Bloom turned her face away when he looked up and caught her eyes. She grabbed one of the pillows and covered her flushed face.

"I guess we are even now," she heard him say before he entered the bathroom.

She turned around when she heard the bathroom door close. She sighed in relief staring at the ceiling.

She reached for the Rubik's cube on his nightstand and tried to arrange the puzzle. Zayn's phone vibrated non-stop on the nightstand, she was tempted to take a peek but she resisted and blocked the sounds out.

Zayn came out a few minutes later drying his hair with a black towel, she was relieved when she saw he was wearing sweatpants. He took a glance at his phone when it vibrated again.

He came to sit next to her on the bed, he hung the black towel around his shoulders and picked up his phone. His thumbs tapped fast on his phone as he replied to all the messages.

It was the closest she had gotten to see his tattoos, she moved closer and studied each symbol and drawing inked on his skin.
His wet hair was still dripping water, she watched as a droplet rolled down his back.

"You know your hair is still wet right?" She told him.
He removed the towel around his shoulders and outstretched it for her to take.

She got the message and collected it, she stood on her knees behind him and wiped his hair soothingly while he typed on his phone.

She liked how smooth and glossy his curls looked, she wondered if it was natural. She finished drying his hair but she didn't pull away; instead, she dropped the damped towel and touched his hair. She ran her fingers through his curls loving the texture.

Zayn left the group chat and dropped his phone, he leaned closer to the movement of her hands, they felt so good. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the moment he knew won't last.

Bloom looked at his face, his eyes were closed. She didn't know what had gotten into her but she liked the boldness surging through her veins. She moved one hand to his face and traced every curve of his face with her fingertips, her eyes were glued on his lips. Would it be stupid of her to initiate the kiss?

As if he could feel her eyes on his lips, he opened his eyes and they locked with her dark eyes. He moved his hand to the nape of her neck and caressed her right cheek with his thumb. She tried to regulate her breathing as he stared at her slightly parted lips.

She waited for him to kiss her but he didn't, she drew closer desperate to feel his lips on hers. Their lips brushed against each other but he refused to kiss her, he pulled away and left the bed.

He didn't even kiss her yet she was breathless as she watched him walk to his work table leaving her alone on the bed. She bit her lips and laid on the bed feeling embarrassed at how desperate she was.

"When are you leaving for college?"
He suddenly asked.

"Next year," she replied looking at a family photo on the nightstand.
He didn't say anything afterward. She turned away from the photo and closed her eyes, soon she was fast asleep.

"Are you hungry?"
Zayn asked but no one answered.

"Bloom?" He called but got no answer. He turned around and found her fast asleep.

He stood up and walked to his wardrobe, he grabbed a t-shirt and his gun.
He took a glance at her, she looked cute with the big towel wrapped around her head. He was dying to kiss her but he knew he had to keep his distance from her. Why was she making it so difficult? He didn't expect her to return but here she was sleeping on his bed and wearing his clothes, a part of him was happy but the other part knew he needed to get rid of his feelings for her. He turned away and left the room.

He smiled at his little sister when he saw her at the dining eating.

"Hey muffin," He kissed her head.
She smiled and hugged him. She picked one meatball from her spaghetti and put it in his mouth.

"Are you staying for Lunch?"
Rosa asked with small hope.

"No," He replied not looking at her.

"I will see you later, muffin."
He kissed her cheeks and headed for the door.

He opened the door and saw Nicole raising her hand about to knock on the door.

"Nicole? Liz? Ty..."

"I had nowhere else to go that's why I'm here."
Tyra cut in.

"What the hell are you guys doing here?" He asked.

"We came to see Bloom," Nicole replied chirpily.

"That sonovabitch."
He mumbled, realizing Taylor told them.

"Where is she?" Liz tried to look past his tall frame blocking the door.
He stepped out and shut the door.

"She is sleeping."
He told them and started walking away.

"Ohhh sleeping?" Lizzie and Nicole shared a mischievous look and trailed behind him.

"Did you guys..."

"Nothing happened," He answered before Liz could finish her sentence, he stopped to face them.

"Did you guys at least kiss?" Nicole asked with a hopeful grin.

He ran his palm down his face at his annoying friends and walked away.

"You're really not gonna let us see her?" Nicole whined.

