Selena had known Tara would choose that particular nightgown, but she raised an eyebrow, saying, "Assistant Tan, I wanted the dark gray silk one, not this."
Tara moved closer, pressing the nightgown into Selena's hands as she leaned in, resting her head near Selena's chin, with her hair brushing against Selena's neck. Her lips brushed close to Selena's ear as she whispered softly, "But this one's so soft, Sister, and you'll be comfortable in it. If you're worried about the chill, I can turn on the heater a bit more. Let's go with this one, alright?"
Selena lowered her gaze, meeting Tara's clear, pleading eyes.
How does she manage to make everything sound so endearing?
Giving in, Selena reached out and scratched Tara's ear lightly, "Fine. Now, let go so I can change."
Tara obediently stepped back, waiting while Selena entered the bathroom to change. The frosted glass door only gave a vague outline of Selena's movements, casting a faint silhouette against the glass. Tara, watching it, found herself attempting to guess which step of dressing Selena had reached, inwardly scolding herself for acting like a voyeur.
By the time the door opened again, Selena emerged wearing exactly what Tara had hoped—the black lace gown. Her hair fell loosely over her shoulders, framing her figure, and the gown highlighted her graceful silhouette. Tara's gaze drifted downward, tracing Selena's collarbone to her slender waist, and finally to her bare legs, which seemed to glow against the wooden floor. Leaning down slightly, Selena let out a whisper, brushing Tara's ear, "Now, are you going to sleep like a good girl?"
Her words stirred something in Tara. Her hand wrapped around Selena's waist, tugging her closer until Selena fell onto the bed beside her.
Tara's claim wasn't an exaggeration—the bed was indeed very soft.
Selena's lips curved as Tara reached over, turning off the bedside lamp. Tara pulled the blankets around them, wrapping them both tightly, "Time for sleep, Sister."
Selena's fingers traced small circles on the pocket of Tara's sleep shirt, her voice heavy with sleep, "Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Sister." Tara leaned forward, placing a gentle kiss on Selena's forehead in reply.
Tara woke early the next morning at the sound of light movement and quickly disentangled herself from Selena, carefully setting her arm aside before slipping out of bed to answer the door.
Her mother was standing there, dressed impeccably, makeup already in place. Tara blocked the doorway slightly, lowering her voice, "Mom, it's early. Did you need something?"
Mrs. Tan's gaze attempted to peer past her into the room. Tara shifted, subtly blocking the view, and her mother's eyes, though seemingly relaxed, held a firm edge.
After a pause, Mrs. Tan finally spoke, "It's breakfast time, Tara. Have you forgotten how we do things at home?"
Tara's grip on the door handle tightened as she struggled against her initial instinct to resist. Keeping her tone controlled, she said, "Mom, I'm not a child anymore. I'm home for a holiday, so I wanted to sleep in a little."
Mrs. Tan paused as if just realizing how much Tara had grown, then replied, "Fine. But breakfast will be served no later than seven."
"Alright, I'll be down by then," Tara replied, her voice steady.
Mrs. Tan took a step, but turned back to ask, "So, you and your friend—did you both sleep in here last night?"
Her mother's gaze was sharp and questioning, needling its way into Tara's chest. It took her back to that stormy summer night in high school, when everything she'd kept hidden was dragged into the open, leaving her kneeling on the floor, defenseless against her parents' rage. The memory still made her cheek burn.
Taking a breath to clear her head, Tara replied calmly, "Yes. Is that a problem?"
Mrs. Tan looked like she wanted to say more, but held back, simply reminding her again, "Be downstairs on time for breakfast."
Tara watched her mother's retreating figure with a twisted smile, feeling the lingering bitterness from that long-ago incident clawing its way up once more. Her mother's silence—did it mean she remembered that event, too?
When she closed the door and returned to the room, Selena was already sitting up, her naturally sharp features softened by the early morning light. Rubbing her eyes sleepily, her bracelet slipped down to her forearm. "Was it your mom?"
