Before she could even process her actions, Zaden deepened the kiss, and she felt like she was under a spell. The kiss was like fireworks exploding in the night sky, leaving her breathless and wanting more.
Zaden, too, was taken aback by the intensity of their connection. He pulled away, running his long fingers through his hair, and wondered what she was doing to him. He had never felt this way before, like his whole world was being turned upside down.
Lesley's heart raced as she tried to make sense of her feelings. She had never felt such a strong attraction to anyone before, and it scared her. She didn't know what to do, or how to process her emotions.
Zaden settled into the driver's seat, the car filling with an awkward silence. Lesley's grip on his shirt had loosened, but her eyes still held a lingering intensity. She seemed to be struggling with her thoughts, her lips parted as if to speak, but the words refusing to come out.
"Shhh," Zaden spoke softly, his tone soothing. "It's okay, Lesley."
Lesley's mind raced with questions. Why had she kissed him? What did it mean? And what did Zaden think of her now? She couldn't help but wonder if he saw her as weak or vulnerable. Had she given in too easily to her desires? Lesley's anger towards herself grew, her thoughts a jumbled mess of confusion and self-doubt.
As the car began to move, Lesley's gaze drifted out the window, her eyes fixed on the passing scenery. She couldn't bring herself to look at Zaden, fearing what she might see in his eyes - understanding, pity, or worse amusement.
The silence between them grew thicker, heavy with unspoken words and unresolved tension. Lesley's heart raced, her mind whirling with the consequences of her actions. She knew she needed to break the silence, but the words stuck in her throat, refusing to come out.
*****
"It was the weekend Rhia decided to explore the mansion Zander had left her. As she stepped out of the grand entrance, her gaze fell upon the pool, not because she wanted to swim, but because she admired its elegant design. Her eyes then wandered to the small triangular-shaped garden at the side, and she walked towards it with a deliberate pace, as if calculating something in her mind.
She reappeared with a plain paper and held her brush, raising her sleeve and tying her hair into a messy bun, with a few strands flying in the wind. As she began to paint, she looked like the painting itself, completely absorbed in the creative process.
Zander didn't take long to arrive, despite it being the weekend. Although he was a workaholic who usually worked on weekends, he had decided to come back early today. As he pulled into the mansion's driveway, he noticed a figure standing in the garden. He lazily loosened his tie, removed his suit jacket, and stepped out of the car. But as he approached the figure, he froze, taken aback by the magnificent view before him.
She stood with her brush and paper, her aura radiating purity and innocence. The warm vibe she exuded was a stark contrast to the mansion's usual dark and intimidating atmosphere. For the first time, the grand estate felt welcoming and alive, thanks to her presence.
Rhia sensed someone's presence and turned to face them. Her eyes locked with Zander's as he approached her. He stopped in front of her, gazing at the painting without comment. Then, he handed her a small, cute, fluffy bunny with a bow. Rhia's face lit up with a smile as she threw her arms around him, catching him off guard. Zander stiffened for a moment, and Rhia suddenly realized what she had done. She quickly pulled away, avoiding his gaze. "Thank you," she said, her eyes fixed on the bunny. But when she finally looked back up at Zander, she was thrilled to see that he bought her a gift her favoirite at that.
"There was a hint of amusement in his eyes, which vanished almost immediately. He wondered why she was so happy about something as insignificant as a small bunny. He didn't understand what was behind her radiant smile, but he was drawn to it nonetheless.
"Zander nodded in response and turned to leave, Rhia deciding to call it a day as well. She held the bunny tightly, wondering why he had given it to her, as she watched him head upstairs. She chose not to disturb him, instead settling into the soft, cozy sofa and turning on the TV. She switched to her favorite anime, already on the last season, and became engrossed in the story, the bunny snuggled up beside her.
"Zander emerged from his bath, his dark hair still damp as he towel-dried it. He wore his usual black shirt and loose sweatpants, descending the stairs to find Rhia sitting on the sofa. As he approached her, he noticed a faint noise and saw that she was hugging the bunny tightly, tears streaming down her face. This was the first time he had ever seen Rhia cry, and it caught him off guard. He stood in front of her, unsure of how to react, as she continued to sob uncontrollably.
"She raised her head, and Zander heard her choked words as she stared at him, her eyes red and puffy from crying. She pointed to the TV screen, where the anime was still playing, and sobbed,
'They killed him!'