"Yes." He grunted.

"That's so unfair," Nicole grumbled like a three-year-old.

"Did you guys get the text?" He asked them, trying to change the topic.

"What text?" Tyra asked.

"There's a new mission." He informed them.

"Finally," Tyra said pushing past them.

"Where is it this time?"
Liz frowned.

"Don't know but I'm sure it will be fun."
He sent them a wink and headed to his truck.

"I will see you guys there." He yelled over his shoulder.

||
Max stood like a King in front of his army, he smiled at them as he looked around the large room.

They all stood according to their rank, the red team was the highest rank, followed by the green team, then the blue team and the lowest rank was the yellow team.

They all had their customized team sweatshirts on. Zayn was the leader of the red team and he stood at the frontline with the rest of the leaders from the other teams.

"I don't know why I'm so excited," Max started with a wide smile.

"I'm glad we're becoming more famous, soon everyone will want to know more about us and the purpose of this organization, don't you like the sound of that?"
They all cheered at the news.

"There's a new task tonight, you know that already. It was sent through the Anti-sam app."
They all nodded.

"You know how we roll, no one gets hurt. I won't like for what happened last mission to repeat itself, it cost me a lot to clean it up. Follow the rules, no one will be spared next time."
Max said sternly.

"You have the location on the app, follow the plan and the instructions from your leaders."
He gave them a firm smile and turned on the projector to display the whole layout for the mission.

"Eyes on the screen, I only explain once; if you fuck up it's on you. You will make your entrance through this door right here..." He used the red pointer to show the location.

"red team will take this spot, the green team will take care of the power supply which is right here on the last floor. The blue team will handle the cameras and the yellow team will be on the lookout for the police, S.W.A.T, or the FBI, stay alert and make sure to inform everyone if you notice anything. The red team will make their way into the hall where the whole shit is happening, you will use this way."

"Once you make it inside, the green team you know what to do," he took a glance at the red team.

"According to my calculations, we only have ten minutes before the security becomes tight, everyone should set a timer and be vigilant, if things don't work out there's an emergency exit down here..."
He pointed.

"Why does he always take all the credit for your plans?" Nicole whispered next to Zayn.

"I don't mind," he shrugged.

"The green team will be the first to make it there, the yellow team will meet you, folks, then the red team will follow this way to get the blue team. You leave as fast as you can, remember all the state governors will be heavily guarded."
He explained.

"No snitching if you get caught, remember you pledged your loyalty to this organization."
He concluded.

"All team leaders should take position." Max's authoritative voice boomed.

"Who are we?!" He demanded.

"The Anti-sams!" They all roared.

"And what do we want?!"

"Vengeance!"

"I can't hear you!"

"Vengeance!!!"

"On who?!"

"Asshole Sam Nolan!!!" They growled.

"Remember, you never take your mask off till you get here and no team should fuck this up, get it?!"

"Yes Sir!!!"

"Good, you may now proceed."
He said with a wide smile.

||
Bloom opened her eyes slowly and found herself in a different surrounding, she blinked and stared at the furniture in front of her.

"When did my pink furniture get replaced with black?"
She thought.

"You're awake."
She jumped at the unexpected sound of his voice.

She sat up in a flash and turned to the direction of his voice. He was at his work table with a pencil in his hand and a book.

"What's the time?"
She asked unwrapping the towel around her head.

"Almost 11 pm," Zayn told her.

"What!"
She grabbed her phone and came down from the bed.

"Damian," She whispered biting hard on her lower lip.

"I will drop you off ."
He told her as she put on her shoe.

The house was very quiet as they left, she gripped her phone tightly as she thought of what might be happening at home.
She wondered if Damian got too worried and told her dad.

"Hey," Zayn grabbed her arm snapping her back to reality.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"No, I think I'm in big trouble. If Damian tells my dad I snuck out he's...."

"Then why did you come?" He cut in.

"Huh?" She toned out.

"Why are you here if you knew you were gonna get in trouble?"
His demeanor changed, he stared at her face waiting for an answer but she was tongue-tied.

"Get in the car, let's go." He let go of her arm and walked to the driver's side of the truck.

She nodded her head and walked to the truck. The ride was silent and it made her uncomfortable.

"I'm hungry," she blurted taking a look at him. "I want doughnuts," She added with a smile.

