HAPPY READING, AMORES!

➳➳➳❤Ⓒ❤Ⓢ❤➳➳➳

SABINA's POV

I squealed in surprise when I suddenly felt a strong pair of arms wrap around my waist. Thankfully, I quickly managed to cover my mouth with my hand or else, we would risk getting caught.

"Hmmm...I'm glad, you came."

"Xzav! You startled me!" I hissed as I unwrapped his arms around me. He laughed but I quickly covered his lips with my hand, worried that someone might hear him.

"Tone down your voice! What if the guards hear you?!"

"How many times do I have to repeat to you that they won't. Besides, the sound of the waterfalls is loud enough to kinda muffle our voices here." I chewed on my bottom lip worriedly.

"Don't you trust my words?"

I released a breath. "It's not like that, Xzav. It's just that, I can't help but to get paranoid. I don't want them to harm you." He smiled, placed a finger under my chin as our eyes locked.

"Just trust me and everything will be okay. I promise you that, Ina." I finally smiled and nodded my head.

"Okay. I trust you, Xzav." I didn't know why but one look from those tantalizing eyes of his and I felt like everything would really be okay.

"That's music to my ears. Anyway, let's go?" My forehead crinkled.

"Let's go? To where?"

He smiled boyishly. "It's a surprise." He then held out his hand for me. "C'mon, Ina. Let's go."

"But I can't—"

"—Don't worry, Ina. I got you. I'll take you back before 5. You mentioned to me several times that you wanted to get out of here, right? Well, I'll take you somewhere. Not totally out of the mountains but at least, out of Safe Haven. So, let's go?" I looked at his hand and then gingerly accepted it.

The thought of me going somewhere else brought me so much excitement and desire to see another place aside from Safe Haven.

"This place has nothing but mountains though."

He gave me a lopsided grin. "You'll see." I thought, we would be walking on the riverside because there was no other pathway known to the people of Safe Haven aside from that but to my surprise, we went deeper into the forest.

I've never been there before because I was afraid to encounter any wild animals. The leaders have been warning us about those and it got etched in my mind while growing up.

Then, after walking for about 30 minutes, my jaw dropped when I saw a rough narrow road and something caught my eyes on the side.

"Oh, my. I didn't know that there was a road here. Is that a car?" I wasn't sure if it was because I only saw one in old picture books that I grew up reading.

"Yes. It is." I slowly walked up to it full of awe, totally mesmerized by it. I touched it.

"It's feels sturdy and cold."

"Of course, it is. It's made of steel after all." I nodded my head as I walked around it, inspecting every detail of it full of amazement. Then, I heard a sound.

Xzav was already inside the car. He then got out and opened the door for me.

"Shall we go, Ina?" I excitedly got in and I felt like a kid looking around merrily. I couldn't contain my happiness of this new experience. But then, my excitement died down a little bit when I remembered about something.

"I've read that cars create loud sound. What if they hear it and we get caught?"

"Don't worry, Ina. This car doesn't emit loud sound that's why we're safe. Beside, we're a little bit far from Safe Haven from here. C'mon, buckle up." My forehead wrinkled.

"Buckle up?" I parroted confusedly. He chuckled then scooted closer and I gasped when our faces were already just a couple of centimeters away in just a second.

"You're too adorable, you know that?" I was holding my breath and didn't know how to answer because my heart felt like it was about to come out of my chest because of how hard it was beating.

Then, I heard a click sound before he straightened his back and sat like nothing happened. I looked down and understood what he meant by buckle up.

Then, the car started moving. I instinctively held onto my seat.

"Calm down, Ina. It'll be okay. I'm sure, you'll start to enjoy car rides soon." He was right because moments later, I felt like I was having the time of my life as we go farther and farther away from Safe Haven.

"Look at those birds, Xzav! They're so pretty!" I was even sticking my head out of the window while admiring mother nature. The brush of air on my face felt so nice and exhilarating.

"I'm glad you're finally enjoying. You were so worried a while ago." I pursed my lips.

"Don't make me remember about it. For now, I just want to enjoy this moment."