Selena had already fallen into the habit of calling her Tara's mom, just like that.
Looking at Selena, the unpleasant memories faded. Tara smiled, "Mom wants us downstairs for breakfast by seven."
Climbing back into bed beside her, Tara murmured, "Did I wake you?"
Selena lay down again, fingers absentmindedly toying with Tara's collar, a small smile tugging at her lips. Tara was about to fall back asleep when Selena's light touch roused her, and she finally cracked open an eye, catching Selena's fingers in her own.
"Are you not sleepy?" Tara asked, giving her a teasing pinch.
Selena lowered her gaze, her voice a soft murmur, "No."
"Well, I still am. I'll nap a bit longer while you keep an eye on the time."
As Tara's eyes drifted shut, Selena half-reclined beside her, wrapping an arm around her and holding Tara's hand gently in her own. Her gaze softened as she watched Tara, her expression tender and filled with something between admiration and devotion. The quiet sounds of Tara's steady breathing lulled her, and she began to hum a lullaby, one her grandmother had sung to her as a child, letting its melody guide Tara back to sleep.
The minutes ticked by until seven o'clock, and then Selena gently shook Tara awake. "Sweetheart, it's time. Let's go downstairs for breakfast."
Tara mumbled a sleepy, catlike response but obediently sat up, slowly stretching before they both dressed and went downstairs.
Selena wore a soft white sweater, her hair loosely clipped up, making her look even gentler. Mrs. Tan greeted them with a warm smile, "Did you sleep well last night, Selena?"
Selena gave a small, bashful smile. "I did, thank you, Mrs. Tan."
Mrs. Tan's eyes lingered on Tara for a moment, an unreadable look flickering across her face before she continued, "Good, good. I was worried you two might not sleep well together. Tara moves around a lot in her sleep, always kicking her legs—she must have disturbed you."
Selena's mind flashed back to Tara curled up beside her like a kitten, her lips curving into a smile. A light blush rose on her cheeks, coloring her face, as she replied, "Not at all, Mrs. Tan. I sleep like a rock."
Tara focused intently on her milk, avoiding eye contact while Selena chatted with Mr. Tan about investments.
Seeing her moment, Mrs. Tan pulled Tara aside to the garden. It was a secluded space, still misty from the early morning, with a light fragrance of winter blooms. Tara sat beside her mother in a small, arched gazebo, where her mother turned to her, looking intently.
"Tara, is there something you want to tell me?" her mother asked, her voice laced with concern.
Tara's eyes drifted to a blooming tree, and she couldn't help but think of the first time she'd met Selena—so fierce, so sure, like the frost-touched blossoms here.
Noticing her daughter's silence, Mrs. Tan leaned forward, tapping her hand on the table to regain Tara's attention. "Tara, I need to ask you something," she pressed, her tone direct.
Tara lowered her eyes, her fingers brushing an errant petal that had fallen onto her lap, her tone flat. "Go on. Ask whatever you need to."
Mrs. Tan studied her daughter's face carefully, her eyes intense as she finally spoke, "Tara, are you and Selena…in that sort of relationship?"
Tara's expression remained neutral, but she arched an eyebrow, meeting her mother's gaze directly. "What do you mean by 'that sort of relationship'?"
"You know…." Mrs. Tan hesitated, her voice tense with the unspoken. But Tara let out a soft, mocking laugh, her tone laced with a sarcastic edge.
"Oh, is it so hard to say, Mother? The words 'romantic relationship'—are they too difficult?"
Mrs. Tan's face hardened momentarily, but she quickly controlled herself, tightening her grip on Tara's wrist. "So, are you and Selena actually in a relationship? This isn't high school, Tara, and we can't afford another scandal like that."
Realizing she'd slipped, she softened her voice, trying to cover her tracks. "I mean, your father and I misunderstood back then, and we were wrong. But you should have learned from it, don't you think? Just be honest with me. Are you dating Selena?"
Tara's gaze grew shadowed, like storm clouds settling over the sea, rendering her emotions unreadable.