"Are you always like this?" He sighed taking a glance at her.

"Like what?"

He didn't say anything, he pulled into Dunkin Donuts. She put on her baseball cap and followed him inside.

A group of teenage girls at a table next to them were staring their way, she realized they weren't staring at her but at him.

She moved closer and intertwined her fingers with his before she could stop herself. Maybe she wanted to show them he was with her.

"What are you doing?"
He looked down at their entwined hands.

"I'm nervous," she lied.
He furrowed his brows at her but didn't say anything.

The line was moving slowly, it took two minutes before it got to their turn.

"What would you like?"
Her eyes scanned every flavor.

"The one with the chocolate topping."
She said, pointing at the doughnut with her finger. Zayn paid after she received the take out box and they left.

"Uhmm, this is so good," She moaned after the first bite.

"Try one," She brought it to his mouth.

"I know you want it," she whispered waving it in front of him.

"I'm not a fan of sugar."

"You sound like my nanny." She jeered.

"Aren't you too old for that?"

"Are you trying to ruin my doughnut moment?"
She covered the box and faced him with a hard look.

"Doughnut moment? Jeez." He mocked.

"You know today was the nicest you've been around me."
She said but he didn't say anything, he looked like he was thinking about something.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked poking him on the arm.

"I don't think you wanna know."
He said with a devilish smile.

"Try me." She urged.

"The beach, and you naked inside the water."

"I had my underwear on and you didn't see anything cause you were afraid of the water," she said and broke into a fit of giggles.

"I have seen you naked." He admitted.

"No you've not and you're never gonna see me completely naked."

"Never?"
He asked taking a glance at her.

"Never," She said daringly

"I smell a challenge."

"Call it whatever you want but you're not gonna see me nude."

"I love a challenge, I promise you I will see you naked before midnight."
She threw her head back in laughter at his confidence.

"Before midnight?" She asked and laughed again. "Good luck with that," she sneered.

"What will I get if I win?"

"Wow, you still believe you can see me naked before midnight?"

"I always keep my word, Bloom."

She chuckled in disbelief and stared at him to be sure he was joking.

"Come on already, what do I get?" he pressed.

"Ice Cream?"

"Are you fucking kidding me?"

"Uhm chocolate?"

"Seriously?" he frowned.

"Nike?"
He smiled, a genuine smile that reached his eyes.

"You're not gonna win anyway."
She said with so much certainty.

He stopped the car at his usual spot.

"I will see you in twenty minutes."
He said to her as she got down from the car.

She leaned on the windowpane with a smile.

"See you in twenty minutes then."
She said softly and walked away.

Eight minutes later she was standing in front of the secret exit, she took a deep breath and reached for the door handle but she pulled her hand away and started pacing.

"What to say, what to say, what to say..."
She tried to come up with an excuse.

She leaned on the wall and stared at the door like it was the door to hell.

"You can do this."
She inhaled deeply and exhaled, she opened the door and was met with a pair of green eyes.

She opened her mouth to say something but Damian pulled her into his arms, she was thrown aback by his reaction.

"Goddammit it Bloom, I was going crazy looking for you."
There were worry and relief in his voice.

"I thought something bad has happened to you."
She smiled and hugged him back.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to stay out so late," she said against his broad chest.

They separated and stared at each other, he looked very tired but he was smiling.

"I have something to tell you."
He said in a low tone looking around them.

"Okay, let's go to my room."
He followed her behind.

"What the hell Bloom!"
He yelled after he shut the door, she flinched at the sudden change of tone.

"You f*cking snuck out after you f*cking promised not to, do you know the shit I went through looking for you? I drove around the f*cking city looking for you and you left your f*cking phone off. I could only think of all the horrible things that might fucking happen to you,"
She gulped as he paused, she knew Damian had no filter when he was angry.

"Do you know there was an attack this evening by those psychopaths and you were f*cking out there, all alone, I thought I was gonna go fucking crazy if I don't find you before midnight..."

"Is dad okay?"
She cut in worried.

"He didn't attend the event, he's in California."
She sighed in relief.

"It doesn't f*cking change anything Bloom!"

"I'm sorry!" She scowled. "I know what I did was reckless, I'm sorry." She pouted.