"I'm glad to hear that." He smiled at me and I smiled at him. For some reason, my chest felt so light for the first time in my life and that was when I thought that I was doing the right thing.

I've dreamt of getting out of Safe Haven for so long and now, it's happening. Even though in the back of my mind, I knew that I would go back because my mother was there, at least, I could get to experience all this.

I glanced at Xzavier one more time and I smiled inwardly before I looked back outside.

"Oh, God, Xzav! We're so high up here! We might fall!" I couldn't help but panic as I looked at the bottom of the cliff. The road was narrow and on the right side was a cliff.

"Don't worry, Ina. I won't let something bad happen to you. I promised, didn't?" I nodded my head.

"I know. I just can't help but—"

"—Give me your hand." He interrupted me as he held out his right hand for me without looking at me because his eyes were fixed on the road. I gingerly did as I was told. He then glanced at me and when our eyes met, my panic flew out of the window. Just like that, I knew that everything's going to be alright.

"If you're afraid, just close your eyes." I nodded my head and did as I was told. We held each other's hand until we finally came to a stop.

"We're here." He announced. I opened my eyes and saw his smiling face. He then got out of the car and then came to my side of the car to open the door for me.

"Welcome to my secret paradise here in the Alps."

"Secret paradise?" I parroted as I looked around. Then, my lips parted in awe when I saw a beautiful house. I couldn't believe that there's actually a house in this part of the mountains. I thought, we were the only people who lives around this area.

"Yes. This is my log house. I stay here whenever I want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy the nature alone."

"Wow. You have such a nice big house, Xzav. A lot of people can fit in there."

He chuckled. "Really? I've never thought about that. I've never brought anyone here aside from you." I snapped my head to his direction.

"Really? But why? This is such a beautiful place to hide from your friends and loved ones. I'm sure, they will be happy to visit it just like I feel right now."

"You're the only one I know who's already happy just by seeing a house without even being inside it yet." He answered full of amusement and I smiled.

"But we're going to go inside it, right?"

"Of course." He then took my hand. "Enough with that topic. I am more interested in touring you around my house." He then pulled me by the hand and led me towards the door.

Upon opening it, I couldn't stop admiring it. It was my first time seeing such beautiful house because all the houses in Safe Haven were relatively small and simple. Nothing special to tell the least.

"I'm really curious why you decided to have a house in this desolate place. Ever since I was young, that's what I feel about Safe Haven. I saw nothing around us but trees, the sky and the animals living around and that's all. I yearned to get out of the mountains and yet, you're here, a man from the city and even have a house in this area of all places. Why's that? I mean, if I were you, I would never stay in this place and just stay there in the city." I couldn't hold back my curiosity while we were at the balcony, watching the beautiful scenery outside.

"Desolate place, huh?" He chuckled. "You sound like living here is such terrible thing to do." I shrugged my shoulders and didn't comment as I felt sad.

"I can see that you really want to get out of here as soon as possible. Ever since we got to know each other, you've been talking about leaving Safe Haven. Did it ever occur to you what would happen if you ever went to the city and realized that the city life was not for you after all?"

I shook my head. "That would never happen because leaving Safe Haven is my only key to have a wonderful life and to have the chance to complete my family again."

"Then, why don't you accept my offer to get you out of here?" Yes, I already told Xzav about my situation and he offered to help me escape but I declined.

"Much as I want to accept your offer, I can't because I don't want something bad to happen to you. If you helped me, the people in Safe Haven will surely hunt you down and I'm sure, they will punish you for sticking your nose to where it doesn't belong.

"I can see that you have a great life and I don't want to be the reason for it to be destroyed. I consider you my friend now and I want to protect you at all cost." Xzav remained quiet while staring into my eyes and I caught that strange emotion that passed through his eyes.

"What if I don't want to be your friend?" My heart tightened painfully.

"Y-You don't want to? Why?" I asked softly as my eyes watered. I felt like weeping in pain for some reason.