He ran his fingers through his hair mumbling a curse under his breath.

"Sorry about the language, I'm just f*cking mad at you right now, sorry."
She giggled at his attempt to stop with the foul word.

"Where were you?" He asked calmly now.

"Uhm..." She fidgeted staring at her nails.

"Is that a guy's clothes?"
He stepped closer, Bloom tried to hide her blush.

"Who says it's a guy's clothes?"

"I'm a guy Dollface and I can tell a male scent when I smell one and his scent is all over you, did you..."

"No, it's not what you're thinking. He just lent me his clothes cause mine got dirty."

"So let me get this straight, you've been sneaking out to see a guy?" He raised an eyebrow in question.

"Not really, I only did it today."

"Do you like him?"

"Huh?"

"Do you like this guy?"
He repeated.

"No...I don't know."

"How does he make you feel?"
He took a seat on her bed and stared at her with keen interest.

"I need to pee."
She said really fast and went to the bathroom.

She sat on the bathtub in the middle of the bathroom and tried to breathe, her heart was racing just from Damian's questions.

"Do I like him?"
She removed her cap and brushed her hair back with her fingers.

How does he make me feel?
He makes me feel alive, he makes me sad and happy at the same time, he makes me wanna experience things, he makes me...

A knock from the door invaded her thoughts.

"Sorry if I made you uncomfortable, I know I'm a guy and it's awkward discussing this topic but if you need someone to talk to I'm always here Dollface."
Damian said from the other side of the door.

"Okay."

"Have you eaten?"

"Yes."

"Okay, it's getting late, hurry and go to bed."

"Sure."

"Good night, Dollface."

"Goodnight."

She stood up and walked to the wide mirror in her bathroom. She stared at herself in the mirror, her eyes caught a stain behind her ear.
She groaned and left the bathroom.

"After all my effort to get that stain off, " She frowned.
She sniffed his scent from his shirt and smiled.

"I'm not returning this anytime soon."
She undressed and dropped his clothes on her bed.

She tied a baby pink towel around her and went to the bathroom.
She passed the bathtub and decided to use the shower, she hung her towel outside the cubicle and shut the door to the shower.

She enjoyed the warm water that sprinkled down her skin, she finished and turned the shower off.

She saw a handprint on the glass wall when she turned around to leave the shower, it was very visible because of the steam from the shower. The door was slightly opened and she was very sure she closed it when she entered.

Fear consumed her, she looked around the glass cubicle before grabbing her towel.
She stepped out after wrapping the towel around her with trembling hands. Her fear grew when she saw the door to her bathroom widely open.

"Aaaahhhhhh!!!"
She screamed looking around for anything to use as a weapon.

"Bloom?"
She heard Damian's voice, he entered the bathroom with his gun in his hand.

He saw her holding a hairdryer and trembling, her wet hair dripped water down her face to her back.

She ran to him and hugged him tightly.

"Are you okay? I just heard you scream."
He asked after she pulled away, other guards were already flooding her room.
Aunt Matilda and the maids followed behind with fear evident on their faces.

"What happened? We heard you scream?" Aunt Matilda asked.

"Some.....someone was in my room, the person entered my bathroom and.....and....was watching me bathe."
Bloom stuttered.

"Oh dear," Aunt Matilda pulled her into her arms not caring about her wet hair.

"Are you sure?"
Damian asked with a clenched jaw.

"You can check the handprint, I swear to you I closed both doors."
She whimpered.

Damian walked to the glass wall and stared at the handprint that was slowly being lost to sight.

"Someone was really here, this handprint is too large to be hers, alert the security service and the others."

"I will be right back."
He told her and followed the other bodyguards out.

"Are you okay? "
Aunt Matilda asked softly.

"I don't know, I'm scared."

"We can stay here with you."
Anna offered.

"Yes, I'm sure they're gonna catch whoever this perverted monster is." Maria added and Bloom smiled.

"You can both go to bed, I will stay with her."
Aunt Matilda told them, they nodded and left.

"I will wait here while you get change."
Aunt Matilda stayed in her bathroom to clean the wet floor. Bloom walked to her bedroom to dress up.

She saw a folded paper peeking from under her pillow. She gulped and reached for the paper, she unfolded it and read it

Here's my shoe size...

She gasped with wide eyes.

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