He faced me and then cupped my face with his hands. "What do you have that you're stirring these strange feelings inside of me in such a short period of time? I was never into innocent women before but after spending time with you, you made changes in me that I couldn't comprehend.

"And now, you're referring to me as your friend? Don't you have any idea how you've been making me crazy just by your innocent voice and touch? No, Ina. I don't want to be just your friend." My lips parted as I stared back at him full of confusion.

"I—don't understand." I admitted and looked down.

"Look at me, Ina." I reluctantly did.

"I want you to be mine."

"W-What?"

"Be mine, Ina." He sounded gentle yet determined. I removed his hands from cupping my face and then turned my back on him, confused.

"I'm afraid, Xzav. I don't have any knowledge about these kinds of things and I'm afraid that I might not be able to—" Before I could even finish what I was about to say, he pulled me by the hand and made me face him and before I could understand what just happened, his lips already sealed mine.

Just like a drug, my body felt like it turned into jelly that I didn't have a choice but to tip on my tippy toes and encircled my arms around his neck for support before I fall down.

Just like the first time we kissed, my lips automatically moved as I listened to my instinct. Oh, gosh! It was really addicting and making my senses reeling.

"I know that all of these are new to you but can't you feel the heat between us? The silent connection and spark? I've never believed in these kinds of bull but you made me feel all these in just a short period of time. You're an amazing woman, you know that, my Ina? I can't just stand here and do nothing knowing that if some other guy out there would see you, they would potentially take you from me." He whispered hoarsely after that mind-boggling kiss.

Upon hearing that, I suddenly remembered about my situation. I untangled my arms from his neck.

"I don't think, I'll be able to accept a guy into my life, Xzav." I saw the pain that passed through his eyes but it was only for a second.

"Why? Don't you want me to?"

"Because I am destined to be the wife of our leader." I almost tasted the bitterness in my mouth upon uttering those words. The pain of thinking about the possibility that it would happen almost killed my heart.

"Do you love him?"

"No but—" He placed his forefinger on my lips.

"—No buts, Ina. Even though you're not saying anything, I know who's in your heart. Me." He looked so sure.

"Aren't you being conceited here, Mr.?"

"Nope. I'm just telling the truth."

"What if I tell you right now that you're wrong?" I countered. He grinned and then drew his face closer to mine that our lips were almost touching. It suddenly became harder to breath as my heartbeat went wild.

"Then, I'm going to go back to the city with a broken heart." I got alarmed.

"Y-You're going to leave me?"

"Because I don't want to be a bother. If you don't want me to stay here and be with you, I won't force you to."

"But I want to be with you!"

"And why is that? I thought, I wasn't the one in your heart?"

"I didn't say that!" I exclaimed before I could even stop myself. My cheeks went red when I saw how he smiled.

"N-No. What I meant was—" I tried to take back what I just said.

"I dare you to tell me that it's not me."

I swallowed hard. "You're not the—"

"—Liar." And just like always, he made his point by claiming my lips for a steaming and addicting kiss. It overwhelmed my senses and got lost in the moment.

"Tell me you're mine." He breathed as his kisses slowly went to my neck, teasing me there while his hands became busy with their own exploration.

"Yes, my Xzav...I'm all yours."

"Good answer, my Ina." I realized that it was useless for me to deny my feelings because I would just make it difficult for us.

I was afraid of all the consequences of what I've been doing these past weeks but I threw all my fears and doubt in the air because I knew for sure that I would rather to gamble with my feelings for Xzav instead of pushing him away and live a miserable life without trying.

He came like a hurricane into my life but even so, I knew for sure that he would never cause havoc in my life.

Days went by and everything changed between the two of us. From the beginning, both of us knew that we have these special feelings for each other and Xzav never failed to express it towards me. He was very patience towards me knowing that my knowledge about things like these was next to nothing. And now, his efforts finally paid off.

➳➳➳❤Ⓒ❤Ⓢ❤➳➳➳

How's the chapter, Amores?

Do you think Xzavier is serious about Sabina?

What do you think will happen next?

COMMENT, VOTE, SHARE & FOLLOW